Astrid Kamalyan Embraces The Sun

I’m honored to be a stop on author Astrid Kamalyan’s book tour for her debut picture book Bábo: A Tale of Armenian Rug-Washing Day. Her lovely book, just published September 19th by Charlesbridge, earned starred reviews from both Kirkus and The Horn Book and is a Junior Library Guild Selection. Bábo: A Tale of Armenian Rug-Washing Day is the first children’s book about Armenia traditionally published in the US in over 30 years and is the only one to feature Artsakh dialogue.

Beautifully detailed illustrations by Anait Semirdzhyan adorn this cozy, cultural tale that highlights the author’s childhood memories of time spent with her grandmother on rug-washing day. Astrid’s love for Armenia can be felt on every page, and, on her website, Astrid poetically writes of her Artsakh home, “The air in our mountains is the color of lavender and smells of wild thyme; the warmth of the sun is sometimes all you need for breakfast.”

Astrid Kamalyan stopped by today to share a bit about her emotional publication journey and authentically representing her culture, which has become even more important as her beloved Artsakh people were recently and tragically attacked by the rulers of the country Azerbaijan. As Astrid says, “It makes no sense to celebrate diverse books if we aren’t going to care about the actual people in those stories.” Let’s hear from Astrid.

It was on a cold autumn day in Chicago that the idea for BÁBO sparked in my mind, a warm memory shining straight from my childhood. I wrote it down while cozied up on our sofa. Was my first draft ready to go? Not yet. But it had something in it.

Something that came as a second-person POV, non-rhyming story, which I later turned into a rhyming one, and then changed into a first-person POV, non-rhyming story. BÁBO, unlike my other manuscripts, required experimentation.

Our busy, happy family always had visitors. All were welcome at our table. Neighborhood kids gathered in our dining room as my precious bábo cooked, and laughed, and gave the warmest hugs. But would that make too many characters for a picture book? Probably yes, at least for this one. And so, as if echoing all the other changes, one of the characters had to go during the revisions.

Writing from the heart doesn’t mean writing without a challenge. It sometimes means finding the right angle, focusing on the main feeling, and cropping out the distractions. It also means pressing the “stop editing” button at the right moment, before you over-revise it to the point of losing the heart of the story.

But BÁBO was more than a story about my family. It was a story representing my culture. The first picture book in more than three decades to be traditionally published about Armenia. And as this realization came to me, so did the sense of responsibility. How do I do justice to something so ancient, so rich, and so deeply loved by me? Growing up surrounded by precious Artsakh rugs was not enough. Researching and meeting experts wasn’t either. Being inspired by a video of an Armenian woman weaving a carpet was the magic ingredient. The backmatter wrote itself in an instant. All the research and hard work were there just to support this magical moment of cherishing the beauty of Armenian carpet weaving.

In the summer of 2020, I submitted the manuscript for a critique at the SCBWI’s LA conference. My first time doing so. Did I expect it to get me an agent or to sell? No. All I wanted was a professional opinion. But BÁBO disagreed. It got me an agent and a book deal.

And here’s where cluster munitions enter the picture.

My wonderful editor, Karen Boss, asked for revisions before acquiring the manuscript. But at that very moment thinking about revisions wasn’t something I could afford. On September 27th, 2020, my homeland, Artsakh, was attacked. My people were forced out of their homes, our churches were bombed, and our cultural monuments desecrated. After the war, everything I knew, everything I belonged to was shuttered. How do I sing our joy now?

Decisions had to be made. One of them was that I chose to not give in to the darkness, singing our joy and unapologetically celebrating our culture, while facing more evil than I ever knew existed. BÁBO didn’t turn into a book it didn’t intend to be. It stayed the sunshine that it is. Because, in this darkness, our kids deserve a space where childhood is just that–carefree, sun-filled, barefoot . . . childhood.

And also because, no matter how much others try to destroy us, this is who we are–a people who embrace people and embrace the sun.

