#chicks rule

What was the seed that sparked Chicks Rule?

There were a number of experiences that “hatched” the idea for Chicks Rule (if you’ll pardon the pun!). Some of them are specific to me and my life although most of them are experiences that most girls have unfortunately endured. I don’t think I know a single woman or girl who wasn’t at some point told she couldn’t do something or that she didn’t belong, just because she was a girl. Many of us have gone through it over and over again. No matter how strong you are, that kind of experience does wear you down and we need to address this as a society. I wanted this story to show that you don’t have to give in to that negativity and you can do what you want if you believe in yourself and you have the right supports in place. I wanted to put something into the world that tells everyone – but especially little girls – that they are allowed to go anywhere, be anything, follow any dream.

Another influence came from the recent women’s marches that happened all around the world. It was so inspiring to see (and participate in) these events where women banded together to demand changes to our world. There is an aspect of civic engagement in what the chicks in the book do, and I hope that the children who read this book learn something about the importance of getting involved in your community and government.

 Your picture books often feature your signature rhyme, but Chicks Rule feels extra-special in its musical nature. Personally, I think of it like a mantra! Was this intentional?

It depends on what you mean by intentional! I always imagined the book would feature sparse text paired with strong visual storytelling, and this story definitely came to me with a certain rhythm. I think because of the underlying call to action in this story, there was need for the words to express a sense of urgency but also to draw the reader forward through the chicks’ physical journey as well as their overall emotional journey.

I think the section that really set the tone for the book was: “Soon chicks of different flocks and feathers / Work to reach the stars together.” That couplet just flowed so beautifully, it didn’t even matter that the lines rhymed. That became the heart of the book, emotionally and structurally. The rest of the text was built around that.

 I imagine there’s a little bit of you in everything you create. Where can readers find Sudipta in Chicks Rule?

I’d like to pretend I’m Cool Chick, but I’m fairly certain I was, am now, and will forever be Nerdy Chick. But this is a good place to make a point – while the world often wants to pigeonhole women into certain categories (again, apologies for the avian puns!), most women aren’t one thing and one thing only. I’m Nerdy Chick, but I’m also Science Chick and Wordy Chick. I’m more Barre Chick than Yoga Chick, but that’s pretty close. I’m Writer Chick and Reader Chick, and I’ve often been accused of being one of those chicks who preach. One of the most important things that Renée Kurilla did with the art in this book is the amazing sense of inclusivity she created. The characters are all “chicks” – and yet we see all different colors, sizes, body types, interests, and styles represented. We believe every reader will see something of themselves somewhere in this book, and probably in more than one place.

 Renée Kurilla created the art for Chicks Rule. Although much of the visual narrative was baked into your original manuscript, what most surprised or delighted you about Renée’s illustrations?

There were so many moments I was delighted that it will be hard to pick just one – so I won’t! There is an amazing amount of detail in Renée’s art. The page where she shows all the chicks choosing their roles in the rocket project – and giving themselves titles and thus responsibility – is adorable. (I don’t know what a Space Kahuna does, but I’m absolutely convinced her role is essential!)

Another place she made me smile was in the end papers, especially when you consider them side by side. In the beginning, we see the controlled chaos of Nerdy Chick’s desk (which is surprisingly similar to my own!) with all the things she’s laid out that she presumably needs to reach her goal of joining the Rocket Club. At the end, we see the controlled chaos of her rocket console – but it’s no longer about her. The things she now needs include photos of the friends who are her support system, tokens from them as well (did you notice Rocker Chick’s sunglasses, Baker Chick’s cupcake, Art Chick’s crayons, and Bow-and-arrow-aiming Chick’s arrow?), and a small plant, which to me signified the new life ahead of her.

 There’s so much to love about Chicks Rule. If readers could take only one piece of wisdom from the story, what would you want it to be?

That we are better together.

We’re at a moment in history when people are really thinking about the way women are treated and should be treated. Often, that means how men treat women – and that is certainly an important conversation to have. But we (especially us girls) must also really think about how women treat other women and if we’re truly doing the best job that we can.

I hope that readers come away from this book with the realization that despite all the ways the chicks are different (they’re nerdy, they’re sporty, et cetera), there is really so much more they have in common to bring them together than there are differences that should keep them apart.

“Coached by former U.S. women's national team goalkeeper Amy Griffin, the USDWNT is indisputably the most dominant soccer team to ever represent the United States with an undefeated record, 122 goals scored and only eight goals conceded.”