I was delighted to have the opportunity to interview author Jon Scieszka just before the 2008 National Book Festival. If you have read my biography of Jon Scieszka, you know he is not only the author of such popular children's books as The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and the Time Warp Trio series, but he has also had quite an impact on children's literature. In this interview, Jon Scieszka shares information about his writing, his support for books for boys and encouraging boys to read, and his role as the first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.

Jon Scieszka on Encouraging Boys to Read

Q. Is your Guys Read website and your personal emphasis on getting boys to read the result of what you observed during the ten years you taught elementary school or were there other factors that influenced you?
A. Teaching was probably the biggest factor. But having grown up in a household of six boys, and working in the world of children’s books shaped the program too. I just saw so many ways that we weren’t connecting with boys.
Q. What advice do you have for parents of boys who are not that interested in reading?
A. 1. Expand your definition of reading to include non-fiction, humor, graphic novels, comic books, wordless books, fantasy, science fiction, magazines, online, audio books, comic strips . . .
2. Let boys have a choice in what they read.
3. Read to your boys and with your boys as often as you can.
4. Share reading that is fun. Don’t follow every bit of reading with questions or a quiz or an assignment.
5. Embrace new technologies. TV, video games, and computers do compete for leisure time.

But books have to stand up on their own and provide pleasures that only text can provide.

Are Schools Doing Enough?

Q. Do you think schools are doing enough to encourage reading for enjoyment?
A. Reading for enjoyment has been pushed out of the school day by our national obsession with testing. I’ve seen both kids and teachers across the country crushed by this pursuit of a pretty arbitrary number or grade that is supposed to prove some minimum of competence. It’s not working. We need to let teachers teach. And allow children room to play and grow.

Jon Scieszka on Creativity and Writing Children’s Books

Q. How and when did you happen to begin writing children’s books?
A. I always loved children’s books, starting with pretty much anything by Dr. Seuss and GO, DOG. GO! I earned a Masters in Fiction Writing from Columbia University (writing strange short adult stories), then found my true audience when I taught elementary school (1st – 8th grade) for ten years in Manhattan.
Q. You have a unique take on life that seems to allow you to think way outside the box. Was creativity encouraged at home and/or school when you were growing up?
A. The creativity just kind of happened in a house of six boys, an elementary school principal dad and a nurse mom. I just finished a book all about that chaos. It’s called KNUCKLEHEAD, Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories of Growing Up Scieszka. A collection of short tales about growing up, illustrated by pictures and kid drawings and random stuff from my scrapbook. Out this October 2.

My many years in Catholic school probably taught me to follow my own creative urges, and not wait for them to be directed.

Q. I particularly like The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. Not only do kids really enjoy it, but teachers find it very helpful in teaching students about point-of-view. Where did you get the idea for that book?
A. I think that is the voice and story of every seven year old who ever had a mom or dad ask, “Who did that?” The first part of the answer is, of course, “It wasn’t me.” The rest of the story follows from there.

Working With Lane Smith and Other Illustrators

Q. You have teamed with Lane Smith on a number of your books. When you are working with him (or other illustrators), do you work independently or collaboratively?
A. I’m lucky that I always collaborate with my illustrators. Most writers don’t. I usually get the text to a shape I like. Then I give it to the illustrator. We get back together and goof around with art and design and text some more. I think that always makes a better book.
Q. Why aren’t you and Lane Smith listed on the Guys Read list of Authors and Illustrators? I couldn’t find a link to your own website anywhere on the Guys Read site, although some of your books are listed. Why?
A. Ooops. I never noticed that. I’m in the middle of updating the GUYS READ site right now. We’re adding more titles, more reader recommendations, and maybe a couple fun big GUYS READ events. If I can spell the name right, I’ll link to that Scieszka guy.

Jon Scieszka on His Role as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

Q. As the first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, appointed by the Librarian of Congress in 2008, what do you see as your most important role?
A. To gain children’s literature, and the children themselves, the respect they deserve. There are all kinds of great books being published for kids. And these books are at the heart of that most important mission – helping kids become readers. I’m out to celebrate great books and connect them to the readers they will inspire.

Jon Scieszka on the State of Children’s Literature in the U.S.

Q. How do you feel about the state of children’s literature in the United States in terms of the quality of what is being published and how much time kids spend reading for pleasure?
A. The quality of books being published these days is incredibly high. And breathtaking changes are happening in new genres like the graphic novel and illustrated books for all ages. But our business, like the music business and the movie business, is in transition. No telling where we might be just ten years from now. And kids do have more media than ever before competing for their attention.
But ultimately, I think literature for kids will flourish in many forms. Books provide insight and entertainment in a particular way, unlike any other media. That is our strength and our future.