I know what you’re thinking—where has Tara been all July? (Well, maybe you’re not thinking that. Maybe you’re daydreaming about a fro-yo fix. And who could blame you?)
Well, it’s August and I’m back with an extraordinary interview. The talented author-illustrator Sarah Dillard turned what she thought was a picture book into an adorable early-reader chapter book. What did it take to get EXTRAORDINARY WARREN published? Let’s find out while we devour our fro-yo…
Sarah, what exactly made you realize that WARREN was destined for more than a picture book?
When I started working on Warren, I intended it to be a picture book but I felt that the story and ideas that I wanted to tell with him were a little more complex than the picture book format would comfortably allow. This is not to say that there are not complex picture books because there certainly are. But with Warren, it just seemed like he needed a little room to spread his wings. I didn’t worry about chapters though until a few drafts in. At that point it felt like there were natural breaks in the story for chapters. I have to say, when I am working on something I don’t automatically think “I am writing a picture book or this is going to be a chapter book.” I focus on the character and the story and let it unfold and then see what fits it best.
That’s great advice, to focus on character.
Thanks, Tara. I also wanted to add, that as picture books seem to be skewering younger, there is a great opportunity for illustrated early readers and chapter books to fill the gap for the beginning reader.
So what inspired Warren’s creation? How did he hatch?
Warren began as a doodle of a chicken looking at an egg. He looked curious to me and felt like a character who was looking for life’s answers. Did I draw the egg first or the chicken? I’ll never tell!
My favorite spread in WARREN is the one with the hill in separate panels. How did you come up with that unique visual concept?
That is one of my favorite spreads too! When I started thinking about how I would do the art for this book, my art director suggested a limited palette—with three colors plus black and white. I was hesitant at first but when I realized that I could use black as more than just an outline, the art took a fun graphic turn. I felt the use of black for the hill added just the right drama for this spread. I also liked the idea of having basically one hill but several panels that show Warren’s progression up and over that hill. I think it works both literally and figuratively for this part of the story.
How different is it to write/illustrate your own book as opposed to just being an illustrator on a project?
I think it is quite different to illustrate my own book than illustrating someone else’s work. Illustrating someone else’s story is a huge responsibility. It is kind of like having someone say here is my beautiful child, please raise it. I am very conscious of wanting to do justice to the story as the author might have envisioned it while also bringing my own sensibility to the story.
When I am illustrating my own work having the art serve the story becomes the primary focus. I’m thinking of the images and what part they will have in telling the story as I write, so the art and the words feel inseparable to me. I think when I am working on my own books I have a stronger intuitive sense of what the story will need and am more willing to take risks to give it that. For instance, WARREN is done digitally and in a style quite different than any I have worked in, but I think it was the best approach for the book.
We’re hearing a lot about how editors want character-driven stories. What about Warren’s character makes him especially appealing?
That is a great question, and I’m glad that you find WARREN appealing! In creating WARREN, I tried to think about things that I thought about as a child, and probably still think about; the big questions—Who am I? What is my place in this world? I think we all want be special in some way but worry that maybe we are not. WARREN taps into that and hopefully it makes him someone that the reader can relate to and cheer on.
And…are there more WARREN books planned for the future?
I’m happy to say YES! EXTRAORDINARY WARREN SAVES THE DAY will be published in October. I don’t want to give too much away, but I can say that this book will deal with another of life’s big questions. Finally, we will learn, once and for all, why the chicken crossed the road.
Thanks, Sarah!
I’ll let my blog readers know that you’re giving away a signed copy of EXTRAORDINARY WARREN: A SUPER CHICKEN—they just have to leave a comment by August 8th. Hey, that’s even better than fro-yo!
Sarah Dillard studied art at Wheaton College and illustration at Rhode Island School of Design. She lives with her husband in Waitsfield, Vermont. For more about Sarah and her books, visit SarahDillard.com.
87 comments
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August 1, 2014 at 10:45 am
Rita Borg
I wrote about a chicken , too. I wonder what Warren’s story is.
August 1, 2014 at 10:45 am
winegarten
I can’t wait to get this book! I’m writing a book on creativity with a guy who has over 300 patents, and he uses the metaphor of chickens and eggs when talking about creating companies–I think I’m going to have to buy TWO books, one for me and one for him. Thanks for the interview, looks great!
August 1, 2014 at 10:46 am
shiela fuller
I love the way you illustrated this. Simple but compelling enough to draw the reader to look further. I know , I did. From this limited view, I especially loved the rat’s expressions and his tone. Thank you.
August 1, 2014 at 10:48 am
Evelyn
I learned so much from this post. I forget sometimes to focus on character, which I believe drives a story.
