Title: Daddy is Cool Like That
Authors: Mary Anne McMahon and Jennifer Bucciero Boyles
Illustrator: Ros Webb
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN: 979-8800759464
Pages: 32
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book / Educational
Interviewed by: Beth Adams

Read Author Interview

Mary Anne McMahon

PBR: What inspired you to start writing?
My mother loved literature. She wrote many short stories but never published any of her stories. During my summer vacation in elementary school my mother worked with me on proper grammar each day before I went outside to play with my friends. In middle school and high school, she helped me with writing. She instilled me with the love of literature and writing. In college I majored in English and eventually became a language arts teacher. I am so thankful to my mother for all her effort.

PBR: How long have you been writing?
When I retired from teaching, I fulfilled my dream of writing books. In 2013 I published the book, The Motor City and Me: Our Story. The book highlights the rich history of the Motor City and the impact it had on my life. Later I wrote the children’s book, Crummy Crazy Coronavirus No Pal Days about two little girls finding a way toward contentment during the confining Covid days. Now along with Jennifer Bucciero Boyles I have created the book, Daddy Is Colo Like That.

PBR: What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
The most important elements to writing is to impart a meaningful story that is relatable to others.  I have learned through the book process that deep serious thought is crucial to good writing.

PBR: What comes first, the plot or characters?
With my books I begin with characters’ feelings. The next step is to develop a plot to deal with those emotions and offer hope to challenging times.

PBR: How do you develop your plot and characters?
I take real life experiences and develop my stories. In the Motor City and Me: Our Story I drew from early Motor City experience. With Crummy Crazy Coronavirus No Pal Days I observed some of the trauma and challenges children were enduring during the Covid lock down. In my most recent book I felt Jennifer’s difficult days with a disabled father was important and needed to be shared with others enduring such heartache.

 PBR: How do you come up with the title to your book?
My co-author, Jennifer Bucciero Boyles, thought that the title, Daddy Is Cool Like That captured her cool father’s personality.

PBR: Desccribe a typical writing day?
I usally write one episode at a time. For instance, In Daddy Is Cool Like That I began by concentratimg on Rachael and Laura first encounter witnesting their father having physical diffulty. I write a rough draft and then I work on the draft until I feel I have conveyed my message adequately. Next, I take a break and give the writing some thought before I advance the next situation.

PBR: What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
I hope, like with my previous, books, to send a message, that despite circumstances each of us have the freedom of choice.

PBR: What were the key challenges you faced when writing this book?
The key challenge of this book was making our book relatable to Michael George Bucciero. While much of the book is fiction, the humor and character captures Michael. We worked closely with the illustrator to make daddy resemble Michael in looks and personality. We put that effort into the story as well.

PBR: What was the highlight of writing this book?
The highlight of writing Daddy Is Cool Like That is to offer support to others dealing with disabilities and to give purpose to Michael’s many struggling years with Multiple Sclerosis.

Jennifer Bucciero

PBR: What inspired you to star writing? 
I had the idea to write a book about my dad and my experience for years. I thought it would be an adult book but then thought why not help a kid like me. I didn’t have any books about a handicap parent growing up. Then during Covid I had more time to write and then when my dad passed in June 2021, I felt compelled to get it completed in memory of him. Writing has helped me with my grief.

PBR: How long have you been writing? 
This is my first experience writing.

PBR: What in your opinion is the most important element of good writing?
Good writing to me is one that keeps your attention, brings emotion, and is subtle in its theme or message

 PBR: How do you develop your plot and characters?
The characters were easy since they were based on my dad, my sister and myself. I knew the message I wanted to convey as well as what I wanted to highlight about my dad’s personality, perseverance, and the activities he did with us when I was a child that I thought made him cool. Some of our story is accurate. Some is fictional. For example, my dad loved dogs, but he never actually had a service dog.  I just imagined how it would have been if he did have one.

PBR: How did you come up with the title to your book?
The title was conceived from a line in the book, and I thought it would make a catchy title to capture the reader. So many kids think their dads are “cool.” The catch here is he appears cool in one way, but the cool is actually way deeper than that.

 PBR: Describe a typical writing day 
I would usually write in the evenings and weekends. My day is full as a school counselor and parenting an 8-year-old daughter. 

 PBR: What do you hope your readers take away from this book?  
I hope the reader learns that even with a disability or physical challenge life can still be fun!

PBR: What are the key challenges you faced writing this book? 
My challenges were making sure my dad’s extrodianary personality came through as well as his joyful spirit. I wanted to make sure the reader understood him.

PBR: What comes first, the plot or characters?
The characters came first. Everything is built around the characters.

PBR: What is the highlight of writing this book?
The highlight of writing this book was having the ability to tell my dad’s story. After he passed, I reflected on his bravery and uniqueness. Seeing his ordeal come to life through words and pictures was truly a heartwarming experience for me that I will never forget.