I love wordplay, and after I featured THE THINGITY-JIG by Kathy Doherty and Kristyna Littten here, I was thrilled to learn about their fun follow-up, THE TWIST-A-ROO! (Which is of course what a child would call a kaleidoscope, because what child can even pronounce “kaleidoscope”?) More wordplay and imagination—sign me up!
Kathy, this blog focuses a lot on inspiration for picture books. Where did this story idea originate?
My Peachtree editor wanted a companion book to THE THINGITY-JIG. We talked about another book STEAM- related based on a fable or folktale. We agreed upon a badger for the main character. Then I checked out all the fable/folktale books from the library. I poked around Pinterest for STEAM ideas and came upon a kaleidoscope. I knew that would make a gorgeous picture book. After searching through the books, an idea popped to put a modern twist on The Ant and the Grasshopper using a badger who was so obsessed with a kaleidoscope that he wasn’t preparing for winter.
Peachtree even provided an activity sheet on how to make a kaleidocope.
Oh, and here I was so obsessed with the kaleidoscope and the luminous illustrations by Kristyna Litten that I didn’t even realize the story featured STEAM elements! But I did recognize your delightful wordplay that extended beyond the title. Have you always been a wordplay lover? How did you develop that skill?
What’s STEAM-related is the use of patterns and shapes in art.
As a former classroom teacher, I read to students every day. I especially enjoyed reading THE BFG by Roald Dahl. My students would laugh themselves silly. I loved Dahl’s made up words such as: snozzcumbers, whizzpoppers, and frobscottle.
I think most picture book authors are playful. I don’t always do adulting well. At family parties, I’m the one who wants to sit at the kids’ table. Making up and silly sounds and words comes naturally. What also helps is using words with letters that have explosive sounds. These letters make sounds that explode off your lips and are funny: B, hard C, D, hard G, K, P, and T. That’s why underpants is funnier than underwear.
Wow, I never stopped to realize why that’s so! Thanks for the tip!
Some of the wordplay in THE TWIST-A-ROO makes use of these explosive sounds: “turny, twisty, tantalizing thing”… “skippy-doodled”…”wiggly, jiggly, gemmy shapes”.
When I’m writing, I like to keep my mind free of any images, because I don’t know what the illustrator is going to do… Most of the time I don’t even know who the illustrator is yet! However, you’ve worked with Kristyna Litten before. Did you have any inkling about how gorgeous she would make badger’s world? What about her approach surprised you?
Kristyna Litten is soooo talented! She draws quickly to give an energetic line quality to her illustrations, sometimes adding color and textures digitally. She’s written and illustrated many books. Her clients include Gucci, National Geographic, and Aardman Animations. I know her work well. So I knew our book would be gorgeous, but I had no idea how gorgeous! Her whimsical illustrations match the text beautifully.
I bought a kaleidoscope to use as I wrote the book. Whenever I looked through it, I saw repeated patterns with many triangular shapes. But I didn’t think Kristyna would stick with symmetrical kaleidoscope images. And I was right! She mixed and mingled shapes asymmetrically splashing them across the page. This was the first review we received from Foreword Reviews: “Bright pinks and yellows jump out from moody teal backdrops that evoke the chill of winter.”
Speaking of bright pinks, can you talk about the end papers? Why are they monochromatic?
Kristyna said it’s actually both an aesthetic and technical decision. It was a design/print request to only use one color plate. So she decided on the bright pink to compliment all the blues throughout the book. She wanted something fun and different on the endpapers…a pop of color and pattern. But nothing that would distract too much from the rest of the book.
I think the pink ends provide a sense of warmth amid the wintry setting.
What do you want children to take away after reading the book?
I want kids to recognize what it’s like to have caring, sharing friends. Badger’s friends come to his aid during a snowstorm…and in return, he helps them shake the winter blues. I hope kids will feel the warmth of community as the animals come together for the common good. Also, I’d like kids to realize there is a time for work and a time for play.
Kathy, I truly love the book and thank you for sharing it with us today!
Blog readers, you can win a copy of THE TWIST-A-ROO!
Just leave a comment below and a random winner will be selected at the end of the month!
