Just look at that rock face! Cuter than Mount Rushmore!
When I saw that funny lady Julie Falatko had a new picture book, you can bet I sent her an email right away booking her on the blog! We then had some banter before beginning…
“Hi Tara, in the interest of neither of us having any sense of time, I’m checking in to see if you have questions for me for the RICK THE ROCK blog post.”
“Oh no, I have about six blog posts before yours! I am slow and full of procrastination mojo. If that can be called mojo.”
“Procrastination mojo is its own special brand of mojo, but it’s definitely something that gathers steam and pushes me right straight into the giant room of procrastination, where all sorts of interesting things that are not on my to-do list live.”
I told Julie to write that book! It’s like the complete opposite of an Escape Room.
Then we finally got down to the rock of the matter.
Julie, those of us working in picture books know that a story set at school is almost always welcomed by editors. Of all the things school is known for—why did you choose a ROCK who lives on the “Nature Finds” shelf in Room 214?
That’s a good question. It was the other way around, though: the rock came first, and he was outside, and in a house, and in a shed, until finally the story made its way to school.
So he was a rolling stone? *ba-dum-tsss*
HA. A rolling stone and a rock star.
If the rock came first, what is it about an anthropomorphic rock (different than a metamorphic rock) that you were excited to share?
OK, so the interesting thing to me about an anthropomorphic rock is that it’s still a rock. I like the idea of a character who is weighty and immobile. What would a character like that think? What would a rock think that a human could relate to? That’s where a lot of my stories start, by thinking, ok, here’s this fragment from my day that interests me—is there depth to this rock, this paper clip, this tiny bird?
My older son got frustrated with me once when I was thinking out loud about what some wild animal might be thinking. “Do you have to anthropomorphize everything?” he said to me, annoyed. And I told him yes, I do. It’s my job.
Of course it’s your job! We can’t leave anthropomorphizing to the amateurs! What kind of world would that be?! (One I wouldn’t want to live in!)
I don’t even want to think of what would happen during an amateur anthropomorphication. Someone could get hurt. You can’t just initiate a tea party with a chipmunk out of the blue, you know. (You have to send a formal invitation first.)
How did Rick become so lively and interesting? Let me guess…are you saying that school makes him so?
It was school that made Rick lively! He was a real grump in earlier drafts. He spent a lot of time complaining about the indignities of the Nature Finds shelf. I still wish I could have kept the sentence “I’m young for a rock, but I’m too old for this” when Rick was getting smeared with glitter glue, but it was too much the old, grumpy Rick. Being in Room 214 with all the fun students made him (through many drafts) appreciate things a bit more.
So does Rick—the non-grumpy, delightful version—have a part of school that he likes best?
What he likes, and likes best, about school is the arc of the story! In the beginning, he’s OK on the “Nature Finds” shelf, but he’s a little bored. He’s phoning it in, as much as a rock can phone something in (he’d have to use that Flinstones phone) (or he’d have to BE that Flinstones phone??). But by the end, he’s so happy to be in the classroom. The lessons are cool. The students are fun. And his favorite part is his friends on the shelf with him.
Aww, that’s so sweet.
So Julie, what’s next for you? A sequel about Moss?
Wouldn’t that be AMAZING? (Amossing?) I love the way Ruth drew all of the Nature Finds. Acorn’s eyes! Bark’s concerned face! Moss’s shaggy demeanor! She is so top-notch at creating personalities for everything in her illustrations.
She captured ROCK and friends in all their anthropomorphic friendliness! And you can tell each child in Room 214 has their own quirky personality as well.
What advice do you have for picture book writers who want to anthropomorphize something not usually anthropomorphized?
Well, first (to draw on acting class), try to be the thing. Be the sneaker. Be the grain of sand. Be the rock. How does the world look from where you are? How does it feel to have a foot shoved into you, to be tiny and blown by the wind, to be heavy and immobile? Then I think: if this thing is the weird kid at school, what’s that kid like? (A story is more interesting to me if it’s about the weird kid.)
