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A video interview with

Rosemary Wells

Rosemary Wells

Rosemary Wells is the author and illustrator of delightful books for youngsters. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Rosemary Wells talks about creating books for children and their adult readers that will stand up to being read over and over again.

Click on the links below to watch this interview online, or read the interview transcript. You can also read a short biography of Rosemary Wells or see a selected list of her children's books.

View online

  • A picture a day… (1:30)

    How long it takes to illustrate a book depends of the length and the complexity of the images.

  • Going back in time (2:00)

    While illustrating her Mother Goose, Rosemary Wells looked back in time to find her inspiration.

  • Today's children have different eyes (2:00)

    Due to the amount of television, video games, and movies today's children are now exposed to, it is very challenging for artists to keep their interest.

  • Standing up to 500 readings (3:00)

    Children's literature has to withstand hundreds of readings aloud, while still keeping the interest of the adult doing the reading.

  • Tools of the trade (1:00)

    To Rosemary Wells, going to buy art supplies is better than a trip to the candy store.

  • Getting me where I want to go (3:30)

    By illustrating with animals instead of people, Rosemary Wells can tackle subjects and themes that may otherwise be too controversial.

  • It's about love (2:00)

    After a good breakfast and a good night's sleep, children most need a good one-on-one relationship with their parent. What better way to build one than to read with your child?

  • Teachers open the door (2:30)

    Teachers have the toughest job in America – creating lifetime readers.

  • Books before basketballs (1:30)

    Good school libraries are essential for creating lifetime readers. Rosemary Wells has some creative suggestions for funding them.

  • Timothy Goes to Television (2:00)

    Rosemary Wells discusses the challenges and rewards of bringing Timothy Goes to School to PBS.

  • The most perfect thing (2:30)

    Rosemary Wells explains why The Voyage to the Bunny Planet is her favorite book.

‡ This video clip will appear in Windows Media Player, which most computers already have installed, or you can download it now. Macintosh users can download the free Flip4Mac playback file, which allows you to play Windows Media files in your Quicktime player.

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