Karen is an author of eight books for children, including the "I Wanna" series, from G.P. Putnam ("I Wanna Iguana," "I Wanna New Room," I Wanna Go Home.")
Her other books include, "Talk,Oscar, Please," "If Mom Had Three Arms,"(both from Sterling) and three interactive "Nightlight Detective" mysteries from Peter Pauper Press.
Karen: Thanks for having us, Gail!
Hi, folks. My name is Karen Kaufman Orloff and this is Alex, the letter writer
extraordinaire from “I Wanna Iguana,” “I Wanna New Room,” and the newest
book, “I Wanna Go Home.”
ALEX: Hi, everyone!
Karen: Alex, you seem to be very prolific with your letter writing.
ALEX: What does that mean?
Karen: Well, just that for a boy your age, you write an awful lot of letters! Why
do you like to write letters…
ALEX: And emails. Don’t forget the emails from “I Wanna Go Home.”
Karen: Yes, sorry. And emails. Why do you like to write so many letters and emails?
ALEX: Glad you asked! People may think it’s because I’m kind of shy and
don’t like to talk, but it’s actually because when I write stuff down, I
can say exactly what I want to say. That sure comes in handy when I’m
trying to get my parents to do something!
Karen: Hmm. Yes, I noticed that you do a lot of that – asking your parents for
things.
ALEX: Yup! Like, in “I Wanna Iguana,” I asked them for an iguana, and
guess what?
Karen: What?
ALEX: I got one!
Karen: Well, good for you. I guess you always get what you want, is that right?
ALEX: Nah. Not always. But sometimes, if I’m really persuasive, my
parents make a compromise. Like in “I Wanna New Room,” I couldn’t get my
old room back but my dad built me this neat treehouse!
Karen: How about in the new book, “I Wanna Go Home?”
ALEX: Oh, yeah, well, that was sort of a different thing. See, in the
beginning, I really did wanna go home! I mean, my grandparents, no offense
or anything, are weird! My grandpa doesn’t have real teeth! Yikes! And
Grandma is always pushing her broccoli lasagna. But after a while, I
actually started having fun at their house. We did square dancing, and
face painting, and I won money playing BINGO, and…
Karen: Yes, I get the idea. So, in that book, the thing you wanted – to go home
– wasn’t really what you wanted at all?
ALEX: That’s right. You hit the nail on the head. I was having so much
fun with the old folks, that I asked to stay for another whole week! Go
figure.
Karen: So, are you saying you actually learned something about yourself, Alex?
ALEX: Yeah, okay, I guess so.
Karen: Can you tell us where to find all of your books, Alex?
ALEX: All the books can be bought online through amazon.com, or
barnesandnoble.com, and for those who live in Dutchess County, NY, please
visit Merritt Books in Millbrook. They will have plenty of copies.
Karen: Great. And to conclude -- Are you planning on writing more letters and
emails in the near future, Alex?
ALEX: Gee, I hope so! I kind of like being the main character in a series
of books. Wouldn’t you?
Karen: I’m not sure about that! But thanks, Alex, and thanks to Gail Krause, too,
for having us on her blog.
ALEX: Thanks, Gail!
Gayle: Thank you, Alex. And Karen, good luck with your book launch on September 25th.
You can find lesson plans for the "I Wanna Books" at www.iwannabooks.com
What a cute interview! Your book sounds really fun, Karen. And Alex sounds like quite the little character! Best of luck with the book!
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