At six years old, Rebecca Elliott knew she wanted to write and illustrate books for kids. Today, she is doing exactly that with her hugely popular book series, Owl Diaries and Unicorn Diaries.

This coming January marks the 10th anniversary of the Owl Diaries’ debut, and in today’s episode Rebecca joins guest-host Billy DiMichele to talk about the milestone, the success of her hugely popular books, and the animated Apple TV+ series Eva the Owlet, which recently announced its return for a second season and the release of a very special holiday episode.

→ Resources

About Rebecca Elliot: Learn more about the author and her many books.

About The Owl Diaries: In Rebecca’s widely popular book series, Owl Diaries, readers follow the adventures of Eva Wingdale, a young owl who navigates school life, friendships, and various challenges in her town of Treetopolis.

About Eva the Owlet: The Apple TV+ animated series based on the bestselling Owl Diaries book series, produced by Scholastic Entertainment.

About the Unicorn Diaries: Rebecca’s other entertaining book series follows the adventures of Bo Tinseltail, a young unicorn with the power to grant wishes, as he navigates life in Sparklegrove Forest.

Owl Diaries: Rebecca Elliott on Reading Aloud and Eva the Owlet: Suzanne McCabe speaks with Rebecca Elliott in this 2023 Scholastic Reads episode about the runaway success of Owl Diaries, its Eva the Owlet adaptation, and her participation in World Read Aloud Day 2023.

Growing Readers with Branches and Acorns: In this 2019 episode, Suzanne McCabe interviews Katie Carella, Executive Editor at Scholastic, about the Branches and Acorn books and their impact. She also speaks with authors Troy Cummings (The Notebook of Doom), Rebecca Elliott (Owl Diaries), and Jonathan Fenske (Crabby) about creating these engaging books for kids.

→ Highlights

Rebecca Elliott, author, illustrator Owl Diaries

“[It’s] mind-blowing that [my books] could play the smallest role in a child’s journey into books, which to me is one of the most important of journeys, as it’s not only for entertainment, but it builds your worldview. It shapes your curiosity and knowledge.”

“There’s something about [owls] that’s so elusive and imaginary even though they’re clearly not. We can almost imagine that they have a secret world where they do wear berets and go to owl elementary school. And the fact that they are such great fodder to write about for children. They have big eyes, they can fly, they have super hearing, and super sight. They are incredible creatures and just so wonderful to wrap this story around.”

“I was always drawing. Always, always, from as far back as I can remember. That’s what I did with most of my time. And then I would make up stories about the drawings I [created].”

“I think kids are just as interested in stories now, as they ever were. And that’s never going away. It’s a human need to want stories.”

→ Special Thanks

Producers: Maxine Osa, Anne Sparkman, Allyson Barkan

Sound Engineer: S. Shin

Music Composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl

→ Coming Soon

R.L. Stine and actor Jayden Bartels talk all things Goosebumps with Billy DiMichele