I know I’m not supposed to be posting today, but I wanted to share the article I wrote for the Upper Bucks Free Press(the newspaper I write for) for the January issue! The online version was just published. To see the online version of the newspaper, click HERE!

Everything Goes with Author Illustrator Brian Biggs!

Brian Biggs, author and illustrator of the great children’s series, Everything Goes, was born in Arkansas but has lived in Philadelphia since 1999. You can learn more about the books Mr. Biggs has written and illustrated by visiting his website MrBiggs.com. I was able to talk to Mr. Biggs at a couple of book signings I went to. He is very nice and agreed to do an interview with me.

Erik – You illustrate so many great series like “Roscoe Riley” and “Brownie and Pearl”. You have also authored and illustrated the “Everything Goes” series. What’s the best part about your job, writing, illustrating, seeing a book finished, thinking about the next one?

Mr. Biggs – I really love beginning a new project or book, and I really love it when I finish a project too. The stuff in-between, the actual writing and drawing, is sometimes too much like actual work!

Erik – What inspired you to write the “Everything Goes” series?

Mr. Biggs – When I was a kid, and ever since then, I’ve loved big busy books like the Richard Scarry “Busytown” books.  I also love drawing things like cars and trucks and airplanes. So it just kind of made sense. I wanted to start a project that I could really sink my teeth into, and that I could work on for a few years. This was just the right idea at the right time.

Erik – In your new book, “Everything Goes in the Air,” Henry learns about all sorts of machines that fly. What was the coolest thing you did or learned when researching for the book?

Mr. Biggs – I got to spend a day at the Philadelphia Airport, getting a back-stage tour. I got to see how a lot of things work, like the luggage conveyors. I even got to down on the tarmac and see the airplanes as they taxi in after a flight. That was something I’ve always wanted to do.

Erik – That sounds like a cool day! I would love to see where the luggage comes from on those belt things! At the end of “Everything Goes in the Air” we get a hint that Henry is going to learn about things that go in water. Can you tell us about Henry’s next adventure?

Mr. Biggs – Sure thing. In the third book, Everything Goes: by Sea, Henry and his family are going on vacation. They drive onto a ferry and take a trip across a harbor and to an island. Along the way they see all kinds of boats and ships, and of course Henry is as curious as ever.

Erik – That sounds like a great adventure! Are you working on any other projects that you’d like to tell us about?

Mr. Biggs – As soon as Everything Goes is completed in March, I’ll be illustrating a book written by Kelly DiPucchio called “Dog Days” about a boy and a dog who trade places. The dog goes to school and the boy stays home and lies around all day.

After that, I’ll be working on another series! This one is written by the one and only Jon Sciezska and I can’t really say anything about it yet. But is SO COOL.

Erik – That is cool! Jon Sciezska is a great author (Guys Read, The Stinky Cheese Man)! It sounds like you will be busy. You have a lot of subtle references to Philadelphia and Philly sports teams in your “Everything Goes” books which makes them even more fun for local people to read. You must enjoy living in Philadelphia. My question is; you’re stranded on a desert island and you can only take one of these: Cheesesteak (from your favorite Philly spot), soft pretzels or Tastykake (any variety). Which one do you pick?

Mr. Biggs – A Cheesesteak, but only one made by my friend Stew in Yardley. We go camping every year and he makes cheesesteaks, rain or shine, and they are so much better than anything in South Philly.

Erik – I would have picked a cheesesteak too! Thanks Mr. Biggs!

For more book reviews and author interviews, please visit my website, thiskidreviewsbooks.com.

Here’s a little extra for you blog readers!

I think the Everything Goes series is awesome! The illustrations in the book can keep you looking at the pages for hours. See –

Plus reading about Henry and what he sees and where he’s going is fun. This is a great boy book, but I think girls will love it just as much. The series is published by Balzer + Bray (Harper Collins) and they are meant for kids 4+. There are two books out, “Everything Goes on Land” and “Everything Goes in the Air.” The third book in the series, “Everything Goes by Sea” will be published later this year. If you never read one of the Everything Goes books, you should!

Categories: Other Stuff Related to Books and Reading

Tags: bibliophile, book review, bookworm, brian biggs, childrens books, everything goes in the air, upper bucks free press