A Conversation with Rosemary Wells author of Otto Runs for President
Q. You dedicated Otto Runs for President to Elizabeth Edwards. What influenced this decision?
A. Of all the people involved in the presidential primaries and elections this year, it is Elizabeth Edwards, in my view, who is the most excellent example of grace and bravery under extreme fire. The book is meant to be a send-up of politicians and their wiles and egos. Elizabeth Edwards is a rare exception on this stage. Long may she survive!
Q. You have been writing and illustrating children's books for more than thirty years. How do you find inspiration for new work?
A. I always answer that question obversely by saying it is my job to have ideas, and it is! This is the work of any author: seeing life, living life always through the brain filter of what might find its way into a good story!
Q. You often include dogs in your books. Have you always loved dogs? Do you have a favorite breed?
A. I could not live without dogs. My parents, who were theater people originally, wound up in the dog show world as judges and breeders in their later years. So I spent a childhood yawning through many dog shows, but I learned a lot. I own a West Highland white terrier, Sophie, and always will have a Westie! My daughters own German shepherds and they are my second favorites. (I never go near a dog show!)
Q. What inspired you to write a book about elections? Did you run for office at your school?
A. I never ran for office, being neither popular crowd-ish, or an athlete, or a "brain." But I thought there would be room for a book that allowed discussion of what might be going on in any given political year. Kids hear about negative advertising, rumors, press conferences, endorsements, polls, speechifying, etc. Otto Runs for President covers a lot of the bases with good humor.
Q. What comes first? The words or the images?
A. Always the words. But once I start the pictures after the words are on the pages then the pictures sometimes alter or shorten the text.
Q. What do you hope children will take away from reading Otto Runs for President?
A. A leader must listen to the real concerns of the people he or she is meant to represent. That's what democracy is all about. Secondly, that gossiping and trashing others is just plain wrong! But it happens in every campaign large or small. So, it's important for all voters to ask questions and be informed. Trashing always leads the news, but should never be believed by a smart voter.
Contributor: Scholastic Inc.
Reviews
Otto Runs for President
Rosemary Wells
It is election time at Barkadelphia School and whoever collects fifty paw prints can run for president. The popular dogs gather around Tiffany proclaiming she is the cutest and the smartest. The sports fans cheer for Charles, the captain of all the teams. The parents of Tiffany and Charles get involved and the school walls are soon covered with banners and posters. Tiffany’s mother persuades the cheerleaders to shout out cheers while a glee club hired by Charles’ dad sings a fight song. Then the smear campaigns began. Did Charles cheat on the science test? Did Tiffany spend class dues on hair spray? In the meantime, Otto begins asking his classmates what they really want at the school. He gathers the required number of paw prints and bakes cookies with his friend Melanie. On election day, Charles hosts a Whoppo Burger pep rally. Tiffany’s mother serves a pancake breakfast. Otto passes out his cookies. When the votes are counted, Otto wins. He sets about keeping his campaign promises, such as watermelon in the cafeteria and blankets for nap time in kindergarten. The colorful dog characters dress and act like humans. They stand out on white backgrounds, bordered with various items mentioned in the story. This book could be used effectively to stimulate discussions about the election process.
2008, Scholastic, Ages 5 to 8, $15.99. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer
ISBN: 978-0-545-03722-8
ISBN: 0-545-03722-0
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Added 05/29/08
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