Toby Tootles Interview with Stephanie Gibeault

I’m thrilled to welcome Stephanie Gibeault to the blog! Her debut picture book, Toby Tootles, whooshes into bookstores on March 15th. It's perfectly illustrated with just the right amount of sweet and silly by Mary Sullivan and published by Sleeping Bear Press. Stephanie has generously offered to give away a non-rhyming picture book or query critique for one person who comments on the blog below by March 15th!

Where did you get the idea for this (very relatable) book about family and flatulence?

The idea of doing a story about the relationship between a grandparent and grandchild came from watching my own parents’ interactions with my niece and nephew. It’s such a special relationship and I wanted to celebrate that. But the flatulence part came from a conversation with an older friend who mentioned how much harder it is to be discreet with gas as you age, especially when you bend over. And whoosh, the idea for Grandma’s gassy moments was born. But at its heart, this is a book about being comfortable in your own skin, and as somebody with anxiety, I wanted to reassure kids that embarrassment happens to everybody and you can get through it.

Were you nervous to submit a book full of potty humor?

I was always a bit nervous about showing this story to critique partners (anxious personality, remember 😊) because, although farts are definitively funny, not everybody appreciates this type of humor. But I never let that stop me. I even read it at an open mic night at a Highlights Foundation workshop. But when it came to showing my agent, I almost didn’t. I was worried she might decide my humor wasn’t a fit. But after the contract was signed, I threw caution to the wind and sent it to her just in case. She loved it and felt certain we would find an editor who would it too. Thank goodness I took that chance!

Were there any surprises during the publication process?

Absolutely! When I wrote this story, I could clearly see Grandma and Toby in my mind. And they were humans. When I got my first glimpse of Mary Sullivan’s brilliant and hilarious artwork, I was shocked to see rabbits. But I adore how expressive and fun these characters are. They aren’t fluffy, gentle Easter bunnies! Now I can’t imagine Toby and Grandma any other way.

Do you have any other books coming out? Any other exciting projects on the horizon?

Yes, I have four other books on the horizon. Can’t Get Enough Dog Stuff (co-authored with Moira Donohue) is a middle grade nonfiction book full of facts, quizzes, and activities. It’s coming out in April of this year from National Geographic Kids. In spring of 2024, I have two middle grade nonfiction books releasing. The first is From Calculating Chimpanzees to Brainy Bees: Mathematical Abilities in Animals (illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett) from Candlewick/MIT Kids Press. And the second is Making Sense of Dog Senses: How Dogs Perceive the World (illustrated by Raz Latif) from Owlkids Books. In spring 2025, I have a nonfiction picture book from Owlkids Books tentatively entitled Dogs Versus Humans: Showdown of the Senses (illustrator to be announced). Plus, I have a picture book bio on submission right now. Fingers crossed!

Stephanie, thank you so much for sharing a bit about your writing journey. I’m so glad you threw caution to the wind to create—and submit—Toby Tootles!

Stephanie Gibeault is a children’s author and award-winning freelance writer. As a former biologist and certified professional dog trainer, she loves writing about dogs and other animals, even farting rabbits. Stephanie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in ecology and evolution and a Master of Science in animal behavior, and her time in academia involved grunting with gorillas and stinking like marmoset monkeys. Years later, dog training meant being covered in fur and drool. Now she spends her days just outside of Toronto, Canada, convincing her cat Heton not to take over her keyboard.

Stephanie is represented by Jacqueline Lipton at Tobias Literary Agency. For more information, visit stephaniegibeault.com and follow Stephanie on Twitter @GibeaultWrites and Instagram @stephanie_gibeault.

To order a copy:
Blue Heron Books
Bookshop.org
Barnes and Noble
Amazon