Author Interview: Theo Lightfoot and his Tiger and Mouse series

Today's Author Interview is with Theo Lightfoot, author of the Tiger and Mouse series: The Gift of Helping Others and The Pebble of Perseverance.

Theo's Biography: Theodore Lightfoot gains inspiration for his books from his two children, Asher, age 6 and Audrey, age 4, and wife Laura, who is an early childhood educator. After years of telling impromptu stories at his kids' request, Theo is thrilled to create stories to be enjoyed by all. His favorite activities with his kids include going to the zoo and aquarium, baseball games, playing at the park, bike rides, and of course reading books (his kids have pretty much exhausted the selection at the local library.) His son Asher is crazy about animals, which is why animals appear in all Theo's books. His daughter Audrey loves everything girly--from princesses to makeup to frilly dresses--so perhaps there's a princess kid's book in his future. Theo grew up and now resides in the Pacific Northwest where it rains a lot. Luckily, he can write no matter what the weather.

The Gift of Helping Others

The Pebble of Perseverance

My children and I really enjoyed these books. You can read my review and rating on my July 2 post.

My interview with Theo Lightfoot:

Valerie: Your books are illustrated by Elizabeth and Phillip Armstrong. How did you connect?
Theo: I met my illustrator at my day job. She and her husband co-illustrated the books. The illustrations are watercolor.

Valerie:  What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Theo: Having a finished product you're proud of, that's out there in the world--is one of the most satisfying feelings in life.

Valerie: What is the toughest part of being an author?

Theo: I'm a perfectionist so I'm always thinking, "Oh I should have done this or that in the story or with that line." The other thing is that I design the layout of my books, which is a real drag when you're not a designer and don't have the right tools to do it efficiently.

Valerie: If you could not be author, what would you do/be?

Theo: Well, I've been in bands and playing music since age 15, so probably a rock star.

Valerie: What is your favorite book of all time?

Theo: My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok. It's about an extremely talented young Jewish artist who struggles to reconcile his art and his faith. When I read it, I knew I had to be an author.

Valerie: Which character from any book are you most like?

Theo: The Who in Horton Hears a Who: Small and insignificant but hopefully can make a difference.

Valerie: What character from your books are you most like?

Theo: Mouse. Overly responsible and a little afraid to have fun.

Valerie: Which book would you love to take a weekend vacation inside of?

Theo: The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway or The Bible would be pretty cool too.

Valerie: Are you working on something new?

Theo: Always. I have so many ideas but limited time to put things together. I have ideas for 3 or 4 more children's books, and about 4 novels. Maybe in the next 10 years I can get to them all.

Valerie: Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by?

Theo: Thanks for supporting children's book authors. We appreciate it.

Thank you Theo for the interview. You can find out more about Theo on his website, Facebook, and Amazon.

~Valerie Harmon
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Children's e-Book Review: The Tiger and Mouse series, by Theo Lightfoot

Today's Book Children's e-Book Review is actually two books, by Theo Lightfoot: The Gift of Helping Others and The Pebble of Perseverance.

My Ratings: 
Overall: 5.0 Stars
Cover and Illustrations: 5 Stars
Storyline: 5 Stars 
This is a tender, tender book and we (my 10, 8, and 5 year old and I) loved reading it. It is one I will be reading to them again, a compliment I don't often say. Tiger's desire to help his friend and the sweet grace the Mouse family says over their food make a story that teaches a lesson of charity and made us feel good to read. Five stars for storyline and five stars for the illustrations that added to the story. Well done!

Storyline of The Gift of Helping Others: Tiger wants to play and is perplexed when Mouse single-mindedly looks for a nut and carries it all the way home. When Tiger peeks through a hole in the tree into Mouse's house, he discovers a scene that sends him gathering nuts and berries as fast as he can. What does Tiger see?

My Ratings: 
Overall: 4.5 Stars
Cover and Illustrations: 4.0 Stars
Storyline: 5 Stars 
I really enjoyed how Mouse helped Tiger accomplish his goals. Often we need that kind of help ourselves, and that's what true friends do. Five stars for a wonderful storyline. The illustrations added to the story and would've been five stars too, except that the island inconsistently changed sizes during the rescue scene. Total stars: 4.5, and a recommendation to read this book to your children! My 10, 8, and 5 year old all listened raptly through the entire story.
I really enjoyed how Mouse helped Tiger accomplish his goals. Often we need that kind of help ourselves, and that's what true friends do. Five stars for a wonderful storyline. The illustrations added to the story and would've been five stars too, except that the island inconsistently changed sizes during the rescue scene. Total stars: 4.5, and a recommendation to read this book to your children! My 10, 8, and 5 year old all listened raptly through the entire story.

Storyline of The Pebble of Perseverance: When water pours through the jungle, it creates a river between the homes of Tiger and his best friend Mouse. If Tiger wants to visit Mouse, he must improve his leaping skills. But it's hard! Can Mouse help Tiger jump higher? Can Tiger's new skills save Mouse from drowning? This book illustrates an excellent lesson about hard work and perseverance.

I enjoyed these books so much, I asked Theo Lightfoot for an author interview. See that interview on July 30th!

~Valerie Harmon

(Disclaimer: I received these e-books for free in exchange for honest reviews and am not affiliated with the author or Amazon)