Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author Aaron Reynolds (Troubling Tonsils!)!
Meet the Author: Aaron Reynolds
Aaron Reynolds is a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of many highly acclaimed books for kids including CREEPY CARROTS, CREEPY PAIR OF UNDERWEAR, CREEPY CRAYON, THE INCREDIBLY DEAD PETS OF REX DEXTER and the epic fantasy series FART QUEST.
He has a passion for kids’ books and seeing kids reading them. He regularly makes time to visit elementary schools, where his hilarious and heartfelt presentations keep kids spellbound. He lives in Chicago with his wife, two kids, three cats, and anywhere between zero and ten goldfish, depending on the day.
Visit Aaron at www.aaron-reynolds.com.
About the Book: Troubling Tonsils!
From the team behind the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Medal–winning Creepy Carrots! and its sequels comes the first entry in a spin-off chapter book series in which Jasper Rabbit tells the story of a young marmot whose tonsils get the better of him.
Amazon * B&N * IndieBound
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
Kids constantly ask me for more CREEPY books with Jasper Rabbit. And while I am considering more of these picture books, I wanted to think of a way to add to the CREEPY world without necessarily subjecting Jasper to all the trauma. That’s when a chapter book idea came to me. Jasper, older and wiser and the consummate expert on all things creepy, spinning a series of stand-alone cautionary tales set in his world. It’s seemed delicious.
YABC: How do you keep your ‘voice’ true to the age category you are writing within?
The main thing is to write for myself. I have all the maturity of your average fourth-grade boy, so if I find the story funny/creepy/awesome, then I feel I’m on the write track.
YABC: What type of scene do you love to write the most?
Goofy, weird and nonsensical is right in my sweet spot. There’s a moment in Troubling Tonsils toward the end that is strange and otherworldly and yet insanely silly that makes my heart extremely happy.
YABC: If your character could meet a character from another book, who would it be?
Gandalf the Grey, of course!
YABC: What is your favorite reading space?
In bed, fan blowing, window open, one or two kitties snuggled up nearby. Perfect.
YABC: What hobbies do you enjoy?
I’m a total geek and proud of it. So I play D&D, I paint tiny monsters and heroes, I build star wars models and teeny fantasy dioramas.
YABC: What fandom would you write for if you had time?
I think it would be super fun to write Rocket and Groot stories, but Tom Angelberger beat me to the punch!
YABC: What’s up next for you?
There are two more JASPER RABBIT’S CREEPY TALES coming this school year alone! I’m currently brainstorming another round of these funny bone-tickling spine-tinglers.
Title: Troubling Tonsils!
Author: Aaron Reynolds
Illustrator: Peter Brown
Release Date: Sept 2, 2025
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genre: Chapter Book
Age Range: 7-10
