John Lithgow: Manatee Fan
John Lithgow
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By Janice Nearing, Media Relations Coordinator
Save the Manatee Club
An exciting thing happened while I was reading the book review section in a local newspaper last spring. I came across a brief mention that award-winning actor John Lithgow was writing another children's book — this time about a manatee! I immediately thought, here’s a well-known personality who might be willing to help us spread the word about saving the manatees. A phone call later, and I was in touch with Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing in New York. They told me his upcoming new book titled, I’m a Manatee, would be available in bookstores in the fall of 2003. As it turned out, there was a tremendous interest from everyone there, including John Lithgow, to help Save the Manatee Club in our ongoing public awareness efforts.
A distinguished actor of stage, television and movies, John Lithgow has added a new audience these past years – youngsters who enjoy his clever and beautifully illustrated books. He is also a composer, and he even performs for his readers at children’s concerts across the country. Many of us remember him from his TV comedy series, Third Rock from the Sun. He was also the voice of Lord Farquaad in the box office hit Shrek.
Recently, I had the opportunity to interview John Lithgow and explore his interest in manatees and the environment as well as his love of language and music.
Q: Your new book, I’m a Manatee, has a Seuss-ian feel to it, with rhyming verses and fun illustrations. Does your playful side make it easy for you to write children’s’ stories?
A: I think everybody has a playful side, but kids especially. My book writing grew out of entertaining kids, the best audience an actor could hope for. They bring the playful side out in me.
Q: The boy in your story dreams he's a manatee. Do you consider yourself a dreamer, too?
A: Everybody's a dreamer. But I must confess that the dream-like feel of the book, and even a good deal of its storytelling, was invented by its wonderful illustrator Ard Hoyt. He has a great talent for telling stories in pictures. He's the real dreamer. My words simply unleashed his creativity.
Q: Have you ever seen manatees in the wild?
A: I've never seen a manatee in the wild. I can't wait.
Q: As you know, manatees are an endangered species. Do you consider yourself an environmentalist?
A: I'm very concerned for the future of the earth and its amazing creatures. We've got to be careful and make sure we don't foul our own nest. But I also have a lot of faith in people.
Q: Your book portrays the manatee as a noble creature in the face of countless human-created dangers.
A: The manatee is such a wonderful animal, gentle, graceful, a little comical. It's important for everyone to know all about them.
Q: If you were a manatee, what message would you have for humanity?
A: Take care, be kind, be considerate of other people and other species, and be loving.
I'm A Manatee: Buy the Book!
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I'm A Manatee by John Lithgow is available through the SMC Gift Catalog. The price of the hardcover book and accompanying CD featuring music by John Lithgow is $17.95, and proceeds from SMC sales of the book will benefit our manatee conservation efforts. You can buy the book at our online Manatee Gift Catalog (go to All New for the Holidays) or call 1-800-432-JOIN (5646) to order.
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Related Links:
John Lithgow to Visit Homosassa, Florida on September 13
