Mo Willems FAQ

Q. What are your favorite interviews?

2012-01-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

I thought you'd never ask. Here are some interviews that will give you a sense of how I work for those of you interested or assigned to find out.

2012

Mo Willemsis the go-to author for children — and their parents (Washington Post) A lovelyfeature piece about my work and career with great pictures of kids yelling.

2011

Guilt for dinner: The MoWillems interview (Time Out Chicago) Fun interview on my writing philosophy

'Elephant and Piggie' author Mo Willems on his latest best-seller and his new Pigeon app (EntertainmentWeekly.com) Self explanatory, fun interview

Zena Sutherland Lecture: “Why Books” (Horn Book) A transcription of a speech I delivered in Chicago.

2010

Seriously Funny(Northampton Gazette) My local paper writes one of the best features on me yet.

Mo Willems& Jon Muth (NYTimes Podcast) Jon and I discuss City Dog Country Frog andother work.

2009

Getting Adults to Draw(NPR’s All Things Considered)I get Michelle Norris to doodle, and she likes it.

Joyously Uncool (Trap Door Sun) Interview on my process and book work.

2008

MakeReading “Mo” Fun (Scholastic.com) Essay on reading with the very young.

2001

Talking in his Sheep (AWN.com) long interview about Sheep inthe Big City and my career up to that point.

2000

Now Mom andDad Are Going Cartoon-Crazy, Too (NYTimes) Story about animation my career withSheep in the Big City

I hope reading them helps.

Q. When are you coming to my town?

2011-12-05T10:30:00.000-08:00

A. I travel quite a bit around the country, usually in the spring and fall and post all upcoming public appearances here about a month prior to the events.

If I'm coming to your area, please check with the venue regarding details of the event.

If I'm not coming to your area, it's because I'm busily working on my books and/or spending time with my family.

Q. Can I send you a letter?

2011-12-05T09:30:00.000-08:00

I’d love to get your mail.

Please send it to:

Mo Willems Fan Mail
c/o Laura Schreiber
Hyperion Books for Children and Pigeons
114 5th Ave 14th fl. New York, NY 10011

Please be patient as it takes a while to get the mail forwarded to me.

Teachers, a cover letter with the grade of your students is appreciated.

Please note, I cannot accept packages or books to be signed and returned.

Thanks!

Q: Will you speak at my group’s convention/event?

2011-12-03T18:07:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, probably not.

While I enjoy visiting groups, my hectic schedule has become detrimental to giving both my family and my writing and drawing the attention they need.

Usually, events are booked 12-18 months in advance and are arranged via my publisher. Please contact info(at)pigeonpresents(dot)com with your proposal/request.

I am sad to say that I no longer solicit school visits, but you can get a "video visit" with the Weston Woods documentary Getting To Know Mo Willems. I also am happy to get mail from your students.

As for my upcoming schedule, my public personal appearances can be found here.

Thank you for the support.

Q: If Elephant's name is Gerald, why doesn't Piggie have a name?

2011-11-03T06:25:00.000-07:00

A: Piggie does have a name. Her name is "Piggie". She was named that because when she was born she looked just like a little Piggie.

Elephant Gerald is named after my favorite singer (say it fast).

(Grown ups, you can see more about my naming decisions for these characters in this interview)

Q: Can you give me your bibliography?

2009-03-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

A: Sure:

2011

Author, Illustrator, Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator!

Picture book, Balzer and Bray Books, Harper Collins Children

Author, Illustrator, I Broke My Trunk!

An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, Should I Share My Ice Cream?

An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, Happy Pig Day!

An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

2010

Author, Illustrator, Knuffle Bunny Free: an Unexpected Diversion
Picture book, Balzer and Bray Books, Harper Collins Children

Author, City Dog, Country Frog
Picture Book, Illustrated by Jon J Muth, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, Cat the Cat, Who is That?
A Cat the Cat book, Balzer and Bray Books, Harper Collins Children

Author, Illustrator, Let’s Say Hi to Friends Who Fly!
A Cat the Cat book, Balzer and Bray Books, Harper Collins Children

Author, Illustrator, What’s Your Sound, Hound the Hound?
A Cat the Cat book, Balzer and Bray Books, Harper Collins Children

