Meet Christopher S. Jennings!

Christopher S. Jennings, author of Animal Band, likes most every kind of music and watches dog shows for fun. Perhaps that how he came up with such an upbeat, musical storyline about animals! We sat down with Christopher and picked his brain about what drives him as an author and how Animal Band came to be.

Sterling: Congratulations on being a first-time author and illustrator with Animal Band! So, why a children’s book?

CSJ: Because this is something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time. It really ties into a specific period in college; I was a graphic design major and was always drawing, writing stories and creating characters, and then I ended up at a conference where I met four illustrators who told me it was possible.

Sterling: Where did you get the idea for these particular animals?

CSJ: Animals are fun and I wanted it to be a party! And animals are truly universal; they’re not black, white, Asian – - they’re just FUN. Every kid can say, “I love tigers, bears, cats,” whatever… it’s just a totally fun concept.

Sterling: So, the idea for Animal Band…

CSJ: …came from a trip I took to New Orleans. For the first time ever, I went into jazz clubs and really developed a love for the music; There was so much spirit in that city. Also, I had been working on a mural for a local church and had incorporated animals into it. I actually wrote “animal band” on the mural because I felt the rhythm and rhyme. And around the same time, my cat sadly passed away and it kind of all came together as a way to pay tribute.

Sterling: What was your favorite kids’ book growing up?

CSJ: Green Eggs and Ham, by far. And I believe my mother hated it because she had to read it to me every single day!

Christopher will be visiting local stores in Austin, TX throughout the month. For more fascinating facts about Christopher and Animal Band, click here!