Interview with Barney Saltzberg,
creator of Goodnight Kisses


Synopsis

Goodnight Kisses is the new book in the Kisses series written and illustrated by Barney Saltzberg. As the creator of four previous Kisses books, he knows about all kinds of kisses—not just those that are surprising or are noisy. Lift the book’s flaps and discover fluffy, scaly, and snuggly smooches. A squeaker and glow-in-the-dark stars will have toddlers everywhere puckering up for one last kiss before bedtime. Goodnight Kisses confirms Barney Saltzberg’s status as a kisses expert extraordinaire!


Interview

Q: Your previous Kisses books include Animal Kisses, Baby Animal Kisses, Noisy Kisses, and Peekaboo Kisses. How do you decide on a new subject, like Goodnight Kisses?
A: Goodnight kisses are one of my favorite types of kisses when I put my children to bed! I wrote Goodnight Kisses as a lullaby for my children, and I thought it would be fun to make it into a book as well.

Q: What is it about your Kisses books that makes them so appealing to parents and children? Do the books have such broad appeal because kisses are so basic to the nurturing process? Or are kisses just good fun?
A: I think both answers are accurate. The subject matter—along with bright colors and bold graphics—is something that children seem to respond to. Plus, as a parent, when you’re reading with your child, it’s pretty great to have a book end with a kiss! Who knows, you might get one!

Q: You are not only a writer and illustrator of children’s books, you’re also an accomplished musician who has performed at Disney World and whose songs have aired nationally on the public television show Arthur. Did you start out as a writer, artist, or songwriter?
A: Well, I started drawing pictures and writing stories in school when I was little, and I began playing the guitar and writing songs when I was eight years old. So I suppose you could say that I’ve been a writer, artist and songwriter most of my life.

Q: Goodnight Kisses is an interactive book—filled with lots of textures for children to experience. As the illustrator, do you determine the touch-and-feel elements of the book?
A: It’s kind of a collective effort. Everybody likes to get involved and play! The first book, Animal Kisses, had obvious textures. Cats have scratchy kisses. Bears are fuzzy. The latter books have had a bit more flexibility. Crinkly dragons, squeaky pigs . . . I wish I could find something that sounds like a kiss.

Q: Tell us a little about your Crazy Hair Day literacy initiative.
A: We’ve been celebrating Crazy Hair Day in cities all over the country, raising awareness for literacy. Volunteer readers have been reading my book Crazy Hair Day to thousands and thousands of people. I was in New Orleans last spring for Crazy Hair Day at the children’s museum. Since Katrina destroyed so many libraries, we’ve been asking for books to be donated to help restore their collections.

Q: How do your own children influence your artistic endeavors?
A: My own children have been very inspirational—the dynamics between siblings, wordplay. Situations would come up that would plant seeds for stories and songs. I spent a lot of time playing the guitar and singing to them while they took baths when they were little. A lot of songs were written on the floor. Now that my children are older, they—along with my wife—give more “critical” input. I’m lucky to have such great resources so close by.

Q: You like to carry a sketchbook with you so you can work on drawings and ideas wherever you happen to be. Have you drawn any particular characters or scenarios recently that you’d like to turn into another book?
A: I’m always playing with ideas. I’m working on a new album right now, so I’ve been drawing pictures based on the songs. It’s my dream to have a book and CD come out together one day. I’m also drawing a lot of rabbits—one, in particular. He’s wearing overalls, and he has a birthday coming up. It won’t be long before Harcourt readers can join in the celebration!