Peppy Puppy Author Interview + Giveaway!

April 6, 2018 / Kizzi / 13 Comments

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.

Blog Tour + Interview with Will Hillenbrand + Giveaway!

March 23, 2018March 29, 2018 / Kizzi / 8 Comments

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.

Black Bird Yellow Sun: Author Interview + Giveaway!

March 6, 2018 / Kizzi / 4 Comments

Welcome to another exclusive author interview and giveaway here at Three Show Saturday!

Nothing makes me happier than sharing new books with you all, and this week I bring you a fantastically fun new board book from Candlewick Press.

I hope you find this book as charming as I did, and enjoy the exclusive insights offered by author/illustrator Steve Light. Don’t forget to comment on this post for your chance to win a copy of Black Bird Yellow Sun courtesy of Candlewick Press.

And now, on with the show!

Black Bird Yellow Sun (2018, Candlewick Press, Board Book)

From the publisher:

From the creator of Have You Seen My Dragon? comes an exploration of color that truly soars.

As a solitary black bird wings its way through the day, little ones are treated to a magnificent flight from one vibrant color to another. Inimitable illustrator Steve Light showcases a new style in this board book for the youngest readers. Children can journey with the graceful black bird and its tiny worm friend past orange leaves, through green grass, onto gray rocks, under pink flowers, and more before coming to rest beneath a brilliant blue moon.

Review:

Black Bird Yellow Sun, written and illustrated by Steve Light, will take the youngest of readers on a bold adventure. At first glance, this book is seemingly quite simple, a black bird is contrasted against a background of varying colors as he goes about his day, always accompanied by a small worm, but as the reader really looks at the illustrations and contemplates the simple text, the story becomes much more complex. The sharp contrast of the black bird against the brilliant light of the morning sun evokes a sense of anticipation for something to come. The black bird encounters a red snake in a scene that is sure to excite young readers, and my personal favorite is the black bird green grass scene where the textures seem to leap off the page.

Board books are fascinating in their simplicity as they teach children their first words, first shapes, first colors, and some, like Black Bird Yellow Sun, can even help children understand first emotions, from the happy light of a yellow sun to the contemplative starkness of grey rock.

Highly recommended for children ages 1 to 3 years old.

Five stars for Black Bird on a Black Night.

Interview with Steve Light

Steve Light is the author-illustrator of many picture books, including Have You Seen My Dragon?, Have You Seen My Monster?, Lucky Lazlo, Swap!, and Have You Seen My Lunch Box? He lives with his family in New York City.

Photo from Steve Light’s Web page

I enjoyed Black Bird Yellow Sun so much! Where did your inspiration come from for this charming book?

I wanted to make a very impactful book visually but explore a very simple concept. I was inspired by the artist Ellsworth Kelly and his bold paintings featuring flat exciting colored shapes, so that led me to a color concept book. The Blackbird as the main character came from listening to the Beatles and the idea of this black dense shape against bold colors appealed to me artistically.

I love the different colors and textures in Black Bird Yellow Sun. My favorite scene is Black Bird Green Grass. Which illustration did you enjoy creating the most and were there any scenes that didn’t make it into the final draft of the book?

I enjoyed creating the Grey Rocks page because at first I was very worried that grey would be very boring. Then I discovered how to print the rocks with a splotchy texture and mixed some beautiful purple and pink greys. I also love that spread cause it conveys an emotion of the bird being lonely and scared after his confrontation with the snake.

Which of your books did you enjoy writing or illustrating the most?

Oh that is like asking to pick your favorite child. I loved working on Have You Seen My Dragon? Because it was the first book where I was drawing to illustrate just like I draw in my sketchbook. Swap! was fun because it was pirates! Lucky Lazlo was fun because it had the theatre, Alice in wonderland characters and a new kind of line work. And Black Bird Yellow Sun was a lot of fun because it was a different process of printing the artwork.

Did you always aspire to be a children’s book author, and what was your path to publication like?

I always knew I wanted to do something with my art. I was doing corporate illustration for a while and hated it. I was a storyteller for a while (still am) and remembered all the stories I loved growing up and said let me try children’s books. After being rejected by every publisher in NYC I finally got published. To create these works of art that children read is a joy. I really feel I have found my calling.

What are some hobbies you enjoy outside of writing?

I collect old fountain pens and fix them up. I also modify the nibs of fountain pens so they make different kinds of lines to draw with. I also love visiting the museums in NYC and just being a tourist here, even though I have lived here many years.

