Future author eating the Children's Book Review section of The New York Times
When you were a kid, what did you like to write?
Anything but book reports. Please do not tell your teacher this; you'll get me in trouble.
How long did you trick or treat?
Until I was twenty-one. I recommend bringing along a short friend.
P.S. I still like to dress up.
How old are you now?
A lot older than you. We'll leave it at that.
When did you decide to become a writer?
Second grade. That's when I figured out the children's librarian didn't write all those books and that maybe I could. P.S. My mom was a children's librarian. Would you like to see a poem I wrote way back when? Click here.
Do you have hobbies?
You mean besides dark chocolate? I like to travel. My passport and I have been to Belgium, Bermuda, Britain twice, Canada, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Fiji, France twice, Italy, Germany, Greece, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mexico lots, Nepal, the Netherlands twice, Peru, Switzerland, and Thailand. One summer I hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim. It took a week and I only got one blister! Click here if you want to see me in London.
What advice do you have for a kid who wants to write?
Read so much your parents tell you to stop, but don't stop, ever. Try keeping a journal and surprise yourself at age 30 by what you were like at ten.
How do I ask you a question?
Please make sure it's okay with your mom or dad, then you can email me . You can also write me the old-fashioned way with an envelope and a stamp. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for my reply. Here's the address:
Jennifer J. Stewart
c/o Holiday House
425 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017[Note: I have another interview that aspiring children's writers may enjoy. Click here to read it.]