Reading Rockets offers a wealth of reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. Our reading resources assist parents, teachers, and other educators in working with struggling readers who require additional help in reading fundamentals and comprehension skills development.

You are here: > Books and Authors > Video Interviews > William Joyce

A video interview with

William Joyce

There's no one like William Joyce. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, the unconventional and highly creative author and illustrator of George Shrinks and Roly Poly Ollie discusses topics ranging from King Kong to whoopee cushions to ice cream planets.

Click on the links below to watch this interview online, or read the interview transcript. You can also read a short biography of William Joyce or see a selected list of his children’s books.

View online

Billy's booger‡ (1:15)
Find out what math and boogers have in common.
Stirring things up§ (1:00)
Joyce's first book got him sent to the principal's office, but he explains why he now embraces his mischievous tendencies.
King Kong in reverse§ (:30)
William Joyce talks about some of the big influences on George Shrinks.
Thanks to his teachers§ (1:00)
Joyce explains why he credits certain grade school teachers with his successful career path.
Rolie Polie Olie§ (2:00)
In this video clip, William Joyce goes into great detail about why this television series is so cool for kids.
George Shrinks§ (:40)
William Joyce describes the role he played in creating this popular television series.
A Day With Wilbur Robinson§ (1:50)
William Joyce points out the many similarities between his wacky family and the characters in this book.
A good jillion rejection slips§ (:40)
Joyce explains why aspiring writers and illustrators should never give up.

‡ This video clip will appear in Windows Media Player, which most computers already have installed, or you can download it now. Macintosh users can download the free Flip4Mac playback file, which allows you to play Windows Media files in your Quicktime player.

^§ To play this clip, you'll need a copy of the free RealOne Player. Most computers already have it installed, or you can download it now.

"As both a public youth services librarian and a parent of a child with dyslexia, I find your website very useful!"
~ Lee P.

Reading Rockets' annual holiday buying guide makes it easy to find great books kids will enjoy!

Reading Rockets is a national multimedia project that offers research-based and best-practice information on teaching kids to read and helping those who struggle. It is an educational service of public television station WETA in Washington, D.C.

Visit WETA's educational web sites:

© Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Reading Rockets is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. Reading Rockets® is a registered trademark of WETA.

Stay informed! Subscribe to our e-mail newsletters.