Happy book birthday to my writing pal, Linda Skeers! Woo-hooo!!! Look at this cover, folks.
Doesn’t that beg to be picked up?! Linda is reeeeally good at writing sweet stories with humor and heart, and those elements abound on these pages, adorably illustrated by the funny and talented Heather Fox. Every page is bright and energetic and adds its own kooky brand of humor.
Here’s the publisher’s description: “Having a best friend is the greatest feeling ever. But it’s terrible when something happens to break up that friendship. Now it feels like you are being hugged by a porcupine. Now it’s time to figure out how to repair a broken friendship. A good place to start is a homemade card with glitter everywhere and a special cupcake with lots of sprinkles. When you add an apology, it’s the best way back to being best friends.
This funny and sweet story is a guide to celebrating and caring for your besties even when you don’t seem to agree.”
I asked Linda about this magnificence….
Jill: So, Linda-friend, let’s first talk about the story itself. What sparked this cute, besties-hit-a-snag adventure?
Linda: This story came about in bits and pieces. The line that started it all was the one about a friend wearing the back half of your unicorn costume – which is the least magical part of a unicorn. That just stuck in my head and every time I had another line that made me laugh, I jotted it down. Soon, I had a list of things I thought were funny, but it seemed to be missing something. And I realized that friendship doesn’t always go smoothly and there can be break-ups and make-ups along the way. I titled it BEST FRIENDS FOREVER (except for that one day) The first thing my editor asked me to do was change the title! I did, although I still like the original!
Jill: Me, too! Best Friends Forever (except for that one day) still makes me laugh out loud. Here’s the spread with the unicorn line:
Jill: Okay, so … knowing you as I do, I’m assuming you wouldn’t pronounce this story finished unless there were multiple laughs. Could you give our readers a couple of tips for writing humor?
Linda: My favorite part of writing is when I amuse myself and snort-laugh! I always try to look at situations from a child’s point of view and what they find funny. It helps that I’ve been told I have the sense of humor of a third grader. I had even more scenes in this book which got cut – too many one-liners can dilute the humor. This is where an editor helps you decide what the funniest bits are, and what can be taken out. I always look for a surprising twist of an unexpected image to ramp up the humor.
Jill: Ooh, that’s a good one. Too many funny lines gives even the funniest less impact. Linda, you’ve been successful with both fiction and nonfiction (NF: Dinosaur Lady, Women Who Dared). Which feels more natural to you?
Linda: I love doing research so nonfiction is a natural fit, but I also enjoy making myself laugh. I’ve found it beneficial to work on both – I jot down ideas I find funny while doing research on different topics. I like balancing a long nonfiction piece with a short, snappy fiction piece. And yes, I have a tendency to work on multiple things at once. Look, a squirrel!
Jill: I know I’m not the only one reading this who can relate to having trouble sticking to ONE project. Too easy to get stuck, and seems much healthier to simply turn to something different for a while. Tell us about seeing Heather Fox’s illustrations for the first time.
Linda: I was thrilled when my editor said Heather had signed on to do the illustrations because I was already a huge fan of her work like LLAMA DESTROYS THE WORLD! When I was asked if I’d ever envisioned my characters as animals, I didn’t know WHAT to expect because I hadn’t given the characters names or genders, so I was open to anything. Heather based the two friends on her and her childhood bestie and I think it’s perfect! Heather took my manuscript and really made it come alive with her brilliant illustrations which I absolutely adore.
Jill: Wow, so seeing kids as the main characters must have been a bit of a shock. But, boy, Heather sure made them irresistible! What can we look forward to next?
Linda: I finished the revisions for WOMEN WHO DARED Book 2 which comes out next year so now I’m playing around with more humorous PBs and a few nonfiction projects — a proposal for a humorous nonfiction series is with editors right now – for me, that’s the best of both worlds!
Jill: That’s for sure! Fingers crossed for that proposal. Sounds right up your alley.
Readers, Linda has generously agreed to send a copy of EVEN BETTER THAN SPRINKLES to one lucky reader. All you need to do is leave a comment below. U.S. mailing addresses only, please. She’ll pick a winner at random on July 5th and contact you.
Note: Linda and I co-host the Whispering Woods Picture Book Writing Retreat/Workshop every summer. There’s still room for you and a friend in our September session, Mon-Thurs, Sept 9-12. It’s … well, how do you talk about how great your own workshop is? Can I just say it’s a little bit magical? (Please feel free to ask anybody who’s been.) Contact me through my website for more details.