Who has had the greatest influence on your writing and your career?

My teacher David Passalacqua has an incredible influence on my life and art. I was blessed to know him and have him as a mentor. He taught me how to draw, think and live. My wife is also a huge supporter of mine. She encourages me and takes care of me. I would have given up a long time ago if not for her love and guidance. Also teaching, being around children ages 3-5 everyday seeing which books and stories they respond to is a great gift to my writing.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your books or yourself?

Well, we did not talk about how the artwork in Black Bird Yellow Sun was created. It was all done by printing pieces of cardboard (chipboard actually like on the back of a legal pad). I simply cut out the shape of the sun etc. and inked it with printing ink and then stamped it onto the paper. The bird and worm were cut pieces of colored paper that I then collaged onto the printed artwork.

Thank you so much Steve for taking the time to visit with me and share about your life as an author/illustrator!

Giveaway

Candlewick Press is giving away one copy of Black Bird Yellow Sun to one lucky reader of my blog!

To enter, simply comment below. What book do you first remember reading or having read to you as a child? Or comment on something else 🙂

And don’t forget to subscribe via email so you won’t miss out on future reviews, interviews or giveaways!

-Giveaway ends at 11:59pm CDT on Saturday, March 10.

– 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.

Black Bird Yellow Sun hits shelves today, March 6, 2018! Get your copy at Amazon or other book outlets. Click on the cover below to buy at Amazon.

Stay tuned next week for another exclusive interview, this time with illustrator Will Hillenbrand and a giveaway of his new book, I’m a Duck.

Thank you to Candlewick Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Blog Tour + Giveaway Time!!!

February 2, 2018February 27, 2018 / Kizzi / 12 Comments

Book reviews, an interview, coloring pages, AND a giveaway?! Could this day get any better?!

Thanks so much for stopping by and don’t forget to comment for a chance to win a prize package from Sleeping Bear Press!

Jungle Gym (2018, Sleeping Bear Press, Board Book)

From the publisher:

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.

Dirty Birdies (2018, Sleeping Bear Press, Board Book)

From the publisher:

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.

DirtyBirdies_colorsheet

JungleGym_colorsheet

Giveaway!

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.

And the winner is…

October 29, 2017 / Kizzi / Leave a comment

By using a super handy online tool, I entered all the names of the commenters and then the program randomly selected a name.

And the winner is…

Congratulations Kathleen!

I hope you enjoy your copy of Schnitzel: A Cautionary Tale for Lazy Louts.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by my blog and for those who participated by commenting. I love hosting giveaways and plan to host another one before the end of the year so keep your eyes open 🙂

I also have a slew of books to review for the holidays. Get excited 🙂

But Halloween isn’t over yet! I hope you all have a fun holiday filled with more treats than tricks and maybe a spooky book or two.

And Susanna is holding her annual Halloween writing contest so if you are the creative type, and feel like writing a Halloween tale, check it out! It’s lots of fun and the stories are always super creative.

Halloweensie Writing Contest

Happy Halloween!

Author Interview and Giveaway!

October 21, 2017 / Kizzi / 5 Comments

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.

Interview with author Stephanie Shaw

Stephanie Shaw (photo from http://www.stephanieshawauthor.com)

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.

Dino Riders Reviews

April 13, 2017April 29, 2017 / Kizzi / Leave a comment

Welcome to another exciting book review day on the blog! Today I bring you two books in the new Dino Riders series, as well as a giveaway and an excerpt 🙂 Happy reading!

How to Tame a Triceratops

by Will Dare

Publication date: April 2, 2017

Series: Dino Riders #1

Welcome to The Lost Plains!

A wild west frontier where dinosaurs never went extinct.

Josh Sanders wants to be the next great dinosaur cowboy! Ropin’ raptors and ridin’ bucking brontosauruses just like his hero Terrordactyl Bill.

Too bad he’s stuck working on his family’s Iguanodon ranch, riding his ancient dino, Plodder. The closest Josh has ever been to a T-Rex is reading about them in his Dino Cowboy Handbook.

To prove he has what it takes, Josh is determined to win the annual Settlement Race. But he’s gonna need one fast dino to stand a chance. With the help of his friends Sam and Abi, Josh will need to tame a wild Triceratops!

This wildly entertaining new chapter book series for ages 7 and up features exciting illustrations and real dino facts! A great way to get kids reading. And don’t miss the next book in the series: How to Rope a Giganotosaurus.

