Kalee Gwarjanski joins The Backstory today to share all about her debut picture book, MISS MACDONALD HAS A FARM with illustrations by Elizabet Vukovic. This clever take on Old MacDonald is sure to have kids singing along and asking to hear it again and again. Keep reading to find out what inspired Kalee and how this book came to be.
AH: Welcome to The Backstory and thank you for joining us and sharing the inspiration behind MISS MACDONALD HAS A FARM.
First off, please tell us a little bit about your story.
KG: MISS MACDONALD HAS A FARM is a twist on the classic song but celebrating vegetable gardening. It follows Miss MacDonald through the season doing her chores and growing a variety of vegetables ending with a community harvest feast.
AH: This is such a great spin on the original version. There is immediate familiarity that kids will love, but you have updated it in such a way where kids will not only be having a blast, but learning along the way.
What’s the story behind the story? What was your inspiration? Where did the idea come from?
KG: This story came from a visit to our local farm to pick up our weekly csa vegetable box. This farm was typical of farms we would visit– a female focused on vegetables. Singing the classic song with my toddlers I noticed a stark difference. We started riffing wondering what would a tomato say, what does a green bean do? Twist, twist here! Then it hit me… E-I-E-I-GROW!
AH: That line, "E-I-E-I GROW!" is the best!!! I also love the impromptu brainstorming session with the kids! They must be so thrilled to now see this idea in book form.
AH: How did you approach going from this seed of an idea to what is now MISS MACDONALD HAS A FARM? Was it something undeniable you had to write immediately or did you need to sit with this idea and let it grow for a while before it found its way to the page?
KG: The concept of a veggie version of the farm came to me and I wrote it immediately. It was one of those BIG MAGIC moments.
AH: It is absolutely the best feeling when that happens!
Did MISS MACDONALD HAS A FARM undergo any major changes/revisions from the original version? If so, what led you to make these changes?
KG: This idea came basically fully formed out onto the page. As I went through revisions, I tweaked words and adjusted order of vegetables. There were a few word changes with my editor as well.
AH: Where do you tend to find your inspiration or your sparks for ideas?
KG: I find inspiration for ideas in my daily life homeschooling my four children. There are so many little moments in their childhood that can be really great stories.
AH: What lucky kids to have you as their teacher. I can just imagine the never-ending supply of ideas that pop up through working together.
Where can people connect more with you?
KG: My website www.kaleegwarjanski.com. I am also on twitter @kaleegwar
AH: Readers be sure to check out Kalee's website to stay updated on her latest happenings and be sure to connect with her on social media.
Also, please consider supporting Kalee and MISS MACDONALD HAS A FARM in any way you can.
This could include:
- ordering from your favorite indie
- marking as want to read on Goodreads
-leaving a review
- making a library request
Kalee, thank you so much for sharing all about MISS MACDONALD HAS A FARM. This book is so much fun and I loved hearing all about your inspiration.
GIVEAWAY!
Kalee is generously offering a manuscript critique to one winner.
Ways to enter:
1. Retweet my tweet about this blog post. Additional entry for tagging friends!
or
2. Leave a comment on this post.
or
3. Post about this interview on social media and tell me in the comments that you did.
Each method earns an extra entry!
ABOUT KALEE GWARJANSKI
KALEE GWARJANSKI is a homeschooling mom to four book-loving children living in the woods of Maine. She holds a BS in mechanical engineering and an MS in teaching from the University of Maine. Between degrees, she followed her passion of food by attending Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Ottawa, Ontario and worked as a personal chef before turning to picture book writing full time. Miss MacDonald Has a Farm is her debut picture book. Learn more about Kalee at kaleegwarjanski.com and follow her on Twitter at @KaleeGwar.
ABOUT ANDREW HACKET
Andrew Hacket is a writer, second-grade teacher, and father of three. He is also the author of Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea, Curlilocks and the Three Hares, and Hope and the Sea. Andrew recognizes that being a kid is hard and he writes to create ways for kids to see themselves in stories and characters, to accept and overcome their insecurities, or to escape for just a little while through the power of their imaginations.
Looking forward to reading this PB! It sounds delightful!🌱