NYT Bestselling Author on Writing 200+ Children's Books — Tish Rabe

Call to Dr. Seuss Division and Opportunity00:00

Tish calls the Dr. Seuss division at Random House, introduces herself, and the person says they were supposed to call her but didn't. She asks for bad news first: "We cannot publish Morris Aurora Brachiosaurus because we are the rhyming home of Dr. Seuss." Then good news: "How would you like to write a new series for Dr. Seuss?"

Introduction and Background00:30

Host excited to connect with Tish Rabe, thanks Alan Lee. Tish has written 200+ children's books, sold more than 11 million copies, and 300 children's songs. Tish studied opera in college with a four-year degree and minor in jazz. In high school, loved singing and writing but chose singing. Came to New York auditioning everywhere.

High school music teacher became assistant music director on Sesame Street season two. Tish meets him, he asks if she can type, hires her as music production assistant. Hired jingle singers in Manhattan to sing with Jim Henson's Muppets. Sang all day while typing, filing, answering phones.

After a year, they let her sing on Sesame Street with Muppets, on show, albums, specials. First big break: sang with Oscar - "I love trash. Everything dirty and dingy and dusty. Anything ragged and rotten and rusty."

Sesame Street Environment and Vibe04:00

Season 2 felt like the most creative environment. Joan Ganz Cooney (executive producer), Jim Henson, puppeteers made stuff up all day. Worried show would bomb: six-foot yellow bird (Big Bird), cookie monster, grouch in trash can, multi-racial cast in 1969. Joan let them be creative.