I had the privilege of interviewing Teri Drobnick about her forthcoming debut picture book, Moving Day, publishing on March 11! Read on to learn more about Teri and her inspiration behind this book.
Book Title: MOVING DAY
Author: Teri Roche Drobnick
Illustrator: Jennifer Black Reinhardt
Publisher: Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House
ISBN: 9780823452590
Release Date: March 11, 2025
Please tell us a little about yourself!
Many of my picture book storylines have been influenced by my previous career as a clinical social worker—from chronic illness and grief to LGBTQ. But I also enjoy writing lighter, sing-along, and rhyming picture books. Additionally, I write for adults—magazine articles, and a memoir entitled A Daughter’s Long Goodbye, And Friendships Stronger Than Alzheimer’s. It’s a love story to my father who died of Alzheimer’s and is currently out on submission. When I’m not writing, I adore hiking, but my primary passion is rowing. I live in Petaluma, CA, just north of San Francisco, where my story takes place. My husband and I reside in our 1911 Craftsman home, where we raised our two daughters.
When and where do you normally write?
I am extremely fortunate to have a dreamy sunroom office. I start my morning by making a cup of decaf, then get to work—my Goldendoodle assistant, Hobie, by my side. Sitting at my reclaimed wood desk, the warmth of the sunlight streams through the climbing wisteria branches just outside my windows. I can be found in my office every weekday and sometimes on the weekend if the characters in my story won’t leave me alone! As I read my manuscripts out loud, the sound of the melodic prose mesmerizes my assistant, Hobie. If he lays down and covers his ears, I know something isn’t working. But when he sits up and tilts his head to the side in interest, I know I have a winner. I’m fortunate to be doing something I love; my goal is to bring joy to my readers as well. I am motivated by the possibility of instilling empathy in my young audience.
What inspired you to write this book?
MOVING DAY is inspired by the 139-year-old San Francisco Victorian House that was moved six blocks in 2021. The news article came to my attention by way of my friend Mary. She texted me a news clip of the real-life “Englander House” and said, “This would make a great children’s book.” Before this, I’d had friends present me with ideas for picture books, but nothing had ever resonated like this story. I immediately went online to look up every article I could find about the Englander House and started writing. By that afternoon, I had completed my first draft. It was truly the easiest manuscript I had ever written. Part of this was because I was able to use the real story for material—workers had to move street signs and trim trees to make room for the house to travel the six blocks to its new location. Police cars stopped traffic, and people gathered to watch, just like a parade. All this made it into the storyline.
Although I didn’t experience any particular obstacles in the writing of this book, it has been a journey getting here—filled with the ups and downs of a roller coaster ride. When I first started writing children’s picture books, there was a steep learning curve. I joined the Society of Book Writers and Illustrators, took classes, joined critique groups, and attended conferences. I began submitting my manuscripts to publishing houses and agents, only to receive a landslide of rejections. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. After a couple of years of feeling discouraged, dejected, and demoralized, I met my agent, Steve Fraser, at a conference. He asked me to send three of my stories, and he offered me representation that same week! I thought, this is it, I’ve made it. But the rejections continued to compile. But after two years, he sold Moving Day, my debut. Three years after signing the book contract, I am thrilled to say that the book is now available for preorder, and I am planning my book launch for March 15, 2025! So, my advice to writers who are not yet published—DON’T GIVE UP!
What do you hope readers will take away from this book?
Moving can be a difficult transition. Part of the motivation for writing this book was my daughter’s difficulty with a move when she was five. But any kind of change can also be positive. Moving can strengthen family bonds and teach children how to cope with new situations, how to be flexible, and how to make new friends. All this can lead to self-confidence.
Have you developed any additional activities or teacher’s guides to extend the learning experience when reading your book?
There are many ways teachers can tie MOVING DAY into their curriculum: math, architecture, art… I have included resources on the MOVING DAY page of my website for teachers: https://www.teridrobnick.com/moving-day. The resources include video instructions on how to draw houses and buildings, videos on how buildings are moved (including the TV news article of the real-life Englander House the book is based on), as well as books and videos on architecture for kids. There are also activities on my website, one of which is building a paper city.
Are there any other projects you’re excited about right now?
After three years of working full-time on my memoir, A Daughter’s Long Goodbye, And Friendships Stronger Than Alzheimer’s, it is now in the hands of my agent, so I am free to immerse myself back into the world of kidlit. I have a couple of new picture book manuscripts I’m excited about. My agent has them both out on submission, so keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned…
What are you currently reading?
When I’m not reading picture books, I love reading novels and memoirs. I have always enjoyed reading—I was the kid who read with a flashlight under the covers way after “lights out.” I’m currently reading The God of the Woods by Liz Moore for my book group; it’s an engaging mystery/drama that has me enthralled. I’m also reading The Patriot by Alexei Navalny, an intriguing yet disturbing memoir. On vacation recently, I read The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, a historical novel based on the real-life experiences of an 18th-century midwife. It was a fascinating tale that kept me turning the pages.
How can people get in touch with you or follow you on social media?
My website is the best way to contact me, and I love hearing from other writers and readers: teridrobnick.com
I’m also on social media:
Instagram.com/teri.drobnick
Facebook.com/teri.drobnick
x.com/teridrobnick
Thank you so much for sharing about your journey and experiences writing this book, Teri!
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