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Meet the Author: The Adventures of Marie and LeeLee
Join us and author Lisa Cortez as we read her book The Adventures of Marie and LeeLee and answer fun questions from kids about friendship, childhood, and creativity.
Welcome back to Kids Ask, Authors Answer, a joyful video series where children’s curiosity meets author creativity! Each episode brings together real kids and children’s book authors for a read-aloud followed by spontaneous, unscripted Q&A sessions.
The twist? The authors never see the questions ahead of time, so every answer is genuine, often funny, and always full of heart.
In this episode, hosts Amy Doslich and Samantha (Sam) Howard-Els read The Adventures of Marie and LeeLee by Lisa Cortez, a heartwarming picture book that celebrates friendship, adventure, and the special bond between two lovable companions. As kids follow Marie and LeeLee on their journey, they'll discover the joy of exploring the world together and making memories along the way.
Perfect for children who love stories about friendship and adventure, this episode is filled with fun moments that inspire curiosity and imagination. Young readers will also get to hear Lisa Cortez answer questions submitted by kids, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the story, characters, and the creative process that brought Marie and LeeLee's adventures to life.
Amy Doslich is the author and illustrator behind the beloved Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series, a collection inspired by her two daughters. Her stories are known for their warmth, humor, and family-centered adventures.
Samantha Howard-Els brings her own sparkle as the creator of the Mungo series and Tiny Boo, books that mix kindness, curiosity, and Halloween fun.
This time they’re joined by Lisa Cortez, who shares the inspiration behind The Adventures of Marie and LeeLee and the special friendship at the heart of the story. The story is a vibrant tribute to lifelong friendship, based entirely on Cortez’s real-life experiences with her childhood best friend.
The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Marie and LeeLee
Many readers often wonder if the characters in their favorite books are real people. For Lisa Cortez, the answer is a resounding yes. The story is based on her relationship with her best friend, Marie, whom she met when they were just ten years old.
The meeting was serendipitous: Marie’s older sister was friends with Lisa’s older sister. When Marie’s mother dropped her off for a visit, Marie wandered into Lisa’s room, where Lisa was playing with Strawberry Shortcake dolls. Instead of being shy, Marie simply asked if she could join in. That single moment of inclusivity sparked a friendship that would span decades and inspire a literary series.
Every activity depicted in the book, from eating pizza to going on mountain trips, is something the real-life duo actually experienced. By documenting these moments, Cortez aims to show children that the everyday things they do with their friends are valuable and worthy of celebration. Whether it is a quiet moment playing with dolls or an energetic afternoon of "talking and laughing," these interactions form the fabric of a meaningful life.
A Childhood Full of Adventure
The transcript of the read-along highlights a wide range of activities that Marie and LeeLee enjoyed together. These adventures demonstrate the versatility of friendship and how having a "partner in crime" makes every experience more vivid.
Marie and LeeLee were not limited by the weather. On snowy days, they would run through the drifts; on warm days, they would swim in the lake near Marie’s house. Cortez recalls that swimming in the lake was often "a little scary" due to the thick seaweed, but having a friend by her side made the adventure worth it.
They also explored the natural wonders of the United States. Traveling from their home state of Washington, they visited the Grand Canyon. During a Q&A with four-year-old Mary, Lisa described the sheer beauty of the canyon, noting that pictures could hardly capture its scale. Even though they didn't have time to take a mule ride to the very bottom, just walking along the rim and seeing the river below was a highlight of their travels.
The book also features a cast of animal friends. Marie was a lover of animals, keeping two cats named Princess (a fluffy gray female) and Peppi (a black and white male). In addition to the cats, Marie had two small pet lizards named Olivia Newt and John.
This detail resonated with many young listeners, leading to a discussion about wildlife. Cortez, who now lives in San Diego, shared fascinating facts about local lizards, such as their ability to drop their tails when in danger as a defense mechanism, a "superpower" that many children find endlessly intriguing.
The Role of Family in Friendship
A question from five-year-old Erin was, "Where are their mummies?" when the girls were out skiing or swimming. Cortez provided a perspective that many children might overlook: parents are often the "unsung heroes" of childhood adventures.
While the story focuses on the bond between the two girls, their mothers were always nearby. They served as the drivers, the chaperones, and the photographers capturing the memories that eventually became the illustrations for the book. This serves as a gentle reminder to young readers that while they are exploring their independence, they are supported by a foundation of family love and care.
The Power of Laughter (and Getting in Trouble)
If there is one recurring theme in The Adventures of Marie and LeeLee, it is laughter. The transcript repeats the phrase "talking and laughing" constantly because, according to Cortez, that was the reality of their friendship.
Laughter is a wonderful thing, but as six-year-old Taylor pointed out, it can sometimes lead to trouble. Cortez admitted that she and Marie weren't always perfectly behaved. In sixth-grade math class, their tendency to giggle often got them separated by the teacher.
Seven-year-old Emily followed up by asking if they were allowed to sit together. Cortez explained that while they were usually allowed to be near each other, on "extra giggly" days, they had to be moved to different sides of the room. This relatable anecdote highlights that even "good" kids can get carried away when they are with their best friends.
When asked by eight-year-old Lorna how they made each other laugh, Lisa explained that it wasn't always about specific jokes. Instead, it was about a shared "silly" energy. Sometimes, they would laugh so hard that other people couldn't understand what was funny, which is a hallmark of a truly close friendship—the "inside joke" that requires no explanation.
Defining a Good Friend: The "Butterball" Test
During a "Kid Challenge" segment, Lisa was joined by her dog, Butterball, to answer what makes a good friend. Together, they identified three essential qualities:
Kindness: Being nice to others is the baseline of any good relationship.
Shared Laughter: Having a similar sense of humor helps bond people together.
Trust: A good friend is someone you can talk to about anything and "tell everything to."
These simple but profound definitions help children understand that friendship isn't just about playing with the same toys; it’s about how you treat one another and how safe you feel sharing your thoughts.
A Message of Universal Love
Perhaps the most touching part of the presentation was the message from the author included at the end of the story read-along. Cortez emphasizes that every child is loved "every hour, every minute, and every second of every day."
She stresses that this love isn't based on what a child does or how they perform, but rather for "the beautiful person you are inside." In a world where children often feel pressure to succeed or fit in, this reminder of unconditional love is a vital takeaway from the book.
To wrap up the session, Lisa was asked a poignant "teaser" question: If you could spend one more day with your childhood best friend, what would you do?
Her answer was a perfect reflection of the book’s themes. She wouldn't choose anything extraordinarily flashy. Instead, she would opt for a walk around the lake, a dish of frozen yogurt, a game of Miss Pac-Man, and a viewing of their favorite funny movie, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Most importantly, the day would be filled with hours of "talking and laughing."
The Adventures of Marie and LeeLee serves as more than just a children's story; it is a roadmap for building lasting connections. It teaches children that the secret to a great friendship lies in the simple joys: being kind, being silly, and always being there for one another.
Want to Grab a Copy of The Adventures of Marie and LeeLee?
You can find it here*: https://amzn.to/4fdSX3G
Watch them here: Kids Ask Authors Answer Interviews!
You can also find Amy and Sam’s books here:
Amy Doslich – Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series*: https://amzn.to/4eLoZ3G
Samantha Howard-Els – Mungo series & Tiny Boo*: https://amzn.to/3CBx9OF
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