Karen Latchana Kenney, author of Snow Steps, illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich
Children’s Literature Category, sponsored by Beret Publishing
Each week leading up to the 37th annual Minnesota Book Awards, we are featuring exclusive interviews with our finalists. You can also watch the authors in conversation with their fellow category finalists here.
What inspired you to write this book – or inspired you while writing it?
Snow Steps comes from my childhood experiences during my family’s first winter in America. The deep snow and freezing cold of Minneapolis were big adjustments from Guyana’s tropical climate, and I refused to walk in the snow at all that first winter. As an adult, I saw that this was part of my immigrant experience, and I wrote this story to share some of what it’s like to be a new immigrant from a child’s perspective.
What is one detail you wanted to include in this book, but couldn’t find a place for?
I wanted to include a recipe for pine tarts, my favorite Guyanese treat. Good food is very important to all our family gatherings, and a way to keep our culture alive.
Tell us about someone (whose name isn’t on the cover!) who proved instrumental to the creation of this book.
My mom has a lot to do with this book. She always talked about that first winter (and how hard it was to carry me everywhere!). I loved hearing those stories when I was growing up. And my mom has always encouraged me to write and create.
Please tell us something about yourself that is not widely known. (It doesn’t have to be about the book in question – or even about your writing at all!)
I lived in Ireland for a few years in my early twenties and also traveled around Europe. I wanted to really experience that side of my culture and see if I could live like the Irish did. I visited a few times growing up, but living in Ireland helped me understand myself in a deeper way. It changed me, and I made friends there that I still have today.
Share your thoughts about the role and value of libraries.
Libraries are sanctuaries—filled with knowledge, inspiration, help when you need it, quiet when the world is loud.
Karen Latchana Kenney is an Indian-Irish author who was born in Guyana and raised in Minnesota. She writes both fiction and nonfiction stories about immigrant and biracial experiences, scientific discoveries, momentous historical events, and civil rights struggles. Snow Steps is her first picture book.