Lulu Junior Author of the Month - Louise J.
As we deal with the frigid winter, how about we get into a feel-good story to warm our hearts! February’s featured author is Louise who wrote “Aliza and the Rock Star Bunny.” This is the second book that she’s written with Lulu Junior and she’s got a great story about helping a rabbit named Arthur become a rock star!
Our main character, Aliza was eight years old and attended the Awesome Academy on her very own island, called Mofasaca. She was a top student at school and received an A+ on all her school work. Not surprising to think that someone intelligent as Aliza had created her very own animal communication collar.
Aliza decided to test it out one day on a rabbit named Jack. When he spoke to Aliza he said, “My name is Arthur. All I want is to become a rock star!” Aliza was relieved to see that her collar worked. She decided that she would call the rabbit by his true name, Arthur instead of Jack.
Later that night, Aliza began to think about what Arthur had said. How could she help him become a rock star? How was she going to help him sing? Then, she had an idea! The communication collar.
The next day, Aliza listened to Arthur sing. She discovered that he had a great voice and started to make flyers to advertise a big concert for Arthur the rock star bunny!
After school, Aliza would go to the shed in her backyard which she had made into her private lab. She would talk to Arthur and listen to him while he practiced his singing every day.
The day before the concert, Millicent (a mean girl) teased Aliza about her obsession with science and math. Aliza went home sad and in low spirits.
Aliza shared how she was feeling with Arthur. He reassured her and told her not to worry. He said, “You’re a great scientist. You’re a great friend, too.” She felt much better and was feeling confident.
The next morning, she sat straight up in bed. It was finally the day of Arthur’s concert! Aliza and Arthur decorated her backyard for the concert and were happy with the beautiful state they had set up outside. The audience started to file in. Aliza was proud but still a little nervous, but she stepped up onto the stage.
Aliza shared with the audience about the communication collar. The audience was shocked. An eight-year-old was able to come up with an item so complex? Aliza introduced Arthur, the rock star bunny.
Arthur sang a total of 5 songs. He offered some variety: 2 rock n’ roll, 1 pop, and 2 country songs. The crowd was amazed, they couldn’t believe it. Arthur received a standing ovation! Arthur and Aliza would never forget this event!
Aliza ended up winning the Noble Prize and Arthur’s music was played all over the world. Aliza wasn’t teased by Millicent the mean girl anymore. And Arther started his own band called The Hopper.
Arthur and Aliza are still best friends. Arthur and the Hoppers are performing in at least three concerts a day and Aliza’s collar is being used all over the world.
Louise had an amazing moral to her story: “It just goes to show what can come out of hard work, confidence, faith, and a really good friendship.”
Thank you, Louise! A great message, and hopefully we’ll get to see what her third book has in store!
Want to know what Louise had to say in her interview? Keep reading to check it out!
Read the Full Interview:
Where did you get your Lulu Junior kit? Who gave it to you?
I was first introduced to Lulu Junior when my grandparents gave me a kit for Christmas when I was about seven. Since I want to become an author when I grow up, I continued to write with and buy Lulu Junior kits. Aliza and the Rock Star Bunny was my second book, and the sequel, A Cardinal's Courage, was my third.
Where did you get your idea for your story?
My cousin is an extreme animal lover, and I based Aliza off of her. I have also always thought it would be SO COOL if humans could communicate with animals, so I put that idea into my story.
How does it feel to be a published author?
I feel like I am one step closer to having people all over the world be able to enjoy my books.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d share with another young writer?
Take your time. That is one thing that I struggled with on my first Lulu Junior kit. I didn’t take my time, and my story wasn’t as good as it could have been. Then again, I was only seven.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I love to play tennis and basketball, and, in my opinion, there is absolutely nothing better than curling up with a good book!
Do you prefer writing or illustrating? Why?
I prefer writing because I feel like I can express my story best with words.
What’s one of your favorite books?
Ugh! I’ve got too many! One of my favorites, though, is The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee. I also really enjoy The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall and The Vanderbeekers by Karina Yan Glaser.
How do you like to set up your drawing/writing space?
I like having all the pages where I can see them or access them quickly. This helps me keep track of where I am in the story and what I should write about next.
What inspires you to write/draw?
For me, inspiration comes from many different places. I am inspired by other books, my family/friends, my surroundings, (sadly) common issues in our world, and many other things- too many to list them all!
What do you want people to remember about your book?
When people remember what I wrote, I don’t want them to remember just the story. If a story is a good one, you don’t just remember the plot or the characters. You remember the moral. So that is why when people think about my book, I want them to remember just how powerful friendship is.
Do you know an author who is interested in sharing their story with us? Please complete this form for a chance to be featured as Lulu Junor’s Author of the Month!
