Alice McGinty is an award-winning children’s book author who has celebrated the release of her latest book, Eliza’s Kindergarten Pet, by visiting classrooms and other locations all over Champaign-Urbana in recent weeks. She will also be one of the featured authors at Saturday’s Youth Literature Festival at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. McGinty — who is also an active volunteer and a writing teacher and coach — is a graduate of Urbana High School and the University of Illinois graduate who returned to the area in 1993. Alice and her husband, Brendan, have two sons in college, Jake (20) and Zachary (18).
See why we think Alice McGinty is a Chambana mom to know.
Q: Congratulations on your new book. Please tell us about the book and about your inspiration for the Eliza series.
My inspiration for the first Eliza book came from two sources. With my background in psychology, I had recently developed a model looking at how basic psychological needs gave emotional power and depth to children’s books. I wanted to write a book based around the need for security. I remembered how Zach, my youngest son, did not want to leave me to go to pre-school or kindergarten. It was a struggle for both of us and I understood the anxiety involved in going to school. That’s when I wrote the story of Eliza, a kindergartner who was anxious about going to school on the first day. She solved her problem by collecting things that reminded her of Mommy, putting them in her pocket, and then making a Mommy doll.
After the first Eliza book came out, my publisher suggested that I write another book about Eliza. My editor thought that a classroom pet might be a good subject. I’d grown up having guinea pigs as pets, so I knew that I would write about a guinea pig. Then, a writer friend who is a retired teacher told me about a real incident in which a classroom pet in her school escaped and was found by the custodian, who was afraid to catch it. The story of Eliza’s Kindergarten Pet, in which Cookie the guinea pig escapes, grew from there.
Q: Do you have any tips for parents about making reading fun for kids?
My biggest suggestion is the obvious one: begin by reading to your kids. And maybe not so obvious: show your own love for books and language as you read, in the inflections of your voice, and in your eagerness to spend time reading to your children. They’ll pick up on that love for books and language and carry it with them. As kids begin to read on their own, I think showing enthusiasm, support, patience, and a love of literature is key. You can take turns reading with them, each read different characters in the book using distinctive voices, or write each other stories or secret notes to read.
Q: You have written a book about Champaign-Urbana history. Is there any bit of trivia or information about Champaign-Urbana you think we all should know?
There are lots of great stories that are part of the history of Champaign-Urbana – more than I expected when I started my research. One funny one is about the ladies who whitewashed the outside of their church with a salt-based whitewash, and then had to station children outside the church to keep away the cows who wanted to lick the walls. Then there are lots of great mud and pig stories from when downtown Champaign was a swamp. But I think my favorite story is the story of the first jail, or calaboose, which I include in my book. Here’s a short version of the story: In 1835, the citizens of Urbana built what they thought was the safest jail in the whole United States. The entrance was on the second floor and dangerous criminals were dropped through a trap door into the “dungeon” on the ground floor. When Urbana had its first murder trial, the murderer was found guilty (despite the fact that one of the lawyers appointed to defend him was Abraham Lincoln) and was dropped into the dungeon to await his hanging. He insisted on being baptized before being hung, probably hoping to escape, but everyone attending the baptism brought their rifles, so he was brought safely back to jail. Sometime before the hanging, however, he managed to escape from the dungeon. Nobody knows how he did it. It is said, however, that he fled to Wisconsin, changed his ways, and led a good life. In the meantime, the people of Urbana built a good fence around their jail.
Q: We are very excited about the upcoming Youth Literature Festival – why do you think should families come out for it?
What better way to bring books to life for your kids than to bring them to meet real authors. I think this is a terrific opportunity! My suggestion is to have your children read (or read together) at least one of an author’s books before visiting them at the event. This is key to making the experience meaningful – by being able to truly connect the author with their books, ask thoughtful questions, and get to know the person behind the story.
I think it’s wonderful that Champaign-Urbana is celebrating children’s literature with the Youth Literature Festival and I love the way the community has jumped into support this event. I hope to see lots of you there that day!
Q: What are you currently working on? Are there plans for another Eliza book?
I’m working on another picture book biography – this one about Gandhi. I’ve also got a chapter book drafted, but it needs lots of work! And I’ve already written a third Eliza story – this time about Eliza’s father visiting kindergarten. However, the publisher wants to see strong sales from Eliza’s Kindergarten Pet before they’ll set a third book in motion – so any help you can give me in getting the word out about Eliza’s Kindergarten Pet will be greatly appreciated!!
Do you know of a chambana mom or dad to know? We love nominations. Send them to editor@chambanamoms.com.