Welcome to another edition of Three Show Saturday where I am bringing you another exciting book for children! I also have an interview with author Deborah Diesen and a review of her newest book. Plus…A GIVEAWAY!
I loved this book and I think you will too! It has everything you hope for in a children’s book, humor, surprise, excitement, and PUPPIES! I seriously want to read this book to every child I know. It’s just so much FUN!
And now, on with the show!
Pippa and Percival, Pancake and Poppy: Four Peppy Puppies (2018, Sleeping Bear Press, Picture Book)
From the publisher:
A puppy named Poppy hears a rustling behind her fence and does what any curious puppy would–digs a hole under! There she finds another puppy! The puppies find two more floppy puppy friends and go on a galloping, gamboling adventure…until they catch a fright and go racing back to their loving homes. Told in bouncing, rolling rhyme, this sweet story is sure to capture the hearts of little dog lovers everywhere.
Review:
This book is so much fun! In this fantastic new book from author Deborah Diesen and illustrator Grace Zong, four peppy puppies go on a parading, pouncing adventure that is sure to be a hit with children and adults. With alliteration and fantastic rhythm, this is an awesome book to read aloud. Mystery and surprise on the page turns are sure to get giggles and squeals from young readers.
This would be a great read for daycare groups, classrooms, or other groups of children. Highly recommended for children ages 3 to 7 especially as a read aloud.
5 stars for four peppy puppies!
Interview with author Deborah Diesen
I LOVED this book! It is so fun to read aloud, and I was immediately drawn in by the cover with the puppies’ names. How did you come up with the names for the puppies and what inspired you to write this peppy puppy tale?
Thank you for your kind words! The idea for this story began when I went out for a walk one day and met a little girl with a puppy named Pancake. Seeing the two of them playing together was the initial inspiration for the story. Later, as I began to develop the story draft, I added more puppies. I hoped their names would be as fun as Pancake’s, so when they introduced themselves to me as Pippa, Poppy, and Percival, I was well-pleased!
Readers are always curious about the author and illustrator relationship. Did you know your illustrator prior to this book, and did you have a vision of what your puppies might look like before seeing the illustrations by Grace Zong?
Many people are surprised to learn that authors don’t give directions to illustrators. But this actually makes for better books, because what an artist creates is always more wonderful than anything the writer might have envisioned. And that was definitely the case for this book. I love Grace’s art, and I’m delighted by the lively and playful puppies she created. I hope I get to meet her some day so I can tell her that in person!
Aspiring authors often wonder what the process is like from story idea to published manuscript. Can you tell me about the path this book took as you brainstormed the first draft and revised to reach the final product?
For this book, the time from idea to publication date was just over three years, which is actually a fairly rapid timetable for a children’s book. When I first had the idea for this story, I jotted down a few notes and then put them in a drawer. My writing process benefits from back brain time, when I allow my mind to think about a story without directly thinking about it. After several months of percolation, I pulled my notes out again and got down to work, and developed a complete first draft within a day. After several weeks of periodic fine-tuning of the story draft, I took the manuscript to my monthly critique group for input. Based on their feedback, I made some additional revisions, and then began submitting to publishers. I was happy to find a home for the story with Sleeping Bear Press, and then Sleeping Bear found Grace Zong to illustrate it. The publication process got rolling, and now the puppies are officially out in the world on their adventure!
Did you always aspire to be a children’s book author?
I’ve always loved writing, but I never thought about writing children’s books until after my kids were born. When they were young, I was immersed in the world of children’s literature with them, reading story after story, over and over. Eventually I was inspired to try writing some stories of my own. That was almost twenty years ago, and I’ve been at it ever since!
Who has most inspired you as an author, and what was the best writing advice you ever received?
My parents get the credit for inspiring me, as an author and in all things. When I was young, they instilled a love of books and reading in me, and as I grew they encouraged my interest in writing. My Mom gave me what I consider to be the best writing advice I’ve ever received. When I wrote my very first poem, she told me I should put a date on it, because writers always date their work. I was thrilled to learn from her suggestion that I was a writer, and I’ve kept the habit of dating all my work ever since.
What hobbies do you enjoy away from work?
I love to read, and I also enjoy crossword puzzles and KenKen puzzles. I dabble in photography, taking lots of pictures of the birds that visit my backyard. I enjoy a good walk, especially in the woods, and I’ve recently taken up tap dancing. I’m pretty much the world’s worst tap dancer, but I’m having fun with it! It’s good to keep trying new things.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself, your books or your career?
Being a published children’s book author is a dream come true, and I’m so grateful to all the families, schools, and libraries that have taken a look at some of my books. Books may be created by an author and an illustrator, but they don’t truly come alive until they have someone to enjoy them. I appreciate the community of book lovers who bring books to life every day!
Thank you so much Deborah for taking time to visit with me!
Giveaway!
You could win a copy Pippa and Percival, Pancake and Poppy! Sleeping Bear Press is giving away a copy of these four peppy puppies to one lucky reader of my blog. For a chance to win, just comment on this post.
Do you have a good recommendation for a book about facing fears? Or comment on anything you like! I will select one winner randomly from the comments.
Don’t forget to follow my blog via email so you never miss out on a giveaway or review.
Giveaway rules:
-Giveaway ends at 11:59pm CDT on Friday, April 13.
– You must be 18 or older to enter.
-Giveaway is open to US & Canada residents only.
-Only one entry per household.
-Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner will be chosen.
-Winner agrees to provide their preferred mailing address, to be forwarded to Sleeping Bear Press for shipment of prize.
Get these four peppy puppies from Amazon today!
Thank you to Sleeping Bear Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And a special thanks to Deborah Diesen for the fantastic interview and to Sleeping Bear Press for providing a copy for a giveaway.
Welcome to the blog tour for I’m a Duck! I’m also excited to host an interview with Will Hillenbrand here on the blog today. This is a first for the blog, as Will has provided a video interview! How fun!
I can’t thank Will and Candlewick Press enough for arranging the interview and giving me the opportunity to share this great book with you all. Candlewick Press is also giving away a copy of I’m a Duck to one lucky reader of my blog! Just comment on this post for your chance to win.
I’m a Duck (2018, Candlewick Press, Picture Book)
From the publisher:
Sometimes it takes a lot to get your webbed feet wet! An adorable picture book makes a splash with a satisfying story about conquering your fears.
I cannot swim, and that is bad. A landlocked duck is very sad.
One day, an egg rolled out of a nest and right into a deep pond. Now that egg is a little duck, and the water is still very scary. Jumping into the pond at all seems impossible, never mind swimming in a line with all his brothers. “You’re a duck, and ducks don’t sink,” Big Frog points out. Practicing in a puddle helps a little, while backrubs and snacks from his mother help a little more. Big Frog offers to hold his friend’s wing and dive in together, but our little duck knows that some challenges need to be faced alone. Even when they are very scary!