Author, Illustrator, Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep!
A Cat the Cat book, Balzer and Bray Books, Harper Collins Children

Author, Illustrator, We Are In a Book!
An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, Can I Play, Too?
An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, I Am Going!
An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

2009

Author, Illustrator, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
Picture Book, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, Big Frog Can’t Fit In!
Pop-Out Book, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, Watch Me Throw the Ball!
An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, Elephants Can Not Dance!
An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, Pigs Make Me Sneeze!
An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

2008

Author, Illustrator, The Pigeon Wants A Puppy !
Picture Book, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, I Love My New Toy!
An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, I Will Surprise My Friend!
An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, Are You Ready To Play Outside?
An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

Writer, Introduction, The Complete Peanuts 1969-1970
Fantanagraphics Books

2007

Author, Illustrator, Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity
Picture Book, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, Today I Will Fly!
An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, My Friend is Sad!
An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, There is a Bird on Your Head!
An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, I Am Invited to a Party!
An Elephant and Piggie Early Reader, Hyperion Books for Children

2006

Author, Illustrator, Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
Picture Book, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When It Monsoons: The World on One Cartoon a Day (forward by Dave Barry)
Illustrated Memoir, Hyperion Books for Teens

Author, Illustrator, Edwina, the Dinosaur That Didn’t Know She Was Extinct
Picture Book, Hyperion Books for Children

Illustrator, “Honestly”
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road Anthology
Dial Books for Young Readers

Illustrator, “Eye Poker”
Rush Hour: Reckless
Random House

2005

Author, Illustrator, Leonardo, the Terrible Monster
Picture Book, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, Time To Say ‘Please’!

Author, Illustrator, The Pigeon Loves Things That Go!
A Smidgeon of Pigeon Board Book, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too!
A Smidgeon of Pigeon Board Book, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, “The Unbeatable”
Every Man For Himself: Stories About Being A Guy.
Dial Books for Young Readers, Paperback Puffin (2007)

Author, Illustrator, “Aw, Nuts!”
Guys Write for Guys Read
Viking Books

Author, “Machiavelli On The Telly”
PEN America (#6)
PEN American Center

Author, “The Wonder of It All”
Bizarro World
DC Comics anthology

Author, Illustrator, “Adventures in Cable Television Featuring That Lovable Sap,
Mo Willems”
Death of Monkeysuit
Monkeysuit Press comix anthology

2004

Author, Illustrator, Knuffle Bunny; a Cautionary Tale
Picture Book, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, The Pigeon Finds A Hotdog!
Picture Book, Hyperion Books for Children

Illustrator, “Nuts To You”
Marlo Thomas’ Thanks and Giving All Year Round
Simon and Schuster

2003

Author, Illustrator, Time To Pee!
Picture Book, Hyperion Books for Children

Author, Illustrator, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Picture Book, Hyperion Books for Children

Creator, Writer, The 7th Helper, DC Comics (8 issues, unreleased)

2002

Author, Illustrator, “Walking the Williamsburg Bridge to Work”
911: The World’s Finest Comic Book Writers & Artists Tell Stories to Remember
DC Comics anthology

Author, Illustrator, “Freak Show of the Less Than Bizarre”
Viva La Monkeysuit, comix anthology, Monkeysuit Press

2000

Author, Illustrator, “Just Some of the People Who Hate You”
Bride of Monkeysuit, comix anthology, Monkeysuit Press

1996

Illustrator, “Tooth Aid ‘93”
Free Advice, Dial Press

1993-2010

Writer, Illustrator, The Mo Willems Sketchbook
18 editions
Ersatz Press (1993-95), Curious Pictures (1996-2006), MWS (2007-)

Any books of mine that are available are listed at Mo Willems Stuff.

Q: What is your next book?

2007-11-07T14:10:00.001-08:00

A:

Upcoming books include Elephant and Piggie's LISTEN TO MY TRUMPET! and a new PIGEON book entitled THE DUCKLING GETS A COOKIE!?

Q. Why did you choose a Pigeon to star in your books?

2007-11-07T13:04:00.000-08:00

A. A hippopatamus wouldn't fit on the page.

Q. Who do I contact regarding rights/licensing of your books/characters?

2007-11-05T14:31:00.000-08:00

A. My literary agent is Marcia Wernick at the Wernick and Pratt Agency

Q: Can you give me your biography?

