This Sunday, the second annual Totsapalooza takes over Revival (783 College Street) with a Space Age rodeo. Kids will be cowboying it up cosmic style, with performances by Don Kerr & The Jet Pack Orchestra, Bellwoods Trinity, I Eat Kids, and Sho and Mo & The Monkey Bunch. Authors Ashley Spires, Chris A. Rutkowski, and Katie Van Camp will also be reading from their space-infused literary adventures.
This Books@Torontoist editor chatted with Van Camp, author of Harry and Horsie. The Montreal-based former dancer was inspired to tell the tale of Harry, space cowboy, and his trusty sidekick Horsie after nannying for David Letterman and his wife Regina. Harry and Horsie is her first book.
Torontoist: Tell me about your book, Harry and Horsie.
Katie Van Camp: It’s a story about a little boy, Harry, and his stuffed pal, Horsie. One magical night, they decide they don’t want to go to sleep. Instead, they want to play with Harry’s brand new Super Duper Bubble Blooper. Soon, bubbles fill Harry’s room, which Harry thinks is a blast. That is, until one of the bubbles scoops up Horsie, carrying him into the night. Naturally, Harry has to save his friend. So he jumps aboard his rocket ship and takes off on an intergalactic adventure.
TO: Your muse for the book is David Letterman’s son, Harry, and the book was originally a poem. What inspired you to write a children’s book about him? What was the process from poem to book to story like?
KVC: One evening Harry, Horsie, Harry’s mom, and I were driving on the West Side Highway in New York. We were looking across the Hudson River at all the lights and I started to talk to Harry about how the city lights could be mistaken for stars. When I got home that night, I was inspired to write a poem for Harry. Naturally he was the “star” of the story, so to speak. I thought it would be fun to have it illustrated, and to give it to the family as a Christmas present, which I did. Once I decided to continue working on this project more long-term, I thought it would be best to take the general idea and make it into a story. For the longest time, the text remained in rhyme. Turning it to prose after working hard to find a certain rhythm and flow to the poem proved to be quite a long process, but a very valuable one.
TO: Why a Super Duper Bubble Blooper?
KVC: Why not? They’re hours of fun!!! Kids love bubbles. You’d be hard pressed to find a child whose eyes didn’t sparkle when the wand, all goopy, is removed from the bubble jar, and waved in the air producing bubbles of all shapes and sizes. Bubbles are so unpredictable. They’re magical.
TO: Has Harry and the Letterman family seen the book? What do they think?
KVC: Yes, they’ve watched it develop into what it is today. Harry was very much a part of the process from the beginning. He was an attentive and sensitive toddler, with a great sense of humour. I would often write while he napped and then when he’d wake, I’d read him the latest verion. I remember one time he was listening, standing in his crib, and when I was finished he said, “Read it again.” It warmed my heart. There were no illustrations at that point either. He’d also remember parts that I cut, which helped me to recognize what was exciting for him and what resonates for children. As for Dave and Regina, they were very encouraging and now think it’s neat to have a book specially written for their son.
TO: Were there any surprising challenges you faced writing this book? As a first-time author, how did you find the publishing process?
KVC: I was completely new to the publishing world, so honestly, there was nothing but surprises. I feel fortunate though to have been guided and supported by good friends along the way. Also having Lincoln as a creative partner made it a lot of fun. We went through it together, bringing different strengths and lots of ideas to the table. We supported each other as we navigated our way through all the challenges that arose and, happily, overcame them.
TO: What advice would you give to aspiring children’s book authors?
KVC: Think outside the box. I hate to say this – the creative side of me feels as though I’m selling out – but you have to view your work as a business sometimes. When you are up against thousands of manuscripts it’s important to be able to find your niche. Ask yourself what makes your book and your ideas stand out?
TO: The art for the book is fantastic. How did the relationship between you and Lincoln Agnew come about and why did you choose that aesthetic for the book?
KVC: While I was writing the book, I had a very particular style in mind. I wanted children to be intrigued, and adults to feel a connection to their past through the book’s vintage style. I wanted Harry and Horsie to feel like a book that might have be found in a trunk, in the attic. I wanted it to feel textured, well worn, and very loved. When I was looking for an illustrator, I really wanted to find someone who could share in my vision for the book. Lincoln’s art was so just so unique. He also had a passion for the project that was invaluable for the process.
TO: It’s both your and Lincoln’s first children’s book. What was the creative process between you two like?
KVC: I’m happy to say it was easy, and a pleasure. Our biggest challenge was the distance – Lincoln lives in Calgary, and during the few years the book was being created, I was bouncing around between New York, Montreal, and St. Barths. Thank goodness for SKYPE! As far as the creative process, we love to brainstorm and often find ourselves lost on tangents. That’s part of it though – let our imaginations run wild and then we find our way back. Lincoln and I respect what each other brings to the work, and that’s at the centre of our relationship. We’ve been very lucky!
TO: Part of the proceeds of Harry and Horsie will go to Free the Children, which is wonderful. Why did you decide to donate some proceeds to charity and why did you choose Free the Children?
KVC: Harry and Horsie being published was a dream come true. When the opportunity presented itself to publish a children’s book, I knew I wanted to give back. Lincoln felt the same way. We both did some research and found so many incredible organizations, one of which was Free The Children. I mentioned them to my sister and strangely enough it was an organization she’d also been considering getting involved with and she had a few contacts there. I called them, and their passion was infectious. They do such wonderful work with programs both locally and abroad. We hope to one day sponsor an international project.
TO: You’ve mentioned you’d love this to turn into a series. What other adventures can you see Harry going on?
KVC: Yes, we’d love to turn Harry and Horsie into a series. I’ve actually just finished writing the second book, so it’s now in Lincoln’s hands. He’s likely hunched over the drawing board as we speak. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say the second story will be scrumptious!
TO: Will you be trying other kinds of writing, for young adults or a novel perhaps?
KVC: I’d love to write a book for young adults. I also really enjoy writing short stories. But for the moment, I’m focused on writing for children. I love it. Not just the writing process, but doing the readings and interacting with the children. It’s something very special.
TO: What was your favourite children’s book?
KVC: I liked Shel Silverstein’s poetry, and my Dad used to read me The Berenstein Bears. I also loved the Beatrix Potter collection, as well as books by Robert Munsch and Mercer Mayer. And Oh the Places You Will Go by Dr. Seuss.
TO: What was your favourite book to read to Harry?
We would read a lot of books in French actually, whether they were French books or translated English books. We loved The Gruffalo and Pompier Totof. Other favourites include What do people do all day by Richard Scarry and Two Little Trains by Margaret Wise Brown.
TO: What do you think of Toronto? Do you have any relationship with the city?
My whole family lives north of here in Port Perry, which is where I grew up. When I was little I used to love to come to Toronto to see ballets. My best friend moved from Port Perry to Toronto during elementary school, so I also spent some time here during my teenage years. It was an exciting adventure for me to come to the city, a different world. When my husband is here for work, we love going to Jet Fuel to get a coffee. Then we like to stroll the lovely streets of Cabbage Town. Our favorite restaurant is Osteria on Victoria St. We were supposed to be moving to Toronto this spring until a job opportunity came up for him in Tokyo. We decided to go for it, have a crazy adventure overseas, and then I’d venture to say we’ll be moving to Toronto in a couple of years.
Katie and Harry and Horsie will be appearing at Totsapalooza on Sunday, February 21. Tickets are $10 adults, $8 for children and can be ordered online through Small Print. Harry and Horsie is published by HarperCollins and you can browse inside the book on their website.
