About the Author

Caroline Lee recently said goodbye to her condo in the sky and the bustling city of Chicago.  Now that she has settled in the vibrant seaside town of Delray Beach, Florida, she is making new friends and excited to launch the second novel of the Maxzyne series. At sunset, she is usually walking with her husband on beautiful Delray Beach as the sea turns shades of turquoise, pink and lavender.  She loves meeting Maxzyne fans, growing flowers and vegetables on her rooftop terrace, and imagining her heroine's next adventure. She starts each day reading the newspaper cartoons.

Member:  Society of Children's Bookwriters & Illustrators


 

Q & A with Caroline

What character in the book Maxzyne Meets the Mannequins best describes you?

Peppin and his love for chocolate, of course! Actually I think there is a bit of me in every character; Veronique's love of fashion, Mother's anxiety, and Esmeralda's entrepeneurial and artistic spirit.  When I was ten years old, I most definitely had Maxzyne's impatience to grow up and be her own person.

How long did it take you to write the book?

It took about  9 months to write the first draft of the book.  Believe it or not, the hardest part is the rewrite! It's important to get other people to review your work to make sure it's the best it can be.

What was your favorite children's book?

I loved to read from a young age and so there are too many favorites!  Perhaps The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, was special because I remember doing a book report for an assignment in the 6th grade. The idea of finding another place and time at the back of your closet just amazed me. (And I sure could have used it to escape my younger sisters at times!)  As for characters, I felt bad for poor Edmund! He fell for the White Witch's trick and ate her candy which nearly cost Narnia everything.

The book features a lot about Maxzyne's love of art.  Who is your favorite artist past and present?

I have a particular fondness for Renoir. His painting The Boating Party always dazzles me because the colors are so vibrant and the people portrayed are enjoying themselves at an outdoor picnic. As for a present-day artist, I am a huge fan of Jonathan Wolfe, the talented illustrator for Maxzyne. (See his website at www.bellwolfe.com)  I also admire the homeless artisans living on the Chicago streets. They create and market their art in such challenging conditions. See Maxzyne's Pics and Picks which feature photos of these creative spirits and their art.

Will you write another book about Maxzyne?

I just launched Maxzyne's latest adventure, Maxzyne & the Old Horse Theatre. She is so energetic that I have a hard time keeping up - especially with her imagination!

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