So if it’s a grain of sand, maybe that kid is pretty small and gets unwittingly pushed around in crowds, but also can make something huge and beautiful, like a sand castle. The story might be in the surprise that something so small can be part of something so big. Or it might be the grain of sand’s surprise at that. Or maybe it’s something else entirely, and the sand gets blown off the beach and down to the ice cream stand, and tries soft serve vanilla for the first time, and it’s everything that grain of sand thought it would be.
Julie, this interview was everything I thought it would be…and more! You have something more for the blog audience!
Yes, a picture book critique!
WOW! Thanks, Julie! I’m sure everyone is going to go crazy over that!
RICK THE ROCK OF ROOM 214 is available now from Simon & Schuster.
Blog readers, please leave one comment below and you’ll be entered to win a PB critique from the hilariously talented Julie Falatko!
A random winner will be selected at the end of this month.
Good luck!
Julie Falatko writes books for children. She is the author of many books, including Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book), which was named one of the ABA’s best books for young readers for 2016, was featured in People magazine, and was read online by David Harbour of “Stranger Things,” and the Two Dogs in a Trench Coat chapter book series, illustrated by Colin Jack (Scholastic), for which she received the Denise McCoy Literacy Award. Julie lives with her family in Maine, where she maintains the Little Free Library in front of their house. Visit her at JulieFalatko.com.
155 comments
Comments feed for this article
September 16, 2022 at 8:06 am
Ilona Bray
Yay for anthropomorphizing! (Did I spell that right?) I’m looking forward to meeting Rick the Rock.
September 16, 2022 at 8:12 am
allibrydon
This interview was ab-stone-lutely wonderful. Thanks, Tara & Julie!
September 16, 2022 at 8:13 am
Marsha Weiner
rock on! (friggin auto correct meet big thumbs!)
September 16, 2022 at 8:13 am
curryelizabeth
What a fun interview to start my day! I can’t wait to meet Rick and friends!
September 16, 2022 at 8:15 am
Roberta Abussi
What a fun interview! I can’t wait to meet Rick! Congratulations!
September 16, 2022 at 8:16 am
Kelly D. Roberts
I love it! A rock-that talks! Thanks for sharing your new book with us!
September 16, 2022 at 8:17 am
lisamgriffinart
This was a great interview, thank you for sharing. Julie is fantastic, her thoughts on writing never disappoint.
When she mentioned being “the thing” you’re writing about and brought up a sneaker – the Friends episode with Rachel on the phone with her dad popped into my head. “You’re a shoe! You’re a shoe! You’re a shoe!” Well, what if I don’t want to be a shoe? What if I wanna be a purse or a hat? No I don’t want you to buy me a hat, I’m saying I am a hat. It’s a metaphor Daddy!”
Friend junkie over here 🙂
September 20, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Julie Falatko
Ha, I’m always up for a Friends reference!!!
September 16, 2022 at 8:17 am
Stephanie Gibeault
What a funny and inspiring interview! Thank you, Julie. And congratulations on your latest book. I spent years in academia being told NOT to anthropomorphize, now as a writer, I get to do it every day. Yay!
September 16, 2022 at 4:59 pm
Julie Falatko
Now I can’t stop thinking about a possible context where anthropomorphizing would be allowed (welcome, even? sensible?) in an academic paper
September 16, 2022 at 8:28 am
Writer on the run
I enjoy listening to both of you in webinars and this blog did not disappoint- great way to start off my day! Can’t wait to meet Rick the Rock! I spend so much time imagining conversations between animals… I need to write some of it down!
September 16, 2022 at 5:01 pm
Julie Falatko
Yes! Write it all down! (The more I write down all my ideas, even if they seem pretty terrible, the more ideas come to me.)
September 16, 2022 at 8:35 am
rbkrackeler
How fun! I love this idea! What child doesn’t love/remember the nature finds area of their classroom?
September 16, 2022 at 8:38 am
catchandi
What a fun idea for a story, this looks great! Thanks for sharing, Julie and Tara!
September 16, 2022 at 8:42 am
Mel Mwai
Thanks Julie and Tara!
Loved that part in your interview about how anthropomorphizing is a job for the experts.
