This month’s Author Spotlight features Celeste Pewter!
Celeste joins us to discuss The Great Pumpkin Pancake Party, her debut picture book which follows Lilly and her grandfather as they create a new neighborhood tradition with an old family recipe.
What inspired you to write The Great Pumpkin Pancake Party?
Celeste Pewter: I love this question, because it shows how art can evolve over time!
The Great Pumpkin Pancake Party is based on a true story and started life as an essay for the publication Thrillist. I wrote about my grandfather’s annual Halloween party in our Southern California neighborhood, and received an amazing response from readers, including from my future editors at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers.
They reached out and asked if I would consider turning the essay into a picture book, and I was so lucky they were happy to help me make it happen!
Tell us about your process for working with illustrator, Kelly Wu.
Celeste: Working with Kelly was a delight. We started talking as soon as she was confirmed as my illustrator, and she asked me to send her pictures from my childhood, so she’d have reference points.
While I happily encouraged her to bring her own spin to Lily’s story, Kelly did include subtle nods to my grandfather throughout the book, including the chickens you’ll see roaming around in the background. My grandfather raised a flock of Rhode Island Reds who loved him fiercely and followed him everywhere and hung out outside the kitchen window whenever he cooked. It was so fun seeing her version of them when I saw the galleys for the first time!
What was the most surprising or challenging part of writing your first picture book?
Celeste: Something I found both surprising and challenging in the best possible way was remembering to make room for the illustrator’s work as I drafted—and I really credit my editors for helping me expand on those skills.
I’ve written drafts of picture books before, where I so wanted the reader to see what I was imagining, I went overboard with my wording. Kate and Ann Marie, my editors, really helped me understand the beauty in simplicity, and leaving it up to Kelly to round out the world.
This entire process has really helped me grow as a writer, and I’m so thankful I had such a great team who were so collaborative when it came to sharing their expertise.
What message do you hope kids or educators take from this book?
Celeste: I really hope kids and educators come away from the book with the message that even the smallest acts—like sharing food—can bring a community together, and that building community is something that we can all do. Whether it’s sharing a meal or a story, or even just lending a hand, these acts matter. They add up.
Tell us about a librarian or educator who impacted you.
Celeste: Is it cheating if I mention two educators…?
My sophomore English teacher, Suzanne Boxdorfer—who’s still teaching!—gets every kudos for properly introducing me to Jane Austen. There was a period where I was really struggling in school because of undiagnosed ADHD, and she never judged me or criticized me.
Instead, she put a copy of Emma into my hands one day and just encouraged me to read. I really credit her for teaching me how to ground myself through books whenever I need it.
And my AP English teacher from my junior and senior, Randy Oudega—who’s also still teaching!—just made English so much fun. He made writing beautiful, funny sentences feel like a superpower, and I absolutely credit him for any skills I may have to this day.
If they’re reading this: thank you both. You changed my life.
What was your favorite book as a child?
Celeste: I’m going to give a hilarious and possibly unbelievable answer: The Rainmaker by John Grisham. But it’s true—this was absolutely my favorite book when I was growing up!
I started reading Grisham books when I was seven, thanks to my dad buying me any book I wanted whenever we went to the bookstore. I didn’t fully understand everything I was reading—probably to the relief of my mom!—but the ethics and justice that Grisham described in books like The Rainmaker really carried over into how I learned to view the world.
Rudy, the main character of the book, uses his brains and legal talent to take on an insurance company for denying a bone marrow transplant for a young leukemia patient. Young me was captivated by the idea that Rudy could use his brains and talent to right an injustice and make life better for a family who needed help.
To some extent, I think I actually credit Grisham and his writing for inspiring my path toward politics—all of his characters really made me want to grow up and make big changes in the world.
You’ve had a lot of different careers before becoming a picture book author, can you tell us about them? How did they prepare you for (or influence the themes of) this project?
Celeste: Yes! I’m probably best known for the fact I used to work in politics, and frequently went viral between 2016-2020, by teaching people how to call their reps. I’m a big believer in public service, and have worked in every level of government, from City Council to Congress.
My public service work actually really helped influence the themes of The Great Pumpkin Pancake Party. My work has always involved supporting community and helping it grow – something that Lao Ye also does with his Halloween parties.
But that’s not the only career I’ve had.
I’ve also been a graduate student, a media consultant, a journalist, and even a three-time CIA recruit. In each of these roles, I’ve learned how to ask questions and be curious about the world around me, a skill that’s really helped me understand the curiosity that Lao Ye has for his new neighborhood, and vice versa.
What advice would you give readers and writers with a lot of different interests they want to pursue?
Celeste: Don’t be afraid to try different things and to stay curious. The world is a big place, and there is so much room for all of your interests. We need your creativity and spark in the world!
I’m proof you can live many different lives. I can’t wait to see what all of you are going to do, too!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Celeste Pewter is a Southern Californian, who grew up in the world of activism and politics. When she’s not yelling at CSPAN or obsessively following the Artemis mission, she’s probably feeding the menagerie of animals in her backyard. She writes about power, policy, heartbreak, and the people caught in between.
celestepewter.com
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Great Pumpkin Pancake Party by Celeste Pewter; illustrated by Kelly Wu
Ages 4-8
This warm, beautiful picture book follows Lilly and her grandfather as they establish a new autumnal tradition with an old family recipe.
This year, Lao Ye wants to throw a big neighborhood Halloween party and Lilly’s excited to help, but she’s a little worried about Lao Ye’s family recipes. What if the neighbors don’t like their special foods?
Told with engaging prose and brought to life with vibrant art, The Great Pumpkin Pancake Party is a joyful ode to family, food, and the power of community.
A recipe for Lao Ye’s pumpkin pancakes is included!
Praise for The Great Pumpkin Pancake Party
“An inviting, irresistible feast that reflects how delicious food inspires communal sharing and caring.”—Kirkus Reviews