David LaRochelle. Photos: Chris Emeott
Children’s author David LaRochelle found his niche nearly 40 years ago.
David LaRochelle has spent much of the last four decades bringing stories to life for children—a job he couldn’t love more. We caught up with the White Bear Lake resident to discuss his creative process, his love of children’s literature and his latest book, How to Draw a Tree.
When you published your first book in 1988, did you foresee writing children’s books for the next 38 years?
I would have been very happy [if] I knew that was going to be the case. I wish I could go back and tell myself, “Things are going to go well, Dave.” I look at my shelf and think, “Wow, I’ve put together a lot of books.”
LaRochelle has written or illustrated more than 30 books in his 38-year career.
When you look at that shelf of books, do you have a favorite?
It’s a hard question to answer, but kids ask that a lot. One of my favorites is a book called Moo! It’s a story of a cow that takes the farmer’s car and goes off on an adventure. The book means a lot to me for a couple of reasons: It was the first book that I did with illustrator Mike Wohnoutka, who is also a friend of mine. The other reason is that I’ve heard from so many teachers and parents that this was the first book a child could read on their own. It’s been especially powerful for kids just learning the English language. A kindergarten teacher told me the kids wanted her to read the book every day. When she moved to a new book, a boy from China who had never spoken any English asked, “Where is Moo! book?”
What draws you to this type of storytelling?
I was a fourth-grade teacher, and my mother always said I never got past fourth grade, which is kind of true. I’m very imaginative and playful, and I’m still that way with imaginary worlds and friends I create. It always felt very natural and is a mindset I’ve always been comfortable with.
Released in August 2025 by the Minnesota Historical Society Press, How to Draw a Tree written by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Colleen Muske features trees found in Minnesota and across the world. The story encourages readers to slow down and appreciate the world around them.
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
Inspiration can come from all sorts of places. But I don’t wait for inspiration to sit down and write. The story comes when you sit down every day and open your notebook and start moving the pencil.
You’ve received many accolades, including a Minnesota Book Award, Sid Fleischman Humor Award and Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. What do these awards mean to you?
We have a very strong literary community in Minnesota. There are so many powerful children’s authors here. These awards are wonderful because that means more people will read your book and hear about your work. The Star of the North Award is for picture books voted on by children, which Moo! won. That award means a lot too, and [it] feels good that the kids chose our book as their favorite that year.
David LaRochelle doesn’t wait for inspiration to start. “The story comes when you sit down every day and open your notebook and start moving the pencil,” he says.
Reese Witherspoon read your book The Best Pet of All at the White House in 2010. What was that like?
I happened to stumble across it accidentally on the internet. She sat down and said, “Here is a book that’s a favorite in our family.” That was the best part about the entire thing. One of my books has reached someone like Reese Witherspoon, and it’s a favorite of her family. It’s extremely rewarding when you hear about it.
Your latest book, How to Draw a Tree, encourages children to slow down and appreciate nature. Where did the idea come from?
That goes back to attending St. Olaf College when my professor told me to look at the subject I’m drawing more than I look at the paper. It’s very difficult to do because we look at something and we have a picture in our mind of what we think it is, and we never look up again. When you start really looking at trees, you see the huge variety there is. When you start sitting, observing and looking at them before you start drawing, they look so different. Even trees in the same species have different personalities. When you start really paying attention, that’s when those personalities come out.
How To Draw A Tree, Literally
The Minnesota Historical Society Press team suggested Colleen Muske of Stillwater as an illustrator for David LaRochelle’s How to Draw a Tree. It was their first time collaborating. “I thought she’d be a great match for it, and she was. I could not be happier,” LaRochelle says.
Inspiration for Muske’s illustrative work for How to Draw a Tree came just outside her Stillwater home. “The tree on the cover is the tree in my front yard. I live by the St. Croix River, so I imagined the landscape with all the houses and landscaping gone and a clear view of the river and Wisconsin,” Muske says.
The illustrations depict trees from around the world, with the story starting and ending in autumn. Muske encourages readers to keep an eye out for a little black bird that appears on nearly every page and the names of each tree hidden within the illustrations. “Hopefully, my and [LaRochelle’s] love for trees comes across in the text and illustration,” she says.
Colleen Muske
Instagram: @colleenmuske
Mike Wohnoutka
Instagram: @mikewohnoutka
Minnesota Historical Society Press
Instagram: @mnhspress
