{"id":1200,"date":"2018-02-06T08:11:09","date_gmt":"2018-02-06T12:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/storymamas.com\/wp\/?p=1200"},"modified":"2018-02-06T11:35:23","modified_gmt":"2018-02-06T15:35:23","slug":"what-do-you-do-with-a-chance-an-interview-with-author-kobi-yamada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/storymamas.com\/wp\/2018\/02\/06\/what-do-you-do-with-a-chance-an-interview-with-author-kobi-yamada\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do You Do With a Chance? An Interview With Author Kobi Yamada"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"You know you’ve found an amazing picture book when it makes you truly think and reflect on the world around you.\u00a0 Author Kobi Yamada’s first book in the series,\u00a0What Do You Do With an Idea?<\/em> spoke to the reader metaphorically, encouraging those ideas we might not think good enough to be set free into the world of possible.\u00a0 We were further impressed with the second title,\u00a0What Do You Do With a Problem<\/em>. It proved to be an inspirational read aloud, providing a bright outlook on how to approach problems, and the meaningful experiences that might unfold.\u00a0 So when we were contacted by Compendium<\/a> to review the third and final book,\u00a0What Do You Do With a Chance<\/em>, we couldn’t wait to read it.<\/p>\n

The book follows the same character, who this time is presented with a chance.\u00a0 We’ve all been there, internally debating if we should take a chance we are presented with, the dialogue going through our heads of the endless possibilities and outcomes that lie within this one decision.\u00a0 The reader is able to relate to the character’s thoughts of all eyes looking at him and the seeming pressure from those around us when we step outside of our comfort zone.\u00a0 And sometimes those pressures become too much, and opportunities get pushed aside.\u00a0 It’s only when we courageously dig down deep that the chance of something wonderful can truly exist.\u00a0 We can all relate to this theory of thought, and\u00a0What Do You Do With a Chance?\u00a0<\/em>will inspire those young and old to always seize the opportunities given to us…they might just change our lives.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

We had the chance to interview Kobi Yamada about himself and his books.<\/p>\n

Three Questions About\u00a0What Do You Do With a Chance?<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
What was your inspiration for your What Do You Do\u2026<\/i> series?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

It all started with an idea. \u00a0I think in many ways, I didn\u2019t write What Do You Do With An Idea? as much as the story chose me. \u00a0I\u2019ve always felt deeply honored that the inspiration for the book woke me up one morning and wanted me to share it with the world. <\/span><\/p>\n

Tell us about your collaboration with Mae Besom. \u00a0The pictures fit so perfectly with your words. \u00a0Did you have a lot of input on the illustrations? \u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

When I was writing the book, in my mind, I always pictured Mae illustrating it. \u00a0I had descriptions and notes for each page, but then when I reached out to her agent, I discovered that Mae lived in China and didn\u2019t speak English. \u00a0I was concerned because in order for the book to work, the illustrator needed to understand its deeper meaning. \u00a0What I discovered through the interpreter was that Mae not only understood what I was trying to do, but was moved and inspired by it. \u00a0She embraced the concept of bringing the book from black and white to color as the idea influences its surroundings and added so many wonderful visual elements. \u00a0It was ridiculously fun to collaborate in such a magical way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why did you decide to stop the series at three books? \u00a0I know there is a lot of love and admiration for your series, so we\u2019d like to know your thoughts behind just making the three. \u00a0(After reading it to my students, they suggested What Do You Do With a Question<\/i>…even they want more!)<\/strong><\/h5>\n

I didn\u2019t set out to write a series. \u00a0It just happened with the concept for the second book. \u00a0And when I wrote that second book, I purposefully had the bones of the book match the structure of the first one. \u00a0Naturally, this carried over to book number three. I felt it was time for me to create a picture book in a brand new way and so my next book is something completely different and I am really excited by the challenge of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

3 Questions About Kobi Yamada<\/h3>\n

If you weren\u2019t a writer, what would you want to be and why?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Actually, I don\u2019t really think of myself as a writer. \u00a0I am grateful and honored to author books but my day job is running Compendium and I couldn\u2019t be happier or feel more fortunate. \u00a0I am surrounded by talented, caring, big-hearted people trying to make a positive difference in the world. \u00a0Who could ask for more?<\/span><\/p>\n

What is one book that has stuck with you since you\u2019ve read it?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. \u00a0I was a young person when I first read it, and to an optimist like me, when I read his words such as, \u201cAnd, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.\u201d \u00a0Well, they have a way of sticking with you. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is one item in your fridge that tells us about you?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Kombucha. \u00a0Healthy, bubbly, tasty, with a bit of kick…that\u2019s good for your gut. \u00a0I think that says a lot about why I like it. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A big thank you to Kobi Yamada for answering our questions and sharing his thoughts.\u00a0 Be sure to check out Compedium<\/a>\u00a0for a wide variety of inspiration books and gifts, including an adorable Idea plush!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

*Can’t wait to read\u00a0What Do You Do With a Chance?<\/em>\u00a0Enter on Instagram or twitter @storymamas to win a copy!<\/p>\n

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All opinions and reviews are our own.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Tweet<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You know you’ve found an amazing picture book when it makes you truly think and reflect on the world around you.\u00a0 Author Kobi Yamada’s first book in the series,\u00a0What Do You Do With an Idea? spoke to the reader metaphorically, encouraging those ideas we might not think good enough to be set free into the … Continue reading “What Do You Do With a Chance? An Interview With Author Kobi Yamada”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[12,4,18,5,17],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Do You Do With a Chance? 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