Juliana Hanford

Juliana Hanford grew up in Rochester, New York, spending most of her time reading and swimming. She received her B.A. in English at Vassar College, having spent a semester studying Irish folklore at University College Cork and having written her thesis on the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tales. Juliana then continued on to New York City where she became a children’s book editor.

Interview

What was your favorite book when you were a child?

I knew Maurice Sendak’s Outside Over There by heart by the age of 3 (as my mother will tell you!).  As an older child, my favorite book was Lois Lowry’s The Giver, which is still among my favorite books of all time.

What’s your favorite line from a book?

I have two:"When Papa was away at sea, and Mama in the arbor, Ida played her wonder horn to rock the baby still—but never watched."
—Maurice Sendak, Outside Over There
"It’s not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both."
—E. B. White, Charlotte’s Web

Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?

My favorite authors are Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, and my favorite illustrator is Trina Schart Hyman.

Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?

Actually, I wanted to be an editor (which I am); becoming an author was sort of a happy accident!

Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?

Read the classics!