Penny Parker Klostermann, Author of There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight | Speed Interview

The Children’s Book Review | September 19, 2015

The Children’s Book Review: Which five words best describe There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight?

Penny Parker Klostermann: Colorful, rollicking, humorous, deliciously warped.

If you had to take a vacation with one of the characters from There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight, who would it be? Why?

The steed. Even though it might be annoyingly loud at times (with all his clippity-clopping), I think he could cover ground and we’d get to see a lot of things. Also, because he is determined along with being annoying, I think he would make sure we had nice accommodations, great food, and tickets to the best events.

What has been the best reaction from a reader so far?

The best reaction has been from my four-year-old great-nephew, Preston, who came from Colorado for the book launch. He is actually a listener/reader. He has carried the book from adult to adult for multiple readings, and when awoken early in the morning for his trip back home, he asked, “Where’s my dragon book?” So adorable.

Illustration copyright © 2015 by Ben Mantle: THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT

What’s on your nightstand? Any books?

Book Scavenger by agency-mate Jennifer Chambliss Bertman just landed on my nightstand. I’m itching to dive in.

For your writing energy: sugar or salt, tea or coffee?

Sugar and coffee in the same cup with cream.

Writing tools: computer, pen and paper, or all of the above?

All of the above.

Can you tell us one more thing we may not know about There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight, your writing style, or yourself?

I dedicated the book to my parents, Wallace and Naomi Parker. My mom collects decorative chickens and has over seven hundred in her home. The illustrator of my book, Ben Mantle, included a chicken in one of the spreads. I didn’t request a chicken, and there is no reference to chickens in the text. It just happened to be something Ben included. I love this fun coincidence.

There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight

Written by Penny Parker Klostermann

Illustrated by Ben Mantle

Publisher’s Synopsis: We all know that “there was an old lady” who swallowed lots of things. Now meet the old dragon who swallows pretty much an entire kingdom! Will he ever learn a little moderation?! This rollicking rhyme is full to bursting with sight gags, silly characters, and plenty of burps! Parents and kids alike will delight in Ben Mantle’s precisely funny illustrations and in Penny Parker Klostermann’s wacky rhymes.

Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers | 2015 | ISBN-13: 978-0385390804

Available Here: 

About the Author

PENNY PARKER KLOSTERMANN loves trout fishing, digging for earthworms, and her sisters! This is her first picture book.

This interview with Penny Parker Klostermann about There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight was conducted by Bianca Schulze. Follow along with our content tagged with Dragons, Rhyming Text, Royalty, Fantasy: Supernatural Fiction, Picture Books, and Speed Interview to discover more great books.