LitStaff Pick: ‘I Wish My Favorite Author Would Write…’

Anne Lamott – Picture Books

Anne Lamott is one of my favorite authors. She writes primarily non-fiction and some fiction, but especially memoir and inspirational. She’s written such best-sellers as Operating Instructions, Some Assembly Required, Traveling Mercies, the recent Help, Thanks, Wow, and one of my favorite books on writing, Bird by Bird. Lamott has a new book being released in October called Stitches: A Handbook on Meaning, Hope, and Repair.

I wish Lamott would write a picture book or two. She has a four year old grandson, whom she adores. Nothing can inspire one to write a picture book more than having a pre-schooler to read to. Admittedly, just as not all writers have a novel in them, not all writers have what it takes to write a quality picture book. Most children’s authors will tell you it is considerably more difficult to write for children than for adults. But I believe Lamott is up to the task. She has a fun adventurous youthful spirit that surely could tell a story pure enough to interest a child, but with a depth that would engage a grown-up. Just like all her writing, if Lamott wrote a children’s book, it would be honest, poignant, and from the heart.

-Angie Dilmore