People often ask authors where book ideas come from. The answers can be wide ranging. While some ideas require tons of research, others are right in front of us. How do you dig into the familiar and see it in new ways, with new eyes? Here, Nancy Castaldo shares how two new books came from … More Behind the Scenes: “Write What You Know” by Nancy Castaldo
Here’s a great writing activity for the classroom from author Lisa Rogers! Bringing emotion to the page can be a challenge for any writer, but it’s that emotion that connects a reader. Springboarding from her latest book, JOAN MITCHELL PAINTS A SYMPHONY: LA GRANDE VALLÉE SUITE, young writers use sensory imagery to bring emotion to … More Especially for Educators: “’Riding a Bike with No Hands:’ Using Sensory Imagery to Infuse Writing With Emotion” by Lisa Rogers
Ideas for books are everywhere, and sometimes arise from a question. In this post, author/illustrator Janice Hechter shares her process of gathering information, which ended up stretching her beyond what she’d anticipated. GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below to get in the drawing for a copy of WHERE ARE THE WOMEN by Janice Hechter. You’ve got … More Behind the Scenes: “Going Off Script” by Janice Hechter
Don’t you wonder sometimes if historical figures in the same time period knew each other? or knew about each other? I thought about that a lot when I was working on stories of Prudence Wright and Deborah Sampson. They lived in the same colony, at the same time, both animated by the revolutionary spirit. With … More Especially for Educators: “Trading Places: Connecting Story Elements Across Texts and Time” from Beth Anderson and Vivian Kirkfield
I’m a fan of Selene Castrovilla’s writing…and the ways she finds to tell stories. I know how hard it is to take a snippet of history, dig out the information, and create a story that’s engaging and meaningful! Her new book, GEORGE WASHINGTON’S SPECTACULAR SPECTACLES: THE GLASSES THAT SAVED AMERICA is fabulous! Here Selene shares … More Behind the Scenes: “Telling Your Story” by Selene Castrovilla
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
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
One of the great changes in nonfiction for kids is that, unlike the old days with a standard, sterile, informational text format, now we see all kinds of engaging nonfiction, including informational fiction, creative nonfiction, and narratives. Creative approaches broaden understanding by allowing kids to see a familiar topic in new ways, as well as … More Behind the Scenes: “Making Your Book Stand Out in a Crowded Market” by Suzanne Lipshaw
In this post, author Donna McKinney addresses the challenge of finding the essential tension needed to pull readers through a nonfiction story and keep them turning pages. GIVEAWAY! Donna is giving away a copy of TINY TERN TAKES FLIGHT to one person who comments below! Congratulations to Lillie Pardo , winner of a copy of … More Behind the Scenes: “Building Tension in Nonfiction Picture Books” by Donna McKinney
When authors dig into history, we find all sorts of surprises, endless fascination, and so much relevance to our world today. The ability to vicariously explore the human experience of the past gives us perspective and can inspire us to meet present day challenges with hope, empathy, and perseverance. Author Karen Greenwald hears the past … More Behind the Scenes: “Facets of Light” by Karen M. Greenwald
Beth Anderson, Children's Writer 