President Squid Unplugged: An Interview with Author Aaron Reynolds

Loaded with undeniable charisma and an unwavering commitment to going against the current, President Squid has proven himself to be the most gigantic candidate to hit the campaign trail in decades (really, he’s HUGE!). His story is inspirational and hilarious, so it’s understandable if you find yourself immediately sucked in.
Incredibly, we had the opportunity to catch up with Aaron Reynolds, author of the Caldecott Honor-winning book Creepy Carrots and the wry and insightful creator of this once-in-a-generation cephalopod phenomenon who’s blazing a brilliant ink trail. We’re dedicated to asking the hard questions to keep you, dear reader, informed—it’s a rough sea out there!
Why a Giant Squid? Do you consider them to be the outsiders of the sea?
A giant squid just seemed perfect. Enormous, oblivious, and a wee bit narcissistic, he’s used to being a big fish (okay, cephalopod) in a small ocean. The ideal sea creature to grossly misunderstand true leadership. But, in the end, he doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. Okay, no bones whatsoever (cephalopod, remember?).
Your story does a wonderful job of nurturing an early interest in politics and democratic process. Was there an instrumental person in your life who sparked your own enthusiasm?
Is that what is does? Cool! I thought I was just being super silly!
The truth is, I had very little interest until I met a little girl named Eliza a few years ago. She was six-years-old or so at the time, and she steadfastly wore a tie and button-up to school every day.
Why? Because she had big plans. She was going to be president when she grew up! And presidents wear ties! The other kids sometimes scoffed at her formalwear but she was not daunted! I was taken with her wonderfully simple and sincere ideology about the nature of leadership. It occurred to me that we all bring different ideas to what makes a leader—or a president—and President Squid began to take shape!
“Being president is more work than I thought” is a realization that would likely resonate with all candidates of all parties—as well as readers of all ages. What other common ground did you hope to create with this multi-layer story?
Just that, at the end of the day, the president is there to help people. Whether your political beliefs interpret that as “government just needs to leave me alone and let me live my life” or your views skew towards “we need more programs to make the world a better place for all”, I think everyone can get behind little Sardine when he tells President Squid “Helping people…that’s very presidential.”
Well…maybe everyone except President Squid himself.
If the Giant Squid, in fact, pursues another path, who’s the next best children’s literary character for the job?
Well, Olivia is too bossy. Pete the Cat is too mellow. The Cat in the Hat is too seductive. Maybe Fancy Nancy? She’s creative, has lots of great ideas, with just a streak of rebellion. Plus, she’d bring some much needed class to the presidential race.
What’s on the President Squid bumper sticker?
CALAMARI PARTY, 2016
Or
My other car is a humpback.
President Squid is on bookshelves now.