Was I done with the challenges? Almost there. I had to make one more leap and gather the courage to suggest an Armenian illustrator, Anait Semirdzhyan, whose work I admired. It was a proactive move on my side, yet it wasn’t driven by whimsy but by a need for authentic representation. Both my agent and my editor loved Anait’s amazing work, and so began the journey of BÁBO. Need I tell you how much joy the sketches, the color versions, and seeing the cover brought to my heart? How much it meant to me, my family, and now to my community?

And in the spring of 2023, when I received my author copy, something magical happened. For a moment, I was no longer homesick. I was home.

Update from Astrid:

One day after this post was submitted for publication, on September 19th, 2023, Azerbaijan attacked the indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh. That after 10 months of starving them by an illegal blockade of the region. Civilians were attacked by cluster bombs and drones. There are hundreds of victims, including children. Thousands are missing, mostly kids. Currently, the civilians are being held hostage–the road for evacuation is blocked, while Azeri forces continue killing and kidnapping people. What is happening in Artsakh is a genocide organized by the dictatorial regime of Azerbaijan, backed by countries such as Turkey and Russia. If you want to help, please check out this link for the latest updates, and please do not be indifferent to your Armenian friends who are all suffering right now.

For more information and ways you can help, please click here: Armenian Assembly of America Action Center

And please join me in sending love and prayers for the Armenian people in Artsakh. ❤️

Astghik (Astrid Kamalyan) comes from a big, happy Armenian family, where she is the oldest of five siblings. Childhood summers spent in Artsakh are what inspired her to paint with words. Astrid is a member of SCBWI, IALA (International Armenian Literary Alliance), and 12×12. Astrid’s debut picture book Bábo: A Tale of Armenian Rug-Washing Day is a Junior Library Guild Selection and received starred reviews from Kirkus and The Horn Book.

Learn more about Astrid and her book by visiting her website https://astridkamalyan.com/ or connect with her on Twitter (X) https://twitter.com/astridkamalyan or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astridkamalyan/.

Interview Alert: Gayle C. Krause (+ a Giveaway!)

Please welcome multi-published children’s book author Gayle C. Krause to Frog on a Blog. Gayle’s new picture book, Zadie and the Witch’s Tea, was just released this past July from Trowbridge Books. The book stars an adorable little witch, and absolutely no prince, in this clever reimagining of the Cinderella story. Perfect for Halloween or anytime, Zadie and the Witch’s Tea will enchant kids with Gayle’s delightful rhyming text and Kate Talbot’s bold, colorful illustrations.

Gayle is definitely a fan of both fairy tales and holiday stories, as evidenced by a few of her published books, including the picture books Once Upon a Twisted Tale and Rock Star Santa. Let’s hear more about Zadie and the Witch’s Tea from Gayle in the interview below. Be sure to read to the end for information on how you can win your very own signed copy of Zadie and the Witch’s Tea along with some fun swag!

Congratulations on your fantastic new picture book Zadie and the Witch’s Tea, which was charmingly illustrated by the talented Kate Talbot! Tell us a little bit about the story and what inspired it.

GK: As a Pre-K Director in a Laboratory Program in an upstate New York Career/ Technical Center, I trained prospective Early Childhood Education teachers and incorporated Children’s Literature, most specifically fairy tales, into the secondary and preschoolers’ curriculums.

Since the Cinderella tale is well-known to children, and Halloween is a dress-up event they love, (it happens to be my favorite holiday), coupled with my own family fun time (Witchy Sisters Weekend), I couldn’t help but write Zadie’s story. Zadie and the Witch’s Tea is a retelling of Cinderella with a little witch, a Hairy Godspider, and no prince.

When a little witch’s two older sisters dash her hope of attending the biggest event of the Halloween season because she has no magic, her determination and a surprising spider enchantment sends her there. The adult witches compete to become the assistant to the most powerful witch in the land, The Grand Witch. But a kind gesture from Zadie wins the night and the title, proving kindness is stronger than magic!

