Interview with Ashley Spires

Today we’re talking to ASHLEY SPIRES! Writer and illustrator of best-selling, award-winning, kid-approved books such as Penguin and the Cupcake, Small Saul, Larf, the Binky the Space Cat series, The Most Magnificent Thing, Over-Scheduled Andrew, The Thing Lou Couldn't Do and MORE! Ashley’s also illustrated numerous books including Spare Dog Parts, written by Alison Hughes, and the forthcoming Book or Bell?, written by Chris Barton (available October 2017). THAT’S A LOT OF BOOKS, GUYS.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ashley for many years and she’s one of the kindest, most hardworking, genuine people EVER. In this interview, we talk to Ashley about a bunch of stuff including what Ashley loves the most about writing children’s books and what she thinks are the keys to writing funny books! Oh, and we also talk about KITTENS. Whee!

Naseem Hrab:

What’s your favourite thing about writing books for kids?

Ashley Spires:

Oh man, one thing? I like that I get to live in a world of imagination all the time, which is great since my grip on reality is tenuous at best. Writing kids’ books means that I get to play pretend on paper. I can dream up lonely sasquatches and space cats or I can process my own anxieties and write something more allegorical. I love that with kids’ books, anything is possible.

In a more practical sense, I also just love the act of making kids’ books. When I was little I loved to play with our cats, draw pictures and eat candy. Now I spend my days playing with my cats, drawing pictures and eating candy. It’s kind of the dream.

NH:

You’re known for writing funny children’s books that have a lot of heart. What are some of your comedic inspirations whether they’re books, TV shows or humans/animals that you know?

AS:

Tracing back one’s comedic lineage is a tough one—so many influences over the years. I think the start of it all was Monty Python. My parents let us listen to their audio recordings during long road trips. They gave me a love for the absurd. (Side note: Eric the Bunny in Larf is named after the “Fish License” sketch.) Discovering Roald Dahl (in particular his book Revolting Rhymes) changed my life. I’d seen funny and I’d heard funny, but I’d never READ funny until that book. Nowadays anything Tina Fey touches is an inspiration for me.

Besides movies and books, I have more funny people in my life than I can mention in one article! I’m so lucky to have funny friends, family and a hilarious husband to keep up my game.

NH:

In your opinion, what are the keys to writing funny books for kids?

AS:

I’m a big believer in two-level humour. Listening to Monty Python at age seven, I didn’t understand most of it. But I grew into it. It’s the “build it and they will come” humour writing philosophy. I try to write jokes for the three-year-old, the six-year-old, the ten-year-old and the parents, too. I don’t worry if a joke flies over the head of a reader because they will get the next one. That way the kids can read a book for years and discover new things. That, and the parents won’t want to stab their eyes out when they are asked to read it for the 167th time. 

NH:

You’ve been posting lots of incredibly adorable photos of your foster kittens on your Instagram. Tell us about the kittens.

AS:

Growing up, my house was often a way station for kittens in need, and my mom taught us how to bottle-feed little orphan kittens. I fell into official fostering three years back when I was at the local shelter and casually mentioned that I knew how to bottle-feed kittens. Suddenly I was taking home five four-week-old kittens who had to be fed every three hours (even through the night). Every year since, I get a litter or two (or three) who need a place to crash before going to their forever homes. I have three forever cats who keep me honest when I get tempted to add to my menagerie. They are terrific comic relief and fill my heart up to bursting. Until they get wild and run across my hasipyuiodpy84opqwrhio

NH:

I believe I already know your answer to this, but fart jokes in children’s literature: Yea or nay?

AS:

Absolutely. Know your audience. It may be a cheap laugh, but if you hook them with flatulence, then they’ll stick around for the more sophisticated jokes about boogers.

NH:

Hahaha. So true. And just so you know, if you were a booger, Ashley ... I'd pick you first.