Denise Fleming won a Caldecott Honor for In the Small, Small Pond. She is the author and illustrator of eighteen picture books, including Buster. ***INTERVIEW***Q: Where did you grow up?A: I grew up in Toledo,Ohio, where I live still. I am a midwestern girl. Q: What is your earliest memory of writing/drawing?A: It seems like I was always writing and drawing. I wanted to share my ideas from the beginning. A bit bossy am I. Q: What inspired you to write/illustrate your first book?A: I started collecting picture books in art school. I was crazy about the whole picture book format. I realized, as I was sharing books with my daughter, that making books is what I needed to do. Q: What are your hobbies and interests besides reading and books?A: I work in clay, create art from tin cans, and make art dolls. Right now I am working on combining all three media. I also dye and paint fabric for the dolls.Planting flowers and painting the outside of my house and studio is what I am busy doing right now. Q: What one or two words of advice would you give for young authors/illustrators?A: Experiment with different styles and media. *From Macmillan's Denise Fleming page.