"I had to be careful. A mistake I made when I submitted ideas initially was that one of them was too much like Elephant and Piggie, thinking that was what it needed to be. That's not what Mo was looking for. But I did definitely keep them in the back of my mind. It was tricky. Like Mo Willems was saying, it had to be something that Elephant and Piggie would like to read, yet we shouldn't make anything that was too much like Elephant and Piggie, because why would you want to do that?"
About Laurie Keller
Laurie Keller — Life and Legacy
Laurie Keller is a prominent author and illustrator celebrated for her unique ability to weave humor and creativity into children's literature. Her distinctive style not only entertains but also encourages young readers to explore their imaginations. Keller's work, such as 'Do Not Open This Book!', exemplifies her playful approach to storytelling, where she invites children to engage with the narrative in unexpected ways. Keller's core philosophy revolves around the idea that creativity thrives on connections. In her words, 'Creativity is the ability to see connections where others see none.' This perspective is evident in her illustrations and narratives, which often challenge conventional storytelling norms. By blending humor with insightful themes, she creates a space where children can learn and grow while enjoying the journey. The impact of Keller's work is profound; her quotes and stories inspire a generation to embrace their creativity and view the world through a lens of imagination. In a time when children's literature often leans towards didacticism, Keller's playful narratives remind us that learning can be a joyful adventure.
Quote collection
Laurie Keller quotes
4 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Mo Willems was so helpful. I had met him a number of times, and I knew from his books how funny he was, of course, but it was really neat to be able to have his feedback. He's so great with comic timing. Working with him was like taking a master class in comic timing, because he could pinpoint right away if a section wasn't working. I remember him saying once, "No, you need a beat between this page and this page," and it was like, oh yeah, of course. I hadn't seen it, but being so good at what he does, Mo noticed it right away."
"I had to keep the text pretty spare compared to what I would typically do in a picture book. My picture books have a lot of little jokes and asides that aren't necessarily part of the main story."
"My questions did surprise some people. Others didn't bat an eye. That happens with all my books - I'll read them in a certain mood and think, "Gosh, what was I thinking that day? This is really kind of odd." But on other days it seems totally normal to me."