Author Spotlight: Ruth Spiro

Nov. 4, 2016

Today we feature picture book author Ruth Spiro, whose unique board books, BABY LOVES QUARKS! and BABY LOVES AEROSPACE ENGINEERING!, illustrated by Irene Chan (Charlesbridge) just came out.  

Be sure to enter for a chance to win both books!

Tell us about your background and how you came to write for children.

My first career was in Advertising, and while working as a broadcast producer at an agency I went back to school at night for an MBA. (It was either business or film school, until I realized I couldn’t afford a move to New York!) I never imagined I’d eventually be writing children’s books.

Like many others who write for children, my interest began when my two daughters were born and I found myself reading lots and lots and lots of books. One day I happened to be flipping through a catalog from a local community college and noticed a class in writing for children, so on a whim I decided to try it out. My instructor turned out to be Carolyn Crimi – lucky me! She not only inspired me to continue writing, she connected me with my amazing critique group. They told me about SCBWI and the rest, as they say, is history.

Congrats on your new board books, BABY LOVES QUARKS! and BABY LOVES AEROSPACE ENGINEERING! How did you come up with this series?

Thank you!

Back in 2010, The New York Times ran the article “PictureBooks No Longer a Staple for Children.” It attributed a drop in overall picture book sales to the misguided choice some parents were making to bypass picture books for their very young children in favor of more “sophisticated” reading material. I was discussing the article with friends and asked, “What do these parents want, quantum physics for babies?” The more I thought about it, I realized this was an idea with potential.

© Ruth Spiro/ Irene Chan

What research did you do to write these board books?

My research process involved several phases. First, I spent a few months doing general science research, both online and at the library, and came up with a list of possible topics that I thought would be interesting. I narrowed my list to about seven and then did more of a “deep dive” into each. I needed to understand the basic principles and foundations of each area of science well enough to be able to explain it to a reader and find a story in it. At this point, I realized that the best way to make the concepts less abstract would be to relate the idea to a familiar real-world experience or observation.

Then, once I had a thick folder full of research and notes for each topic I began researching child development to learn more about my intended audience. I’d previously written picture books, but I envisioned these as board books for babies and toddlers. I read scholarly articles about the acquisition of language and early literacy, as well as piles and piles of board books. If my books had any chance at selling, I knew they would have to be accessible, accurate, and age-appropriate.

© Ruth Spiro/ Irene Chan

What projects are you working on now?

The next two books in this series, BABY LOVES THERMODYNAMICS! and BABY LOVES QUANTUM PHYSICS! are coming out next year and soon we will send Irene Chan’s fabulous art to our expert reviewer, Dr. FredBortz. Dr. Fred goes over both the text and illustrations to ensure everything is scientifically accurate. I love being part of this process because I learn new things every step of the way. It’s a collaboration between everyone involved.

I’m also happy to share that I have another picture book series, MADE BY MAXINE, coming out with Dial in 2018. Inspired by her trusty companion and muse, a pet goldfish, Maxine is determined to make the world a better place, one crazy contraption at a time. It’s a 3-book series illustrated by Holly Hatam, and I just completed the manuscript for the second book.

What is the easiest part of writing for you?

This may be difficult to believe, but I really enjoy revising! Once the brainstorming, research and early drafts are done, I like going back into a story to rearrange elements and play with the language. This is when my sense of humor comes out, and when I add details to develop a character or refine a story line. I actually think this is the stage where my best ideas and inspiration occur.

What is the hardest?

For me, the hardest part is getting the first draft written. I’m a perfectionist and have to remind myself not to edit along the way. I often struggle with deciding on the best way to tell a story and sometimes this trips me up.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Take advantage of every opportunity to attend talks by visiting authors at bookstores or libraries. Not only children’s book authors, but novelists, poets, and even journalists all have something to offer. I’ve taken away valuable advice from listening to screenwriters, travel writers and memoirists - because writing is writing is writing. Listen to how others approach their craft, take notes, and think about how you can apply their advice to your own work.

What is one thing most people don't know about you?

I can blow a bubble inside a bubble inside a bubble. (That’s three, for those keeping score.) This fact used to appear on my website, but then I’d be asked to demonstrate my skill at every school visit! Unfortunately, it can only be done with regular bubble gum, not sugar-free, because it’s more elastic. In the interest of keeping my teeth into old age, I no longer publicize this special talent.

Where can people find you online?

Website: www.RuthSpiro.com

Twitter: @ruthspiro

Instagram: @ruthspiro

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RuthSpiro.Author/

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Ruth Spiro is a children’s book author and freelance writer. Her Baby Loves Science board book series, published by Charlesbridge, includes BABY LOVES AEROSPACE ENGINEERING! and BABY LOVES QUARKS! The next two titles, BABY LOVES THERMODYNAMICS! and BABY LOVES QUANTUM PHYSICS! will be published in 2017. Also forthcoming from Dial is a new picture book series, MADE BY MAXINE, which sold at auction in a 3-book deal. The first book is scheduled for 2018.

Ruth’s debut picture book, LESTER FIZZ, BUBBLE-UM ARTIST won awards from Writer’s Digest and Willamette Writers, and was a Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year. Ruth’s articles and stories have appeared in FamilyFun, CHILD, and The Writer, and also in popular anthologies, notably The Right Words at the Right Time (Vol. II), edited by Marlo Thomas, and several Chicken Soup for the Soul titles. She lives in suburban Chicago.