WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION
FOR WRITERS, ILLUSTRATORS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS, AND BOOK LOVERS EVERYWHERE
TODAY’S GUEST

I feel so blessed because every day I get to connect with amazing authors and illustrators. And sometimes I am doubly blessed, and the persons is both an author AND an illustrator, all rolled into one! I’m talking about none other than today’s amazing Will Write for Cookies guest, Benson Shum. I know you’ll agree when I share some of the inside spreads of his NEW BOOK, ANZU, THE GREAT KAIJU, THAT JUST LAUNCHED ON JANUARY 11th!!!
Benson Shum is a children’s book Author/Illustrator and Disney Animator. He uses watercolor, ink and digital tools to create his illustrations. Aside from writing and illustrating, Benson is also an Animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he was a part of such films as Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana, Frozen 2, Raya & the Last Dragon and Encanto. Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Benson now lives in Los Angeles, California.
You can find him on his website::http://bensonshum.com/
And on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/bshum79/
https://www.facebook.com/bshum79
ME: And right now, you can find him right here, on Picture Books Help Kids Soar! Welcome, Benson! Thank you so much for stopping by. It’s a thrill to meet you – I absolutely love your books! And I also want to thank you for the generous giveaway – a copy of ANZU, some stickers and an art print! I know everyone is going to make sure to leave a comment and share this post so they will be entered to win. But right now, we want to find out more about you and your path to publication.
ME: Who were your favorite authors/illustrators when you were a child?
BENSON: My favorite authors/illustrators as a child were Judy Blume, Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake, and Alice and Martin Provensen. I remember laughing and giggling through all their books. The play of the illustration with the text was amazing. They fit perfectly. I think that has influenced a lot of my work. Quentin Blake’s work says so much in just a few lines.
ME: What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started writing?
BENSON: I wish I read more back then. I may have started writing earlier. There are lots of rules when it comes to story, but we don’t have to be confined to those walls. It’s good to have that structure, but it’s also ok to break them as well.
ME: Where do you like to write – inside, outisdie, special room, laptop, pen and paper?
BENSON: I like to write where there is a bit of noise, like coffee shops, the park, the living room with the tv on. I usually like to write with music to get in the mood. If I’m writing something dramatic or sad, I will try to find music that has that emotional beat to it. When I’m illustrating, I’m usually at my desk because all my tools are there. I always sketch with pen and paper first, then transfer the work digitally and continue to refine. But once I go into final art, I work traditionally with watercolor and ink.



ME: When do you write – early morning, late in the day, middle of the night, on schedule, as the muse strikes?
BENSON: I usually write during the day. I’m a morning person, so writing and illustrating in the morning is where I get the most done. Once the afternoon hits, I tend to get distracted. Haha! Also I tend to jot down a lots of notes on my phone when an idea sparks. Whether I do something with those ideas or not, it’s a good idea to write them out.
ME: Why do you write for children?
BENSON: I write for children because I love telling stories. I love to hear stories from my nieces and nephews or friends and listen to how their imaginations are so vast. It’s inspiring. I want to capture that in my books. I also want to make books where kids can see themselves. That my nieces and nephews can say, hey, that’s me

ME: Benson, do you have any other thoughts or advice for writers, parents, educators, librarians, or kids?
BENSON: My thoughts and advice would be to read a lot. Read in all genres. Learn to observe things around you. Anything from a tree, to a chair, to how people move and gesture. Keep asking yourself “why” and stay curious. I hope whether you are a kid, parent, educator, writer and or librarians that we look at how the text and the illustrations can sometimes tell a different story. Or give the story more depth. Sometimes a character’s expression can say 10 times the meaning with a single word. That’s why I love kids books, they’re not only for children, they’re also meaningful for grown up kids as well.


Thank you so much Vivian for having me on your wonderful blog. This was so fun, and thank you to the readers for taking the time to listen to me ramble. 🙂
ME: We are the ones who need to be thanking you, Benson! We are grateful for everything you’ve shared…and I know you have one more very special item to share – a favorite treat recipe of yours.
BENSON: Here’s where I got the recipe from: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/17165/big-soft-ginger-cookies/
Ginger Cookie recipe:
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon salt
cup margarine, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
¼ cup molasses
Directions:
Preheat oven 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt.
In large bowl, mix together margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in water and molasses. Gradually add in the sifted ingredients. Shape dough into small sized balls and roll them lightly in sugar. Place cookies 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press gently to flatten slightly.
Back for 8-10 minutes in preheated oven. Allow cookie to cool for 5 minutes before removing from oven.
WOW…Ginger cookies are one of my favorites, too. This looks like a need-to-make-this-soon recipe! Thank you, Benson, for your insights and recipe and for the giveaway!!


