Come with us as we interview Robert Vescio, the award-winning talented author in his newest children's book The Storytellers where his story and love of tales in bursting right from the pages.
Q: At what age did you discover your own love for storytelling?
A: I think I was six when I discovered my love of storytelling. It all started with a mouse – Disney’s Mickey Mouse Brave Little Tailor vinyl Record and Book. It was a See, Hear and Read 7” Record + 24page Book. The narrator reads every word as you see it in the book. It’s a great way to assist non-readers to learn and help beginners to read. And you knew it was time to turn the page when Tinker Bell rang her little bell. There were only three books available at the time: Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs and Mary Poppins. So, my parents bought the other two in the series when they saw how excited and engaged I was with the first book.
Q: What was the most essential part of this project for you, the diversity, the overall message, or another?
A: I wrote this story to show children how an idea can lead to another aspect of artistic expression. For a book to be created, somebody had an idea and wrote about it. The idea was submitted to a book publisher who in turn found an illustrator to illustrate the story. Once the book was published, it was distributed into bookstores and libraries and then promoted. And sometimes, books are made into movies. And also turned into rides at theme parks. The most important part about The Storytellers is that a story can reach so many people around the globe and touch them when they need them the most. Storytellers come from all walks of life from every corner of the globe – they start off as young children doing what they like best and then grow up to pursue their dreams. Their lives are weaved together. They are all storytellers, bringing something different to the same story.
Q: Where did the central theme of the dragon come from?
A: That’s all thanks to Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon book series. Plus, who doesn’t like dragons?! But to be honest, I’ve actually written a junior fiction story about a boy named Eric who goes on a quest to find a dragon. I thought this was the perfect backdrop for The Storytellers.
Q: What advice would you give your children readers who have self-doubts about achieving their storytelling dreams?
A: Don’t be scared and don’t worry about making mistakes. Good things come from making mistakes. Surprises. When you make a mistake, you are creating something new. Something no one has ever seen before. There is only your story so make it count.
Q: Out of the characters in your The Storytellers book who do you relate to the most?
A: That’s a tough one. I like them all. Why? Because they’re all creators of their own destiny. When you create, you bring something special to the world that gives our lives meaning and happiness. And that’s exactly what the storytellers in the book are doing.
Q: What is or has been your favourite thing about your chosen career as a storyteller?
A: That’s easy – I get to share my stories with children. Help to inspire and enthuse them to read and write their own stories. And, along the way, make some fans!
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