Friday5: 5 with AJ Smith - Author/Illustrator of Even Monsters

Happy Book Release Week to Even Monsters by AJ Smith!

Today's Friday5: 

AJ Smith, Author/Illustrator of Even Monsters, finished my 5 sentence starters for today's Friday5! 

1. Monsters make the best…. not-so-subtle metaphors for kids.

2. The funniest thing… is everyday life. And you really do have to laugh to get through it sometimes! Tina Fey, Steve Martin, Jon Stewart -- These are funny, funny talented people, but they’re still no match for the comedy gems waiting to be realized on a visit to the supermarket, ride on the subway, or trip down memory lane. It’s all in perspective and how you interpret it, I think.

3. The best part about creating picture books… is the blank page before you begin. This part of it scares a lot of people. But this is where I get really excited. There are no limitations, no rules, and no mistakes at this stage of the game. Only creativity and fun! I’m finding it’s so important for me to carry this “color outside the lines” mantra throughout the rest of the process.

4. Something not many people know about me… I’ve met and worked on projects with Selma Blair, Gary Coleman, Whoopie Goldberg, and Soleil Moon Fry. I’ve been sat on by Lili Taylor, scolded by Cheri Oteri, scowled at by Wayne Gretzky, and had Jon Stewart buy me a beer once. I’m a veritable celeb magnet -- I’d have made a great socialite, were I only trendier, richer, more charismatic, and most certainly better looking.

5. AND One more thing… Books are important. Go buy one for your kids. Read it to them. Lather, rinse, and repeat.

Be sure to check out the Kids' Monster Art Contest and gallery of monster art.

My pal Matthew Winner of the Let's Get Busy Podcast interviewed AJ Smith earlier this week  - which is where I first learned how Glubb's name is really pronounced.

Hear Glubb tell you all about it himself here:

Watch AJ Smith create his characters on an I Love Libraries poster

 Love the little cooties on every page!