Category: nonfiction

Behind the Scenes: “Being the 1st Is Not Enough”

November 22, 2019

Being the 1st is not enough.” I’ve heard these words from editors who probably receive way too many picture book manuscripts about someone who did something first. Authors scramble to uncover inventions and accomplishments, discoveries and honors, breakthroughs and court victories. Being first is commendable and implies individual greatness, but it’s not always interesting, engaging, … More Behind the Scenes: “Being the 1st Is Not Enough”

Guitar Genius

October 18, 2019

Cue the air guitar. It’s time to rock on Perfect Picture Book Friday with GUITAR GENIUS by Kim Tomsic! It’s music, engineering, and rock and roll paired with perseverance, ingenuity, and pure joy.  Next week, Kim Tomsic gives us a peek “Behind the Scenes” of her writing journey and shares some craft nuggets..  Title: Guitar … More Guitar Genius

Behind the Scenes: “Parallel Paths” by Caroline Starr Rose

September 27, 2019

When a historical fiction or narrative nonfiction story features two characters, such as An Inconvenient Alphabet, the task of researching becomes more complex. But when your two characters are going around the world in opposite directions, the challenge of connecting them is even more difficult. Here, Caroline Starr Rose shares her research and organization process for … More Behind the Scenes: “Parallel Paths” by Caroline Starr Rose

A Race Around the World: The True Story of Nellie Bly & Elizabeth Bisland

September 20, 2019

Today’s feature for Perfect Picture Book Friday, A RACE AROUND THE WORLD: THE TRUE STORY OF NELLIE BLY & ELIZABETH BISLAND, is due out in October. Today you’ll get a sneak peak, and next week, author Caroline Starr Rose will share part of her writing process in a “Behind the Scenes” post. But first—the winner … More A Race Around the World: The True Story of Nellie Bly & Elizabeth Bisland

Girls With Guts!

August 23, 2019

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday! I never knew how Title IX came to be until I read GIRLS WITH GUTS: THE ROAD TO BREAKING BARRIERS AND BASHING RECORDS by Debbie Gonzales. What better way to tell about the landmark legislation that opened the door to girls’ athletics than to start with some history and highlights … More Girls With Guts!

The Stuff of Stars

July 26, 2019

Stardust! We are made of stardust! What a mind-boggling concept! Today’s Perfect Picture Book takes a complex topic, makes it beautifully simple, and aims it straight at the heart. Amazing! Title: The Stuff of Stars Written by: Marion Dane Bauer Illustrated by: Ekua Holmes Candlewick 2018 Suitable for ages: 5-10 Themes/topics: universe, nature, stardust Opening: … More The Stuff of Stars

Behind the Scenes: Illustrating Titan and the Wild Boars by Dow Phumiruk

June 7, 2019

Today I welcome the amazing Dow Phumiruk to share what goes on “behind the scenes” for illustrators. Dow writes and illustrates multiple books each year. And this project presented several challenges – time -wise, emotionally, creatively. Thank you, Dow, for taking the time to share your experiences! The process of illustrating a picture book is … More Behind the Scenes: Illustrating Titan and the Wild Boars by Dow Phumiruk