Review:
I’m a Duck, written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand, is sure to be a hit with young readers. When little duck rolls into the water as an egg, it leaves him with a fear of the water after he hatches. This isn’t normal for a duck and everyone tells him there’s nothing to fear, but he’s not convinced. With a little practice, in a less scary puddle, and encouragement from his mother, duck works up his courage to try swimming in the big pond.
The verse and rhyme are sweet and fun to read aloud, and the illustrations are adorable! This is a beautiful book that would make an excellent gift or treasured addition to any home library.
In this story of facing fears, perseverance, family and friendship, young readers are sure to have fears of their own and identify with little duck. The story will likely encourage discussion of fears, trying new things, and being a brave little duck.
Highly recommended for readers ages 3 and up.
5 stars to shine on little duck
Interview with Illustrator Will Hillenbrand
Check out this great video from illustrator Will Hillenbrand all about his illustration process.
I’m a Duck Giveaway!
You could win a copy of I’m a Duck! Candlewick Press is giving away a copy of I’m a Duck to one lucky reader of my blog. For a chance to win, just comment on this post.
Do you have a good recommendation for a book about facing fears? Or comment on anything you like! I will select one winner randomly from the comments.
Don’t forget to follow my blog via email so you never miss out on a giveaway or review.
Giveaway rules:
-Giveaway ends at 11:59pm CDT on Saturday, March 31.
– You must be 18 or older to enter.
-Giveaway is open to US & Canada residents only.
-Only one entry per household.
-Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner will be chosen.
-Winner agrees to provide their preferred mailing address, to be forwarded to Candlewick Press for shipment of prize.
I’m a Duck is available from Amazon today!
Thank you to Candlewick Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I hope you all have great books picked out for weekend reading. I have quite a few on my shelf at the moment. I also have a great review and author interview for you today, but first, what you’ve all been waiting for….drum roll please….
The winner of the Sleeping Bear Press and Jen Sattler giveaway is….Christina G.!
Congratulations Christina!
And now, on with the show!
My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined Cinderella (2017, Stone Arch Books/Capstone, Chapter Book/Lower Middle Grade)
From the publisher:
Holden, what have you done?! It wasn’t enough to ruin Maddie’s report on Cinderella, but now you’ve somehow broken the ACTUAL fairy tale? The ugly stepsister is marrying the prince and there’s no happy ever after! You need to fix this and the only way seems to be by entering the story. But beware: if you can’t mend it, you can never return . . .
Review:
My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined Cinderella, written by Jerry Mahoney and illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff, puts a new, and very modern spin, on an old favorite. When Maddie’s stepbrother Holden “breaks” the Cinderella story, they are both surprised to be sucked into his tablet and dropped into Cinderella’s story. Taking on the roles of foot soldier and wicked stepsister, Holden and Maddie must work together (easier said than done) to set things right or be stuck in the story forever. With a crazy cast of characters, it’s not just Cinderella in the spotlight. My favorite minor character was Darreth, the Duke of Darkness, who is locked away in the dungeon but thunder rumbles every time his name is uttered.
Not just focused on the fanciful, the book does take time to ponder serious issues such as divorce set against the background of wicked stepmothers and rotten stepbrothers. Not to mention, the perfectly captured reality of bickering among siblings, or step-siblings. Add in logical twists and real emotions, and the story develops into something surprisingly insightful with characters more real than those found in most fairy tales.
The reader might hope for more illustrations, but otherwise this one is sure to get lots of giggles from the target audience. Fans of fairy tale retellings will especially enjoy this fun, quirky read. Recommended for readers ages 8 to 10.
4 stars for Cinderella and friends!
This is part of a series so readers who enjoy this “ruined” fairy tale, can check out more books in the series!
Interview with Author Jerry Mahoney
Thank you to Jerry Mahoney for taking time to visit with me and share about his writing career and inspiration!
After reading My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined Cinderella, I’m super curious about the other books in this series. How did you come up with the idea for this series and how did you decide which fairy tales to “ruin”?
When my kids were younger and I would read fairy tales to them, I would sometimes have to hold myself back from rolling my eyes or making wisecracks. I mean, they’re great stories, which is why they’ve stood the test of time. Still, though, it’s inevitable that after hundreds of years, some of them will show their age. So I would find flaws, like the notion that a prince would try to find one specific woman by trying a glass slipper on random women all over his kingdom. Obviously, lots of people have the same size foot. Besides, she’s supposedly the love of his life, so shouldn’t he remember what she looks like?
I would bite my tongue, though, and not mention the issues I had with the stories, because I didn’t want to ruin them for my kids. That eventually led me to come up with Holden, a kid who doesn’t mind ruining stories for people. In fact, he loves it!
Through him, I could do what I was afraid to do and ask tough questions about stories that are pretty universally loved. The more I started picking fairy tales apart, the more plot holes I found, and I learned that a lot of them were issues that many people had with the stories. Maddie sprung from the other side of my personality, the part that loves being swept away by a good, romantic fairy tale and doesn’t mind making a few logical leaps along the way as long as she’s enjoying the read.
I wrote MY ROTTEN STEPBROTHER RUINED CINDERELLA first, because it’s probably the most well-known and also had the most obvious plot holes to me. Then, when my publisher ordered it as a series of four, I read a bunch of fairy tales, then thought what plot holes Holden would find in each one and how the stories might change as a result. Together with the publisher, we decided which ones would make the best stories for the first four books in a series.
Of course, I have ideas for many more. I’m hoping these books will do well enough that I’ll get to write them! 🙂
Have you always enjoyed fairy tales? And if so, what was your favorite fairy tale as a child?
Who doesn’t love fairy tales? I think on some level, even Holden does. Lots of boys think that it’s uncool to like them, but show me a boy who refuses to go see a new Disney princess movie, and I guarantee you he was belting out “Let it Go” everywhere he went when he was 3.
I think “Beauty and the Beast” has always been my favorite. Of course, what Disney did with it was magical — with the dancing dishware and those gorgeous songs. But even if you take all that away, at the heart of it, it has such a sweet message about accepting people for who they are. Also, it’s one of the few fairy tales that doesn’t subscribe to the notion of love at first sight. Belle has to work really hard to get to know the Beast before she falls in love. That makes it all the more fulfilling when it finally does happen. And that’s been my experience in life as well. Sometimes, you have to dig really, really hard to find the good in people.
When you imagine someone reading your books, what do you hope they feel during and after reading your work?
That’s a tough question, because as a writer, you want to take readers through a range of emotions — excitement, fear, sadness, joy. I consider myself primarily a comedy writer, but sometimes, the moments I’m proudest of aren’t the jokes but the emotional payoffs. (In MY ROTTEN STEPBROTHER RUINED CINDERELLA, it’s the moment where Beautianna gets into art school and tells Maddie that she’s realized she’s her fairy godmother. Oops, spoiler warning!)
Overall, though, I feel like if I’ve made someone laugh, I’ve done my job. There’s so much negativity in our world, so much conflict and so much to get down about. Nothing makes me happier than knowing I’ve made someone forget about all that for a few minutes and just have a good time.
