Each day leading up to the 30th annual Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony, we’ll be featuring an exclusive interview with one of our 36 finalists. Learn more about these incredible local writers and gear up to see the winners announced live in person April 21.
Interview with Barbara DaCosta, author of Mighty Moby
Category: Children’s Literature, sponsored by Books for Africa
When you start writing a book, you have no idea what will happen to it. You don’t even know whether or not it will get published. Now, to have my work be recognized and included with such a stellar group of writers and artists is quite an honor.
What does writing mean to you?
Writing and other arts are ways to explore observations, ideas, and feelings. Sometimes serious and thought-provoking, sometimes funny and rib-tickling.
Why are stories important for our communities?
Stories are vessels for memories and observations, of moments in time, of colliding ideas and impressions. They help us make sense of the world we can see around us, and offer glimpses of worlds we can’t see – those that are within other people’s hearts and minds.
Tell us something people might not know about you.
I’ve read Moby Dick three times within the last couple years; each time has been a vastly different experience. However, I’ve been struggling with Great Expectations for about fifteen years.
What do you love about libraries?
I wish I’d invented public libraries! What a great idea, to share books and media and knowledge. I love that everyone can use the library and find something of interest there. After so many years of being a library patron, I am deeply honored to have my books be on their shelves.
More about Barbara DaCosta:
Barbara DaCosta delights in finding the quirky and unexpected to write about. Her books Mighty Moby and Nighttime Ninja were both illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Ed Young and published by Little, Brown. Nighttime Ninja received the Children’s Choice Award. DaCosta lives in Minneapolis.
See the winners announced live at the 30th annual Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony!
