The Children’s Book Review
Published: August 7, 2013
Sue Fliess
SUE FLIESS is the author of numerous books for children including Tons of Trucks and A Dress for Me! She’s also a freelance writer and a copywriter for a high-tech company, and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two sons, and a rescued Lab named Teddy. Her next Little Golden Book, How to Be a Pirate, will be published in Spring 2014.
Latest published book …
I actually have TWO books coming out this fall within a month of each other, so I’ll tell you about both!
Illustrated by award-winner Bob Staake (The Donut Chef, The Red Lemon, Bluebird)
A fun look at all the robots in our world today—in rhyme!
You wrote it because …
I love robots! But it started out as more of a whimsical robot book and when my editor bought it, she really wanted all the robots I included to be real robots in the world today. I worked to accomplish that and it’s a better book for it!
It’s a celebration of being gluten-free. For her birthday party, a child and her mom make a gluten-free cake. A simple rhyming story about inclusion and acceptance.
You wrote it because …
the number of kids with food allergies or food intolerances is growing. The book concept came out of a discussion with the publisher and we hope it helps children understand that they are not alone with this type of food intolerance—and also that there are still so many delicious things they can eat!
Favorite place to write …
My new home office. We converted our dining room to my own little writing cave and it’s just perfect. And it has 2 glass French doors. With 2 boys who somehow constantly need me the second I sit down to write, being able to close those doors is vital!
Necessary writing/creativity tool …
I have to have my MacBook Air and, strange as it sounds, my feet. I do my best writing while I’m walking or jogging.
I am not sure I idolize any author, but rather, I have a deep admiration for many. One is Stephen King. He’s so driven, he’s an amazing writer, and he’s written so many different kinds of stories—all of them well. Also, Judy Blume—I love everything she’s written and all she stands for. She’s a good egg!
Favorite illustrator …
Marla Frazee. Her illustrations emote a carefree, whimsical feeling that I love. I’d love to live in one of her illustrations. Marla, if you’re reading, will you illustrate my next book?
A literary character to vacation with …
Frog of Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad. He’s always so optimistic while keeping it real. He never seems to let things stress him out or get him down. He’s easy-going and keeps it simple. In today’s world, simple is good. I think I could truly relax if we took a vacation together. It would probably be a lake vacation.
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Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.
1 Comment
Eric Jacobson on
I think it’s great there’s a book for kids that is a celebration of being gluten-free. Kids with any kind of challenge need to be supported and accepted.
Robots, Robots Everywhere! from Little Golden Books, a division of Random House
A Gluten-Free Birthday for Me! from Albert Whitman & Co.
1 Comment
I think it’s great there’s a book for kids that is a celebration of being gluten-free. Kids with any kind of challenge need to be supported and accepted.