Readers are always curious about what an author’s day to day life is like. When you are working on a project what is your day like and what are some hobbies you enjoy outside of writing?
My other job besides writing is being a stay-home dad. So my writing day starts after I drop my son and daughter off at school. Then, I try to do a few hours of new writing on whatever my main project is at the time. As you probably know, publishing is very slow, so what I’m writing now might not come out for two years or more. Or if it’s not working, I may scrap it and start something new instead until I have a manuscript I really believe in.
After working on new writing, I usually have some business to attend to, whether it’s writing a synopsis for the book jacket, approving a cover or answering a questionnaire like this. 🙂 This part is always much easier and more fun than staring at a blank page and having to fill it with something new.
By then, it’s time to pick my kids up, and my duties switch to checking homework, cooking dinner and losing to my kids at Mario Kart. Once they’re in bed, I usually try to squeeze in a bit more writing. Late night is a good time for brainstorming new ideas. Then I’ll read in bed, because I love hearing other writers’ voices and getting jealous of how good they are.
Anything else you’d like to share about your books or your writing career?
Yes! First of all — shameless plug alert! — my next book, BUTTHEADS FROM OUTER SPACE, comes out in March 2018. As you can probably guess from the title, it’s full of crazy, horribly inappropriate humor (yes, fart jokes), and therefore no one should read it under any circumstances. I like to think of it as a next step up for kids who grew up on the Captain Underpants books and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It’s probably not going to impress anyone’s teacher if they do a book report on it, but it’s hopefully the kind of book kids will want to read just for fun — even if they have to hide it from their parents.
Beyond that, I’m very busy working on some new projects that I hope to be able to share with everyone soon. If you want to know more, come visit my website www.jerrymahoneybooks.com, or follow me on Twitter (@WhyJerryWhy), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jerrymahoneybooks/) and Instagram (@jerrymahoney). Most of all, thanks for reading!
Thank you to Jerry Mahoney for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
With a cast of characters including a zebra, toucan, and a hippo, everyday concepts such as up/down and in/out are hilariously demonstrated by animal friends on a playground. A new board book series by artist Jennifer Sattler.
One curious birdie playing in a mud puddle leads to four new friends, all getting into trouble. Toddlers learn to count from 1 to 5 with Dirty Birdies, where birds of all feathers get down and dirty and then all clean again. A new board book series by artist Jennifer Sattler.
Review:
Jungle Gym and Dirty Birdies, written and illustrated by Jennifer Sattler, are sure to be hits with emerging readers and toddlers. With bright, colorful illustrations and simple, short blurbs of text, children and adults will enjoy reading these clever books. Both books feature adorable animals in funny situations and lots of new words for the youngest readers. With opposites and counting at the forefront of these books, little ones will learn new concepts and words without even realizing it. Board books are great for introducing children to reading and to new ideas, and these two books will not disappoint. Highly recommended for children ages 2-5.
5 stars for five dirty birdies and all their jungle pals!
Dirty Birdies and Jungle Gym hit shelves February 15, 2018, but they are available for pre-order now! Click on the pictures below to see the books on Amazon.
Interview with author Jen Sattler
Thank you so much to Jen for taking time to visit with me and share about her books and writing career!
Both Jungle Gym and Dirty Birdies feature funny illustrations that can be appreciated by children and adults, but I think children will especially relate to the dirty birdies as they are often messy and enjoy many of the same things as the birds. What is the process like for creating a board book as compared to a picture book?
So much of the humor in a board book is visual. That’s really why I wanted to do a whole series of them. I absolutely love board books. With a board book there’s no big arc of a story or a lot of character development, it’s just fun! And when you’re having fun, learning new concepts is much easier (color, opposites, counting) When I’m putting together a board book each page can have a more singular impact. So much of the fun for little ones is learning to turn the pages, learning the physical act of reading a book, so each page is a little moment that they can come back to over and over again.
I see your books often feature (adorable!) animal protagonists. Can you tell me more about your creative process and how these animal characters come about? Do you choose animals for any particular reason?
I love drawing animals because their human characteristics come out of their physical forms. Inevitably a character will emerge that just speaks to me. It starts to have a personality. When drawing people it’s too easy for me to reference someone I know. They’re not born out of the page so to speak.
I still enjoy reading children’s books as an adult, but there is something really magical about books when you are a child. Did you enjoy reading as a child, and what book do you remember most fondly from your childhood? What book do you enjoy most as an adult?
I didn’t have many books as a child. We had a few Dr. Seuss books though and I loved them. (I used to call him “Der Seuss”, I thought that was how you pronounced “Dr.”) There also used to be books at the grocery store; Golden Books. If we were good, my mom would get us a book. Like I said, we didn’t have many! I still have all of those and opening them up brings my memory back in a really visceral way. I see through my much younger eyes. You’re right, it really is magical. My favorite book was Horton Hears a Who.
As far as what book I enjoy most as an adult? I’d have to say that I never get tired of Sandra Boynton’s books. Especially Hippos Go Beserk. I think the humor in those books is for everyone. There’s no age limit on finding six hippos showing up to a party with an uninvited “guest” hilarious.
Did you always aspire to be a children’s book author and what was the road to publication like for you?
No, I sure wasted a lot of time trying to “adult”. After getting my MFA in painting I taught college students for a few years. Then I had my children. In no time our house was full of picture books and it was clear that THAT was what I wanted to do! No more paintings to just hang on the wall. I wanted to make kids laugh… I finally released my inner goofball! It took a lot of rejections before my first book Sylvie came out in 2009. Since then I’ve had over 15 books published. It’s the best career in the world. The harder I work, the more fun I have.
Who has had the greatest impact on your writing and your career?
When I first started out it was my daughters Mayzie and Lilia that had the biggest impact on my writing. They would ask me questions. For instance Lili asked me why flamingos were pink and after some fact searching Sylvie was born. As my kids’ personality traits emerged issues like making friends or doing something you’re scared of would happen naturally and stories came to me through the characters I was drawing. Since the girls are pretty big ( one’s in college, the other a junior in high school) now I spend time with toddlers and preschoolers at my daughters’ old preschool/daycare. There’s nothing like spending time with little ones. It’s pure joy.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your new books or your career?
I’ve always wanted to do a series of original board books. Their humor and simplicity is so pure and direct. There’s so much to learn at that age and so many fun ways to show them. Each thick board page is a little funny moment. No one is as in touch with joy as a toddler. It’s the best job in the world to make something fun to put in their hands.
Thank you again Jen!
Check out these great coloring pages for your little ones (or for you!)
Just click on the link for a full size PDF coloring page that you can print.
I’m excited to offer you a fantastic prize package from Sleeping Bear Press! Please comment on this post for your chance to win a set of books and a tote bag!
What is your favorite children’s book? Have you read anything else by Jen Sattler?
Or comment on something else that interests you!
