A couple days ago I interviewed Sylvia Rouss (My Grandma), the author of the Sammy Spider children’s books. Before the interview, I knew she wrote books for children, but I did not realize how much thought goes into creating a character that kids can connect with.
One of the most interesting things I learned was why she created Sammy Spider. She said she wanted Jewish children to have a holiday character of their own, because many children already knew characters connected to Christmas. Sammy is a spider because he can quietly watch what is happening inside a Jewish home. He wants to join the holidays, even though his mother reminds him that, “spiders don’t celebrate Jewish holidays, spiders spin webs.” That line is from all the books about Sammy Spider, but it also helps kids remember the story.
I also learned that Sylvia Rouss’s background as a teacher helped her become a better author. Since she worked with young children, she understood what kinds of stories keep kids interested. She knew that children need words they can understand, but she also liked adding new words and learning ideas, like colors, numbers, holidays, and values.
Another important thing she explained was that writing is not just sitting down and making a perfect book right away. For her, the hardest part is writing the first sentence. After that, the ideas start to flow. She also rewrites her stories many times and works with editors. Even though it can be hard to hear criticism, she said editors usually help make the story stronger.
What surprised me most was that the Sammy Spider series has lasted for about 30 years. Some parents who read the books as children are now reading them to their own kids. That shows that a children’s book can become part of a family tradition.
Overall, I learned that being a children’s author takes creativity, patience, and perseverance. Sylvia Rouss did not just create a funny spider. She created a character who helps children learn about Jewish holidays, family traditions, and kindness. Her advice to future authors was to never give up, because even successful authors get rejected. I think that is a good lesson for writing, but also for life.
By Eden, age 12