The Picture Book Buzz - Interview with Charles Ghigna
Charles Ghigna - Father Goose® lives in a treehouse in the middle of Alabama. He is the award-winning author of more than 100 books for children and adults from Disney, Random House, Schiffer, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, Time, Inc., and other publishers. And more than 5,000 poems that appear in anthologies, textbooks, newspapers, and magazines ranging from Harper’s to Highlights and from The New Yorker to Cricket magazines.
He served as poet-in-residence and chair of creative writing at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, instructor of creative writing at Samford University, poetry editor of English Journal for the National Council of Teachers of English, and as a nationally syndicated feature writer for Tribune Media Services. Ghigna has read his poems at The Library of Congress, The John F. Kennedy Center, American Library in Paris, American School in Paris, the International Schools of South America, and at schools, conferences, libraries, and literary events throughout the U.S. and overseas.
Charles’ most recent books include The Magic Box: A Book of Opposites (2024), The Father Goose Treasury of Poetry: 101 Favorite Poems for Children, illustrated by Sara Brezzi (2023), Little Hearts, illustrated by Jacqueline East (2022), Fetch, Cat. Fetch!, illustrated by Michelle Hazelwood Hyde (2022), Love is Everything, illustrated by Jacqueline East (2021), and A Poem Is a Firefly, illustrated by Michelle Hazelwood Hyde (2021). As well as numerous poems in anthologies, including Bless Our Pets, edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Lita Judge (2024), Construction People, edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Ellen Shi (2020), School People edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Ellen Shi (2018)
His newest picture book, Bound to Dream: An Immigrant Story, released on September 28th.
Welcome back Charles,
Given most of your books are fiction, was it a big change to write this story based on real life? Was it harder to write a book based on your own family history?
Great question, Maria! Telling the story of my great grandfather is an honor. It's a story that has been in my head and heart for several years. When I finally sat down to write it, it came flowing out across the pages, riding on the waves of my warm, grateful tears. It is a rare and lucky author who gets to tell the story of his family that comes from so deep inside.
That is so true. I am glad you were able to do so! What was your inspiration for Bound to Dream: An Immigrant Story?
The birth of the idea for this book took hold several years ago when my wife Debra, the historian of the family, discovered new information about my great grandfather, Carlo Ghigna, about how he came from Italy to America to begin a new life as a bookbinder in New York City. I started imaging what was going on in his young mind as he walked the streets of New York alone looking for work, not yet able to read or write English. I began piecing those first details together with what I remembered my father telling me about his grandfather when they all lived together in a brownstone in Greenwich Village.
You're lucky to get the family stories solidified before memories fade. How long did it take from the first draft to publication of Bound to Dream?
The writing took only a few months, but the beautiful art by the talented young Italian artist, Anna Forlati, took almost a year.
Given publishing timelines, that's not too bad. What was the hardest or most challenging thing for you about writing Bound to Dream? Why? What was the most fun part?
I think telling a personal family narrative can be the easiest and most challenging story an author can write. On the one hand, you already know the story, on the other, you want to step back and focus on the family member and create an interesting story to honor their life, yet one that might also inspire young readers to appreciate their own lives and the interesting lives of their families, as well as acknowledge their own appreciation of reading and books.
I can see where that's a big order and how not all family anecdotes or stories would work as picture books. Is there something you’d like to share about your great-grandfather’s story which did not make it into the book or any back matter?
Carlo's full name was Carlo Vincent Ghigna. Carlo was later called "Charles." He was the first of five generations of Charles Vincent Ghigna. My grandfather was the Second (II), my father was the Third (III), I am the Fourth (IV), and my son is the Fifth (V). We all have nicknames. Carlo. Pop. Charlie. Chuck. Chip.
That's fun. Thanks for sharing. When you first saw Anna Forlati’s illustrations in Bound to Dream did anything surprise, amaze, or delight you? Which is your favorite spread?
Text © Charles Ghigna, 2024. Image © Anna Forlati, 2024.
There is a timeless texture to her work that captures the mood of the times. She delineates each dreamy scene with rich warm tones, leaving the reader with memorable impressions of a time when books and dreams were made by hand. I saw a sample of Anna Forlati's art, I knew her style would be perfect for Bound to Dream.
How many brainstorming tries did it take to land on this wonderful title?
My wife, Debra, inspires me every day. We often spend mornings brainstorming ideas back-and-forth over our first cup of coffee. Our favorite brainstorming sessions often involve picking out titles. Debra is a talented poet. She's also a whiz kid at coming up with titles. I had just begun making a list of possible titles for the new book about my bookbinding great grandfather when she said, "Bound to Dream." Bingo! I knew that was it.
And now you know why the dedication in many of my books is simply, "for Debra, always."
Wow! What a wonderful relationship and morning routine! I know this is a silly question, but are there any new projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
Thank you for asking! I have a new picture book of poems for children coming next year titled Sweet Dreams: Moon Poems illustrated by the amazing British artist, Jacqueline East. I also have several other new books in the works including two under contract for adults coming in 2025. One is a collection of poems titled Southern Bred: A Memoir, the other is a 275-page collection of light verse titled Puns Not Guns. I'm also busy finishing up my magnum opus of adult poems New & Selected Poems, as well as a picture book of Alabama artists from the 1800s.
I knew you’d have been busy! There must be something magic about writing in a treehouse. Last question, what is your greatest discovery (plant, animals, rock, etc.) during a walk or hike?
My greatest recent discovery during my walk was a lost dog that I rescued and returned to its family. That little adventure is in the works to become a new picture book titled Rescue Me.
Wow! I’m looking forward to that one! Thank you, Charles, for sharing with us a bit about yourself and your newest picture book.
Be sure to come back on Friday for the Perfect Picture Book #PPBF post on Bound to Dream: An Immigrant Story.
To find out more about Charles Ghigna, or to contact him:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlesghigna
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FatherGooze
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlesghigna/
Thank you for this beautiful in-depth review, Maria! I'm grateful to you for capturing so much that helped my DREAM come true! ❤️