5,4,3,2,1 Interview: Bill Thomson

I’m super excited to share today’s 5,4,3,2,1 interview. Bill Thomson’s Chalk has always been a huge hit with my students. Earlier this week I read them his latest, Fossil, it was a massive hit.

Time for the interview!

5,4,3,2,1 Interview guidelines:

1. I give the interviewee 5 questions

2. They have to answer

• 1 question with 5 sentences

• 1 question with 4 sentences

• 1 question with 3 sentences

• 1 question with 2 sentences

• 1 question with 1 sentence

3.  They get to pick which question to answer with each number of sentences.

4. Have fun!

Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about Fossil? (4 sentences)

Fossil is a wordless picture book that blends imagination with science. While exploring the outdoors, a boy and his dog accidentally discover fossils that magically come to life. While science serves as the catalyst for a fantastical adventure, ancient relics are not the only things that are uncovered. The story also reveals the love and caring of the two companions, especially when each are confronted with danger.

2. What is your favorite thing about being a writer? (5 sentences)

I believe creating books for children is an incredible blessing and the most wonderful way to use the talent God gave me. Being a visual storyteller, I have the opportunity to engage imaginations and initiate conversations through my artwork. My books require the viewer’s participation to create their own narrative, merging what my illustrations present with the reader’s own life experiences. The resulting story has the flexibility to shift with every “reading.” However, what I like best is hearing the innovative ways that creative teachers and engaged parents use my books with children.

3. What’s the hardest thing about being a writer? (1 sentence)

For me, the hardest thing about being a writer is clearly telling a story without using a single word.

4. If you could spend one day inside the world of any book which book would you pick? (2 sentences)

I would spend a day inside the world of Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree. I would like the giving tree to teach me how to put all personal interests aside and love more purely.

5. What advice do you have for the young writers in my classroom? (3 sentences)

Turn off all phones, televisions, and video games, and then go play outside and explore the world. Write about your adventures and other things that you enjoy or are most interested in. Never be discouraged—mistakes are only the steps taken towards achieving success!

Bio:

Bill Thomson has been called “a master at visual storytelling.” He is the illustrator of several children’s books, including Chalk(Two Lions/Amazon Children’s Publishing, 2010), which received many accolades. Thomson is also Professor of Illustration at the University of Hartford. He lives with his family in Connecticut. Visit Bill at www.billthomson.com.

Follow along on the blog tour!

Sat, Nov 9	Booking Mama	http://www.bookingmama.net/
Mon, Nov 11	NC Teacher Stuff	http://ncteacherstuff.blogspot.com/
Tues, Nov 12	Just a Little Creativity	http://www.justalittlecreativity.com/
Wed, Nov 13	There’s a Book	http://www.theresabook.com/
Thurs, Nov 14	Sharpread	https://sharpread.wordpress.com/
Fri, Nov 15	Kid Lit Frenzy	http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/
Mon, Nov 18	Once Upon a Story	http://www.novalibrarymom.com/
Tues, Nov 19	The Children’s Book Review	http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/
Wed, Nov 20	5 Minutes for Books	http://www.5minutesformom.com/category/feature-columns/5-minutes-for-books/
Thurs, Nov 21	Geo Librarian	http://geolibrarian.blogspot.com/
Fri, Nov 22	Growing with Science	http://blog.growingwithscience.com/