Poppy & Pa received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Kristyn Jewell.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Poppy & Pa was published in June, 2024.
What’s the book’s first line?
Each chapter starts with a quote, capturing the theme of the chapter. The quote for Chapter 1 is as follows:
“I don’t know what lies around the bend, but I’m going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend.”
— Lucy M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables.
Following this header, the first sentence reads: “In the summertime, I would go to the family cottage with Pa.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Poppy cannot wait for summer to arrive so she can travel to her favourite place with her favourite person. When she and her father turn onto the dirt road that takes them to their family cottage, Poppy leaves life’s worries behind. We follow Poppy, Pa, and the rest of their extended family, as they experience the magic that unfolds over the course of a day in Muskoka, Canada. Live in Poppy’s vivid imagination, which flourishes in the safety and beauty of her surroundings, and discover the difference one person can make in the life of a child.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
My father passed away suddenly in the winter of 2023. We had an incredibly close relationship. To quote a line from the book: “Our bond was eternal from the moment we met.” During this surreal time, I found myself thinking back to my happiest moments with my dad, many involving being at the family cottage with him and my grandparents, along with my aunts, uncles, cousins, and our dog. These memories provided me comfort and strength, just as the real experience had growing up. Having two young boys, who were also grieving the loss of their Pa, I wanted to eternalize the special bond between a parent and child, and pass down to future generations the traditions, memories, and spirit of these magical summers on the lake.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
In a world where social media and technology compete for our children’s attention, Poppy & Pa is a glimpse of an alternative way to grow up. The character of Poppy joyfully brings you into her “open-air life,” the Scandinavian concept known as friluftsliv, inviting the reader to experience the great outdoors and simple pleasures in a whole new way. Poppy & Pa is a story that is ageless. Although marketed for young readers, this book will stay on your shelf for years to come. The youngest readers will be attracted by the beautiful illustrations, and find themselves slipping easily into Poppy’s vivid imagination. Older children may relate to the subtle themes woven throughout the story, recognizing how Poppy feels when she leaves the worries of her home and school life behind and is free to just be herself. Finally, the adult reader will experience a sense of nostalgia for summers past, and appreciate the value of traditions being passed down from generation to generation.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
The two main characters, Poppy and her father, are based on my father and myself, but also share traits with Anne Shirley and Matthew Cuthbert, from the beloved story of Anne of Green Gables. Just like this famous pair of ‘kindred spirits,’ the relationship between Poppy and Pa is a steady through line in the story. Like Matthew, Pa takes a quiet backseat to Poppy’s adventures, but his love and support is unwavering. You can also see the influence of Anne in Poppy’s imagination and in the way she connects with wildlife.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Yes.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
By day I work as a Family Physician.