Wednesday Q & J: October 4, 2023

Q: You are rebooting a series of books illustrated by Tomie DePaola. Tell us about the evolution of the Giants in Giants Farm and Giants Go Camping and beyond.

J:  I began with one book, never considering it as series. It just grew and grew.  Tomie (alas, gone now and I write this on the day before his memorial ceremony) and I were long-time friends. We had done other books together. This was just plain silly fun.  I had written and he had illustrated two of the giant books, and years and years later, the publisher wanted to turn the books into four easy-readers, but by then dear Tomie had died. We are using his illustrations in the first two reprints and then having someone do illustrations in his style for the next two. Fingers crossed.