Today's guest is the feathered star of Elizabeth Rose Stanton's acclaimed debut picture book. Let's give a big, er, hand for the chicken with arms . . .
HENNY!
Baawwaaak! Hello, Mr. Pig.
Welcome, Henny! Before I get to our interview, let's roll a clip. . . .
Henny, what is your full name?
Henrietta Van Cluck Stanton. Just kidding. It’s just Henny. I just thought I’d be fun to pretend I had a longer name.
What is the best thing about being you? Having arms.
What is the worst thing about being you? Having arms.
Do you have a belly button?
That’s the least of my concerns.
*Snort.* If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring?
Duct tape, a hammer, my chopsticks, chicken aspirin, and a whole bunch of books. Oh and, of course, my pink purse and green umbrella.
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| From HENNY. Illustration copyright 2014 by Elizabeth Rose Stanton. |
What is your idea of the perfect day?
Sitting on a hilltop, a gentle breeze blowing through my comb, reading a book.
Aaah, delightful. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I kind of have one already, don’t I? I mean, come on, a chicken with arms? All I need is the cape. I’ll have to ask Stanton to draw me one.
Hmm. I smell a sequel! What are you reading right now?
George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man.
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| From HENNY. Illustration copyright 2014 by Elizabeth Rose Stanton. |
What is your favorite word?
Bwwaaak! It’s kind of like “aloha”—it means hello and goodbye in Chickenese. Sometimes, when I want it to, it also means “thank you.”
What is you least favorite word?
BaGOKin’! (it’s a bad word in Chickenese)
What is your favorite sound?
No sound. I like quiet.
What is your least favorite sound?
Too much sound—especially from that baGOKin’ rooster. Oops! I shouldn’t use bad words.
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| From HENNY. Illustration copyright 2014 by Elizabeth Rose Stanton. |
Share one thing that most of our readers don’t know about you.
Oui! There is a French edition of me (published in France by Seuil Jeunesse).
Ooh la la! Congratulations! If you could dine with three characters from other books, who would they be?
I would most certainly have to return the favor and invite Mike Curato’s sweet Little Elliot, especially since he’ll bring the cupcakes. I would also invite Ame Dykman’s Cub because he knows the tea party rules and, finally, Drew Daywalt’s Beige Crayon, because he could draw us up a turkey dinner—and maybe some chairs.
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| From HENNY. Illustration copyright 2014 by Elizabeth Rose Stanton. |
Bugs, with my chopsticks.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
When someone called me “creeptacular.” Then I decided I kind of liked it.
What is your pet peeve?
People who think my name is HENRY.
What was it like working with Elizabeth Rose Stanton?
She’s an inveterate procrastidoodler. But I guess that’s a good thing since that’s how she thought me up. Oh, and that cute cat of hers gets in the way. A lot.
Thank you so very much for having me, Mr. Pig! Baawwaaak!!
Thank YOU, Henny! Now stick around. Nina from Mamabelly Lunch's with Love has prepared a Henny-themed bento lunch just for you!*
*Scroll down to see the HENNY Literary Lunch.
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About the book
HENNYby Elizabeth Rose Stanton
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 2014
ISBN 9781442484368
A New York Public Library Best Children’s Book of 2014
“This adorable, albeit unconventional, story of self-discovery will charm all ages." --American Booksellers Association Kids’ Indie Next List, Winter 2013-2014
★ “The premise is clever, and the execution is hysterical . . . a good message about making the best of one's circumstances and looking on the bright side.” --Booklist, starred review
“Henny’s journey of adjustment and empowerment is a useful lesson for young children, told in a fun, imaginative way." --BookPage
“In gentle pencil-and-watercolor sketches on an eggshell-white ground, Stanton scatters moments of quiet humor like chicken feed." --Publishers Weekly
About the author
Elizabeth Rose Stanton began her picture book writing and illustrating
adventure a few years ago, after a brief career as an architect and long
career as a parent and fine artist.Her debut picture book, HENNY (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books), was awarded a Booklist star and was recently named as one of the best books of 2014 for children by The New York Public Library. She has signed on again with Simon & Schuster for a new picture book, PEDDLES, about a little pig with some big ideas, due out in early 2016.
She lives in Seattle with her husband and Bea-the-Cat. Elizabeth is represented by Joanna Volpe of New Leaf Literary & Media in New York, and is a member of SCBWI International, and SCBWI Western Washington.
Visit Elizabeth at her website or blog. You can also find her on Twitter and Instagram.
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