INTERVIEW WITH HAYLEY & JOHN ROCCO including a review of Hello, I'm a Quokka
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| https://www.meetthewildthings.com/ |
Many thanks to HAYLEY & JOHN ROCCO for taking time out of their busy schedule to answer a few questions!
INTERVIEW
• Reading is….one of the greatest ways to not only expand your mind, but your perspectives
and viewpoints, as well. It’s an opportunity to see how others think and feel, which naturally
inspires empathy.
• I hope our books will ….Inspire empathy for these fascinating endangered animals in young
readers, and if we’re so lucky, maybe even motivate them to take action or pursue a career in
the conservation sector they’re excited about.
• How did your series come about?
When I was young, I loved animals so much, I wanted to be Dr. Doolittle and Dr. Jane Goodall all in one. While I was researching for Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough, I really became aware of just how many of our beloved creatures were on the brink of extinction. I learned that the most trafficked animal in the world was the beloved pangolin, and I realized how little I actually knew about them. I felt powerless to help as I am certainly no expert, nor a scientist or politician. While I was feeling depressed and utterly defeated, I told John, “I just don’t know how I can help.” In his ever-supportive way, hequickly responded with; “You’re a storyteller. It’s our job to share these animals’ stories with young readers. You can be the Dr. Dolittle you’ve always wanted to be.” I have a portrait beautifully illustrated of Jane Goodall by one of the greatest illustrators around and one of John’s former professors, Sal Catalano, on our bedroom wall. On that portrait is one of my favorite quotes of hers: “The least I can do is speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.” This quote inspired the Meet the Wild Things series. I hope the animals we feature and “give a voice to” would be happy with our treatment if they could read them. But who knows! With AI, that could very well be a possibility in the future.
• What's it like working on a book with your spouse?
We feel very fortunate to be able to work together as we have the unique opportunity to edit text/illustrations as we develop each story. I’ll write a manuscript. John will draft a “dummy” or sketched out version of the book. Once we start plugging the words into the dummy sometimes it becomes immediately evident what text can be cut based on how the illustrations are laid out, and vice versa. It can be a little stressful sometimes, especially when we feel strongly about something, but we feel very fortunate that we’re able to put our egos aside and come to a solution with enough patience and care for one another. The only drawback? We find that we talk about work constantly! It’s really difficult to step away from new ideas or solutions that pop up while we’re in the car on the way to the supermarket or on our way to a social event. Every time we say, “no work!” inevitably, an idea pops up and we’ll just laugh…and maybe jot a note or two in a notebook (I always carry one in my purse).
• How much and what kind of research did you have to do?
I have to say, my favorite part about working on these books, and I think John can agree, is the research aspect! It’s not only exciting to visit remote parts of the world, or even visit our local zoo, but enlightening to meet with the passionate experts who are working with the animals we’re studying. We’ve learned so much new information and findings based on the research and observations these experts are making in the field right now. So, while we always research from books and articles, we find it most helpful having experts vet the book when it’s ready...I think one of the greatest takeaways from our research has been discovering just how much there is yet to learn about most animals on our planet. How sad to think of all the animals who are quietly going extinct that we either don’t know much about, or, dare I say, don’t even know existed in the first place? That’s a connection I hope we convey to young readers. That they CAN be the next Jane Goodall for a species they care about.
REVIEW
As with the first two books in the "Meet the Wild Things" series, Hello, I'm a Quokka presents information about this unusual information from the point of view of the animal itself. Native to Australia, the quokka (KWAH-kuh) seems to be smiling all the time. Related to the kangaroos and wallaby, the quokka also hops to get around. Further information about where and how the quokka lives is included along with a map (I love maps!). The inclusion of questions for young readers or listeners to answer makes the book more interactive. The book also explains the dangers that quokka's face including invasive species such as foxes, loss of habitat due to human expansion and climate change, and how scientists are working to help the quokka survive. Additional information is provided in the back matter for those who want to learn more. Sources of additional information including the book series website round out the back matter. A fabulous addition to a great series about endangered animals that is great for reading aloud and could easily lead to children getting involved in helping protect the animals highlighted. The gorgeous illustrations wonderfully complement the very readable text. Highly recommended.
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