Little Pumpkin, Where’s Your Light?
Bob Holt is a master of creating exuberant characters in comical-yet-sweet scenarios. His holiday board books are a fun way to bring books into the season with your toddler. To find out more about his creative process, we asked him a few questions.
Hi, Bob. What part of creating a book do you enjoy the most?
Coming up with the idea for the story. It’s like solving a puzzle. It’s very exciting.
How do you come up with the ideas for your books?
When it’s nice enough outside, I sit on our front porch with a pad of paper and a cup of coffee. I need the coffee to wake up my imagination. Once I’m all settled on the porch I start thinking . . . and thinking . . . and thinking . . . until I have a spark of an idea. Once I have an idea, I write it down. Never tell yourself you’ll remember an idea without writing it down. I’ve lost tons of ideas because I wouldn’t write them down. My brain thinks it’s funny when I forget ideas.
What’s your favorite thing to draw?
Pigs. I like their pudgy little bodies.
What is your creative space like?
I have a nice studio in one of our spare bedrooms. I have everything I need in my studio. I have a big L shaped table for my computer. I have a drawing light table, storage for all my drawings, and a nice comfy couch (sometimes a nap is needed in the creative process). I love to work with my window open. I like hearing all the sounds in our neighborhood. Right now it’s about 57 out with a nice north breeze . . . hmmmm . . . I love it!!!!
I like having coffee in my studio. I feel lost when my right hand doesn’t have something to grab. We have two cats that will sometimes visit me. They do like to knock off all my pens and pencils from desk. They’re also very good at walking across my keyboard. Our newest cat is named Loki. He’s an all-black cat who’s super chill and cuddly. We got him from our local shelter. Loki is looking forward to Halloween.
What’s your favorite thing about Halloween?
Dressing up and being someone else. There’s something so refreshing about it. I also like seeing everyone’s creativity with their decorations and costumes. No other holiday like Halloween!
–Bob Holt, author and illustrator of Little Pumpkin, Where Is Your Light
A jack-o-lantern's light is missing just before Halloween! Unsure what to do, the pumpkin asks for help, and a witch, a black cat, and a friendly ghost all join the quest to find the light. With an air of mischievous Halloween fun, an intriguing problem, and oddball friends, this board book is equal parts silly and sweet. Little trick-or-treaters will love the simple storyline and satisfying, cooperative conclusion.
