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.
I’m thrilled that Frog on a Blog is a stop on multi-published author Sue Heavenrich’s book blog tour today! Sue is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. And she just happens to be a member of the West/Central Upstate NY Chapter of the SCBWI, just like me, and our paths have crossed a few times at local conferences. She may have even given me a writing tip or two.
Sue is also a former science teacher, a nature lover, an avid gardener, and an insect enthusiast, so it’s no wonder that she likes to write children’s books and magazine articles that highlight science and nature subjects. Sue has combined those interests with another one. Baking! And the result is her brand-new picture book and star of this blog tour The Pie That Molly Grew, which released August 15th from Sleeping Bear Press and features charming illustrations by Chamisa Kellogg. I jumped at the chance to ask Sue some questions about herself and her lovely book, which, by the way, cleverly uses the cumulative rhyme pattern of the familiar tale The House That Jack Built!Let’s hear from Sue!
Congratulations on your fabulous new picture book The Pie That Molly Grew, which was beautifully illustrated by Chamisa Kellogg! Please tell us a bit about it and what inspired you to write it.
SH: The Pie That Molly Grew begins with the planting of a single seed and shows the vine growing and flowering and finally producing a pumpkin. At the end, Molly’s pumpkin is turned into a delicious pie for the community to share in a celebration of gratitude.
I’m pretty sure that the idea germinated in my brain one year while I was planting seeds and dreaming about the salads and pies those fruits would become. Then I came across a post by Susanna Leonard Hill. It was National Pie Day and she challenged us to write a story …. about the biggest pie; the smallest pie; pies stacked sky high. I started thinking about apple pie and blueberry pie, pecan and key lime, and pumpkin pie. A line came to mind and got stuck, like an earworm, until I finally wrote it down: This is the seed that Molly sowed.
Where do you think your love of nature comes from?
SH: My parents took us kids camping and hiking. I loved the ranger talks at National parks and filled a notebook with lists of animals and plants I met. My dad loved geology, and, when he found an interesting rock, he’d tell the story about where it came from. My mom loved to watch the night sky and once woke us up in the middle of the night to drive up a mountain so we could see a comet. Being outside, in nature, was where adventures happened. And then I discovered … field guides! And Euell Gibbons’s books about eating wild plants.
Why do you feel it’s important to share science and nature with children through books?
SH: Children are curious about the world around them, so let’s make sure they have the tools and inspiration to explore that world. My kids asked questions about everything. Why do ants walk in a line? What happens if you roll a toy car down a board? How can we launch a cork to fly over the garage? As a writer, I want to create books that can nurture curiosity and help children (and maybe some adults, too) discover answers to their questions.
Your book Diet for a Changing Climate: Food for Thought, which you cowrote with Christy Mihaly, talks about edible weeds, amongst other unexpected and unusual foods. What weed, in your opinion, is the tastiest? Please share a simple recipe.
SH: Thanks for a shout out for our book. Christy and I had a lot of fun tasting recipes and writing the book. As for eating wild plants, I have a soft spot for dandelions. They are pretty, and a great pollen source for early pollinators. Plus they are easy to grow – all you do is … nothing! Dandelions were the first wild plant I tried when I was a kid. My friend and I collected leaves from her yard and boiled them. They were so stringy and bitter! I learned my lesson: pick young leaves.
I have a recipe for dandelion quiche in my book. But here are some very simple ways to add dandelions to your menu: sprinkle dandelion flowers on the top of your salad (pull individual flowers from the head); mix individual flowers into pancake batter and tortilla dough; pick very young leaves and toss into a stir-fry. Just make sure that the dandelion plants haven’t been sprayed by chemicals. I source my dandelions from my organic garden, where I have a continuous supply season after season.
You also love to write about insects. Which insect do you find to be the most fascinating and why?
SH: Oh, man! That’s like asking which of my kids is my favorite. I love bees – big, bumbly, bumble bees and tiny, shiny, metallic green bees. But then there’s flies, which look like bees (and one I found just the other day that looks like a huge yellowjacket!), and beetles (who doesn’t love beetles?). Oh! And pseudoscorpions. They’re not insects – they have eight legs – but they are related. They’re not scorpions either, even though they wave their big* pincers just like a real scorpion. (*Big is a relative term. Pseudoscorpions are often only a quarter of an inch long.)
What book projects are you working on right now?
SH: I’m working on a couple ideas, but I’m still at the stage of throwing words on the page to see what sticks. Meanwhile, I continue to learn more about the insects and spiders that inhabit my garden and share those discoveries on my blog, Archimedes Notebook.
Sue Heavenrich used to teach science. Now she writes magazine articles and books for children and their families. When the ground is warm and the sun is shining, Sue plants pumpkin seeds in her garden. She mulches and weeds and waters her plants. She watches—and counts—the many kinds of bees that visit her flowers. And when it’s time, she slices and dices and mixes and spices . . . and bakes up her favorite kind of pie!
Hooray! Please join me in wishing Heather Pierce Stigall’s debut picture book, Paisley’s Big Birthday, a very Happy Book Birthday today! This book, released by Clavis Publishing and illustrated by Natallia Nushuyeva, is Adorable, with a capital A, in both text and artand will ultimately be published in four additional languages besides English.
Heather is an active member of the kidlit community, especially in the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the SCBWI where she is the Critique Group/Meet & Greet Coordinator. I’m so glad our paths crossed over on Julie Hedlund’s 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge membership forum. With experience as a counselor for children and families, Heather loves to write stories that truly resonate with kids. Let’s learn more about Heather and Paisley’s Big Birthday!
Congratulations on your adorable debut picture book Paisley’s Big Birthday! Please tell us a bit about the story and who or what inspired it.
HS: Thank you so much, Lauri! The origins of PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY began nine years ago when I picked up my youngest child from preschool on his birthday. He climbed into his car seat, wearing a glittery birthday crown and a slight frown. The conversation began something like this:
Birthday Boy: “When is my birthday?”
Me: “Today!”
Birthday Boy: (shakes his head) “No. When is my real birthday?”
Me: “Today is your real birthday!”
Birthday Boy: “It doesn’t feel like it.”
