Megan McDonald
Q&A with Megan McDonald
Q: When and why did you decide to write this first-ever book starring both Judy Moody and her brother, Stink?
A: When my sister and I were both living in Minnesota, she had a mailman whose name was Jack Frost. We thought that was quite hilarious, and I've never forgotten it. The idea of Jack Frost as a mailman who has "Santa-like" powers has been with me for a long time. I began thinking Stink could want snow for Christmas more than anything, and Judy could be into just the opposite - a Hawaiian Christmas. I wasn't sure if it would be a Stink book or a Judy Moody book, and Mary Lee Donovan, my editor, suggested, why not both? We talked over lots of possibilities, but the most exciting was her suggestion that maybe this book, being different from the others in the series, could appear in full color. My readers have been pleading with me for a long time to get to see Judy and Stink in color. So voilà!
Q: How did writing a book about both siblings differ from writing either a Judy Moody book or a Stink book?
A: It was a challenge. . . . Judy kept trying to take over the story (you know how bossy she is!), so I had to make sure that Stink had his say - and his day. It was so much fun to give Judy and Stink and their sister-brother dynamics the whole canvas. Best of all, though, are the moments when Judy gets to overcome her moodiness and do something bighearted. That's my favorite part of this book. (That and Stink dressing up like a snowflake and trying to fit through the doorway! For a long time now, I've been dying to have Stink dress up as either a snowflake or the Titanic.)
Q: What was your favorite holiday tradition growing up?
A: I would have to say going with my dad to the Christmas tree farm. My sisters and I would all pile in and drive miles and miles through a snowstorm to get to a town called Cranberry, where we'd tromp through the forest, which was magically quiet from the hush of all the just-fallen snow. We were there to make sure Dad got the biggest and best tree, but we always came home with a Charlie-Browner, too - the one that looked lonely and in need of a home and a family for Christmas.
Q: You've said before that sometimes, you think you are Judy Moody. What is it like to have a fictional alter ego who's been embraced by millions of kids around the world?
A: It makes my heart skip a beat. It's so thrilling to have readers who care so deeply about my characters. And I love that Judy Moody makes it OK for kids to think about and talk about their many moods - good and bad.
Q: What's next for the brother-sister duo? Will there be more dual adventures to come?
A: I hope so! I can't really give it away yet, but here's a hint: think treasure hunt!
Contributor: Candlewick Press
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Added 11/27/07
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