Please comment by February 8, 2018 end of day. I will randomly select a winner from the comments and announce the winner on the blog on February 9, 2018.
A big thank you to all who read and comment on my blog. You guys are the best! 🙂
Thank you to Sleeping Bear Press for copies of these books in exchange for my honest review.
Giveaway ends at 11:59pm CDT on February 8.
You must be 18 or older to enter.
Giveaway is open to US & Canada residents only.
Only one entry per household.
Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
Winner agrees to provide their preferred mailing address, to be forwarded to Sleeping Bear Press for shipment of prize.
I have a Christmas gift for my readers! Today I bring you an interview with author Bonny Becker 🙂
Bonny is the author of the fabulous Bear and Mouse picture book series as well as many other books for children. I can’t even describe how much I loved A Christmas for Bear or how excited I was that Bonny agreed to an interview with me.
Merry (early) Christmas!
Interview with author Bonny Becker:
I absolutely love A Christmas for Bear! I am so curious about what inspired the concept and how the book came about. Can you tell me a little about the development of this book?
Thank you, so much! This is the 6th book in a series of Mouse and Bear books. Usually Mouse is cheerful and ready to celebrate anything; grouchy Bear not so much. So in this book, I wanted to switch things up a bit and this time Bear is the one holding a party. A Christmas party.
I tried several different approaches to Bear’s Christmas party, including having him go way over the top and simply make Christmas way too big and too elaborate. But my editor felt there wasn’t enough tension between Mouse and Bear in that one. Mouse was just kind of a bystander.
So in this version I decide Bear’s idea of Christmas is to read a difficult poem, eat pickles with no presents necessary because I knew that would drive poor Mouse wild.
And I can’t get over bear and his Christmas pickle. That was such a surprise to me and really made me laugh. Is the Christmas pickle part of your holiday traditions or did something else inspire its inclusion?
Ha! No, there are no Christmas pickles in my life, either. But Bear likes pickles. In A Library Book for Bear, he only agrees to go the library so that he can get more books about pickles. Why pickles? Well, in the original draft of Library it was potatoes. I just wanted something boring and improbable for Bear to be interested in. But the illustrator, Kady McDonald Denton, wondered if I could please make something a little more interesting to draw than potatoes. That’s when I came up with pickles—which seemed perfect for my sour Bear!
I love the illustrations in your book and I am always curious about the working relationship between authors and illustrators. I see you and Kady MacDonald Denton have worked on a few books together in the Bear and Mouse series. Did you know each other prior to working together and how is it different working with the same illustrator multiple times versus working with an illustrator on only one project?
I love the illustrations, too. I don’t think anyone could have captured Mouse and Bear more perfectly than Kady. We didn’t know each other beforehand, but it’s been a delight to work with her. The main difference between a series like the Mouse and Bear books and a one-time book is that the author and illustrator get a chance to inspire each other.
For example, as the author, I knew Bear was grouchy and a loner, but I didn’t know he would live in a Tudor cottage, wear an apron and be rather dainty despite his enormous rear end. That all came from Kady. But as a writer, I could use this in future stories about Bear. I could make more of his fastidious nature and the layout of his house and so on.
I’ve had two moments of absolute delight as an author when it came to my illustrator. The first was with another Christmas book of mine, The Christmas Crocodile, when I first saw illustrator David Small’s drawings of the crocodile. The second was when I saw Kady’s illustrations of Mouse and Bear. Both had captured the characters so perfectly. They created what you hope for with any picture book—a marriage of words and art that is more than the sum of its parts.
I think A Christmas for Bear could become a holiday staple in many households. I know I would enjoy reading it every year. Are there any books you enjoy every year during the holidays? What were your favorite Christmas traditions as a child?
It’s rather embarrassing to admit, but actually The Christmas Crocodile has become a holiday staple for my extended family. I have a relative who reads The Christmas Crocodile every Christmas Eve at a big family gathering. He’s a wonderful reader and I laugh shamelessly at my own story every time.
As a child, my dad always read The Night Before Christmas; sometimes he would read A Christmas Carol. I loved putting up the tree and the excitement of trying to sleep the night before Christmas. I come from a family of six kids and on Christmas morning we would all gather in my oldest sister’s bedroom, and my brother would go downstairs, bring up our stockings and report on the massive pile of presents under the tree. I remember food, warmth, the satisfaction of at least a few awesome presents and family.
Have you always dreamed of writing children’s books and what was the road like to becoming a published author?
I’ve wanted to be a writer, pretty much for as long as I can remember, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write. I think originally I imagined myself writing the Great American Novel, but as I got older I remembered the books I had loved as a kid and realized those were the kind of books I wanted to write.
The road to becoming a published writer is pretty murky. There’s no clear, certain path. I’ve been a writer almost all my adult life—been a journalist, done corporate communications, freelanced articles and newsletters. When I realized I wanted to write for kids, one of the first things I did was join SCBWI (the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators.) I can’t recommend it highly enough. For aspiring writers I would say: Write, don’t just talk about it. Take some classes. Join a critique group. You just have to somehow start. The rest will follow as you go along. Oh, and read, read, read!
Is there anything else you would like to share about your writing career or other projects?
I’m excited that I have another picture book coming out next fall (2018) that is very different from the Mouse and Bear books. It’s called The Frightful Ride of Michael McMichael. It’s a macabre tall tale about a boy who gets on the #13bus one dark and stormy night. I’m also working on a middle grade set in Africa and have a number of picture book manuscripts circulating.
A Christmas for Bear (2017, Candlewick Press, Picture Book)
From the publisher:
One frosty night, Bear hears a tap, tap, tapping on his front door. “Merry Christmas!” cries Mouse. Mouse is there for a Christmas party, and Bear has never had one before, but he’s certain that pickles (preferably from France) must be an essential component, along with the reading of a long and difficult poem. The problem is, whenever Bear comes back from the kitchen with more treats, Mouse has vanished — only to be found, small and gray and guilty-eyed, scurrying under the bed or rifling through the closet. Will there be even a tiny present involved? “Hogwash!” scolds Bear. Get ready for holiday anticipation and the best kind of surprises as the curmudgeonly Bear and a hopeful Mouse return in a warm, funny tale full of holiday cheer and true friendship.
Review:
A Christmas for Bear, written by Bonny Becker and illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton, is the latest book in the Bear and Mouse series. This book is absolutely darling! I loved it so much and think it could become a Christmas staple in many households. The illustrations convey so much emotion and set the mood for a quiet Christmas at home surrounded by friends and family. Children and adults will love the simple message of friendship and love what an unlikely pair Bear and Mouse make. Highly recommended for the whole family and children of all ages.
Thank you to Bonny Becker and Candlewick Press for the interview and for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
It’s the spookiest time of the year and I have great Halloween reads to share with you all!
To kick it off, I bring you an interview with author Stephanie Shaw and a chance to win a signed copy of her book Schnitzel: A Cautionary Tale for Lazy Louts!
See the end of the post for details on how you can enter to win this fantastic prize!
Schnitzel: A Cautionary Tale for Lazy Louts (2016, Sleeping Bear Press, Picture Book)
From the publisher:
Apprenticed to a famous wizard, young Schnitzel is not known for his hard work. In fact, it’s just the opposite. He’s lazy and lacks motivation. So late one night, when a door-to-door salesman selling vacuum cleaners offers to help, Schnitzel sees an answer to his housecleaning woes. Little does he know, however, that this is no ordinary salesman and the vacuum is no ordinary dust-buster. In this retelling of the classic tale The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Schnitzel is about to find out why it’s never a good idea to invite a cape-wearing, fang-toothed stranger in after dark. Fortunately for him, there’s magical help ready to lend a hand.
Review:
Schnitzel, written by Stephanie Shaw and illustrated by Kevin M. Barry, is the perfect Halloween read! With stark illustrations and spooky scenes, children will be delighted with the disaster that befalls poor, lazy Schnitzel when he invites in a strange salesman. Children will immediately see that Schnitzel should have done his own work, and hopefully the message will sink into their own lives as they reflect on their own household chores.
Overall, a delightful story written in rhyme, and sure to be a Halloween hit with children ages three to seven.
Me: I love your new book Schnitzel: A Cautionary Tale for Lazy Louts, and I especially love that it was inspired by The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Although, I must admit my first thought was of Mickey Mouse and not the original poem!
Which original fairy tale is your favorite and which retelling have you most enjoyed?
SS: I love fairytales so it would be hard to choose. As a child I loved the classics — Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel. And, folktales and fables were (and still are) favorites! There are several modern retellings of The Three Little Pigs that I think are super clever.
What is recently out is my fairy tale PIECE BY PIECE. It is an original story and once again Sleeping Bear Press took my breath away with the choice of illustrator. So, for the moment that’s my favorite retelling!
Me: People often wonder about the author-illustrator relationship especially when they might not know each other.
Did you know your illustrator, Kevin M. Barry prior to working on this project and what was the process like from your original text draft to the final product? Did you have any vision for what the illustrations might look like as you were drafting the manuscript?
SS: I have never met any of the illustrators for any of my books. It’s true that authors (at least I do) ‘see’ the story as they write it. As picture book and so much of the heavy lifting is done by the artist. Schnitzel is my third book with Sleeping Bear Press and I trusted the SBP team to choose the best illustrator to take on the text. But, wow! Did they ever surprise me! I remember the day Senior Children’s Editor Barb McNally asked me, “What do you think of the work of Edward Gorey?” Are you kidding? I love Edward Gorey! Then she explained how Kevin thinking of doing the art in gray scale with just a touch of color. I was intrigued and amazed. And, I am so very happy with what Kevin did.
I make it a point to not communicate with an artist during the development of the book. First of all, I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler and wouldn’t be any help at all. But, mostly I don’t want the illustrator to feel I am looking over his shoulder and pressuring him.
As far as the process of the text from start to finish, again, Barb is just a super editor. I don’t believe we changed the text much at all. But, then one day she contacted me. There was a spot near the end that was slightly confusing. As the story was coming to its finish, it read a bit like ‘it was all a dream’ (which was not my intention at all). So, Barb asked me to be sure to clarify that stanza. It was one small line but I did five rewrites before we finally settled on the phrasing that satisfied us.
Me: I love the back page activity where you encourage children to write their own retelling of a popular story. When did you first start writing and do you remember any stories you made up as a child?
SS: I began writing after working with children in schools for many years. I was an elementary principal when I took an early retirement in 2006 to care for my mom. I had always loved children’s literature and writing was something I turned to for fun between care shifts. I sold my first story to Highlights Magazine in 2011 and my first book manuscript in that same year. Honestly, I think the only stories I remember making up as a child were more ‘tall tales’ about the disappearance of the chocolate chips from the kitchen cupboard.
Me: Who or what would you say had the biggest impact on your writing career?
SS: Easy peasy! My parents influenced me by reading to my siblings and me every night. And, we had our library cards as soon as we could write our names. Saturdays were spent walking to the neighborhood library and carrying home armloads of books. Books were also given to me as gifts and I still cherish a copy of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice that was the very first picture book my dad gave me.
Illustration from original Sorcerer’s Apprentice picture book given to the author by her father. Written by Richard Rostro(William Morrow & Co. publisher, 1941).
Me: What advice would you give young writers or aspiring authors?
SS: Read the genre you want to write. Read what’s coming out but also read all those wonderful classics. Writing is no different than learning a language or sport or musical instrument. If writing is where your heart is, invest in that dream through classes and workshops. It will save you from so many mistakes (trust me). And, also join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. It is a fantastic network of creative people and everything you ever want to know about the craft is available through SCBWI.
Me: With Halloween right around the corner, your book is a great story to share with little ones. Not too spooky, and lots of fun! What’s your favorite holiday and what’s your favorite holiday tradition?
SS: As much as I love Halloween (treats more than the tricks), I think my favorite holiday is Christmas. When I was small we went to bed on Christmas Eve without a single decoration in the house except our stockings hung on the mantle. But, in the morning Santa would have delivered a fully decorated tree and packages! How magical is that? My poor parents had to wait until we were asleep to do all the work, but oh it was so enchanting! Of course, as I got older I noticed other people had trees up before Christmas, so that part ended. But, absolutely no gifts ever showed up until Christmas morning. I still like that tradition!
Me: Is there anything else you’d like to share about this book or your writing career?
SS: Golly, I just want to say thank you so much for asking about Schnitzel and my writing. I love hearing from readers — kids, parents, teachers, writers. If there is anything else I can share I can always be contacted through Sleeping Bear Press or my website www.stephanieshawauthor.com.
Happy Halloween!
Me: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer questions and share about your fabulous writing! It’s a pleasure to feature you on my blog and your book is perfect for the Halloween season.
Giveaway!!!
Sleeping Bear Press and Stephanie Shaw have been kind enough to offer a copy of Schnitzel as a prize to one lucky reader. And not just any copy…a copy signed by Stephanie Shaw! No tricks here, just treats 🙂
To Enter:
Comment below with your favorite Halloween story or tradition.
Comment by Friday, October 27th to be entered for a chance to win. There will only be one prize awarded to one person selected randomly from the comments. The winner will be announced Saturday, October 28th on the blog. Once the winner is selected, he or she will need to provide mailing information and I will get the book sent out!
Don’t be shy, go ahead and comment!
Thanks for reading and good luck!
Thank you to Sleeping Bear Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Stephanie Shaw for allowing me to interview her and for providing a signed copy of Schnitzel to a reader of this blog.
I’m excited to present you with a wonderful new middle-grade dark fantasy! I had planned to do several spooky posts all month long, and while I achieved that goal in my newspaper column, I can’t say the same for the blog.
But, to make up for it….I will be posting Halloween posts every day starting today through Monday!
