The Infamous Ratsos: Project Fluffy by Kara LaReau; illustrated by Matt Myers

Hello, Kara LaReau! Thank you for celebrating The Infamous Ratsos: Project Fluffy with me. What are Louie and Ralphie up to in this latest volume? 

Kara LaReau: Louie is distracted by his new friend, Chuck Wood, who happens to be the most popular kid in school. It turns out Chuck needs Louie’s help to get a certain girl’s attention, and Louie thinks he has some foolproof plans; as usual, none of them turn out as expected. And poor Ralphie is feeling more than a bit ignored by his brother. At its heart, it’s a story about emotional connection and empathy. And it’s about objectification, yet another aspect of toxic masculinity, which I’m endeavoring to explore and subvert in this series. 

What is the most fun thing about working on The Infamous Ratsos series? 

Kara: I love putting these brothers and their friends into different scenarios and seeing what happens — and I love how they (and Big Lou, of course) always come together in the end. 

Please share a handful of children’s books (not written by you) you’re super excited about right now. 

Kara: Well, I have to mention my pal Debbi Michiko Florence’s Jasmine Toguchi books, another series with humor and heart. I also just finished reading (okay, more like inhaling) Ghosts of Greenglass House by Kate Milford, which was as good if not better than the first the first story, Greenglass House. And I’ve ordered a signed copy of The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden by Karina Yan Glaser; I can’t wait for it to arrive! 

Please finish these sentence starters:

Matt Myers’ illustrations seem to come from inside my brain! It’s really pretty freaky how simpatico we are with these books. Matt creates art that truly brings my words to life, and I find I’m now writing with his sensibility (and sense of humor!) in mind.

Story is what sustains me. Whether I’m just bored, or feeling totally hopeless, all I have to do is pick up a book (or a pen or laptop!) and I can connect with something totally new and full of potential.

Mr. Schu, you should have asked what’s coming up next from me. The third (and final!) Bland Sisters adventure comes out on January 8th, then I have three more Infamous Ratsos stories in the works — AND I have a picture book coming out soon with kidlit superstar Matthew Cordell. These days, stories are sustaining me more than ever!

Borrow The Infamous Ratsos: Project Fluffy from your school or public library. Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops.