Cecil’s Pride

September 30, 2016

Today we look at a real Lion King. Tomorrow I’ll announce the winner of a copy of Miranda Paul’s 10 Little Ninjas. You’ve got a few more hours to leave a comment and be eligible for the drawing. Title: Cecil’s Pride, The True Story of a Lion King Told by: Craig Hatkoff, Juliana Hatkoff, and Isabella Hatkoff … More Cecil’s Pride

Mining for Heart: From Classic to Contemporary – Writing (or Rewriting) a Concept Picture Book By Miranda Paul

September 2, 2016

Do concept books have a special element of heart? The good ones do! This month, Miranda Paul shares her process in creating her latest book, 10 Little Ninjas. … More Mining for Heart: From Classic to Contemporary – Writing (or Rewriting) a Concept Picture Book By Miranda Paul

Mining the Setting: “In the Canyon: How Setting Became Story” by Liz Garton Scanlon

August 19, 2016

With the “Paging Through the Parks” celebration of the 100th anniversary of  U.S. National Parks during August, it’s the perfect time to examine setting. Liz Garton Scanlon  shares her experience mining the setting for story. What she found sprang from her own experience and memories, and how the setting had touched her.  In the Canyon: How Setting … More Mining the Setting: “In the Canyon: How Setting Became Story” by Liz Garton Scanlon

Mining for Heart: “Writing a Picture Book Biography? So What?” by Barb Rosenstock

August 12, 2016

When anyone can look up anything, what makes a story different than a Wikipedia entry? What is it that lingers after a child reads a book, bringing new perspective and inspiring thinking? To me, that’s heart, the most essential and difficult part of writing. It’s a thread that you won’t find in the research, but something that comes from the research. It might hit ten seconds before sleep, during a walk, while reading something entirely unrelated, or may never surface at all. Barb Rosenstock, author of a number of picture book biographies, calls it the “So What?” … More Mining for Heart: “Writing a Picture Book Biography? So What?” by Barb Rosenstock

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

August 5, 2016

This week –  a middle grade favorite. And next week, I’ll be launching a monthly series from published authors entitled “Mining for Heart.” Stay tuned. Title: Pax Written by: Sara Pennypacker Illustrated by: Jon Klassen Balzer & Bray/Harper Collins, 2016, fiction, 288 pages Suitable for ages: 8-12 Lexile: 760 Themes/topics: nature, war, family, relationships, pets, grief Opening: … More Pax by Sara Pennypacker