Lane Smith
Describe your latest project.
The title is John, Paul, George and Ben. That's Hancock, Revere, Washington, and Franklin.... as kids. Oh, and Tom Jefferson, too.
John was a bold lad who hogged the entire chalkboard with his signature. Paul worked as a bell ringer, which took a toll on his brain turning him into a noisy boy — but also the perfect guy to shout, "The Redcoats are coming!" George was too honest for his own good. Ben went around spouting his famous proverbs until the other kids would request he please shut his big yap, and Tom was annoyingly independent.
Still these are the very traits that made them great founding fathers. At least that's my theory.
Introduce one other author/illustrator you think people should read, and suggest a good book by him/her.
Florence Parry Heide. The Shrinking of Treehorn (actually all three Treehorn books are perfection).
How did the last good book you read end up in your hands?
Teacher Man by Frank McCourt. I went to a signing of his. I had it inscribed to my mother-in-law, a retired teacher. I read it before I gave it to her.
What is your favorite literary first line?
"Embley and Yewbert were hitting one another with croquet mallets."
--From The Epiplectic Bicycle by Edward Gorey.
Do you read the Sunday funnies, and which are your favorites?
I read two funnies: Classic Peanuts by the late great Charles Schulz and Mutts by Patrick McDonnell.
Share an interesting experience you've had with one of your readers.
A kid wrote me a letter that read:
"I loved the pictures you did for James and the Giant Peach. You are the best! P.S. I would have written to Roald Dahl but my teacher said he is dead."
For what author would you like to illustrate?
I would love to illustrate for Italo Calvino. But my teacher says he is dead.
Who are your favorite characters in history?
Great question! John, Paul, George, and Ben. Oh, and Tom, too.
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