As someone who’s authored picture books, middle grade novels, and young adult novels, which type of book is your favorite to write?

GK: That’s an interesting question, Lauri. When I met with my editor and the editorial director of Scholastic Books for my first picture book, Rock Star Santa, I distinctly remember telling them that I loved to write in rhyme, but thought I had a YA voice. They disagreed with me.

Truth be told, as the years have passed, I’ve been attracted to writing MG novels as well as picture books. So, I guess they were right. At this point I switch back and forth. After completing a picture book (which is usually in rhyme), I write a MG novel (a whole different mindset).

How does your experience as a teacher influence how you write for children?

GK: Another great question. Yes. My students, both high school and preschool, have played significant parts in my writing. I had a little boy in the nursery who was so shy he wouldn’t talk to anyone, but a junior girl, who was also painfully shy. (She went on to become an actress in Hollywood.) Go figure! 😊

I had another boy who, at the time, was not diagnosed as neurodivergent, but, looking back, was clearly on the spectrum. Brilliant! And an expert on dinosaurs. He could identify a dinosaur by its footprint cast. (I do have a picture book about him, but it was never published.)

I also had a little girl who was adopted from China and shared her favorite Chinese holiday and folktale with the class. I have a picture book about her life story, as well, but unless I get her to co-author it with me, it won’t be published.

And, of course, the high school kids will recognize their personalities in the attitudes of my novels’ characters.

How important were books to you as a child?

GK: I loved to read. I still have my favorite Little Golden Book from, let’s just say, a very long time ago, Uncle Mistletoe. A few years ago, one of the department stores in NYC came out with an Uncle Mistletoe stuffed doll and a Christopher Radko ornament of both Uncle Mistletoe and Aunt Holly. They are on my tree every year.

I also read every Grimm’s fairy tale, and it wasn’t until I studied Children’s Literature in college, that I was introduced to the other creators of fairy tales like Carlo Collidi (Pinocchio), Hans Christian Andersen (The Snow Queen, Little Mermaid), and Charles Perrault (Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty) to name a few. I could go on forever about fairy tales. 😊

What do you believe makes picture books so magical?

GK: I believe it starts with the author’s vision. For me, I see the pictures as I write. It’s important to leave room for the illustrator, but it’s equally important to make sure the story stays true to your vision. I couldn’t see Zadie as a black-outlined graphic or an abstract illustration. Kate had the exact style and vision that coincided with mine. We were a perfect fit. I especially love how she portrayed the magic of the Hairy Godspider transforming Zadie’s dress into a spooktacular spidery sensation.

Please share some words of advice for aspiring children’s book authors.

GK: This business is so much harder than it looks, but don’t give up on your dream. Here is a mantra to follow:

Persevere! Persist! Proceed!

And even when you get frustrated and you think your dream will not happen, just take a break. The drive and creativity never leave you. It always comes back stronger and better. And, this time, it might be the manuscript that delivers your dream!

Thank you for having me, Lauri, and letting me share Zadie’s story with your readers.

Giveaway

Gayle is generously offering a signed copy of Zadie and the Witch’s Tea + some fun swag to one lucky winner who comments on this blog post by October 4th. And if you share news about the book on social media, mention it in your comment here for additional chances to win. I’ll choose a winner at random and connect them with Gayle. Good luck! (Giveaway open to US residents only)

Named the 2022 MG first-place winner of the Kid’s Choice KIDLIT Writing Contest, Gayle C. Krause is a PAL SCBWI member and a past member of The Historical Novel Society, and The Poets’ Garage. She served on the National Rhyme Revolution Committee, choosing the best rhyming picture book from 2015-2018. She teaches writing seminars to published kid-lit creatives and new children’s writers. She’s a former Education Academy Chair in an upstate NY Career and Technical school, where she taught prospective Early Childhood educators and directed a Laboratory Pre-K in conjunction with her program.