Heather Stigall’s son Regan donning his birthday crown
My mind began to spin. Why didn’t he feel like it was his birthday? Did something happen or not happen at school? What would it take for him to feel like it was his “real” birthday? A few questions later, I realized that he believed that on his birthday he would instantly “feel” older; he would magically be able to do things he wasn’t able to do the day before. But I kept the conversation going during the ride home, through lunch, and for some time after that. I asked lots of questions and listened as he shared evidence for why it was most definitely not his birthday. I was enamored with his reasoning and determination, while underneath it all, I felt his disappointment that this day, one that was supposed to be special, didn’t meet his expectations. Not long after, I wrote a draft of a story about a bunny who hops out of bed the morning of her birthday, expecting to be all things “big bunny.”
Illustrator Natallia Bushuyeva’s artwork is so sweet and complements your text so perfectly. Were you able to offer input into what the illustrations would look like? Did Natallia’s work exceed your expectations?
HS: I really hit the jackpot when Clavis chose Natallia to illustrate Paisley’s Big Birthday, didn’t I? Clavis always produces beautifully illustrated picture books, so I knew I would be in good hands, but seeing the way Natallia brought our characters to life was really special—she absolutely exceeded my expectations! I just love her art style and think she was the perfect choice for Paisley. Unlike most U.S. publishers, Clavis (who is based in Belgium) makes it a practice to connect author and illustrator so they may collaborate if they wish. But I have no business telling an illustrator what to do, so I put my full trust in Natallia, and I think that worked out beautifully.
How have your degrees in Child Development, Psychology-based Human Relations, and Social Work influenced how you write for children?
HS: I have always felt a connection with children, so I pursued my degrees because I wanted to learn more about the “why” and “how” behind the way people, particularly children, behave and think. I used that education and training as a counselor for children and families, and it came in handy when raising my own children. Now, as a writer, I think that background and experience inform me about how children relate to others and the world, and I hope to have that come across when I create stories about and for them.
Please share one of your favorite classic picture books and one of your favorite recent picture books.
HS: That is such a difficult question to answer! I have fond memories of many classic picture books, and I read SO many picture books regularly, that it’s hard to choose just one of each. But, if I must answer, I’m going to cheat a little. What comes to mind as a childhood favorite “classic” is the Frances series by Russell and Lillian Hoban. I love them all, but I particularly like Bread and Jam for Frances and A Bargain for Frances in that series. I think they capture the mind and antics of a child so well, they have the perfect balance of humor and heart, and they bring back memories of me being read to as a child.
As for more recent favorites, I’ll narrow it down to two as well: I love Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry and Juana Martinez-Neal (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/2020) for its gorgeous art, clever plot, giggle-inducing humor, and heartfelt theme—all around brilliance! I also love Off-Limits by Helen Yoon (Candlewick Press/2021) because it so perfectly captures the curiosity, imagination, creativity, and antics of a child, and because it makes me laugh out loud—more brilliance!
How involved are you in the writing community?
HS: I would say very! I have been a member of SCBWI (The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) since 2012, and that started me on a path deeper and deeper into the woods of children’s literature. I have attended numerous conferences and webinars over the years and found my first critique group through our local chapter. Our group still meets regularly, and I wouldn’t be the writer I am today without them. Currently, I am the Critique Group/Meet & Greet Coordinator for the Eastern PA Chapter of SCBWI, where I have organized webinars and workshops as well as matched and mentored children’s writers and illustrators in peer critique groups, have contributed to our Chapter’s blog by conducting faculty interviews and writing articles, have acted as group facilitator in Chapter run events, and have spoken at conferences.
Outside of SCBWI, I am also a long-time member of the 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, I have attended webinars and courses through The Writing Barn and the Highlights Foundation, I have been a member of Storyteller Academy and Children’s Book Insider, I am a member of the Picture Book Pals promotion group, I am active on social media where I connect with other kid-lit creatives, and I am a regular visitor to my local library where I read tons and tons of children’s books.
Why do you believe picture books are important?
HS: Oh, for so many reasons! Picture books are often a child’s first introduction to reading (a “gateway” book, if you will) that will hopefully open the floodgates to the wonderful world of books. They not only introduce kids to the mechanics of books, but show them how reading can entertain, inform, and teach them something about themselves, others, and the world, all wrapped up in a beautiful piece of art. Plus, picture books are meant to be shared, so they foster a connection between reader and listener. I know some of my fondest memories of picture books are not just about the stories themselves, but of the time spent on the lap of a loved one or with a loved one on my lap.
I know you have another picture book set to be released next year. Can you share a little bit about it?
HS: Absolutely! My next under-contract project is another picture book called Gilbert and the Ghost. It’s about a boy who believes a ghost lives in his neighborhood, even though no one else believes. But Gilbert knows how hard it is to make friends, especially when you feel invisible, so he tries every gesture he can think of to befriend the ghost. This sweet tale of overcoming obstacles and finding friendship in mysterious places, for kids who often feel unseen, will be illustrated by Jess Mason and published by Beaming Books. The original publication date was set for fall 2024, but I recently found out that it will be delayed until fall 2026. I’m disappointed I won’t be able to share Gilbert with everyone for another three years, but these things happen in publishing!
Heather Stigall uses her experience with children and her degrees in Child Development, Psychology-based Human Relations, and Social Work to create stories that speak to kids. She is the Critique Group/Meet & Greet Coordinator for the Eastern PA SCBWI Chapter, a member of the 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, and a parent to five children and one pup.
When she’s not writing, you can find Heather hanging out with her kids (hopefully at the beach), reading, eating chocolate, baking, or creating all sorts of treasures.
Her debut picture book, PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY (Clavis Publishing) will be released in August 2023 and is/will be published in four additional languages. Her second picture book, GILBERT AND THE GHOST, (Beaming Books) is due out fall 2026.
It’s my pleasure to welcome author, educator, attorney, and motivational speaker Dr. Artika Tyner to Frog on a Blog. Artika designs programs to drive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives for companies and organizations of all sizes from Fortune 500s to startups and grassroots groups.
Artika is passionate about inspiring social change, which includes closing the literacy gap, and one of the many ways that she does that is through writing children’s books. Artika has published more than 30 children’s books, both fiction and nonfiction. Since we’ll only be mentioning a few today, I encourage you to seek out Artika’s other wonderful books.Let’s get to know Artika!
