If you have your own collection of picture books and chapter books for kids in your house, there's a good chance
Joan Holub's name pops up on one or more of them.
Holub, who lives in Raleigh, is the author of more than 150 children's books, including popular titles in the Who Was series and picture books like "Zero the Hero," "Mighty Dads" and "Little Red Writing." She's also author or co-author of series like Goddess Girls, Heroes in Training and Thunder Girls. This spring, Holub came out with her latest picture book —
"Runaway Signs.". Parents magazine named it the No. 2 pick for storytime in its June 2020 issue.
I checked in with Holub, who I've featured before, to learn more about her latest and what she's working on. Here's a Q&A.
Go Ask Mom: Tell us about "Runaway Signs" and how you got the idea for it?
Joan Holub: I often build a book on the foundation of an existing story that’s familiar to most people, and I like to combine fiction and nonfiction in a book. My books Zero the Hero, Little Red Writing, and Runaway Signs are picture book examples of this. So are the three Greek mythology series I've written with Suzanne Williams, including the Goddess Girls (26+ books; puts a middle school twist on Greek Mythology), Little Goddess Girls, and Heroes in Training.
Entertaining readers is my priority, but if I can painlessly sneak in some learning along the way, why not do it? I’m fond of The Gingerbread Man story, and decided to do a take-off on it using signs. Signs are fascinating to young kids because kids can find success at naming these familiar designs as they pass them riding in the car, plus many signs can be understood without the use of words.
GAM: There are a few lessons in there — about roadway signs, of course, but also about how we all, as the Booklist review said, like to be appreciated for what we do and who we are. What about that message do you think resonates with kids?
JH: Exactly! Who doesn’t want to be appreciated? It’s kind of hurtful if you feel you’re not. I think this is the reason this book has resonated with kids and adults. Everyone can relate to the STOP, SCHOOL CROSSING, BIKE LANE, etc. signs being taken for granted, though they work hard and do important jobs. When the signs take a vacation, everyone quickly understands how necessary they are!
GAM: You've written some 150 children's books with more to come. What do you love about this work?
JH: My favorite part of writing is getting that great (or what I hope is great) book idea out of nowhere. But then comes the hard work. It can be sooo frustrating, I can’t even tell you. I’m not a giver-upper though. I’ve always got a bunch of book manuscripts in progress. That way, if one manuscript frustrates me, I can move to another. When I come back fresh to that problematic story, sometimes I can spot a new angle that moves it forward.
GAM: How has the pandemic shifted the way you do your work or how books are published?
JH: Great, timely question! It has kept me home, which means I'm getting tons of writing done. Suzanne and I are over one year ahead in delivering our contracted manuscripts for our Goddess Girls and Little Goddess Girls series to Simon & Schuster. Which means, like the Runaway Signs, I'll have time to take a vacation if this pandemic EVER ends!
GAM: What are you working on next?
JH: Two related picture books that are a blend of fiction and nonfiction, publishing May 2021. Titles to come. Can’t wait!
