First, I'd like to share with you some questions & answers from an interview I had with Eric D. Goodman:
Why did you decide to write this book? Did having children influence your decision to write it?
I've been in love with writing since early elementary school. I've always loved to write. I actually write adult fiction and non-fiction too. I think I was inspired to write Flightless Goose as a childrens' book because the story of a goose who can't fly seemed like an appropriate subject for a story book ... and I was inspired by the childrens' books I was reading to my own children at the time.
Gilbert the Goose really did exist - how did you find out about him?
I used to live on a lake, and there really was a goose who was hit by a car and rendered unable to fly. The other geese played tricks on him, flying from place to place and making the flightless goose swim after. Then he was left behind when the flock flew south for the winter. I was one of the people in the neighborhood who fed the goose bread crumbs. I thought it would make a great story, and offered an opportunity to teach some important lessons.
Are you writing another children's story right now? (Any chance we can get a hint of what it might be about?)
I'm working on a book now that deals with the environment. And another about compromise and working with people who are different or have a different point of view. We're also considering a sequel for Flightless Goose. Also, I write adult fiction. I have a novel in stories coming out this week, in fact. Tracks, a novel in stories, is set on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. Each chapter is a stand alone story about a passenger on the train, but they all connect to form a novel. You can learn all about it, hear radio readings, and read excerpts at www.TracksNovel.com.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
I think the most important things are to begin by being a reader. The more you read, the better your writing will be. Then, you have to take the first step and start writing. Don't be intimidated by the blank page--just start writing. Don't worry about it being perfect because your first draft is only that--a first draft. You'll want to rewrite it. So the first step is just to let the story pour out of you. You can fix it later.
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy week to answer them!
Thank you, Storm! I look forward to visiting your blog.
And my review:
Flightless Goose is a childrens' storybook that tells the story of Gilbert, a goose. Gilbert is like all other gees - he likes to swim and play, and loves to fly. One day he is in a terrible accident, and he looses his ability to fly. At first, his friends didn't mind, but then they turned on him and said mean things. When it's time for the geese to fly South for the Summer, Gilbert is left behind, and while he enjoys it at first, becomes sad and lonely. What happens next? Well, you'll just have to pick up the book and read it to find out!
Flightless Goose is actually based upon a real story of a goose from Columbus, Ohio who was unable to fly South for the Winter. I liked that the story and illustrations in the book were both vertical and some horizontal. The message in the story is an important one for kids: just because you are different doesn't mean you can't overcome the obstacles.
Flightless Goose has partnered with the Pajama Program! Every book sold will help the charity deliver warm sleepwear and nurturing books to children in need.
Flightless Goose by Eric D. Goodman and illustrated by Nataliya A. Goodman is a hardcover children's book published by Writers' Lair Books. The suggested cover price is $15.95, and you can order it via your favorite local bookstore, or through the website.
I received a copy of this book in order to read it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.
1 comment:
Hello -- Thanks for inviting me to your blog!
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