Featured Interview With Craig Pomranz
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Internationally known singer/song-stylist, actor and now author. Craig is Winner of New York’s MAC Award for “2012 Best Male Vocalist.” Originally from St. Louis, MO. Craig lives in NYC and travels the world performing in clubs. Made By Raffi is his first children’s book with illustrations award winning artist Margaret Chamberlain
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
It seems I was always reading. I cannot remember the exact age, but certainly I started reading plays when I became a professional child actor at age 10. Non-Fiction and biographies were my mainstay until I got interested in cooking and entertaining. I now collect cookbooks as well as biographies.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am inspired by the people around me. My first two books are based on real-life incidents with my godson and niece. I read Magazines like The New Yorker and The Atlantic and newspapers. When it comes to books I really read biographies and cookbooks and non-fiction brought to my attention.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
I would write to tell you my story. I have really become interested in the idea of how we tell our kids what is appropriate activity, based on gender. Most of the parents of young kids I know are trying on one hand to let their kids follow their own interests, but on the other are concerned about their kid fitting in and not being teased. As a result, atypical hobbies and behaviors are only encouraged so far.
Inspired by true-life incident, my children’s book Made By Raffi is newly released this summer. A donor has given books to all of the Catholic elementary schools in New York. It is the story of a little boy who doesn’t care for sports but likes to knit and sew — at first he is teased for his hobby, but in the end he becomes a hero to his class. The book is being published in five languages and distributed in eight countries so far by UK publishers Frances Lincoln under their diversity imprint, Janetta Otter-Barry Books. Award-winning artist Margaret Chamberlain is the illustrator
I wrote the book to support young boys and girls who are perceived as “different” because of their appearance or hobbies. It is a funny colorful book with a serious message and will interest those who care about promoting diversity and embracing our differences, as well as all children seeking to fit in.
In my research, I have found some shocking stories:
Recently, a principal told a boy he could not bring his “My Little Pony” lunchbox to school because it was a “trigger” for teasing and bullying.
The same week a girl was expelled from a Christian school because of her short hair, perceived masculine look and interest in sports.
Recently a woman in Portland killed her child of four because she thought he “acted, walked and spoke like a gay person.”
On the other hand, I have already received terrific early trade reviews and many supportive messages from those who have seen advance copies of the book as well as from those who have ordered.
I was recently forwarded this email from a man in Istanbul: “Today I enjoyed to preorder your beautiful and meaningful children book for my cousin. Especially here in Turkey we need to learn respect to the one who is different than us. Thanks for your effort to make the world a better place to live. Best regards, ”
I am available for interviews or background conversation on the topic or I can write a blog post to keep the conversation going. Made By Raffi is available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNobles.
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