Gianna visited with author and illustrator Mike Wohnoutka at his studio to learn more about his creative process and his book, This Is NOT a Cat!
Transcript of BookHounds interview of Mike Wohnoutka:
Welcome to Bookhounds. Where we are on the search for classic family lit from yesterday, today and tomorrow. Get out your magnifying glass and put on your trench coat. The Bookhounds are on the case!
BookHounds invites Mike Wohnoutka, Illustrator of “This is NOT a Cat!”
On a bright and sunny summer day, Mike Wohnoutka invited me into his studio to learn about his life as an illustrator.
Mike grew up in the tiny town of Spicer, Minnesota. And, growing up one of Mike’s favorite things to do was draw. But, it wasn’t until high school when Mike’s art teacher told him she thought he could really, seriously consider art as a career. So, he entered a national competition and won.
Becoming an Illustrator
He was offered a substantial scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design. While he was there, he attended a lecture by David Shannon, the author and illustrator of the “No, David!” books. Mike learned that illustrating books was a real career, and from that moment on, Mike knew what he wanted to do.
But becoming an illustrator takes a lot of work. It was this painting that finally made Mike a picture book illustrator: Cowboy Sam and those Confounded Secrets. Since the year 2000, Mike has illustrated many books, including, Can’t Sleep Without Sheep, Jack’s House, Mama’s Little Duckling, and the award winning, fantabulous book, Moo! by David LaRochelle. We will put a link in the show notes for all these awesome books.
Becoming an Author
But in 2o14, Mike published the first book that he wrote, Little Puppy and the Big Green Monster. It started out as The Monster Handbook and then moved to How to Scare a Monster. It took five years and, it wasn’t until he introduced the puppy when he felt it was strong enough.
Oh, and last year, his book Dad’s First Day was published.
A Day in the Life of Mike Wohnoutka
A typical day for Mike starts with 20 minutes of meditation, breakfast, and then he grabs a cup of coffee and heads up to his studio, where he sits for an hour just coming up with ideas for new books. Usually he’s sketching, or doodling, or doing something that way. But that’s how many of his books and stories come about, is by just sitting there everyday for an extended period of time, just coming up with ideas.
Partnering with David LaRochelle on This Is NOT a Cat!
Mike’s most recent book, that he illustrated and that David LaRochelle wrote, whom we love, is called, “This Is NOT a Cat!” It came out on Tuesday, August 9th (2016), and it’s a book built completely on five words and the illustrations. The words that are in the title are the only words in the book. Bookhounds, you will need your keen observation skills and powers of deduction for this thrilling book. And, I’m not even kidding.
****
And there you have it. A short and sweet version of Bookhounds. Thanks for joining us and thank you to Mike Wohonoutka for becoming a Bookhound with us.
Shownotes:
Here we hare links to things we talk about during this show. Note: This page contains affiliate links to Amazon and Bookshop.org for books*.
- Mike Wohnoutka: Children’s Book Author & Illustrator
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- No, David!
 by David Shannon
- “Dad’s First Day” by Mike Wohnoutka: A Review
- David LaRochelle: Local Children’s Book Author
- David LaRochelle & Mike Wohnoutka, THIS IS NOT A CAT! – Launch Party! (past event).
Saturday, August 13, 2016; 10:30 am
While this party is past, Red Balloon Bookshop is a favorite place to visit by local and national authors, including David LaRochelle & Mike Wohnoutka. Watch their calendar for future events.
 by David ShannonMike Wohnoutka’s Books
*We have a great way to shop online, support your favorite independent book store and support Family Fun Twin Cities. Bookshop.org is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. Family Fun Twin Cities also receives a small commission on books ordered through our link. If you want to find a specific local bookstore to support, find them on this map and they’ll receive the full profit off your order. Otherwise, your order will contribute to an earnings pool that will be evenly distributed among independent bookstores (even those that don’t use Bookshop). Learn more here.
*As an Amazon Associate, Family Fun Twin Cities earns from qualifying purchases.
- Can’t Sleep Without Sheep
 byÂ
- Cowboy Sam and those Confounded Secrets byÂ
- Dad’s First Day
- Jack’s House
 by Karen Magnuson Beil
- Little Puppy and the Big Green Monster
- Mama’s Little Duckling
 by Marjorie Blain Parker
- Moo!
 by David LaRochelle
- The Twelve Days of Christmas in Minnesota (The Twelve Days of Christmas in America)
 byÂ
- This Is NOT a Cat! by David LaRochelle
 by 
 by Karen Magnuson Beil
 by Marjorie Blain Parker
 by David LaRochelle
 by This episode was sponsored by Addendum Books.
The show sponsor is Addendum Books*. It was at Addendum where I first met Mike Wahnoutka. Addendum is the cutest, littlest (and I’m not kidding you when I say littlest) book store for children, teens and young adult readers. You’ll love it. It’s in Saint Paul on the corner of Cleveland and Randolph. Right across from St. Kates. Make sure you stop by and tell them that Bookhounds sent you.
*Sadly, Addendum Books has permanently closed since the creation of this episode. Find books by Mike Wohnoutka and all our favorite local children’s book authors at our favorite Independent Bookstores for Kids.
Mike is such a talented illustrator (and author). I am so lucky to have TWO books illustrated by this guy! Thanks for showcasing his work, Bookhounds!