Tilda Balsley
Tilda Balsley has written many books for Kar-Ben, bringing her stories to life with rhyme, rhythm, and humor. Tilda lives with her husband and their rescue Shih Tzu in Reidsville, North Carolina.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
Peter Pan
What’s your favorite line from a book?
From Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends, the poem Hug O’ War: “I’d rather play at hug o’ war, where everyone hugs instead of tugs, where everyone giggles and rolls on the rug, where everyone kisses, and everyone grins, and everyone cuddles , and everyone wins.”
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
Eve Bunting – because she writes such engaging stories about really serious life situations. James Marshall – because his George and Martha stories capture the nature of friendship so well and with humor that children and adults both can appreciate. Dr. Seuss because of his wonderful rhythm and rhyme.
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
I’ve always loved words. I especially enjoy using them in bouncy rhythm and quirky rhyme. And I love how a picture book can have such unexpected depth, to be discovered reading after reading.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
Read the genre you want to write. Lots.