Meet Children's Author Doreen Cronin

Beloved children's author, Doreen Cronin is coming to Kansas City and KC Parent Magazine has the exclusive interview with the author.

On Tuesday, September 28 at 6:30pm, meet Doreen as she reads from her new book, Rescue Bunnies, a beautifully illustrated story featuring Newbie, a Rescue Bunny trainee, at the Plaza Library (4801 Main St.).  The event is co-sponsored by Rainy Day Books. Many of Cronin’s books will be available for sale, and she will sign copies purchased during the event. Admission is free. Call 816.701.3407 

Meet the Author: Doreen Cronin

KCP: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Doreen: My first grade teacher, Mrs. Cooper, told me I was a writer -- and I believed her. I've been writing ever since.

KCP: How long does it take you to write a book?

Doreen: It really depends on the book! Click Clack Moo took about 20 minutes -- but that was a one-time event! Most of the books take anywhere from 6 months to a year.

KCP: Families have been loving your books for years... we read "Click, Clack, Moo" "Duck for President" and many others often! Where do you find your inspiration?

Doreen: Most of them start like pieces of an idea -- seeds, if you will. Then they grow over time until they are ripe for the picking. Ideas usually kick around in my head for awhile before I begin to actually write them down. After the first draft there can be anywhere from 30-100 re-writes.

KCP: What will readers most enjoy about your newest book? Do you work closely with the illustrator? How do you brainstorm for ideas together?

Doreen: I hope they see that Newbie is like every child -- facing new challenges and adventures every single day. Kids have "newbie" moments all the time -- first day in kindergarten, first time down the big slide, first time without training wheels, first recess with an absent best friend -- and each new experience can be both scary and thrilling at the same time.

Authors and illustrators usually work separately and I think that's important. That way we can each bring our own ideas to the story without getting in each other's way! Scott Menchin's illustrations are vibrant and wildly funny -- and I fell in love with Newbie when I finally saw her for the first time!

KCP: What motivates you as a writer?

Doreen: I like things that make me laugh. My kids crack me up and I want to laugh with them every chance I get.

KCP: What would you like readers to experience/ leave with after reading your stories?

Doreen: I hope they laughed with their kids. I hope they ignored the phone, the dishes in the sink, and the dirty laundry for a few minutes and laughed.

KCP: Do you have tips for parents who read your books to their children?

Doreen: Make sure your kids see you read on your own, too. They are far too many days when I spend too much time on my computer, too much time checking the phone messages and emails. Kids need to see you read in order to value it themselves.

KCP: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Doreen: If I change a single word on a page I have to print the entire thing out and read it start to finish to see if it works. If I change it back -- same thing.

KCP: When did you write your first book and what was it?

Doreen: I'm sure it was first grade -- I wish I could remember it!

KCP: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Doreen: Run around in the park with my kids, drive down to the beach just to take a look at the ocean, catch up on the laundry and read, read, read.

KCP: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Doreen: I've written twelve and my favorite changes all the time. Right now its Rescue Bunnies because I think Newbie is so courageous and endearing.

KCP: What do you think makes a good story?

Doreen: Good stories come in a million different forms -- any story that my kids want to hear again is a good story!