There are authors who write children’s books, and then there are authors like Teresa “T” Thomas Seelig — a self-described “circle thinker” whose picture book, The Extra Ordinary Life of Henrey Dragon, has already found its way into classrooms, earned a Literary Titan award, and moved 54 first- and third-graders at Black Lake Elementary to genuine joy.
We sat down (virtually — T prefers face-to-face, but we made an exception) to ask her about the book, her process, and what she hopes young readers take from it.
How did you get interested in children’s book illustration and writing?
“I found my interest in storytelling in all its forms in my third trimester in life,” T says. “My passion is memoir and biography. I am particularly interested in that day when everything falls apart, and how each person finds the resilience to move forward.”
What is your writing style?
“It’s chatty, with a rhythmic bounce. I also make up new words. For now, ‘Yippertootie’ is my favorite – it’s a word that will always make your day.”
What are your goals as a writer?
“I want all children to love reading and learning,” T says. As an adult with dyslexia herself, she knows the weight of that goal personally. “It’s taken me years to let go of the shame of struggling to read. However, it also sparked a lifelong interest in learning. My education will expire when I do.”
How come you’re not on social media?
“I just like old school, face to face,” she says. “It feels more authentic to me.”
How would you describe yourself?
“I am a circle thinker, which means I am interested in everything,” T explains — and it’s a lens she applies generously to the people around her too. Most of the world, she says, operates linearly; circle thinkers are rarer. It’s part of why, she adds, she was instantly drawn to working with BookBildr’s own Eliza Donovan: “Not only is she a gifted musician, artist, writer, business owner — she also has five children.”
Is there going to be a sequel?
Yes — and readers are the reason why. Children have been writing in, wondering how Bixby hurt his foot, so The Adventures of Bixby is currently in the works.
You once mentioned that “The Extra Ordinary Life of Henrey Dragon” was based on a real person. Can you share the details?
It is. The real Henrey (not his real name) is now in his early thirties, with a young daughter and a committed partner. Born missing part of his arm, he found his prosthetic too heavy to wear and struggled to keep up with the sports his older brothers excelled at — until he discovered swimming, a gift so strong it caught the attention of US Paralympic scouts and brought him to the training facility in Colorado.
It was there, far from home, that the heart of the story happened: a homesick phone call to his mother, asking if they’d still love him if he were “just ordinary.” His whole family got in the car that night and drove until morning, taking turns at the wheel, to bring him home.
“He found that ordinary can be extraordinary,” T says.
Anything else you’d like to say?
“Dream big. All is possible,” T says. “The function of the artist is to invite the world to see through your lens. What will your story be? We all have so much to contribute to our global planetary neighborhood.”
The Extra Ordinary Life of Henrey Dragon, written by T. Thomas Seelig, is available now as an ebook and hardcover, which you can order directly from the author. A sequel, The Adventures of Bixby, is currently in development.