She writes PB, MG, and YA and has six published books. Her picture book Rock Star Santa (Scholastic – 2008) was performed as a play in Australia and presented at Storytime in Montserrat, British West Indies with a real British Rock Star. Her picture book Daddy, Can You See the Moon? (Clear Fork/SPORK – 2019) shares royalties with Our Military Child, an organization that helps veteran’s children deal with their parent’s war injuries. And her new picture book, Zadie and the Witch’s Tea, a retelling of the Cinderella tale with a little witch and no prince, emphasizes kindness and has an international following.

Discover more about Gayle and her books on her website https://www.gayleckrause.com.

And follow her on social media:

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Interview Alert: Alex Willan

Please join me in wishing a very Merry Christmas, er, I mean a very Happy Book Birthday to the hilarious, multi-published author/illustrator Alex Willan for his brand-new picture book Elves Are the Worst! This book is sure to be a holiday (or anytime) favorite with kids. It’s the latest in his The Worst! series and should prove to be just as popular as the other three: Unicorns Are the Worst!, Dragons Are the Worst!, and Yetis Are the Worst! All of these books are filled with humor, color, and lovable characters. And they are so much fun to read. Just like the others, Elves Are the Worst! stars the adorable, ever persistent Gilbert the Goblin, but, this time, he must prove himself to be just as good as, if not better than, any elf at the North Pole. What will he learn this time? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Alex has stopped by today to share more about his new book, the series, and Gilbert. And, as a special treat, he’s included a few in-progress illustrations. Let’s hear from Alex!

Congratulations on the newest picture book in your hilarious The Worst! series, Elves Are the Worst! Please tell us a little bit about the book and the inspiration behind the series.

AW: Thank you so much! In Elves Are the Worst!, Gilbert the Goblin is back with a fresh set of complaints, this time about elves. He decides to go undercover to Santa’s Workshop, disguised as an elf, to prove that goblins are just as hard working as any elf.

The first book in the The Worst! series, Unicorns Are the Worst!, was about how sometimes our feelings lead us to false conclusions. Gilbert says that his unicorn neighbors are the worst, but really he is just jealous that they get all of the attention. (And he’d really enjoy an invitation to their tea parties.) The fun challenge with each new book in the series is to figure out what Gilbert is trying to prove and what he learns along the way, both about his neighbors and about himself.

Gilbert the Goblin and his pals are so adorable. Which came first, the characters or the stories, and how does Gilbert feel about starring in his own book series?

AW: I’ve had ideas for books come to me in both ways. Sometimes it starts with a character in my sketchbook and the story grows from there, and sometimes it starts with the story. This series started with the story. In fact, when I first wrote Unicorns Are the Worst! The main character was actually a gnome named Gnelson. My wonderful agent, Lori Kilkelly, liked the idea, but wasn’t completely sold on my initial designs for Gnelson. I played around with mythical protagonists and, when I landed on goblin, I suddenly had such a better understanding of his motivations. Gilbert always has a bit of a chip on his shoulder and that made so much more sense given that people generally have a negative opinion of goblins.

I must tell you, Gilbert would very much appreciate you acknowledging that he is, in fact, the star of these books, as opposed to the unicorns, elves, etc. I think that Gilbert had grown quite used to living alone, tucked away in his corner of the forest, but, for a character that claims to want to be left alone, he sure seems to enjoy talking at length with the reader. One of the biggest joys for me in working on this series is seeing his world continue to expand. Finding his place in the larger world has been good for him, although I doubt that he would ever admit it.

What is your art process like when creating your books, and what media do you use?

AW: I create my illustrations digitally using the Procreate App on my iPad Pro. When I was in school, I learned to create art traditionally and I was very hesitant to switch to digital. Eventually though, the technology became so advanced that working on the iPad felt as natural as drawing in my sketchbook. I’m still grateful that I learned to draw and paint by hand, but I now find working digitally to be quite freeing. I can take risks and try new things without the risk of ruining several hours of work. The undo option has truly been a gift.