Sharing this rec with my niece who goes to nature school
September 16, 2022 at 8:59 am
Sheri Dillard
Fun interview! Congratulations on your new book, Julie! I’m looking forward to reading! 🙂
September 16, 2022 at 9:01 am
amberleawilliams
This book looks fabulous! I love the idea of anthropomorphized nature finds – brilliant! Can’t wait to get a copy! And Ruth Chan’s expressions are fantastic!
September 16, 2022 at 5:02 pm
Julie Falatko
Ruth does the BEST expressions. Have you seen HAVE YOU SEEN GORDON? There’s so much packed into that book. It’s so good.
September 16, 2022 at 9:04 am
erintsiska
Amossing interview! Can’t wait to read this new book! 😍
September 16, 2022 at 9:05 am
katiemillsgiorgio
How fun! Thanks for sharing!
September 16, 2022 at 9:12 am
Dottie
Who knew a rock could have so much personality? Thanks for the lesson.
September 16, 2022 at 9:13 am
Jane Heitman Healy
What fun! Looking forward to this!
September 16, 2022 at 9:14 am
srkckass
This post put a smile on my face! Great job! I can’t wait to meet the Rock Star!
September 16, 2022 at 9:15 am
Patricia Franz
I don’t know which I’ll love more, the book or this interview! But kids will definitely enjoy RICK the ROCK OF ROOM 214. Thank you!
September 16, 2022 at 9:15 am
pollyrenner
Thank you Julie and Tara for a funny, puny look into writing and Rick. Can’t wait to read this latest creation🥰
September 16, 2022 at 9:33 am
Megan Ray Durkin
Fun interview! I would love to win this critique for my MS about a turtle spending time in a classroom. Thanks!
Megan
September 16, 2022 at 9:37 am
Kim A Larson
What a fun (and funny) interview! You two ROCK! Great takeaways, too. I can’t wait to read Julie’s newest book.
September 16, 2022 at 9:44 am
Janel Caverly
Julie, thank you. I really enjoyed your hilarious post and your excellent writing advice. What great suggestions to think about when forming new picture book characters. Thank you.
September 16, 2022 at 9:48 am
kurtzmom548513
This interview was just what I needed today! I have been working on a couple of ideas that involve inanimate objects and were struggling to find their voice. Julie’s suggestions were spot on! Thanks so much!
September 16, 2022 at 5:04 pm
Julie Falatko
Oh good! I’m trying to think if I ever do it the other way — think of a character first and then try to make that character into an inanimate object (it’s occurring to me now that that might be another way to do it). But I think I have only ever gone from inanimate object to character. The shape of a rock can really express some personality, you know?
September 16, 2022 at 9:51 am
Lynne Marie
You really rocked this interview. Wishing you all the best of success! I hope Rick becomes a kidlit rock star! LM
September 16, 2022 at 9:51 am
stevejankousky
I was gonna Rick roll you in the comments, but I’ll save that for your Rocktober blog!
September 16, 2022 at 9:51 am
Heather Ray
This post is making me excited to go back and look at my character more closely. Thanks so much!
September 16, 2022 at 9:56 am
Cathy Ballou Mealey
I hope you pursue the moss sequel! It’s a-corny idea!
Also, the world needs more books from Team Falatko/Chan…or Team Chan/Falatko.
Congrats!
September 16, 2022 at 5:05 pm
Julie Falatko
That’s what we keep saying! It’s our not-so-secret plan to make as many books together as we can.
September 16, 2022 at 10:01 am
lmconnors
Congratulations! This book looks like it rocks!
September 16, 2022 at 10:02 am
Maria Oka
OH my goodness, this was a delight to read. I must get my hands on Rock asap! Thank you!!
September 16, 2022 at 10:10 am
Beverly
What a fab idea, and the writing is delightful!
September 16, 2022 at 10:12 am
joycekls
What a delightful interview! I look forward to “shelfing ” Rick in my picture book library. Julie’s anthropomorphizing tips are sparking my little gray cells for my own projects. Thanks, Julie. Love it! Thanks to you, too, Tara.
