Heather Hartt-Sussman and Geneviève Côté talk to Open Book about writing and illustrating for children and their new book, Noni Says No (Tundra Books), where a shy little girl learns that she doesn't always have to agree to everything her friend Susie says. Readers aged 4 to 104 will be able to relate to Noni's fear of saying the word no!
Open Book:
Tell us about your book Noni Says No.
Heather Hartt-Sussman:
I think children and adults alike can have a hard time saying no. Such a simple word, and yet somehow, so hard to utter. Why? Because many of us are people pleasers.
So we say yes when we’d rather say no because we don’t want anyone to be angry or upset with us. What took me forty years to learn is that a) no is a perfectly fine answer in many situations, and b) as illustrated at the end of Noni Says No, the recipient of the answer no likely doesn’t even care as much as the appeaser thinks he or she will.
Finally, as author Terry Cole-Whittaker says in her book by the same name, “What you think of me is none of my business.” The premise being — you absolutely cannot please all of the people all of the time. Even if someone is happy with you and your actions on Monday, they may be upset with you for something on Tuesday. It is a tremendous waste of time and energy to care so much about what others think about you. Just do the next right thing, and you’ll be able to sleep at night — and that includes saying no when appropriate.
Geneviève Côté:
When I first read Heather’s manuscript, I was intrigued by her clever depiction of the fine line there can be, sometimes, between friendship and abusiveness. This in itself is a sensitive subject, and Heather’s approach, funny and even a bit blunt (thanks to Noni’s friend Susie!), seemed a good way to address it!
OB:
What inspired you to write this book, Heather?
HHS:
As a kid I could not say no. I simply could not utter the word. I was worse than a pleaser, I was a pacifier, a satisfier, a doormat. To some extent, my tendency is still to err on the side of yes, of pleasing and appeasing. I wish someone had told me as a kid that no is a perfectly good answer. What I understand now that I didn’t understand then is that I don’t need to help every friend move; I don’t have to organize every fundraiser at my kids’ schools; I don’t have to attend every baby and bridal shower, wedding and retirement party; buy the coat that is clearly too tight under the arms… and the list goes on and on.
OB:
Can either of you relate to the timid, eager-to-please character behind Noni?
HHS:
JUST SAY NONI! That’s my new mantra. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve said yes when I wanted to say, and should have said, no. As a kid, I used to sleep over at friends’ houses when I truly wanted to sleep at home in my own bed simply because I could not say no. I ate meals I disliked, and even accepted seconds, because I did not want to disappoint. Later, as a teen, I was often the designated driver.
A couple of times I even accepted to go on dates with two people because I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. I’d go out with the first fellow to arrive and I’d leave my mom with the unpleasant task of figuring out how to let number two down gently. I think learning to say no early on is key. It would have saved me (and my mom) tons of angst and grief.
GC:
I think everyone can relate, if only at times, to Noni’s diffidence and lack of self-assurance. And I can certainly think of many embarrassing occasions in my life when I wish I had said NO with Noni’s gusto!
OB:
Geneviève, when you are given a story to illustrate, how do you approach the project?
GC:
When I am offered a story to illustrate, I take it as a responsibility, so first I make sure I can relate to the subject (back to question 3!) and share the author’s values. That way I feel can bring something to the story without betraying the author’s intention.
I do not do the illustrations chronologically, or even logically. Often, even before laying out the complete sequence, I’ll start by drawing a significant moment from the story, or a main character. In this case, I drew several versions of Noni in my sketchbook before settling on the right one. Once I had her face in mind, her story could unfold more easily for me on the drawing board.
OB:
Why have you each decided to direct your creative attention towards children?
HHS:
I, for one, love the picture book as a genre. I love telling a story with a beginning, middle and end, a protagonist, and a problem to be solved in a limited amount of pages and in as few words as possible. Also, if I can shed light on feelings a child might be experiencing and normalize them, letting the child know they are not alone, without being preachy, then I’ve done what I set out to do. Anyway, I am still a child at heart, so I can truly and totally relate.
GC:
I like to read, draw, and tell stories. I was an editorial illustrator for many years, and have illustrated countless articles about financial planning, health plans and computer programming. I still do, once in a while, and no doubt they are worthy topics, but I’d much rather be drawing children, pigs or bunnies, and thinking about love, friendship or measles.
OB:
What's next for each of you?
HHS:
I have delivered the sequel to Nana’s Getting Married as well as a third and final book in the Nana trilogy, so those will be coming out in fall 2012 and 2013 respectively. I am also working on a Noni follow-up, as I’ve had lots of demand to deal with other emotions. So if the brilliant Geneviève is available to work with me again (no pressure Geneviève!), I would love to see Noni again.
GC:
I’m working on the illustrations for two picture books, one I wrote, one by another author. I love having the opportunity to do both, and find it a great privilege to be offered someone else’s words to work with and interpret.
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Born in Montreal, Heather Hartt-Sussman graduated from Brandeis University and attended the Sorbonne. She has been a copywriter for BCP in Montreal; a reporter for the Hollywood Reporter; editor-in-chief of international news for TV Guide in French Canada, where she also wrote the popular column “Heather Hartt in Hollywood;” and host of The Gossip Show on E! Entertainment Television. Noni Says No is her second book. Heather Hartt-Sussman lives in Toronto with her husband, sons Scotty and Jack and the family dog. Please visit her website at www.heatherhartt.com.
Geneviève Côté has illustrated a number of children’s books, including Tennyson's The Lady of Shalott, Danielle Simard's La petite rapporteuse de mots and her own What Elephant? and With you always, Little Monday. Her editorial art has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and l’Actualité, among others. She graduated from Concordia University in 1987, and she was president of Quebec’s Association des Illustrateurs from 1993-1995. Côté has won several honors, including the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award and the Governor General’s Award for Illustration. She lives in Montreal, Quebec. Please visit her website at www.genevievecoteillustration.com.
For more information about Noni Says No please visit the Tundra Books website.
Buy this book at your local independent bookstore or online at Chapters/Indigo or Amazon.
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