Episode 51 - Pockets of Wildness, Writing, and Wonder

As children, we have our own hidden worlds. This beautiful conversation with children’s author Jon-Erik Lappano looks at being our innate selves, while finding pockets of wildness, writing, and wonder. 

We talk about unmitigated and imaginative play in nature. Jon-Erik and I look at the joy of the creative process, and what it feels like to make something (like a beautiful book) that you can hold in your hands. We talk about good storytelling, what it feels like to have a secret language with animals, and how we each relate to the world, even if that is quiet or quirky. We talk about darkness—the painful fleetingness of time, being swallowed up by the forest—but also wonder and magic. 

Jon-Erik Lappano is a Governor General’s Literary Award-winning Canadian author of books for children. He stays up unreasonably late working on things, and at his age, he should really know better. He lives in Stratford, Ontario, in a wild old house occupied by his wonderful, patient wife, three lovely, lawless children, and an unseemly number of pets. 

His new book, The Language of Birds, was published this week by Random House Studio and is illustrated by Zach Manbeck.

Publisher’s Weekly wrote about The Language of Birds, “Two kindred spirits connect.…in this sensitive interpersonal portrait from Lappano and Manbeck.” Booklist says, “Lush illustrations glow with soft light, inviting readers into a warm world….where it feels safe to follow passions and interact on other terms. A refreshingly quiet story with a lot to say.” 

This is a really special conversation—a glimmer of wonder and creativity in a dark time.