Interview with Debut Picture Book Author Ronni Diamondstein

I’m super excited today to be sharing with you not only a fun, interesting, and inspiring new story about an American icon, but also a debut picture book author who embodies those same sorts of qualities.

No doubt, you are already familiar with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former first lady of the United States and wife of President John F. Kennedy, Jr. Maybe you remember her one-of-a-kind sense of style that launched a thousand looks in fashion magazines (and still does). Or the tremendous courage and grace she embodied in the face of unimaginable tragedy when President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.

There were so many facets to this fascinating and complicated woman, but did you know that she was an avid consumer and champion of literature, reading, and writing? That she helped launch many writing careers and bestselling books? I did not, until I had the absolute pleasure of reading Ronni Diamondstein’s new one-of-a-kind picture book, Jackie and the Books She Loved. It is the life story of a woman we seem to know so much about—told through an entirely different lens–one that both children and their caregivers will find entertaining and wonderfully surprising. Colorful and engaging illustrations by Bats Langley authentically capture the distinctive look and spirit of Jackie and her famous family.

I’m so happy to have Ronni here with us today. Many of us in the kidlit community know her from her years of dedicated work on the Board of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, which just wrapped up another successful annual event last month. As a former librarian and teacher, lifelong writer and journalist for magazines and journals, and talented photographer, Ronni embodies a love and passion for many of the same things as Jackie. And I, personally, am a big fan of her pint-sized sidekick, Maggie Mae, a dog with her own journalism credits and literary following!

Hilary Margitich: Ronni, thank you so much for joining us today on Writers’ Rumpus! My dog, Milo, and I would also like to say hello to Maggie Mae, who I’m guessing is probably at your side right now. Can we do a doggie hello?

Ronni Diamondstein: It’s an honor to be with you today, Hilary, on Writers’ Rumpus! Maggie Mae Pup Reporter is right here, and we both want to say hello to Milo and you!

HM: I must tell you how much I absolutely adore your debut picture book, Jackie and the Books She Loved. It’s a nostalgic, yet surprising glimpse into American history and the life of a highly influential and intelligent woman. I’m curious–has this side of Jackie always been on your radar, or did you discover it at some point in your own life?

RD: I was eight years old when JFK was elected President, and I remember Jackie as the First Lady. President Kennedy had a great influence on my life, from his call to action at his inauguration, to watching his press conferences after school. I will never forget November 22, 1963, and how Jackie carried on after that. When she passed away in 1994, initially, I wanted to write a novel, but then my friend Margot Datz, who illustrated Carly Simon’s picture books and worked with Jackie as the editor, suggested I write for children.  I knew Jackie had been a book editor, but when I started my research, I learned more about her love of reading and writing as a child. The more research I did, the more I saw this thread in her life. One of the things that I am so happy about is that I was able to include a poem that Jackie wrote as a child in the book thanks to Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, who graciously agreed to give us permission to reprint her mother’s poem.

HM: I can tell that you are very passionate about this subject matter—it shines through in the story. What would you like today’s young readers to take away from this story that could help them today?

RD: I love that I am introducing a new generation to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, a remarkable person who was among other things, a fascinating First Lady of the United States. The other piece to this is that it’s about how important reading and books were to her, and how they can shape the lives of our children, too. Even though it is written for children ages 4-8, I believe older children and adults will appreciate the story. And there’s a lot of interesting facts in the back matter. Jackie once said, “There are many ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.”  It’s something I spent my whole career doing as a school library media specialist. That about sums it up.

HM: You’ve been a big proponent of children’s literacy in some shape or form for most of your life, both from directly working with children and from organizing community efforts to promote it. At what point, in this journey, did you decide that you wanted to write children’s books, and what sparked that realization?

RD: I have been writing my whole life and writing books for children for as long as I can remember. I often created writing opportunities for myself. I also write feature stories for local magazines. My toy poodle Maggie Mae had a column in one of them. It was fun to write from a dog’s point of view. And like Jackie, I was interested in people and loved interviewing them. I then started writing picture books biographies. Jackie and the Books She Loved is my debut book and I’m thrilled with that!

