Please welcome multi-published children’s book author Gayle C. Krause to Frog on a Blog. Gayle’s new picture book, Zadie and the Witch’s Tea, was just released this past July from Trowbridge Books. The book stars an adorable little witch, and absolutely no prince, in this clever reimagining of the Cinderella story. Perfect for Halloween or anytime, Zadie and the Witch’s Tea will enchant kids with Gayle’s delightful rhyming text and Kate Talbot’s bold, colorful illustrations.
Gayle is definitely a fan of both fairy tales and holiday stories, as evidenced by a few of her published books, including the picture books Once Upon a Twisted Tale and Rock Star Santa. Let’s hear more about Zadie and the Witch’s Tea from Gayle in the interview below. Be sure to read to the end for information on how you can win your very own signed copy of Zadie and the Witch’s Tea along with some fun swag!
Congratulations on your fantastic new picture book Zadie and the Witch’s Tea, which was charmingly illustrated by the talented Kate Talbot! Tell us a little bit about the story and what inspired it.
GK: As a Pre-K Director in a Laboratory Program in an upstate New York Career/ Technical Center, I trained prospective Early Childhood Education teachers and incorporated Children’s Literature, most specifically fairy tales, into the secondary and preschoolers’ curriculums.
Since the Cinderella tale is well-known to children, and Halloween is a dress-up event they love, (it happens to be my favorite holiday), coupled with my own family fun time (Witchy Sisters Weekend), I couldn’t help but write Zadie’s story. Zadie and the Witch’s Tea is a retelling of Cinderella with a little witch, a Hairy Godspider, and no prince.
When a little witch’s two older sisters dash her hope of attending the biggest event of the Halloween season because she has no magic, her determination and a surprising spider enchantment sends her there. The adult witches compete to become the assistant to the most powerful witch in the land, The Grand Witch. But a kind gesture from Zadie wins the night and the title, proving kindness is stronger than magic!
As someone who’s authored picture books, middle grade novels, and young adult novels, which type of book is your favorite to write?
GK: That’s an interesting question, Lauri. When I met with my editor and the editorial director of Scholastic Books for my first picture book, Rock Star Santa, I distinctly remember telling them that I loved to write in rhyme, but thought I had a YA voice. They disagreed with me.
Truth be told, as the years have passed, I’ve been attracted to writing MG novels as well as picture books. So, I guess they were right. At this point I switch back and forth. After completing a picture book (which is usually in rhyme), I write a MG novel (a whole different mindset).
How does your experience as a teacher influence how you write for children?
GK: Another great question. Yes. My students, both high school and preschool, have played significant parts in my writing. I had a little boy in the nursery who was so shy he wouldn’t talk to anyone, but a junior girl, who was also painfully shy. (She went on to become an actress in Hollywood.) Go figure! 😊
I had another boy who, at the time, was not diagnosed as neurodivergent, but, looking back, was clearly on the spectrum. Brilliant! And an expert on dinosaurs. He could identify a dinosaur by its footprint cast. (I do have a picture book about him, but it was never published.)
I also had a little girl who was adopted from China and shared her favorite Chinese holiday and folktale with the class. I have a picture book about her life story, as well, but unless I get her to co-author it with me, it won’t be published.
And, of course, the high school kids will recognize their personalities in the attitudes of my novels’ characters.
How important were books to you as a child?
GK: I loved to read. I still have my favorite Little Golden Book from, let’s just say, a very long time ago, Uncle Mistletoe. A few years ago, one of the department stores in NYC came out with an Uncle Mistletoe stuffed doll and a Christopher Radko ornament of both Uncle Mistletoe and Aunt Holly. They are on my tree every year.
I also read every Grimm’s fairy tale, and it wasn’t until I studied Children’s Literature in college, that I was introduced to the other creators of fairy tales like Carlo Collidi (Pinocchio), Hans Christian Andersen (The Snow Queen, Little Mermaid), and Charles Perrault (Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty) to name a few. I could go on forever about fairy tales. 😊
What do you believe makes picture books so magical?
GK: I believe it starts with the author’s vision. For me, I see the pictures as I write. It’s important to leave room for the illustrator, but it’s equally important to make sure the story stays true to your vision. I couldn’t see Zadie as a black-outlined graphic or an abstract illustration. Kate had the exact style and vision that coincided with mine. We were a perfect fit. I especially love how she portrayed the magic of the Hairy Godspider transforming Zadie’s dress into a spooktacular spidery sensation.
Please share some words of advice for aspiring children’s book authors.
GK: This business is so much harder than it looks, but don’t give up on your dream. Here is a mantra to follow:
Persevere! Persist! Proceed!
And even when you get frustrated and you think your dream will not happen, just take a break. The drive and creativity never leave you. It always comes back stronger and better. And, this time, it might be the manuscript that delivers your dream!
Thank you for having me, Lauri, and letting me share Zadie’s story with your readers.
Giveaway
Gayle is generously offering a signed copy of Zadie and the Witch’s Tea + some fun swag to one lucky winner who comments on this blog post by October 4th. And if you share news about the book on social media, mention it in your comment here for additional chances to win. I’ll choose a winner at random and connect them with Gayle. Good luck! (Giveaway open to US residents only)
Named the 2022 MG first-place winner of the Kid’s Choice KIDLIT Writing Contest, Gayle C. Krause is a PAL SCBWI member and a past member of The Historical Novel Society, and The Poets’ Garage. She served on the National Rhyme Revolution Committee, choosing the best rhyming picture book from 2015-2018. She teaches writing seminars to published kid-lit creatives and new children’s writers. She’s a former Education Academy Chair in an upstate NY Career and Technical school, where she taught prospective Early Childhood educators and directed a Laboratory Pre-K in conjunction with her program.
She writes PB, MG, and YA and has six published books. Her picture book Rock Star Santa (Scholastic – 2008) was performed as a play in Australia and presented at Storytime in Montserrat, British West Indies with a real British Rock Star. Her picture book Daddy, Can You See the Moon? (Clear Fork/SPORK – 2019) shares royalties with Our Military Child, an organization that helps veteran’s children deal with their parent’s war injuries. And her new picture book, Zadie and the Witch’s Tea, a retelling of the Cinderella tale with a little witch and no prince, emphasizes kindness and has an international following.
Discover more about Gayle and her books on her website https://www.gayleckrause.com.
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