Hi!  I’m Cameron (that’s my picture over on the left side with my Mom) and I LOVE my Mom.  So when we were invited to participate in Trockle’s party, I asked if we could change the focus a little and talk to Trockle and Stephen’s mom.   So I came up with my questions and Mom emailed them and below you’ll find their answers.  It’s amazing how both the mom of a human and the mom of a monster are so much alike. I hope you enjoy.

Interview with Trockle’s Mom

1. What is the hardest thing about being a monster’s mom?
Well, the first time your little one realizes he’s the terrible, fearsome creature the child upstairs is so afraid of – that can be hard. Of course, Trockle was afraid of Stephen, too – so not only did I have to help him understand why anyone would think HE was the scary one, I had to calm HIS fears so he could get to sleep. But I’ll tell you a secret, Cameron. We moms LOVE being moms. It’s hard work, but we enjoy it so much it seems easy, most days.

2.  Why do you call Trockle “Trockle Pie?”
Didn’t your mother ever call you Sweetie Pie or Pookie Bear or anything silly like that?  

3.  Why do you paint Trockle’s fingers green?
They’re naturally a little grayish green. Even when they’re clean, they look a little dingy. The green goes so well with his orange skin, don’t you think? He’s been wondering what to wear for Halloween – do you think he’d make a cute little pumpkin? 

4.  When Stephen cleans his room and there isn’t a dirty sock, what do you cover Trockle up with?
Oh, there are always socks! That’s why Stephen’s mother always ends up with a handful of mismatched socks, you know. Six or seven socks that don’t match up to anything, on laundry day. Because I keep a spare or three handy. But if I couldn’t find a sock, I could always drag Stephen’s Superman cape under the bed, or his stuffed kangaroo. He hardly ever plays with Roody the ‘Roo anymore, and the pouch is nice and fuzzy and full of lint. 

5.  Does Trockle have a Dad? Where does he live? 
Of course, dear. Trockle’s daddy and I live in the coat closet under the stairs. 

6. What do you and Trockle do for fun?
Trockle loves to play with Stephen’s toys. He used to have to wait until Stephen went to sleep. Sometimes, he comes out and plays while Stephen’s at school. And now, well…it’s very unusual, you know, for a human boy and an under-the-bed monster to SEE each other, let alone play together, but ever since the launch of the book… 

7. What and how do you cook for Trockle?
We don’t cook. I know that you kids think we under-the-bed monsters like to eat humans almost as much as you like to eat ice cream, but it’s not true. We eat candy, soda pop, leftovers, and occasionally – as a special treat – veggies like Brussels sprouts. Trockle does love veggies. I don’t encourage it, though.  

8.  Where do you and Trockles go if Stephen or his mom clean under the bed?
Oh, we all scurry down to the hall closet. There are so many passages in the walls that it’s quite easy to move all around the house quickly. 

9.  How big are you and Trockle?
About as big as a small basketball. 

10.  How big was Trockle when he was born?
Oh, my goodness! Trockle was such a tiny thing when he was born – just the size of a golf ball!

Interview with Stephen’s Mom

1. Where do you buy monster repellant?
Monster what? OH! Wal-Mart or Kroger, usually. CVS or Walgreens, in a pinch. 

2. What is in monster repellant?
A super-secret, magical formula that mostly never fails. Except for sometimes. Which is a good thing, I guess. If mine had worked, we wouldn’t have Trockle. 

3. What kind of stuff does Stephen say in his sleep?
Oh, he’d be so mad at me for telling you, but it’s mostly mumbling. Now and then he blurts out something like, “But Ms. Shaffer, my crocodile really did throw my homework under a bridge!” Or, “Not now! I need to wash my violin!” 

4.  Do you have any more children besides Stephen? If so, did they think there were monsters in their room?
Yes, Stephen has an older sister. She always insisted I tuck her feet into the sheet and the comforter as tightly as I could; she thought the monsters would reach out from under the bed, grab her by the ankle, and yank her under there with them. If she could only have seen how small they are, and how polite! 

5.  What are Stephen’s favorite snacks?
Stephen loves peanut butter and Nutella. He also likes Ramen soup, probably because his favorite anime character, Naruto, likes Ramen.