A Conversation with Best-selling Author David Sedaris

💡David Sedaris discusses his unconventional shoes and the inspiration behind his unique footwear.

📚Sedaris shares his experience writing his first children's book and his initial hesitations about the genre.

🚪The author reflects on his childhood and the lack of reading habits in his family, which led him to become an avid reader himself.

💡Sedaris emphasizes the importance of not forcing moral lessons onto children and allowing them to form their own opinions.

🎭He discusses his collaborative relationship with illustrator Ian Falconer and the joy of working with talented artists.

What is David Sedaris' latest book about?

—David Sedaris' latest book, Pretty Ugly, is a children's book about a monster who is born with a pretty face and feels upset about it.

What inspired David Sedaris to write a children's book?

—David Sedaris was approached by an illustrator he respected, Ian Falconer, who asked him to collaborate on a project to put writers together with illustrators.

Did David Sedaris have any hesitations about writing a children's book?

—Initially, David Sedaris had no interest in writing children's books. However, he decided to take on the project due to his respect for illustrator Ian Falconer.

Does David Sedaris think children's books need moral lessons?

—David Sedaris believes that children's books should not force moral lessons onto children. He thinks it is exhausting for children to constantly have messages shoved down their throats.

What was David Sedaris' experience working with illustrator Ian Falconer?

—David Sedaris and Ian Falconer had a great collaborative relationship. Sedaris trusted Falconer's expertise and didn't try to tell him what to do.

00:09David Sedaris talks about his unconventional shoes and the inspiration behind his unique footwear.

01:53Sedaris shares his experience writing his first children's book and his initial hesitations about the genre.

02:39The author reflects on his childhood and the lack of reading habits in his family, which led him to become an avid reader himself.

04:16Sedaris emphasizes the importance of not forcing moral lessons onto children and allowing them to form their own opinions.

06:38He discusses his collaborative relationship with illustrator Ian Falconer and the joy of working with talented artists.