This week’s guest blogger, Helen H. Wu, shares how she found the layers in TOFU TAKES TIME. When you write from a personal experience, paying attention to emotions and details can contribute to the creation of a multi-layered story. Helen has a special giveaway, too—a signed bookplate and a limited edition art print! Just leave … More Behind the Scenes: “Building Layers from Life” by Helen Wu
This post is another in my author’s journey. Though my initial attraction to Franz Gsellmann’s story came from the child within, and the writing brought more layers of connection, as I reflect back on it now, I’ve found something deeper. To celebrate the release of FRANZ’S PHANTASMAGORICAL MACHINE, we’ve got a GIVEAWAY! Just leave a … More Behind the Scenes: “Building Franz’s Phantasmagorical Machine”
No doubt the reason most editors say “no rhyming books” is due to the fact that rhyme is so difficult to do well. When Lynn Becker said she “walked out the rhymes” as she wrote her debut picture book MONSTERS IN THE BRINY,” I asked her to share that in a blog post. All that … More Behind the Scenes: “Walking the Rhyme” by Lynn Becker
In today’s post, Christine Evans shares the basics of writing a chapter book series. AND Christine is offering a giveaway! Just leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of THE WISH THAT GOT AWAY! Congrats to Robin Brett Wechsler, winner of MAKE WAY FOR ANIMALS by Meeg Pincus! How to Write … More Behind the Scenes: “How to Write a Chapter Book Series” by Christine Evans
Who doesn’t love a 2-for-1 deal?! If you’re really lucky, the solution to your story idea that results in “too much information” just might be two books! Kid lit writer Meeg Pincus was paying attention and, in solving her manuscript problem, found two “solutions”! And we have a GIVEAWAY! Just leave a comment below for … More Behind the Scenes: “One Research Dive, Two Books” by Meeg Pincus
As a child, I read a biography about Clara Barton. In those days bios were “MG” books with possibly a couple line drawings, but otherwise, no illustrations. Wow! have bios for children changed! Now we have incredible art to bring stories of people from the past to life. And the new bio of Clara Barton, TO … More Behind the Scenes: “Face to Face with Clara Barton” by Christopher Cyr
We’ve got a really special post today on the collaboration between an author and students. Christy Mihaly shares how THE SUPREME COURT AND US sprang from this partnership. And to celebrate US History in the classroom, we’re teaming up for a special 2-BOOK GIVEAWAY for educators and librarians! There are multiple ways to enter the … More Behind the Scenes: “Collaborating with Kids in Writing a Nonfiction Picture Book” by Christy Mihaly
I doubt I’m the only one who has received feedback that a story is “flat.” In this post, Brooke Hartman shares how she enhanced the highs and lows, the dive and soar, to bring emotional impact to the pages of her two upcoming releases. AND Brooke is offering a fabulous GIVEAWAY: signed copies of her … More Behind the Scenes: “The Dive and Soar of Picture Book Writing” by Brooke Hartman
I’ve always been a fan of familiar stories told through other cultures. Harshita Jerath has created a delightful new version of the familiar Gingerbread Man by shifting the setting to India. Here she tells how that idea sprang from real life experiences and her efforts to connect her children to her native land. Harshita is … More Behind the Scenes: “From Life to Story: Connecting Cultures” by Harshita Jerath
It’s truly special when I get to share a post from an illustrator who brought my words to life on the page. The illustration process is fascinating to me! I’m so grateful for Susan Reagan’s gorgeous work. And for her willingness to share a piece of her process here—the cover! The crucial cover! Think about how … More Behind the Scenes: “Designing the Cover” by Susan Reagan
Beth Anderson, Children's Writer 