The Children’s Book Review | June 26, 2019
Susan Choi’s first novel, The Foreign Student, won the Asian-American Literary Award for fiction. Her second novel, American Woman, was a finalist for the 2004 Pulitzer Prize. Her third novel, A Person of Interest, was a finalist for the 2009 PEN/Faulkner Award. In 2010 she was named the inaugural recipient of the PEN/W.G. Sebald Award. Her fourth novel, My Education, received a 2014 Lambda Literary Award. A recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation, Susan teaches fiction writing at Yale and lives with her family in Brooklyn. Tiger Camp is her first book for children.
I write because …
It’s so satisfying to have written something.
I read because …
If I don’t, my head feels as though it’s being unpleasantly squeezed. Writing is a wonderful accomplishment, but reading is necessary, like breathing.
My latest published book is …
I wrote this book because …
My son shared his dream with me of a tiger visiting our campsite, and the story just unfurled in my mind all at once.
Best moment …
Getting into bed at the end of a long day with a book.
My special place to write is …
The porch of the house in Vermont where I come for the summer.
Necessary writing/creativity tool …
My laptop, although I used to write by hand and wish I could go back to doing that.
The person who has been my greatest writing teacher or inspiration is …
It’s impossible to choose only one. I have so many friends who amaze me with their talent and discipline.
Currently reading …
Jernigan, by David Gates.
Favorite bookshop …
Greenlight Books, in Brooklyn.
All-time favorite children’s book I didn’t write …
There is no way to choose only one! But I do continue to love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl.
Favorite illustrator …
Maurice Sendak, especially his little drawings in the Nutshell Library.
A literary character I would like to vacation with …
The tiger from my book!
When I am not reading or writing I am …
Eating, sleeping, traveling, hiking, spending time with my kids and my friends, looking at art, watching movies, doing chores and errands, teaching students, working on my ‘downward dog’ pose.
See more of Susan Choi’s work at www.susanchoi.com, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
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Camp Tiger
Written by Susan Choi
Illustrated by John Rocco
Publisher’s Synopsis: Imagination meets reality in this poetic and tender ode to childhood, illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner, John Rocco.
Every year, a boy and his family go camping at Mountain Pond.
Usually, they see things like an eagle fishing for his dinner, a salamander with red spots on its back, and chipmunks that come to steal food while the family sits by the campfire.
But this year is different. This year, the boy is going into first grade, and his mother is encouraging him to do things on his own, just like his older brother. And the most different thing of all . . . this year, a tiger comes to the woods.
With lyrical prose and dazzling art, Pulitzer Prize finalist Susan Choi and Caldecott-honor winning artist John Rocco have created a moving and joyful ode to growing up.
Ages 4-6 | Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers | May 21, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-0399173295
Available Here
Discover more books like Camp Tiger, written by Susan Choi illustrated by John Rocco, by checking out our reviews and articles tagged with Camping, Growing Up, John Rocco, Picture Book, Summer, and Tigers; plus, be sure to follow along with our Writing and Reading Life series.
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