Josh Gad and the cover for his book ‘PictureFace Lizzy’.Photo:Koury Angelo, Putnam Books for Young
Koury Angelo, Putnam Books for Young
Putnam Books for Young Readers
Gad is approaching that hankering for new things with humor and heart, and in a way that finds middle ground for kids and their parents and guardians.
Josh Gad.Jason Mendez/Getty
Jason Mendez/Getty
Their friends started to consume a lot of social media, and in particular, TikTok. Mywife [Ida]and I were both very concerned about the girls having that stuff too early — not only because of the content they’re exposed to and the addiction that comes with nonstop use of those things, but more importantly because of what might be lost in the process, which is their imagination, their creativity and their ability to create outside of just the digital space.
How did the idea for the book develop?I originally wrote a book that focused on TikTok. After I finished it, I sent it to my editor, and she rightfully said, “I love the concept here, but what if you were to create something that stood in for the things that you’re concerned about your kids getting exposed too young?” And I said, “Oh, that’s a brilliant idea.“I imagined an amalgamation between these two things. At the time, my kids were obsessed with theAmerican Girl dolls, and they were obsessed with their iPads. I thought to myself, “What if you smash those two things together and created this doll that basically had the ability to also have cameras and a screen on it?” And so, it became a living digital doll called PictureFace Lizzy, and this idea of this girl named Eve Tanya, becoming really frustrated that her friends all have various PictureFace Lizzy dolls, each themed to a different thing, and she has none.
Josh Gad.Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty
Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty
Josh Gad.Rodin Eckenroth/Getty
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty
What children’s books did you love growing up?I think that the ones that really, really stayed with me wereWhere The Wild Things Are.I think that that was one of those books that I just came back to again and again. Anything Dr. Seuss was my go-to.The Berenstain Bears.The one that I probably read the most, and it never stopped depressing me, so I’m not sure why I went back to it again and again, wasThe Giving Tree.I think [it] really guided my relationship with nature in a profound way at an early age. Those books that just are about something more than just fleeting things, those are the ones that stand the test of time.You’re a part of so many family films. Did working as an actor in these movies help you as an author in any way?100%. I don’t think I could have done this without having had the opportunity to tap into multiple properties that have had a large effect on kids, from theFrozenfilms,Beauty and the BeasttoAngry Birds. There’s been a real relationship where not only have I been able to engage with kids on screen, but I’ve been fortunate and blessed enough to carry that over into daily life.
Josh Gad.Steven Ferdman/Getty
Steven Ferdman/Getty
Creating that voice was a very eye-opening experience, and I think one that really surprised me in a great way. And then to have my kids give me a pat on the back and say, ‘Yes, this does feel authentic,’ was similarly wonderful.
Josh Gad.Koury Angelo
Koury Angelo
Is there anything else you’d like to write one day?I’m writing right now two passion projects that I can’t yet talk about. One of them is in the film space and the other is in the book space. It’s been such a joy trying my hand at different types of writing. I find it to be very therapeutic and I find it to be really, ultimately, very rewarding and very difficult.
source: people.com
