I was writing Happy Meal commercials for Leo Burnett and doing shows at the Annoyance Theater in Chicago when we met over email. Clarion picked up on it, and Adam and I have been working together since.Īdam: I never would have written a picture book if it wasn’t for Dan. After graduating, I was going on a bunch of portfolio reviews at publishing companies, and I brought the manuscript of Those Darn Squirrels and some sample illustrations I had made to accompany it around with me. I think that’s a big reason why we collaborate well together - we find each other’s work really funny. I loved his sense of humor and knew I wanted to work with him. Adam liked my illustrations, so he wrote Those Darn Squirrels to show to me. Corey saw me and Adam as people who wanted to do creative things who had complementary sensibilities. I grew up with Corey in Brooklyn, and he and Adam had just graduated from Washington University in St. We were introduced (via email) during my senior year by our mutual friend, Corey. It may sound silly, but that was when it clicked for me that there were real people making these books, and that was what they did as their jobs.Īdam and I have known each other for nine years. Jon was so funny and charming during the presentation. The Stinky Cheese Man was one of my all time favorites for its grit and weirdness - and for being rude and unapologetic about it.

Jon Scieszka came and did a presentation for my class, and I was blown away. With regard to later wanting to make them myself, I think that an early seed was planted in the fourth grade. I was transported deep into the story and the world of a book in a way that felt magical. I loved having them read to me as I looked at the pictures. Although I didn’t always know I wanted to make them, children’s books were always very important to me, growing up. I loved to draw and paint as a kid, and later on in art school I gravitated towards illustration, because I like telling stories with my pictures. Sorry.ĭan: I didn’t always know I wanted to illustrate for children’s books, but I always knew that I wanted to be an artist. Jules: Did you always you know you wanted to write and illustrate books for children? How long have you known each other and how’d you first end up collaborating together? That’s three questions in one. Frequently Asked Questions (Excerpted from Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast)

Adam rubin and daniel salmieri