Good luck!
The winners of the past few giveaways are:
lynjekowsky, GRIEF IS AN ELEPHANT
Evelyn B, IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN!
Cathy Lentes, MOSSY AND TWEED; Annette Schottenfeld, KITTY AND CAT
Megan Woodward, Melissa Trempe critique
Kathleen loves bringing kids and quality literature together. She’s a reading specialist and an educational specialist in curriculum and instruction. She’s written standardized test items for Pearson Inc. in alignment with the Common Core Standards. Her love of learning has led her to graduate from four different universities.
Kathleen has taught elementary school for over 30 years. She was first published in TIME Magazine with a letter to the editor about Charles Schulz. Her work has also appeared in The Mailbox, Spider Magazine, Highlights Hello, Highlights High Five, and Highlights for Children. She’s won the Highlights Pewter Plate Award, the Highlights Celebrate National Poetry contest, and a letter of merit from SCBWI’s Magazine Merit Competition. Visit her online at kathleendohertyauthor.com.
Kristyna Litten has written and illustrated several books for children as well as created artwork for book covers and magazines. She lives in Yorkshire, England. Follow her at Instagram.com/kristynalitten.
70 comments
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December 6, 2023 at 8:07 am
ConstanceL
This book looks super fun, and I love the colors and patterns! Its always fascinating to hear about inspirations too. Thanks for this great post!
December 6, 2023 at 8:11 am
Jane Heitman Healy
I love Kathleen’s work, and this book sounds fun and luscious, thanks to the word play and Kristyns’s illustrations. Congratulations to both of them, and thanks, Tara, for giving us this story behind the story.
December 6, 2023 at 8:26 am
M.R.
What a fun idea, and including an activity related to the story adds a way for kids to exercise their STEAM tendencies while continuing to think about the badger and his friends.
December 6, 2023 at 8:36 am
Linda Hofke
This book is a perfect mix…folktale, lovely illustrations, great main character and STEAM elements…all in one. I can’t wait to read it.
December 6, 2023 at 8:44 am
Paige Cunningham
What an amazingly fun book. Thank you both for putting it out to the world.
December 6, 2023 at 8:54 am
supermario6
Can’t wait for this!
December 6, 2023 at 9:06 am
Sheri Dillard
How fun! I’m going to mention this book to other teachers at my preschool when I go to work today! 🙂
December 6, 2023 at 9:07 am
Rachelle Burk
Adorable book, and I learned something new about why some sounds are funnier than others. Thank you!
December 6, 2023 at 9:09 am
Mirka H
Love the idea of the book and the colorful illustrations!
December 6, 2023 at 9:11 am
https://katiewalsh.blog/
This is so much fun! Thank you for sharing your story and the beautiful illustrations. I look forward to reading! Congratulations, Kathleen!
December 6, 2023 at 9:13 am
Ilona Bray
An inspiring read, and who doesn’t love kaleid — wait, I can’t spell it — twist-a-roos!
December 6, 2023 at 9:17 am
creationsbymit
I loved kaleidoscopes as a kid! I can see how badger could get lost in that world! Adding to my wishlist!
December 6, 2023 at 9:38 am
katrinamoorebooks
This interview was so fun! And the book looks delightful!! Congrats!
December 6, 2023 at 9:42 am
Patricia Franz
Such a from book! Can’t wait to get a copy! Thank you Tara, for sharing it with is!
December 6, 2023 at 9:46 am
hansenjc13
This looks amazing and has so many layers to love! A great accessible way to include STEAM
December 6, 2023 at 9:52 am
leslieevatayloe
Congrats! Looking forward to reading your book!
December 6, 2023 at 9:56 am
mdk45
I am mesmerized by the story’s inspiration/word play and Kristina’s illustration, Kathy. Congrats to you both. Thanks Tara for sharing this impressive STEAM book.
December 6, 2023 at 10:02 am
Laura Perdew
The combination of wordplay, imagination, and friendship are wonderful! Plus an activity…kids and their adults will treasure this book!
