“It was late at night and the stars shone bright…”
These are the beginning lines of household adventure that will have your kids singing and imagining for days. You would never think a coyote book would be so much for kiddos!
Coyotes in the Kitchen is a coyote book for children written by children’s book author, Kathleen S. Kennedy. We sat down with Kathleen to ask her about her first-ever children’s book, Coyotes in the Kitchen. Here’s what she had to say about this wild adventure.
Who is Kathleen S. Kennedy?
Sparkles seem to follow Kathleen everywhere, or so we think.
Kathleen S Kennedy is a known Early Childhood Educator in the Fremont County Community near the Wet Mountains of Colorado. She has a deep passion for helping the local community, supporting the development of children and their families.
She is an award-winning photographer and a genuinely lovely woman.
If anyone knows Kathleen, they know her for her glittery character, her wild imaginations, and her extrovert personality.
What was the inspiration for Coyotes in the Kitchen?
Children. They are my inspiration.
Filled with creativity and joy, children inspire me with their sense of adventure and innate innocence.
What year did you publish Coyotes in the Kitchen?
Written in 1998, first published in 2007. There are a few homemade copies floating around printed in the early 2000s.
How has this story impacted your local community?
The story brings perennial joy.
Children (and their grownups) have been able to connect through the characters and the story. Local businesses have supported sales.
Tell us about the characters in Coyotes in the Kitchen.
When I wrote Coyotes, which took about 15 minutes on a preschool playground, I didn’t really have characters.
I had the general idea of how I wanted the illustrations to look and handed off my little stick figure storyboard to a couple of artists.
The illustrator created the appearance and details of the characters. The coyotes are based on mutual friends, the girl, Almarinda was fashioned after me, and the dog was my Corgi Andy from years ago.
What about the house used in the story?
Physically, the house was a combination of both the houses the illustrator and I lived in at the time I wrote Coyotes.
It is a reflection of some significant memories and family transitions. The house was charming with huge screenless oversized windows, you could step outside through a window.
The kitchen door opened onto a backyard and small brick patio. We had chicken at the time and they would often come into the house and sit on the bakers rack in the kitchen.
You’ll see them coming in at the height of chaos in the Coyotes kitchen.
Do you do book readings?
Yes, book readings are the ultimate treat!
I use props to go along with the story.
I wear a pair of pink bunny slippers, a chef’s hat, and I carry my furry companion Andy with me.
Before the reading begins the kids and I have a little chat about the story. Every reading is a different adventure in and of itself.
Who did the artwork for Coyotes in the Kitchen?
Bobbi Manning, a local self-taught artist. She is the mother of my youngest daughter’s best friend.
She really took my ideas and ran with them when it came to creating the images.
What is your favorite thing about this story?
It’s a timeless adventure filled with childhood imaginations.
I’ve been reading Coyotes in the Kitchen to children for two decades and make new friends and fans every time.
Is there any sort of motivation or deeper message behind this book?
Have fun, be adventurous, and open to the idea of magical things happening!
Anything else you would like people to know about it?
When you read Coyotes in the Kitchen to your kiddos be sure to really get into character… howl like crazy!
More About Coyotes in the Kitchen
Coyotes in the Kitchen is a children’s book about coyotes and written in a fun rhyme scheme. It is the first book in a series of other Almarinda and Andy adventures.
You can learn more about this coyote book by visiting our Shop or purchase your own copy below!
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