When two evergreen topics (dinosaurs and vehicles) collide with poetry, what do you get? Hilarious poetry every kiddo is sure to love!

Suzy Levinson is a children’s author and poet. Originally from Massachusetts, she now lives in New York with her husband and their most excellent cat. Her poems have appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines, including Highlights and Cricket. Her critically acclaimed debut picture book, Animals in Pants, was published in 2023. You can learn more about her at her website or follow her on Instagram or BlueSky.

DINOS THAT DRIVE is Suzy’s second poetry picture book. You might remember me sharing about ANIMALS IN PANTS a few years back in my April poetry picture book blogs. If you enjoyed that one, you’re definitely going to enjoy this book. This time dinosaur facts are sprinkled with tons of humor. Plus there are glorious cartoon illustrations that really capture the vibe. Poems range from a Jaws-like repeating T-Rex hunter to a country song, and the ending knocks it out of the hemisphere. 

Welcome Suzy!

Me: Can you share about your writing journey? When did you start writing? How did that bring you to being the writer and poet of this book? 

Suzy: I’d describe my writing journey as long and circuitous. As a kid, I was always making up little stories in my head for fun. On the rare occasions that we’d do a creative-writing project in school, teachers would pull me aside and say, “You’re pretty good at this.” Looking back, I realize the universe was trying to tell me to follow the fun and keep writing, but I didn’t. I think I felt like I needed an assignment, permission from someone, or it wouldn’t be worth the risk.

I wound up focusing my creative energy on the far less risky (ha) prospect of acting. It wasn’t until my thirties that I rediscovered my love for writing, after joining a couple of theatre companies that encouraged me to write my own material. Soon, I only wanted to write. But write what, exactly? I tried all the things before finally landing on picture books. More revelations followed: poetry, rhyme, and lyrical language, yes! Then I spent most of my forties studying craft, participating in critique groups, writing constantly, building up my publishing credits in anthologies and magazines, querying agents. It was a grind, but I was actually having fun again.

So here I am in my fifties, making up little stories like I did as a kid, only now I’m giving myself permission to take it seriously! Even when it involves driving dinosaurs.

Me: This is a hilarious collection of dinosaur poems that brilliantly combines two evergreen topics: dinos and vehicles! What gave you the idea for this collection?

Suzy: Well, I bought one of my nephews a set of toy cars for his birthday. Each “car” was a dinosaur head on wheels—just a blatant mash-up of two things that kids like. Then I thought, “Hey, I could do that.” Why not? Mash-ups are great. My first poetry collection, ANIMALS IN PANTS, was a mash-up! Then the title, DINOS THAT DRIVE, popped into my head. I love a good title—something that just sounds like a book, you know? So I decided to give it a go.

Me: Your writing sings on every page (literally in at least one case!). I love how the poems are so perfect in describing the breeds. Some of the poems seemed like they could follow a form, but others might not. You have an excellent sense of rhyme and scansion, but did you also use any specific poetic forms for any of them? Did you have any favorite poems in this collection?

Suzy: I’m all about meter. Anyone who’s spoken to me for more than five minutes is probably sick of me going on and on about meter. IMHO, when writing in rhyme, meter is far more important than the rhyme itself. An occasional slant rhyme won’t kill a rhyming poem, but clunky meter sure will!

That said, I’m not a form girl. I’ve certainly attempted sonnets, pantoums, etc., but they’re often a bust. As much as I love writing with constraints, I find poetic forms can be a step too far, where I’m so focused on the rules that my work begins to sound forced. Instead, I enjoy establishing my own rhythms and rhyme schemes that suit each individual poem, committing to those patterns within the piece, without the additional requirements that come with using specific forms.

My favorite poem in this collection? Probably “Iguano-Gone: A Sad Country Song.” For years, I fancied the idea of writing country songs, but didn’t think I could do it because I’m not a musician. Then I realized that nothing was stopping me from writing a poem that’s a fake country song. It felt like I’d found a secret shortcut. Pretty empowering!

Me: Ha! I love that. So then I have to ask about your “Iguano-Gone: A Sad Country Song” poem. Are you going to pull a Cece Bell and turn this one into a real song? Is there somewhere online we can find it?

Suzy: I’m so glad you asked, because I did do that! I had the chance to work with an incredible Canadian country artist, Wood Andrews, and now “Iguano-Gone: A Sad Country Song” is totally a real song, available on streaming services! Here’s a link! The song’s awesome and quite danceable. I love it. It feels like what would happen if Hank Williams and a T-rex had a baby. 

Me: Dustin Harbin’s illustrations are just pitch-perfect. I honestly can’t think of another illustrator that could have better! I love the little dinosaurs commenting with facts all along the way too. Did you provide those facts as sidebars? Were there any illustration surprises for you? Any favorites?

Suzy: I 100% agree, Dustin Harbin is a genius. He can draw anything. Plus I think his art captures just the right vibe. As you say, pitch-perfect, with that hint of tongue-in-cheek edge!

Yes, I did provide the sidebar stuff! When I originally sold the manuscript, I just included simple, straightforward facts at the bottom of each page, mostly to explain the logic that connects each dinosaur to each vehicle. Then my brilliant editor, Margot Blankier, suggested that I make those bits voice-ier. I love writing snappy dialogue, so it was fun!

As far as illustration surprises go, I knew the dialogue was going to be between two dinosaurs, but I didn’t realize they’d be kid dinos! Statler and Waldorf from the Muppet Show were sort of stuck in my mind, so I assumed they’d be older, gruffer. But of course Dustin’s kid dinos were exactly right. I can’t imagine them any other way now.

Me: Ha! Statler and Waldorf. Exactly! What is one thing that surprised you in writing this book?

Suzy: The one thing that surprised me in writing this book is the same thing that always surprises me: that it’s a book at all! Writing feels risky, every single time. Like, “Am I nuts for doing this?” I guess part of me still wishes for the comfort of a clear assignment with a guaranteed result, but that’s not what creative writing’s about. It’s about taking leaps. It’s about giving myself permission to express ideas in my own weird way. I’ll never get over the joy of writing something that becomes a book, and I’ll never get over the surprise of it, either!

Me: Any advice for other new picture book writers or poets?

Suzy: There are so many different kinds of picture books, so I’d say rather than following the trends, follow the fun, because that’s where your talent lies. But also take well-recommended classes and join critique groups to bolster that talent. And if you happen to enjoy writing in rhyme and/or lyrical language, the first class you should take is Renée LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab! Yes, it’s that good!

Thanks for having me on your blog, Jena! Simply 7 rules!

Thank YOU for stopping by my blog today Suzy.

Dear readers, this poetry picture book published last fall. If you haven’t had a chance yet to track it down, I highly recommend it. It blends evergreen topics and poetry with humor. It’s sure to appeal to kiddos and be read over and over again. Trust me when I say, you won’t want to miss it. 

And if you’re looking for more poetry fun this month, be sure to check out the Kidlitosphere Event Roundup!  Thank you for stopping by!