Interview With Children’s Book Author David L. Gillespie

 

1. What inspired you to write this book? In 2000, our youngest daughter, Hunter—just four years old at the time—slipped on an apron to help her mother make dinner. With a proud smile, she carried a plate over and declared, “Miss Floo Flocky Doo is here to serve YOU!” In that joyful moment, our family knew this delightful character had the heart of a children’s story. Inspired by Hunter’s imagination, Miss Floo Flocky Doo was born. Twenty-six years later, that spark has come to life in my debut picture book, Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue!  

2. What exactly is it about — and for whom is it written for? Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue is a beautifully illustrated picture book that celebrates kindness, quick thinking, and the joy of caring for others. The book introduces young readers to Floo Flocky Doo, a spirited and imaginative girl whose motto—“Hootie Hoo, I know what to do!”—guides her through unexpected adventures. When Floo rescues a baby squirrel named Lucky Lou, she never expects him to escape inside a grocery store, launching a wild chase filled with laughter, flying wigs, and blueberry jelly footprints. With help from her hummingbird companion Peanut, Floo uses courage, creativity, and compassion to save the day. Ideal for children ages 2–8 and perfect for bedtime stories, classroom read-alouds, and early readers who love funny animal adventures. Families will enjoy the heartwarming themes of caring, problem-solving, and the magic of friendship. 

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? A joyful burst of fun, smiles, and giggles! Kids will delight in the book’s whimsical rhymes and love joining in on the catchy, confidence-boosting refrain—“Hootie Hoo, I know what to do!”—as the main character faces each new challenge with imagination and heart. It also combines the musicality of classic rhyming books with a personal, grounded storytelling foundation, which gives it a warm and authentic feel. 

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design? The book was originally titled Floo Flocky Doo in Lucky Lou, Where Are You? But as we approached the finish line, it became clear that the story was about more than just a mischievous squirrel—it’s an adventure built around two heartwarming rescue moments. With that realization, we shifted to the title it carries today. For the cover, I wanted it to capture a glimpse of the playful chaos inside the story while showcasing Floo and her lovable animal friends. The goal was to visually convey a sense of fun, mischief, and energy—and thanks to the illustrator’s work, I believe the cover does exactly that.  

5. What kind of girl is your protagonist, Floo Flocky Doo? First and foremost, we wanted Floo to be a young girl who radiates confidence. At the same time, it was important that she recognizes when her well-meaning choices don’t quite go as planned and understands the value of taking responsibility. We were careful to present this lesson in a way that encourages, rather than discourages, young readers to explore, imagine, and have fun. That’s why we gave the story a gentle, reassuring ending—a soft landing that balances accountability with warmth and joy.  

6. What trends are you seeing in the children's book world?  I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t consider myself an authority on that question. That said, it seems many children’s picture books today focus on hot social themes of the moment. We deliberately chose a different path: to create a simple, fun, and engaging book that would bring joy and put a smile on a child’s face. 

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?  The structure of the story and its plot almost wrote themselves, as so many moments are rooted in our family’s real-life experiences. For example, the lead character, Floo Flocky Doo, was imagined by our daughter. Rescuing a baby squirrel truly happened in our family, as did the trip to the grocery store with it — not one of my finer moments in my youth. The elderly lady in the story is named after my mother, who always wore wigs. And “Hootie Hoo” has long been our family’s playful way of calling out to one another when we’re out and about. Still, nothing prepared me for the challenge of writing a rhyming picture book. Crafting consistent rhyme and rhythm proved far more difficult than expected. In fact, I’m certain I created at least 150 different versions before settling on what ultimately became the final 600-word manuscript.  

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?I found that my writing style for this book evolved over time alongside the manuscript itself. It began with a simple goal: to craft a fun story using playful, imaginative language while staying grounded in relatable experiences. Once I decided to incorporate the repetitive “Hootie Hoo” phrases, the story naturally developed a sing-song rhythm. By the end, this approach produced a rhyming and rhythmic manuscript with a lively, musical flow to it. As for other books with a similar style, I’d say Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue is a blend of the warmth and gentle storytelling found in Karma Wilson’s The Bear Books series and the high-energy humor, mischief, and imaginative problem-solving of Andy Elkerton’s How to Catch the Easter Bunny. The result is a story that combines heart, rhythm, and playful fun.

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book? Aside from the fact that I had never written a children’s picture book — nor fully appreciated the artistry involved in doing so — one of the greatest challenges was brevity. No one in my family, me included, has ever mastered the art of saying something in just a few words. We tend to be expressive, both in conversation and in writing. So, when I set out to create a children’s book — which ultimately evolved into a rhyming picture book with its own unique challenges — I was faced with the task of telling a complete story within the space limitations of a traditional 32-page format. My first manuscript was close to 2,000 words, far too many for a typical picture book. Trimming it down required considerable effort, discipline, and multiple revisions, but the process ultimately strengthened the story and sharpened its focus. 

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? If you’re going to choose just one book to share with a child this week, make it Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue—because it delivers exactly what kids (and parents) are looking for in a read-aloud experience: laughter, rhythm, heart, and a character they’ll want to visit again and again. This isn’t just a story—it’s an interactive adventure. Kids quickly latch onto Floo’s playful catchphrase—“Hootie Hoo, I know what to do!”—and love jumping in to say it out loud. That kind of participation turns reading into a shared moment, not just a quiet activity. It’s also packed with high-energy, laugh-out-loud fun. A mischievous baby squirrel on the loose, a chaotic grocery store chase, and a hummingbird with a clue create the kind of delightful mayhem that keeps kids fully engaged from start to finish. But beneath the humor is something even more important: heart. The story gently weaves in themes of kindness, responsibility, problem-solving, and friendship—giving parents and educators something meaningful to feel good about and to discuss with their children / students. And finally, Floo herself is unforgettable. She’s bold, imaginative, and full of joy—the kind of character children connect with instantly and want to follow into the next adventure. If you want a book that makes kids laugh, invites them to participate, and leaves them smiling at the end…this is the one to bring home. 

About The Author: Award-winning author, David L. Gillespie brings a captivating blend of imagination and real-world experience to children’s literature. Born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, he began an adventurous global journey with his family after earning his commission in the United States Air Force. Over decades of leadership in military intelligence, public policy, and executive program development, David built a distinguished career before turning his storytelling passion into a highly acclaimed children’s picture book – “Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue.” For more information, please see: https://www.FlooFlockyDoo.com.  

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About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 5,800,000 page views. With 5,500+ posts over the past 14 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs  by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2026.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum