by Vivian Brant
Happy April Falcons! With the semester coming to an end, I have another interview to bloom your love of reading. I had the joy of meeting Ms. Susan Montgomery, an Author, Illustrator and BGSU Graduate. We discussed Ms. Montgomery newest book Benny’s BigHeart: A Therapy Dog Spreads Kindness, her path to writing and illustrating, and so much more!
What inspired you to write Benny’s Big Heart: A Therapy Dog Spreads Kindness?
Ms. Montgomery’s inspiration for Benny’s Big Heart: A Therapy Dog Spreads Kindness? came from a real life therapy dog in Bowling Green and his handler Carol. Ms. Montgomery said she saw an opportunity for a “Intergenerational story” through Benny’s life and wanted to capture that! She wanted to share a message of kindness through Benny’s story and highlight the BG community in the process.
Have you always written and illustrated books and how did you get to where you are now?
Ms. Montgomery explained her unique path to illustrating and writing books during our interview. Firstly, she explained how she always loved the arts and writing throughout high school. Then later in her life she went back to college at BGSU to get her degree in Art Education. Later, in life she used her art as a way to share her ukulele music and then it snowballed from there. She explained how writing and illustrating became something in her control while dealing with uncontrollable chronic illness. From there she has written and illustrated many books, teaching aids, and so much more remarkably fast. Ms. Montgomery expressed that she is excited to see what is next for her and I am inclined to agree!
What is your favorite aspect of writing and illustrating?
When asked, Mrs. Montgomery stated that her favorite aspect of writing and illustrating books is that the books become “living things that exist in people’s bookshelves”.
What do you find the most challenging part of writing and illustrating is?
When questioning Ms. Montgomery about the book writing process, I asked what the most challenging part of writing and illustrating was. She explained that she finds making the books just right for that age group she is writing for can be quite a challenge. Furthermore making the books both “fun and digestible” are other aspects that can be tricky to accomplish.
Ms. Montgomery was a joy to interview and her work is inspiring to all! Ms. Montgomery is having an event for Benny’s Big Heart: A Therapy Dog Spreads Kindness at the Wood County District Library at 5pm May 12th! It will be a great opportunity to hear her latest book read, meet her, and more! Additionally if you would like more information about Ms. Montgomery or her books, I have linked her website, Facebook page, Youtube page, and Amazon Author page below. Happy reading!
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