Hello Lovely Readers, welcome to Kid Lit Village blog where I interview authors and illustrators of picture books and beyond. I hope our Monday interviews will help you discover new books you’d love to read with your children or add to your home library. Today, I’m happy to feature Sarah Hovorka, author of UNICYCLE DAD, illustrated by Alicia Schwab, published by Amicus.
Sarah knows her unicycle-riding dad is special–even as Sarah cooks, takes care of her brother, and does homework on her own. When her dad finally graduates from high school, gets a second job, and eventually lands a promotion, Sarah realizes there’s so much more that’s special about him. Unicycle Dad shares the inherent struggles and quiet joys of a single-parent, impoverished household. Raised by a single, teenage father in poverty, author Sarah Hovorka grew up in a family structure lived by many but seldom represented in children’s books. Illustrator Alicia Schwab captures the story with warm, expressive art.
Welcome to the blog, Sarah. I’m wondering what appeals to you about writing/illustrating books for children?
I love books of all kinds and I never stopped reading children’s literature even as I grew into adulthood. When I started seriously writing I found that my voice came out most naturally and interestingly when writing for children. This doesn’t surprise me as I find it easier to talk with children than adults.
It seems like you are a natural to write for children! Did anything from your childhood influence this book?
Absolutely! This whole book is influenced by my childhood, especially those things that stood the test of time and still influence me to this day. My father is a curious person with a strong drive for success, so he has had lots of interesting hobbies over the years, including riding the unicycle.
That’s such a fun and interesting hobby. Is there a scene for this book you really enjoyed creating?
Describing how the unicycle falls forward and backward when first getting it going, and the feeling of formidable height when atop it…it was a blast to reconnect with those feelings of wonder, fear, and bravery. I hope readers will find delight in that opening scene.
Cool! I have not ever tried to ride a unicycle – it sounds challenging and fun!
Sarah Hovorka is the author of picture books, novels, and short stories for children. In addition to writing, Sarah works in the public sector and spends her free time reading, homeschooling, and playing video and board games with her husband and three sons in California. You can find out more about her, her books, and follow her blog at www.SarahHovorka.com or connect with her on:
X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/HovorkaSarah
IG https://www.instagram.com/authorsarahhovorka/
FB https://www.facebook.com/SarahHovorkaAuthor/
Who’s the blogger behind Kid Lit Village?
Cynthia Mackey is the author of of Katie Shaeffer Pancake Maker and The Lullaby Monsters and her poetry appears in The Toy, The Dirigible Balloon and Little Thoughts Press. Her debut picture book, If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe is forthcoming with Yeehoo Press in fall of 2024. http://www.booksbycindy.com
Blog Interviews by Cynthia Mackey 
Congratulations on your book. Your dad sound amazing.
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Right? This is a Dad I’d like to adopt!
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