[Cambridge]

Don Hyslop of Red Sox Nation, in his quest to discover books about the Red Sox that would make great gifts for sons, daughters, nephews, nieces or grandchildren, had an opportunity to interview Heather Barlow Sheldon about her book, Seymour’s Soaring Red Sox: a Bird’s Eye View of The 2004 World Series. Sheldon, a Bostonian by birth, is also the author of Seymour’s Night Flight. Don talked with Heather about her most recent book and the role the Red Sox played in the lives of her and her family. For further information about this author and the book you can check out her website

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RSN: Growing up in the Boston area, were you always a Red Sox fan?

HS: Yes, I grew up in Winchester, and my parents were big Red Sox and baseball fans. My mother used to tell me about the first apartment she and my dad had in Brighton, which was near enough to Braves Field that they could go up on the roof of the building and watch baseball games from there.

RSN: Do you have any favorite memories of the Red Sox from your youth?

HS: When I was a teenager, the Red Sox made it to the World Series, and I remember watching those games with my family -- all of us glued to the TV! I also recall hearing about the Curse of the Bambino back then, and the disappointment I felt when they lost that year.

RSN: How did the idea of using a Seagull, to help tell your stories, originate?

HS: I bought a mobile for my oldest daughter's nursery when she was a baby; it's a seagull whose wings flap when you pull a weighted string on its underside. I began making up bedtime stories about "Seymour" the seagull when my youngest child, Nathaniel, was a toddler and had the mobile hanging in his room. We spent summer vacations on Nantucket, so it was natural to think of Seymour as a Nantucket seagull.

RSN: How long has telling a story with the Red Sox a central part of it been in your mind?

HS: I enjoy telling stories that children can relate to, and I'm always looking for subject matter that will interest my readers. I took my son to his first Red Sox game when he was five, and it was one of the most special experiences I've had as a parent. He was so excited, so interested in all the players, and so awed by the feeling of just being there. We watched the 2003 playoffs together and he got a taste of what it is to be a Red Sox fan. In October of 2004, just before the last regular season series with the Yankees, I took Nathaniel to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. As we were standing in the Babe Ruth room, I had the strongest feeling that the Red Sox were going to win the World Series...and I decided I would write a story about it if they did. The story was percolating in my mind, and when the Red Sox won the World Series, I knew I had to write it. As I was driving my car one day shortly after their victory, the entire story just fell into place in my mind. I went home, sat down at the computer, and wrote the entire story then and there.

RSN: The way the ALCS and World Series turned out provided an excellent example for your theme of perseverance and never giving up. If this had turned out differently were there any other options for using the Red Sox in one of your stories?

HS: Even if the Red Sox had lost the Series, their spirit and perseverance as a team all season would have made a great story. Of course, it was that much better when they won!

RSN: Is the young boy and his problems with baseball based on any real life character, or is just a fictional creation to help develop your theme?

HS: Having a son who plays youth baseball has offered plenty of opportunities to watch young players who are starting out in the sport -- and to observe the struggles many of them go through as they learn to play. I hope my readers can relate to the feelings the boy in the story has about learning to play baseball.

RSN: Who are some of your favorite Red Sox players from the past, or today?

HS: Carl Yastrzemski, of course. He was such a reliable, humble player. I also liked Wade Boggs, partly because he looked exactly like my college boyfriend, but also because he was an exciting hitter. Who could forget The Boomer, George Scott? He reminds me of David Ortiz, another of my favorites for his clutch hitting and obvious love of the game. I also love Johnny Damon, for all the reasons mentioned in the story....leadership, perseverance, dedication to his team.

RSN: Johnny Damon obviously is a prominent figure in the book. Was there any doubt ever in your mind about using him to help teach your lesson of hard work and never giving up?

HS: Watching Johnny struggle in the series against the Yankees was painful, but I really felt that he would come through for his team. I kept telling my son that the Red Sox could do it (I'm not sure why I felt this so strongly, even when they were down 0-3 in the series against the Yankees, but I did). Johnny's comeback was the inspiration behind the central theme of the story.

RSN: I've read that you went to a Damon book-signing and your son had him autograph a copy of this book. Was he aware of your story at that time, or has he become aware of it since?

HS: Yes, Nathaniel and I went to a Damon book signing. It was quite an experience. We waited for two and a half hours in a line that stretched outside the Braintree Borders bookstore -- in a freakish April snow squall -- but unfortunately Johnny had to leave for another appearance before we got to the front of the line. Before he left, though, I asked one of the Borders employees to give Johnny a copy of my book, with a letter telling him what an inspiration he had been. I was told that he did receive the book, but I haven't heard from him directly. I hope that he liked the story and felt that it represented the events of the 2004 season well.

RSN: There are great illustrations as well in the book. What can you tell us about your illustrator?

HS: Betsy McLaughlin is a talented artist who has collaborated with me on both my Seymour stories. She did a wonderful job bringing the story to life, I think. She lives in the Boston area, and she and her family are also big Red Sox fans.

RSN: In the readings you have done with the book, are there any interesting moments or stories you can share with us?

HS: I've been immensely gratified by the response I've gotten to my stories when I've done readings at local bookstores and schools. Children really like Seymour the Seagull; they seem to love the thought of flying with him. One interesting moment relating to my stories happened when I did a reading for my son's class. Several weeks later I accompanied them on a field trip to the Children's Museum in Boston. We had lunch outside by the water, and when the children saw seagulls flying overhead, they were all crying out, "Hi Seymour!" That was a thrill, knowing they had remembered the story and made an association, creating their own real-life Seymours.

RSN: What is your reaction to having numerous writers, including baseball writers, saying that the book would be of interest not only to children but to adult fans as well?

HS: I feel it's a great endorsement. I think many parents, particularly those who were long-suffering Red Sox fans like me, enjoy reading stories like this to their children...stories based on a true shared experience, with themes we all try to teach our kids teamwork, practice, persistence.

RSN: Do you have any new projects in the works and do you think the Red Sox or any of the other Boston teams might feature in your future stories?

HS: Well, I'm a fan of all Boston's professional sports teams, so I hope to be able to write new Seymour stories about more great Boston sports seasons. I also have plans to write a Nantucket Christmas story featuring the boy and Seymour.

RSN: Heather as a retired teacher, I think it is great that yourself, Melinda Boroson and Matt Tavares have written the stories that you have with baseball as a central background. For one thing, they appeal to young boys, among others, and are helping them to get enjoyment from reading. That is something I believe is very important.

HS: Thank you so much for your interest in my books. I have been reading to my children since they were babies. In this fast-paced electronic world of ours, I want to encourage young boys and girls to read, and to realize that nothing beats curling up with a good book!

[MargoAdamsLoveChild]

Fantastic interview, Don!

Heather, you've just sold one book, which my son, Ben, who is 3, will receive for Christmas. Now if I can just get through the story without crying, I'll be all right. :)

[scotian1]

Just received my copy of this book today. It is a great story with a great message for young and old alike. Got to love the dedication as much as the story. It reads," To all young baseball players who love the Boston Red Sox.... to all Red Sox fans through the decades , young and old, who never gave up on this team.... and to my baseball player Nathaniel.
Thanks Heather for making all of us Royal Rooters part of the dedication of this wonderful story.