It’s partly practical: I’m not a singer, so in music stores, I have no slot. Why did you decide to sell your CDs inside of books, instead of directly in music stores? It’s this skillful and nuanced wry transformation I wanted to capture on film. King assumed easily and plausibly and with brilliant humor a child’s persona. for the song of “One Shoe Blues” -in March 2007 at Avatar Studios in New York City-I watched in awe as B.B. Of all the songs from that CD, why did you choose to turn “One Shoe Blues” into its own book and movie?Īt the original recording session with B.B. The song “One Shoe Blues” debuted in 2007, on the book and CD Blue Moo: 17 Jukebox Hits from Way Back Never. King’s sublime musicality, subtle comedic talent and unfailing benevolence are nothing short of extraordinary. The most fun was working with such an exquisite performer.

The most challenging part was during the actual shoot: having to keep in mind and coordinate the technical demands of filming simultaneously with responding to and guiding what the actor is doing. Also the possibility of spectacular failure is much too intriguing to pass up. I wanted to try film because I was curious to know what it was like. “One Shoe Blues” is your filmmaking debut. In an email Q&A, Boynton answers questions about losing stuff, her dream project and working with B.B. King and a group of loveable sock puppets star in this book and nearly 5-minute music video about the familiar frustration of misplacing a shoe. Her 2002 combined picture book/audio CD Philadelphia Chickens reached #1 on the bestseller list and featured stars such as Meryl Streep, Laura Linney and Natasha Richardson singing in an “imaginary musical revue.” With One Shoe Blues, Boynton succeeds in a new creative venture: writing, directing and designing a short film. Sandra Boynton may be the only New York Times best-selling writer with a Grammy nomination and more than 4,000 greeting cards under her belt.

Philadelphia Chickens by Sandra Boynton