September 16, 2022 at 10:12 am
Sylvia Mary Grech
Your book looks adorable! Congrats!
September 16, 2022 at 10:13 am
Cedar Pruitt
Hooray Julie! I’m so excited to get to know Rick. Thank you!
September 16, 2022 at 10:25 am
Paul Brassard
Congratulations, Julie! Great idea and another “no-no” bites the dust (XYZ Editiorial staff: “NO anthropomorphic characters, please.”) And as for your sequel, how about Rick the Rock’s pebble children in “Pebbles Who Need Pebbles — the luckiest pebbles in the world”? Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself.
September 16, 2022 at 5:07 pm
Julie Falatko
I’m sure there are editors who don’t like anthropomorphized characters, but there’s definitely a place for them! I always say if you write the book the way it wants to be written, it’ll find a home somewhere.
September 16, 2022 at 10:28 am
rosecappelli
Love this! Looking forward to meeting Rick!
September 16, 2022 at 10:29 am
Maria Altizer
This looks like such a fun book! I loved hearing how Rick changed and morphed throughout the writing process.
September 16, 2022 at 5:09 pm
Julie Falatko
I did a post in my newsletter where I talked more about the early versions and shared a little bit of it. In the first draft, he got lost in a fire! https://mailchi.mp/3d686442b5c2/the-evolution-of-a-picture-book
September 16, 2022 at 10:32 am
asiqueira1307
How fun! I will have to start doing that with my house furniture. I guess they are bored most of days, but they have fun when my grandkids come. Thanks for the fun interview.
September 16, 2022 at 5:11 pm
Julie Falatko
I wrote an entire book about talking furniture! But then my agent at the time said no one wants a book about talking furniture, so I made it into animals. Seriously did a complete search-and-replace, so the pie safe became a crab, the credenza became a giraffe-necked weevil. It ended up as my book No Boring Stories (which still holds the record for the most number of complete and total rewrites of any of my books).
September 16, 2022 at 10:35 am
Joana Pastro
Such a fun interview! Thanks for sharing!
September 16, 2022 at 10:38 am
Fern Glazer
What a fun, original character — and amazing advice to writers! Thank you for sharing your book and your process.
September 16, 2022 at 10:42 am
Angie
This picture book rocks! It looks like so much fun to read! LOL Needing some laughter and this is going to give me some. Congratulations!
September 16, 2022 at 10:43 am
Claire A. B. Freeland
So fun! Thanks for starting my day with such positivity. Your thoughts about anthropomorphizing are super interesting.
September 16, 2022 at 10:45 am
Patricia Alcaro
I love this PB idea and truly can’t wait to read it. Thank you for this wonderful post!
September 16, 2022 at 10:47 am
Lynn Baldwin
So looking forward to reading this book, Julie!
September 16, 2022 at 10:52 am
Karen
What a great insight into a rock main character. I love the idea of being the item and giving it traits. Thanks for the informative interview.
September 16, 2022 at 10:57 am
aka Francis S. Poesy (@tcanny)
I’m always excited to read another Julie Falatko book! So get to it Julie as I’ve already read this one and loved it!
September 16, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Julie Falatko
Thank you!
September 16, 2022 at 11:00 am
Danielle Hammelef
Thank you for the interview and chance to win a critique from an author I admire. I’m looking forward to reading this book as mentor text.
September 16, 2022 at 11:02 am
JB Wright
Great interview and many excellent pointers for aspiring picture book writers. Thank you both!
September 16, 2022 at 11:04 am
Kirsten Pendreigh
Fun interview with two funny ladies! I love this book! See you both in the giant room of procrastination 😉
September 16, 2022 at 11:06 am
Michele Helsel
You rock, Julie and Tara!
September 16, 2022 at 11:08 am
mlyablonaolcom
Love the interview, and I know I’m going to love the book!
September 16, 2022 at 11:10 am
elisederstine
Congrats, Julie! Just started your Two Dogs series with my son last night … looking forward to reading this one, too!
September 16, 2022 at 11:11 am
Marci Whitehurst
Oh my goodness! What a wonderful looking book. I look forward to reading it. Congrats, Julie!!