Can’t wait to read this book, Linda!
Thanks, Jody!
Linda may still prefer her original title, but it was “sprinkles” that caught my eye, as I know some kids who LOVE sprinkles! Congratulations on this fun book, and thanks for the chance to win.
Jane,
I was onboard when my editor said there would be sprinkles all over it! I do love the cover!
This looks so fun! Congratulations!
Thanks Jennifer — it was a fun one to write!
I am so excited to see this out in the world! Thanks for sharing…and for the chuckles 🙂
Katie — I think you read a very early version of this — I’m so glad it’s finally a book!
Adorable book! I like to snort-laugh to when I’m writing.
Quinette — another snort-laugher! We’re kindred spirits!
Can’t wait to read your latest — the humor and heart oozes from the post. Thank you, Jill and Linda. And, Linda, all your books are “even better than sprinkles!”
Lori,
You made my day! Thank you!
This looks adorable! Congrats!
Thanks Debra!
This sounds sweet and funny! Can’t wait to read it and can’t wait to attend the Whispering Woods retreat!☺️
Stefanie,
I can’t wait to see my favorite mentee in person!
This book looks and sounds wonderful! Our library has it on order so I’m in line to read it and can’t wait. Love the cover and illustrations!
Thanks, Kim! Share it with your bestie!
Congrats, Linda! This book looks delightful & fun!
Thanks, Tina!
Oh i CANNOT wait to read this!
Hooray for humor (and sprinkles) ((and friendship))
Congratulations Linda!
Thanks, Cathy! Sprinkles ARE hard to resist!
I always love the journey of a story!
Thanks, Cathy! Sprinkles ARE hard to resist!
Some journeys are more fun than others!
Thanks for providing a peek into the process of producing this fun book (i love stories with humor & heart, plus also a big fan of Heather Fox, too!) 🤗📚💛
Heather is the BEST!
We can all use a good laugh these days! Can’t wait to read it. Congrats!
Snort-laughing is my favorite thing!
Love the book – I DO like the original title! See you in September!
Robin — we’ll have a lot of fun! And learn stuff too!
I like the original title better, too! But maybe that’s because I can clearly hear Linda say it in my head. Can’t wait to get my copy!
Maybe you could create an interpretive dance about sprinkles…
Best friends is a great topic for a book. This one sings to me.
Gosh Kathy, thank you!
Ha! The scene with a kid blowing out someone else’s birthday candles is so true to life! Can’t wait to read this book.
Especially if you’ve been saving that wish all year!
Ah, this is great and I LOVE sprinkles and sparkles. I can of exactly two grown friends who could use this. Thank you for this lovely interview, Jill and Linda. Congratulations!!!
Thank you, Vijaya!
Linda, this book sounds (and looks) absolutely adorable! I’m so happy for you! I hope it sells a gajillion copies. 🙂
Thanks, Lorna! YOU have made me snort-laugh in the past!
This looks and sounds utterly delightful! I can’t wait to read it!
Thanks, Becky!
Congratulations, and thanks for the interview! I can’t wait to read this, and I love the sprinkles on the cover!
I absolutely adore Heathers illustrations — especially the cover!
This book looks delightful! Thanks for sharing and congrats!
Thanks, Danille!
I attended Whispering Woods back in 2018. This interview brought back listening to the 2-of you talk about PB’s. What a fun interview. Love the concept of this book, Linda! Congrats and best wishes.
Hi Becki! Jill and I could spend YEARS talking about PBs!
Love the advice of amusing yourself and listening for those snort-laughs! Congrats on what looks like a very fun book.
I think if you make yourself laugh, others will laugh too! But maybe that’s just me!
I love friendship stories and add humor makes them even better. The artwork is fun and eye-catching and I can’t wait to read this.
Danielle,
I LOVE Heather’s artwork!
I loved watching this book come together. I can’t wait to get my copy!
Susie,
You were there from the beginning! Thanks for your encouragement!
Hey Linda
I’m a past Whispering Woods graduate too! Nice to be reminded I was learning from the best! Congrats on the new book. Looks like it’s a lot of fun. I look forward to reading it from cover to cover.
Hi Cindy! Nice to “see” you again!
Even Better Than Sprinkles looks fantastic. I love the concept and the humor. I can’t wait to read it. Congratulations!
Claire, I hope you like it!
