Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday! Prepare to be amazed! In honor of Earth Day and the myriad of extraordinary creatures on our planet, I’m sharing a book that totally fascinated me. Let’s double-down efforts to heal the environment, preserve these treasures, and stall the devastating effects of climate change. Congratulations to Kristin Sawyer – you’ve … More Flying Frogs and Walking Fish
When I saw the title of this book, I had to know more! A story about stinks? Right up my alley! Or should I say “Smelly” Kelly’s subway tunnel! 😁 Back matter is a chance for authors to present all sorts of ideas. Here, Colleen Paeff shares how she used back matter to connect the … More Behind the Scenes: “Connecting the Past to the Present with Back Matter” by Colleen Paeff
Welcome back, Vivian Kirkfield! If anyone knows about going HERE to THERE, it’s Vivian who is always on the MOVE herself! Wondering how one picture book can become nine? This has been a time of anthologies and compilations, and here’s Vivian’s take on hers. Vivian is offering the final giveaway of 2020 for this blog … More Behind the Scenes: “Creating a Compilation” by Vivian Kirkfield
All it takes is one word to launch you on a new adventure! Jolene Gutiérrez shares how a picture book manuscript grew into a middle grade nonfiction book, and also how she embraced opportunity to stretch herself in the process. And thank you, Jolene, for offering a copy of your book to one lucky winner! … More Behind the Scenes: “The Power of Yes!” by Jolene Gutiérrez
Today, with release just ONE MONTH away, I share one of my own “behind the scenes” experiences with “SMELLY” KELLY AND HIS SUPER SENSES. Once I had gotten a whiff of the life of James Kelly, the first subway leak detective who had an extraordinary nose, I had to know more. I found only three … More Behind the Scenes: “He had me at ‘Rats’.”
We all need a reason to work through the hard parts. Laurel Neme found her reason in those who let her into their story, into what would become The Elephant’s New Shoe. Laurel is doing a GIVEAWAY of a copy of the book as soon as it’s released October 6. To enter, just leave a … More Behind the Scenes: “Why Have Faith in a Story” by Laurel Neme
Welcome, Jenna Grodzicki, author of WILD STYLE: AMAZING ANIMAL ADORNMENTS! When I first saw the book, my first thought was, great title! And that doesn’t come easy. It’s often the source of much agony for me. Here Jenna gives you a behind the scenes peek at how that title came to be. AND Jenna is … More Behind the Scenes: “What’s in a Name?” by Jenna Grodzicki
It’s been a while since I’ve done a post for Perfect Picture Book Friday. Here’s a new picture book that caught my attention. It’s creative nonfiction or possibly informational fiction—it’s hard to determine the lines these days—combining the fun of fiction with the joy of science. And…Thanks to all who participated in the Everyday Hero Giveaway … More Old Rock (is not boring)
Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, a day late! Here’s a fascinating story for all those kids into video games. The seeds of invention always seem to be planted in childhood! Title: The Boy Who Thought Outside the Box: The Story of Video Game Inventor Ralph Baer Written by: Marcie Wessels Illustrated by: Beatriz Castro Sterling, … More The Boy Who Thought Outside the Box
Don’t know what to do with all that amazing information you dug up in your research? You hate to waste all those fascinating tidbits….but word count worries creep in…what’s an author to do? Here’s Laurie Wallmark to the rescue! Back Matter to the Rescue! by Laurie Wallmark One of the challenges in writing a nonfiction picture … More Behind the Scenes: “Back Matter to the Rescue!” by Laurie Wallmark
Beth Anderson, Children's Writer 