Chit Chatting with Raven Howell
Chit Chatting with Raven Howell J: Tell us about your new book, "Blink and Glow." How did you come up with the idea for the book? R: The initial inspiration for my story, Blink and Glow , took root when I saw an enchanting illustration by Ann Pilicer (the book’s illustrator) of wide-eyed children gazing into a twinkling firefly-filled glass jar. It transported me back to my own youth, tumbled out into nature somewhere, a tomgirl climbing trees, building forts in fragrant lilac bushes, building fairy houses out of twigs and moss, delighted by the catch and release of “lightning bugs”. I wondered how many children’s communities today have that loving connection to our natural environment. Then I hoped that kids were aware of the respect and appreciation we owe to all living things, and that’s essentially where the idea for writing the book originated. J: Were any of the characters based on anyone? If not, how did you come up with the characters? R: The children in B