December 6, 2023 at 10:31 am
Wendy Greenley
Wow, Kristyna’s art looks gorgeous! And I know I’ll love Kathy’s newest book. Wordplay is so much fun for the reader as well as the listener. A friend of my mom used to make kaleidoscopes, and I played with them–as an adult. =)) Thank you for sharing the book and giveaway, Tara.
December 6, 2023 at 10:37 am
Sarah Lynne John
Wow! Love, love, love the imagery and fun wordplay, as well as hearing about how you came up with the idea!!
December 6, 2023 at 10:45 am
Gayle C. Krause
What a clever idea. I love kaleidoscopes and children will the silly sounds and colored patterns. Congrats!
December 6, 2023 at 10:51 am
Angie
Oh, this is delightful! The colors, the wordplay, the fun! Congratulations!
December 6, 2023 at 10:56 am
maureenegan
Sounds fun and beautiful!
December 6, 2023 at 11:09 am
kellyclasenwriter
This looks like a beautiful book and a fantastic read-aloud! Thanks for sharing!
December 6, 2023 at 11:22 am
kyavorski
This sounds like a wonderful book. (I loved kaleidoscopes as a kid – and still do.) I can’t wait to share it with the little ones in my family.
December 6, 2023 at 11:22 am
Allison Green
This book looks so fun and beautiful!
December 6, 2023 at 11:24 am
kyavorski
This sounds like a wonderful book (I’ve loved kaleidoscopes since I was a kid.) I can’t wait to share it with the little ones in my family.
December 6, 2023 at 11:27 am
Kathleen Gauer
I love this book’s message about friendship and that there’s a time for work and a time for play!
December 6, 2023 at 11:30 am
Debra Shumaker
This book looks amazing! Congrats!!!!
December 6, 2023 at 11:51 am
Kim A Larson
This book looks and sounds wonderful! Congratulations, Kathleen! I can’t wait to read it!
December 6, 2023 at 11:54 am
danielledufayet
Wow! I already love this book and can’t wait to read it! Congrats!
December 6, 2023 at 11:55 am
LynnB
So interesting to hear about the creation of this book, now I definitely need to read it!
December 6, 2023 at 12:04 pm
Suzanne Lewis
What an intriguing and beautiful picture book, Kathleen! And wordplay is the best! Thank you for creating a wonderful way to learn such important life lessons!
December 6, 2023 at 12:07 pm
Christine Van Zandt, MILKWEED FOR MONARCHS (Beaming Books, 2024)
I love books that are fun but also have a learning aspect. What a great idea! I can’t wait to read it.
December 6, 2023 at 12:11 pm
Katie Reinert
Lots of great advice here! Thanks!
December 6, 2023 at 12:28 pm
brilawyer
I love the title, the plot, and the message in this story! Thanks for sharing!
December 6, 2023 at 12:33 pm
Kassy Keppol
I love the tip about explosive sounds!
December 6, 2023 at 12:55 pm
Sheri Radovich
I love the kaleidoscope idea and would love to have a story that incorporates color and patterns in nature and from stained glass windows. This was a fun read and I will search for your book.
December 6, 2023 at 12:57 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Loved reading this post. Thanks!
December 6, 2023 at 1:16 pm
Mary Warth
Thanks for the wonderful interview! They make them the words in the story. Sound fantastic. Can’t wait to add this to my library list.
December 6, 2023 at 2:21 pm
Danielle Hammelef
This sounds so clever! Thank you for the tip about letters that make words funnier because the words explode off your lips. I’m adding this book to my Goodreads.
December 6, 2023 at 2:38 pm
Colleen Kelley
I can’t wait to see this book in person. Thank you for all this interesting background information. I love knowing how a book came to be. And thank you for the tip about the hard consonants. I hadn’t really thought about those sounds being funnier than others.
December 6, 2023 at 2:40 pm
Marci Whitehurst
I love that a badger is the MC. This sounds like a wonderful book. Congrats!
December 6, 2023 at 4:35 pm
Tracy Abell
Thank you for putting this book on my radar. Wordplay + incredible illustrations = AWESOME
December 6, 2023 at 4:58 pm
Kaye Baillie
This is a great interview and the books look adorable. Our local library in Australia has the Thingety-Jig. Congrats Kathleen on the companion book!
