Authors Interviewing Characters: Meredith Rusu

In her new book, There’s a Yeti in My Tummy [4U2B Books & Media, August 29, 2023] author, writer, and mother Meredith Rusu encourages kids and parents alike to unleash their inner yetis and embrace the chaotic joy of BIG feelings! There’s a Yeti in My Tummy is a rhyming book that follows Matthew, a young boy who can’t help feeling silly in a yeti-sized way! But when Matthew’s yeti comes out to play, he stays all day… What will Matthew’s parents and teachers say?

Filled with delightful rhyme and vibrant, fun illustrations, There’s a Yeti in My Tummy is perfect for reading aloud and inspires children to channel their BIG emotions in positive and loving ways.

ABOUT THERE’S A YETI IN MY TUMMY

Matthew is a young boy with BIG, BIG feelings—so big it sometimes feels like there’s a YETI just bursting to get out! And when Mathew’s yeti comes to play, he’s bound to stay all day. That silly yeti comes out of Matthew’s feet, his nose, his hair, his burp, and even his BUTT! But if Matthew’s yeti stays all day . . . what will his parents and teachers say?

Bound to make any child roar with laughter, There’s a Yeti in My Tummy is the first picture book in the Mighty Moods series which explores the ways kids use larger-than-life creatures to express their BIG feelings. Along with Matthew, kids learn to channel those feelings in constructive, positive, and loving ways. An imaginative and fun story told in delightful rhyme, There’s a Yeti in My Tummy is a big, bold, instant classic.

Meredith Interviews Matthew’s Yeti

Meredith: Mr. Yeti! You’re back! Have you come to pla—?

Yeti: YETI EXCITED! ::jumps up and down, shaking the whole house::

Meredith: Oh, boy! Yes, I know you’re excited. You were excited yesterday, too, when you splashed all the water out of the tub.

Yeti: Yeti in Matthew’s feet make MEGA MONSOON!

Meredith: The bathroom was quite . . . soggy after that.

Yeti: Bathroom supposed to get wet.

Meredith: Not all of it.

Yeti: Yes all.

Meredith: So, Mr. Yeti, what have you been up to today?

Yeti: YETI IN MATTHEW’S HANDS SMASH BLOCK TOWER AT SCHOOL!

Meredith: You smashed a block tower at school?

Yeti: YETI STRONG!

Meredith: Did you build the block tower?

Yeti: No. Joey built block tower. Yeti smash!

Meredith: Oh, dear. Was Joey sad?

Yeti: Yeti don’t know. YETI STRONG!

Meredith: You’re very strong, Mr. Yeti. Super strong! But did know the strongest thing of all is to help other people?

Yeti: YETI BIG!

Meredith: Mr. Yeti . . .

Yeti: YETI HUNGRY!

Meredith: We’ll have a snack in a minute.

Yeti: YETI EAT NOW!

Meredith: ::sigh:: Okay. Yeti appetites are too big to wait. ::gets Mr. Yeti some milk and blueberries:: Is that better?

Yeti: ::BURP:: Yeti satisfied.

Meredith: ::sniffle, sniffle::

Yeti: ::watching curiously::

Meredith: Mr. Yeti, I feel a little sad. 

Yeti: Sad?

Meredith: Yes. And I don’t know how to feel better. Do you think I could have a—hug?

Yeti: Hug?

Meredith: Yes. A yeti hug.

Yeti: YETI HUG! ::gives super-sized hug::

Meredith: ::laughs:: Aw, see! Now I feel better! Your hug helped me.

Yeti: YETI HUG MORE!!!

Meredith: Thank you, Mr. Yeti. I love how you used your super strong hug to help me feel better. Do you think that tomorrow, maybe, you could help Joey feel better by using your super-yeti height to build an even bigger tower? Together?

Yeti: YETI BUILD, THEN YETI SMASH!

Meredith: No, not smash. Just build. Together.

Yeti: Together?

Meredith: Yes, together.

Yeti: Hmmmm . . .

Meredith: I have a feeling Joey might even have a yeti of his own to help you build the tower.

Yeti: Two yetis?

Meredith: Two yetis.

Yeti: YETI LIKE! YETI SAY YES! ::gives another yeti hug::

Meredith: ::laughing:: Thank you, Mr. Yeti.

Yeti: Welcome.

Meredith: Now . . . about these muddy, yeti-sized footprints all over my floor . . .

Author’s Note:

I was first inspired to write There’s a Yeti in My Tummy when my sons, then in preschool, would find unique ways of expressing their big feelings. Kids gravitate toward things that make them feel big and powerful and strong, whether it’s a dinosaur, a monster, or a yeti. It’s challenging to direct those larger-than-life feelings in positive ways in the moment. But there’s something so special about finding joy in the chaos and loving your little yeti for the individual they are. My hope with the Mighty Moods series is that kids and parents will be able to share that joy together as they grow along with their big feelings.

Author bio:

Meredith Rusu lives in New Jersey with her husband and two young sons. She is the author of more than one hundred children’s books, notably There’s a Yeti in my Tummy (the first picture book in the Mighty Moods series), Anna, Elsa, and the Enchanting Holiday, Silenzio, Bruno!, and The DATA Set series under the name Ada Hopper. She has also written for many popular licenses including LEGO, Disney/Pixar, Peppa Pig, and Star Wars. When she isn’t writing, Meredith enjoys singing karaoke, spending time with family, and going on the occasional adventure or two.

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Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing