New York (AP) – Author: Mo Willems Although he has sold millions of books and won many awards, the acclaim that means the most for him is when parents say their child reads aloud for the first time from one of his books.
Author, illustrator, animator, 57, best known for him Bestselling Picture Books Caldecott Award-winning “Don’t Have Doves Drive a Bus!” “Nuffle Bunny” his latest book, “Do Doves Graduate?” It may seem aimed at children, but especially during graduation season, the fear of honorable pigeon failure and the fear of an uncertain future should resonate with people of all ages.
Willems and his trusty friend, Dove (who is captivatingly represented by puppeteer Bradley Freeman Jr.) recently sat down with the Associated Press for an interview about his graduation on “Sesame Street” and life’s purpose. The answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.
AP: How did graduation come to mind for book topics?
Willems: I’m getting older, so I’m in a new part of my life, as I am. And I wonder, am I ready to live in this part of life? And I ask that question and I don’t have an answer, so what do I think is that ratio phor that kids are experiencing? And graduation seemed like a perfect thing. I am graduating to a new stage in my life. The kids always do this. You graduate to tie your shoes. I graduate the first time I read it.
Hato: I like to drive buses.
Willem: Yeah, well, except that you drive a bus. If you’re a pigeon, that’s something you can’t graduate, but thank you for contributing to the conversation.
Hawk: Of course.
AP: People may think this is just for alumni, but can that be about any transition?
Willems: I think you’re asking yourself, “Are you equipped with something that scares me?” The real world is scary. We always ask those questions. And in many cases, the answer is…I don’t know. And while it may seem uncomfortable to sit together, it’s also very exciting. Just like I do now, I’m doing interviews with you and the giant pigeon. Will this work? If I’m getting a bit philosophical, I’d say we’re trying to give answers often, and I think the kids are exhausted from that. I want to ask them questions. I want them to have the opportunity to live with these questions and go their way, rather than say, “Oh, you’re fine.”
AP: Pigeon, what is your favorite part of collaborating with this book?
Hato: I really like that all books are about me. I like how I am, like almost every page. You know, all of these books go through the approval process and I am highly sent. I call them screeners. – But I can see them. And if I’m not on the first and last pages, it won’t be approved.
AP (To Willems): Looking back on nine seasons as a writer and animator of “Sesame Street,” can you win six Emmys and help develop “The World of Elmo”?
Willems: My love for dolls, my love for sketch comedy, my love for 40 – all these things I really, really love – come from “Sesame Street”! And when it was time for me to write a book, one of the things I had to do was write about the mistakes we didn’t do at Sesame Street at the time. Write about not driving a bus, not driving a bus. So, on one level it was like going to graduate school. I loved it. I’ve learned a lot. I met all these wonderful puppets and puppets. Meanwhile, the limitations of the show allowed me to find my voice.
AP: Obviously, one of the messages in the book is that you have to believe in yourself.
Willems: I don’t know. I’m glad you brought something to the book and think that’s one of the messages. I only write 49% of books. You put meaning in the book. If the book has meaning, it’s because you’re putting yourself in it. I try to avoid having a message as much as possible. I’m really trying to live with the questions.
AP: Pigeon, do you think participating in this would make you a bit of a philosopher?
Dove: Yes, I think there’s a lot of very powerful things going on in this little bird’s brain. There are so many really deep questions. You know, maybe you’re wondering if I can wake up late? That would be really great.
Willem: All of these are philosophical questions in Greek.
Dove: And what is the purpose of life?
Willem: What is the purpose of life? Why are we here? Why do people mean? Why are people okay? Can I drive a bus?
Dove: Can I keep a hot dog?
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