Category: Mining for Heart

Mining for Heart: “Diving Deep Past First Impressions” by Anne Lambelet

October 24, 2025

I “met” Anne Lambelet when she created phenomenal art for CLOAKED IN COURAGE: UNCOVERING DEBORAH SAMPSON, PATRIOT SOLDIER. Today you get a peek behind and inside Anne’s latest release, I’M A DUMBO OCTOPUS! A GRAPHIC GUIDE TO CEPHALOPODS. I have to tell you, it’s totally fun! And I learned a lot! GIVEAWAY! Anne is gifting … More Mining for Heart: “Diving Deep Past First Impressions” by Anne Lambelet

Mining for Heart in the Absence of Compassion: WORTHY: THE BRAVE AND CAPABLE LIFE OF JOSEPH PIERCE by Andrea Wang

September 26, 2025

Author Andrea Wang’s latest book is beautiful in text and art, and at the same time heartbreaking and inspiring. The path to the heart of WORTHY: THE BRAVE AND CAPABLE LIFE OF JOSEPH PIERCE she shares here is such a perfect example that shows how “heart” arises from the connection between author and research, that … More Mining for Heart in the Absence of Compassion: WORTHY: THE BRAVE AND CAPABLE LIFE OF JOSEPH PIERCE by Andrea Wang

Mining for Heart: “Digging into the Heart of the Land” by Stacy S. Jensen

September 12, 2025

I too am enamored with the view of the Rocky Mountains. Along with the wonder they inspire, somehow, they anchor you. In writing the story of a piece of land, Stacy Jensen faced the challenge of finding the heart of a story about something that’s not human. Here she shares the process of writing BEFORE … More Mining for Heart: “Digging into the Heart of the Land” by Stacy S. Jensen

Mining for Heart: “Finding the Heart of a Locomotive in BIG BOY 4014” by Marsha Diane Arnold

April 11, 2025

When author Marsha Diane Arnold discovered a tale of a steam engine that seemed to have a ready-made story arc, she still had to find a way to embed “heart” to emotionally connect readers to the story. How do you do that with a huge steel machine? Check out Marsha Diane Arnold’s post and… Be … More Mining for Heart: “Finding the Heart of a Locomotive in BIG BOY 4014” by Marsha Diane Arnold

Mining for Heart: “Writing Nonfiction with Kid Appeal” by Lydia Lukidis

January 17, 2025

Today’s nonfiction picture books invite young readers in with a huge range of creative ways to share information. Here’s how author Lydia Lukidis went after finding an effective format, point of view, and structure for her newest release, UP, UP HIGH: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere. Writing Nonfiction with Kid Appeal by Lydia Lukidis Thanks … More Mining for Heart: “Writing Nonfiction with Kid Appeal” by Lydia Lukidis

Mining for Heart: “The Inspiring Fabric of Community…and Underwear!” by Jonathan Roth

December 13, 2024

Author-illustrator Jonathan Roth found a unique and fascinating object to take a reader on a special journey through time. But ALMOST UNDERWEAR: HOW A PIECE OF CLOTH TRAVELED FROM KITTY HAWK TO THE MOON AND MARS has more than a piece of cloth tying history together, Jonathan found a special emotional element to pull through … More Mining for Heart: “The Inspiring Fabric of Community…and Underwear!” by Jonathan Roth

Mining for Heart: “How Text and Photos Work Together to Dive to the Heart of a Book” by Patricia Newman

October 4, 2024

Today’s post features another fantastic nonfiction book for kids from the STEAM TEAM. Read on to learn how author Patricia Newman created the heart of GIANT RAYS OF HOPE using text and photos. And don’t miss the book trailer linked at the end of the post—it gave me goosebumps!  Congratulations to Marcia Strykowski, winner of … More Mining for Heart: “How Text and Photos Work Together to Dive to the Heart of a Book” by Patricia Newman

Mining for Heart: “Uncovering Strength, Resilience and Hope” by Barbara Herkert

September 27, 2024

Where do you find inspiration? Barbara Herkert found it growing near her home. Here she shares how she brought the source of her own inspiration to young readers in THIS OLD MADRONE TREE.  GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below to be entered  to win a copy of THIS OLD MADRONE TREE!     And congratulations to … More Mining for Heart: “Uncovering Strength, Resilience and Hope” by Barbara Herkert

Mining for Heart: “How a Little Red Chair Sparked a Picture Book” by Cathy Stefanec Ogren

July 5, 2024

Think back…do you have a favorite piece of furniture from your past? One that comes with precious memories? One that’s part of YOUR story. But what if that special piece of furniture could share ITS story? Author Cathy Stefanec Ogren’s latest book is just such a tale, and here she shares how she found the … More Mining for Heart: “How a Little Red Chair Sparked a Picture Book” by Cathy Stefanec Ogren

Mining For Heart: “Inspired by a Magical Moment with a Bunny” by Nell Cross Beckerman

May 24, 2024

One of the questions I get asked most is, “where do you get your ideas for stories?” As a nonfiction nerd, I’m always on the lookout for bits of history few know about—events that open our minds to understanding the past and the present. But there are all kinds of books and all kinds of … More Mining For Heart: “Inspired by a Magical Moment with a Bunny” by Nell Cross Beckerman