Erin Dealey

HOPE RODE by my #kidlit friend, Lauren H. Kerstein, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander (Union Square Kids),

galloped onto shelves in August, and we are thrilled to continue the celebration!

“In lyrical language, Kerstein salutes the
packhorse librarians—women who were hired by the Works Progress Administration to provide mobile library services to remote areas of Kentucky.”
 ―Booklist

About the Author

Lauren H. Kerstein is a mental health clinician, ghost writer, developmental editor, and children’s book author, whose books include Home for a While, Remembering Sundays with Grandpa, the Rosie the Dragon and Charlie picture books, and her most recent professional title, Emotion Regulation. She writes and lives in Colorado and did we mention she has a blog? Insight and Inspiration: Feel. Write. Risk..

Her motto: Dare to dream dazzling dreams… they just might come true!

Readers may remember meeting Lauren when we celebrated the Book Birthday of Home for A While, a sweet, insightful picture book about a boy named Calvin and his foster care experience.

Welcome back, Lauren!

LHK: Thank you so much for having me. I have admired your work for YEARS and love hanging out on your blog.

Let’s ask some questions.

On the trail of a story…

Q 1. What was the inspiration for Hope Rode? How and when did you learn about the packhorse librarians—women who were hired by the Works Progress Administration to provide mobile library services to remote areas of Kentucky?

LHK: I was inspired to write this book in 2019 after reading The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. One of my critique partners confirmed my passion, saying, “You need to write a picture book about this!” Her confirmation and excitement was all I needed to dive in.

Through snow, sleet…

Q 2. Was creating this book anything remotely like a day in the life of a packhorse librarian?

LHK: Haha! I love this question. Although I was in the comfort of my own home, and didn’t have to ride through snow, sleet, rain, and intense heat, there were days I felt like I’d ridden thousands of miles in order to polish this manuscript until it did justice to these bold and brave women.

Research Rabbit Holes

Q 3. What was your research like for this project?

LHK: My research was a labor of true love. First, I read every packhorse library book I could get my hands on, whether fiction or nonfiction; adult or children’s. Kim Michele Richardson’s books fueled my inspiration even further. She is a wonderful writer whose books capture this world beautifully.

I dove down many research rabbit holes in search of as much accurate information as possible. I read interviews with ACTUAL packhorse librarians. I interviewed researchers, librarians, authors, and more. I am truly grateful to all who helped me write this love letter, celebration, and ode to these incredible women.

Surprises and Decisions

Q 4. What was one of the surprises or discoveries you made while working on Hope Rode?

LHK: The biggest surprise/ discovery was how remarkably difficult it was to confirm whether or not the BIPoC community was included in the packhorse library project. I dove into the research over and over again, and yet, I couldn’t find mention of the BIPoC community. Finally I found one picture that I thought spoke to BIPoC involvement.

LHK: Then just before Becca began the final illustrations, I spoke with the amazing Reinette F. Jones at the University of Kentucky. She helped me understand not only how important reading and libraries were to the African American community, but also confirmed that the picture I found came from another WPA program – The Library Extension Program.

This discovery led me to the very difficult decision to only include white librarians and families in the illustration. I did NOT want to do that, but I also didn’t want to suggest something that did not occur (especially since it should have occurred), particularly because this is a nonfiction book.

Honestly, I wish ALL families were included and the librarian job would’ve been open to ALL people, but it wasn’t. So much gatitude goes to Reinette F. Jones for her insight, assistance, and guidance in making these difficult choices.

Q 5. What surprises did illustrator Becca Stadtlander bring to the project?

LHK: OH! So many! But most of all, I was blown away by her spectacular ability to bring the Kentucky landscape to life. I was absolutely WOWED by her illustrations!

Messages and Takeaways

Q 6. What message do you think the packhorse librarians of the 1930’s-40’s might have for modern day librarians and readers?

LHK: I think the packhorse librarians would want to tell modern day librarians and readers to forge forward, even in tough times. In the words of one of their packhorse patrons: “Them books you brought us has saved our lives.” They’d say: Keep reading. Keep championing books. Keep saving lives.

Q 7. What do you hope readers will take away from Hope Rode?

LHK: I hope readers will see that books not only open up new worlds, but enrich lives in ways that are unquantifiable. I also want readers to take away the phenominal strength, tenacity, and courage of these incredible women.

Writing Tips

Q 8. What writing/revising tips have you gleaned since you co-founded the annual #ReVISIONweek that you can share with our readers? 

LHK: Ooooh, I have learned so many helpful revision and writing tips! And our next #ReVISIONweek begins October 22nd! YAY! I think my favorite #ReVISIONweek tip is that sometimes we need to break our manuscript in order to put it back together. Better! I had to break Hope Rode over and over again. I think I ended up doing eight full rounds of revisions after it was acquired. Some of these rounds began with a fresh piece of paper or word document. I learned, sometimes the hard way, that we can’t put something back together properly if we don’t break it first.

What’s next?

Q 9. Are there other projects in the queue for you? Anything you can share?

LHK: I have a lot of manuscripts out on sub, including a YA, and a handful of picture books. I also have a fiction picture book that will hopefully be released in the next year or so, but no specific news I can share right now. Fingers crossed I’ll have news soon!

Fingers officially crossed!

And, endless thanks to Lauren H. Kerstein for joining us on the blog today.

LHK: And endless thanks to you for hosting me!

To learn more about Lauren and her work visit her website:  www.LaurenKerstein.net,

and follow her on social media:

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/laurenkerstein.bsky.social

X @LaurenKerstein 

Instagram laurenkerstein

FB (https://www.facebook.com/laurenkersteinauthor).

TikTok: @laurenkerstein  

YouTube: Lauren H. Kerstein

Next up on the blog:

We celebrate with Natasha Tripplett and her new book, Downtown Doors,

illus. Leah Giles, WaterBrook.

Happy September Reading!