September 16, 2022 at 11:18 am
Sarah Tobias
I have this book sitting in my stack from the library. I have read it once, but need to read it again as a writer and then again as an illustrator.
I’m working on a graphic novels with anthropomorphic rocks. It really excites me to see quite a few recent books that have rocks as main characters. I have always loved rocks. They have so much to say.
September 16, 2022 at 11:19 am
Mia Geiger
Congratulations on your newest book!
September 16, 2022 at 11:24 am
slcoffey33
Julie, thank you for your golden nugget thoughts about anthropomorphic protagonists. This story sounds like a rockstar.
September 16, 2022 at 11:31 am
Anne LeBlanc 🇨🇦❤️📚libraries✍️🎤💃⛏️😊🖖StarWars (@AnneLeBlanc2)
I love rocks and am so glad you have written this book. I know that kids love rocks too!
September 16, 2022 at 11:37 am
Tamara Rittershaus
This is the most fantastic blog post I’ve ever read. So much joy and laughter from two authors who love what they do! I’m looking forward to seeing the book!
September 16, 2022 at 11:39 am
Patricia Tilton
Clever and entertaining. Enjoyed the interview!
September 16, 2022 at 11:40 am
Santiago Casares
This looks like a rockin’ book!
September 16, 2022 at 1:00 pm
Gabi Snyder
This looks hilarious! Just wondering if Rick does any Rickrolling! I would love to win a critique.
September 16, 2022 at 11:58 am
Susan Johnston Taylor
Can’t wait to read this book! I would LOVE to win a critique with the amazing Julie Falatko.
September 16, 2022 at 12:01 pm
Cathy Stefanec Ogren
Great book! Great interview! So much fun to read!
September 16, 2022 at 12:15 pm
kskeesling
Hands down, one of my favorite blog posts! Thanks Tara & Julie
September 16, 2022 at 12:22 pm
Maria Marshall
Oh my gosh, I love Rick the Rock! And the image of a grain of sand discovering the joy of vanilla ice cream! And I love this interview…it was so funny and so much fun. Perfect way to wake up. Thanks.
September 16, 2022 at 12:24 pm
marshaelyn
Julia, Oh, my goodness! You outdid yourself by writing puns on your post with Tara. You speak such fun and laughter–two key qualities to keep kids’ attention. I have 4 1/2 year-old twin girls as neighbors. Each visit with them is a cross between a pajama party and a rock concert–loud, noisy and hysterical. Humor is a theme that draws me into a book and also one that “stars” in my own storytelling. I will be buying and sharing your ROCK book for sure. Sending you energy and inspiration for your continued success…
September 16, 2022 at 5:14 pm
Julie Falatko
A pajama party rock concert with 4 1/2 year old twins sounds like a blast! I have four kids — and am an only child. There have definitely been times where I look around and think, “WOW you all are loud.” (And I am an extremely loud person all by myself!)
September 16, 2022 at 12:29 pm
Anne C. Bromley
I can’t wait to see this book! Thank you both for this rollicking interview. Such fun!
September 16, 2022 at 12:32 pm
Bethanny Parker
When I saw “Rick the Rock,” I thought of Mr. Jay’s “Ricky, the Rock that Couldn’t Roll.” I hope the similarity of the titles doesn’t confuse people.
September 16, 2022 at 5:15 pm
Julie Falatko
Yeah, I saw that book online after Rick the Rock was all said and done. I think they’re different enough? I hope so! Who knows with these things?
September 16, 2022 at 12:47 pm
Julia Wilder banta
Julie, This is a wonderfully, creative book. I love especially your process. I wrote a book about books coming alive in a spooky old library for a boy to discover who didn’t like to read. It got me an agent, but sadly not a publisher yet.
Thanks for your insightful interview.
Julie Banta
September 16, 2022 at 1:13 pm
Ann Harrell
So fun! Love Rick the Rock and friends!
September 16, 2022 at 1:19 pm
Heather Stigall
What a great concept for a book. Go Rick!
