Harcourt Introduces a New Generation to Jim Copp's 'Uncommonly Clever Tales"

When Jim Copp died in 1999, the New York Times called him the "creator of children's records with loony tunes, literate lyrics, occasional dark themes, and wacky characters like the Dog That Went to Yale." His first record, released in 1958, was, the Times noted, praised as "deliciously fresh and funny'' by the New Yorker; ''fresh, clever, and inventive'' by Time magazine; and ''funny, sophisticated, uncondescending'' by The Atlantic. Copp's nine records, which were all produced between 1958 and 1971 with business partner Ed Brown, earned legions of lifelong fans.

Now, Harcourt Children's Books has paired with Playhouse Records and illustrator Lindsay duPont to bring three of these 1950s-era "uncommonly clever tales" to life in Jim Copp, Will You Tell Me a Story?, a hardcover book packaged with a CD of Copp's original recordings. The new release has found favor with Scott Simon and Daniel Pinkwater, whose review on NPR's Weekend Edition "is worth listening to --if even just for their giggling," said Harcourt Children's Books Editor Samantha McFerrin.

Copp described the tools of his trade as "three Ampex tape machines, a piano, a kazoo, to say nothing of a celeste, a pump-organ, bongo drums (and don't forget the ratchet, the Autoharp, the tambourine, tin whistle, castanets, teacher's desk-bell) plus myriad reels of tape and editing gear."

Bookselling This Week recently had the opportunity to talk via e-mail with Lindsay duPont, the illustrator of Jim Copp, Will You Tell Me a Story, and Harcourt's McFerrin, about their efforts to introduce Miss Goggins and the Gorilla, Martha Matilda O'Toole, and other Copp characters to a new generation.

BTW: How did you become involved in this project?

Lindsay duPont: One afternoon five years ago, I'd just finished listening to the CD Jim Copp Tales, and it occurred to me that the stories would be so much fun to illustrate. I e-mailed an address on the back of the CD with a message saying that I thought Jim Copp's stories would make wonderful picture books. Much to my surprise, I got a response from Ted Leyhe, the owner of Playhouse Records. I illustrated the first half of "Miss Goggins and the Gorilla," and Ted liked it.

With his permission, I pitched the idea to Harcourt and they liked it. A deal was born. Coincidentally, it was the very method that Ted Leyhe used in rediscovering Jim Copp. Ted is a record collector (among other things) and finding an LP of Jim Copp Tales, Mr. Copp's first record, was always his most important quest. When he found it, he called the number on the back of the record jacket and Mr. Copp himself answered the phone. Eventually, thanks to Ted and that phone call, all of the recordings were re-released.

The original stories, which are included on a CD in the book, were exclusively audio. This is the first book illustrating these delightful, politically incorrect, offbeat tales.

BTW: How did you go about creating and drawing characters for the book?

Lindsay duPont: I grew up listening to Jim Copp Tales, a well-worn LP that included the three stories in Jim Copp, Will You Tell Me a Story? My brothers and sisters and I (all six of us) would sit in a circle around the little hat box-like record player and listen to the record over and over and over again. It became a part of our DNA. A half-century later we continue to use "Jim Coppisms" as in, "How was I supposed to know?," or "I wish I was a frog," said in a very specific key with very particular word emphasis and cadence.

Jim Copp liked to draw, too. I studied his drawings of Miss Goggins, the Gorilla, Kate Higgins, and Martha Matilda O'Toole and tried to take his spirit and character and include them in my own interpretation. For example, in the drawings of students at their desks, Mr. Copp would include a wonderfully expressive head sitting on top of a rectangle, every bit as wacky as his stories. I expanded that image by adding bodies, arms, legs, and clothing while trying to keep the essence of the expression of his students. The editor and art director expanded it further by requesting chairs. I think our Kate Higginses are very closely related.

BTW: What drew you to Jim Copp's work, and what made you decide to create this collection now?

Samantha McFerrin: I inherited this project after it was acquired and even after the stories were picked and initial sketches were done. I believe it was our publisher at the time, Lori Benton, who saw the potential in this wonderfully quirky project. But I was allowed to decide to take it on or not, so I did have a chance to fall in love with the whole idea of it myself. I think this is a wonderful time to publish a collection like this. The market is interested in and charmed by things vintage. And the music world is experimenting with older methods of creating music. Jim's low-fi sound and unique home style of recording to me sounds contemporary. And his stories and crazy voices are timelessly entertaining -- and fun to imitate. I can do a pretty good Miss Goggins.

BTW: Of the dozens of Copp stories, why did you choose to feature "Kate Higgins," "Miss Goggins and the Gorilla," and "Martha Matilda O'Toole"?

Samantha McFerrin: I wasn't a part of choosing these three stories. But when the project came to me, I explored Jim's other songs to make sure these three were the right ones for the book. I think they are. They're some of Jim's most accessible and child-friendly songs. And they're some of his fans' favorites.

BTW: Who would you say is the target audience for this book?

Samantha McFerrin: Old fans and new fans of all ages. Ted Leyhe continues to run Jim's record label, Playhouse Records, and he has seen a lot of interest in Jim's work over recent years. It makes me think there are quite a few Jim Copp fans out there today. But I, for one -- along with my husband and little boy -- am a new fan. And that happened very quickly and easily. Jim's work is just so unique and funny and his story-songs are catchy. I'm hoping that those who know they're fans will find this. But I also hope that those who don't yet know they're fans will get their hands on it, as well. The book and CD package turned out so lovely. --Interviewed by Karen Schechner