Welcome Author Jenny Goebel – Giveaway Alert

I’m so happy to share my interview with author Jenny Goebel, the author of several picture books and middle grade books. Today we are celebrating her upcoming middle grade novel, PIGTURE PERFECT, which is being released by Scholastic Books December 7th. I enjoyed meeting Jenny at my first in-person event since Covid in June and just last week, we were able to enjoy a tea date outside in the beautiful Colorado fall weather.

Jenny is graciously offering a SIGNED copy of PIGTURE PERFECT as soon as it is available. In the meantime, I suggest you look for some of her other books.

What were you like at the age of your target audience?

When my nose wasn’t in a book, I was outdoors. I was every bit as comfortable climbing a tree, swimming in a lake or hunting for crawdads as I was wearing a frilly dress and playing with dolls. And I was always on the lookout for strays to take in. Not just cats and dogs—bunnies, box turtles, snakes, injured birds—any critter I could catch. In fact, when I was in second grade (the age I am in this photo), I caught a tarantula while on a road trip, brought it home with me, and then to school the following week. My teacher took one look and sent me and the spider to the principal’s office. Luckily the principal seemed more flummoxed than she was angry or aghast, as my teacher had been. Bringing a tarantula to school was disruptive, but I hadn’t broken any specific rules, and I was far from being a troublemaker. So, she secured the container with extra tape and sent us back to class. Looking back, I know I brought the spider to school because I found it fascinating and I wanted to share it with everyone, but I also wanted to cause just a little mischief. I wanted my friends to know that I could wear bows in my hair and think spiders were cool. I liked defying people’s expectations, and I still do.

What inspires you?

Nature, my family, people, new experiences—I try to get out get out from behind my computer screen as often as possible. Not that inspiration can’t be found online, but even something as simple as a walk around the neighborhood can refill my creative well. 

What’s the one thing you hope readers take away from your book?

The one thing I’m hoping readers will take away from Pigture Perfect is that things rarely turn out exactly how we want them to, but that’s okay. Things that are unexpected and real can be even better than our lofty dreams, and there is so much beauty to be found in imperfection.

What’s next for you?

I have a picture book called Chocolate Chirp Cookies coming fall 2022. It’s about insects as a sustainable food source and a tarantula is featured but (spoiler alert) not eaten. However, I can’t say the same is true for all the bugs in the book. As there will likely be a shortage of meat products in the not-too-distant future, I’m hoping it’ll warm up young minds to the idea of eating something that might make them feel a bit squeamish. And, honestly, I’m still warming up to the idea myself.  

To find out more about Jenny and her books:

Twitter: @jennygoebel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjennygoebel

Instagram: jennygo3 Website: www.jennygoebel.com