Some of you are probably hoping this is a post about tracking Ammi-Joan Paquette, the [amazing] agent with Erin Murphy Literary Agency. But it’s not. It’s about tracking Ammi-Joan Paquette, the author!
Yes, Joan (as she prefers to be called) made her kidlit debut with THE TIPTOE GUIDE TO TRACKING FAIRIES from Tanglewood Press. She has since released NOWHERE GIRL, a middle grade novel, and now, another TIPTOE GUIDE!
And what’s it about?
MERMAIDS!
Who doesn’t love mermaids? They’re pretty, they have flowing manes of hair, they can breathe underwater, and they start name crazes like “Madison”. (OK, anyone under 30 isn’t going to understand that reference.)
TL: Joan, first fairies and now mermaids. Why do you think children are so fascinated with these creatures?
AJP: I think fairies and mermaids are two of the creatures which most fire the imagination—I was going to say “of the very young,” but actually, the appeal is open-ended! Perhaps because they feel just one step removed from reality, it’s easy to visualize them lurking just out of sight, right around the edges of perception. Who knows what might be possible, if you truly believe? For this reason, I don’t think our collective love for fairies or mermaids will ever wane—they’re just too likely.
TL: Your TIPTOE GUIDES combine photographs with whimsical illustrations. Whose idea was it to combine these two styles?
AJP: The first book in this series was inspired by a nature walk/fairy tracking adventure I took with my daughters when they were young. As we walked, I took photos of our discoveries and wrote down a lot of ideas and notes, many of which (the notes, not the photos!) were incorporated into the final manuscript. So early on there were definitely photos in my head. As I polished the story into an actual manuscript and eventually sent it on submission, though, I really put the illustration side out of my mind—and once it was acquired as a picture book, I just assumed it would probably be illustrated with art. My wonderful editor, Peggy Tierney of Tanglewood Press, was the one who conceived of this combined artwork/photography medium. I couldn’t be more thrilled with Marie Letourneau’s finished products—they are even more gorgeous than I could ever have imagined!
TL: So your TIPTOE GUIDES are about finding a little more magic in the world. Why is this an important message?
AJP: I think a hopeful outlook is like a cherry on top of life’s sundae. There’s a childlike quality to expectancy, to being open to the possibility of more that can open some of the most amazing doors. Message? I don’t know. I just like the way it feels to me.
TL: Is there a third tiptoe guide in the works?
AJP: Not yet! But who knows what may lie ahead?
TL: Well, maybe our blog readers know!
So let’s have a contest to give away a signed copy of THE TIPTOE GUIDE TO TRACKING MERMAIDS! Our last drawing contest was such fun; let’s do another.
Parents, have your children draw the cover to what they think should be the NEXT TIPTOE GUIDE!
It can be a guide to anything. Tracking bonobos? Tracking robots? Tracking mud? OK, these are bad. But I just know YOU have an idea for something GREAT.
Send your illustration (one per child) to tarawrites (at) yahoo [dot] com by the close of April 15. I’ll pick a winner on April 16!
Have fun and good luck!
16 comments
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April 6, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Dana Atnip
I am also a fan of faeries & mermaids so I can’t wait to read this book! Mo Willems also combines real-life photography with illustrations in his Knuffle Bunny books. I wish I had thought of it first!
April 6, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Sue Heavenrich
I love this idea…. tracking mermaids. how fun.
April 6, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Julie
So fun! This might cheer my daughter up today, as she’s home with a headache. But she always loves drawing and coloring!
April 6, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Cathy Ballou Mealey
The glitter has been pulled out of the craft cabinet, and the enthusiasm here is palpable!
April 6, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Tara Lazar
Cathy, best blog comment ***ever***!
April 6, 2012 at 8:02 pm
tinamcho
We enjoyed the first tiptoe guide. Can’t wait to read Mermaid one. This cover is beautiful! Congratulations, Joan!
April 6, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Sally
Love the tiptoe guide. Wish I could draw a picture and enter the contest too 🙂
April 7, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
Tara, you do an amazing job of making your book reviews and interviews full of energy. So, if you’re ever in the mood to review my new book, Ruth the Sleuth and the Messy Room, I would send it right out to you! Keep spreading your literary love.
April 8, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Tara Lazar
Of course, Carol! I would love to host you!
April 7, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Penny Klostermann
The photographs combined with whimsical illustrations…priceless. I loved the story behind the photographs, too.
Wonderful interview, Tara and Ammi-Joan Paquette.
By the way, I like the whole idea your put forth in your post title, Tara…a Tiptoe Guide to track Ammi-Joan Paquette the agent. From what you say…she’s pretty magical.
April 8, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Sharon K Mayhew
Super interview! I love the concept of tracking mythological creatures. Congratulations, Ammi-Joan for your three wonderful books.
April 10, 2012 at 7:39 am
Kimberly Lynn
I was just looking at this book online the other day. Cute!
April 11, 2012 at 5:49 pm
cankidlitrox
Mermaids? I’m in! 😉 Great interview and great looking book!
Helene Boudreau
April 11, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Tara Lazar
Brilliant! I was waiting for you, Ms. MERMAIDS DON’T WEAR TOERINGS!
April 14, 2012 at 7:11 pm
Ellen L. Ramsey
An enchanting book–and makes me eager for warmer weather and a trip to the shore to track sandpipers and sand-dollar-surfing mermaids! For the next tiptoe guide, perhaps unicorns or dragons.
April 17, 2012 at 12:50 am
Penny Morrison
Who won this comp? I’d love to see some of the covers drawn by kids.