About Mary-Kate and Ashley:
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were born June 13, 1986, in Sherman Oaks, California. While Mary-Kate and Ashley appear to be identical twins, they are fraternal. Ashley is the older twin by two minutes.

By the time Mary-Kate and Ashley were 9 months old in 1987, they had joined the TV show "Full House" in which the twins played the role of Michelle Tanner. In 1990, the Mary-Kate and Ashley books were launched, and are still a huge success today, often listed as bestsellers in USA Today. In 1995, the companion book series to their Adventures videos began to be released under the title Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley.

Mary-Kate and Ashley are famous for their "Two of A Kind" television series as well as their "So Little Time" series. With each TV series, the twins also produced companion book series under the same titles --- Two Of A Kind and So Little Time.

The twins opened their own production company, Dualstar, which has made them the youngest producers in Hollywood. In 2001, the girls had started their own fashion and accessories line. And in 2002 when the twins turned 16, they launched the Sweet Sixteen book series.

Today, Mary-Kate and Ashley are excited to launch their latest books based on their major motion picture release, New York Minute.

Review Titles Below from the
Mary-Kate and Ashley Book Series!

• In Action
• New Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley
• Two of a Kind
• So Little Time
• Sweet Sixteen

   

RIF: All of your series books are popular with kids and teens. (Two of a Kind and The New Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley are often bestsellers.) What is it about your stories that you think kids can relate to?

Ashley: I think kids can relate to the fact that they are fun and interesting and also grounded in reality. They can imagine themselves in the story with our characters.

RIF: What advice would you give to a kid who didn't like to read? Why do you think it's important for kids to read?

Mary-Kate: When we were growing up there was an ad campaign to encourage reading that had the theme 'reading is fundamental.' I think that sums it up very well.  Reading well and comprehending what you read is crucial to success in every area of life. I think the main reason to read is because it is the best way to exercise your imagination.

RIF: Were books a part of your life when you were kids? 

Ashley: Of course. We come from a large family so our parents would read to us separately and sometimes all together.  Those are the stories you never forget. 

RIF: What was your favorite book when you were little?

Ashley: The Mother Goose nursery rhymes and The Velveteen Rabbit were favorites!

RIF: If you could be any storybook character, who would you be and why?

Mary-Kate: There are too many to choose from to pick a favorite. Cinderella is a good one. She was totally underestimated by everyone, but it works out for her in the end. I think it’s the first girl power story. Timeless.

RIF: Since you're both so busy with your careers, how do you make time for reading?

Ashley: We have to read for school, of course. We spend a lot of time traveling, and being on a plane is a great place to catch up on our reading.  Newspapers, magazines, books, whatever.

RIF: Your latest book, New York Minute, is based on your new movie. Are there any books that you think would make good movies?

Mary-Kate: I think almost any book could be made into a good movie. It just depends on who is directing!