Vivian Kirkfield has a really big year coming up in 2019! I had to nab her now to share her process of ‘Mining for Heart’ before she takes off on her trip hopping across the globe and gets too busy with multiple book launches! Thank you, Vivian, for your thoughts on heart as the emotional … More Mining for Heart: “Plucking Heart Strings with Word Choice” by Vivian Kirkfield
It seems to be a perfect time to share a new “subversive” story for Perfect Picture Book Friday. Here’s an introduction to WE DON’T EAT OUR CLASSMATES by Ryan T. Higgins of MOTHER BRUCE fame. Title: We Don’t Eat Our Classmates Written and Illustrated by: Ryan T. Higgins Disney/Hyperion 2018 Suitable for ages: 3-5 Themes/topics: school, … More We Don’t Eat Our Classmates
Today, Perfect Picture Book Friday features one of my favorite new picture books of 2018. This is one that so many of us can relate to having witnessed the sadness of aging relatives who are experiencing memory loss. For children who are watching a grandparent lose their memories and grow more distant, THE REMEMBER BALLOONS … More The Remember Balloons
Today I welcome author Hannah Holt who’s sharing her process of finding the heart of her debut picture book THE DIAMOND & THE BOY. What could be more appropriate for this series based on a “mining” metaphor than a story of diamonds! Thank you, Hannah! In one of my early drafts for The Diamond & … More Mining for Heart: “Finding the Heart in Hardship” by Hannah Holt
I’m feeling very grateful. And I’ve got the perfect picture book to share. Open the cover and be welcomed into Cherokee culture for Perfect Picture Book Friday. Title: We Are Grateful, Otsaliheliga Written by: Traci Sorell Illustrated by: Frané Lessac Charlesbridge, 2018 Suitable for ages: 3-7 Themes/topics: Cherokee Indians, Native Americans, gratitude, culture Opening: Cherokee … More We Are Grateful, Otsaliheliga
“Listen and I’ll tell the tale
Of storing summer in a bale.” … More Hey, Hey, Hay!
In previous guest posts, other authors have written that the heart of the story is in the characters and their relationships. I agree. But when writing about real people from history using limited resources, it’s often a challenge to get to know them. When I’m digging for what makes an historical figure tick, I look … More Mining for Heart: Listen to Your Characters
In the beginning, there were three colors:
Yellows, Reds, and Blues. … More Mixed, A Colorful Story
Earlier, author Tina Cho shared how she turned her real life experience into a picture book. Today, as part of Perfect Picture Book Friday, here’s more about this important book. Title: Rice from Heaven: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans Written by: Tina Cho Illustrated by: Keum Jin Song little bee books – 2018 … More Rice from Heaven
I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at Tina Cho’s debut picture book, RICE FROM HEAVEN, which releases in just a few days. This amazing story, told from the heart, arrives at an opportune time as children are hearing about North Korea in the news. When I learned that the book is based on … More “Behind the Scenes: Rice from Heaven” by Tina Cho
Beth Anderson, Children's Writer 