Tell us a bit about your picture book Justice Makes a Difference: The Story of Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire. Why was this story important for you to tell?
A.T.: Justice Makes a Difference was a story important for me to tell since it allowed me to reflect on my childhood and inspiration for becoming a civil rights attorney. I chose my grandmother as the central character since she taught me about leadership and challenged me to lift my voice for justice. She exemplified the best of servant leadership by ministering to the needs of the sick, poor, and those with unmet needs. She was not concerned about position or title. She simply expressed a willingness to be a blessing in the lives of others. Her example guides my daily work as an author, educator, lawyer, and community advocate.
You have written over 30 books for children from nonfiction and biographies to fiction and readers. Which type of book do you most enjoy writing? Please share two or three of your favorites.
A.T.: I enjoy writing nonfiction books related to Black history, culture, and heritage. My education was missing many chapters of Black history. Therefore, I never had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the richness of American history. Each day, I am discovering new dimensions of the impact of Black innovators, creatives, and disruptors.
My recent books are two favorites. I wrote my first graphic novel, The Courageous Six Triple Eight. It celebrates the legacy of the all-Black female battalion that served an instrumental role in World War II. They organized millions of pieces of mail. They were guided by the mantra: “No mail, low morale.” Their efforts served as a vitally important connection between soldiers abroad and their families.
The Untold Story of Annie Turnbo Malone: Hair Care Millionaire is another favorite. While writing this book, I was inspired to continue my work as an entrepreneur. Ms. Malone created jobs for the community and empowered women around the world to be their own bosses. She also modeled excellence in philanthropy by investing in education and supporting children in need.
How does your experience as a civil rights attorney influence you as a children’s book author?
A.T.: My experience as a civil rights attorney influenced my work as a children’s book author. I decided to write for justice and inspire youth to discover joy in reading. This is personal and important to me because as a civil rights attorney, many of my clients learned how to read in prison. This is unacceptable but somehow we created a RULE OF 4:
1 in 4 American children are not reading at grade level by 4th grade.
If you are not reading at grade level by 4th grade, you are 4 times more likely to drop out of school.
And here’s the connection, you are also three and a half times more likely to be arrested during your lifetime.
This is UNACCEPTABLE. This is an opportunity for change. Where we can create new pipelines for the future and work to end mass incarceration.
Tell us about Planting People Growing Justice Press and its mission.
A.T.: Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute (PPGJLI) was founded in 2017 to address the community’s concerns regarding the school-to-prison pipeline and mass incarceration. I witnessed these concerns firsthand as far too many of my clients learned to read while in prison. Characterizing this as a miscarriage of justice, I brought the community into my living room to create a solution to the tangled web of mass incarceration which has far too many entry points and very few exit points. Together we designed a literacy campaign to strategically bridge the literacy gap by promoting diversity in books. Those of us involved in the solution remain actively involved today sharing the gift of reading and learning with children of color who live at the margins of society as we did.
MISSION: With a mission to plant seeds of social change through education, training, and community outreach, we work to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline and end mass incarceration by bridging the literacy gap through intergenerational reading circles. We do that by helping Black children discover joy in reading by promoting literacy and diversity in books, supporting leadership development at the grassroots level, and building intergenerational circles with a focus on advocacy. Reading is leveraged as a direct intervention to our community’s concerns regarding the school-to-prison pipeline and mass incarceration since there’s a direct connection between reading failure and future incarceration according to the Department of Justice.
Please share some words of inspiration for aspiring children’s book authors.
A.T.: For aspiring children’s book authors, I encourage you to keep writing, exploring, and leading change in our global community. Here are a few pearls of wisdom:
Join a writing circle
Perfect your craft by participating in writing workshops like the ones sponsored by the Highlights Foundation
Connect with children since they are the best beta readers
Discover your inner child by unleashing your natural curiosity and imagination
Dr. Artika Tyner is committed to creating a world of inclusive leaders who will meet the pressing needs of today and work towards a better future where racial justice and economic justice reign supreme. As a motivational speaker, author, and educator, Dr. Tyner helps people of all ages connect with their gifts and develop tangible tools for bringing forth sustainable, durable change in the family, workplace, community or school. By building and leveraging the tools in The Inclusive Leader she has inspired thousands of people to lead with their own gifts and plant a seed of social change.
Dr. Tyner’s work is grounded in extensive experience as a law and leadership professor, lawyer, social change agent, researcher, and nonprofit founder and leader. She is well-known as a thought leader, author, and designer of high-profile programs to drive organizational DEI initiatives and create inclusive leaders. Her impact spans Fortune 500 companies, start up tech companies, healthcare providers, government services and agencies, higher education institutions and grassroots organizations.
Dr. Tyner is deftly able to ask the big questions, strategically innovate real solutions and then lead the way. She intentionally invests her time and energy in inspiring change and welcomes opportunities to present, collaborate and innovate with key stakeholders seeking to impact social change and do what no one has done before.
To connect with Dr. Artika Tyner, follow these links:
Publisher: Flamingo Books/Penguin Books for Young Readers
Release Date: July 18, 2023
Format: Hardcover
Summary: A book-loving bear and a book-loving girl hatch a plan to find the perfect book for them to read together. But sneaking a bear into a school, a library, and a bookstore proves harder than they thought. Will Bear ever find a book of his very own, a book the color of ripe, red raspberries and delicious to read?
Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! CLICK for more information.
Please welcome author and illustrator Leejone Wong to Frog on a Blog! The third book in her Momma Comma and Friends picture book series, Queenie Question Finds a Key, came out last month. This series features adorable punctuation mark characters, cute animal characters, and bright colors. And the charming stories introduce kids to the concept of punctuation in a way that is entertaining and fun. Kids won’t even realize they’re learning!
These books would make great additions to an elementary school teacher’s classroom library. In fact, Leejone got feedback from teachers as she was writing the first book in the series, Momma Comma and the Soup Drama. She speaks about this below. I also asked Leejone about how the Momma Comma and Friends series got started as well as about her illustration process, something I always find fascinating when interviewing illustrators. Let’s hear from Leejone!
I love your MOMMA COMMA AND FRIENDS picture book series! Please tell my blog readers about the books.
