PUFFIN Newsletter
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Eric Kimmel: Isn't it amazing. It's hard to believe I'm sitting in Portland writing instantaneously to someone in Alaska.
Kama Mitchell: This is my first virtual conference also, but last week I actually conducted a videoconference on computer using a reflector site from NASA TV. I was able to see my professor and classmates back in New Jersey. That gave me courage to try this!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Eric Kimmel: I love folk tales. My grandmother told me lots of stories when I was little. I devoured Grimm's Fairy Tales. I also worked as a storyteller in schools and libraries. Some of my best books come out of stories I tell.
Kama Mitchell: Your focus on folk tales stems primarily from your grandmother? Was it influenced by anything else? Say, travels around the world?
Eric Kimmel: I do travel a lot, but most of the sources for my stories come from books I get at the library. Then I work with each tale, trying to bring out what I like about it. By the way, I just got back from Japan. I spoke in international schools in Tokyo and Osaka. It was quite an adventure. Shall I tell you about it?
Kama Mitchell: Certainly!
Eric Kimmel: I am thinking of writing to the children I met in Japan to ask them to send me stories via e-mail.
Kama Mitchell: Perhaps you will develop a storng readership in Japan as well. Or maybe you have strong readership there already!
Eric Kimmel: I hope so. I certainly had a warm welcome. The international schools in Japan have excellent libraries. I was thrilled to find myself so popular over there. I also saw some friends of mine, especially Graham Salisbury.
Kama Mitchell: Have you experienced any complications with publication of your books in Japan?
Eric Kimmel: Actually, none of my books are published in Japan, at least none that I know of. My books were imported from the States. I'd love to have them translated into Japanese, but so far it hasn't happened.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Kama Mitchell: What collections do you highly recommend? I don't seem to have your natural bent for folk tales.
Eric Kimmel: There's no such thing as "natural bent." You just share the ones you enjoy most. I'd start with whatever literature you love, no matter what the subject. Once you get used to sharing stories with an audience, you can go anywhere with it. I love Grimm, though. I'd start with something intriguing, like Iron John or The Goose Girl. Check out my versions. They come with pictures.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Kama Mitchell: Eric Kimmel, I am not certain what the status of our author chat is at this point! Perhaps it is a sign to sign off. Thanks so much for your time and thoughts!
Eric Kimmel: The comet is affecting the ether. Bye, Kama. Signing off.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Eric Kimmel says he loves to get e-mail and anyone who wants to write to him can. His address is kimmels@earthlink.net.