Where did the original idea for Max and Ruby come from?
They are based on my two children when they were about 5 years old and 9 months old. Q: The personalities of Max and Ruby are based on your children? A: Absolutely. Q: How do your children feel about seeing themselves characterized in Max and Ruby? A: They’re faintly amused…and they definitely ignore it! Q: Do you have a favorite of the Max and Ruby stories? A: (chuckling) My favorite is always the last one that I wrote. Q: About Bunny Cakes… the story is so funny and charming. Where did the inspiration for the story come from? A: My ideas come to me, usually very early in the morning, and say, “Are you going to use me? Because if you’re not, I’m going down the road to Kevin Henkes….” Q: How old are Max and Ruby? A: Hmmm. Let’s see. That depends on the book. In the board books, Max is 1 and Ruby is 4. In the picture books, Max is 3 and Ruby is 6. Q: In Bunny Cakes Max learns the importance of reading, and in Bunny Money, Max and Ruby learn how to count money…. A: No they don’t!
