Catching Up With Susan Verde, New York Times Best-Selling Author

October 24, 2020

I recently caught up with Susan Verde. We have been reading her books in our family for five years and have been gifting and recommending them to family and friends ever since. She is a kind and inspiring human and an amazing author of a dozen beautifully written children’s books that teach children to find their own voice & the peace inside themselves.

Titles include: I Am Yoga, I Am Peace, I Am Human, I Am Love, I Am One, The Museum, The Water Princess, and You and Me, Friends Forever - all eight of which she collaborated with Peter H. Reynolds as the illustrator. She also penned The Three Little Yogis and The Wolf Who Lost His Breath, art by Jay Fleck; Rock ‘N’ Roll Soul art by Matthew Cordell; Unstoppable Me, art by Andrew Joyner and Hey Wall, art by John Parra.

Susan grew up in Greenwich Village in New York City and now lives in East Hampton, New York with her three children, their dog Gizmo and many other creature friends. For more about Susan’s books, virtual visits, mindfulness meditation & more, please visit her beautiful web site: www.susanverde.com.

Who or what inspires your writing? 

I am inspired by the kids in my life mostly. The ones I have taught, the ones who are my own and the kid in myself. I think about the things that I needed to hear as a child and what I wish I knew then and what kids need to know about themselves now. Sometimes the world feels overwhelming and I want readers to know that there is joy and creativity and that they have the tools inside to care for themselves and others. I am also incredibly inspired by the work kids today are doing and the brilliance of their words and actions. There really is so much inspiration out there if you are open to receiving it. 

When did you know you wanted to be an author? 

I always knew I loved writing, even as a child but I didn’t think about the possibility that I could be a published author until I was older, and my children were toddlers. I had many other jobs and iterations of myself before I got here but I was writing all the while. At a certain point I knew I wanted to share my writing with a bigger audience and that is what motivated me to pursue being an author.

What book are you reading right now? 

A friend just loaned me her copy of Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. It’s on oldie but a goodie. I have been feeling like I needed some extra inspiration and support in making a difference in the world and this was just the right read. Halfway through! 

What is one of your hobbies?

Well, I used to play tennis a lot but the world hasn’t made it easy lately. I love to read and go to the ocean to walk. It’s not so much a hobby as a ritual to keep me sane. 

Thank you again to Susan for taking the time to answer these questions.