Kids
Behind the Scenes: Amy E. Brandt
Amy E. Brandt is a teacher and author who writes stories for Rainbow Rumpus. One is Same, Same, about two best friends who go to day care together and like to do everything the same. Amy knows kids pretty well because she used to teach at day care centers. In this Behind the Scenes, she tells us about her favorite things, her favorite story, and where she gets all her good ideas.
Why do you like writing for Rainbow Rumpus?
That's easy—I like writing for kids, and Rainbow Rumpus is a great place to publish stories I want kids to hear.
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not writing stories?
Just one favorite? I make great, big, messy, oil paintings. Even when I try to be neat I end up getting paint all over me. I also like to sing, play with my dog, draw, watch movies, and spend time with my friends and family.
Where did you get the idea for Same, Same?
The way I get most of my ideas: by watching clever children figure out how to be good friends as they grow and change.
Why do you set so many of your stories in day care centers?
I was a teacher for many years. Many of my stories are based on things that happened in the day care centers where I taught.
What is your favorite story you've written?
Probably What Weddings Need, which is published on the Rainbow Rumpus site too. It was really fun to write and I am proud of how it came out. I hope you'll read it and tell me what you think. I love to hear from readers at amy.E.brandt@gmail.com.
Author
Assistant Kids section editor Hannah Crawford graduated from Carleton College with a major in English and a concentration in Latin American Studies. Apart from reading, her great love is theater, which is one of the many reasons she is very excited to have recently moved to Minneapolis.
