Kyle Lukoff wanted to write about a story that highlighted language, community, and keeping each other safe, so that's one of the reasons why he wrote, "Are You a Friend of Dorothy?"

What was your inspiration behind "Are You A Friend of Dorothy?"

Honestly? I was in the car with my boyfriend and two of his friends, driving to the shore, when one of them said, "Did you hear about the time the army thought that 'friend of Dorothy' meant a real woman named Dorothy?" I did in fact know about that already, and when one of them referred to it as "The Hunt For Dorothy," I said, "That would be a great title for a picture book." Then I thought a little more and was like, "That might actually be a really cool picture book, but I don't think I could write it." Then I thought the littlest bit more and realized that I did, in fact, think I could write it! So I did.

Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books? 

What is art if it is not an ongoing question of what it means to be in this world?

Tell us a little more about "Are You A Friend of Dorothy?" and why you decided to write it.

I was hesitant about writing a story that focused so much on the military, given that I am more anti-imperialist than not. But in the ongoing editorial conversation it became clear that this wasn't so much a story about one particular instance of looking for Dorothy as it was a larger story about language and community and keeping each other safe.

What can fans expect from your book?

The same signature style you've come to love from the author once described as "The trans Maurice Sendak.” 

What's up next for you in the bookish world?

A picture book about a unicycle, a novel about a Jewish kid fighting demons, and my first YA novel!

Buy the book here.