As an elementary school counselor, this book is simply amazing and would love to add my to my collection of books to spark conversation of friendship and what friendship looks and sounds like!! Thanks for writing this book and promoting a topic like this with humor and fun for all ages of readers!!
Ah, thanks, Laura! My first draft had everything going smoothly and then I realized that wasn’t realistic. Even the best of friends can have disagreements but it’s important to work them out.
This book looks terrific! I loved the part of the interview about cutting some of the funny to make the rest, well, funnier–great advice! (I may have to take a look at some of my puns in an in-progress work…)
Good luck with all your books!
Lynn, it’s so hard to cut a line that cracks you up but sometimes less is more! Good luck with you wip!
Congratulations Linda!
I love humorous books and I can’t wait to get a copy of yours!
I enjoyed reading this interview and the “behind the scenes,” of this book!
Mark — Thanks and I love your books and the stories behind them!
Everything about this is so much fun. I can’t wait to read and share it with kids who I know will love it!
Thanks, Claire!
I can’t wait to get this book! I had a best friend in jr high that meant the world to me…..oh wait…..that was YOU! Remember that time in speech class we took turns writing a story one line at a time? I knew wayyy back then that you were an amazing author.
Sarah — oh, I miss writing those stories! And snort-laughing with you watching Creature Feature — I think this all started with you!
Hi, Linda! Your new book makes me smile. And better than that, it’s gonna make me laugh as soon as I get my hands on it. The cover is delicious! xo
Kathy — your books always make me smile!
This book looks so fun! I love how playful the cover is, and the way you add humor to situations that may be a big deal to little people. I think this would be a fun read for little ones and adults!
Thanks, Lindsay — I hope so too!
Congrats, Linda!! Love the way you “sprinkle” humor throughout the book. Can’t wait to read the entire book!
Thanks, Norene!
I love the title! Especially because my step-grandson always asks for sprinkles on his ice cream when visiting my house. They make dessert sprinkly special, just like super good friends. Can’t wait to read the humour in this book!
Oh, I love that line “they make dessert sprinkly special!”
Can’t wait to read this! Love the cover and title:)
Ashley, I LOVE Heather’s cover!
Congratulations, Linda! I can’t wait to read the whole book — the lines about “accidentally-on-purpose” blowing out the candles sound like someone I know and love. I’m glad you have the sense of humor of a third grader because third graders can be SO FUNNY! Heather Fox’s illustrations are a perfect pairing for the story.
Third graders are the funniest humans on the planet!
I loved your original title! But “even better than sprinkles” is fun too. Plus, I bet you’ll get to enjoy lots of sprinkle-covered cookies and cupcakes when you’re visiting schools and bookstores!
The world is a happier place with sprinkles!
Oh, I do love this title and the amazing cover. Actually, ALL the illustrations are terrific! And writing humorous stories is so much fun! This one sounds perfect. I’m definitely putting it on my TBR list.
Thanks, Marty!
This looks like an adorable book to help children know how to make up with friends!
Kathy, the path of friendship doesn’t always run smoothly… especially when there’s birthday candles involved!
This looks so fun, Linda! I love your sense of humor! I can just picture you cracking up as you’re writing this book. I can’t wait to read it!
Judy — you’ve heard me snort-laugh!
Oh, this sounds delightful and delicious! I’m adding it to my Goodreads list and checking my library! Congratulations!
Thanks, Angie!
I just ordered Even Better Than Sprinkles from a lovely local bookstore–and can’t wait! Linda, your sense of humor is a bit “third grade” but that’s probably why I love your writing. So excited to see your words paired with Heather Fox’s art. Kudos to Jill Esbaum for this terrific interview!
Aw, thanks, Charlotte! I just got you new book yesterday! So adorable!
I love the title and the cover. What a fun book. Looking forward to reading it.
I am late to the “sprinkle party” but enjoyed this interview just as much as everyone else. I am looking forward the reading Even Better Than Sprinkles! Thank you Linda and Heather for an adorable book about friendships up and downs. Jill, your questions were exactly the questions I wanted answered. Well done Everyone!
Thanks, Marilyn! Jill is an awesome interviewer!
And I must be the latest to this party with sprinkles!
I love your third-grade humor, Linda. I look forward to reading EVEN BETTER WITH SPRINKLES.
Thank you, Linda and Jill.
Thanks, Suzy!
Sounds fabulous and I can’t wait to read it! I also enjoy the humor of third-graders 🙂