Tiny Treasury

It’s Friday Fifteen, when we get to know children’s book authors and illustrators.

Today’s guest author for Friday Fifteen is Judy Roth, author of Cups Held Out(Herald Press). Here’s what she had to say:

1. Where are you now?

Elkhart, Indiana

2. What were your favorite books as a kid?

I remember reading the nurse series about Sue Barton (but it never made me want to become a nurse!). I discovered Madeleine L’Engle in 5th grade, and read everything I could by her. I loved the Mary Poppins books and the Edgar (Edward?) Eager books….and Eleanor Estes and Elizabeth Enright….I read Mrs. Mike when I was in 7th grade and loved it. I just reread it recently, and it’s still a great book….

3. What are you reading now?

I ran out of books from the library, so I pulled a book from my library. I’m rereading Summer of My First Love, by Isabelle Holland.

4. Do you have kids?

Two sons, 18 and 14 years old.

5. What projects are you working on now?

A book of soccer poems, a short story for Highlights, a rewrite of a picture book for an editor (who probably won’t buy it because she keeps sending it back) and a rewrite of a novel in poetry form.

6. What is your biggest writing or illustrating luxury?

Going to a conference every year. Lately it’s been to the Michigan SCBWI fall conferences.

7. Coffee or tea?

Hot chocolate.

8. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).

My son tells me I need to get an iPod so he doesn’t have to keep hearing me play John Mayer on the CD player. If I had one, I’d also have on it Switchfoot, James Taylor, Julie Miller, and Newsboys.

9. What would I be surprised to know about you?

Since I don’t know what your impression of me is, that’s a hard question to answer. You might be surprised that I buy most of my clothes at Goodwill; or that I’m a chocoholic; or that if I can’t remember where I’ve seen an actor before, I can’t sleep until I figure it out….Or maybe you won’t be.

10. What college did you attend (in what subject)?

Fresno Pacific College; English and music.

11. If you weren’t working with kids’ books, what would your dream job be?

Writing screenplays with settings in Europe that I would of course be invited to come along to view as they filmed….and getting to write the songs for the movie as well, along with my husband.

12. What’s the best thing on TV right now?

Studio 60.

13. How did you get your “big break” into the field?

I’ve had more little triumphs than big breaks. And that came from plain perseverance.

14. Which celeb would you want most to meet?

Um, I guess I’ll say Steve Martin, because not only is he hilarious and fun to watch onscreen, he’s also a good writer.

15. Who is the best book character EVER?

I don’t think it’s possible to answer that question. But I’m leaning toward Winnie-the-Pooh.

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Thanks, Judy, for joining us! And Good Luck with your book (I’m reviewing it in an upcoming post).

If you’re a children’s book author or illustrator and would like to be considered for our Friday Fifteen, shoot me an email.