Episode 259 with Jessica Whipple, Author of Enough Is... and I Think I Think a Lot, and Skilled Craftswoman of Nuanced, Sympathetic Works that Bring Security and Inspiration for Kids and Adults Alike

Notes and Links to Jessica Whipple’s Work

Jessica Whipple writes for adults and children from her home in Eastern PA. Her poetry has been published recently in Funicular, Door Is a Jar, and Green Ink Poetry, and online at Whale Road Review, Anti-Heroin Chic, and Pine Hills Review. Her poem "Broken Strings" has been nominated for a 2023 Pushcart Prize in poetry. She has published two children's picture books in 2023: Enough Is… (Tilbury House, illustrated by Nicole Wong) and I Think I Think a Lot (Free Spirit Publishing, illustrated by Josée Bisaillon). To read more of Jessica’s work or to learn about her books, including praise and reviews, peruse her website or follow her on Twitter/X/Instagram @JessicaWhippl17.

Buy I Think I Think a Lot

Interview with WESA/NPR, Regarding I Think I Think a Lot

Jessica Whipple's Website

At about 2:20, Jessica gives background information on places to buy her books

At about 4:40, Jessica speaks to how her reading life is and was

At about 7:00, Jessca traces where her writing life kicked in and how her writing life was “reinvigorated” 

At about 10:00, Julie Fogliano and other inspiring and beloved children’s authors are given kudos

At about 12:20, Jessica reads “This is What I’m Thinking at the Container Store”

At about 15:50, Jessica expands on the universality and specificity of her poem, talking about OCD as a “spectrum”

At about 19:00, The two reflect on some stellar and vivid lines from the poem

At about 21:00, Jessica breaks down the different mechanisms of OCD and focuses on the compulsions and obsessions in their mental and outward forms

At about 23:35, Jessica introduces and reads her poem, “ Sometimes I Google You”

At about 26:25, Jessica explains how she is “speaking to the memory” depicted in the poem

At about 29:30, Jessica provides a nice way to think of haiku, thanks to Tim Green 

At about 32:45, Pete highlights the beautiful security given in Jessica’s work and other standout work

At about 33:40, Pete asks about the “Enough” from the title of Enough Is… and Jessica expands upon the “sense of importance” given to the word 

At about 35:20, Jessica responds to Pete’s questions about using symbolism and analogy in books for kids 

At about 37:00, Pete wonders about seeds for the book, I Think I Think a Lot

At about 40:15, Pete likens the apologies in the book to a Seinfeld episode

At about 41:20, Jessica talks about how the illustrator works off her writing

At about 42:45, Pete highlights the ways in which Jessica use nuance and asks Jessica about writing to engender empathy in kids 

At about 44:40, Jessica reads and discusses “To My Husband Now a Father” 

At about 48:20, Pete asks Jessica about writing about personal things and catharsis

At about 50:20, Lauren details exciting upcoming projects 

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