LW: Thank you so much! The books are lighthearted mystery or adventure stories that introduce children, ages 4 to 8, to the concept of punctuation. Throughout the series, Momma Comma helps Queenie Question to find a missing pet and return a lost key to its owner or encourages Papa Period to save the neighborhood school. These aren’t (boring) grammar books, and some kids may not even realize that they’re educational!
At the same time, the stories do encourage children, even those who aren’t reading on their own yet, to notice and talk about punctuation. What are they called? Where do you find them in sentences? What role do they play in understanding what’s being said? The series is perfect for parents and teachers who are looking for vividly imagined picture books that make learning effortless and fun.
What inspired you to write the series, and which came first, the story concept or the characters?
LW: The concept for the series came first! Years ago, I tutored international graduate students at New York University who struggled to understand grammar rules. I discovered, over time, that it was helpful to them if I drew diagrams, used visuals, or read short stories aloud; they were then able to better see and hear how to use punctuation, if that makes sense. I guess there’s a similar concept at work in the Momma Comma and Friends picture books—but I didn’t think about creating the series until I became a mom!
My daughter inspired me when she was four years old! One afternoon, she pointed at a comma and asked me what it was; she wasn’t even reading or writing yet. I suppose ideas are born when they’re ready to be—and that’s when the Momma Comma and Friends characters popped into my imagination. I could actually see a picture book in my mind—and that book eventually became Momma Comma and the Soup Drama! That said, I sat on the idea until the COVID-19 pandemic required so many of us to isolate and stay at home.
How did feedback from elementary school teachers help shape the stories in your MOMMA COMMA AND FRIENDS series?
LW: When the idea for the books first got into my head, I brushed it aside because I assumed I’d find something similar to what I was envisioning in bookstores and libraries. Then when I didn’t find anything, I thought maybe it was because nobody cared or wanted books like these. Still, I really loved and believed in my idea, so I went ahead and put together a version of the first book, Momma Comma and the Soup Drama. I thought it was important to test the concept, and I was fortunate that a dozen or so elementary school teachers invited me into their classrooms to read it to their students.
I left a survey with the teachers, asking them for feedback. I wanted to know if the book was useful to them, how their students had responded to it, and if they all liked the story. Thankfully, there was only positive feedback and a lot of support—which was significant because it gave me the greenlight to move forward and told me that there was an audience and desire for my books.
Getting to read the book to kids was also helpful, and I made some small edits based on their reactions—for example, I changed the title to something a little more silly and intriguing, and in one scene, I felt that Nathan Exclamation’s teeth were a little scary, so I took them out. Overall, though, the published book is very similar to that early version!
Your characters are adorable! Can you share a little about your illustration process when working on the art for the series?
LW:I’ve always thought that each punctuation mark has its own personality. For example, in my mind, of course Nathan Exclamation is going to express strong emotions, and he’s going to love eating spicy food and engaging in exciting activities like bungee jumping! And Papa Period will naturally be more serious because he’s the Stopper of All Things, and Momma Comma will be the kind of person that likes to make lists and take meandering walks. In fact, the reason that Momma Comma is yellow is because, on a traffic signal light, yellow means “slow down.” Papa Period is red because that means “stop.”
When I designed each character, I wanted to make sure that their personality came through. That’s also why I include an “About the Characters” page in each book, which shares a character’s favorite thing to say or do. I’ll share a few development notes from my sketchbook so that you can get a glimpse into the process. When I’m just trying out ideas, the characters look more like doodles. After I settle on a direction, I sketch their outlines in pencil on Bristol paper. The last step is to scan them into my computer, and then I use digital tools to refine them. In general, I work fairly intuitively on the computer and make a lot of decisions about color, texture, and composition at that point in time.
Currently, there are three books in the MOMMA COMMA AND FRIENDS series. Do you have plans to write more?
LW:Yes. I’m currently working on a book for Nathan Exclamation, and then I’ll write one about Aly Apostrophe. After that, I’ll see if my readers want any more! If you, blog readers, end up reading and liking my books, kindly let me know by writing a review. Momma Comma and the Soup Drama, Papa Period Versus Mega Rock, and Queenie Question Finds a Key—are the ones that are available now. Thank you!
Find more information about Leejone Wong and her books:
Leejone Wong is the creator of the Momma Comma and Friends picture book series; her third book, Queenie Question Finds a Key, was released through Immortal Jelly Publishing in May (2023). Before her life as an author and illustrator living in Los Angeles, Leejone previously taught writing at New York University, wrote film and art reviews, and created online content and games for television networks.
Please welcome children’s author and poet Jennifer Raudenbush to Frog on a Blog. Jennifer and I first crossed paths during a critique session on the online writing platform Inked Voices. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her beautiful debut picture book In the Palm of My Hand, which just released in March by Running Press Kids. Jennifer and I are both nature lovers, and clearly the natural world was a huge inspiration for her when she wrote the text of this expressive book. Let’s hear more from Jennifer about the book and what inspires her creativity.Be sure to read to the end to find out how you can win a signed copy of In the Palm of My Hand!
Congratulations on your lovely and poetic debut picture book In the Palm of My Hand! Please tell us a little bit about it and why this story was important for you to tell.
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Lauri!
In the Palm of My Hand, released by Running Press Kids, is about a child who takes a nature walk and discovers tiny things—like an acorn or a wildflower—hold big possibilities, big potential, just like he does. Ultimately, it delves into the big picture ideas of connection and self-esteem.
I hope it encourages little (and big) people to go outside and explore their corners of the world. To stop and notice. To savor. The book is a bit meditative and invites taking a rest from all the doing to just “be” for a while. When my son was younger, he was rambunctious, to say the least. Time in nature always calmed and focused him.
My goal with In the Palm of My Hand, a lyrical love letter to the natural world, is for readers to fall in love with both the beauty of words and the beauty of nature.
How did you feel when you held your new picture book for the very first time? Did Isabella Conti’s beautiful artwork blow you away?
It was a thrill to hold my debut for the first time! I call it “the heart of my heart,” and it reminded me of what it feels like for a new mom to have her child, her heart, walking around outside her body.
I’d gotten to see Isabella’s sketches along the way, but it did not prepare me for seeing the entire, amazing colorized version. Especially in her landscapes, she captures nature’s wonder and awe. I love the way the text and pictures pair together to tell a stronger story and create depth of feeling.
Isabella also had a professionally produced video made showing how she painted the illustrations. Your readers can watch her 2 ½ minute video HERE (scroll down the page).
As a picture book and middle grade novel writer as well as a poet, what most inspires your creativity?
This is an easy one to answer! Nature. My husband, teenage son, and I are surrounded by eastern Pennsylvania woods, and I walk my Westie pup Mazy every day. But whenever we travel, all of nature inspires me.
Another big source of creativity for me is reading. I try to begin every morning by reading poetry. Later in the day, I’ll read both fiction (mostly middle grade) and writing craft books. I tend to binge picture books after a trip to the library or while browsing in a bookstore.
How does your experience as a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist influence your picture book writing?
You’ve really done your homework, Lauri! While a Speech-Language Pathologist, I specialized in pediatrics because I loved children. I definitely bring that love of children into my picture book writing. Also, I’ve always been smitten by words and language, which I both studied and used every day in that profession.
Why do you feel picture books are important?
For so many reasons! First, reading picture books forges a bond between parent, relative, teacher, or librarian and the child or children. This bond is special, meaningful, and deep. Reading together helps children learn vocabulary, story, and the sounds of words. It helps teach them to read, as they follow the words on the page. It develops in them a love of literacy. Finally, picture books, like all books, encourage compassion and understanding of other human beings through inhabiting other perspectives and understanding other viewpoints.
Please share some of your favorite picture book authors.
In the picture book space, my favorites include Beth Ferry, Carter Higgins, Joyce Sidman, Dianne White, and Pat Zietlow Miller. I tend to gravitate toward lyrical, poetic texts, because that’s my strength, but I also really enjoy humorous picture books.
What’s next for Jen Raudenbush? What projects are you working on right now?
I’m continuing to work on picture books, but I spend the bulk of my time writing middle grade novels. I’m currently revising my fourth (my third is on submission with editors). What I’m really excited about is taking my first verse novel class with Laura Shovan in May. I’ll be able to meld poetry with middle grade novels, and I can’t wait to tackle this new challenge!
Where can fans connect with you online?
Thanks for asking! I love connecting with people. The easiest way to reach me is through my Linktree HERE, where I have a fun newsletter your readers can sign up for. I’ll also list my links separately:
Jennifer is generously giving away a signed copy of In the Palm of My Hand to one lucky person who comments on this post! Just leave a comment by May 31st for your chance to win. I’ll choose a winner at random and connect them with Jennifer. This Giveaway is open to US residents only. Good luck!
Jennifer Raudenbush feels most alive when she’s creating stories, especially picture books, poetry, and middle grade novels. Jen lives with her husband and teenage son in eastern Pennsylvania, where its natural beauty provides endless inspiration. She has been published in Cricket children’s magazine, the 10.10 Poetry Anthology and Two Truths and a Fib Poetry Anthology. She is represented by Natascha Morris at The Tobias Literary Agency. IN THE PALM OF MY HAND, illustrated by Isabella Conti, Running Press Kids (Hachette), is Jen’s first published picture book.
Summary: Wearing his favorite hat, Mattison Mouse is happy to venture outside on a beautiful day. But soon the little mouse hears mysterious footsteps. Mattison and his animal friends help young children count from one to ten as, joyfully, the day’s counting adventures lead to a surprise birthday party.
Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! CLICK for more information.
It is my extreme pleasure to welcome multi-published author/illustrator Sarah Kurpiel to Frog on a Blog. You may be familiar with Sarah’s other books, including her debut Lone Wolf, which received a starred review from School Library Journal and was a Summer 2020 Kids’ Indie Next Pick.
Today, we get to celebrate the birthday of her brand-new book Snake’s Big Mistake! Sarah has a knack for creating adorable animal characters and kid-relatable stories with lots of heart. She’s shared a lot in this interview, and I know you’re all going to love learning more about her, her new book, and her art process.You may even be inspired!
Congratulations on your new picture book Snake’s Big Mistake! What inspired the story?
Thanks so much for welcoming me on Frog on a Blog to talk about my latest picture book, Snake’s Big Mistake! The story is about a young snake determined to make the best, most spectacular, positively greatest clay pot in art class. But when disaster befalls his clay creation, he makes a terrible decision that just might ruin his friendship with Turtle forever. The story was loosely inspired by true events—sort of. Way back when I was in kindergarten, my class made little clay pots (nothing like the grand sculptures created by the kids in Snake’s class!). I don’t remember much about my kindergarten days, but I distinctly remember this project—how excited I was to sculpt and paint my clay pot, how impatient I felt waiting for it to be fired in the kiln so I could take it home and show my parents, and how disappointed and embarrassed I felt when I saw my finished clay pot sitting alongside all the much better ones. At the end of the day, we each went up to the table at the front of the classroom to find the clay pot marked with our initials on the bottom. I remember thinking: “Mine is so bad. Maybe I should take someone else’s instead.” Now, in the end, I did not. But what if I had? That’s how the story got its start. This small event in my life—making a little clay pot—was the source of so many big emotions for me as a kid—both good and bad. No wonder this project has stayed with me when most of my memories of kindergarten have not. The ups and downs of the experience felt like something plenty of kids could relate to, so I ran with the idea, and the result was Snake’s Big Mistake.
The characters in Snake’s Big Mistake are adorable! Tell us a little bit about your art process when creating the illustrations for the book.
Thank you! I love drawing cute animal characters. A few years ago, for no reason at all (which is the best reason to draw, in my opinion), I drew a “portrait” of a very serious snake sitting in a chair with perfect posture. It made me laugh. I knew right then that I wanted to draw more snakes in the future. So, I included an argyle sweater-sporting snake in my picture book Elephant’s Big Solo, which was published last year. When it came time to make a follow-up book, who better to take the lead this time around than Snake? I had a blast doodling him. I already knew what he looked like, so I focused on experimenting with creative ways a snake might express emotions through body language. Then, I thumbnailed the story, which is my favorite part of the picture book making process. I draw digitally in Photoshop using a Wacom tablet, so it’s easy to make adjustments and move things around as I change my mind. From there, I worked with my agents and editor to finalize the story. For the final art, I mostly used digital dry media brushes, and I applied overlays I created to give the characters added texture. While I needed to stay stylistically consistent with Elephant’s Big Solo, I also knew this book called for a brighter, bolder color palette to match Snake’s bright, bold personality. I’m pleased with the way the colors pop on the page.
