Celebrate World Chess Day with Jenny Andrus!

Hi, readers, writers, and chess fanatics, too! Did you know today is World Chess Day? World Chess Day is celebrated in order to promote the strategy-driven game and help foster growth and togetherness in the community of players. What better way to celebrate the day than with the talented Jenny Andrus and her book, Elsa's Chessboard - a book that highlights just that? Jenny's book follows Elsa who plays chess whenever she can. When she grows up, she even meets her husband over games in the park. But when World War II grips Europe, the young Jewish family must emigrate to America, where they find themselves surrounded by unfamiliar languages. Thankfully, Elsa knows one language that can always bring people together: chess! Want to know more about Jenny and her intriguing new book plus want a chance to win your own copy? Read on...

Q: Hi, Jenny! Thanks so much for joining us. We're thrilled to have you with us today on World Chess Day. We're especially thrilled to learn more about you and your book. Can you share a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming a children's author? What was your path to publication like?

A: I tried several careers before landing the perfect one: a K-8 school librarian. I loved sharing picture books with students, and it didn’t take long for a story idea of my own to take shape. During the pandemic, I left my job and focused on writing Elsa’s Chessboard. I took classes, attended conferences, and organized a writing group that continues to meet every month. Once I got through early drafts of my book, I worked with an editor whose helpful comments led to some major revisions. I reached out to publishers and feel so lucky to have landed with Neal Porter Books/Holiday House. 

Q: Elsa's Chessboard is such a fascinating story. It takes time during World War II when the war grips Europe. Elsa escapes with her Jewish family to San Francisco, a city of strangers speaking unfamiliar languages. Luckily, Elsa’s chessboard has a way of bringing people together. What encouraged you to write this story?

A: I grew up with my chess-playing, refugee grandmother Elsa. We were very close and agreed on almost everything. . . except chess. She thought it was the greatest game ever, and I did not. As a child, I declined her many offers to teach me. I wish I could go back in time and change my answer. Since that’s not possible, I decided to do the next best thing: I wrote an intergenerational picture book celebrating my grandmother’s love of the game.

Q: Writing historical fiction requires a lot of research and work! What kind of research went into your story? Can you share a behind-the-scenes look at how you approached this project?

A: I started with a treasure trove of family documents and memories. My mother had done a wonderful job of detailing Elsa’s life, including the family’s journey to America. Born in Vienna, Austria in 1900, my grandmother was notably silent about some of her experiences, but she loved telling me stories about growing up with four older brothers. I also relied on books and articles about early 20^th century Austria, specifically ones about the Viennese Jews, and I read extensively about the lives of WW II Jewish refugees in America. 

PS, readers, check out this sweet photo Jenny shared of her Oma and her! How sweet!

Q: The illustrations in your book are gorgeous! Tell me about your illustrator and how you worked together. 

A: I was fortunate to have the best partner in illustrator Julie Downing, who came to my house to look through family photographs. She later went to Vienna to sketch Elsa’s still-standing childhood home and neighborhood. The story spans 8 decades, 4 generations, and 2 continents, and the rich historic details included in Julie’s illustrations help bring Elsa’s journey to life. Check out the hairstyles and clothes! We both hope that chess players will enjoy the actual chess games depicted in the drawings.

Q: What advice do you have for anyone who's looking to break into the picture book market?

A: Because I gained so much from being in a writing group, I recommend that aspiring authors find writing partners. Getting feedback on your own work and editing other people’s stories are great ways to develop writing skills. 

Q: What's the most fascinating fact you learned about Elsa when writing your story? What's one fact you'd like to share that didn't make its way to your story? 

A: One story I loved hearing as a child was how my grandmother played chess with other passengers on the ship coming over from Europe, including with the ship’s captain. As always, she was the only female player. I like to imagine her on the ship’s deck– worries and concerns momentarily set aside as she focuses on the chessboard and her next move. 

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?

A: For immigration and chess reading lists, an Elsa’s Chessboard lesson plan, and an inside look at my grandmother’s life, please check out my website: https://jennyandruswrites.com

Q: Would you like to leave a tip or a treat for our readers?

A: A Treat! I'd love to offer a copy of Elsa's Chessboard to one reader.

Thanks for such a spectacular treat! And, thanks again for joining us. It was such a pleasure getting to know you and your writing more.

Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter to win Jenny's amazing book giveaway, 1) share this post on social media and 2) leave a comment below to thank her for stopping by! Of course, we'd love a good chess pic and/or story, too!

Giveaway winners will be drawn and announced on or about 08/02!

Books will be shipped in the US only.

About Jenny Andrus:

Jenny Andrus is an author, children’s book reviewer, and school librarian. She has written stories for newspapers and magazines, and co-authored Bay Area Baby, a resource book for parents. For fourteen years, she was the librarian at a K-8 school in San Francisco, where her favorite part of the job was sharing picture books with kids.

For more about Jenny, Holiday House & others who have been part of her kidlit journey, check out the below links:

Jenny: @jennyandruswrites

Jenny: @andrussf

Julie Downing: @juliedowning

Red Fox: @redfoxliterary

Kidlit Foxes: @kidlitfoxes

Holiday House Books: @holidayhousebks

Neal Porter Books: @nealporterbooks

Taylor Norman: @taylornorm

To purchase Jenny's book on Amazon, or to leave a review for it, click here.

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