Robin Newman, part-time Orient resident and a lawyer-turned-author, has just released her tenth children’s book this week — Trial and Error, the story of an ant lawyer that helps animals in legal trouble.
Published by Creston Books, Trial and Error is the first in a series starring Sawyer, the Critter Lawyer, who loves researching, mediating and solving problems. The book, an early graphic chapter book (an illustrated book of fiction for readers ages 7-11), features drawings by Deborah Zemke, who has partnered with Newman on five books.
Ex-lawyer Newman relishes her work as an author of children’s books. “I had been a worker’s comp lawyer … the only job I could get when I graduated from CUNY School of Law, as federal funding had been cut. I really hated it,” says Newman.
Newman pivoted to working for a family law attorney and then pivoted again to take on a legal editing position with LexisNexis Matthew Bender, who provides analytical content for the legal community.
“I was much happier there,” Newman relates. “I have always been much more of a writer; I enjoy researching and being in the library. Being in court just wasn’t for me. You find your strengths — it never occurred to me that I was a good writer. I didn’t have the confidence to really do it, but being an editor gave me that confidence.”
After the birth of her son, Noah, in 2006, Newman’s husband Michael, also an attorney, suggested that she take a writing class. “As soon as I walked in, I knew I found my people. It was just the right class, the right instructor, and there were a whole bunch of other lawyers in the class. And then there was the teacher, Mary Anderson, who was fabulous, and she also taught us a lot about the business of publishing.”
Newman’s first book, The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake, came out in 2015 and was based on a story she wrote for her niece and nephew eight years before. “Little by little, you begin to learn how to write a mystery for kids and how to make it so that kids can follow the clues and be able to make inferences on their own.”
The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake was featured on Storyline Online, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Emmy Award-winning children’s literacy program, where actors read children’s books on YouTube. Newman’s book was read by comedian and actress Wanda Sykes and the resultant video can be found online.
But back to Sawyer, the ant lawyer. Sawyer takes on several legal cases in Trial and Error, including the Case of the Speeding Snail, where she helps a snail beat a speeding ticket; the Case of the Squabbling Squirrels, where she helps two squirrels fighting over a giant acorn come to an agreement; the Case of the Hogging Hog, where one very messy pig has to share a pen with one very neat pig; and the Case of the Jaywalking Chicken, where a chicken fights a jaywalking charge for crossing the road.
Each case is hilariously explained while kids get introduced to basic legal concepts like evidence, witnesses and testimony. Characters like Wise Owl Judge and the nearsighted police officer Opossum add to the fun.
Once again, Newman and Zemke produce a book that is a charming, funny read for kids and adults alike. The book is available locally at Burton’s Bookstore in Greenport and at Barnes & Noble in Riverhead, or at your local library. And keep an eye out for upcoming events featuring Newman and Trial and Error on the North Fork in the near future.