August 1, 2014 at 10:53 am
jessica shaw
Warren sounds adorable! Thank you Tara and Sarah for the great interview:)
August 1, 2014 at 10:58 am
Lisa
I love extraordinary chickens! I can tell this book will make me (and my kids) smile!
August 1, 2014 at 11:01 am
Rene` Diane Aube
Thank you so much for this timely blog post, Tara and Sarah! I have a manuscript I thought would be a PB series, but has definite potential to become a chapter book. I’ve been wrestling with going that route, but the fact that CBs can be for early readers, perhaps it IS, indeed, the way I need to go. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Great to see you back, Tara. I HAVE been wondering where you disappeared to! 🙂
August 1, 2014 at 11:06 am
rlkurstedt
Great interview Sarah. Going to buy Warren next time I’m at the book store. Thanks Tara for the great questions. Always to the point with a little sass. “how did the idea hatch?”
August 1, 2014 at 11:07 am
Lori Dubbin
I love your “hill” spread so much — there is so much story in that one spread! Thanks also for reminding us, Sarah, to focus on character. Thanks,Tara, for this awesome August post.
August 1, 2014 at 11:08 am
Lori Alexander
WARREN looks adorable! I love your hill spread and the way the egg looks like it might pop right out of that last panel. Thanks for the great info, Sarah!
August 1, 2014 at 11:10 am
Wendi Silvano
Sounds like a perfect book for early readers! Can’t wait to read it!
August 1, 2014 at 11:10 am
Andria
Warren is my kind of hero!
August 1, 2014 at 11:11 am
Anita
Great interview!
August 1, 2014 at 11:28 am
Susie
Great interview and I can wait to read the book.
August 1, 2014 at 11:35 am
Laura Lowman Murray
Loved the interview, and the images of the illustrations! I can’t wait to introduce Warren to my young reader!
August 1, 2014 at 11:38 am
Susan Cabael
When you wrote how PBs are skewing so young now and there’s more opportunity for early reader chapter books, it opened my eyes to possibilities with some of my stories. Thanks for that insight!
August 1, 2014 at 11:49 am
Teresa
What brilliant advice. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Amazing illustrations! I know my kids will love this.
August 1, 2014 at 11:49 am
Rachel Stones
I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for the post.
August 1, 2014 at 11:55 am
Julie
Book cover is hard to resist! Thank you.
August 1, 2014 at 11:59 am
Natasha
Interesting to think some of my PBs might be chapter books in disguise…
Thanks for great post.
August 1, 2014 at 12:01 pm
winemama
Thanks for the interview, the book looks cute! @lindsayfouts
August 1, 2014 at 12:14 pm
ManjuBeth
Sarah, I’ve debated whether one of my picture books should be an easy reader. I will follow your advice and let my main character decide.
August 1, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Janny J Johnson
Extraordinary Warren sounds delightful. I can’t wait to own both and read them to grandchildren!
August 1, 2014 at 12:35 pm
Mary McClellan
Can’t wait to read about this fun character! I’ve been wrestling with the PB vs. chapter book question, so I’m particularly interested in the format of your book. Glad someone is finally answering those big life questions, too. 🙂
August 1, 2014 at 12:40 pm
emazza1217
Warren: A good, strong name for an extraordinary chicken.
Another RISD superstar!! Best wishes!
August 1, 2014 at 1:04 pm
Mary Warth
Thanks for the great interview! We were just having this discussion with my critique group about PB vs chapter book and what would work best for one of our stories. I will be sure to pass this post along!
I’m looking foreword to reading about Warren!
August 1, 2014 at 1:14 pm
Ashley Bankhead
I loved this post. Especially the part where you talked about how everyone wants to feel special. I think this is true for every child. I am excited to read this book. It looks adorable. I think my kids will really like it. Thank you for doing this interview, and for sharing with all of us.
August 1, 2014 at 2:40 pm
pathaap
I really enjoyed the post!
August 1, 2014 at 2:41 pm
amysfieldnotes
Warren rocks!!
August 1, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Cathy Ogren
Great post and interview! Can’t wait to read EXTRAORDINARY WARREN!
August 1, 2014 at 2:47 pm
Nadine Gamble
Love the illustrations esp the limited color palette.
August 1, 2014 at 3:01 pm
Gabriele Gerhard
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! I am a Pre-K teacher and cannot tell you how important it is to have children’s books that builds children’s self-esteem and let’s them know that they are special, because so many of them don’t think they are. I am also interested in writing children’s books, and am really just getting started, so I appreciate your words of wisdom!
August 1, 2014 at 3:06 pm
Deb Dunn
Your book looks delightful! I’ve been asked more than once whether one or two of my manuscripts is really a PB or perhaps an early chapter book in disguise. I’ve always said, “PB!” but you’ve made me take pause…thank you!
