Saturday, May 14, 2011

Character interview with Pocky & Stamp of Broomsticks

Today I welcome Pocky and Stamp, the characters of Broomsticks to my blog!  I am thrilled to debut our interview!  It was quite entertaining for me and I hope you all enjoy it too!  A special thank you to authors Sean McHugh and Katie McHugh Parker for allowing the characters to answer my questions!

Broomsticks
Purchase Link: Broomsticks

Pocky: What is it like being half mortal and half witch?

At first I didn't like it. I wanted to be like everybody else, but after I met Stamp it was really neat... the best of both worlds.

Stamp: Is your world much different from the mortal world? (magic aside)

Yes, ma'am. Witches don't judge each other as harshly as mortals do. I admit that we witches judge mortals more than we should, but we're not mean and cruel to our own kind the way some mortals are to each other. It must be tough being a mortal.

Both: Why do you think people have a hard time being themselves?

STAMP: BECAUSE THEY CAN'T BE ME!
POCKY: I think everyone just wants to fit in and feel like they belong.

Both:  Have you ever wished you didn't have magical abilities?

POCKY: Yes.
STAMP: NO!!!

Both:  What's the best thing about being a witch?

POCKY: I think the best thing about being a witch is being able to help others. Sure, the magic is fun and all, but what good is it to have these abilities if you can't put them to good use.
STAMP: I couldn't have said it better myself.
POCKY: Really? That's a first!
STAMP: Ha.

Stamp:  When did you decide to help Maggie even though you thought Pocky was still upset with you?

I don't like seeing anyone mistreated or humiliated,... not even a mortal. Besides, I figure if Maggie is Pocky's friend, she must be okay.

Pocky: If you could go back and do one thing differently in this story what would it be?

I wouldn't have jumped to conclusions so quickly about Stamp. Oh, and I NEVER would have offered Blevins a cracker!!!

Both:  What's the best thing about having a special friend you can count on?

POCKY: It's the security you feel knowing someone is on your side. They're in your corner rooting for you.
STAMP: Pocky comes to all my plays...every single one. She applauds very loudly when I take my bow. No one's ever done that for me before. Blevins would come to my plays but he never clapped during the curtain call...except for that one time when he appeared in the form of a seal. But I digress..... Friendship is cool!

Both: Do you have advice for other kids on being yourself?

STAMP: Yes! "This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man,"....Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3.
POCKY: I knew you were going to say that!

Both: Do you read?

STAMP: Minds??? I've suppose we could read minds if we tried, but don't you find it a bit intrusive?
POCKY: Crimony! She means books!! Yes, ma'am, we read all the time!

Both: What is your favorite book?

STAMP: "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare," ...First Edition.
POCKY: "Little Women". I especially love Jo. I want to be a writer like her.

Both:  What's the perfect way to spend the day with your best friend?

POCKY: Spending the day with Stamp is always fun whether it's art hopping or just sitting on the roof talking.
STAMP: For me it's flying. It's funny. I've been flying since I was 4. It was no big deal, but flying with Pocky is different. There's nothing like flying with your best friend.

Both: Why do you think the Blue Bloods are so mean?

POCKY: Because they don't feel good about themselves...
STAMP:....So, they make others feel bad.

Both: Do you have advice for mortals on handling bullies?

STAMP: Yes! Just say the words, Wisky, Wasky, Woo..and POOF!!! Your bully's a bullfrog!
POCKY: Wisky, Wasky, Woo????
STAMP: You're right. That incantation wouldn't work for a witch much less a mortal.
POCKY: If only it were that easy. I guess if a bully were bothering me, I'd tell a grown-up I could trust like Grandma or Mrs. Wheeler.
STAMP: And remember not to blame yourself for the bullying. The bully is the one with the problem, not you. Just be true to yourself.
POCKY: "To thine own self be true?"
STAMP: I knew you were going to say that.

Both: What's it like having your own book?

BOTH: AWESOME!!!!!!
__________________________
BroomsticksMini-Review of Broomsticks
 
I enjoyed this wonderful book!  The characters are fresh, interesting and completely entertaining.  Along with the fun tidbits of the story are some worthwhile lessons for middle aged readers.  I highly recommend this book, especially for boys or girls ages 8-14. 
 
Connect with the Authors:
http://www.broomsticksbooks.com/
http://www.broomsticksbooks.blogspot.com/


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8 comments:

  1. Thank you for having us! We're thrilled to be here!

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  2. What a fun idea to have a character interview! You've definitely piqued my interest in this book :)

    -Kate the Book Buff
    http://www.thebookbuff.blogspot.com

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  3. Thank you, Kate! We're so glad you enjoyed the interview! it was fun to do, although we had trouble with Stamp doing an interview with a mortal. He came around though. Thanks for posting, Kate, and have a magical weekend!

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  4. Stamp, you mentioned that witches don't judge each other as harshly as mortals judge one another. Have any other witches from your world judged you for befriending Pocky and other mortals at Asher? If so, how did you react?

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  5. Since you are both magical do you get tempted to have one of your friends bet on a race or sports event that you may be able to predict the outcome? The Preakness is coming up next week, will Animal Kingdom win?

    I loved the way that you two became friends and I also love the friendship that you have with Maggie and Brooklyn. Way to help out one another!

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  6. Witches do not have google accounts, but Stamp & Pocky have forwarded the answers to you questions...

    STAMP: Mr. Clooney, you asked if other witches have judged me for befriending Pocky. I've never told anyone back home about Pocky. My parents don't even know that I'm attending a mortal school. They think I'm going to a normal school.

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  7. POCKY: Mr. Clooney, if you are the Mr. Clooney I think you are, it's an honor that you liked our book. I love your movies! Well, I'm only nine so I've only seen one. It's the one with Michelle Pfeifer. I love that movie!

    STAMP: I saw "Batman & Robin." No comment.

    POCKY:(whispering to Stamp)Don't say that.So much for him helping your acting career.

    STAMP: Did I say,"No comment?" I meant... it left me speechless!

    POCKY: Good save. To answer your question,Mr. Clooney, while good witches are known for liking horse races, we would never cheat and use witchcraft to to let you know the outcome of the race.

    STAMP: Hence the term "GOOD witch."

    POCKY: Besides, that would take the fun out of it.

    STAMP: And we're witches, not fortune tellers.

    POCKY: I admit I've been tempted sometimes when it involves a friend like Maggie, Brooklyn, or the time Grandma was in a baking contest, but it wouldn't be fair.

    STAMP: Miss Goody-Two-Brooms!

    POCKY: You wouldn't do it either!

    STAMP: I know. I just like calling you that.

    POCKY: We're so glad you liked our book, Mr. Clooney, and thank you for mentioning Maggie & Brooklyn. They are wonderful friends and definitely added their own kind of magic to the story.

    STAMP: Yes, thank you, Mr. Clooney! You're a very good actor...

    POCKY: Don't say it. Don't say it.

    STAMP:...for a mortal.

    POCKY: He said it.

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  8. Tiffany, thank you again for having us here today. We had a great time! Thanks to eveyone who stopped by!

    Best Witches!

    Sean McHugh

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