Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Susan Hughes. Her newest book, HOORAY FOR TRUCKS, illustrated by Suharu Ogawa, just came out with Owlkids this month. I’m thrilled to have Susan with us today to tell us about her new book, road to publication, and experience as a writer, editor, and story coach. She also has fantastic taste in movies!
So without further ado, please welcome Susan Hughes!
Where do you live?
I love in Toronto, Canada.
How many years have you been in publishing?
My first book, a juvenile novel, was traditionally published in 1990, and I’ve been writing children’s books (and editing them too) ever since. I’ve been fortunate to have over 35 books traditionally published, including fiction, informational fiction, and non-fiction, and including board books, picture books, chapter books, MG novels, and a YA novel.
Do you write full-time?
I'm a full-time editor, writer, and story coach. I'm so fortunate to work with words and ideas--either my own or those of my amazing clients--all day long!
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
Every time I have a new children’s book published, it’s the highlight of my career. It’s such an exhilarating feeling, one I really treasure.
Can you tell us about your newest book?
Sure! Hooray for Trucks! is my newest picture book—and my very first rhyming story to be published. The story is for kids 2 to 6. It’s playful and fun and … beep! beep! yes, the pages are loaded with names of trucks from bulldozers to forklifts and sparkling with lively illustrations by Suharu Ogawa.
Here’s a quick intro …
Splash and spray, slather and slosh.
dunk and swish—wash, wash, WASH!
It’s time for all hardworking trucks at the construction site to get clean—but when the narrator tries to round up the muddy machines, they dig in their wheels and refuse to move. They don’t want to waste time taking a bath! Trucks want to be USEFUL.
They want to flatten that soil and haul that dirt.
Trucks like one thing: trucks like WORK!
Interior Art from HOORAY FOR TRUCKS, Written by Susan Hughes, Illustrated by Suharu Ogawa, published by Owlkids
Then the narrator reveals they’re cleaning up for an extra special purpose — a truck parade! Soon, the machines are sparkling and shiny and rolling down the street to the cheers of a diverse group of truck fans.
Interior Art from HOORAY FOR TRUCKS, Written by Susan Hughes, Illustrated by Suharu Ogawa, published by Owlkids
Interior Art from HOORAY FOR TRUCKS, Written by Susan Hughes, Illustrated by Suharu Ogawa, published by Owlkids
What was your favorite part of writing this book?
I loved researching all the many names of trucks that could work on a construction site. I came up with quite a list: not only bulldozer and forklift but bucket truck, pickup truck, bobcat, cement mixer, grader … and more. It was super fun to try to work as many as I could into the text while keeping to a strict rhythm.
Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?
This isn’t new advice. Far from it. We all know how important it is.
And so that’s why it bears repeating:
Read, read, read.
If you write picture books, read picture books. If you write MG or YA, read MG or YA. And then read beyond … Read for fun, of course, but also read to learn. Ask yourself, what did I like most about this book and why? What did I like least, and why? How did the author create this effect?
And then, (again, of course) write. Sit down and do the work. Get the words on the page, for better or worse. Once they’re right there in front of you, you’ve begun—and now the magic can begin.
And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?
Ha! I’m going to take over this question—and revise it (like a true editor/writer) and tell you my favorite 1950s movie, which, yes, is before I was born but oh, what a movie! It’s Roman Holiday, the classic romantic comedy starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. It was filmed in black and white, and entirely shot in Rome, Italy. It’s so wonderful!
Thank you to Susan for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book!
Susan Hughes is a Canadian award-winning writer of many traditionally published children's books, including fiction and non-fiction—from board books, picture books, and chapter books to MG novels and YA novels, including titles such as Hooray for Trucks! (Owl Kids, 2022), Walking for Water: How One Boy Stood Up for Gender Equality (Kids Can, 2021), and the Puppy Collection chapter book series (Scholastic). Susan is an experienced freelance story coach and editor who works with writers, both novice and experienced, providing critiques and developmental edits, and guiding them in their writing practice. She frequently serves as a juror for book awards and has volunteered her expertise with organizations such as CODE and the CNIB.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Susan at visit her online: www.susanhughes.ca.
Or follow her on social media:
Twitter: @childbkauthor
ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of HOORAY FOR TRUCKS!, click here.
WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of HOORAY FOR TRUCKS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 20th! US and Canadian addresses only please.