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Elise Primavera
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Elise Primavera

Elise Primavera has illustrated more than twenty books for children, several of which she also wrote, including the New York Times bestselling Auntie Claus as well as Auntie Claus and the Key to Christmas and Auntie Claus Home for the Holidays. Other... Read full bio

Author Revealed:
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. Dream big!
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Elise Primavera: A Self Portrait
Elise Primavera Revealed
About Elise Primavera
  • What is your birthdate?:
    1/19
  • Previous occupations:
    I taught riding, and art.
  • Favorite job:
    teaching riding.
  • High school and/or college:
    Red Bank Catholic HS, Moore College of Art, Art Students League, National Academy School of Fine Art
  • Name of your favorite composer or music artist?:
    Cole Porter
  • Favorite movie:
    Annie Hall
  • Favorite television show:
    Curb Your Enthusiasm
Revealing Questions
Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
A. It's all about making something out of nothing.
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. Dream big!
Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
A. Royalties
Q. What’s your greatest fear?
A. A bad haircut.
Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
A. In Hollywood having lunch with Steven Spielberg -- he's buying.
Q. With whom in history do you most identify?
A. Annie Oakley
Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?
A. Where are my (insert any word, glasses, keys etc.)
Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
A. Frodo baggins
Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
A. Gollum
Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
A. Confucius: Hi!
Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
A. People who talk on their cell phones in public for all the world to hear.
Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
A. walking my dog, running
Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
A. Broadway director, choreogrpher, conductor --anything to do with the theater
On Books and Writing
Q. Who are your favorite authors?
A. Charlotte Bronte Henry James Roald Dahl Ian McEwan John Steinbeck
Q. What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
A. Jane Eyre The Hobbit Portrait of a Lady Lord of the Rings East of Eden
Q. Is there a book you love to reread?
A. Lord of the Rings
Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
A. Read everything you can get your hands on..
Q. How did you come to write Louise the Big Cheese?
A. Auntie Claus I met at the cosmetics counter at Saks in 1996 while I was living in New York City. Who wouldn't make a story after meeting a character like her? Louise the Big Cheese grew out of the idea that striving to be a big cheese is a great concept but it doesn't always translate into making one happy.