I’m guessing that if you read Fred to the young readers in your life they will love it as much as my students did. It’s a wild book that is sure to create some pretty awesome conversations.

Below you will find my interview with Kaila Eunhye Seo. Happy reading!

1. Can you tell us a little bit about Fred?

Fred is about a boy who has a special ability to see magical creatures. However as he grows up and steps into a new world outside of his, his ability starts to fade and he forgets about his monster friends. But with help of a little girl who has the same ability as Fred once did, he realizes what was missing in his life and meets his monster friends again.Through this book, I wanted to show not only the unlimited imaginations of children but also the true happiness and magic that adults are missing in their busy lives even though it has always been around them. Eventually that is what we all want at the end and hope every one gets to have it as Fred did.

2. What is your favorite thing about being an author?

As an illustrator and writer, I constantly think about new concepts and stories all the time whether through images or words. The whole process of finding the right topic and giving it its body is where I have the most fun. Having the chance to share my world with others is a truly gratifying moment. I love my job!

3. What’s the hardest thing about being an author?

 Creating art is a tough thing and it requires patience, energy and passion but when working on a long term project, you get to face obstacles not from the outside but the inside of yourself. Sometimes it might seem that your best isn’t enough or the concept might get blurred or you have no idea what you are trying to say. Trying to stay on the path without getting lost or even if you do, just remember that having belief in the work is probably the toughest thing that I have to overcome as an artist.

4. If you could spend one day inside the world of any book which book would you pick?

It would be ‘The Little Prince’ by Antonie De Saint Exupery. I would just like to sit next to the Little Prince and spend the day seeing the view from his planet.

5. What advice do you have for the young writers in my classroom?

 Read many books, write all the time, believe in your world, be proud of your work and most of all, have fun!