Twoo-dalolly! The second interview in what I hope will be many with one of my favorite groups of people--booksellers, librarians, and authors.

This sweet interview is with Carol Santoro, the lovely and knowledgeable owner of Santoro's Books, just up the street from me. Carol's fairly new digs have a downright cozy children's book corner. Her shelves are stocked with the latest and greatest titles, cream of the crop classics and backlist books, and a great sale section to boot! I highly recommend checking the store out. While in that neighborhood there is a delightful coffee shop, the Herkimer, nearby. Grab a tasty beverage and hunker down with your new book from Santoro's Books--the ultimate rainy day Seattle activity.

Chompo Blog Questions in Bold (pictures taken by Carol, links added by me.)

1) How long have you been at this store/in this field?
I've been at this store for 20 months, but I've been a bookstore owner for nearly 22 years.

2) In the past year what books have you been excited to share with little kids, middle graders, and teens?
My favorite book for teens last year was "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing" by M.T. Anderson. It was the National Book Award Winner for Young Readers and was far more challenging than most young adult novels I've read. I thought Octavian was a fascinating character. I also loved to recommend "Flotsam" by David Weisner for the picture book audience. And for middle readers you can't go wrong with "Jenny and the Cat Club" by Esther Averill.

3) In the coming year what books are you looking forward to for little kids, middle graders, and teens?
I must confess I haven't looked through ALL the publishers' catalogs for spring and Summer, but I am looking forward to new picutre books by Kevin Henkes (A Good Day) and Karla Kuskin (Green as a Bean).

4) What is your all time favorite picture book and novel?
This is such a hard question!! I still love "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss (the author who taught me to read) but for more recent picture books, I'm partial to "When Pigasso Met Mootisse" by Nina Laden and "Madlenka" by Peter Sis.

5) What events are coming up at your store that you are thrilled to tell us about?
The end of May marks our two year anniversary and I'm sure we'll have a gala party to celebrate. We have a Young Readers Book Club (Ages 8-12) that meets every third Tuesday of the month, and storytime for the little ones every Friday at 11:00 AM.

6) In your opinion what makes a GREAT book event? (start 3 months in advance? must invite a celebrity like the local weatherman? must have cupcakes? must bring extra books? better if there is more than one author or illustrator for an event?)
The best events I've hosted tend to include the audience in some activity, OR revolve around a specific theme, OR include several authors. There's one golden rule: always offer free food. (NB: I went to a Santoro's book event and the cheese and wine and crudites were scrumptious. WORD.)

7) What is your favorite animal?
I like cats because they like to sit around and read.

8) What is your favorite color?
Purple (hence the purple carpet in my store).

9) Anything you'd like to tell children's book authors and illustrators like me? (stop using sepia toned covers? call before coming to the store? write more books about cupcakes?)
A phone call or email announcing your visit is always appreciated. Otherwise, just keep writing good books!

10) If you could make your *dream* Chompo Bar what would be in it?
It would have to involve dark chocolate and coconut.

Thanks Carol! And dang that Fran. Carol will be receiving her dream candy and custom candy wrapper of the newest Chompo Bar Flavor--The Choco-Coco Santoro Snacker Bar:

Oooodalolly! Chompo Blog's newest feature is about to be unveiled below--short but sweet interviews with my favorite people in the children's book world. Primarily these interviews will be with librarians and booksellers, but if you have the chance to interview a friend AND recent Newbery Honor winner you'd bend the rules a little, too.

Chompo Blog Questions in Bold (links added by me.)

1) How long have you been in this field?
About 18 years, plus or minus.

2) In the past year what books have you been excited to share with little kids, middle graders, and teens?
I love sharing about all my books!

3) In the coming year what books are you looking forward to for little kids, middle graders, and teens?
I think I will be busy in this upcoming year talking to readers about HATTIE BIG SKY.

4) What is your all time favorite picture book and novel?
All time favorite picture book: HOW TOM BEAT CAPTAIN NAJORK AND HIS HIRED SPORTSMEN, written by Russell Hoban, ill. by Quentin Blake; novel: can't pick one but here are a few: MATILDA BONE, by Karen Cushman; BELLE PRATER'S BOY, by Ruth White; BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE, by Kate diCamillo; THE PINBALLS by Betsy Byars; THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS by Katherine Paterson; and FEED by M.T. Anderson.

5) What book events are coming up that you are thrilled to tell us about?
I am excited about going to ALA in June to accept my Newbery Honor Medal (I picked the best prize to win -- I get to dress up and sit at the grown-ups' table but I don't have to give a speech!) but I'm also very excited about attending the Central Missouri State University Book Festival in March and the Southern Kentucky Book Festival in April, because I have family ties to both those states.

6) In your opinion what is the key to a GREAT book event?
Have incredibly low expectations. So what if no one shows up? Every connection you make will make a difference. For example, I once had an event at All for Kids Books to which 2 whole kids came. I read them a chapter from my then-new book, SECOND GRADE PIG PALS, chatted a bit and we all had a great time. Chauni Haslet, the store owner, overheard me reading and saw the kids connecting and promptly read the book herself. A few weeks later, the Seattle Times called her and asked her to recommend some good titles for emergent readers. She recommended Pig Pals, which was ultimately awarded a Seattle Times Best Book for 1st and 2nd Graders. I could not have planned that wonderful turn of events if I had tried.

7) What is your favorite animal?
The hummingbird

8) What is your favorite color?
Green

9) Anything you'd like to tell children's book authors and illustrators like me?
Believe in your gift and work to honor it as best you can -- which may mean chucking a project you love because it will never be your best effort.

10) If you could craft your *dream* Chompo Bar what would be in it?
It's already invented -- Fran's Smoked Salt Chocolate Caramels. I weep just to think of them.

Thanks Kirby! Each interviewee will receive a custom made candy wrapper with their dream Chompo flavor inside. Here's Kirby's, the Hattie Big Bar: