Peanut Butter’s Problem follows a lonely jar of peanut butter who searches the refrigerator for the perfect sweet companion and discovers friendship, persistence, and belonging along the way. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The inspiration of the story comes from happy memories as an elementary school teacher seeing my second and third grade students eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and hearing conversations between the children on what tastes good with peanut butter. I then got the idea to write a story about a jar of peanut butter (looking innocent and adorable) feeling lonely, and he goes looking for the ideal mate for long-lasting friendship. Peanut butter would have food character friends to help him on his journey. 

How did you develop the distinct personalities of Ketchup, Lemon, Butter, Hot Sauce, and the other refrigerator characters?​

My goal for the food characters was to go beyond their domestic and every day eating purposes and give real distinct emotions to the characters. I wanted to show how they can relate and talk to one another in comforting ways that you would hope kids find in their friendships. I didn’t want all the characters to act and behave the same way. I pictured in my mind how each character would look and sound and then acted out the story and the way the characters would talk to each other in front of the mirror. 

What do you hope young readers take away from Peanut Butter’s disappointment, persistence, and eventual friendship with grape jelly?​

I hope young readers walk away realizing that being on your own for a while is okay as long as you value who you are and that your unique qualities can’t be duplicated and eventually you will find others that will realize that also and want to be around you. Disappointments happen in life but they’re usually temporary and can teach you important lessons with the right attitude. Peanut butter finding Grape Jelly led to loving connections and wider friendships because he didn’t give up. 

Hot Sauce gets an opportunity to acknowledge his unkind behavior at the end of the story. Why was it important to you to include that moment of accountability and growth?​

It was important to show that even though Hot Sauce had flaws in his character being icy, intense, and a little obnoxious, he was capable of change. Hot Sauce realized he made a big mistake in his domineering manner and had to admit he was wrong just like young children need to do by owning up to their mistakes which can lead to their emotional growth. I wanted to show that the resolution isn’t always neat,  but it can lead to an open door in doing better and can improve our relationships with others. 

Author Website: briantaylorbooks.com