The Mitten: Book Birthday Blog with Debbie Taylor

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Where we celebrate new books by Michigan's children's book authors and illustrators

Congratulations to Debbie Taylor on the release of her new book, OVER IN MOTOWN!

Congratulations on your new book release! What inspired Over In Motown?

The text for Over in Motown was inspired by the thrill of listening to the music of Motown and by my affection for the classic Over in the Meadow book. I was moved by the interactions of the creatures in the original poem and recent versions. The parent gives loving instruction and encouragement to her little fishies, turtles, foxes, sea horses, etc. Each mother or father urges the young ones to be themselves, appreciate their abilities and use their unique gifts.

Throughout my middle school years and teen years in Columbus, Ohio, my sister and I, along with the whole neighborhood listened to the local radio stations, WCOL and WVKO, for long stretches hoping to hear Motown music. We could scarcely wait for Motown to release the new Supremes, Temptations or Jackson 5 singles.

Several years ago, I began jotting down words and phrases in an art journal during one of my many journeys by train. After doodling “o” and “Mo” for multiple pages, I started generating stanza after stanza. Revising is a critical part of my process. At least half of the original stanzas didn’t survive the revision process and others were drastically altered. At one point I resorted to using colored pencils and index cards to keep track.

You’ve spoken before about how family and community are often themes in your
writing. Do you see these themes in Over In Motown as well?

Yes, indeed the themes of family and community are reflected in the book. The Motown entertainment enterprise has been described as a family venture. The success was not only due to the actual blood ties of the Gordy family, but the family of musicians, coaches, technicians, business professionals, fans and others.

In this book, you highlight not only performers, singers, and musicians, but also
other aspects of Motown and Detroit. You mention record pressing, church choirs,
marching bands, even car assembly lines! What motivated you to talk about all the
different aspects of the musical life in Detroit?

I wanted to provide a more complex, rich picture of the influences on the development of the music. The rhythms and beats of those people and places all contributed to the Motown sound that was enjoyed and appreciated by fans around the world. I included the physical production of the actual record because it was an interesting element. The first and last stanzas frame the interior stanzas and reflect the influences, universal appeal and appreciation of the music.

You mention in the author’s notes that Motown music was a part of your
childhood. How was the experience of taking that nostalgia and love of Motown music and writing a story about it? Has it changed the way you listen to the music now?

The music pulled me back to simpler days, happier times and sweeter moments. I found the ballads by various artists very soothing and the bouncy rhythms of other performers energized me. Writing the text and revising the drafts was a very enjoyable and satisfying experience. (I have always appreciated the music, but I now listen to certain songs more often. These days, I also find myself lip-synching to the Supremes' Stop in the Name of Love.)

What’s something you hope your readers will take away from Over In Motown?

I hope readers will appreciate the talented creators of this accessible and upbeat music. I also would like readers to consider writing their own versions of the Over in Motown. I'd love to have young writers use that structure as a jumping off point for some of their own writing. Readers could use various natural environments, schools or cities. I'd encourage them to think about the elements, features or characteristics of that setting. Consider how multiple voices, creatures or characters could interact, then flesh out the stanzas with descriptions and choose the most effective ones. I also hope readers will just have fun reading the book and enjoy counting the figures on the pages.

What’s next for you? Where can we find Over In Motown, and how can people
connect with you?

My sister, a country music fan and I are finishing up Over in Nashville. I am also revising a young adult novel set in Idlewild, Michigan. The book can be ordered through my website and can be found at all of the Ann Arbor Public libraries at the end of the month. Several bookstores, including the Source Booksellers in Detroit, will carry the book as well. Starting mid-November, it can be ordered through my website Sweet Music In Harlem.

A little bit about the book:

This counting book features studio singers, dancers and choir members as well as guitarists, pianists and drummers making the music of Motown. These and others, including the automakers and record-pressers who put the "Mo" in "Motown," reflect the energy and influence of Detroit, a distinctive, historic, music-producing city. A timeline of Motown highlights is included.

A little bit about the author:

Debbie Ann Taylor is a picture book author and magazine writer. Her work has been published in children's magazines including Spider, Cricket, New Moon and Pockets Magazine. Taylor is the author of the acclaimed picture book, Sweet Music in Harlem (Lee and Low 2004) and books for the Toggle Talk educational series. She contributes to local, regional and national literacy efforts as an author, speaker and volunteer. Her hobbies include visiting museums and botanical gardens with her family. Taylor and her husband live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.