September 16, 2022 at 1:27 pm
aidantalkin
Love Rick – and if this rollicking interview is any indicator, I’m going to love his story!
September 16, 2022 at 1:50 pm
Karan Greene
Wow! Who would have thought a rock could be so fun? Can’t wait to read this! Thanks for sharing!
September 16, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Trudi Foss
A rolling stone and a rock star – I love it!
September 16, 2022 at 2:32 pm
gayleckrause
I had rocks on my science shelf in the nursery lab, and never in a million years would I have thought of this original concept. Great idea. 🙂
September 16, 2022 at 5:23 pm
Julie Falatko
My husband is a geologist (the book is dedicated to him) and I myself have a bit of a love for buying shiny crystals. They’re everywhere! (We can never move — the boxes of rocks and boxes of books would take forever!)
September 16, 2022 at 2:50 pm
Marjory
What a fun interview! Can’t wait to read the book.
September 16, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Ashley Bankhead
This interview was hilarious! I have to read this book now. It looks adorable! Thank you for sharing such a great interview with some awesome advice about writing picture books. I’d love to win the critique. I know it would be a solid critique just like Rick the Rock 😉
September 16, 2022 at 3:19 pm
seahorsecoffeeelektra79018
Rick the Rock is super cool! I’d like to introduce him to Selena the Sea Shell. I’m sure they would be great friends.
September 16, 2022 at 3:31 pm
Elayne Crain (@elaynecrain)
OMG, getting a picture book critique from Julie Falatko is literally one of my life goals. Great interview–and Rick is, indeed, a true rock star. 🙂
September 20, 2022 at 12:01 pm
Julie Falatko
Hi Elayne!
September 16, 2022 at 4:31 pm
Heather Preusser
I can’t wait to meet Rick and his friends on the Nature Finds shelf! Also, I’ve been reading THE GREAT INDOORS with my almost three-year-old a lot lately, and now I hear him around the house saying, “Did you drink all the coffee, you little stinker?” It’s hilarious.
September 16, 2022 at 5:25 pm
Julie Falatko
Hi Heather!!! That’s hilarious. That overly caffeinated skunk is my favorite thing in all of The Great Indoors.
September 16, 2022 at 4:32 pm
Buffy Silverman
This looks like so much fun–putting on my TBR list.
September 16, 2022 at 4:35 pm
millerritam
Just requested Rick from my public library. I have a feeling my 1st graders are going to love it!
September 16, 2022 at 5:24 pm
Julie Falatko
Oh good, let me know what they think! (As long as they love it. You don’t have to tell me if they think it’s boring.)
September 16, 2022 at 4:47 pm
chardixon47
Congratulations, Julie! Rick has won my heart. I look forward to reading this rocky tale. 🙂
September 16, 2022 at 4:48 pm
Kristine D Tarantino
Love this hilarious concept! Kids are going to love it. Teachers too!
September 16, 2022 at 4:48 pm
EvonWrites
I can be full of procrastination too! But I got right on this. Didn’t want to miss out on a critique from this wonderful author!
September 16, 2022 at 5:07 pm
Mary Worley
Saw this at the bookstore last week, and it is wonderful. I loved Rick and everyone on the nature shelf.
September 16, 2022 at 5:25 pm
Julie Falatko
Thank you, Mary!
September 18, 2022 at 5:08 pm
kathalsey
Hi Julie and Tara. What a fun interview. I have Rick on hold at the library. Did I just anthropomorphize him? LOL. And I have a WIP w/a fish that RICK THE ROCK might be the perfect mentor text for. TY both.
September 16, 2022 at 5:35 pm
Julie Falatko
S&S just posted the video of me reading the full book, if any of you want to see the full story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft3GezTp_Hs
September 20, 2022 at 2:08 pm
Nancy Ferguson
Rick is DELIGHTFUL! I will never look at rocks the same way!
September 16, 2022 at 6:02 pm
abby mumford
Thank you, Julie and Tara for this hilarious look behind the scenes of Rick the Rock. I actually wish the interview went on longer! I guess I’ll just have to soothe that disappointment by reading Rick the Rock (and Julie and Tara’s backlist…) 😉
September 16, 2022 at 6:11 pm
gloriaamescua
I love her imaginative mind! Be the rock, the grain of sand, etc.
