Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Julie Anne Grasso!
It’s an exciting day when another fabulous author comes to visit! Hooray, it’s Julie Anne Grasso to share her delightfully bright and effervescent reading adventure with Hooray, Hooray, It’s Library Day! Who doesn’t love a good book about books?! This one is such a playful journey navigating a day in the life of a lonely library book. Through a series of ‘BLEEPITY BLEEPs’, ‘BLURPITY BLURPs’ and a whole other host of fun and noisy onomatopoeia (apt for a book about reading!), readers are cleverly jostled along the pages as ‘small one’s’ borrowing experience becomes much more than just a quiet reading one! There may be some splats, splishes and sploshes involved, too! Colourful, action-packed digital illustrations by Heath McKenzie really do engage us in the viewpoint(s) of this charming little book, who would be so happy to find itself in the hands of as many ‘small ones’ as possible. Find it in your library (or bookshop) today!
Can’t wait to get reading! Thanks, Julie! 🙂
About the Author
Librarian, Aussie Kidlit Advocate and Autism Mum, Julie Anne Grasso works in public libraries in Melbourne, delivering story times to hundreds of families each week, then Instagram Reeling great new kids’ books.
Her Debut Picture book, “Hooray, Hooray, It’s Library Day,” with Heath McKenzie was released by Scholastic Australia on July 1, 2024.
Please find Julie Anne Grasso at her website: www.julieannegrassobooks.com and on Instagram and Facebook.
About the Illustrator
Heath McKenzie lives and works in a very small suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and has worked with numerous clients and publishers worldwide.
His work is entirely freehand while also being entirely digital. He does his very best to keep it as ‘real’ as possible and tends to be successful at that more often than not.
Along with illustration (which he’s been doing professionally since 2003) and writing (which he’s been getting away with since 2013) he’s managed to sneak in the odd bit of design work along the way.
Please find Heath McKenzie at his website: PORTFOLIO | mysite (heathmck.com) and on Instagram and Facebook.
Hooray, Hooray, It’s Library Day! can be purchased from the Scholastic Australia website.
WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?
By Julie Anne Grasso, Illustrated by Heath McKenzie with Scholastic Australia
WHAT is it about?
A lonely little library book that longs to be borrowed finally goes on a reading adventure.
What is your favourite part of this book?
When the little book is finally read…
What media did Heath McKenzie use to illustrate it?
I believe Heath uses Digital illustration.
WHEN is its release / launch date?
July 1, 2024.
WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?
Working in public libraries, I was searching for a fun book about the library using Radio Frequency ID and Library Cards at the checkout kiosk. I couldn’t find anything in our extensive collection, so I decided to write it from the perspective of the book.
WHY is this book meaningful to you?
It celebrates our love of books, libraries and going on a reading adventure.
Why would its message resonate with readers?
I believe kids will enjoy the antics of a lonely little library book going on an adventure.
HOW long did it take to write?
I wrote it about 4 years ago, and it had many iterations until I landed on the one that I sent to Scholastic.
OTHER information or experiences you’d like to share?
My advice is if you love your story, don’t give up on it, even if it has been rejected. Send it somewhere else and you never know what is around the corner.
Please share your some of your favourite promotional ideas for this book.
It has been a joy to work with Scholastic seeing the process from start to finish. I’ve had a lot of fun Instagram Reeling my experiences, which I believe has engaged my audience in the anticipation of bringing my first picture book baby into the world.
Thanks so much, Julie! It’s been a delight to share your book adventure with you! 🙂
#thequicksixinterview #hoorayhoorayitslibraryday #reading #libraries #picturebooks #justkidslit
