Interview with Lisa Wheeler, author and poet

Lisa Wheeler's books are THE most requested books at our house! In fact, the first book my daughter could read by herself was Sailor Moo. Here's the most amazing thing to me though- no matter how many times I've read her books, I don't mind reading them again. And we're talking hundreds of repeated readings here! If you want to help your kids develop phonemic awareness, broaden their vocabulary, and fall in love with books then go buy a basketful of Lisa's titles!

Developing that seed doesn't always happen quickly. Wool Gathering: A Sheep Family Reunion, actually started with a title. I had this title that I liked, but wasn't sure what the book would be about. Then, it hit me: When people have family reunions--when MY family has reunions--they are off the wall. You know how you always have that one relative no one wants to sit next to? Then you have those prissy relatives, those well-loved relatives, those zany relatives? I thought, Why would sheep be any different? At that moment, I decided to write a book of poems and introduce the wild and woolly relatives we all know and love. That seed sprouted quickly.

Seadogs: An Epic Ocean Operetta took much longer. As a matter of fact, I didn't realize it was an operetta until I was halfway through writing the book.

That book started with Old Seadog. I kept seeing him in my mind, hearing him ask for one last sail. I let him stay there for awhile, because I didn't know his story.

Then, one day while cutting the grass (I get my best ideas on riding lawnmowers!) I was introduced to Beagle and Daschund. But it was awhile before I knew Beagle was a girl! That book took a year and a 1/2 to come to fruition. But when it bloomed--Arrrghh!, what a beaut!

Your rhymes are never typical and always surprise the reader. How do you manage it?

I approach rhyme the same way one would approach poetry. It should be poetry. Poetry's job is to show the ordinary in a new light. I think rhyme should also do that. I love using fresh words, fun words, interesting words--I really love words!--so if I can work in something new and surprising that says what I am trying to say, I go for it.

Kids get it! They are smart enough to figure out a new word using the context. I have never had a kid ask me what 'bovine' means. (But I have been asked by a few adults.)

I gotta know. Are you as funny in person as you are in poetry?

Probably not. I think I have a good sense of humor, and I like to be funny. I, of course, enjoy puns and I like to make kids laugh. But I know many people who are much funnier. But I have been told that I am 'funny looking'. Does that count?

What advice would you give young poets?

Have fun! The best things happen in writing when you are having fun. Do not worry about publication. Do not make it a job. You have your whole life ahead of you for that. I got to have fun with writing for 32 years before I made it my job. When you are having fun, there is no right or wrong. There is no one standing over your shoulder telling you that you are not good enough. It is just you, your imagination, and those wonderful, wonderful words. So go have fun!

What’s the best piece of writing advice you ever received?

I know it sounds simple, but Be Yourself is the best advice I've ever received. When I was a struggling writer, I tried to second guess what editors wanted. I studied my favorite children's authors and my old work sounds an awful lot like I was mimicking those great writers. When I began listening to my own inner voice, my writing became my own and that is when people started to notice. That is when I began to sell books. Now, when I get nervous before a speech, I just say "Be yourself", and it helps me relax and I know I will be fine.