This is the second in a series of interviews with the children's book authors who are coming to town next week as part of the annual Authors in April community event, which is sponsored by the Rochester Community Schools PTA Council.

After he wrapped up teaching class on a recent day at Sage College, author and illustrator Matt McElligott talked with Rochester Patch about writing and reading from his home outside Albany, NY.

McElligott is the author of Even Monsters Need Haircuts and Benjamin Franklinstein Lives; he is this year's Authors in April choice for Rochester's second and third grades.

He lives with his wife of 17 years, Christy, his 13-year-old son and a family of animals: two horses, 12 chickens, two cats and a dog.

Between teaching a full courseload in graphic design and traveling to promote his books, McElligott writes when he can find the time. Often, this means in hotel rooms and between classes. He prefers to work away from home, where he said there are too many little distractions he can't easily ignore.

McElligott enjoys visiting schools and sharing with children how he approaches the writing and illustrating process. He tells them to read and write as much as they can. You have to read a lot, he says, in order to know what good writing sounds like.

He also stresses the importance of revising.

"Do not be afraid of revising the work," said McElligott, adding that self-doubt can creep in during young adulthood. "Things may start to emerge that would surprise you."

When not busy working or writing, McElligott spends time with his family. They share a passion for travel; last year, they took a trip to Peru, where they hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

"Breaking routine gets the brain thinking in a different way," he said.

McElligott considers himself primarily a storyteller. The end papers on his books are good examples of his visual storytelling. In his "Blackbeard" series illustrations, the inside cover of the book tells the reader about the transformation that takes place in the story. McElligott says theses end papers allow him to sneak a little something extra into the story for the reader. 

McElligott enjoys the interaction with children on his school visits and was excited when a school librarian told him one child had expressed excitement that he would meet an author "that was still alive."

McElligott has a second book in the Benjamin Franklinstein series due out in August.

To read an interview with Author in April Gennifer Choldenko, click here. Upcoming interviews will feature authors Loren Long and Sara Holbrook.

The Authors in April program is intended to encourage reading, creative writing and appreciation of literature. The authors visit students in the elementary and middle schools next week; there is a community celebration and autograph session planned at the Rochester Hills Public Library from 4-6 p.m. May 4. For more about the program, visit authorsinapril.org.