This might cut into my Hocus Pocus watching time, but I’m willing to make that sacrifice…only for you.
I’m kicking off this fun weekend with a big post! I have a review, a publisher interview and an author interview to share. Get excited 🙂
And now…on with the show!
The Midnight Glass
When I first heard of this book, I was immediately intrigued by the title. And I’ll admit, I did judge it by its cover…because I loved the cover!
Then I watched the book trailer….
And I knew I had to read this book!
I love that this book is from a new publisher and they have put forth a fantastic first book. The cover design, layout and feel of the book is fantastic. I would not have known this was a publisher’s first attempt if they hadn’t told me.
The Midnight Glass (2016, Branford Books, Middle-Grade Dark Fantasy)
When Wyatt’s mom accepts a new job, their family moves to the mysterious town of Davenport. Secretive and secluded, the town exists deep in the woods locked behind a gate. Wyatt is excited for the move, until they actually arrive. He thinks he must be seeing things when his classmates have green skin, gills, fangs and more! But the residents of Davenport aren’t the only mysterious thing…Wyatt learns the greatest mystery of all is that Davenport hasn’t seen the sun in over 400 years. As he adjusts to life in eternal darkness, Wyatt learns more and more about Davenport’s deadly secrets.
The Midnight Glass, written by D.T. Vaughn, is a great dark fantasy for Middle-Grade readers. With just the right amount of creepiness, readers will be eager to learn more about Davenport without being too scared to read in the dark. Readers will identify with Wyatt as he is bullied at his school and then doesn’t quite fit in at his new school in Davenport either. As Wyatt makes friends and stands up to bullies, children will root for him. Adding in all the fantasy elements, including curses and weird creatures, plus the normalcy of middle school, moving, and fitting in, makes this a book that touches on many popular themes. Some may find the pacing a bit slow, but most will be drawn into the rich world crafted by the author. Fantasy seems to be a popular genre for Middle-Grade, and adding the darker elements will likely appeal to many readers.
This story has all the elements to make it a hit with readers ages 9 to 12. For the hard to please pre-teen boys, this is an especially good choice.
Imaginative and fun, this book will have readers imagining their own Davenport, and all the adventure they might have there.
4 stars to hang in the brilliant night sky of Davenport!
Interview with Branford Books
I’m excited to introduce you all to a new face in the publishing world. Branford Books has debuted with a strong title in The Midnight Glass, and I’m excited to help spread the word! They were also kind enough to sit down and answer some questions about their new company and the future of Branford Books.
When was Branford Books established and what is your mission?
Branford Books began in 2016 with the idea of starting something fresh for the publishing industry. Our goal is to bring new and exciting fantasy books to readers of all ages. We started our mission with one of our favorite genres, middle-grade.
Who is the owner/founder of Branford Books?
Branford Books is comprised of editor Shawn Conley, publicist Lauren Ruggles, and D. T. Vaughn, our first author.
What kinds of books do you publish?
Fantasy is at our forefront for books we’d like to publish, and that really umbrellas all of the subgenres from urban to high-fantasy to more subtle themes. Ultimately, we love books that spark the imagination and have well-designed characters to tug at our heart strings.
Congratulations on the release of your first novel, THE MIDNIGHT GLASS! Do you have any more releases planned for the near future?
Thank you for the well wishes for THE MIDNIGHT GLASS. We really hope the book captures readers like it has captured us! We are putting a lot of our energy behind this project because we feel that it deserves it; but as soon as 2017 rolls around, expect to see some enchanting new stories.
Are you open to submissions? And if so, how can an aspiring (or established) author submit to you?
At this time, we are not taking unsolicited material. However, that may change. We invite authors to visit our website and subscribe to our mailing list for updates.
What have been the biggest struggles with starting a publishing company?
The publishing industry is constantly changing and that can be a challenge. We love this business and we’re stockpiling new and exciting ideas to spark reader interest.
What do you hope for the future of Branford Books?
We aim to establish followings of fantasy readers who are always looking for the next exhilarating read. We also intend to have some of our books shift to new media like movies and television. It’s a process we’ve already begun, and it’s more thrilling than we could have ever imagined!
Anything else you’d like to say about Branford Books or THE MIDNIGHT GLASS?
If you’re a reader who loves Roald Dahl’s Matilda, Louis Sachar’s Holes, or Ransom Riggs’ Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, we couldn’t recommend a better book for you than THE MIDNIGHT GLASS. It’s the dark fantasy novel about a lovable boy against the deadliest of odds. Get it in print and eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or our site, BranfordBooks.com.
Interview with author D.T. Vaughn
The author of The Midnight Glass was kind enough to answer a few questions about the writing process and life as an author. I’m excited to share this interview with you and hope it offers some valuable insight into the writing process.
How long have you been writing and when did you publish your first book?
I started writing when I was about eight or nine years old. I would create little short stories in class and read them aloud to the other kids during story time. The first set of little books I wrote were called The Homework Stealer series. They were about a little man who secretly crept in at night and stole kids’ homework! Come to think of it… that might make a really good series now. The Midnight Glass is my first full-length book. I’m both the writer and the illustrator.
Where do you find your writing inspiration?
I often find myself coming up with ideas while I’m on the treadmill. It’s a funny place to think of them, but I just blank out to the world and imagine characters interacting with each other. My nephews are also huge inspirations for my middle-grade ideas. They have a lot of energy and it really sticks to me when I think about kids and how they experience the world.
What inspired you to write THE MIDNIGHT GLASS?
For THE MIDNIGHT GLASS, I pulled ideas from my past and present. As a kid I was obsessed with the idea of living amongst werewolves and mermaids. So, I decided to create a world based on that. My family also gave me a lot of inspiration to write this book.
How long did it take you to write THE MIDNIGHT GLASS?
The first draft took about a month. However, there were many, many more drafts after that and the book took about nine months to complete.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A rock star! And I was! For years I wrote music in a band and toured the nation. It was a lot of fun and I met a lot of great people. Maybe one day I’ll write about that, too.
What was your favorite book as a child?
That’s a tough one to answer! I was a huge fan of Roald Dahl, but I also loved Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School. I think I’ve read that book more times than any other. He did a fantastic job of bringing to life each student and giving them an identity, wish, and purpose.
Who has most inspired you in your writing career?
In college, I worked at an elementary school full of amazing kids. They loved my weird drawings and stories about things like gluttonous hamsters and thieving goldfish. That was about ten years ago, and I still remember it like it was yesterday. I often pull inspiration from what they liked the most.
What struggles have you faced on your way to becoming an author?
At first, the hardest part was the risk. I’m a full-time writer and I freelance various projects. However, starting a business can be scary. I worked nonstop for months before taking the leap and doing it full-time. Now taking risks is just part of the job and it’s crazy to see how they can work out.
What advice would you give to young writers?
First, writing is a career. If you love doing it, then you should go for it! Second, write as much as you can to improve. Third, ask for both praise and constructive criticism from peers and professionals. The praise will help determine your strengths and the constructive criticism will help you improve the gaps.
Name one interesting fact about yourself unrelated to writing 🙂
I’m a self-described sloth enthusiast! Even just seeing a sloth makes my eyes water with joy. Okay, that makes me sound crazy, but I don’t care–I love them!
Where can readers learn more about you and your books?
I invite everyone to visit TheMidnightGlass.com to watch the stunning book trailer and to read more about me. I’m also available for readings and lectures if you want to meet me in person, just visit BranfordBooks.com for the contact.
Anything else you’d like to mention about THE MIDNIGHT GLASS or your writing career?
Thank you to everyone who has read this interview. Branford Books is a small business, which means that word of mouth means the world. If you liked THE MIDNIGHT GLASS, please tell your friends and family. Maybe even order a copy for a kid you know for the holidays. Hopefully, they’ll enjoy it, too! Again, thank you for your support. I greatly appreciate it.
Thank you to Branford Books and D.T. Vaughn for taking time participate in my interviews and for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Today I’m sharing my review of The Storybook Knight and some fun bonus book content. Plus, I had a chance to interview the author/illustrator team behind this fun book!
The Storybook Knight (2016, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, Picture Book)
Leo is a knight, but he doesn’t like to fight. He would rather read than seek out danger. His parents have a different view of how a knight should behave so they send Leo away on a quest to fight a dragon. Leo embarks upon his quest with his faithful horse, saddlebags full of books, and a story in his heart.
The Storybook Knight, written and illustrated by Helen and Thomas Docherty, is a tale of following one’s heart and believing in oneself. Children will love the clever rhyme and adorable illustrations as they root for Leo and his books. The concept of Leo knowing his heart, but being forced to try something different by his parents will resonate with young readers. Leo carries his love of books with him on his quest and it serves him well. He goes on a great adventure as his parents wished, but he always stays true to himself. A beautiful and subtle lesson of trying new things, but maintaining one’s integrity at all costs. Especially relevant in this age of social networking when children are bombarded with messages from all sides and face more peer pressure than ever.
Wonderful read! A book for children to carry in their hearts, or saddlebags, when facing life’s obstacles.
Interview With Helen and Thomas Docherty
Thomas and Helen Docherty are the husband and wife team behind The Storybook Knight. They were kind enough to answer a few questions about their newest book, the creative process, and working together as a team.
Where did you get your inspiration for THE STORYBOOK KNIGHT?
HD: It was Tom who came up with the idea of a knight who didn’t want to fight, but he wasn’t sure how to develop the story, so he passed it on to me. I decided to give our knight a passion for reading and some pushy parents who send him off on a quest to ‘prove’ himself… but of course, he ends up proving that the word is mightier than the sword. I think that’s an important message for us all!
How many books have you published together?
HD: Four, so far: The Snatchabook, Abracazebra, The Storybook Knight and an earlier book which we co-wrote (and Tom illustrated), Ruby Nettleship and the Ice Lolly Adventure.
What is the creative process like working as a team? Do you develop the story together or does one part develop more fully before the other (writing before illustrations or vice versa)?
HD: When we work together on a book, the writing always comes first, as a story has to be commissioned by a publisher before Tom can start work on the illustrations. In some cases, as with the Storybook Knight, we work on the initial story idea together before I start writing.
TD: By the time I come to illustrating Helen’s stories, I’ve had a long time to watch Helen develop the text, so I often have quite a few ideas in my head of how the characters and scenes might look. And as the illustrations progress I’m always showing the rough drafts to Helen and getting her feedback and advice – I really appreciate her input.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
HD: An author! I spent most of my childhood writing stories and making them into little books, which I also illustrated. But I put that ambition aside for a long time; I was a language teacher (French, Spanish and English) for many years before I finally started writing again and became a published author.
TD: I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to do when I grew up. I think I was too busy climbing trees and playing ball with my brothers to give it much thought. Having said that, I always liked drawing and as I got older it became clear that I was going to end up doing something creative. But it wasn’t until after I had graduated from Art College (where I studied sculpture) that I thought back to all the amazing illustrated books I had enjoyed as a child and begun to think that I might like to do something like that myself.
As a child, what was your favorite book?
HD: I had so many favorites! But some of the books that I loved and re-read the most were Marianne Dreams by Catherine Storr, Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce and a series of books about a girl called Aurora by the Norwegian author Anne-Cath. Vestly.
TD: I am dyslexic and really struggled with my reading when I was young, so picture books and comics were very important to me because I could ‘read’ the pictures, instead of the words. My favorite books were the Asterix comics, and I spent hours looking at and often copying the pictures. It was Asterix books that eventually got me reading, and I’ve never looked back since!
Which part of the writing or illustrating process do you enjoy the most?
HD: The part I enjoy most is when I’ve got a really exciting, complete story idea and have worked out the rhyme scheme I’m going to use. Usually I’ll start with a sentence – not necessarily the first one – which establishes the rhythm of the story in my head. Then I’m ready to start writing… the fun bit!
TD: I love the start of a project when I’m doing lots of quick sketches and you can see the characters and the world around them grow. I also love thinking about the colors that I will use to add drama and atmosphere to the story.
What struggles have you faced as a writer or illustrator?
HD: The hardest part is coming up with a watertight idea for a story. The best stories have their own internal logic; you may not see the end coming when you’re reading the story, but when it does, it all makes complete sense. But of course, those brilliant ideas don’t come every day. The other challenging aspect of being an author is that not every story you write ends up being commissioned – I’ve had plenty turned down by my publishers. You have to learn to get over the disappointment and keep going!
TD: I have good and bad days, just like everyone else. I still do most of my work by hand, using paper and inks and watercolor. A large page can take me a couple of days to paint, and sometimes I mess up and have to start all over again. This can be quite stressful!
Anything else you’d like to add about your work or THE STORYBOOK KNIGHT?
HD: A little known fact is that the original storybook knight was called Gareth, after my dad (and also after one of the Knights of the Round Table). However, our UK publishers wanted a more universal name, so I chose Leo instead – which is our nephew’s name, and works well in lots of languages. The Storybook Knight has been translated into Danish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Italian and Slovenian so far.
TD: My favorite character in the story is Ned, Leo’s faithful horse. He doesn’t say anything, so I had lots of fun giving him a personality of his own: loyal, brave, and always on the lookout for a tasty snack.
Are you sharing The Storybook Knight in your classroom or looking for more ways to engage your child? Download an educator or activity kit for even more adventures with Leo and Ned.
Rafflecopter: Enter for a chance to win an original sketch of Leo and Ned by illustrator Thomas Docherty! Comment on this blog post plus tweet about the giveaway for two chances to win!
Click on the link below to go to the rafflecopter entry page.
Thank you to Thomas and Helen Docherty for taking the time to answer all my questions and to Sourcebooks Jabberwocky for letting me be a part of the blog tour and providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I am so, so excited to share this book with you all!
