Laura Interviews Marlene Byrne: Author of the Project Play Children’s Book Series

When you think about children’s games, what comes to mind? Nintendo Wii or Game Boy? World of Warcraft or Battleship?

But what about backyard games like ‘kick the can’ or ‘ghosts in the graveyard’? Shouldn’t these be included too?

For Marlene Byrne, a children’s author and mother of two from Chicago’s Edgebrook neighborhood, the answer is YES, they should.

For the first time at Laura Reviews, I’m happy to feature a children’s book author and share our conversation about the creation of Project Play.

Byrne is determined to bring back classic backyard games, a tradition she believes teaches children valuable skills like creativity and negotiation, but one which has greatly faded in popularity over the years.

In 2008, Byrne wrote a series of children’s books under the umbrella of Project Play in order to motivate kids to get out in the backyard and play games that foster the imagination and spark creativity. Her first three books in the series, Treasure Hunt, Follow the Leader, and Just a Baseball Game, are beautifully illustrated and tell the adventures of Sam and his friends as they engage in nostalgic backyard games.

Since its debut, Project Play has received notable reviews in numerous publications, including BusinessWeek, Chicago Parent, Time Out Chicago, Armchair Interviews, South Florida Parenting Magazine, and the Midwest Book Review.

Byrne believes it as equally important to be creative as it is to be smart, and her passion is contagious.

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Laura Cococcia: Your series of Project Play books aims to inspire children to play games that require physical and creative activities. I remember being a child and we were playing in the backyard all the time - but things have changed, particularly with the advent of video games, the Internet, etc. What are some examples of feedback you’ve received from parents - or even children - on the Project Play series?

Marlene Byrne: Things are different today. Neighborhood families don’t consist of seven or eight children anymore. The opportunity of playing with a large group of neighborhood kids may not be practical because kids are busy with scheduled activities. And today, many parents are afraid of sending their children to the park by themselves.

But parents, teachers and reviewers have responded positively to the Project Play movement. Mostly, it has inspired them to rethink about this important pastime that has diminished and work on ways to bring it back.

“Our kids need time to round up their peers, play ‘kick the can,’ even scrape their knees. Our job as parents is to make backyard playtime a priority.”

– BusinessWeek, Diane Brady, January 12, 2009

“Creative and active play effect children’s development greatly. Some children have a hard time articulating thoughts and these (games) give them a way to express thoughts creatively.”

– Shauna Loftus, 3rd Grade Teacher, September 2008

“Overall, I think this is a really great series and I look forward to seeing the books and games to come. Neighborhood play is dying art that desperately needs resuscitation. This series is just what kids need to get outside and play.”

– ArmchairInterviews.com, Jamie Driggers, February 16, 2009

Laura Cococcia: You just launched the series in 2008, and since then, the series has gained nationwide attention. When you were writing the series, did you ever imagine that Project Play would attain such success?

Marlene Byrne: I began writing the books as poems to my children. I wanted them to understand how fun backyard play is and to be inspired to play these games as they grew. My initial goal was to write down all the games we played in my youth to make sure they were taught and able to play.

Once I began to write, I shared the idea and decided to publish it as a book. The Project Play theme was a natural fit and with the help of Jesse Graber, my illustrator, I was able to bring the idea to life.

Today, I am amazed that everyone who talks with me about the series has fond memories from playing all sorts of different backyard games in their childhood. The ideas seem endless. I can’t wait to continue to share game ideas in future books.

Laura Cococcia: I think even adults sometimes struggle with being creative (I know I'm one of them!). Can you give us a couple of your own ideas that might help our Laura Reviews readers get their creative juices flowing?

Marlene Byrne: It is always easier to be creative about something you love. If it is cooking, create a new dish. If it is painting, create something for a friend. If you love to garden, make the front yard your canvas.

I love to write and I grew up playing backyard games, so the idea of bringing the games to life was not a stretch for me. If I get stuck, I use my kids and their friends for inspiration. When I worked on writing Kick the Can, I sat in a chair while they played the game around me for inspiration.

I believe that if you want to create something special, it must be something close to your heart.

Laura Cococcia: Is there any advice you have for other writers, regardless of genre, given your experience with the Project Play series?

Marlene Byrne: Publishing is a scary business. The big firms are looking for profits and that doesn’t always mean that your content fits their needs. As with any business, they are deluged with ideas and have to take a hard line.

Don’t get discouraged if you want to publish and it doesn’t happen right away. It took eight years for my first book to be published.

Write what you love and believe in it. Be practical that perhaps it isn’t what the world wants to buy and then keep writing. Set your goals on making yourself happy first and then see where it takes you.

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For more info on Project Play, visit Marlene’s fun web site at http://www.projectplaybooks.com.

Her books can be ordered at Atlas Bookstore, and readers are invited to stay tuned for the release of Byrne’s fourth book in the series this fall.

Thanks Marlene!