Costco Connection - September 2008

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Truth and consequences

Jamie Lee Curtis

IN THE EARLY 1980s, Jamie Lee Curtis was known as the scream queen, starring in Halloween, Prom Night and The Fog. As the daughter of Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, she’s considered Hollywood royalty. She’s won two Golden Globes and a British Academy of Film and Television Arts award and been nominated for an Emmy, yet acting isn’t much of a priority these days. She now prefers to identify herself as a wife—she’s been married to actor/director Christopher Guest since 1984—and a mother of two. She’s also the spokesperson for Activia yogurt, a photographer and, notably, an author. This month her eighth children’s book, Big Words for Little People, is being published. The Connection recently had a chance to catch up with her to talk about her writing career.

Costco Connection: What inspired this book?

Jamie Lee Curtis: This book was actually born from the only disagreement I ever had with my original publisher at HarperCollins. In the original manuscript of my first book, When I Was Little [HarperCollins,

1993], I wrote, “When I was little I didn’t understand consequences, now I do, but I don’t like them.”

[I was told the word “consequences”] is not commonly used with children.

Finally I gave and we turned it into “When I was little I didn’t understand timeouts …”

Years later I was giving an address at Book Expo America (BEA), where I told that anecdote. Afterwards my editor said she wished I hadn’t mentioned that. My editor said, ‘It sounds like we were arguing, and I don’t want you to feel like you weren’t respected.’

I said that wasn’t it at all. I understood what the point was. It’s a big word, and it’s an important big word. I looked at her and said, “If we were really smart we’d make a book called Big Words for Little People.”

The light bulb moment went off, bells started ringing in the BEA halls and I went, “Oh, there you go.”

ANDREW ECCLES

CC: What is your writing process like?

JLC: It’s fast, no matter what. I’m a complete Type A person, or whatever the frick that means. I’m someone who, if you give me a job to do, I do it when it’s given. I’m sure I came

Young readers will be enchanted by these beautifully illustrated books that tell of the adventures of Beck, the animal-talent fairy who mediates a conflict between the chipmunks and hummingbirds; Rani, the water-talent fairy who has no wings and searches for a place where she belongs; and the famous Tinker Bell, who tries to regain her powers that disappear when she loses her tinker’s hammer. Look for these and other stories featuring di erent fairies.

RANDOM HOUSE/PAPERBACK

Available now

Kids go bananas over
monkeys! Featuring the beloved
Curious George and the Five Little
Monkeys, these heartwarming tales
have delighted children for years.
Big, bright board books are
perfect for toddlers as they
read about the adventures
of their favorite mischievous
monkeys.

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN/BOARD BOOKS

Available now

JAMIE LEE CURTIS

Help your child learn important concepts behind big words— such as cooperation, respect and patience—with the newest addition to the Books to Grow By series, Big Words for Little People. e #1 Ne w York Times bestselling team of Jamie Lee Curtis and illustrator Laura Cornell has created these colorful books to help kids navigate a sometimes big and intimidating world in a fun and educational way.

HARPERCOLLINS/HARDCOVER

On sale September 9

THE 7 HABITS OF HAPPY KIDS
by Sean Covey
Seven stories featuring a lovable group of
characters from Seven Oaks teach children
about practical habits they can develop
early on. From the author of e 7 Habits
of Highly E ective Teens, this one is geared
toward 4- to 8-year-olds. Complete with
tips for parents after each story, this is a
book for the entire family to share.