Category: picture books

Especially for Educators: “Back Matter Bounty for the Classroom: Part 3” by Beth Anderson

August 15, 2025

I felt like this last part should be titled “From whence it came and where it goes,” but that just seemed a bit unwieldy. Every manuscript I tackle teaches me more about researching, so I often add a note on what was special in the back matter—sometimes a short note, sometimes longer. It’s valuable for … More Especially for Educators: “Back Matter Bounty for the Classroom: Part 3” by Beth Anderson

Especially for Educators: “Back Matter Bounty for the Classroom: Part 2” by Beth Anderson

August 8, 2025

Though much of the fascinating information I glean from research never makes it into the story, some of it earns a place in back matter if it has the potential to engage and benefit educators, librarians, parents, and, most of all, young readers. Images and graphics are always a favorite! GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below … More Especially for Educators: “Back Matter Bounty for the Classroom: Part 2” by Beth Anderson

Especially for Educators: “Back Matter Bounty for the Classroom: Part 1” by Beth Anderson

August 1, 2025

As I worked on the back matter for what hopefully is book number twelve, I thought about all the fabulous kinds of information that awaits teachers in these often overlooked sections. I’ve explored back matter in posts and gatherings for writers, but I’ve never done it from an educator perspective. SO… I decided it was … More Especially for Educators: “Back Matter Bounty for the Classroom: Part 1” by Beth Anderson

Behind the Scenes: “Using Timelines to Focus a Conservation Narrative” by Darcy Pattison

June 27, 2025

Ah, so much fascinating research, and so limited story space! Prolific author Darcy Pattison shares how she organized and focused NOT EXTINCT: THE PRZEWALSKI’S HORSE RETURNS FROM EXTINCT IN THE WILD, an amazing story with a ride range of appeal. GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing to win a copy … More Behind the Scenes: “Using Timelines to Focus a Conservation Narrative” by Darcy Pattison

Behind the Scenes: “Using Poetry to Get Unstuck” by Julie Winterbottom

June 6, 2025

Ah yes, the conundrum of TMI (too much information). I know it well. It’s like you’re a kid in a candy store and can only choose one of the many varieties tempting you. Here’s a wonderful post from Julie Winterbottom on how she drilled down for her focus in MAGIC IN A DROP OF WATER: … More Behind the Scenes: “Using Poetry to Get Unstuck” by Julie Winterbottom

Behind the Scenes: “Organizing Facts for the Audience and Current Market” by Tanya Konerman

May 30, 2025

Ah, the fun of mud! But how does one create a viable manuscript with this topic and a pile of information? Like a mudpie, it takes some squishing and slopping and playing around. Here’s a post from author Tanya Konerman detailing her path to MUD TO THE RESCUE! And don’t miss the GIVEAWAY! Leave a … More Behind the Scenes: “Organizing Facts for the Audience and Current Market” by Tanya Konerman

Behind the Scenes: “Finding ‘Something Extra'” by Eileen Rajala Meyer

May 16, 2025

Writers are always in search of a special way to tell a story or a unique format that serves the topic. In this post, Eileen Rajala Meyer shares the process that led to the final version of BUILD A SANDCASTLE. GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment after the post to be entered in the drawing for a … More Behind the Scenes: “Finding ‘Something Extra'” by Eileen Rajala Meyer

Behind the Scenes: “Crafting an Enticing Opening in Nonfiction” by Ann McCallum Staats

May 9, 2025

Ah, the HOOK! How can you grab the readers’ attention? Snag their interest? And pull them in to read your work? Hooks are key, but sometimes hard to come up with. Take a read through Ann McCallum’s post to learn four specific ways to create hooks. And then leave a comment to be in the … More Behind the Scenes: “Crafting an Enticing Opening in Nonfiction” by Ann McCallum Staats

Behind the Scenes: “Finding a Way into the Story” by Jeanne Walker Harvey

May 2, 2025

“Finding a way in” is one of the challenges for an author. But it was also the challenge for the subject of author Jeanne Walker Harvey’s biography of architect I.M. Pei which focuses on his process of creating a way into the Louvre in Paris. You’ll be fascinated by this story behind the story of … More Behind the Scenes: “Finding a Way into the Story” by Jeanne Walker Harvey

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