As I've gotten older, my mannerisms are more and more like my mom's. Also, she was an educator - she's extremely passionate about education and children. I guess I inherited that in some way.

I'm more like my father, personality-wise. But my mom and I get alone really well, obviously, because my mom and my dad get along so well.

[My mom] is quite the strict editor. I feel like maybe she has more of the old-school editing style, which really works in picture books, because you don't want to articulate anything in words that is already shown through the pictures.

[My mom] had always wanted to write a children's book. She was a children's librarian and an elementary school teacher, so of course she loves children and children's literature.

I think I've become more like my mom just because of what we're both interested in, children and teaching and writing.