Jane Sutton
Jane Sutton is an award-winning author of picture books and novels for children. She grew up on Long Island and attended Brandeis University. Jane lives with her husband in the Boston area, as do their grown children and families. She is grateful to get lots of chances to babysit her grandchildren and hopes she makes fewer mistakes than Ruthie’s Zayde.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
Horton Hatches an Egg by Dr. Seuss
What’s your favorite line from a book?
From George and Martha by James Marshall: “How do you expect to walk home with your loafers full of split pea soup?” she asked George.
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
James Marshall, Arnold Lobel, Virginia Lee Burton
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
I have always enjoyed writing. In elementary school, I would turn an assignment to “write a paragraph using all the spelling words” into a three-act play. An essay I wrote in fifth grade is entitled “A Criticism of Humanity on Behalf of the Ducks.” In college (Brandeis University), a sociology professor assigned us to “do something you always wanted to do and keep a journal on it.” I wrote a series of children’s stories, and that’s when I knew I wanted to write children’s books.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
Write, write, write. Keep a notebook with you at all times (well, maybe not in the shower) because you never know when you’ll get an idea for a story.