August 1, 2014 at 3:25 pm
Rosi Hollinbeck
Thanks for such a terrific interview. Lots of great tips for us in this, but I especially liked the idea of thinking about what are the big issues for little kids. This is a wonderful book. I won a copy on Elizabeth Dulemba’s blog, so don’t put me in the drawing. It’s a wonderful book.
August 1, 2014 at 4:19 pm
MaryAnne Locher
I also write the story without knowing exactly where it will fit in.
August 1, 2014 at 4:32 pm
kdveiten
Oh, this book sounds and looks just absolutely adorable! Thanks for sharing.
August 1, 2014 at 5:12 pm
Cathy C. Hall
Yep, I have to admit that I need to know. What makes Warren so darn extraordinary??? (Inquiring regular chickens want to know…) 🙂
August 1, 2014 at 5:15 pm
aneducationinbooks
Love the “oeuf!” bit
August 1, 2014 at 5:42 pm
jdewdropsofink
It looks like a really fun character and the illustrations are great.
August 1, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
Well, this looks really cute. But nothing is cuter than the egg acting as the O in extraOrdinary. Gah! That thing is killing me!
August 1, 2014 at 6:29 pm
Kaye Baillie
This is such a great interview and I absolutely love ‘Warren’. The books look
outstanding.
August 1, 2014 at 6:49 pm
Rita Allmon
This book sounds “extraordinarily” good! I need to “scramble” and find it. Have a “sunny-side-up” day!
August 1, 2014 at 6:51 pm
Freckled Daisy Creations
Simple can say so much! Great illustrations!
August 1, 2014 at 8:10 pm
Joanne Sher
GREAT advice for any writer – and the book looks delightful. Super interview!
August 1, 2014 at 10:00 pm
Michelle Heidenrich Barnes
This looks like such an adorable book– I look forward to reading it!
August 2, 2014 at 1:14 am
Ping Wan
Thank you Tara and Sarah (you two sound like sisters!) for this wonderful interview. It speaks so much about writing and illustrating and also PB vs. CB.
August 2, 2014 at 7:13 am
lindamartinandersen
Tara and Sarah,
What a fun book and interview. It’s wonderful to hear that your character gets to live on in another book to come. Thanks ladies!
August 2, 2014 at 8:45 am
Diana Delosh
Tara & Sarah: Love the look of “Extraordinary Warren”. The sample spreads you’ve shown look like a young graphic novel -wonderful!
August 2, 2014 at 8:48 am
Sheri Rad
I’ve wondered about the structure of an easy reader and how easy to change the picture book idea I had into that form. I think Warren may be helpful in showing me what it looks like. Thanks.
August 2, 2014 at 9:12 am
thiskidreviewsbooks
AWESOME! 🙂 I love that the chicken’s name is Warren! 🙂
August 2, 2014 at 9:20 am
Kirsten W. Larson
I have a five-year-old who would just love to read Warren. He just finished Kung Pao Chicken. 🙂
August 2, 2014 at 9:20 am
katiemillsgiorgio
Thanks for sharing some insights!
August 2, 2014 at 10:43 am
Carleen Tjader
A very interesting interview, thanks! Warren already sounds endearing! And the illustrations are delightful!
August 2, 2014 at 10:49 am
tinamcho
Great interview! I enjoy reading early readers and chapter books since I used to teach kdg and 1st gr! I think they’d be fun to write.
August 2, 2014 at 11:04 am
Micki Ginsberg
What an absolutely lovable character. Thanks for those great tips!
August 2, 2014 at 12:36 pm
Patricia Tilton
Enjoyed the interview. Sounds like a very entertaining book for young readers.
Wow! You have some great titles coming out in the next two years, Tara. Congrats.
August 2, 2014 at 1:51 pm
kjbatemanKJ Bateman
I love the contrast between Warren and the sinister rat. And oeuf when Warren bumps into the egg. Cleverly funny!
August 2, 2014 at 2:09 pm
cathy john biggerstaff
All this makes me curious about how chicken got the name Warren. Can’t wait to read it.
August 2, 2014 at 5:03 pm
LeslieG
Oooh, everything about these books makes me want to read them! Thanks for a great interview.
August 2, 2014 at 8:25 pm
kpbock
Warren looks adorable and I’m sure his story is too!
August 2, 2014 at 10:37 pm
Michelle O'Hara Levin
LOVE the multi panel spread and I cannot wait to meet Warren!
August 3, 2014 at 1:24 am
Yvonne Mes
This looks great, you can really see Warren’s character jump off the page in just these few images with text 🙂
August 3, 2014 at 2:58 am
hgrange9
What a fun new series. I definitely need to check this out for my library.
August 3, 2014 at 12:16 pm
Sue Frye
What a wonderful post, and just in time! Thanks for sharing Warren with us!
August 3, 2014 at 12:32 pm
Dorothy Wiese
Thanks for your great information. I wish I could draw. I love to write, and your ideas were helpful. I can keep my character in my mind and let her or him drive the story.
