The Absolutely Essential Eloise
By Kay Thompson
Illustrated by Hilary Knight
Simon & Schuster, $29.50
ISBN 0689827032

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Title of your new book:
The Absolutely Essential Eloise

Describe your book in 50 words or less:
This is both a brand new book written and illustrated in 1999 combined with the original "Eloise" (1955) who magically is still only six years old.

Its new part tells all about how Eloise became the free spirit she is, how the author invented her, and how I gave her that face and her unique figure.

What has been the biggest influence on your work?:
My art teacher, Reginald Marsh and the great artists who illustrated books, Ernest Shepard and Edmund Dulac.

What was your favorite subject in school? Why?:
Drawing! My parents were artists and writers and I wanted to be just like them.

Who was your childhood hero?:
Piglet in "Winnie the Pooh" - and any book that had naughty children as characters.

What books did you read as a child?:
"The Wind in the Willows", "The Jungle Book" by Kipling (not Disney) - anything with animals - I love all creatures feathered or furred.

Do you write/illustrate other types of books? If so, what kinds?:
Funny, serious, exotic, fashionable, unfashionable. I don't like to work in one style.

If you could trade places with one extremely famous person for one day, who would it be and why?:
I love my life, my work, my home, my cat. Why would I want to be anyone else? Do those people have what I have? - my cat says no!

What message would you like to send to all children?:
Drop that mouse! And open up the pages of a glorious book you love.

You can't love a computer.

Hilary Knight collaborated with Kay Thompson on all four Eloise books; this month, "Eloise in Paris" (Simon & Schuster, ISBN 0689827090, $25) is available for the first time in 35 years. Knight, a contributor to "Vanity Fair" magazine, currently resides in New York City.