Jane Yolen is one of the best loved children's authors. She is a prolific writer, and has written nearly 300 books. Owl Moon and The Emperor and the Kite are Caldecott Medal books. Her books have won a number of awards including the Golden Kite Award for The Girl Who Cried Flowers & Other Tales, the Christopher Medal for The Seeing Stick and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?, and many others. She has written picture books, middle grade and young adult books, books for adults, short stories, nonfiction, music, and poetry. Five of her books were made into movies, including: Commander Toad in Space, The Devil's Arithmetic, Dragon's Blood, Merlin and the Dragons, and Owl Moon. You can learn more about Jane Yolen by visiting her website: www.janeyolen.com.

What kind of books do you write?

 With almost 300 books out, I would say I have written just about everything except hard science.

Where do you get your ideas?

Ideas are cheap and everywhere. It's what one does with an idea that counts. I probably come up with about ten new book ideas a day. Doesn't mean that the vast majority of them are interesting or viable.

Do you have a favorite book?

No. I read a huge variety of things. And if you mean do I have a favorite of my own books, it's always the one I am working on at the moment you ask. That's because there is where my passion lies.

What is your most rewarding experience as an author of children’s books?

Hearing from children. Really.

What did you do before writing for children?

I was a poet and a journalist. And an editor.

Why did you decide to write children’s books?

I didn't. It decided for me. And wasn't I lucky!

What are you working on now?

A gonzo short story about Rasputin, the Jews of Russia, the last tsar, and dragons. Also a novel about a boy who makes a golem to keep him safe from bullies. A picture book called WAKING DRAGONS. Another picture book called WHEN NANA DANCES WITH ME. And an adult novel about two fairies thrust out of Faerie into the world to live as middle-aged women.

How hard was it to become a published author?

I had a fairly charmed life--sold my first book on my 22nd birthday. My second shortly after that. However, I had 113 rejection letters for my adult poetry before the first one was taken. Papered the wall of my bedroom with them.

If you could teach children one lesson about writing, what would it be?

Read, read, read. You can't be a writer without being a reader.

What kinds of books do you read?

Mysteries, biography, history, fantasy, poetry.