GIVEAWAY

Two bundles of the first two Dino Riders books – How to Tame Your Triceratops & How to Rope a Giganotosaurus

a Rafflecopter giveaway

REVIEWS

How to Tame a Triceratops (2017, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, Chapter Book)

How to Tame a Triceratops, written and illustrated by Will Dare, is the first book in a ferocious new chapter book series. I say this a lot, but it is difficult to find an engaging and original chapter book series. There are a few good ones out there, but more often than not, the chapter book field leaves something to be desired. Then comes this new series and I am completely captivated!

Dinosaurs, a race through the desert, and a wild west theme. What more could a reader ask for?

Dinosaur stories are always fun and this one is sure to be a hit with both young readers and their parents. Josh is a likeable character and he lives an exciting life as he wrangles dinosaurs. There’s a nice combination of crazy dinosaur-roping antics and typical kid stuff, with school and friends.

The pacing is well done and allows for a decent story arc while still keeping the book length short and not sacrificing character development or plot. This is a story adults will enjoy reading with children and they won’t be bored with simple sentences or a dull plot. As a bonus, there are great illustrations sprinkled throughout as well as dinosaur facts.

Highly recommended for children ages 7 and up.

How to Rope a Gigantosaurus (2017, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, Chapter Book)

Book two in Will Dare’s Dino Riders series follows in the dino footprints of book one. How To Rope a Gigantosaurus takes readers on another fun dino-adventure with Josh and friends. With bigger dinosaurs and riskier adventures, this book does not disappoint.

Josh’s friends get more page-time and overall the characters are more developed as the series continues. Again, the plot is engaging and entertaining, and young readers won’t be able to put this book down until they have read it all.

Another fantastic addition to any home or school library. Highly recommended for children ages 7 and up.

EXCERPT

Josh sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes. He’d just been dreaming about riding through the Roaring Jaws Valley when he was woken by a loud screeching noise outside. “What the…?”

It was pitch-dark—the middle of the night— but he was sure he’d heard…

Kaaaark!

“Pterodactyl!” Josh cried. He’d know that sound anywhere.

He raced to the window and looked out just in time to see one of the winged beasts swoop down low over the barn, where some newly born iguanodons were being kept. It clattered against the roof, tearing at the wood with its claws. If that thing got in the barn, those baby guanos were done for.

He leaped out of bed and jumped straight out of his window, racing for Plodder’s pen. Nothing and no one was going to snatch up one of his family’s iguanodons. There was no time to lose. The old gallimimus roared with surprise as Josh jumped on his back, then they raced out into the open, across to the barn.

“Get away from there!” Josh cried, waving his arms above his head and readying his lasso. The pterodactyl swooped down low and stretched its claws in his direction. In an instant, Plodder reared up in fright, throwing Josh off his back.

Josh hit the ground hard, knocking the wind from him. He could just make out the terrified cries of Plodder as he ran back to his pen.

“Plod!” he said and groaned. “Come back!” But it was no use. As he looked up into the sky, his eyes went wide with fear. The pterodactyl was plunging from the sky toward him. Its claws sliced through the air like knife blades.

And Josh had nowhere to run. He braced himself for impact…

Suddenly, a roar went up from his side, and a huge shadow passed over him. Three pointed horns stabbed upward at the pterodactyl.

“Charge!” Josh gasped.

The huge triceratops roared angrily as he swiped and slashed at the sky, forcing the winged dinosaur to flap higher into the air.

Josh jumped up, keeping a close eye on the ’dactyl. He felt something brush against his legs and looked down to see a large horn rising up from the ground toward him. Josh yelped in fright as he tumbled backward and then landed heavily on a pair of muscular shoulders.

Beneath him, Charge snorted, as if telling Josh to hold on. Josh grabbed the young dino’s horns just as it kicked into top gear. The ground rolled by in a blur as Charge raced after the fleeing pterodactyl—with Plodder charging back in the other direction toward the ranch.

“I guess you don’t like ’dactyls much,” Josh said and laughed, barely able to believe it. He’d hoped if he’d found something Charge liked, the triceratops would let Josh ride him. He hadn’t thought about trying to find something he didn’t like!

Up in the air, the ’dactyl took one look at the charging triceratops and flapped faster. To Josh’s amazement, Charge lowered his head and quickly began to close the gap.

“Faster than a bullet in a hurricane!” Josh cheered.

Panicked, the ’dactyl turned and tried to swipe at them with its claws, but Charge reared up onto his hind legs, stabbing at the sky with his horns.

