In Episode 40 of the podcast, I have the privilege of speaking with adult and children’s book writer Caroline Adderson, writer of A Pond, A Poet, and Three Pests.
A Pond, A Poet, and Three Pests is a brilliant children’s book about thinking and finding quiet moments in a chaotic world. Illustrated by Lauren Tamaki, the book imagines how an old haiku by Japanese poet Matsuo Basho came to be. Readers will enjoy the vivid storytelling, be amused by the silliness of the animals, and be truly inspired by the old poet’s tenacity.
Before we get into the intricacies of her work, I ask Caroline about her relationship with TV (it’s impressive!) and her love for cherry blossoms. We talk about how she gets unstuck in her writing and the door she unlocks to write children’s books.
If you’ve ever wondered about writing children’s books or if you love haikus, this is the episode for you. It was an all-round joyful conversation, and I’m grateful that I get to share it with you.
Show highlights
- The deal with TV
- Why haikus don’t explain
- What is the importance of silence?
- The gestation of a poem
- Writing for kids vs. writing for adults
- How does a writer find joy?
- How to get unstuck in writing
- The secret to staying on the journey of the art
“Remember how it felt to be a child. Many times beginning children’s writers write as an adult, and they take a didactic approach or a protective approach… Instead throw all that out and… remember how it felt to be a little person.
Caroline Adderson
A Pond, A Poet, and Three Pests is out now from Groundwood Books.
Got any thoughts on this episode, or want to suggest authors you’d like to see on the show? Send me a note here.
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About Caroline Adderson
Caroline Adderson is an internationally-published author of books for all ages. Her writing for children has won the Diamond Willow Award, the Sheila Egoff Award, and the Chocolate Lily Book Award, and been nominated for the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award, Canadian Library Association’s Children’s Book of the Year, and many reader’s choice awards including the Red Cedar Award, the Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award, and the Rocky Mountain Book Award. Internationally, her books have been selected for the White Raven and the USBBY Outstanding International Books list. She lives in Vancouver.
About A Pond, A Poet, and Three Pests
A funny new fable about artistic creation and chasing fame, imagined by award-winning author Caroline Adderson, and inspired by one of Japan’s most famous haikus, “The Old Pond.”
Illustrator Lauren Tamaki, winner of the Sibert Medal, paints a memorable cast of characters with great wit and empathy. Her swirling inks bridge the story’s traditional setting and its lightly modern lesson about fame, inspiration, and art.
Guest’s links
Buy A Pond, A Poet, and Three Pests: https://houseofanansi.com/products/a-pond-a-poet-and-three-pests?srsltid=AfmBOopY1872Domhwo66iCzcFm_XOzijIououUBi6Tqe5tIAjxV3bnoS
Visit Caroline’s website: https://www.carolineaddersonkids.com
Host’s links
Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/
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