We all have that one thing we’d rather avoid—maybe it’s a trip to the dentist or waking up early. For Barnaby, it’s shearing day. Losing all that wool? No, thank you! So he runs for it as any reasonable sheep would do!
Today, we’re chatting with Maria Antonia to learn more about Barnaby’s great escape, the inspiration behind the book, and why this runaway sheep will steal your heart.
Thank you, Maria Antonia, for sharing your journey, your humor, and the magic that brings Barnaby to life. Let’s get started!
Me. What inspired you to write this book?
M.A. Back in early 2020, I came across the true story of Shrek the Sheep. This wayward sheep got lost and ended up living alone in a cave for six long years! When his shepherds found him, his wool was so thick that he couldn’t move around anymore. It took 20 minutes to shear him, something that should only take a few minutes. Reading Shrek’s story got me thinking about writing a non-fiction account, but that soon morphed into me writing a fictionalized version of a runaway sheep named Barnaby.
Me. How did you choose the title? Did it change during the writing process?
M.A. I initially started with the title of “A Lost Sheep,” but that soon turned into “The Runaway Sheep.” That was the title I used when the story was on submission to publishers. Finally, when my publisher was ready to go to print, they came up with the title “Barnaby the Runaway Sheep” so as to distinguish the story from other runaway sheep books!
Me. What is your favorite line/scene from the book?
M.A. I love the shepherd’s call! Throughout the book, the tall shepherd gives a call. When Barnaby hears it, he runs to be the first one home … Except when he gets scared of the clippers. When I read this story to classrooms, we always start with the call and I ask them to make the call with me each time it comes up in the story: “Oooo-yeeeee!”
I also love the line: “He remembered how the small shepherd would scritch-scritch-scratch his back.” That’s so fun to read aloud.
Me. What comes first for you—the plot or the characters?
M.A. I think it’s a bit of a blend. The plot usually comes first, but I immediately start to create a character. Although the name of the character might change. It did with this book. I initially started with the name Shrek but moved on to Barnaby.
Me. How did you collaborate with the illustrator, Sayani Mukherjee?
M.A. I love Sayani’s art! And I love how Barnaby and the shepherds turned out. All communication with the illustrator goes through my publisher. My editor would send me her sketches and ask if I had any feedback. I never had much to say since I loved how she did everything. I did ask her to put a little “Easter egg,” something for readers to look for when they read the story. Since my first book is The Christmas Elephant, I asked if we could somehow put a nod to that somewhere in the book. I was very pleased with how she managed to fulfill my request! (I won’t say where it is! You have to search for it, like in an Easter egg hunt.)
Me. How long did it take from idea to publication?
M.A. I wrote my first draft as a short poem. That was in early 2020. I reworked the story into a picture book in 2021, but I always like to let my work sit. Once I was happy with how the story was shaping up, I showed it to my agent in 2022. We went out on submission to editors that year, but it wasn’t until 2023 that we subbed the book to my now-publisher, Paraclete Press. By October of that year, I signed a contract for a 2-book deal for both The Christmas Elephant (which came out October 8, 2024) and Barnaby the Runaway Sheep (which came out on March 4, 2025).
Me. What part of the book-making process was the most fun to work on for you?
M.A. That’s a hard question to answer! I love to work on early drafts when the screen is blank. There’s so much possibility. But I also loved seeing the art bring my characters to life. If I had to choose, I might say that is the most fun … seeing Barnaby and the small shepherd for the first time.
Me. What drew you to write for children?
M.A. I love working with children. I used to teach some 20 years ago. And I think that children have the best reading experiences, like discovering the magic of the printed word for the first time. I also love the optimism in books for kids.
Me. What do you think makes a great picture book stand out?
M.A. When I read picture books now, I always think back to my childhood. Would Young-Me enjoy this book? Would she like the humor? Would she be drawn to the story and the characters? Picture books are meant for children, but I don’t think they’re exclusive to children.
The best ones work on many different levels. While I do look at it from the lens of a child, I also want Adult-Me to enjoy the story too. For me now, it’s that little something I wasn’t expecting. It could be a twist at the end of the story, or just a very satisfying end.
Me. What books do you enjoy reading?
M.A. I primarily read books meant for kids as the target audience. I love both picture books and middle-grade books. I also enjoy the classics. I try to read a mixture of recent books along with some of my childhood favorites as well as older titles I’ve never read before.
Me. Do you have any advice for aspiring picture book authors?
M.A. Read a lot of the types of picture books you want to write. And read picture books you don’t like (so you know what to avoid!) While I love the classics, do read recent titles to see what’s being written these days. Then, find critique partners to help you hone your craft. And write, write, write! You need at least three different completed picture book manuscripts before you start subbing to agents or editors.
Me. Where can people find out more about you and your books?
M.A. My website has a lot of info on me and my books. Just go to www.MariaAntoniaWrites.com. I also have a monthly newsletter that goes out which has fun activities for you to do with your kids/students. There are also some freebies at my website available for instant download. Just look for the FREEBIE tab at the top.
My social media handles:
Instagram: @ofmariaantonia
Facebook: @ofmariaantonia
Twitter/X: @ofmariaantonia1
About Maria Antonia:
Maria Antonia is a children’s book author of The Christmas Elephant and Barnaby the Runaway Sheep. She has also published stories in children’s magazines such as Spider, Storytime, and Clubhouse Jr. In addition to writing, Maria also enjoys sipping a nice cup of hot tea and capturing the world with her camera. She has lived in Sunny Spain, Busy New York City, and currently resides in the Great White North of Canada.
There’s still a couple of days of Maria’s Blog Tour Giveaway. Enter to win a hardcover copy of the book HERE (Winner may have a U.S. or Canadian address!)
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Thanks for the interview, Eleanor!