At Tundra Books, we want you to get to know and love our creators as much as you know and love their books. Our creator spotlight series will introduce you to the people behind some of your favorite titles . . . this week, say hello to Melanie Florence!
About the Author:
MELANIE FLORENCE is an award-winning writer based in Toronto. She is the author of the picture book Missing Nimâmâ, which won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, the Forest of Reading Golden Oak Award and was a finalist for the First Nation Communities READ award. Her other picture book, Stolen Words, won the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award, was shortlisted for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, and was given a starred review by Kirkus, who listed it as one of the best picture books of 2017 to give readers strength.
Q&A with Melanie Florence:
What first inspired you to write a picture book about a girl who loves cars and likes getting her hands dirty?
My dad loved cars. He restored vintage cars and although I never actually learned from him, I loved watching him and having him take me for a ride in one of his vintage cars. I lost my dad a few years ago and this is an homage to him. He did teach me how to change the bulb in my brake light . . . but otherwise, I left the car stuff to him. I liked the idea of writing a story about a little girl who shared that interest with her father. In retrospect, I wish I had spent more time in his garage with him.
How much of Sarabeth’s personality comes from kids that you know, or comes from your own experience growing up?
My characters always have an element of myself or people close to me in them. As a parent, I tried to let my kids pick interests and hobbies for themselves without any kind of judgement on what they could or couldn’t do. That’s the kind of family I wanted to portray in this book.
Sarabeth’s grandmother learns and grows. Was it important for you to show an adult changing their perspective?
Yes. Absolutely. I think its really important for kids to see adults admitting they’re wrong sometimes.
Was there a particular moment or scene in the book that was especially joyful or meaningful for you to write?
There are little bits and pieces in the book that made me smile. I wrote in the little alligator nail brush because my mom had one when I was a kid and I never forgot it. Nadia drew it absolutely perfectly. It makes me happy every time I see it. And there’s one other thing that really meant a lot to me. Nadia was kind enough to change the name of the garage and the name of the father in the book to reflect my dad’s name. It absolutely makes me smile every time I read it.
What message would you give to a child who feels they don’t fit into the boxes others expect them to?
Don’t worry about who other people expect you to be. Be yourself. There’s only one you in the world and you’re perfect the way you are.
Books by Melanie Florance:
Sarabeth’s Garage
Written by Melanie Florence
Illustrated by Nadia Alam
40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781774885956 | Tundra Books
Sarabeth loves cars. She loves the way the engines sometimes roar like lions and other times purr like kittens. She loves seeing sports cars that are sleek and fast like cheetahs and boxy SUVs that trundle along like elephants. And most of all, she loves to help her dad at his garage. Sarabeth’s grandmother doesn’t approve. She thinks little girls should play with dolls and wear dresses and always have clean hands. But when her car starts grumbling like a walrus instead of purring like a kitten, who will be there to help? A delightful story about an independent and spirited girl who has no time for the limitations that society wants to put on her, and a grandma who gets the opportunity to change her way of thinking.
The One About the Blackbird
Written by Melanie Florence
Illustrated by Matt James
40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781774882665 | Tundra Books
A young boy learns to play guitar from his grandfather, and the one about the blackbird is their favorite song. Years later, the boy visits his grandfather, and while his grandfather doesn’t recognize him, now grown-up, he does still remember how to hold a guitar. A beautiful full circle moment ensues when the boy plays his grandfather their favorite song. The moving text and dynamic, gorgeous art celebrate the connection that music can create between two people and the joy that music, and the shared love of it, can bring at any age.