Episode 34: Author Patrick Wensink On Gorillas And Creative Resilience

On this week’s episode of Five Things, our guest is writer Patrick Wensink, a novelist whose first-ever children’s book is coming out next week. "Go Go Gorillas” was inspired by Wensink's visits to the zoo with his young son, when he wondered why the gorillas were always sleeping during the day. The book suggests that maybe the gorillas are partying all night! Wensink has been based in Louisville for several years, and recently moved with his family to Portland, Oregon, so he can attend grad school. His 2015 novel, "Fake Fruit Factory," was on NPR's list of best books of the year, and his 2012 book, "Broken Piano for President" got some attention for its Jack-Daniels-inspired cover art. He talked with me about one of his collection of Johnny Mercer lyrics, which he used as inspiration when he was writing his rhyming book for kids, along with other objects of creative resilience.