Josh whooped excitedly and held on tight. The pterodactyl gave an angry squawk, then flew straight up into the clouds.

“You did it!” Josh called. But as the flying dino took to the skies, Charge didn’t stop charging. Now that he was all excited, he was zooming around like a dinosaur possessed—just as Mr. Sanders came running down from the house.

“Uh-oh,” Josh said, but it was no use. Charge was heading right for the barn.

Luckily, Josh knew exactly what to do.

In an instant, he jumped up to standing on Charge’s back, just like he’d done with Plodder. This time though, he took his lasso and looped it around Charge’s huge central horn. With a yank of the rope, he shifted the dinosaur’s head to the left. Just as he was about to crash into the side of the barn, the charging dino gave a roar and came to a shuddering stop. His dad looked on wide-eyed, face-to-face with the heaving, eager dino.

“Dad! Charge saved the guanos!” Josh cheered.

“And, look, I got him under control too.” Charge gave an impatient snort. “Well, kinda!”

Mr. Sanders watched Josh, openmouthed. Eventually though, he gave him a wry smile. “Well, son, in all the years of dino wrangling, I’ve never seen anyone ride a trihorn like that. I guess you got yourself the new dino you were after,” he said.

“Does that mean I get to race him?” Josh asked. “I suppose it does,” his dad began. “But on one condition—”

“Anything!” Josh said.

His dad cast an eye over what Josh was wearing. “No racing in your pajamas!”

Thank you to Sourcebooks Jabberwocky for a reading copy of these books in exchange for my honest review.

Blog Tour! The Storybook Knight: Interview and Giveaway

September 22, 2016April 29, 2017 / Kizzi / Leave a comment

Blog Tour: The Storybook Knight

Welcome to another fun blog tour!

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.

Bonus Book Content and Giveaway

Storybook Knight landing page

Join Leo’s Storybook Knights, plus pledge your allegiance and receive a certificate of membership!

Download an educator or activity kit

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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you have trouble entering or have any questions please comment below or contact me.

Learn more about the author and illustrator by visiting their pages or following them on Twitter!

Thomas Docherty on Twitter: @TDIllustration

Helen Docherty on Twitter: @docherty_helen

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.

Happy Reading!

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Max At Night

September 15, 2016May 6, 2017 / Kizzi / 1 Comment

Max at Night by Ed Vere

It’s Blog Tour (and Giveaway) day!

I’m so excited to share Max at Night with you all.

Following Ed Vere’s Max the Brave and Max and Bird, comes an all new Max the cat story in Max at Night.

Max at Night (2016, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, Picture Book)

Max is sleepy. He has drunk his milk, brushed his teeth, washed his ears, Now he needs to say good night to everything before he can go to bed. But where is the moon? Max can’t go to bed without saying good night to the moon. So begins Max’s midnight journey to bid the moon good night.

Max at Night written and illustrated by Ed Vere follows the nighttime routine of a little black cat named Max. The book starts off with simple sentences and a gentle, poetic, sleepy feel as Max prepares for bed and bids things good night. Then Max goes on a bit of an adventure as he tries to find the moon and the tempo picks up taking away from the sleepy feel. The sentences become longer and more complex and the book might make kids wake up a bit as opposed to making them ready to fall asleep. Wonderful illustrations and a cute story that will be enjoyed by many children, but maybe not the most sleep inducing bedtime book. This book would be great when paired with another quiet bedtime book such as Goodnight Moon.

Max is an endearing and brave character, perfect for bedtime or anytime. Children will love to read about Max and his sweet determination in Max at Night.

Four bright shiny stars for Max to hang in the night sky.

Blog Tour Bonus Time!

Check out these links for bonus book content.

Max at Night landing page: A whole page for Max! See page excerpts, order the book or request a free storytime activity kit (while supplies last)

Download the activity kit: Great for teachers or parents, download this activity kit full of printable activity pages.

Rafflecopter: Enter for a chance to win an original sketch by author and illustrator Ed Vere and a copy of Max at Night! Usually a fancy rafflecopter box would appear here, but WordPress doesn’t allow such things 😦 So just click the link below and follow the rafflecopter instructions.

Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway!

If you are new to Rafflecopter giveaways or have any questions about how to enter, please email me or leave a comment below.

For more information about Author/Illustrator Ed Vere, check out his website, or follow him on Twitter (@ed_vere) and Instagram

Thanks for stopping by and I would love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks to Sourcebooks Jabberwocky for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and for letting Three Show Saturday participate in this great blog tour!

Happy Reading! ❤

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