I was very flattered to receive an advance copy of a new children’s book: The Staircase that Swallowed People by Jade McBlade. I must admit the title struck me as a bit unusual at first but then I saw the charming cover illustration and any inkling of horror story was quickly replaced by quirky and imaginative! And that is exactly the kind of story I found within the pages of book!

So in exchange for my candid feedback on the story, Jade McBlade agreed to an interview (a first for Little Nutmeg!). This marks Jade’s publishing debut, but I suspect we’ll see more clever stories in the near future!

So picture Jade and I seated next to a sunny window, tea cups in hand, chatting about great children’s literature, our kids, debating whether to have a first birthday party for our little ones (against my better judgement I am planning a big bash for Piper, Jade, a little older and wiser opted just to do a small gathering with family)… and our conversation went something like this:

What inspired you to write this story?

Would you believe that I don’t really know? I just once said to myself, why don’t you write a story about a dangerous staircase. In general, I love stories about things, I like the idea that under special circumstances they might start to behave like live creatures.

Have you ever lived in a house with a “history” like the one in The Staircase?

No, I haven’t but I have lived in an ordinary yellow house on an ordinary London street in an ordinary neighborhood. I guess I just need a little more excitement in my life so I made it up.

The story takes place in London. Do you live there too?

No, I don’t, I live in California, but I used to live there before. It is a very busy, but a very charming city. Full of character, history and mysteries. No place for yellow-bellies.

What were some of your favorite stories/authors when you were growing up?

I really loved The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, I read it at least one hundred times. It is a very gentle story about a boy coming to Earth from a distant planet. It is meant for children but it does not underestimate them like many other books do. If you haven’t read it yet, go and get a copy of it straight away!

What do you think makes a good story?

A smart story-teller and a smart reader/listener?

What kinds of things do you do when you are not writing?

You know, writers are completely normal people. So I play marbles with my sons, Skype with my friends all over the world, hike on weekends, help my daughter with her homework, watch TV when I am folding laundry and believe it or not I also sleep, I love to sleep!

Thank you for the answers.

Thanks for having me.

Filed under: Kindergarten, favorite read, picture book