Welcome Author Sarah Aronson – Giveaway Alert

Today I am so happy to share my interview with Sarah Aronson, a writer who I admire and have not yet met but I’m sure I will one day! Our books were in a window display together at Booked in 2019, an adorable bookstore in Evanston, Illinois. Then, more recently her essay in COMING OF AGE 13 B’NAI MITZVAH STORIES was one of many that made me recommend the collection to several friends. And now she’s here to celebrate her new picture book, BRAND-NEW BUBBE, illustrated by Ariel Landy.

Sarah is offering one lucky winner a copy of BRAND-NEW BUBBE and book swag! Comment on the blogpost to enter the giveaway.

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

Let’s just say, I have always been a little bit loud, a little bit risky, and very, very curious. When I was Jillian’s age, I had a secret hiding place, a place where I could be alone with my ideas and thoughts and a whole bunch of stuffed animals! When I was young, I sang songs and danced and drew pictures all the time. I liked pretending to be other people! My imagination was inspired by books, plays, Rube Goldberg contraptions, and my very creative family.

I did a lot of things for attention! (insert cringe!)

When I was old enough to go to camp, I went and I loved it. The truth is, I still love going to camp . . . at Highlights! I still love talking all night long and pretending to be other people,  making s’mores, and telling stories. And I’m still taking risks . . . on the page, of course!

What inspires you?

The shortest answer: everything! The shorter answer: things that excite me AND things that make me mad! 

The long answer: Family inspires me. Friends inspire me. Talking to kids always gives me ideas. High stakes inspire me. So does beauty. And art. And travel. And things that make me laugh. I get ideas walking next to Lake Michigan. I believe in leaving my phone behind and paying attention to the world. I listen (and eavesdrop). Every moment holds potential.

These days, I am also inspired by my view.

Recently, I was in India, and a student asked me how I learned to create three dimensional characters. When I told him to be earnest and vulnerable, to dig deep into his emotional life and explore what makes people overcome obstacles and change, he looked a little nervous. “So if you do that,” he asked, “how do you protect yourself?” 

Questions like that make my brain and heart swirl!

What do you hope readers take away from your book?

After reading BRAND-NEW BUBBE, I hope they know that there is no one way to make a family, that the only mandatory ingredient is love! 

On my website, readers can find a Family Constellation Project. This project helps kids talk about family in a new way: by including all the people that bring light to their lives. 

Also, I hope everyone eats the soup! Here’s a recipe card, for anyone who wants to share theirs. (recipe card attached) Soup is like family, but it’s also like writing! You put a bunch of things in a pot and something great comes out!

What’s next for you?

As for books, I just finished writing a couple of projects including another PB biography and an adult murder mystery! (Yes, I really am going to write as many kinds of books as possible!) My next book will be a picture book biography of my hero, Bella Abzug. It’s called Abzuglutely, and it will be released by Calkins Creek/Astra Publishing. I can’t wait to don the hat and tell everyone more about this project and of course, Bella’s legacy! 

I’m enjoying riding my bike near Lake Michigan until it gets too cold. I’m also looking forward to traveling more and spending time with family! (I am a brand new bubbe!) I’m teaching a great new class with the Highlights Foundation, all about the writing process, confidence, and writing with JOY! And of course, eating and reading and voting! Everyone vote! We want to hear your stories AND your voices.

To learn more about Sarah and her books:

Twitter: @sarah_aronson

Pinterest: @saraharonson

IG: @sarahnaronson.

Facebook: @saraharonson