In 2008, Jon Scieszka, author of The Stinky Cheese Man, TruckTown and other bestsellers, was named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress and the CBC. Mary Ann Hoberman, National Book Award winner and author of forty books, including the beloved A House is a House for Me and The Llama Who Had No Pajama; was named Children’s Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation. Here’s how things are going midway through their terms.

What has this role enabled you to do?

JS: Having the title opens doors. The New York Times ran a front page Arts section story on the naming. I was on Martha Stewart giving tips on getting kids reading. I’ve been asked to perform several weddings and bar mitzvahs. It’s tough to get media attention. Being NAYPL makes it easier.

MAH: Yes, new doors open and old doors open wider. The title “Children’s Poet Laureate” is impressive and adds gravitas to one’s pronouncements.

Do you see multimedia opportunities opening up for authors?

JS: Lots of new opportunities. Nobody knows where this stuff is going. But what every medium needs is good writing and good storytelling. The best way to pursue this is to contact people who are doing work you like, write up your ideas, try all contacts.

MAH: I am in the dark ages as far as new media is concerned, but luckily my publishers and the Poetry Foundation (who initiated the award) are on the ball. Whenever possible I make myself available for promotional ideas they come up with.

What would you advise those starting in the field?

JS: I was just at the Seattle SCBWI conference. The best advice I heard was to put most of your energy into doing your best work. The goal shouldn’t be to just get a contract, it should be to start your writing career with the best book you can.

MAH: Ditto. My advice to children’s poets is to write in this genre only if you truly love language and regard writing for children as a real calling. The last thing anyone should do is take it up because it looks easy!

Are publishers more cautious now?

JS: Publishers are always cautious. And for good reason – they’re a business. So they need books that sell. The beauty of kids’ books is that the most unlikely stories can become the biggest successes. Who could have predicted Captain Underpants, Fancy Nancy, the Series of Unfortunate Events, Harry Potter, or Diary of A Wimpy Kid? Unconventional is always possible.

MAH: Yes, it’s often an unconventional book that turns into a success. Truly original books are rare. But writers shouldn’t choose eccentric or shock-value-type themes simply in the hope that they’ll catch some publisher’s attention.

What can authors do to create compelling books and to compete with other types of entertainment?

JS: Create great books. Make a book that does things only a book can do. Books do compete with television, online and movies. Books can tell stories in ways other media can’t. Let kids enjoy other media, and also books.

MAH: I know Jon’s done a lot in this area. I second all he says. My series, YOU READ TO ME, I’LL READ TO YOU, was specifically designed to entice reluctant and unenthusiastic readers.

How are you evolving your role and what would you advise your successor?

JS: Now that I’ve baptized babies and launched a few ocean liners, I’m hoping my successor will have even more influence in how reading is treated in schools. I’ve been pushing for more time for reading for pleasure, less time testing zombies. Kids need time, space and books to read for pleasure. It’s simple. If we want kids to become readers, let’s let them find reasons to want to read.

MAH: The Children’s Poet Laureateship is an evolving office, not yet three years old. We’re still figuring out how best to use its bully pulpit. In this time of decreased funding for arts, when school music and art programs are being downsized or eliminated, poetry can fill some of the void. I’m trying to reach as many children, teachers, librarians and parents as I can to convey the delights of poetry and to model how it can be presented and enjoyed. I’m particularly interested in getting kids to memorize poetry and to read and recite it to each other. Poetry is a communal art.
7:8/09