PhyllistheAuthor

David Thomas

A Fourth Grader from New York

One of my readers, David, wrote and asked if he could be in one of my books. I wrote back telling him that I would be willing to include him in one of my books, but I needed more information. I sent him a lot of questions so I could get to know him better. David replied to all my questions. I asked if he wanted to be "David" or he wanted some other name. He chose "Peter."

I told David/Peter that in the new book I was working on (kids' book number 5) the protagonist was a girl, but I would try to find an important role for his character. Thus Peter befriends the heroine and . . . You'll have to read the book to find out what happens!

This book is still in its first draft. So it will be several years before it is published.

Kids often ask where I get my ideas. I always tell them that I have more ideas than I have time. I also tell them that I "study" kids and adults I meet for character traits and inspiration. As an example, when I was in Venice, Italy, I met a young man named Luca. He gave us a tour of the Correr Museum. He was in his twenties, but I made him a kid for Anybody's Hero. I made him part Italian and part American and called him Luca. So when you meet me at book signings or school visits, you should realize that I am very interested in each of you.