Photo: Courtesy of Barb Rosenstock
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
I am a life-long resident of Chicago. In school I loved history, social studies, theatre, and music. Yet, I was a psychology major in college, and worked in corporate marketing and communications for about twenty years…writing for children was not originally on my radar as a potential career. I didn’t know any “real people” who were authors. That’s why I think it’s so important for children’s authors to visit schools—one of the best parts of my job is inspiring future generations of writers and readers.
What inspired you to become an author?
My two sons (now grown) were my original inspiration. They happened to love true stories…you know, books about baseball players or pirates or scientists. About twenty years ago, a lot of children’s nonfiction was not all that interesting, it tended to focus more on dates and less on feelings. So, when I would read to them, I’d make up different words to go with the illustrations, and soon, I started writing some picture book stories of my own. It took about two years from the time I started writing until my first book contract, and now I’ve been writing for over a decade.
Where and when do you write? Do you have a writing routine?
I have an office in a spare bedroom at home. The room is painted lilac, my favorite color (and flower!) and has a window seat, which was a childhood wish. I have the same small white desk I’ve had since I started writing. I like to get to work early, like 4am, maybe 5am at the latest. When my sons were little, that was the only time I had to think, and now my brain is just used to creating early in the morning. Any routine can work; but I think some kind of routine is important.
How long does it take you to finish a picture book?
The general public tends to think that since a picture book is short (typically 32 pages) that it doesn’t take a long time to write. My novelist friends say that writing short is way harder than writing long. A nonfiction picture book takes about a year to research, another year to write, and then the illustrator has about a year to finish the art. By the time you add in printing, shipping, etc., a picture book is four to five years in the making. I’m now working on things that won’t come out until 2027.
Which authors can we find in your library?
There are so many children’s books on my shelves, literally thousands! But a few of my favorite nonfiction picture book authors include: Carole Boston Weatherford, Candace Fleming, Chris Barton, Theresa Robeson, Jen Bryant, Barb Kerley and Deb Heiligman. I also love every word that Patricia MacLachlan, Cynthia Rylant and Jaqueline Woodson ever wrote.
What advice would you give an aspiring author?
Writing is like anything else worthwhile (sports, dance, music); it takes a lot of practice. In fact, it is 99% “practice” and 1% “final.” When you fall in love with the practice, you fall in love with the way your brain works and that can be powerful. Read in your genre. Don’t expect perfection. You have to have words on a page in order to make them better. Just start!
Where can our readers purchase your books?
My books are literally available anywhere online and off, but I think it’s important to support local business. Our local community booksellers do great work, so I’d appreciate readers purchasing my titles from an independent bookstore if at all possible! From newest to oldest, my book titles are:
-Mystery of the Monarchs, illus. Erika Meza – out May 31, 2022
-Mornings with Monet, illus. Mary Grandpré (of Harry Potter fame)
-Fight of the Century, illus. Sarah Green
-Leave it to Abigail, illus Elizabeth Baddeley
-Prairie Boy, illus. Christopher Silas Neal
-Yogi, illus. Terry Widener
-Through the Window, illus. Mary Grandpré (A Sydney Taylor Honor Book)
-Otis & Will Discover the Deep, illus. Katherine Roy (NSTA Best STEM title)
-The Secret Kingdom, illus. Claire A. Nivola (Orbis Pictus Honor title)
-Blue Grass Boy, illus. Edwin Fotheringham
-Vincent Can’t Sleep, illus. Mary Grandpré
-Dorothea’s Eyes, illus. Gérard DuBois
-Ben Franklin’s Big Splash, illus. S.D. Schindler
-The Streak, illus. Terry Widener
-The Noisy Paint Box, illus. by Mary Grandpré (Caldecott Honor book)
-Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library, illus. John O’Brien
-The Camping Trip that Changed America, illus. Mordicai Gerstein (Parent’s Choice-Silver)
-The Littlest Mountain, illus. by Melanie Hall (PJ Library Selection)
On which Social Media channels can our readers connect with you?
I love it when readers get in touch! I’m on Twitter @barbrosenstock or Instagram @brosenstock. If people want to know about upcoming books, school visits or sign up for an occasional newsletter, my website is www.barbrosenstock.com
Photos: Courtesy of Barb Rosenstock