December 6, 2023 at 4:59 pm
Karin Larson
What a beautiful book! Very creative and clever idea for a book. I look forward to reading it. Congratulations!
December 6, 2023 at 5:48 pm
1marth1
This book sounds like a lot of fun, both visually and verbally. Thanks for sharing with us.
December 6, 2023 at 8:18 pm
ellenramsey
I loved Thingity-Jig and I’m fascinated by kaleidoscopes. Look forward to reading Twist-a-Roo!
December 6, 2023 at 8:55 pm
marcusewert
These books sound utterly marvelous!
December 6, 2023 at 10:15 pm
Marie Prins
I love your word play and am intrigued about twisting off the fable of the grasshopper and the ant. Definitely looking forward to reading this book!
December 7, 2023 at 1:15 am
rosihollinbeck
What a fun post, and it has so many tips. I really enjoyed reading it and am looking forward to reading this cute book. Thanks for the post.
December 7, 2023 at 9:31 am
Deena
Oh wow I loooved my kaleidoscope as a kid. I need to get one and this book for me and my daughter.
December 7, 2023 at 9:37 am
Patricia Kreiser
These images are gorgeous! I love the cool tones with the pops of pink, like candy! The story seems like a fun read aloud with pages to pour over again and again. Congratulations!
December 7, 2023 at 12:48 pm
Donna Rossman
When the kids were young we would take family vacations to the Catskills and visit the world’s largest kaleidoscope – built into a silo. Kaleidoscopes are such fun and so is Kathleen and Kristyna’s book! Can’t wait to read it! Congratulations to you both! And thanks Tara for sharing!
December 7, 2023 at 12:49 pm
michelerietz
This looks like a fun and beautiful book. Thanks for sharing its origins with us and congratulations on your picture book success.
December 7, 2023 at 4:26 pm
millerritam
Congratulations! This looks like an amazing book. And everyone likes badgers and kaleidoscopes!
December 7, 2023 at 5:41 pm
marty bellis
So much to love about this book! Thanks, too, for the tips on wordplay. Great post.
December 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm
Mitchell Linda
There is so much goodness in this post! How wonderful to see a launch of Twist-a-Roo! Yippee! As a middle grade librarian, I insist on the A in steAm. It simply must be there for true effectiveness. Twist-a-Roos is a perfect example of why. Thank you for introducing it to us. And, wowee wow wow! A Storystorm journal is such a GREAT idea. I’m off to check them out. Finally, thank you for making Highlights the recipient of proceeds. It’s a truly great place for authors and illustrators.
December 8, 2023 at 12:11 am
lphunt
This sounds like a great book with lots of layers for the reader to discover. I love fables and new takes on old ones. I enjoy the Ant and the Grasshopper and look forward to reading this new twist with STEM thrown in for spice!
December 8, 2023 at 9:40 am
Jennifer Raudenbush
I own The Thigity-Jig. Looking forward to the next one!
December 9, 2023 at 12:33 pm
Susan Johnston Taylor
Congrats! Looking forward to reading this book.
December 9, 2023 at 2:32 pm
tinamcho
I love this premise of a badger with a kaleidoscope! And your tips on explosive sounds. Congrats!
December 11, 2023 at 11:27 pm
srkckass
Lots of work was put into both the art and the writing. Great job!
December 12, 2023 at 1:35 pm
Karan Greene
What a fun story and beautiful illustrations! Congratulations!
December 15, 2023 at 11:03 am
Maria
I love that the MC is a badger. The world needs more books about Spunky Badgers! Congratulations!
December 15, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Allison Fleischman
I can’t wait to read this book to my kids! It sounds amazing and beautiful!
December 25, 2023 at 10:55 pm
seschipper
Thanks for another great post!
Congratulations! Sounds amazing 🙂
December 27, 2023 at 2:25 pm
Debbie Meyer
This looks like so much fun! I can’t wait to read it and see all the beautiful illustrations. Congratulations!
December 29, 2023 at 4:17 pm
Arin Wensley
This book looks like a lot of fun and I look forward to reading it.
January 12, 2024 at 2:41 pm
shirley301
What a brilliant book. Thanks for sharing.