Heaven and Mirth

Answers to the Most 

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated June 2008

• What were you like as a kid?

                Small. I was a lot smaller than I am now I was always creative. I loved modeling clay, drawing pictures, and writing. I loved school and got good grades. School was fun. I played all the sports, starred in the school play (which I wrote) and was class president a few times. I was also the class clown all the time.

                I had a red and cream Schwinn bicycle which I paid for by working on a paper route. I had dog named "Lady" who grew up with me. I also had a monkey named "Socko" and a motorcycle named "triumph." I drew cartoons for the school annual and for the school paper at college. I made lots of model race cars and hot rods. I wrote poems and songs. Like I said--I always loved creating. It has been the main force in my life. In fact, it IS my life!

• Why do you write children's books?

I love language. Words are great. I love to use my imagination and make people laugh. That's why I am a writer.

• What is your favorite color?

Yellow, Yellow and Yellow.

• What is your favorite food?

Edible food.

• Are you rich?

I am doing what I love to do, and people seem to like it. I have a beautiful family and I know God. I feel like the richest man in the world.

• Where do you live?

I live on a beautiful Christmas tree farm in Canby,  just outside of Portland, Oregon. I live with my son, his wife, and five grandchildren.

• Are you Married?

I was married. My wife Laurel Lee Thaler passed away a year and a half ago.

• Are Mrs. Green and Mr. Green married ?

Yes, and very happily.

• Why is Teacher crossed out on the cover of The Principal from the Black Lagoon?  Is it a mistake?

No, Mrs. Green became a principal. Many principals are former classroom teachers.

• Do you have any pets?

We have three llamas, four sheep and a cat. Plus all the birds that fly by, the mice in the field and 2 barn owls.

• How old are you?

I was born October 8th 1936. You figure it out.

• Do you drive a limousine?

No, I think limousines are ugly, and forget about parking. I have a 2005 Saturn Vue Redline. It is black with yellow seats and a yellow racing stripe.  I love it.

• What is your favorite book?

The Bible is my favorite book. I read it every morning and every night. I learn something new each time.

• What was your favorite book when you were a kid?

My favorite book was The Little Engine that Could. It taught me that you can accomplish great things if you don't give up. I still say "I think I can, I think I can, I knew I could."

• When was your first book published?

My first book Magic Boy was published in 1961 by Ursula Nordstrom, my very first editor. She called me one day and asked me to write a children's book. I said "I think I can."  I sat down and wrote Magic Boy and sold it the next day. Since then I have had over 180 books published.

• How long are you going to keep writing books?

As long as God wants me to.

• Do you write on a computer?

I don't even know how to turn one on. My son, who is a genius, is typing this out right now. I write with a pencil, piece of paper, and my imagination.

• Where do your ideas come from?

I believe all creativity comes from God. You just have to learn to listen.

• How did you think of the title The Teacher From the Black Lagoon?

There is an old move called The Creature From the Black Lagoon. I changed Creature to Teacher and I was on my way.

• How many Black Lagoon books are you going to write?

I don't know. There are now 18 picture books and 8 chapter books. The latest The Substitute Teacher, The School Secretary, The Vice Principal, and The Computer Teacher. They are coming out this year and next. I have written many more still yet to be published. The Karate Teacher, The School Psychologist, The Reading Teacher, The Class Clown, The Crossing Guard, etc, etc, etc. We could go on forever. The Black Lagoon is very deep! And we haven't even gone out of school yet. I also have an idea for another Black Lagoon Chapter Book series called Black Lagoon Adventures. They are all about Hubie's daydreams. Hubie Cool - SuperSpy, Hubie Cool - Astronaut, Hubie Cool - Pioneer, etc, etc, etc.

• What do you do when you are not writing?

• Sleep

• Eat

• Pray

• Read

• Enjoy family and friends

• Travel

• Collect Japanese art called Netsuke.

• Do school programs

• And go to church

• Do you live in a mansion?

Any home that is full of love is a mansion.

• Do you have any other series besides The Black Lagoon?

Definitely. My newest series is called Heaven and Mirth. They are funny Bible stories like: Moses Take Two Tablets and Call Me in the Morning, David and Bubblebath Sheeba, John the Baptist : Wet and Wild. etc, etc, etc.

Other series are:

• The Bully Brothers

• Happily Ever Laughter

• Its Me, Hippo - I Can Reads

• Pack 109 - Another early reader series

• And over 45 riddle books.

• Do you know Jared?

Jared and I have done over 25 books together - we are a team. We talk on the phone every morning and see each other at least once a year. He was the best man at my wedding and is the greatest partner an author could ever want.

• Do you know any other famous writers?

My wife Laurel Lee who recently passed away was a great writer. I started the poet Jack Prelutsky in children's books. I meet lots of other authors at conferences and book festivals. But the most writers I meet are you kids during school visits. You are all writers. All you need is a pencil, a piece of paper, and your imagination. 

• Do you have a favorite Black Lagoon character?

I like them all. Hubie, Mrs. Green, Mrs. Beamster, Fester Smudge, T. Rex Fender Bender, etc, etc, etc. They are all part of the lagoon family.

• Do you answer all your mail?

Sadly I don't have time to answer all my mail, but I do read it. I wouldn't have time to write books and do school visits if I did.

So let me thank you now for all your letters, drawings and ideas for Black Lagoon books.  I also thank you for your interest and enjoyment of my books. I am blessed to be able to write them. I hope they bless you, too.