When I read Benjamin’s picture book, I AM ODD, I AM NEW…I was absolutely blown away by the emotion. I learned more about Benjamin and how the poem that turned into this book took the world by storm and knew I had to interview him so more people can discover this powerful gem.
Here’s his bio: Benjamin Giroux, Kirkus Reviews Star Author, has been featured on many websites, including the Huffington Post, and on the Today Show and Good Morning America. He was named Poet Laureate of Plattsburgh, New York, and has also been the face of the National Autism Association’s oddtoo antibullying campaign.
You can find Benjamin on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and his website.
Hi Ben. I’m absolutely thrilled to interview you for your first picture book, I AM ODD, I AM NEW. Huge congrats! What inspired you to write this story? What was it like seeing how many people your powerful story touched…and discovering it was going to become a book?
When I was in fifth grade, I was 10 years old, my teacher gave us an assignment to write an I am poem. The first 2 words of each line were given to every student in my class and that’s what I wrote. I didn’t really write it for any other reason then I had to write it for school to get a grade. It’s unreal how many people have read my poem and connected with it. I still can’t believe that it’s been translated into over 20 languages which means people that don’t speak or read English have also read my poem! When my parents told me that my amazing agent Naomi Davis signed a contract with Schiffer Publishing to publish my book, I don’t think I slept for a couple nights I was so excited. But I still find it surreal that it is going to be a children’s book since that’s not why I wrote it.
Wow! Where do you normally write or revise? My favorite place is in my office, with my rescue cat and dog snuggled near me. Do you have any pets keep you company?
I don’t have a favorite place to write. But I guess I do most of my writing at my dining room table. I do have pets that keep me company. I have a 135 pound Bouvier named Chewbacca that we call Chewie and a 30 pound Cairns Terrier that’s named Wicket, and they are always laying near me, but the one pet that inspires me is my baby, my corn snake named Monty. Yup, Monty Cornsnake, after Monty Python.
Your pets are adorable–I love their names! What surprised you most during your publishing journey?
That so many people cared so much about my poem and getting it turned into a children’s book. My parents obviously support me, but my agent and my illustrator and now Schiffer, are all strangers and they all have worked so hard to get my words out to people
I’m so happy for you–and for everyone who will have the chance to read your amazing book. Which page of I AM ODD, I AM NEW do you love the most, and why?
My favorite page is the page where you see all sorts of different kids in different colored bubbles, where it says I am odd I am new, I understand now that so are you. This is where I realize that everyone is different in their own unique way and that’s what makes us all special.
I absolutely love that page, too. It gives me the chills–in the best possible way. What would you like to say to any person who feels odd or new?
That you’re not alone in feeling how you feel. Everyone feels different or like they don’t fit in. It’s hard. There are days that are worse then others, but don’t give up. It’ll get better.
Thank you for sharing that here…and in your book. It’s something we all need to hear. Are you working on more books or other creative projects?
Yes I am. I have my second book that is being shopped to publishers right now! My agent really loves this book and thinks it might be better then my I am odd I am new book. I also have a 3rd book in the editing stage, it’s the follow up to my 2nd book. I’m writing a children’s book series about my snake, that’s about the way I’ve felt throughout my life. I think kids will really like it.
Yay! Fingers, toes, and all paws in my house crossed for you. I can’t wait to have more of your amazing books out in the world. We need them. 🙂
Is there anything else you’d like to share with everyone?
Just that I’m really honored for all the support I’ve gotten over the past 5 years since my poem went viral. I want to thank everyone for pre-ordering my book and I’d like all the kids out there who feel different to not give up. I also want to tell people that see kids on the spectrum as different or odd, that yes we are, but that doesn’t make us any less then they are.
That is so true! I’m glad you and your amazing book are about to share this powerful message with the world. You are going to make a difference in so many lives.
Thank you so much for letting me interview you…and for generously donating a signed copy of your debut picture book: I AM ODD, I AM NEW, illustrated by Roz MacLean.
Through the eyes of 10-year-old Benjamin Giroux, being odd is different, and different is a good thing. This is what the then fifth-grader hoped to convey in his poem, beginning every few sentences with “I am,” about what it is like to live with autism. Inspired by a school assignment, Benjamin’s raw and emotional words poured out onto the page, but when he feared they were not any good, his parents shared the poem with friends and family. Little did they know that it would go viral and end up inspiring thousands of strangers who identified with him to share their support. Now for the first time, Benjamin’s iconic poem “I Am Odd, I Am New,” comes to life in this lovingly illustrated picture book with a foreword written by the National Autism Association. So whether you know the poem, or it is new to you, discover how Benjamin’s honesty will reassure children of all ages that it’s okay to be different.
Fill out the Rafflecopter widget below to enter (US. Only).
a Rafflecopter giveawayThe winner will be announced on November 1st. Good luck. 🙂
We all feel odd at times. We’d love you to leave a comment sharing when you’ve felt odd…and anything that helped you through it.
If you haven’t watched it yet, here’s the link to the National Autism Association’s oddtoo antibullying campaign again. I love how Benjamin shows everyone they are not alone.
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