As both an author and an illustrator, which comes easier to you, writing or illustrating, and which usually comes first when you get an idea for a story, the words or the art?
Illustrating comes much easier for me—not because I’m particularly confident in my drawing skills (I’m not), but rather because I enjoy it so much. If I wasn’t drawing for publication, I’d be drawing anyway. I tend to think about picture books wholistically from the start—including the cover, endpapers, title page, and so on. If I can’t envision the whole thing, then that’s usually a good sign I’m not ready to make the book. Writing the words, on the other hand, is a slow process for me. So, when I have a story idea, I usually start with a loose outline and maybe a few key lines, doodle the characters and thumbnail the story (which leads to new ideas), and then work out the precise words. My process isn’t always so straightforward as that, but it’s generally what happens.
Since you’re a librarian, you obviously love books. What are some of your favorite picture books? Or who are some of your favorite picture book authors or illustrators?
Oh, this is a tough question. There are too many to name! A few of my favorite picture books are Birdsong by Julie Flett, Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead and illustrated by Erin Stead, Small in the City by Sydney Smith, and Truman by Jean Reidy and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins. A few of my favorite picture book creators are Julie Flett, Rebecca Green, Lucy Ruth Cummins, Christian Robinson, Sydney Smith, Ebony Glenn, and Kate Berube.
Why do you feel picture books are important?
The books we love as kids have a way of staying with us all our lives. That’s a powerful thing. Picture books can help kids see themselves in the world, learn about people different from themselves, face complicated emotions, grow their imaginations, learn something fascinating, descend into a fit of giggles—or, in many cases, some combination of these things. I think no matter what age we are when we read them, picture books can have a lasting impact on us. When I come across a picture book with that just-right combination of words and pictures needed to express something authentic, it reminds me all over again why I love picture books so very much.
You’re not shy about sharing that you have a disability and use a power wheelchair. In what ways do you hope to inspire other authors and artists who may be struggling with disabilities too?
Every disabled person experiences disability differently, so I can only ever speak from my own lived experience. In my case, I’ve always loved to draw, but for most of my life, I considered it just a hobby because my disability significantly limits my arm strength and range of motion. But about seven years ago, I realized something important that changed everything for me: my limitations are my style (or, at least a big part of it). I can’t use most traditional media, so I work digitally; I can’t naturally draw a straight line, so I embrace the wobbly line; I don’t have the stamina to do study after study or draw all day, so I lean into simplicity and only spend my energy drawing things I truly want to draw. Once I reframed my mindset on my style, that’s when things started happening for me. I wish I knew earlier in my life that you don’t need to go to art school or use certain media or draw certain subjects or follow certain rules or wait for permission from anyone in order to make art and share it with the world. As long as it’s authentically you who is making the work, there’s no right or wrong way to make art.
Sarah Kurpiel is a librarian by day and self-taught picture book author/illustrator by night and weekend. Her stories are inspired by animals, nature, and everyday life. Sarah’s debut picture book, Lone Wolf (Greenwillow Books, 2020), received a starred review from the School Library Journal and was a Summer 2020 Kids’ Indie Next Pick. Her latest book, Snake’s Big Mistake (Greenwillow Books, 2023), was a May/June 2023 Kids’ Indie Next Pick and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. A few of Sarah’s favorite things include libraries, elephants, the ocean, drawing, flannel shirts, iced coffee, miniature books, summer, new pens, sci-fi stories, and the color green.
It is my pleasure to welcome multi-published, award-winning children’s book author and poet extraordinaire Kathleen Long Bostrom back to Frog on a Blog. I featured Kathleen in the summer of 2020 when her board book Will You Be Friends with Me? came out. She spoke about the connection between writer and illustrator and trusting the publisher and illustrator to help bring your story to life. To read that post, please click HERE.
Today, Kathleen’s here to share her latest picture book Since the Baby Came: A Sibling’s Learning-to-Love Story in 16 Poems and talk a bit about her process of writing a book in different poetic forms.This book officially released this week from WaterBrook and features adorable, playful, and detailed illustrations by Janet Samuel. It’s perfect for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and baby showers or simply to help a child navigate welcoming a new sibling into the family. It’s also a great choice for children and adults to learn about different poetry styles, including the very tricky Villanelle, of which Kathleen gives an example below. Let’s hearfromKathleen!
Dr. Seuss taught me how to read. Not literally, of course (I read once that he didn’t particularly like children!) but through his marvelous books. The Cat in the Hat was my favorite. Through these playful, rhyming stories I not only learned to read but also fell in love with poetry.
When I began to write books for children, I felt drawn to writing in rhyme. I kept hearing that editors did not want to look at manuscripts in rhyme. Why not, I wondered? Don’t most children love rhyming picture books? As I began attending writer’s conferences, I learned the reason. Time and again, editors declared, “We get so many poorly rhymed manuscripts, we don’t even want to see them anymore.”
If I was going to write in rhyme, I had to do it well. No forced rhymes, no using stanzas that rhyme by twisting a sentence into something a person would never say. I worked hard at it, yet it never felt like work. I loved it! When I began to get books accepted for publication, many of them were written in rhyme.
After twenty-five years of publishing books, I am still learning, still loving the process of writing in poetry.
Around the time I retired from serving as a pastor and turned to writing full-time, my best friend and I attended a children’s writing conference. She was then working as an editor in educational publishing. During lunch, I asked, “What are the areas in early education where more good books are needed?” Without hesitation, she replied, “Poetry.”
“Aha!” I thought. “I can do that!”
But what would make a story told in poetry unique? I researched the books currently on the market and looked for the gaps.
Then it hit me: write a single story in verse, but not limited to the rhyming couplets that I and most other authors used. Could I write a single story using a variety of styles of poetry? I read books that described different poetic forms. Was I surprised! I knew about haiku, limericks, sonnets. But Villanelle? Cinquain? Triolet? Fascinating!