2007-10-24T18:13:00.000-07:00

Sure, here's the medium version:

Mo Willems’ work in children’s books, animation, television, theater, and bubble gum card painting has garnered him 3 Caldecott Honors, 2 Geisel Medals, 2 Carnegie Medals, 6 Emmys, 2 Geisel Honors and multiple bubble gum cards. He is best know for his characters Knuffle Bunny, The Pigeon, and Elephant and Piggie. He is worst know for his characters in Sheep in the Big City and The Off-Beats. More information about Mo’s past, present, and future can be gleaned at www.mowillems.com

Here's the long version:

#1 New York Times Bestseller Mo Willems began his career as a writer and animator for PBS’ Sesame Street, where he garnered 6 Emmy Awards for his writing. During his nine seasons at Sesame Street, Mo also served as a weekly commentator for BBC Radio and created two animated series, Nickelodeon’s The Off-Beats and Cartoon Network’s Sheep in the Big City.

While serving as head writer for Cartoon Network’s #1 rated show, Codename: Kids Next Door, Mo began writing and drawing books for children. His debut effort, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! became a New York Times Bestseller and was awarded a Caldecott Honor in 2004. The following year Knuffle Bunny: a Cautionary Tale was awarded a Caldecott Honor. The sequel, Knuffle Bunny Too: a Case of Mistaken Identity garnered Mo his third Caldecott Honor in 2008.

In addition to picture books, Mo created the Elephant and Piggie books, a series of “Easy Readers”, which were awarded the Theodor Suess Geisel Medal in 2008 and 2009 and Geisel Honors in 2011 and 1012. For older audiences he has published an illustrated memoir of his year-long trip around the world in 1990-91 entitled You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When it Monsoons.

Mo’s drawings, wire sculptures, and sculputre have exhibited in numerous galleries and museums across the nation and his graphic story about his family experiences during 9-11 for DC comics resides in the Library of Congress’ permanent collection.

Mo has been heard on NPR’s All Things Considered where he occasionally serves as the broadcast’s ‘Radio Cartoonist’. While no longer working in television, Mo voices and produces animated cartoons based on his books with Weston Woods studios. The animated Knuffle Bunny was awarded Best Film during the New York International Children’s Film Festival in 2008 and received the Andrew Carnegie Medal in 2007. The animated Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! garnered Mo his second Carnegie Medal in 2010

Mo wrote the script and lyrics for Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, commissioned by the Kennedy Center for its 2010 season. The production subsequently toured the nation for 18 months.

His monumental sculpture, The Red Elephant, can be viewed in the courtyard of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Mo lives in Massachusetts with his family.

Here's the short version:

Mo Willems makes funny drawings that hopefully will make you laugh.

Here's my press photos:

photo credit: marty umans

Q: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS?

2007-10-24T18:05:00.000-07:00

Belize. That way I can insure they are belizable.

Q: Can I send you a book to sign for me?

2007-10-24T18:04:00.000-07:00

I’m happy to sign books at the various events that I attend throughout the year, but unfortunately cannot accept packages.

My upcoming appearances are updated here.

Thank you for your support!

Q: I WROTE A BOOK. WHAT DO I NEED TO GET IT PUBLISHED?

2007-10-24T18:03:00.002-07:00

Let's start out by reminding you that I am an author, not a publisher or agent. Consequently, "the business" is as much a mystery to me as it is to you. Listening to my advice makes as much sense as letting the guy valet parking your car tell you how to design a race-car engine.

There are 4 elements you will need to have success as an author:

1. Talent
2. Luck
3. Diligence
4.More concern for your audience than for yourself.

The first two items on the list are negotiable, the second two are not.

The children’s book market is very difficult to break into. Publishers and agents receive vast boatloads of submissions every year. It is said that you have a greater chance of being cast in a network sit-com than getting published as a children’s author/illustrator.

For context: I tried to become published having written for children professionally for a decade, with 6 Emmys (for Sesame Street) and a few kids TV series under my belt. So, I had it relatively easy. It only took me 2 years to find a good agent and 2-1/2 years to get my first contract (for Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!).

