Kenneth Kraegel will read you a “Lullaby” at Schuler Books 

“Firefly Lullaby” (Candlewick $18.99)

Children’s book writer/illustrator Kenneth Kraegel considers Dr. Seuss and “Where the Wild Things Are” author/artist Maurice Sendak to be major influences on his work.

“I’m old school,” Kraegel said. “I was – and am – drawn to all the things that you can do when you put words and pictures together. The moment you open a picture book, you enter a whole new world. It’s like watching a play or a movie, but you are holding it in your hands. Since I write and illustrate the books, I get to create that entire world. Also, when my son was very young, he would sit on my lap and I would read to him before naps and bedtime. They were sweet times and I try to create books that are worthy of those moments.”

The self-taught artist will sign copies of his latest book, “Firefly Lullaby” (Candlewick $18.99), on Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m. to noon at Schuler Books at the Meridian Mall in Okemos.

“Lansing and the surrounding area have a good vibe. I’m looking forward to this visit,” Kraegel said. “The Schuler Books in Grand Rapids has been my home base bookstore for my entire career. They have been very supportive and fun to work with.”

Kraegel said he has visited several Lansing area elementary schools in the last year and figured the Okemos store was a perfect fit.

“I’ve been to the store, and it is very impressive,” he said.

Kenneth Kraegel/Contributed

Meeting new people is always a highlight of doing book signings, Kraegel said.

“Talking with kids – those are the other half of my job and I love it,” he said. “The rest of the time is spent working alone in my studio, so visiting bookstores and schools balances that out nicely.”

Born in Illinois, Kraegel – the second of four children – grew up in Mishawaka, IN.

He is an alumnus of Mishawaka High School and Wheaton College in his native Illinois, where he earned his undergraduate degree in theology. Kraegel lives in Grand Rapids with Irene, his wife of 26 years, and their teenage son. 

“Firefly Lullaby” is Kraegel’s ninth book. It is the third installment in the “Lullaby” series, following “Mushroom Lullaby” and “Mermaid Lullaby.”

“I wanted to create a series of books specifically for those going-to-bed moments, books that calm things down. I had already done ‘Mushroom Lullaby’ and ‘Mermaid Lullaby.’ I liked the sound of ‘Firefly Lullaby,’ so I went with it,” Kraegel said. “At the beginning of the book, the sun is going down and we, the readers, are ‘listening for a sound that only certain ears can hear.’ When we finally hear a tiny trumpet, we know the ‘fireflies at last are here!’ The fireflies are a lot of fun; they have a dance, then a race and a feast. After all that carrying on, things start to wind down and eventually they head to bed. The book concludes by wishing the reader ‘dreams blessed in joys without number’ that ‘take you soaring, high and wide and wild through the flying lights of wonder.’”

Kraegel spoke about how this book stands out from his othes, as well as other children’s books today.

“The fireflies have a lot of personality. I don’t have another book with characters who are quite this expressive,” he said. “This book and the other ‘Lullaby’ books are designed to decrescendo. That is, they start out energetically exploring a world. Then midway through the book, the book becomes more and more calming, eventually leaving the reader in a calm and sleepy place.”

The most challenging aspect of creating “Firefly Lullaby” was patience, Kraegel said. 

“My favorite part of making the book was drawing and painting the final illustrations,” he said. “It took a long time for the book to come together – at least a year. Getting the rhymes right, figuring out how I was going to draw the fireflies – all of that took time.”

Kraegel has worked some eclectic jobs in his time. After graduating from college, he worked at a refugee resettlement agency in Chicago and then worked with people with developmental disabilities in a greenhouse. The greenhouse work led him to organic vegetable farming, which he pursued for a few years. However, deep down, he really wanted to create picture books.

“Eventually, that desire overtook my other interests,” he said. “I am glad for the meandering path I took to get where I am; all those experiences shaped who I am and the books that I make.”  

Visit Kraegel at www.kennethkraegel.com.