Interview: Swapna Haddow talks about Why Not?

Swapna Haddow grew up in the UK and wrote her first book at age eight. She wishes she’d kept it, but it seemed like a good idea at the time to trade it for two stickers and a couple of marbles!

Her first published book was the award-winning junior novel Dave Pigeon, and her first picture book was My Dad Is a Grizzly Bear. She has also written the early reader Ballet Bunnies series as Swapna Reddy. Her first book for Scholastic NZ was the hilarious But Then… the forerunner to Why Not? Swapna talks to NZ Booklovers.

Tell us a little about Why Not?

Why Not? is the follow up to But Then…, with both books are set in a library. Where But Then… follows the excuse for a very overdue book, Why Not? is all about the things you probably shouldn’t do in a library. It's a tale of caution involving a family of hungry hawks, a bear, a half-eaten sandwich and a scurvy crew of pirates. 

What inspired you to write this book?

This one is inspired by things that have actually happened in a library! I love playing with the idea of reality and stretching it to the point that young readers really have to question whether the story is true or not.

There is something so wonderful in reading books like this aloud and watching in real time as the cogs turn in a young person's brain and their eyeballs look ready to pop out in amazement! Even better, is that one young person who sits quietly, nodding along knowingly, because they claim to have actually seen a bear in a library or attached a parasail to their surfboard to chase an albatross.

It's absolute magic for a storyteller to have such a wonderful interaction with a reader, which is why I love writing stories like this.

What research was involved?

I knew I wanted to play with real life true stories. I started by asking librarian friends for the weirdest things that have happened in a library. And boy, did they not let me down!

I heard about returned books that contained sandwiches used as bookmarks. I heard about a racoon, a hawk, and an actual bear breaking into libraries and I even heard a story about a dead body.

Not all of these incidents made it into the book but I wonder how many you can spot in the story now you know what I know!

What was your routine or process when writing this book?

I started this one with the title. I love the idea of reading this aloud and having a young reader chime in with the 'Why Not?'s on each spread and then guessing what the reason is before flipping the page. The reader experience was crucial to the story structure.

Once I was clear on how I wanted the book read, I got to work on the text and it was a lovely free-flowing experience because I had so much research material to work with.

If a soundtrack were made to accompany this book, name a song or two you would include.

Ooooh! This is a good question! Perhaps 'You Can Never Tell' by Chuck Berry would make good accompanying song.

One thing that struck me when I was asking for library-related stories was how completely unfazed the librarians were. These bonkers incidents had really piled up over the years and nothing could shock my friends at this point. 'C'est la vie' say the librarians (and Chuck Berry).

What did you enjoy the most about writing picture books?

I love the final moment when the artwork and the text come together. It's never what I imagined and always so much better. It's absolutely incredible to see my little words turned into illustrations. I'll never get over how wonderful that feels and how awesome it is to see readers turn the pages of these books.

How did you work with the illustrator Daron Parton?

The awesome team at Scholastic NZ paired us together. This is the second picturebook we have worked on.

Once the team and I were happy with the text, it went to Daron who worked on the illustrations. I'm so happy with how the book turned out. There is a stunning illustration of a bear in this book that I want plastered all over the walls of my house!

What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?

I dove right into working on my next book! It's been a monster couple of years and I'm very grateful for all the work I have on at the moment. I know how fickle this industry can be so when I'm busy and publishers want my work, I'm celebrating.

What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?

I'm going to pick 'The Book of Guilt' by Catherine Chidgey. What an incredible read. I don’t want to ruin it for anyone but this was one I could not put down. I was invested in the characters and their story from page one and when that happens, it immediately becomes a favourite. It's a must read. 

What’s next on the agenda for you?

I have VERY exciting news! Minky Stapleton and I have been working on a graphic novel young fiction series that will be published by Scholastic NZ in September this year!

The book has already sold to 16 territories which is ASTONISHING and we have a SUPER-sized book launch planned for the end of September, here in Dunedin at University Book Shop, to celebrate the first book, The Terrible Trio: The (Not So) Superheroes. Everyone is welcome!

The Terrible Trio series follows Zeb the zebra, Margarine the penguin, and Barry the lemur who live in  world where all animals have superpowers but they have the worst powers of all. Margarine has the ability to make macaroni and cheese. Barry is gifted with the power to write neatly. And Zeb the zebra can blend in with a zebra crossing.

In the very first book, the trio have to figure out how they can be actual superheroes in a world that really doesn’t need mac 'n' cheese, swirly writing or a zebra that can blend in with a zebra crossing.

This series is perfect for those who love funny stories, graphic novels, animals and superheroes and is all about finding your place in the world. I have had the best time writing this one and I can't wait to hear what the world thinks.

Scholastic NZ