Q&A with author Joe Lando
In Joe Lando’s book, “The Pond,” Joey, an 8-year-old boy based on Lando’s own son, learns about problem-solving and self-reliance as well as the habits of the wildlife in his own backyard. Charming illustrations of herons, otters and alligators by Amy Siebers accompany the story. After spending his summer vacation watching the animals in the pond, Joey is shocked when Harry the Heron, Ollie the Otter and Little Al the Alligator start speaking to him. The animals have been watching him, too, and now are asking for his help. They have heard rumors that Little Al the Alligator may be taken away because the neighbors think he may be dangerous. Joey talks to his science teacher, Mr. Ortiz, who happens to live on the same street, about the alligator’s problem. Mr. Ortiz brings in Mr. Petty, the Zookeeper, who explains how the little alligator will burrow a hole in the bank of the pond and rest there until springtime. Mr. Petty is also able to suggest a solution that is acceptable to all parties, but you will have to read the book to find out what that is.
Q&A with Joe Lando
What inspired you to write the book?
I have a good imagination, as I have written a mystery novel, “Dead Ringer” under my pen name of Louis Lento. Our pond in back of our house is stocked with fish and wildlife, gators included. I studied the herons, gators and otters and decided to pen a cute story involving my son and our neighbors. In good weather, I would sit on the bank and type away. What a venue!
What type of research was involved?
Since I was an educator, the problem-solving part was easy. However, I needed to brush up on the habits of alligators with respect to their hunting, sleeping and brummation (winter resting) to be sure the facts are correct. Mother nature can be a wonderful resource.
How would describe your writing process?
Writing has become easy for me. I can think of a story line and immediately put it down. Since writing the mystery story, I have penned several more that are unpublished. For this book, I needed to be careful with the definitions of words to fit 7- to 10-year-olds and to allow the story to flow, so they can understand it. It helps to have a sister-in-law for an artist. Amy Siebers did a wonderful job with her illustrations.
What do you hope readers get out of the book?
Certainly, the problem-solving component is vital. I felt the children that read the book can put themselves in Joey’s position and try to solve a problem at home or school without going to their parents or teachers. Mix in the science component and there are lessons to be learned.
Who is your favorite author?
When I was teaching, I used videos of Bill Nye the Science Guy a lot and did some research on his writings and films. Fascinating man. My fiction background came from the writings of John D. McDonald, Rex Stout, Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane.
Joe Lando will host a book signing event from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 6 at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 1112 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville.
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