HM: The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival just had another incredibly successful yearly event last month, with so many talented children’s authors and illustrators in attendance (including you!). I know a big part of the festival’s success today is the result of years of hard work on your part as a member of the Board. Can you tell us a bit about this festival, and how it’s become such a beloved institution in the kidlit community?

RD: They say it takes a village, and it certainly does for the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, but the driving force behind this event that has grown over the years, is Dawn Greenberg, the Executive Director. There is huge community support for the event, and it is run by volunteers of all ages, from Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to senior citizens. The CCBF has grown from 45 authors and illustrators in 2013 to 180 this year. Thousands of people attend from near and far, and authors request to participate. There is always a long waiting list.  As someone who was involved from the very beginning and has been a board member, it was a dream come true to be there this year with my first book!

HM: You have some very cool and unique events planned for the launch of Jackie and the Books She Loved, which comes out next month with Sky Pony Press. Can you tell us about those? I know that some are regional and in-person, and some are virtual and open to anyone.

RD: I’m very excited about the official launch on Thursday, November 9 at 7PM. It’s a virtual event cosponsored by the Chappaqua Library, Friends of the Miller House, and Skyhorse Press. I’ll be reading my book, followed by a Q&A. Registrants are eligible for a raffle of a signed copy of Jackie and the Books She Loved, and there’s a craft activity packet they can pick up at the library. As a longtime resident of Chappaqua and former Library Board President, it is a perfect way to kick off the book! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jackie-and-the-books-she-loved-virtual-book-launch-registration-710322823687?aff=oddtdtcreator

I was honored to be asked by the National First Ladies Library in Canton, Ohio to do an event. They currently have an exhibit about Jackie. Legacy Lecture: Jackie and the Books She Loved, Penning a Jackie Kennedy Picture Book, Thursday, November 16 at noon. I’ll be reading Jackie and the Books She Loved and discuss how the book came to be and the remarkable literary life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the First Lady of Literature. Free tickets are available now. http://tinyurl.com/bdhtbedz

On Saturday, November 25 from noon to 2PM, I will have a book signing celebration in Chappaqua, NY at Susan Lawrence Gourmet Foods. It will be great fun. I hope to see a lot of people there. We’ll have some nice surprises!  More details will be on my website. www.ronnidiamondstein.com

HM: What are you working on now and what’s next for you? Can you tell us where our readers can follow you on social media?

RD: As I mentioned before, I am interested in people, so I am researching a fascinating woman for a picture book biography. I recently posted a quote on my website by Emma Walton Hamilton, “I think you have to have a personal connection, and that’s what I am always looking to try to create: a personal way in to a story.”  That rings true for me.

You can follow me on:

Facebook: Ronni Diamondstein

Instagram: @maggiemaepupreporter 

X: @MaggieMae10514

Threads: @maggiemaepupreporter

Post: @ronnidiamondstein

Bluesky: @ronnidiamondstein.bsky.social

LinkedIn: Ronni Diamondstein

And every day, I post a quote of the day on my website that I hope will inspire writers of all ages. www.ronnidiamondstein.com

HM: Ronni, thank you so much for taking time to talk with us today! Your work is inspiring, and I wish you so much success with this fabulous book!

RD: This truly was my pleasure Hilary. Thank YOU so much! Your questions were so thoughtful. It was fun to do my very first blog interview with you.

Ronni Diamondstein spent her life surrounded by books and immersed in the world of children’s literature. An avid reader since childhood, libraries, books, and writing are her life’s work. As a school library media specialist and teacher of gifted and talented students in the U.S. and abroad, Ronni nurtured her students’ creativity by sharing her love of reading with them.

Ronni is a graduate of Syracuse University. She attended Bread Loaf Writers Conference and led writing workshops and open mics to encourage people of all ages to tell their stories. Ronni served on the Board of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival and is a past President of the Chappaqua Library Board of Trustees.

Jackie and the Books She Loved is her debut picture book. Ronni lives in Chappaqua, New York with her toy poodle, Maggie Mae.