I had to tell a story with all the necessary components: beginning, middle, end, including an arc with conflict and resolution. I wanted to write a story that would be pertinent to the lives of young children. I wanted to tell a story that would engage young readers, and in the playfulness of poetry, whether they were old enough to learn the specifics of the forms or not.
I pondered many potential topics but landed on the story of a young child learning about the imminent arrival of a new baby who must then face the reality of this huge change. I wanted to explore all the possible emotions—excitement, confusion, frustration, and ultimately joy—thus affirming that all emotions are part of the journey, to be welcomed and honored.
Once I carved out an idea for the full story, I needed to figure out which poem forms to use for each component. This took months! Each of the sixteen poems had to work within the story arc, but also to be a complete and independently executed poem.
Take the Villanelle: nineteen lines of poetry comprised of five tercets (three-line stanza) and one quatrain (four-line stanza). The first and third lines of the first stanza repeat alternately in the following stanzas. And the two lines of the refrain also form the final couplet (two lines) in the ending quatrain!
Here’s how it looks in my poem, “When Will This Baby Go Away?”
When will this baby go away?
He’s all mixed up with day and night.
Don’t tell me that he’s here to stay.
***
He cannot even talk or play.
Those dirty diapers are a fright!
When will this baby go away?
***
He sleeps and eats and cries all day.
Such bad behavior isn’t right.
Don’t tell me that he’s here to stay.
***
Please send him back. I’ll even pay!
I took his hand—he took a bite!
When will this baby go away?
***
Oh, why do babies act this way?
That belly button! What a sight!
Don’t tell me that he’s here to stay.
***
Will he become more fun someday?
I can’t imagine that he might.
When will this baby go away?
Don’t tell me that he’s here to stay.
This one poem took months. I worked on the book for two years. What fun I had! On my writing days, I could hardly wait to get up and get started. The hours flew by. Hours and hours and hours, rewrite after rewrite.
I could go on and on about all the forms, but I’d end up writing a book about writing a book! Instead, read the book first, and simply enjoy the story (and the fabulous illustrations by Janet Samuel). Then read the descriptions of the poem forms at the back. Which ones catch your fancy?
Try writing your own. Start with a limerick, or haiku (senryu), or a simple, rhyming couplet. Have fun with it! Let the words dance and sing on the page.
Maybe even try your hand at a Villanelle? You can do it!
I’d love to read your poetry. Thank you for reading mine.
Kathleen Long Bostrom is an award-winning author of over fifty books for children. Her books are published in over twenty languages. She is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) who now writes full time. As a middle child, Kathy was both the new baby and the older sister who later became a mother of three herself. She knows whereof she rhymes!
Title: Since the Baby Came: A Sibling’s Learning-to-Love Story in 16 Poems
Author: Kathleen Long Bostrom
Illustrator: Janet Samuel
Publisher: Waterbrook & Multnomah Kids
Release Date: May 2, 2023
Format: Hardcover
Summary: Since the Baby Came offers a unique take on a timeless topic. The heartfelt and humorous drama unfolds completely in verse, addressing the full range of emotions a young child experiences when a new baby joins the family—from surprise and confusion to feelings of neglect and jealousy to wholehearted tenderness and affection. The book also introduces young children to the playfulness and fun of various forms of poetry, from senryu to villanelle.
For more information and parent/teacher resources, click HERE!
Also, please come back and visit this Friday when Kathleen will stop by to talk about her process of writing a book in different poetic forms. Don’t miss it!
Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! CLICK for more information.
Please welcome author, educator, and poet Laura Shovan to Frog on a Blog! Laura is perhaps best known for her award-winning middle grade novels, including A Place at the Table, written with Saadia Faruqi. But today we celebrate the publication day of her new children’s book Welcome to Monsterville, which is perfect for Poetry Month and features 16 poems she wrote to accompany artist Michael Rothenberg’s whimsical monster illustrations. Welcome to Monsterville is a “celebration of friendship, emotional intelligence, and creative play as a form of healing.” Laura and Michael’s collaboration began during the pandemic as just a sharing back and forth between friends before it morphed into this special book that can help kids cope with all sorts of feelings. Let’s hear more from Laura.
A monster bought the house next door…
Imagine that this is the first sentence of a poem, or a story. What happens next? This was the question I asked myself a few years ago, when my dear friend Michael sent me this picture:
“Neighbor”
A poet and artist, Michael Rothenberg had been working with an art therapist since the death of his son. Most of his illustrations were abstract, so I was surprised when this creature appeared in our message thread. With its fishy red lips, slick purple hair, and tail of flames (or bacon, depending on your perspective), this being seemed to emerge straight out of Michael’s imagination.
Inspired by the playfulness of Michael’s artwork, I started writing. I didn’t think too hard, but followed my friend’s lead, incorporating details from the drawing into my poem.
A monster bought the house next door. When it moved in, I wasn’t sure just how this creature, tall and wide, would squeeze its blobby form inside.
Its lips went first, then purple hair, then six pink feet climbed up the stair. It wore a jumpsuit, denim blue. I called out, “That looks great on you!”
Within minutes, I had a draft. I wasn’t concerned about polishing. This was a casual gift from one friend to another. I made a recording of the poem and sent it off to Michael, hoping it would bring a smile to his face.
“This is fun,” he wrote back. “I am already curious what monster might reveal itself tomorrow.” What revealed itself was this:
“Birthdays”
Once again, I began with a sort of story-starter.
Monsters don’t have birthdays. I think that is unfair!
I trusted my gut. As with the first poem, the narrator here is a child faced with a problem. “What do I do when…” a monster moves into my neighborhood, or I find out my monster friend doesn’t celebrate birthdays? The solution here seemed obvious. The kid-narrator plans a surprise party for Monster, of course!
The end of my first draft for this poem reads:
Surprise! The guests all shouted, but Monster wasn’t scared. He laughed and hugged each friend and said, “I never knew you cared.”
This was how our two-year-long collaboration began. Michael would lead off with a monster illustration. Sometimes he’d send me the initial pencil sketches and we’d discuss details or color options. In response, I’d send a poem. Michael thought of the poems as a form of translation. I became an interpreter, putting words to the creatures living in his imagination. He shared feedback on phrasing and musicality—we revised several of the poems together.
