John Stadler

Over the years, in my role as author-illustrator, I have visited what seems like zillions of schools (give or take 100,000). It is great fun for me! One of the questions I am most frequently asked is, “Where do you get your ideas?” 
 
The answer, more often than not, is that I get them from myself. This, of course, only works if I am actually on speaking terms with myself (which is rarely the case). Nonetheless, many of my stories are autobiographical. Let’s take, for example, Wilson and Miss Lovely: A Back-to-School Mystery.

Wilson is a rabbit.
So am I!

Wilson is in love with his teacher, Miss Lovely.
I was in love with my kindergarten teacher, Miss Broadhead!

Wilson can’t wait for tomorrow so that he can get back to school and see Miss Lovely.
I couldn’t wait for tomorrow to come so that I could bring my pet worms (Fred and Ethel) to Show and Tell.

On his way to school, Wilson notices that the streets are empty except for . . . a huge, mysterious, scary creature following him.
On my way to school I, too, was followed by a huge, mysterious, scary creature . . . my big sister, Anne!

Wilson is a good boy.
I was . . . oh, never mind!

Wilson’s day at school is filled with mystery.
Miss Broadhead said I was a complete mystery to her!

In the end, things work out beautifully for Wilson. Life is sweet, reassuring, and very Miss Lovely.
As for me . . . I’m still working on the mystery!

So you could say that the story of Wilson and Miss Lovely is a true story (if by true you mean mostly made up). I hope this gives you some insight into my creative process.

My next autobiographical book will be called Wilson and the Scarlet Letter: How I Got My First A. I hope you enjoy it!

Author Bookshelf
		The Ballad of Wilbur and the Moose Written by John Stadler Hardcover Library Binding MEET WILBUR LITTLE, a lime-juice drinking, pint-sized, sombreroed cowboy who herds pigs for a living. Wilbur tackles the villains he meets in the forms of pig-rustlers and gamblers, along with his loyal companion, Alvin (who happens to be a big blue moose), an off-key singing piglet, and a book-loving pig from... Read More
		The Ballad of Wilbur and the Moose Written by John Stadler Hardcover MEET WILBUR LITTLE, a lime-juice drinking, pint-sized, sombreroed cowboy who herds pigs for a living. Wilbur tackles the villains he meets in the forms of pig-rustlers and gamblers, along with his loyal companion, Alvin (who happens to be a big blue moose), an off-key singing piglet, and a book-loving pig from... Read More
		Big and Little Written by John Stadler Non-traditional book WELCOME to the big top and get ready to experience a spectacular show, hosted by our mouse emcee! Will Ellie the elephant be able to jump from a very tall ladder into a tiny glass of water? The suspense mounts as Ellie climbs up, gets nervous, can't look down and then... Read More
		Wilson and Miss Lovely Written by John Stadler Non-traditional book A charming school story with a twist—new from John Stadler! Wilson had just finished his first week of school and could not wait for the next one to begin. He was very fond of his new teacher, Miss Lovely. But something was wrong that day—very wrong. There were no school buses, the... Read More