September 16, 2022 at 6:23 pm
Eileen Mayo
I just love your writing. Snapsy is one of my favorites! So fun and engaging. Love the video of your reading of Rick the Rock.
September 19, 2022 at 1:49 pm
Julie Falatko
Thank you, Eileen!
September 16, 2022 at 6:44 pm
Reed Hilton-
Fun article with solid take-away! Go back to theatre training for character fun!
September 16, 2022 at 6:49 pm
Darshana Khiani
I love this interview! So funny. I can’t wait to read about Rick’s time on the Nature Shelf.
September 19, 2022 at 1:53 pm
Julie Falatko
Hi Darshana!!
September 16, 2022 at 8:23 pm
Kaye Baillie
You had me at Snappsy, Julie. Congrats on another fab book!
September 19, 2022 at 1:53 pm
Julie Falatko
Aw, thanks, Kaye!
September 16, 2022 at 8:52 pm
Sheri Radovich
Thanks Julie for your fun insight to rocks and the nature shelf. I have two stories about kids and rocks mine is very different than your rock with personality. I enjoyed your interview.
September 16, 2022 at 10:43 pm
seschipper
Thanks Julie and Tara, great interview! Looking forward to reading all about Rick the Rock! I’m sure the little ones will enjoy this story! 🙂
September 16, 2022 at 11:06 pm
kathydoherty1
I’m looking forward to meeting Rick the Rock!
September 17, 2022 at 12:29 am
Natalie Day Lazenby
Interesting and funny interview! I love the way a mind works when it takes the perspective of a shoe and thinks “How does it feel to have a foot shoved into you…” 😂
September 17, 2022 at 2:22 am
jennifercowanwriter
Tara and Julie thanks for this great interview! I can’t wait to read this book, both for the content and the craft- it sounds so fun and funny 👏😁🪨 Kudos and congrats and rock-on!!
September 17, 2022 at 2:43 am
Suzanne Lewis
What a great interview! So funny and inspiring. I think I’ll become a pinecone today, or maybe a heart-shape stone, or maybe a tiny grass daisy, or maybe….
September 17, 2022 at 7:56 am
Antoinette Truglio Martin
This looks like so much fun! Thanks for the post.
September 17, 2022 at 12:52 pm
Darcee A Freier
I love that Rick changed throughout the drafting process, from a grump to much more lively and fun. And the illustrations add to the fun. I’m looking forward to reading the story.
September 17, 2022 at 1:12 pm
suejeanko
Really looking forward to this. The deadpan illustrations look hilarious, too!
September 17, 2022 at 1:24 pm
TonyaAnn
What incredible instruction. Thank you!
September 17, 2022 at 1:59 pm
Jaime Petrucci
Great interview! Looking forward to reading your book.
September 17, 2022 at 3:14 pm
Janet Frenck Sheets
Oh, I love the page where Rick wonders when he’ll be able to have amazing adventures. Such a universal longing!
September 17, 2022 at 3:20 pm
Kathy Crable
This book sounds original and amazing!
September 17, 2022 at 9:18 pm
Amy
New life goal: have David Harbour read my writing some day. 😂 Loved getting a sneak peak of this book, can’t wait to see the whole thing!
September 19, 2022 at 1:52 pm
Julie Falatko
Ha, yeah, that was something I didn’t even know was on the author bingo card.
September 17, 2022 at 11:06 pm
marty bellis
Such a fun interview. Thanks, Tara and Julie. I especially appreciate Julie’s tip fro acting class – to ‘be’ the object, whatever it is, and figure out what their world is like.
September 18, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Tracy Abell
A rolling stone AND a rock star. HA! Thank you for this fun interview!
September 18, 2022 at 7:15 pm
Rosi Hollinbeck
Wow. What an imagination! This book sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for an interesting interview.
