I had the pleasure of editing a fun and creative story written by talented author, Jay B. Greene, and am excited to share it with our blog followers in this interview. The title alone should pique your interest—right?

Of course, we will start with the basic question:

How did you get the idea for your book, Jay?

Like many good stories, this one began at bedtime. Back in the early 1990s, I started making up stories for my children, Tynan and Casey, before they went to sleep. Years later, when Jordan came along, the stories continued.

The first children’s story I ever wrote was The Wolf Who Liked Spaghetti. It really started when my daughter, Casey, broke her arm riding her bicycle. Her mother took her to get the cast set. The doctor happened to be called Dr. Wolfe. She was scared and asked me, “Why does he have to be called Wolf?” So, I made up this story!

One night I imagined a wolf scratching at our back door. Instead of wanting to eat someone, he wanted… spaghetti. The children loved the idea. Every time I told the story, they laughed and wanted to hear it again. I changed it over the years, but soon the wolf became part of our family. While the story changed, one thing never changed—he was always a friendly wolf with an unusual appetite. More than thirty years later, I decided it was time to share Wolf with other families.

How did you choose the names for the children in your story?

That was the easiest part of writing the book. The children are named after my three children—Tynan, Casey, and Jordan—because they inspired these stories from the beginning. Each of them has a unique personality, and those personalities helped shape the characters in the book. Although the story is fictional, the love behind it is very real. Every page reminds me of those wonderful evenings when they would ask, “Can you tell us another story?”

Even though it’s a humorous fictional story, you still have a message for the reader. Can you share more about that?

Absolutely. Children often learn life’s biggest lessons through simple stories. At first, the children hear scratching outside their house and naturally become frightened. They expect something scary because it’s a wolf. Instead, they discover someone who is simply hungry and grateful for kindness. I hope children learn that appearances don’t always tell the whole story. Sometimes the people—or wolves—we’re afraid of simply need understanding instead of fear. The book also celebrates family, sharing, imagination, and the special memories created when parents and grandparents read aloud to children. Those moments become lifelong treasures.

Will there be more Wolf stories?

Yes! The Wolf Who Liked Spaghetti is only the beginning. It is the first book in my planned Hungry Wolf Adventures series. The next books include:

• The Wolf Who Tried Pizza

• The Wolf Who Came Back

• The Wolf Who Had Puppies

I already have more adventures planned. Once a friendly wolf finds a family willing to share dinner with him, he keeps coming back with new surprises.

Your readers know you from mysteries and science fiction. Why write a children’s book now?

I’ve always loved telling stories, regardless of the audience. During my forty-year career as a journalist, I told true stories. I was productive as a healthcare, environmental, and general assignment reporter. Three years ago, I began writing fiction. I’ve since written five investigative mystery and suspense novels featuring Jack Kendall, a reporter. I’ve also written the first two books in the Tim and Peggy Smith Space Adventure Trilogy, a family sci-fi series. But some of my favorite stories were never published. They were told at bedtime while three little children listened with wide eyes. Publishing The Wolf Who Liked Spaghetti felt like coming full circle. It allowed me to preserve those family memories while creating new ones for other parents and grandparents.

What other children’s books do you have planned?

I’ve also written Casey and the Worm, The Good Dinosaurs of the Green Forest, and The Alligator Who Almost Ate Jordan.

If you could have dinner with the Wolf, what would you serve him?

Well, I’d definitely make a big pot of spaghetti! But I think I’d also have pizza ready, just in case. Knowing the wolf, he’d probably ask for meatballs, too. Fortunately, my wife has always been an excellent cook, so I think we’d keep him very happy.

How can our followers learn more about you and your books?

You can find my books on Amazon, including my Jack Kendall Mystery series, the Tim and Peggy Smith Space Adventure series, and now my newest children’s picture book, The Wolf Who Liked Spaghetti.

Children’s Stories

On Amazon, you can find The Wolf Who Liked Spaghetti: The Hungry Wolf Adventures https://a.co/d/05UGfblc

You can learn more about my books, upcoming releases, and my writing journey by visiting my website: www.jaybgreene.com

Whether you enjoy mysteries, science fiction, or bedtime stories, I hope you’ll find a story that makes you smile.

Thank you for joining me on this adventure—and remember…You never know who might come scratching at your door.

Thank you for sharing with us today, Jay!

Here’s to a plate of spaghetti and a wolf at the back door!

I give this book 5 big smiles! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Crystal

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