Happy Thursday Critters! Today we are chatting with author Glenys Nellist for a second interview here on Critter Lit. I’m so happy to have Glenys back with us today to talk about her latest book in the Little Mole Series, LITTLE MOLE GOES TO SCHOOL, illustrated by Sally Garland, and published by Beaming Books in July.
For those of you who missed Glenys first interview with us, you can find it here.
So without further ado, please welcome back Glenys Nellist to Critter Lit!
It’s great to have you back!
Tell us about your latest book, LITTLE MOLE GOES TO SCHOOL.
Thanks Lindsay! In this third installment in the popular Little Mole series, illustrated by Sally Garland, it’s Little Mole’s first day of school, and he’s nervous. What if he's the last to know his alphabet? What if he’s not good at anything? With a good bit of anxiety, Little Mole heads to class and begins to compare himself to his peers. How will he ever measure up? But soon a crisis on the playground reveals that he has everything he needs in his own two paws to save the day. Little Mole Goes to School is really a simple story about finding your unique gifts and using them for the common good.
Interior art from LITTLE MOLE GOES TO SCHOOL by Glenys Nellist, Illustrated by Sally Garland, published by Beaming Books
I love that you address the anxiety of going to school for the first time in this book, as this is something so relevant for young children today. What inspired this story?
When we first met our little protagonist in the pages of Little Mole Finds Hope and Little Mole's Christmas Gift, he was living at home with his mama in their cozy underground burrow. If you're familiar with his character, you'll know that he's a little reticent, and I found myself wondering one day about how he would cope when the day came for him to venture out of his warm surroundings and begin kindergarten. There's so much anxiety in the real world for little ones who are starting school, and so I thought it would be good to address some of those issues in this next installment. I'm also thrilled that the book contains useful tips for helping a child who is anxious about starting school. These were written by a Child and Family Therapist.
Interior art from LITTLE MOLE GOES TO SCHOOL by Glenys Nellist, Illustrated by Sally Garland, published by Beaming Books
Last we spoke, you had released LITTLE MOLE FINDS HOPE, the first book in the Little Mole series. Now you are back with your third, LITTLE MOLE GOES TO SCHOOL. How does it feel to be back with these characters again?
Well, it's so fun, because they feel like family! Sally Garland, the illustrator, has done a marvelous job of bringing these characters to life, and once you've met Little Mole and his friends, you feel like you know them and want to follow their adventures.
Interior art from LITTLE MOLE GOES TO SCHOOL by Glenys Nellist, Illustrated by Sally Garland, published by Beaming Books
Will there be more Little Mole books in the future?
Yes! Everyone's favorite furry friend returns next year in a Thanksgiving-themed book called Little Mole Gives Thanks. Little Mole is excited because he's throwing a huge fancy forest feast, and he's invited three very important guests. However, what will happen when those special people can't attend? This title is another simple story that explores the importance of friendship and family.
You’ve worked on a few different series. Can you share a little bit about the process of working on a book series. What do you love about it? What do you find challenging?
There are two exciting things about developing a series. Firstly, you can show how a character grows and develops. Secondly, you also begin to accrue a whole 'fan family' of readers who follows your character from book to book and who is anxious to read about their next adventure. The challenging part in writing a series is finding fun new stories to tell!
Many of your books have a Christian theme to them. For those writers who are interested in breaking into that market, what advice would you offer?
Three things: firstly, read as many titles as you can that correlate with your genre or area of interest. Secondly, find support groups or critique groups to join. (There are many such groups on Facebook.) Thirdly, attend a Christian writers conference. (I'm a huge advocate for those, because that's how I became published.)
What do you find inspiring right now?
In the book world, I'm inspired by the plethora of wonderful children's titles being published by Beaming Books, the publisher of Little Mole Goes to School. Their purpose statement is 'helping kids thrive' and they really do achieve this, with both faith-based and general titles that are so timely and relevant to the world our children are growing up in. In the natural world, I'm inspired by the gorgeous fall colors that are all around right now! I think we all need to look up more!
Anything you are reading right now that you love and want to share with us?
If you're interested in writing, I am really enjoying Anne Lamott's book, Bird by Bird. She is funny, smart and very relevant.
What’s up next for you?
I'm SUPER excited about my next picture book releasing in February with Beaming Books, called Wherever You Are. It's based on the true story of an ordinary little moment I shared with my grandson several years ago. Anyone interested in that story can learn more here.
And last, but not least, favorite book character?
That's easy! It's a jolly little postman who rides his bike delivering letters to Nursery Rhyme characters (such as an apology note from Goldilocks to the three bears.) This ancient but innovative little book was published the year my first son was born, in 1984, and is still selling today. The Jolly Postman was the inspiration behind my first children's book, Love Letters from God.
Huge thank you to Glenys for stopping by to chat with us again! Congrats on your latest book, we can’t wait to read what comes next!
Glenys Nellist was born and raised in a little village in northern England. The author of multiple award-winning children's books, including the bestselling 'Twas the Evening of Christmas, The Wonder That is You, and five popular series: Love Letters from God, Snuggle Time, 'Twas, Good News and Little Mole, her writing reflects a deep passion for helping children discover joy and hope in the world. Glenys lives in Michigan with her husband, David. Connect with her at www.glenysnellist.com
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