“Writing” involves a colossal amount of re-writing. “Illustrating” involves a colossal amount of re-drawing. While it can be thrilling to knock out a great first draft, I know no professional writers who do not spend many months revising over and over again before they dare show their work to their editors. From acceptance of a manuscript to publication can take anywhere from 18 months to 4 years.

Keep in mind that there are many books out there vying for Grandma’s dollars. For the vast majority of Children’s authors, it is not a lucrative career. If you are looking to make lots of money, I recommend getting into crime.

I know all this sounds grim; it is.

On the plus side, publishers need good books and hire editors to find them. If someone tells you that your type of book isn’t being made, say, “yet”. While an agent isn’t strictly necessary, I highly recommend acquiring one (do your research, make sure your prospective agent handles the types of books you write/draw).

To get started, find informative websites, such as the Children’s Book Council’s and The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators'. I’d also get as many publisher’s catalogs as you can to familiarize yourself with what they are publishing, who is writing and illustrating work you like, and who represents your favorite author/illustrators.

If I have advice it is to write as much as you can. Not just in a journal, but for an AUDIENCE. Write articles for your local paper, newsletters, blogs, etc. Create little books and send them to friends, clients, etc. This will help you find a voice and, maybe, get noticed. In addition, it is good to read up on current child development approaches (many education journals publish articles and studies) and attend a few seminars on how children learn.

You might also workshop your ideas with a bunch of kids. They can be found in most schools and I'm sure hip administrators wouldn't mind a library visit from a real artist.

Remember, your job is to think ABOUT your audience, not FOR your audience.

Please feel free to ignore any of this advice and good luck. I hope to see your work on the shelves in the near future.

-Mo

Q: WHEN DOES SHEEP IN THE BIG CITY AIR? IS THERE A DVD?

2007-10-24T18:03:00.001-07:00

Sheep, believe it or not, still airs occasionally in Latin America, India, and other places that are not America. Unfortunately, there are no DVD’s, and for some unknown reason, it is no longer available on iTunes.

If I or Curious Pictures had any control over the series, you’d be able to get your Ranting Swede right now, but unfortunately Cartoon Network controls Sheep in the Big City, so if you’d love to see Sheep on DVD, drop a line to the folks Cartoon Network in Atlanta.

Q. Is “Knuffle Bunny” a true story?

2007-10-24T18:02:00.001-07:00

Everything about that story is completely true, except for the parts I made up.

Q. How do you pronounce “Knuffle”?

2007-10-24T18:01:00.000-07:00

You can pronounce Knuffle however you like, but I pronounce it the Dutch way (it means “Snuggle” in Dutch) with a hard "K" like "Knackwurst".

Q: I’m doing a paper on you for my college course. What can you tell me about yourself to help me ace my paper?

2007-10-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

Well, how’s about the incomplete, yet maybe helpful:

MO WILLEMS RESOURCE GUIDE.

My family and I live in Massachusetts (I have a wife, a daughter, and a dog, which means I’m outnumbered).

My birthday is February 11th.

I grew up in New Orleans, but my parents are Dutch (confusing, huh?)

Mostly, I draw the pictures in my books with pencils, pens, and crayons and color them using a computer. The Knuffle Bunny books feature digital photography that has been altered with ink drawings placed on top.

My favorite book is my next one. I’m always hoping to make my next book my best one.

I find ideas the same place that you do: I make them up. I just spend a whole lot of time playing with them before putting them in a book.

My guiding philosophy is: "Always think about your audience, never think for your audience."

Here are a few websites that might be helpful to you:

PigeonPresents.com : for games, coloring activities, video interviews, and information on upcoming Hyperion books.

GoMo.net: much like PigeonPresents, but featuring characters published by HarperCollins.

My blog with background on past work, inspirational drawings, etc… (also links to current interviews)

My US publisher, Hyperion Books for Children has produced Teachers’ Guides for the Pigeon and Knuffle Bunny.

My UK publisher, Walker Books, has a short, informative page, including “10 Things You Don’t Know About Mo”.

Remember that sites such as IMDB.com, Tvtome.com, and Wikipedia can be updated by anyone and are notoriously inaccurate.

Good luck on your paper!