My favorite kind of mail came the other day from Ms. Lawthers second grade class in Stafford, VA. They are studying homophones before school lets out for summer and To See the Sea happened to fit the curriculum. Their packet was full of letters and drawings from the students, along with some pretty tough questions. I thought I would share my responses along with some of their wonderful artwork.

by Katie 

Have you ever gone to the sea?
Yes. The book was based on some of childhood experience of growing up on Lake Michigan, which is not the sea of course, but its as close as you can get in Indiana.

How many books have you written?
Two. I’m currently working on my third.

How long did it take you to make the book?
It took about two years from the time I came up with the idea to the finished book.

What do you do when you get writer’s block?
I draw.

Where did you get the idea for the Gekkards?
I just love lizards. The word Gekkards was created by combining the words, gecko and lizard.

Why don’t the Gekkards talk?
Mmmmm. I think they are more funny this way. The Gekkards certainly can communicate with the other characters in the story, but I don’t like to give them specific dialog, just like I don’t give them specific personalities or names. This way the reader can assign their own personalities to the different Gekkards. The reader gets to decide which Gekkard reminds them of themselves, or their best friend, etc. It also allows me to change the color and sizes of the Gekkards to fit each story.

by Mikayla

by Jaida

by Luke

by Caroline

Thank you to all the students for your lovely letters. The Gekkards wish you all a great summer!