August 3, 2014 at 1:22 pm
Lori Mozdzierz
The hill scene says so much with so few words. Love it!
Thanks, Tara and Sarah for this post! Recently an agent suggested I grow my PB manuscript into a chapter book. Thanks, Sarah and Warren, for giving me direction! The Universe knows what we need just when we need it most 😉
August 3, 2014 at 3:37 pm
darlenebeckjacobson
What a fun – and inspiring interview. Never thought to make a PB into a Chapter book. I’d LOVE a copy of Warren…Best of luck with the book, it sure sounds like a winner!
August 3, 2014 at 4:55 pm
Iluska Ikeda
Warren sounds awesome as a character. I know my 5 year old beginner reader would love to read this with me. Thank you for a fun interview to read on this sunny Sunday afternoon.
August 3, 2014 at 9:14 pm
Roelant Dewerse
Thanks Tara for another good interview. Sarah, thank you for your insights into the author-illustrator’s work, which I am most interested in. Your 6-panel ‘hill’ spread reminded me of some of Uri Shulevitz’s work, in which the pictures often tell most if not all of the story. You almost don’t need text here.
August 4, 2014 at 5:47 am
Ali Pfautz
Enjoyed the interview! The hill spread is fantastic.
August 4, 2014 at 7:12 am
erin
I love hearing how this PB became a chapter book. I can’t wait to check out Warren!
August 4, 2014 at 7:17 am
kariail2013
Thanks for a great interview! I am inspired by Ms. Dillard’s illustrating her own work and the fact that her character transformed the type of book she ended up with. I can’t wait to read Extraordinary Warren! I would love to hear more about the illustrating process – she said she used digital illustrations – how did she do that? I have been doodling a lot lately – love writing but never have tried illustrating but feel I need to work at it. I would love to hear more about that process. Thanks for another amazing post 🙂
August 4, 2014 at 7:29 am
DianeKHower
It’s inspiring to me as an author and author/illustrator to hear of someone else who’s ideas are a bit more complicated. I have tabled some ideas so thanks for helping me to look further!
August 4, 2014 at 9:04 am
danielle hammelef
Thanks for interview! I admire you for being able to tap into your early childhood and connect so concretely with kids. Love the illustrations too. How amazing is it to hold a book you know you wrote and illustrated? My guess is amazing is only an understatement.
August 4, 2014 at 9:47 am
Katrina
Great interview with Sarah Dillard! It was very interesting to hear how your book developed from a drawing into a character-driven story. Looking forward to sharing the book with my students.
August 4, 2014 at 12:41 pm
LaurenKerstein
Thank you for this very helpful interview. I enjoyed hearing about the evolution of Warren’s story from a picture book to a chapter book! I can’t wait to read Warren!
August 4, 2014 at 2:04 pm
Penny Parker Klostermann
Fun interview! I just put EXTRAORDINARY WARREN on hold at my library. I’m looking forward to reading it 🙂
August 4, 2014 at 7:56 pm
katmaz2012
Congratulations, I can’t wait to read and see this book!
August 4, 2014 at 10:31 pm
Sheri Roloff
Great interview and charming illustrations! Can’t wait to give it a read.
August 4, 2014 at 10:57 pm
sharann
What a seriously adorable PB! Adding it to my to-read list. 🙂
August 5, 2014 at 2:02 am
bucherwurm65
Thank you for the interview. Very informative and interesting! This statement really spoke to me: I have to say, when I am working on something I don’t automatically think “I am writing a picture book or this is going to be a chapter book.” I focus on the character and the story and let it unfold and then see what fits it best.
August 5, 2014 at 8:40 am
Kimberly Sprinkles Cowger
I’m anxious to see how what started out as a picture book turned into a longer work. I placed a hold on WARREN at my library before I even finished reading this post!
August 5, 2014 at 8:45 am
Kathy Cornell Berman
What a great story. I just got the book yesterday. I love it. The character is adorable and the dialogue is perfect. And the illustrations are awesomely simple and fun. Kids will love it.
August 5, 2014 at 11:20 am
Dawn Young
Thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to reading extraordinary Warren.
August 8, 2014 at 9:57 am
Jennifer Rumberger
What a great interview! Loved the comment about early chapter books filling the gap. Adding Warren to my to-read list.
August 12, 2014 at 11:53 pm
Juliana Lee
Warren sounds like a great read!
August 22, 2014 at 1:05 pm
Writing a Cumulative Picture Book: The Lake Where Loon Lives by Brenda Reeves Sturgis (plus a giveaway!) | Writing for Kids (While Raising Them)
[…] with guest author Brenda Reeves Sturgis, it’s time for a little blog business. The winner of EXTRAORDINARY WARREN […]