Author and Illustrator Interview and a Giveaway: Elisa Kleven

My first-ever review for Latin Baby Book Club was of Elisa Kleven's Hooray, a Piñata because it was, and still is, a favorite in our house. This author and illustrator interview therefore holds a special place in my heart for that reason, as well as the story behind how I came to connect with Elisa in the hopes of interviewing her.

It is a simple, yet powerful story: I found her website and simply wrote her an email asking if I may interview her, and she responded almost immediately to say 'yes, she'd be honored.' I remember jumping up and down (just a little) as I read her response and I spent the rest of the day grinning.

I wanted to share the story with you because this is a great example for our children about how good things happen when you take a risk and ask for what you want. It also reminds them that people are kind and giving, which not surprisingly, are frequent themes in Elisa's books.

The Interview

While your own books, as well as those on which you’ve collaborated, may hold universal themes, many are set within the Latin-American culture. What inspires you most about the Latin-American community and how does it influence your creativity?

Forgive me if I'm generalizing but there is an overall love for children and family in Latin American culture that moves me. I am also inspired and uplifted by the colors of Latin American art and folk art, the soulful and spirited music, and the beautifully spicy food.

Your illustrations appeal to children of all ages so what made you decide to write stories primarily for those between the ages of 4 – 8?

I don't think it was a common decision -- I just retain a lot of the feelings I had at that age. I have, for instance, never outgrown my childhood tendency to find a refuge in imagination, to animate the world around me, to love and talk to animals, and to enjoy making things with my hands.

Dogs and carousels are recurring images in your illustrations and your books. Please tell us more about why these two things are meaningful to you.

I love dogs, so I often put them in my stories and pictures. Dogs (and cats) have been wonderful friends to me. And I find carousels, with their fantastical designs and colors, their whirling motion, and even their jingly tunes, as irresistible as I did as a child.

How do recommend parents foster creativity in their children?

I urge parents to read to their children every day, to make trips to the library, give books as gifts, and always have them available. Books feed children's spirits just like food feeds their bodies.

I also suggest that parents have art supplies available, and that they give children at least a corner of their own in which to create and to play. Children need time apart from school and scheduled activities in which to let their imaginations roam free.

Children also need to experience time in nature -- at the beach, under the stars, in the hills or even in neighborhood gardens, in order for them to get a sense of the mystery and magic at work on our planet.

What were your favorite children's books?

I loved Laura Ingall's Wilder's Little House series, Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, The Secret Garden, Andersen's Fairy Tales, the picture books of Leo Politi, and a book called K'Tonton, who was a little Jewish Tom Thumb who was always falling into his mama's matzoh ball batter and doing other stuff like that.

Note: Many of the above books are offered in Spanish.

In Hooray, a Piñata, Clara dreams about flying. What do you dream about at night?

Flying! And sometimes I have random, boring dreams, too.


To Enter the Giveaway

For many people, the days of summer have already counted down to zero but for those who still have some left to enjoy why not sing and count out loud using the Diez Deditos songbook by José-Luis Orozco that was illustrated by Elisa Kleven?

To enter to win a copy of this songbook, simply leave a comment at the end of this post by midnight EST September 6th.