Feeding the Sheep
I grew up in Washington, DC, without much chance to see sheep on a regular basis. Things are better in Vermont. In the mid 1800s, Vermont boasted 5 ¾ sheep per person, and now sheep are enjoying a small renaissance. Sheep occasionally get a bad rap (“A Nation of Sheep”), and what did they do to deserve it? Nothing. Milk, cheese, meat, wool—they provide it all, plus they keep fields mowed.
It was not, however, a particular love of sheep that inspired FEEDING THE SHEEP. It was my morning shower. How did anybody ever get an idea before the shower was invented? It defrosts the brain. Did you know that Benjamin Franklin himself brought the first bathtub to the US from France in 1790? But built-in showers weren’t common until after World War I, which coincides with the development of the picture book. (I made that up.)
I digress.
So there I was in the shower, having just crocheted scarves out of gorgeous wool for about 15 people I loved. The words, “What are you doing,” which repeat throughout the book, blossomed in my soapy head, along with a plan for the rest. Then I did necessary research on the process and wrote the book (which took a while…). When FSG let me know that the amazing, brilliant, wonderful Andrea U’Ren would be the illustrator, I was ecstatic. I have admired her from afar since her first book. I love everything she did—adding a setting full of color, life, and love, telling stories within stories, and even including a great dog (I love dogs). There’s a cat there too.
I hope you like the book, and I know Andrea does as well. Thank you, FSG, and happy reading.
Leda Schubert teaches at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program. Her previous Macmillan title is Ballet of the Elephants (Roaring Brook), a best book of the year from Kirkus and Horn Book, a NYTimes Editor’s Choice, and a Junior Library Guild and Texas Bluebonnet Award selection. She lives in Plainfield, VT. Visit her on the web: www.ledaschubert.com
Picture Books | tagged Art
Reader Comments (5)
What an exuberant cover! I can't wait to read the words inside. And, Leda, I'm sure I'll quote you on your invention of the shower/development of the picture book timeline. I love a good digression.
Gee, Leda! Saw you today at Through The Tollbooth, too. You and those sheep are everywhere!
FEEDING THE SHEEP is baaaa-yutiful, Congratulations!
I love sheep! They won't get a baaaad rap from me.
What I want to know is, how exactly were Americans bathing between 1620 when the Pilgrims landed and 1790 when Ben Franklin brought the first bathrub??
BTW, nice interview, Leda
Yay, Leda!! I'm rushing out to buy a copy for my classroom for our "Sheep to Wool" unit, and one just for me. I love a good sheep book.
Ewe Rock, Leda!!
Hooray for you, Leda!!! I can't wait to have a copy in my hands. Fun process filled interview too. Sheep and showers what could be better? Congratulations!