Spotlight on Adam Lehrhaupt

Adam Lehrhaupt’s first picture book, Warning: Do Not Open This Book!, received the E.B. White Read Aloud Honor Award, was an ALA Notable Book, and a HuffPost Notable Book. School Library Journal called it, “More fun than a barrel of monkeys.” He is also the author of Please, Open This Book!, which was named a Wanda Gag Comstock Read Aloud Honor Book, and Idea Jar. Adam has traveled to six continents, performed on Broadway, and lived on a communal farm. He currently lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with his wife, sons, and two bizarre dogs.

Q: You’ve written a lot of picture books and early readers over the years. Where do your ideas and inspirations come from?

I get asked this question a lot. The truth is, inspiration is everywhere. There are book ideas to be found in almost everything we do. Conversation with a delivery person? Book idea. Scuba diving trip with your friends. Book idea. Monkey steals your cupcake? You got it…book idea. The trick is to keep your eyes, and mind, open to any experience. After that it’s just a matter of writing and revising until it’s done. Not every experience or idea becomes a book, but that doesn’t stop me. I like the process of writing and seeing where these new ideas take me.

Q: How do you approach writing an early reader like Can Clam Go differently than a picture book like The Idea Jar or Book’s Big Adventure?

I try to approach every manuscript the same way. I start with a character. Then, I give that character something to want, or need. Once I’ve set that desire in motion, I take away what my character wants. Add some escalations and you end up with the outline of a good story. The true differences come during the revision process. With early readers there are format and text rules that you don’t find in picture books. Revisions for these manuscripts start with checking the text against the guidelines and then checking that the story works. Once everything checks out, the manuscript is ready for review. And more revision.

Q: What do you hope young readers take from your books and stories? Do you identify in particular with any specific characters?

I think most authors just want their readers to enjoy the story. I don’t often write anything deep or meaningful. Most of my books are meant to be simply enjoyed while you read them. And hopefully leave you with the desire to read it again. Or even better, make you want to check out something else I’ve written.

Since I tend to write from personal experience, I do identify with my characters. In I Will Not Eat You, I AM Theodore. I wrote that book on a long drive with my kids and they were SO LOUD. I just wanted some quiet. I Don’t Draw, I Color is quite literally the story of why I don’t illustrate my own books. And in this book, I have aspects of both Clam AND Shark. Shark has this great energy. Zipping around. Impressing everyone. Shark has freedom to do anything he wants the same way I can write anything I want. That’s not the same for Clam. Clam has a disability. Clam can’t move. At all. It is only through Clam’s desire and a little help from Shark’s that Clam is able zip and zoom around. I’ve had moments where I’ve been stuck. When I need to push myself, but also need a bit of assistance to finish what I’m trying to achieve.

Q: As a writer, what is your favorite part of creating stories and books?

I love the part where I get to read my books and talk about them with students, educators and parents. Nothing gets me more jazzed to write than a school visit. There’s an energy I get from the students. And since I always make my visits educational, how to create characters, how to write a good story, where to get ideas, everyone leaves with something new to play with. Even me.