by Katie Venit, illustrated by Kenard Pak

Reviewed by Susan Kay Phillips

FORTS written by Katie Venit, and illustrated by Kenard Pak is a lyrical, inspirational children’s picture book celebrating the need that each of us has for a safe, comforting place.

How many of us can remember setting up our own fort as a child? There is a magical, primal wonder attached to being in a childhood fort, feeling safe and secure in charge of our own space.

In this beautifully illustrated book, Venit leads us through an exploration of many different kinds of forts. Her main character, a young girl who is never named, learns that “the world is filled with forts. Tiny worlds within this world, safe as coat pockets.”

Away the little girl goes, first exploring forts found in wild forests, behind waterfalls, and in the magical, ancient hollows that “…may be homes for gnomes or nymphs or fairies. You’ll never know until you look”.

Venit then reminds us that not all forts are wild and distant. Some are in the little girl’s yard, others are inside her house, including an especially magical spot under the kitchen table.

Some of the inside forts are found, others are created. Can you guess how? Use a blanket over chairs, piled up cushions, or the ever reliable cardboard box. Inspiration and imagination are the key to creating your own fort.

Each fort provides its own special magic and allows a retreat from a world that might have gotten too noisy or too busy. In her very own fort the little girl can relax, breathe, and listen to her heart and thoughts. In an especially beautiful two page spread at the end of the book, illustrator Pak creates a cozy, inviting scene of a fort that appears to be a treehouse where the little girl shares the fortish magic with “…the someone you will always let in”, her best friend.

Venit’s use of gentle, poetic images carries us along through the gorgeous autumn scenes created by Pak. The words and colors and images bring a soothing engagement with the ongoing exploration of the possibilities of forts. Maybe you will be inspired to build your own fort?

Reviewer’s Note

For this reviewers note, I was fortunate to be able to interview author Katie Venit about her work and the process of writing FORTS. I chose ten questions which she kindly responded to. Below are the questions and answers. Thank you, Katie for this opportunity to interview you about FORTS!

Please share some of your journey leading you to be a writer of children’s picture books.

I wanted to get back into creative writing, but when my kids were very young, I didn’t have the brain space to hold novels in my head. So I learned about flash fiction and flash essays—pieces that are under 1000 words. I enjoyed writing those, but writing for the adult short story market wasn’t quite the right fit. I read so many picture books to my kids and fell in love with the category, so one day, I just decided to focus on writing picture books. I already knew how to write short, I just need to learn how to write for kids and pictures. The pieces just sort of fell into place.

What was the inspiration for FORTS?

Playing with my kids and remembering how great forts are. Building forts is such a creative, empowering act for kids, and then they have this great space to play in for the rest of the day (or week, whatever). Where other than forts do kids get this much freedom to create their own space exactly how they want? Forts have a cozy, magical quality, and I hope I captured that in the book.

What is the most memorable feedback that you’ve gotten about FORTS from a reader?

My friend’s young daughter was having a bad day, so she decided to make a fort for herself to hide. My friend slid a copy of FORTS (which had just arrived) into the fort, and they read it together. Her daughter sent me a voice memo telling me how much she loved the book. I cried a little, because it was for this exact situation that I wrote the book. A cure for bad days, when a kid needs a hug in book form.

Were you able to collaborate with the illustrator, Kenard Pak?

No, and that’s the norm in traditional publishing, especially with larger houses. The writer does their bit, then the artist gets to give their own spin on the words. You have to trust the illustrator and the editorial/art team. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Seeing the sketches for the first time is such a moving, emotional gift.

Is there anything in particular you hope children will take away from reading your book FORTS?

I hope they’re inspired to look for forts. When we think of “forts,” we think of forts made with pillows and blankets, but that’s such a short part of the book. There are so many other forts out there. And, of course, I hope kids feel inspired to make their own forts, and that’s what I’ve been hearing from parent readers: that they read this with their kids and then they spend the rest of the day (or week) playing in forts.

Do you have any unique writing super powers or strategies?

Insomnia helps! Just kidding, you should try to get adequate sleep. I love writing. Give me a few spare moments strung together, and I’ll probably be writing. Maybe that’s my superpower: other than needing a hot beverage while I write, I can slip into writing mode pretty easily.

Do you have any favorite children’s picture book authors, illustrators, or characters?

Kay, this is such an unfair question! I have so many talented picture book friends that I fangirl so hard on, but I can’t possibly name them all! OK, so, sticking with the ones I don’t know personally and who aren’t getting enough recognition, I love Chloe Savage’s books, especially “The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish.” For nonfiction, this year my money is on Leslie Barnard Booth’s “I am We” winning the Sibert, but we’ll see.

Are you working on any new projects?

Of course! I’m working on a nonfiction space-themed picture book that would sit right next to my other 2025 release, CASSINI’S MISSION. And I’m perpetually trying to write novels, now that my kids are older. I haven’t finished any, but I have a lot of first drafts under my belt.

Where can people purchase a copy of your book, FORTS?

I recommend you get it from your local indie, even if they have to special order it (my indie doesn’t charge extra for special orders). Indie bookstores are the best way for people to discover new writers since new PB writers tend to not be carried in big box stores like B&N. Without indie bookstores, it would be so much harder for publishers to take chances with new authors, and we’ll have so many fewer debuts breaking in. FORTS hit the USA Today bestseller list, and this is completely due to the support we’ve had from indie bookstores.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Nope. Stop reading this interview and go out and find some forts!

Thank you for dropping by and reading!

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