Being a huge fan of Molly Shannon I was both excited and nervous because interviewing her for Macaroni Kid was a new venture for me. Thanks to Jason Wells, Executive Director for Publicity and Marketing for Abrams Books for Young Readers for welcoming us to the Paramount Theatre to get some great photographs and a chance to speak to Molly Shannon.
Molly Shannon has been in the entertainment business over 20 years. She spent six years on Saturday Night Live (SNL) playing roles such as Mary Katherine Gallagher and Sally O’Malley. With numerous movies and projects to her credit, Molly published her first children’s book September 2011 entitled Tilly the Trickster, and illustrated by Ard Hoyt.
In order to prepare for the interview, I read Tilly the Trickster to my daughter, Karra, who has Down syndrome, and I was amazed how engaged she was. She really enjoyed the illustrations.
The book is about a girl named Tilly who likes to play tricks on her family, friends and teacher. She continues her tricks even after getting in trouble at school. She soon learns being a “trickster” is not much fun after the stunt she pulls on her little brother goes awry. It's a fun filled story for ages 3-8, and parents will enjoy reading it to their kids. I highly recommend the book.
After taking photographs with Molly, courtesy of Austin photographer Stephanie Sharif, I asked Molly what inspired her to write Tilly the Trickster? She said she grew up watching the Little Rascals and that her dad was silly and mischievous and that she wanted to pass on the tradition to her children as well.
During her interview at the Paramount Theatre with KGSR moderator, Andy Langer, Molly mentioned that her father was very instrumental in teaching her at a young age about having fun. He did the best in raising Molly and her sister after her mother, sister and cousin were killed in a car accident when Molly was only 4 years old. Growing up with a single dad was hard but Molly knew at a young age that she would not take parenting for granted and would do the best to be a great mom even though she did not have a mother figure while growing up.
Molly had the opportunity to work on her book from the comfort of her home. She was involved in all aspects of the publishing and decided on the illustrations for her book by getting samples of sketches from illustrator Ard Hoyt and running them past her kids and husband to see which sketch would best illustrate the book.
Molly always knew she wanted to write a children’s book but wanted to wait until she had kids of her own. Now she's the mother of 8 year old Stella and 6 year old Nolan she makes time from her busy work schedule to be a mom first, enjoying her time at the kid’s school and participating in the PTA and other school activities.
Molly has not left the entertainment business for publishing, she is now working on a comedy for women. She was coy when asked about whether she will be writing another children's book, but we are hoping she does. For more information on Tilly The Trickster, click here.
