Behind the Book: Ereth's Birthday

Avi writes:

Writers sometimes develop great fondness for some of their characters. It’s great when that happens because you write much better about them. The character Ereth—the grumpy old porcupine with a sweet heart—is one my favorites. He’s also—I’m glad to say—one of my readers’ favorites.

Of all the Poppy books, I think this is the funniest. The predicament Ereth falls into—taking care of a bunch of rambunctious young fox—is full of merriment, twists and turns—and brings out some of the best of Ereth’s hilarious language.

In the story Ereth asks rather like a step-father to the young fox. By a curious coincidence I happen to be a step-father too. How did that all happen?