September 18, 2022 at 7:22 pm
Penny Parker Klostermann
This interview rocks! And even though my library is only a stone’s throw away, I’d love to have my own copy of RICK THE ROCK FROM ROOM 214!
Congratulations!
September 18, 2022 at 9:14 pm
Judy Sobanski
I love the unique and interesting story ideas that Julie comes up with. RICK THE ROCK FROM ROOM 214 sounds like a lot of fun!
September 18, 2022 at 10:00 pm
Chelle Martin
The art work is adorable. Look forward to reading this book. And your suggestions for looking at things from a different perspective is very helpful.
September 18, 2022 at 10:31 pm
marinalathouraki
Thank you for explaining how to breathe life into an inanimate object like a rock or even a tiny grain of sand. Very inspiring. Congratulations on your book. I’d love to read it. Your interview will also help me when I am trying to anthropomorphise an object or animal.
September 19, 2022 at 1:43 am
Heather Gallagher
Hmm, I can see you were caught between a rock and a hard place and just had to write this one, Julie! Can’t wait to check it out 🙂
September 19, 2022 at 11:42 am
JoLynne Ricker Whalen
Just got this book in at my library and it’s Rick-roarin’ fun!!!
September 19, 2022 at 11:51 am
cathystenquist
Oh my goodness Julie. We are definitely kindred spirits. I anthropomorphism everything! I have a ms I would love your feedback on. Congratulations on your adorable book that is sure to be a kid favorite. Hope to hear Ricks shelf neighbors story one day!
September 19, 2022 at 12:32 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
Love this post. You are both hysterical! And Julie, your book looks wonderful! Congrats.
September 20, 2022 at 1:54 am
Natalie Lynn Tanner
JULIE: HUGE FAN, HERE! I LOVE your humor! The banter between you and Tara is PRICELESS! And as ALWAYS THE WEIRD Kid at School, I TOTALLY agree with your story-INSPIRING question: ” . . . if this thing is the weird kid at school, what’s that kid like? (A story is more interesting to me if it’s about the weird kid.)” THANK YOU for the INSPIRATION to find INSPIRATION in the everyday objects around us. It is TRULY EVERYWHERE–IF we take the time to ACTUALLY look around us, take notice, and IMAGINE ALL the POSSIBILITIES. THANK YOU!!! PS: I am already embossing the invitations to my NEXT chipmunk tea party.
September 20, 2022 at 1:56 pm
Nancy Ferguson
Congratulations on Rick the Rock. Your thinking process is so interesting and quite helpful.
September 20, 2022 at 5:59 pm
chaunceyelephant
I can’t wait to read your book – I love rocks (fossils, too)
The story sounds delightful and a lot pf fun!
September 20, 2022 at 6:02 pm
claireannette1
Rick the Rock will be a hit with all those kids who carry rocks in their pockets. Congrats on this very fun book.
September 20, 2022 at 8:42 pm
Jennifer Phillips
What a fun story idea. Can’t wait to read it. Congratulations and thanks for offering a critique to a lucky winner, too!
September 21, 2022 at 12:12 pm
Zach Roush
Sounds like a perfect book to use in my classroom and for my 3 yr. old who loves collecting rocks 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity to win a critique! p.s. How many times have people said your story rocks? 🙂
September 23, 2022 at 2:13 pm
Michelle Steinberg
I enjoyed reading your punny interview. Looking forward to learning more about Rick.
September 23, 2022 at 2:24 pm
Michelle Steinberg
Thanks for the fun, punny interview and the discussion about anthropomorphic characters.
September 24, 2022 at 10:22 pm
tinamcho
Oh, Julie, this looks hilarious. Can’t wait to read it with my class.
September 27, 2022 at 1:31 pm
Stephen S. Martin
I am Stuck between a rock and a hard space for something to say
September 28, 2022 at 1:10 pm
Renée Neubauer
This looks rockin’! Can’t wait to read it. 🙂
October 2, 2022 at 1:33 pm
aturner513
I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to write funny books but I love funny books and Julie Falatko books are funny. Great post!
October 3, 2022 at 11:43 pm
Allison Green
I laughed so hard while reading this! Amossing…ha!