Hello, Mr. Pig here. I'm thrilled to host my very first Mr. Pig Live SPECIAL--starring superstar children's book creator Tony DiTerlizzi! Tony is co-creator of the SPIDERWICK series and author-illustrator of the New York Times bestselling WONDLA trilogy! WOW! Welcome, Tony!
I usually interview children's book characters, so pardon me if I seem a little nervous. I'm a BIG fan. I must say, though, I thought you'd be taller. (Gah ... sorry, that's the nerves talking. You're taller than me, after all. Of course, who isn't taller than me? I'm a pig.)
Anyway ... thanks for taking time out of your book tour to visit the Cottage!
Why, thank you! Congratulations on the success of the Wondla trilogy. Let's watch this clip of you at work on the cover of the final book, THE BATTLE FOR WONDLA.
Ooooo, that looks good. I can't wait to read it.
Thank you. I had a great time putting it together and we’ve got more video clips concerning the WondLa finale, which shall be released very soon.
Let's start with Eva Nine. You are a father of a young daughter. Was that influential in creating Eva Nine as a strong female protagonist?
Yes. Though Eva Nine had been in my head for over a decade, the birth of my daughter (and my 40th birthday) spurred me on to finally sit down and write her story.
Since I was a young boy reading the classics, I’ve enjoyed strong, resourceful female heroes. Protagonists like Dorothy Gale (from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), Wendy Darling (from Peter Pan & Wendy), and Alice (from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) not only inspired my story, but Eva Nine’s character as well.
Now, let's talk about you. What one word best describes you?
Imaginologist.
Perfect! If you could choose one superpower, what would it be?
Taking stories from my imagination and sharing them in words and pictures.
Well played, sir. Do you have a pet peeve?
Well played, sir. Do you have a pet peeve?
Parents who don’t spend time reading to their children.
What author or artist were you starstruck to meet?
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet many bestselling authors and illustrators in my career. I had a great little conversation with Maurice Sendak years ago, which I still replay in my mind from time to time. And Eric and Bobbie Carle have been supportive of my career as well as my wife, Angela. That definitely requires some pinching to make sure this is not a dream.
What author or artist were you starstruck to meet?
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet many bestselling authors and illustrators in my career. I had a great little conversation with Maurice Sendak years ago, which I still replay in my mind from time to time. And Eric and Bobbie Carle have been supportive of my career as well as my wife, Angela. That definitely requires some pinching to make sure this is not a dream.
Do you read all your reviews on Goodreads?
On occasion, I will skim through the reviews. Obviously I don’t like
seeing a bad review, but at least people are reading books.
What would you say to 10-year-old Tony if you could travel back in time?
What would you say to 10-year-old Tony if you could travel back in time?
“I know it can be tough sometimes because you’re not popular, or good
at sports, or have a ton of friends, but stick to your drawing and
nurture that imagination because you won’t believe the places it will
take you.”
How did you feel when you finished the final piece of art for THE BATTLE FOR WONDLA?
Tired. Proud but tired. As
I mentioned earlier, this story had been developing for over a decade.
I’ve been working on it non-stop since 2009, so its been quite an
accomplishment for me. I’ve pushed my writing and drawing skills and
feel like I’ve grown as a storyteller. That said, I am looking forward
to some single, one-off, stories to tell. I’ve got a picture book
planned that I’ve been developing for a long time.
Wonderful! You'll have to come back to the Cottage and tell us all about it when it comes out. Thank you, for visiting, Tony--will you sign my book?
Of course. Right after I take a nap.
About THE BATTLE FOR WONDLA
Eva Nine is at her bravest in the final book in the New York Times
bestselling trilogy from the fantastical mind of Tony DiTerlizzi. All hope for a peaceful coexistence between humankind and aliens
seems lost in the third installment of the WondLa trilogy. Eva Nine has
gone into hiding for fear of luring the wicked Loroc to her companions.
Complete with lavish two-color illustrations and spot art throughout,
and starring a host of unforgettable characters that reinforce the
importance of friendship, The Battle for WondLa has all the hallmarks of
a classic book—of the future.
About Tony DiTerlizzi
New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Tony DiTerlizzi, has
been creating books for over a decade. From his fanciful picture books
like Jimmy Zangwow’s Out-of-this-World Moon Pie Adventure, Ted and The Spider & The Fly (a Caldecott Honor book), to chapter books like Kenny and The Dragon and the WondLa trilogy, Tony always imbues his stories with a rich imagination. With Holly Black, he created the middle-grade series, The Spiderwick Chronicles, which
has sold millions of copies, been adapted into a feature film, and has
been translated in over thirty countries. In 2014, he teamed up with
Lucasfilm to retell the original Star Wars trilogy in a picture book featuring artwork by Academy award-winning concept artist, Ralph McQuarrie.
To learn more about Tony, visit his website: http://diterlizzi.com.
Wonderful! You'll have to come back to the Cottage and tell us all about it when it comes out. Thank you, for visiting, Tony--will you sign my book?
Of course. Right after I take a nap.
___________________________
About THE BATTLE FOR WONDLA
However, news of the city Solas being captured by the human leader,
Cadmus Pryde, forces Eva into action once again. With help from an
unlikely ally, Eva tries to thwart Loroc’s ultimate plan for both
mankind and the alien life on Orbona.
About Tony DiTerlizzi
New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Tony DiTerlizzi, has
been creating books for over a decade. From his fanciful picture books
like Jimmy Zangwow’s Out-of-this-World Moon Pie Adventure, Ted and The Spider & The Fly (a Caldecott Honor book), to chapter books like Kenny and The Dragon and the WondLa trilogy, Tony always imbues his stories with a rich imagination. With Holly Black, he created the middle-grade series, The Spiderwick Chronicles, which
has sold millions of copies, been adapted into a feature film, and has
been translated in over thirty countries. In 2014, he teamed up with
Lucasfilm to retell the original Star Wars trilogy in a picture book featuring artwork by Academy award-winning concept artist, Ralph McQuarrie.To learn more about Tony, visit his website: http://diterlizzi.com.
I am fan of all of the books Tony has illustrated and written. I love both his art and story's. I have dyslexia and dysgraphia, his books got me interested in books and learning literature. In particular The Spiderwick Chronicles, because of that book I realized what literature could do, and so I memorized it and thus I learned to read. I also want to say that seeing his art while reading and in my room, via his posters, has inspired me to do more sketching for I am predominantly a sculptor. I'm eager for his next book or illustration. I just what to give thanks to Tony Diterlizzi for the over all development of my life and to encourage more to pick up his books.
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