This interview originally appeared in the November/December 2022 Horn Book Magazine as part of the Publishers’ Previews: Picture Books and Graphic Novels, an advertising supplement that allows participating publishers a chance to each highlight a book from its current list. They choose the books; we ask the questions.

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In Never Forget Eleanor, written by Jason June and illustrated by Loren Long, Elijah has noticed that his grandmother has become increasingly forgetful. How can he help?

1. What’s your favorite thing to “swizzle”?

In my experience, a Manhattan on the rocks swizzles wonderfully.

2. What’s the tricky part about drawing elephants?

Figuring out how the neck and the head attach to the body. There’s a lot of skin involved when drawing pachyderms, and you have to consider where the skeleton is under all that skin. In this case, it proved to be even more tricky as I was drawing them walking around on two feet.

3. Did the idea to cast elephants come from the author or from you?

It came from the author. The elephant is a symbol for Alzhei­mer’s as it is thought to be the only animal that never forgets anything. I, sadly, lost my father to the disease and, for a time after his death, tried to write a picture book about his story. The main character in that story was an elephant, too, but I continually failed to strike the right tone. It always felt too depressing, so I put it away for a later day. When I read Jason’s text, I instantly connected to the story and also felt a connection to Jason himself.

4. Three pictures that would be on your own bring-you-home path?

I think I’d find my way home if I happened across a picture of my wife, Tracy. And if the picture of Tracy pointed me toward a picture of my dog, Charlie, I’d be hooked. And if the picture of Charlie pointed me toward a picture of my studio above the garage, I’m pretty sure that would do it.

5. Old people can be scary to children. How do we use our power for good?

I’ve noticed my own mother tends to be overly effusive with the attention she gives to little children. It can make them shy away from her when all she wants is to say hello and tell them how amazing they are. I’d say give children space and talk to them as if they were just regular people (which, of course, they are). Respect them, smile at them, laugh with them, and ask them about their day.

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Photo: Pete Comparoni.