What Are You Waiting For?

I was raised by a band of wild gypsies who played music day and night but didn’t know how to read or write. I taught myself how to read so I could read menus. I love restaurants. And I taught myself how to write so I could make books. I learned how to draw when my gypsy family visited a museum and left me there. I ate leftover french fries and slept in the broom closet at night and copied my favorite paintings during the day. I lived in the museum until I was old enough to make children’s books and buy a real house. My only hobby is seeing how long I can go without blinking. I have worked on books about happiness, legs, bunnies, chickens, dogs, lots of dogs but I still haven’t done any books about witches, vegetables or badly behaved children. I still have time. I cannot sleep with my socks on. I hate cottage cheese. I love music but I’m a terrible musician. (I think thats why my gypsy family left me at the museum.)

Matt Phelan has illustrated many books for young readers, including Xander’s Panda Party by Linda Sue Park and Marilyn’sMonster by Michelle Knudson. He has also written and illustrated a number of graphic novels, such as Snow White, a New YorkTimes bestseller, and The Storm in the Barn, winner of the ScottO’Dell award.