Lynne Barasch

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How long have you been writing books? Sincerely, Jacob Rush

I liked "Radio Rescue" very much!
How did you know we would like the book?
TYRA SKRABACZ

Do you have a favorite book?
Is your job fun? Sarah Grote

I like your book "Radio Rescue".I relly like the drawings. Triston Rothgeb

When you said you could wrie about anything from "crumbs to a big crowd", what did you mean? Lauren Lokey
White Oak Elementary School

Do you like writing books and drawing pictures?
Where do you live? Abbey Agra
Were you born in 1920?
I like "Radio Rescue" and I think it is a great book!! Rileigh Grace Abraham
White Oak Elementary

How did you learn the International Morse Code from "Radio Rescue"? From Hannah Day
We love your book "Radio Rescue". from Katelynd Morrow
White Oak Elementary School Cape Carteret, NC

Ms. Barasch, Our class has just finished reading "Radio Rescue". We would like to ask some questions. Thanks, Kathleen Newton

How long does it take you to write and illustrate a book?
Some books have been completed in months, some take years.

1. What books/authors did you enjoy reading as a child?
When I was a child I read constantly; all the books of Albert Payson Terhune, Frances Hodgson Burnett, and Kipling, especially The Jungle Book.

2. How did you decide to become a children’s book author?
I wouldn't say I decided to become a children's book author at all. I thought I would be an illustrator/painter. The first story I wrote (unpublished) The Bus Fuss, was a direct consequence of a misdirected trip to Kindergarten by my then 5 year old daughter.

3. How does both writing and illustrating a book compare to only illustrating?
I consider myself very lucky to have fallen into the genre of picture books as it combines my love of words and drawing. When I write I am always visualizing the illustration possibilities.

4. Several of your books such as Knockin’ On Wood and Radio Rescue have been based on true stories or historical events. Is there any particular reason you are drawn to fictionalizing real-life stories?
I think all stories begin with real things you have read, heard about, or experienced.


5. What aspect of writing for children do you find most satisfying?
I love taking complex ideas and unraveling the puzzle to fit the picture book form. The challenge of keeping the text clean and simple delights me.

6. What advice would you give to aspiring young authors?
Young authors should know that a story can be about ANYTHING. They can find stories to tell just by looking around themselves. By the time a young person is 8 they probably have hundreds of stories if they look hard enough. They could write about anything from crumbs on the kitchen table to a bigger event like getting lost in a crowd.

7. How many books have you written in total?
I have written at least 20 books, ten have been published. I illustrated two others. I never run out of ideas.