I met Kate at an SCBWI Conference in Pittsburgh and have been anticipating the release of this book since the moment I knew she would be published.
Now that her book is here, I get to rave about how wonderful Kate and her book are! 🙂
I’m really not surprised that You’re My Boo is quite possibly the most adorable and sweet book I have read in a very long time. Between Kate’s make-your-heart-melt writing and Lesley Breen Withrow’s so-cute-it-hurts illustrations, this book will be cherished for years and years.
You’re My Boo (2016, Beach Lane Books/Simon and Schuster, Picture Book)
“You’re my peek-a-boo, my sneak-a-boo, my laughing-till-you-squeak-a-boo.”
Mama fox loves her Boo, whether he is building or breaking, laughing or crying. Every day, in every way, she loves him just the way he is.
You’re My Boo, written by Kate Dopirak and illustrated by Lesley Breen Withrow, is begging to be read again and again. With ridiculously adorable text, and absolutely precious pictures, children will want to read this story with their parents over and over. Written in a fun rhyming scheme, with short catchy phrases, kids will love to hear this read aloud. This is a fantastic story of unconditional love for adults to share with their children or grandchildren.
Take your read-a-book-boo to the store and get this melt-your-heart-boo(k) today! 🙂
Interview With Author Kate Dopirak
Photo credit: Family Art Photography
I feel so blessed to have met Kate at the Pittsburgh SCBWI conference in 2014. One of the many blessings of having worked for the circus 🙂 Through that meeting we have kept in touch and she has been a fantastic resource and inspiration as I continue my own writing journey.
Kate is beautiful inside and out, and I am so excited for her, and the release of her debut picture book, You’re My Boo.
Kate was kind enough to answer a few questions about her new book and her life as an author.
How long have you been writing and when did you publish your first book?
I’ve been writing for kids for ten years. My work has been purchased by newspapers, magazines, and educational publishers. YOU’RE MY BOO (Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster) is my first book.
Where do you find your writing inspiration?
My sons inspire most of what I write. My nieces, nephews, and neighbors get in on the action sometimes, too. I watch them do something or hear them say something and – BOOM! – a story idea starts.
For example, my son didn’t want to get out of bed one morning. I got the idea to write SNUGGLE BUNNY, a story about a young bunny who doesn’t want to get out of bed and soon finds himself with a lot of company. It’s available now for pre-order from Cartwheel/Scholastic.
Another time, I tucked my nephew into bed, and he wanted me to tuck in his toy car, too. Because of that, I wrote TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE CAR, which will be published by Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster in 2018.
Philip Stead’s picture book speaks truth: IDEAS ARE ALL AROUND.
What inspired you to write YOU’RE MY BOO?
YOU’RE MY BOO is a love letter to my boys – a silly goose love letter.
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Oh, wow – what didn’t I want to be? A gymnast, a ballerina, a Pitt cheerleader, an artist, a photographer, an ambulance driver, a vet, a pediatrician, a librarian, a teacher . . . but most of all, I always knew I wanted to be a mom.
What was your favorite book as a child?
I still remember where I was when I read William Golding’s LORD OF THE FLIES for the first time. That book made me want to write. I keep a conch shell in my office because of it.
Who has most inspired you in your writing career?
The list is long. I’ve been blessed with a super supportive family, inspiring teachers, and talented, honest critique partners. And I can never thank SCBWI (www.scbwi.org) enough.
What do you feel is the most rewarding aspect of writing?
I love sharing this writing journey with my husband and sons. Brainstorming new story ideas, reading drafts of manuscripts, discussing revisions, commiserating about rejections, celebrating sales – it’s all the better thanks to them.
What advice would you give to young writers?
Read what you love, and read a lot of it. Write what you love, and write a lot of it.
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not writing?
I love visiting new places with my family, even if it’s just a trail down the road where we’ve never hiked before.
What is the most interesting place you have visited?
We took our boys to New Orleans last winter. Everything about that place interested us – the food, the music, the people, the art, the Mardi Gras parades, the street performers, the Pelicans game, and The National World War II Museum.
Name one interesting fact about yourself unrelated to writing 🙂
I spent a great deal of time trying to fly when I was little. I would run and jump from the top of our stairs or from our raised patio. I even tried using an umbrella, Mary Poppins-style, but never experienced much success. I did end up in a cast, though, which was the end of my flying attempts.
Where can readers learn more about you and your books?
My website is katedopirak.com, and I’m @katedopirak on Twitter.
Anything else you’d like to mention about YOU’RE MY BOO or your writing career?
I’d like to thank Lesley Breen Withrow for illustrating YOU’RE MY BOO. She and Beach Lane’s Lauren Rille made magic as far as I’m concerned. You can find Lesley at lesleybreenwithrow.com, and she’s @lesleybreenwithrow on Instagram.
Thank you again to Kate Dopirak for taking time to answer all my questions 🙂 and thank you to Simon & Schuster for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I have returned from my journey to Uganda, and have many stories to share in future posts, but today is all about your “Journey” dear readers 🙂
I hope you enjoyed the Journey Trilogy blog posts while I was away and I would love to hear your thoughts on the books.
This is the final post on the trilogy and I will be sharing a short interview with author/illustrator Aaron Becker, but first I am excited to announce the winner of the two book giveaway.
Congratulations to Amanda Kincaid! You have won the first two books in the Journey Trilogy 🙂 A huge thank you to everyone who read the blog posts and commented!
Author Interview
Aaron Becker is the brilliant mind behind the Journey Trilogy. He is an author and an illustrator, so while the trilogy does not have words, he did create the story which is told through his fantastic illustrations.
Mr. Becker was kind enough to answer a few questions from me about life as an author and illustrator, and his Journey trilogy. I am excited to share this interview with you and I hope you all will find his books at your local bookstore or library.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
It’s mostly an internal search – looking into events and places in my life that have moved me and settled into a feeling that’s worth exploring through art. Whether it’s a walk around town or a trip to a foreign country, I always try and stay open to what might move me.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Like most boys born in the wake of the apollo missions, I wanted to be an astronaut. That soon made way to dreams of being an architect. But with both careers, I realized that the day to day work was something that I didn’t have a passion for. Instead, what interested me were the big ideas behind them, and with illustration, I can travel through space or build buildings whenever I want!
What struggles have you faced on your way to becoming an author and illustrator?
Whenever you’re putting yourself out there with your own creation, you always run the risk of your work falling short of your vision – or – your vision not resonating with the audience you hope to find. I think it is this fear of failure that drives me to do the best I can whenever I’m working – and I have to struggle to keep it in check every day I show up at my drawing table.
What do you hope is the greatest takeaway for children after they read the JOURNEY Trilogy?
My hope is that they can find value in their imagination as a tool worth investing in. All too often, kids learn that the only things of value are those things that they can consume, rather than what they can create. My hope is that children (and adults alike) find something inside of themselves while navigating these wordless adventures.
If you’re not quite ready for this journey to be over, check out these links for more information and activities.
Three Show Saturday 