Emily Arnold McCully
Describe your new book.
My new book tells the story of a little girl, Oney Judge, born to a slave and an indentured servant at Mount Vernon. She caught the eye of Martha Washington, who invited her to live in the mansion and learn to sew. Eventually Oney was given the important job of ironing and shaping Martha Washington's bonnets.
When George Washington became the first President, Martha chose Oney to be her personal servant.
In the new capital, New York, Oney met free blacks, runaway slaves, and entered a worldly scene that couldn't have been more different than the sleepy one on the plantation she had come from.
The book tells of her gradual awakening to the idea of freedom, how she finally seized it for herself, and how the Washingtons secretly tried to capture her.
Introduce one other author/illustrator you think people should read, and suggest a good book by him/her.
There is a book called Mistress Masham's Repose by T. H. White. I think good readers would enjoy it. I did, even after I was grown up.
Describe your most memorable teacher.
My most memorable teacher was a very short, round woman, extremely old-fashioned, even back in 1945. She must have been 50 years old and was a terrific reading teacher. I had already learned to read when I went to first grade so she let me explore any books I wanted. The truly memorable thing about her was that she adopted a war orphan from France — a fifteen year old boy! He had very red cheeks, like many young Frenchmen, and was shy.
How did the last good book you read end up in your hands?
The last good book I read was recommended by a friend. It's always been like that (although I read book reviews in newspapers and magazines). When I was a child we actually selected friends based on which books we loved. I still recognize a friend by what he or she is reading.
Do you read the Sunday funnies, and which are your favorites?
Sunday funnies were a great influence on me growing up. I read many papers and practiced drawing and storytelling in panels. I doubt that any of them are still produced. My favorites were Jiggs and Maggie and Prince Valiant.
What is your favorite breakfast cereal?
Oatmeal.
What do you do for relaxation?
To relax I listen to music, play tennis, cook, and garden (vegetables and flowers). Most of my "free" time is spent reading, but I don't think of it necessarily as relaxing because it is often so stimulating.
For what author would you like to illustrate?
I would love to illustrate The Adventures of Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn.
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