My letter to the British Potato Council and their response

While talking about potatoes on Facebook with my friends Mary Ellen Wessels (of Hopeful Romantics) and Tim Walker (Wilderwood), I was excited to discover that there was a British Potato Council. I packaged up a signed copy of I'M BORED and sent them the following letter:

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Dear Potato Council,

As a fan of potatoes, I recently enjoyed browsing your website. Although I live across the pond, it was heartening to see that potatoes are appreciated just as much in the UK as they are in Canada.

I’m the illustrator of I’M BORED, a picture book written by Michael Ian Black, about a talking Potato and a bored little girl. It was published by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers and was a Junior Library Guild selection as well as a New York Times Notable Children’s Book.

I enclose a copy for your enjoyment. I do not ask for anything in return but merely wish to celebrate our shared appreciation of potatoes, no matter what the nationality.

Sincerely yours,

Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Children’s book writer and illustrator

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I just received a response back from Rob Clayton, Director of the Potato Council in the UK (!!!):

For those with text-only access:

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"Debbie, hi!

Just a short but heart-felt note to say thanks for the book that arrived yesterday. The potato council team can be a stern lot at times so it was great to see the thirty-somethings chuckling their way around the office. Nice to know there are potato-lovers around the world.

all the best,
Rob

p.s. is there a flamingo council?"

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Love this so much. :-) THANK YOU, POTATO COUNCIL!!!!

To all: You can find out more about the British Potato Council on their website at www.potato.org.uk.