Hey everyone…please make sure you leave a comment to be entered! And also, please make sure you order a copy of Benson book from your local indie, review it after you read it, tell friends about it, and ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection. These are the things that really help our favorite authors and illustrators – and encourage publishers to make more awesome books!
Please have a safe and healthy weekend, dear friends! Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – let’s join hands and work together to engineer kindness and compassion and equality for all.
We received our copy of Anzu the Great Kaiju yesterday and have already read it three times! The whole family loves it!!
Thanks for the great interview, Benson and Vivian!!
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Thank you so much, Genevieve! That means a lot! I’m so happy your family loves it!! – Benson
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Best wishes to you in 2022!
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Great tips. Looking forward to reading this book! I’ve ordered it for the library!
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Thank you so much for ordering for your library! I really appreciate it!
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Thank you for the interview and chance to get to know this talented artist. I’m looking forward to reading this book.
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Thank you Danielle! I hope you will enjoy the Anzu the Great Kaiju!
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It’s great to meet you Benson! I love all the movies you helped create! Zootopia is a favorite. Your book looks adorable and I can’t wait to read it!
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Hi Lauri! Thank you so much! I hope you’ll like it!
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This book looks adorable! I can’t wait to meet Anzu!
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Hi Jessica. Thank you so much!!
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Congratulations on your new book- it sounds great! It’s on my list to check out.
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Thank you, Mary!!
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Benson, I loved reading your book at my storytime! It was a smash hit, and I just had to hug the book at the end. I look forward to selling a lot of copies at our bookstore!
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Robin!! Thank you and you’re the best!!
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Thanks for the new cookie recipe & sharing your love of kidlit! I especially loved the photo of you in school, surrounded by the kiddos–those are the best days!
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Thank you so much!! Yes, I do miss school visits. I look forward when we can all do it again!
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Your book looks adorable, Benson. Can’t wait to read it! Thank you for sharing your insights!
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Donna! Thank you so much!!
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Anzu is so adorable. I see great things ahead for this appealing character.
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Thank you for saying that, Claire. I hope so too. Anzu has so many more stories to tell!
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Congratulations on your book, Benson! Your illustrations are wonderful. Thanks for sharing today!
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Thank you so much, Kim!!
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What an adorable book! Thank you for your information.
Congratulations!
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Thank you, Meredith!!
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Thank you Vivian for allowing us to learn more about Benson Shum. Ben (son in Hebrew) and son (English) I can not help myself, I am just fascinated by names.
“Anzu always found the beauty in small things”
“Anzu was born with the power of…flowers” All your books are filled with gentleness and tenderness.
I agree with you about children learning to observe everything around them. Animals and people have so many different ways to communicate beside using their voice.
Good luck with your new book and the next ones to follow.
I am glad you chose ginger, such an intense flavor!
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Hi Eva! Thank you for letting me know what Ben means in Hebrew! names are fascinating :). Thank you for your kinds words Eva! Yes, me too. I love ginger cookies!
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Yay! I’ve been waiting for Benson’s book to publish! I love friendly beasties and Anzu looks so lovable. Thanks for the interview, giveaways, and cookies, Benson and Vivian, and the beautiful MLK Day message ❤️
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Thank you so much, Amy! I really appreciate!!
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Congrats on Anzu! Love that you do your final work in watercolor and ink!
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Thank you Jilanne! Yes i love the imperfections that come with traditional mediums!
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Great post! Congratulations! And thanks for the recipe! Mmmm
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Thank you, Angie!!
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Anzu makes me think of a baby chick crossed with a mini-dinosaur. I look forward to reading his story!
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Great post Benson and Vivian. Loved learning a bit more about your process! Ginger cookies are my fave!
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Hello Benson,
I like your comment about not having to be confined to the children’s book structure and the advice to always stay curious. Thanks for this opportunity and cookie recipe.
Cathy Lee
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