What a special treat to feature one of my local critique partners, Julie Rowan-Zoch! She’s guided me from the start! Here she shares her process of creating illustrations for Tom Lichtenheld’s text for Louis. Such a perfect match of text and art has resulted in an irresistible book! AND…Julie’s offering a giveaway! A copy of … More Behind the Scenes: “Easy as Working with an AD” by Julie Rowan-Zoch
Just take a look at that book cover…who hasn’t felt like that a time or two recently? And that just might be the key to the heart of this new picture book. Welcome, Kirsti Call, co-author of Mootilda’s Bad Mood. Thank you for sharing your process of adding the heart to the humor in your … More Mining for Heart: “We are all Mootilda.” by Kirsti Call
Though working with an editor from start to finish sounds like a dream come true for most of us, the process exposes an author’s first attempts and the very rough beginnings of a manuscript. Here Lindsey McDivitt takes us through her experience of how her new picture book, Truth & Honor: The President Ford Story, … More Behind the Scenes: “Working with an Editor from Start to Finish” by Lindsey McDivitt
Today, with release just ONE MONTH away, I share one of my own “behind the scenes” experiences with “SMELLY” KELLY AND HIS SUPER SENSES. Once I had gotten a whiff of the life of James Kelly, the first subway leak detective who had an extraordinary nose, I had to know more. I found only three … More Behind the Scenes: “He had me at ‘Rats’.”
We all need a reason to work through the hard parts. Laurel Neme found her reason in those who let her into their story, into what would become The Elephant’s New Shoe. Laurel is doing a GIVEAWAY of a copy of the book as soon as it’s released October 6. To enter, just leave a … More Behind the Scenes: “Why Have Faith in a Story” by Laurel Neme
Do you have a voice in your head that continually gets shut down? Do characters talk to you? Do you have a snarky editor on your shoulder that criticizes your work? Voices in your head? This all sounds normal to me! Here, Lauren Kerstein shares what happened when she let that voice out onto the … More Behind the Scenes: “The Voices in My Head” by Lauren Kerstein
I loved the cover of SOAKED! from the moment I saw it! And now we get to hear the story behind it. It’s fascinating to see the effects of changes in expression, composition, and color. Thank you, Abi Cushman, for sharing the process of creating this fabulous cover! AND….ABI IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! JUST LEAVE A COMMENT … More Behind the Scenes: “Making the Cover of SOAKED!” by Abi Cushman
Welcome, Jenna Grodzicki, author of WILD STYLE: AMAZING ANIMAL ADORNMENTS! When I first saw the book, my first thought was, great title! And that doesn’t come easy. It’s often the source of much agony for me. Here Jenna gives you a behind the scenes peek at how that title came to be. AND Jenna is … More Behind the Scenes: “What’s in a Name?” by Jenna Grodzicki
Welcome, and congratulations to Tina Cho on 4 starred reviews for The Ocean Calls! Bravo! That’s not an easy feat! Today Tina shares her process of “mining for heart” in the writing of this fabulous new picture book about a Korean tradition, grandmothers who dive deep into the sea to harvest its treasures. Tina has … More Mining for Heart through Bonding & Back Matter by Tina Cho
I’m popping in with a “perfect picture book” on Saturday. I’ve found a history sister in Sarah Jane Marsh. Her energetic writing brings fascinating detail and humor to the page, bringing to life a nugget from history. And I love that she’s found a way to share historical tales in a longer form of picture … More Most Wanted: The Revolutionary Partnership of John Hancock and Samuel Adams
Beth Anderson, Children's Writer 