Meet Kathy Sattem Rygg ~ Author of Animal Andy

Book description:  Ten-year-old Andy Ohman is spending his summer working at the Aksarben City Zoo where his dad is curator. There are rumors that the city might close the zoo due to budget cuts. An anonymous donor has given the zoo an antique animal carousel, and Andy’s dad is hopeful it will help boost attendance. Andy’s doubtful that an old kiddie ride will make a difference. He doesn’t see what’s so special about it. But when he takes it for a spin, he unlocks the magic that will help save the zoo.

Get to know Kathy with a Q & A~

1. What was your favorite children’s book?

Growing up, one of my favorite book series was The Borrowers by Mary Norton. I loved the creativity of little people living in the walls who borrowed household objects. To this day, whenever I misplace an item, I always say, “The Borrowers must have taken it!”

I also loved the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books by Betty MacDonald. In fact, my children’s chapter book, Tall Tales with Mr. K is my modern-day version of Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. I love the premise of an eccentric, magical mentor who helps children with common problems using fun, quirky, “adventurous” methods.

2.  If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?

My favorite author as an adult is Tracy Chevalier, who wrote “The Girl with the Pearl Earring.” I’d love to have a signed copy of any of her novels. Her ability to take an obscure historical event and weave a creative, entertaining story around it is so inspiring. I’d love to do that with a middle grade novel some day!

3. Describe “Animal Andy” in five words or less.

A whimsical and compassionate adventure.

4. What is the inspiration behind your book?

My children loved the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborn, and I wanted to write a book that would transport kids to another world—the world of animals! Our city zoo has a beautiful menagerie carousel and during a visit there, I decided a carousel would be the perfect magical device.

But this story is more than just about exploring the world of animals; it’s also about a boy trying to find the right balance of independence, as so many ten-year-olds do, and about kids learning to listen to their instincts—that little voice that tells you when it’s important to act on something.

5. What is your favorite way to spend a rainy day?

Playing ping pong as a family! We play doubles and it’s an activity all of us can do. Plus it makes us laugh the whole time!

6. What is the best advice anyone has given you?

Before I got my first job after college my dad told me I’d need to have “alligator skin” in order to be successful in life, which meant I couldn’t let what other people said or did get to me. Boy was he right! And nothing requires having alligator skin more than being an author!

7. Any other books in the works?

I recently finished the first book in a middle grade adventure series that involves the sport of geocaching, and I’m currently writing the sequel to my children’s chapter book “Tall Tales with Mr. K” which is about an eccentric third-grade teacher who takes his students on fun-filled adventures in the teacher’s lounge.

Bio: Kathy Sattem Rygg is an author, freelance writer, and editor. She earned a degree in magazine journalism from Iowa State University and has worked in corporate marketing for several Fortune 500 companies. Additionally, she worked at the McGraw-Hill Companies’ Business Publications Division in New York City and was the Editor in Chief of Women’s Edition magazine in Denver, CO. She is currently the Editor in Chief of the children’s online magazine knowonder! and lives in Omaha, NE., with her husband and two children.

 Links ~  blog / facebook / twitter

Published by Muse It Up Publishing

Purchasing  Links ~ Muse it Up ebook / Amazon Animal Andy