What do goblins like Gilbert do in their free time?

AW: Gilbert takes his work as a goblin very seriously, but I like that with each installment in the series, we get to see more and more of his interests outside of his important magical pursuits. In Elves Are the Worst! we see that he enjoys gardening, baking, and organizing events for his sock slugs. I also really like how much his friendship with Chicken continues to develop with each new installment.

Can you give us a sneak peek of any upcoming books you may have? Will we be seeing Gilbert again?

AW: I am happy to say that I am working on two new Gilbert books (not yet announced), as well as a brand new title. I’ll be able to share more about these projects soon, and I’d encourage people to follow me on Instagram at @alexwillan for news. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to make these books, to work on them with so many incredible people, and to be able to share them with readers of all ages.

If it was ALEX WILLAN, and not Gilbert the Goblin, who was in charge of writing the stories, he’d make a book called Anchovies Are the Worst!. Alex is the author-illustrator of Unicorns Are the Worst!, Dragons Are the Worst!, Yetis Are the Worst!, and the Jasper & Ollie series, as well as the illustrator of Got Your Nose, written by Alan Katz. Alex lives in Chicago with his dog, Harley, who is the absolute best. Visit him online at AlexWillan.com.

My View Book Review: I LOVE YOU MUCHO MUCHO by Rachel Más Davidson

Title: I Love You Mucho Mucho

Author: Rachel Más Davidson

Illustrator: Rachel Más Davidson

Publisher/Year: Beaming Books/2023

Favorite Line from the Book: Fortunately, stomachs growl in the same language, and Abuela knew just what to do.

Happy National Grandparents Day to all the grandmothers and grandfathers out there who share their hearts, stories, wisdom, and homes with their families! Did you know, according to AARP in 2017, the United States is in the midst of a “grandparent boom” with more grandparents than ever before, over 70 million, as the baby boomers, followed closely by Gen X, become grandmas and grandpas. That’s a lot of grandparents! And, according to Census.gov in 2021, over 6 million grandparents lived with grandchildren under the age of 18, and over 2 million of them were responsible for the basic care of their grandchildren. With numbers like those, it’s no wonder that grandparents play such an important role in our lives.

I was fortunate to have both of my grandmothers living with us when I was growing up. I’ll always remember the two of them sitting side by side in the living room, one in a rocking chair and the other with a cat in her lap, watching soap operas. My dad’s mom was a whiz at crocheting. I’ll never forget the countless pairs of colorful mittens we wore each winter. And I still have two of her afghans. My mom’s mom was a writer and self-taught poet who was published numerous times in various magazines and newspapers. I dedicated my first picture book to her.

A bond between a child and a grandparent is like nothing else, and that’s why I’ve chosen to highlight a picture book on Frog on a Blog today that features that very special grandchild/grandparent connection. I Love You Mucho Mucho, written and illustrated by Rachel Más Davidson and just published by Beaming Books, is a super sweet story about a little girl named Rosie who visits her grandmother, but her grandmother doesn’t speak English, and Rosie doesn’t speak Spanish. Rosie and Abuela spend time together, eating, drawing, playing dress up, gardening, and exploring nature, and, through the universal language of love, they find a way to communicate with very few words.

Just like Rosie and Abuela, spending time together is an important way to strengthen family bonds, create fond memories, and establish a foundation of love, something that every child benefits from and deserves (grandparents too). One activity that grandparents and grandchildren can do together is read picture books, and I Love You Mucho Mucho is a great choice!

Delightfully detailed illustrations (check out Abuela’s high top sneakers) with subtle but interesting background images and an adorable little black cat adorn this deceptively simple tale inspired by the author’s own experience in a family with language barriers. A glossary of Spanish words is included at the end.