Cynthia & Greg Leitich Smith
What was your initial inspiration for writing Santa Knows?
Cynthia: As an only child, siblings have always fascinated me. So, even though I never had a chance to wish for a nicer big brother or bicker with a little sister, I studied other kids who did. Beyond that, I'm intrigued with what it must be to grow up in such a high-tech information age. As a Santa believer, I wondered about how the debate over his existence might play out today. In Santa Knows, Alfie is a modern kid who not only answers "no" to that age-old question, but also has the gumption and means to try to debunk the Claus.
What was the timeline from spark to publication, and what were the major events along the way?
Cynthia: I had a first line in 2002 and a draft many months later of that same year. For some reason, I found myself stuck on Santa's logistics-how he did so many remarkable things. I turned to my husband (who has two electrical engineering degrees) for his insights. Greg had recently signed a deal for two middle-grade novels, and this picture book became our first joint manuscript.
Greg: Cynthia had this initial idea of a kid who tried to disprove Santa Claus, and we brainstormed the science and engineering behind Santa's deliveries over Christmas carols and eggnog. We worked on a draft - Cynthia put together the initial one, and then we polished it and sent it off.
Cynthia: One publisher held it for months and never replied. In 2003, a second asked for a revision, which we did, but ultimately passed because they'd just signed another Christmas book. The picture book market was depressed, and holiday books are a particular challenge because of their short time-frame window. But we kept trying.
In 2004, our manuscript landed on the desk of a wonderful, whip-smart editor at Dutton who liked funny, strong stories that worked for girls and boys. He had some great ideas for us.
Greg: This was in early December, so we were very much in the mood. We discussed our revision letter in great detail, and made notes, and then generated a new draft. The file of the final manuscript on Cynthia's computer is dated: 12/25/04.
The contract was finalized in early 2005, illustrator Steve Björkman signed on shortly thereafter, and the book was released in September 2006. Though our agent only shopped the manuscript to a few publishers, the process took a long time. Once the book sold, though, production was quite swift-one year instead of the usual two (or more) for a picture book.
How would you describe your childhood Christmases?
Cynthia: I have flashes of memories-Aunt Gail's chicken noodle soup, Grandma Melba's broccoli rice casserole. My Grandma Dorothy and Grandpa Clifford's house hardly had a kitchen big enough to turn around in, but they could've fed an army. Some years, it seemed like they did. My favorite gift was an electric typewriter. My cousin Stacy and I each received one, and spent most of that Christmas Day writing stories in the back bedroom. We're both still writers today.
Greg: Christmas was always a warm, fun occasion, filled with family, friends, and food. Putting up the Christmas tree and decorating the house was always a big family event. The tree would be in the dining room near the living room and so the whole house would smell of evergreen. The fireplace would be decorated with a Nativity scene and candles.
There would be mountains of food - usually Christmas dinner was prime rib in the dining room, which we only used on special occasions. My mother would make hundreds of cookies - chocolate chip, peanut butter, and butter cookies, which were freely distributed to guests, friends, and neighbors.
And on Christmas Eve, my brother would open presents because it was his birthday. I always thought that was grossly unfair...? .
What were some of the challenges in bringing the story to life in Santa Knows?
Cynthia: Greg and I flip flopped a couple of times on how "high tech" the language should be to explain the logistics of Santa's mission. We finally settled somewhere in the middle-fresh enough to seem 21st century, clear enough to seem classic and kid-friendly.
Greg: The first draft we sent to editors was a little heavier on the high tech stuff, if I remember correctly. With our editor's help, we were able to pare the story down to its essence.
Cynthia: The title also was hard. For a long time, it was "Santa and the Snorklepuss" (Alfie and Noelle's last name), but that was too long and seemed to suggest animal characters. Then we went with "Santa's Secret," which was better, but didn't really capture the story. Finally author Anne Bustard, who is in our critique group, suggested Santa Knows.
Could you describe your collaboration process?
Cynthia: I'd done the first draft. After that, we handed it back and forth for each "clear swipe" through, and then we'd meet to discuss-reading aloud again and again in the parlor until we were both happy. This process involved much cocoa and listening to Christmas carols. The two editorial revision requests happened to coincide with their respective holiday seasons, so we had a bounty of inspiration both times.
Greg: It was a lot of fun. We'd tried, early on in our writing careers, to collaborate on a novel, which fell apart quickly. A picture book, though, is a bit more digestible. ? Since Cynthia had done the first draft, I did the next draft after we got the editorial letter.
Cynthia: Really, the process was a joy. I felt sad to see my original opening line go. But then I recognized it had served its purpose in getting us into the story. We didn't need it anymore.
What did Steve Björkman's art bring to your text?
Cynthia: Steve's playful art was a magical gift. He's especially wonderful at showing character emotions. And when Santa himself checked over the book, he said Steve's workshop scenes were the next best thing to being there.
Greg: I'm absolutely thrilled. His art reminds me of all those Rankin-Bass animated Christmas specials from the 60s and 70s, but updated for the 21st Century. It really makes me want to go visit the North Pole.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Cynthia: I had such fun collaborating with Greg, Steve, and our editor. But, of course, we owe our greatest inspiration to Santa!
Greg: Merry Christmas!
Reviews
Santa Knows
Cynthia Leitich Smith and Greg Leitich Smith
Alfie F. Snorklepuss is sure there is no such thing as Santa Claus. He goes to the library to do his research and concludes that on one could deliver all those presents in one night. Alfie tells everyone: from the kids at school, to a television audience.
His little sister tells him, "Santa Claus believes in people who believe in him." When she writes her letter to Santa she asks for a "nicer big brother." On Christmas eve Alfie gets quite a surprise when Santa comes down his chimney. Snappy dialogue makes this well-paced imaginative tale a delight to read aloud. The humor and exaggeration in the cartoon style illustrations are a perfect match for the story. The expressive faces present a broad range of feelings. Little sisters will cheer. The Christmas message--that there are some things we should believe even if we cannot logically explain them--comes through in a wonderful, playful way. 2006, Dutton/Penguin, Ages 3 to 6, $16.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-525-47757-8
ISBN: 978-0-525-47757-0
Added 11/30/06
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