In honor of our 25th anniversary, we think it might finally be time to introduce you to the people behind this amazing series. We will be posting brief interviews with each of the staff members throughout the month of November.
Today we want you to meet, Kim!
Q. How long have you been with the BRI, and what do you do?
A. I joined the Bathroom Readers’ Institute in February, 2011, as Developmental Editor of new books for Uncle John’s For Kids Only line. I write, tell artists to draw things such as talking toilet paper rolls and fart fairies, ask writers to cut words I don’t like from their stories (“was” for example…that word gives me hives). Oh, and I surf the Internet looking for things that will make kids’ eyes pop out of their heads, like the fact that a snapping turtle can keep snapping for four days AFTER its head has been chopped off. (Note to kids: Don’t even think about trying that at home.)
Q. What is your favorite part about working on Uncle John’s Bathroom Readers?
A. I’m becoming highly educated. I now know which French king NEVER took a bath (Louis XIV), which U.S. president had the biggest feet (Abe Lincoln), and that if I fail miserably at this job, I can apply for a job as a raisin inspector, an ant-farm supplier, or a cat-food taster (Yum!).
Q. Which stall is the best: the first, the middle or the last?
A. The one that’s empty when I need it.
Q. Complete this sentence: When life gives you lemons ______?
A. When life gives you lemons…be sure to cut them open so that they squirt life right in the eye. (Unless life also gives you sugar, in which case, make lemonade, open a lemonade stand, and use the proceeds to buy a cinnamon latte.)
Q. What is your favorite Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader article?
A. There are just too many I love. From my own writing, I’ve gotten the biggest charge out of the historical pieces, finding those odd bits of history my teachers somehow neglected to share in the classroom. It’s just my second year as a member of the illustrious BRI, so my favorites that I’ve researched and written are from the 24-K Gold and Fully Loaded. Uncle John himself has plenty to save about the 25th Anniversary book, so I’ll stick to 24-K Gold. “Ancient Sub-urbs” (p. 228) took me beneath the porous layers of stone that form a moonscape near Cappadocia, Turkey. That’s where I discovered an ancient underground “city” that could hold up to 60,000 people. (George Lucas shot the scenes for the Sand people’s home in the first Star Wars movie there.) It’s now on my list of places I really really wish I could visit.
