An Interview with Emily Jenkins

This week I’m so happy to have Emily Jenkins visit for a Friday Interview. Her young middle grade novel, Toys Go Out, with illustrations by Paul O. Zelinsky has been called “Toy Story meets Winnie the Pooh.” It’s sequel, Toy Dance Party, is in stores now. She is the author of many picture books and novels.

Lori: Welcome Emily! You’re very active in the Children’s Lit world. How does your work, reviewing picture books in The New York Times, inform your own art?

Emily: It forces me to think critically about what I think makes a good picture book -- something that teaching did, when I used to teach, and that being on the Ezra Jack Keats Award committee does. If I articulate my values and opinions, I have a clearer sense of what I want to do myself.

Lori: Do you write every day? On more than one project at a time?

Emily: I write most weekdays. Usually picture books are procrastinations of larger projects. As in, I can't write today -- oh, a picture book sounds fun! I will try to work on one of those. But then, of course, picture books are as hard as anything else to write well. I'm just deceiving myself.

Lori: I just finished reading Toy Dance Party, and loved it just as much if not better than Toy's Go Out. Will there be more “Toys” novels?

Emily: Yes, there will be a third book! It's a prequel.

Lori: We know all writers, even published ones, deal with rejection. How much rejection did you receive before your initial acceptance?

Emily: The first thing I ever shopped around was a proposal for an adult book which was never published. So maybe a year's worth of consistent rejection before my first-ever acceptance, which was for a middle-grade book, The Secret Life of Billie's Uncle Myron. But I have continued to have rejections. Even recently.

Lori: Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now? Upcoming publications?

Emily: I am working on that third Toys book, and then a series of chapter books about a kid with an invisible friend. In the Spring I have a picture book with Giselle Potter called Sugar Would Not Eat It, and I'm doing picture books with illustrators G. Brian Karas and Barbara McClintock.

Lori: Please tell us about any upcoming appearances.

Emily: I have none! I don't tour much.

Lori: What have you read lately that you’d recommend?

Emily: For kids, I like Wild Boars Cook, by Meg Rosoff and Sophie Blackall. Those wild boars are so disgusting! I love them! I also just read Educating Esmé, by Esmé Raji Codell. It's a brilliant and heartbreaking diary of a first year teacher in an underserved Chicago public school.

Lori: Do you think the declining word count over these past years has been an overall improvement in picture books being published today?

Emily: I think it means there are more high quality books for very very young readers, which is a great thing. I mean, it's all good with books like I Kissed the Baby! or Ella Sarah Gets Dressed, just to name two with real meaning, charm and low word counts. But it's sad that it's hard to find picture books with longer texts for older readers. And I have one or two in a drawer that I wish could find a publisher.

Lori: How would you feel about your book(s) being made into movies or plays?

Emily: I would like the paycheck, I suppose. But it seems unlikely that it would be a satisfying artistic experience.

Lori: What typically happens on Wednesdays in the real life of Emily Jenkins?

Emily: What Happens on Wednesdays is a true story. Except of course, I am the mom and not the kid. Thanks for having me on your blog, Lori!

It's an honor, Emily. Thank you so much.

There are many more books (Emily also writes for adults) on her website. Check it out here.