Today I welcome Renée LaTulippe, author of THE CRAB BALLET, illustrated by Cécile Metzger. Renée is the name that comes up every time the subjects of rhyme and meter are mentioned in a discussion on social media. Depending upon who you ask, she is a legend, a guru, an expert, an authority, a master … you get the idea. Her poetry has been featured in several anthologies and and she is known for her writing courses including the highly regarded Lyrical Language Lab. I’m thrilled to be connected with her virtually and would love to visit the beauty of Tuscany and meet her in person one day. For now, I’m happy to share our interview and her fabulous giveaway.
Renée is generously offering one lucky winner a 60-minute Zoom critique of a picture book or children’s poetry collection. Comment on this post to enter the giveaway.
What were you like at the age of your target audience?
Thank you for having me on your blog, Laura!
I was the complete opposite of my six-year-old daughter, Maddalena. She’s bubbly, outgoing, energetic, and fearless.
I, on the other hand, was very quiet, very shy, and very serious, as you can see in this pic of me “shaving” my dad. I clearly took the task to heart. And I have a distinct memory of my fourth-grade teacher asking me, “Don’t you ever smile?”
But while I was quiet on the outside, I had a rich and imaginative inner life. I loved entering my own world while working on arts and crafts (still do!) and, after writing my first poem at age seven, I spent the next ten years filling notebooks with poetry.
What inspires you?
My three children inspire me daily with their singing and music and art and writing and wit. They are a constant source of surprising ideas.
I never tire of the beauty of Tuscany, the rolling hills, the Mediterranean pines, the jasmine in my garden, the slant of the evening sun, and of course the sea. I’m surrounded by nature that offers me a place of reflection and quiet contemplation that gets my mind turning. I worked out many of the poems in my forthcoming collection while walking back and forth waist-deep in the sea. One of my favorite things is writing on our veranda overlooking the sea, especially when my son Lorenzo is practicing piano upstairs. I love hearing the notes of Chopin float down like petals from the open window.
And I am always inspired by the arts. I can be transported by a soaring voice, an orchestra, a painting, a dance, a play.
What’s one thing you hope readers take away from your book, THE CRAB BALLET?
I just want them to enjoy the language and the beautiful art! If after that they make a connection to the story when they go to the sea or to dance class, then that’s just extra goodness. And I always want to foster a love of the arts, both performing and visual, which is a theme in so much of what I write.
What’s next for you?
I am (im)patiently waiting for LIMELIGHT: Theater Poems to Perform, my middle grade poetry collection to be published in 2024 by Charlesbridge. In the meantime, I have a couple of picture books on submission (one about art, one about music) and am currently finishing revisions on a theater-related YA verse novel. And then … so many other ideas percolating!
To learn more about Renée and her books:
Website: http://www.reneelatulippe.com YouTube: Lyrical Language Lab
Instagram: @renee_m_latulippe Twitter: @ReneeMLaTulippe
Laura Roettiger Books 
Renee, love the image of you writing on your balcony as music drifts down from above! Such a gorgeous book and fun concept. Congrats!
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Thanks for stopping by, Marty. Yes, that’s a description to linger over, for sure. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Renee I love that your kids inspire you. My two inspire my writing and push me to dig into my creativeness like they do with art and storytelling. I would love to get feedback on a rhyming picture book!!
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Cheryl, thanks for stopping by the blog. Children are always inspiring me, too. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Such a beautiful book! Thanks for your generosity 🦀
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Thanks for your kind word, Marla. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Renee is the best!! I’ve watched on her YouTube videos. Her books sounds wonderful too!
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Kim, thank you for reading. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Wow! I’ve been wanting to comment on this for days, but for some reason, my computer didn’t seem to post it. So if it turns out there are two comments, I apologize. Except for the fact that Renee deserves two comments. 🙂 I love CRAB BALLET, and I can’t wait to see everything else in the pipeline. Thanks, Renee, for all you have taught so many of us, and as always, Laura, thanks for sharing.
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Ellen, Thanks for your support of so many kidlit authors and illustrators! I’m not sure if there’s another comment from you but every name goes into the drawing once. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Ahh, great to learn a little more about Renée, her life sounds like the most picturesque movie ever! I find so much inspiration in nature and with my daughter too.
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Thanks for stopping by the blog, Jenna. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Ahh, so great to hear a bit more about Renée, her life sounds like the most picturesque movie ever! I find so much inspiration in nature and from being with my daughter too.
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True to form what a beautifully lyrical interview!
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Thanks for reading, Rebecca. Good luck in the giveaway.
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I love how deep Renée’s connection is with inspiration—nature, the arts, daily life with her kids, and those notebooks filled with poetry! Such a deep, deep well to draw from and to keep giving back to.
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Thanks for stopping by the blog. Yes, her inspiration is inspiring us! Good luck in the giveaway.
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Renee, you sitting on the balcony, writing while listening to Chopin, in itself sounds like an illustration in a picture book.
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Thanks for stopping by the blog, Catrine, and your kind words for Renee. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Wow I totally relate to her daughter and her as a kid comparison, that is definitely like me and my daughter.
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The arts are so important for kids. Thank you for helping to promote them with your fabulous book!
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Thank you for stopping by the blog, Meghan. The arts are what makes us human, not to take anything away from other animals, because if you saw today’s post, you know I’m a big fan. Good luck in the giveaway.
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The tips here are priceless, Renee, as is the uber-cute photo of you holding Daddy’s razor! You look determined if not a wee anxious 🙂 All the best on your book!
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Wow, what a prize 🙂 Thanks for this post and I look forward to reading Crab Ballet 🦀🩰
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Thanks for stopping by the blog and YES! an amazing prize for sure. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Congrats as well looking forward to more of your works! 😊😇
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Thank you for stopping by the blog. Good luck in the giveaway.
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I love hearing how the inspiration of writing began & why we do it. Everybody’s story is so different to how I imagined it. Thanks for this amazing blog, an insight of a rhythmic writer💖
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Christine, thanks for stopping by the blog. I’m with you, the inspiration of other creators inspires me and it’s one of the reasons I love doing the interviews on my blog. Thank you for your kind words 💛 Good luck in the giveaway.
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Great post! I am now picturing Renée pacing out her stanzas in the sea!
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Thanks for stopping by the blog and your kind words. Good luck in the giveaway.
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I love how you describe being surrounded by beauty and nature!
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Thanks for stopping by the blog, Natasha. The giveaway is over but check out other open giveaways.
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I live the description of being surrounded by nature and beauty.
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