Interview with Mamma Z - Zombie Squirts Author/Illustrator

Q: Where did you get the inspiration for Zombie Squirts?

A: I was asked by my Job to create some custom stickers that were zombie-themed for children! I happily obliged. I came up with the Zombie Squirts and purchased the rights to them, I had an amazing idea for a children's book series. 

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Q: Who were the first Zombie Squirts?

A: I came up with a pair of Zombies...a boy and a girl! I had this image of them walking around and her dancing around him. 
​ I started coming up with this whole Zombie Kid universe...this could be something more than just a sticker assortment! 

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Q: What is the first book about?

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A: So, the first book is about the foreign exchange student coming to a new school. She gets teased because she looks different. The Zombie Squirts come to her rescue!
They teach children that your qualities make you special...they make you who you are.

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Q: Are the stories based on personal experience?

A: Some of the stories are based on my own life. When I was younger, I moved from Chicago to North Dakota. I did not know anybody and I got made fun of and teased a little bit. But there were people who came to my rescue and made things great for me!

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Q: Why Children's Books and Why the Anti-Bullying Theme?

A: I wanted to keep going with the Zombies and their character's personas going forward. I loved the idea that these zombie kids were all different and how they could teach each other the importance of acceptance. Hating on people is not acceptable. It is "learned". We are not born to hate.
I wanted to have something available for young kids, because I truly feel that the younger kids learn about what bullying is and the effects it causes...the better chance we have of eliminating it!

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Q: Have you met any kids that would benefit reading your books?

A: I was at a Zombie-Walk not too long ago and I met this young boy, he was maybe 9-10 years old. He absolutely loved the books and everything, his grandma came up and took me aside. 
She told me that he had been bullied so badly at school that he hasn't wanted to leave his house or do anything.  This is not OK! We need to get rid of the hate, kid's are dying because of this.  

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Q: What is the general response from parents?

A: I've had some parents contact me, a lot of them with Autistic Children, who say they absolutely love the books. 
​It helps keep the children engage, and they love that it's positive and teaches kid's that it is OK to be different. 

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Q: Last thoughts...?

A: I know when you are young...you think it's the end of the world when somebody hates you or if they call you names. But, ITS NOT! Those people aren't going to count after school...if you don't want them to!