Ringo the Ginkgo follows a remarkable leaf, who is also a living fossil from the Jurassic era, as he takes readers on an adventure back to the time of ancient dinosaurs. What was the inspiration for your story?

Being a visual artist, my initial interest in Ginkgo was an aesthetic one. A bright yellow carpet of Ginkgo leaves almost pulsing against the drab, dirty grey pavement caught my eye and made me realize something so obvious it was easy to overlook: These leaves did not look like what most people think of when they think of a leaf. It was almost as if somewhere on the evolutionary road, the Ginkgo took a very fun and weird detour—resulting in its pleasantly oddball appearance. Aesthetic appreciation led to curiosity, and the first very cool fact research revealed was that they were “living fossils.” This fact sparked my imagination, and the story slowly took shape. I thought the idea of this leaf acting as a ‘tour guide’ through the past, teaching and stirring up curiosity, might be a good concept for a picture book.

What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?

• The origin of the species dating back to the Jurassic period.
• The reliance of most life on Earth on the oxygen produced by plants.
• The symbiotic relationship between plants and animals.
• Environmental preservation and awareness.

What was your favorite scene in this story?

Again, being a visual artist before anything else, my favorite scene may be a split between the Baboon holding a ‘Moon’ balloon or the scene with the Sun and boat explaining the photosynthetic process and leading the viewer to the closing pages.

Will this novel be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?

No, I think this was a one-off. It was a labor of love, but at one point, the labor part became quite overwhelming. Factoring in working full-time, life, etc., the book took almost three years to finish.

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