Our resulting project is Welcome to Monsterville, a book of sixteen illustrated poems for young readers. Michael approached the monsters with such creative abandon that I was encouraged to take similar risks in my writing. Partnering on this project helped us both stretch, learn, and grow as artists. Whether you’re working with an illustrator, another author, or a musician, that is the joy of creative collaboration.
Michael Rothenberg and Laura Shovan in January 2020. Michael passed away in November 2022.
Laura Shovan is a novelist, educator, and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet. Her work appears in journals and anthologies for children and adults. Laura’s award-winning middle grade novels include The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary, Takedown, and the Sydney Taylor Notable A Place at the Table, written with Saadia Faruqi. An honors graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts (BFA, Dramatic Writing) and Montclair State University (Master of Arts, Teaching), Laura is a longtime Maryland State Arts Council Artist-in-Education, conducting school poetry residencies. She teaches for Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. To learn more about her life and work, visit: www.laurashovan.com.
Happy Earth Day, everyone! Please welcome physician, scientist, and children’s book author Dr. Bruce F. Scharschmidt to Frog on a Blog. Bruce’s new picture book Tina the First Tooth Fairy officially launches today. This colorful, rhyming story subtly introduces the concept of environmental sustainability, which you’re never too young to begin learning about. Bruce’s daughter’s curiosity was piqued by a science experiment when she was young, which led her to a scientific career. Now, Bruce enjoys sharing his books (and science, too) with his grandchildren. I asked Bruce to stop by and speak a bit about his book as well as his thoughts on sustainability and how we can celebrate Earth Day with kids.
Let’s hear from Bruce.
I am a strong believer that our collective future depends on instilling in our children a sense of curiosity and an interest in discovery and innovation. Science centers on asking questions and seeking answers. It should be taught not like a collection of facts to be memorized, but in a way that responds to our natural sense of wonder.
While President of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, I helped initiate a summer scholarship program for high school science teachers which afforded them hands-on scientific training so they could incorporate actual experiments into their classroom curriculum in a way that made science fun and exciting. High school, however, is often too late. California’s K-12 Science standards suggest that science education should begin in Kindergarten, but meaningful exposure often doesn’t come until later.
Our impressions of the world are formed early. We all enjoy hearing stories, particularly young children. Even preverbal children have reasonably sophisticated reasoning skills. Having grandchildren of our own was the impetus I needed to expand my writing audience from physicians to children and turn my bedtime stories into children’s books. While first and foremost meant to be fun, my books are intended to stimulate curiosity and prompt questions and dialogue.
My newest book, Tina the First Tooth Fairy, is centered on the theme of sustainability and is scheduled to launch on Earth Day, April 22, 2023. Building on the universal childhood experience of losing baby teeth and children’s natural curiosity (Why does the tooth fairy want our teeth? Where do the teeth go?), it introduces kids to repurposing and recycling, two of the Five R’s (Refuse-Reduce-Reuse-Repurpose-Recycle) that collectively constitute sustainability.
I hope this story will inspire you to celebrate Earth Day with your children and grandchildren. When they ask questions, try creating experiments to prove your hypothesis right (or wrong!). Show them the sky and the stars and let them feel the wind in their hair. Share stories about your outdoor experiences growing up and talk about ways to preserve the Earth’s beauty. And please read to them. Your children are our future.
Bruce F. Scharschmidt, MD crafts children’s books written in verse that make kids smile–and think. His stories build on his background as a physician-scientist with academic, business and non-profit experience. For Bruce, science is not just a collection of facts and statistics, but more fundamentally a sense of curiosity and desire to learn more about the world around us. In his academic career, he was Professor of Medicine and Chief of Gastroenterology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he helped start the UCSF liver transplant program. He has authored over 200 scientific papers and book chapters and served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Clinical Investigation and President of the American Society for Clinical Investigation. He also served on the National Board of Directors of the American Liver Foundation and has participated in the development of multiple vaccines and therapeutics which are approved in the US and elsewhere. For more information about his life and work, visit: https://brucescharschmidt.com/.
It is my pleasure to welcome freelance writer and children’s book author Nadia Ali to Frog on a Blog. Her brand-new picture book Humphrey the Egg-Splorer officially released today! Just look at that fabulous cover by illustrator Valentí Gubianas! Nadia has several published books, including the recently-released four-book series Animal Societies, which feature animal families, homes, communication, and jobs.
I invited Nadia to share a little about the inspiration for Humphrey the Egg-Splorer and a bit about herself too. Read to the end for information on how you can win a copy of Humphrey the Egg-SplorerfromYeehoo Press.Let’s get to know Nadia!
Congratulations on your upcoming picture book Humphrey the Egg-splorer! Please tell us what inspired you to write it and a little bit about it.
Nadia: Thank you, Lauri. The inspiration came from Dan Santat’s After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Up Again), which got me thinking about Humpty in today’s world. I imagined Humpty to be a grandpa and his grandson Humphrey wanting to become a great egg-splorer like his grandpa. But with one big difference – he doesn’t want to have a great fall and so, discovers how to become stronger.
Valentí Gubianas’s illustrations in Humphrey the Egg-splorer are so colorful and cheery! What did you think when you saw the completed book for the first time?
Nadia: The completed book took my breath away! Valentí chose orange, red, and yellow, which made the illustrations vibrant and warm. Yeehoo Press utilized this by creating numerous double-paged spreads, creating a stunning visual impact.
You are a freelance writer who not only writes children’s books, but also books, magazine articles, and online content for adults. How did you begin your career as a writer and which do you like best, writing for kids or adults?
Nadia: I began writing as a greeting card writer in the days when that market was booming and have numerous cards to my name. From there, I branched out to writing for adults and found a niche in the travel and pet industry. I enjoy writing for both adults and kids as it challenges me in different ways. For adults, I learn about a topic in a structured informative way that transforms into an article. And, when writing for kids, they learn about a topic in an entertaining, fun way that evolves into a picture book story.
Why do you think picture books are important?
Nadia: Picture books encourage children’s literary, language, and vocabulary skills but also because they help with tough topics never discussed before, such as diversity, belonging, and anxiety.
Who are your favorite authors or illustrators?
Nadia: There are many that I admire. The legendary Beatrix Potter is a definite favorite, both an author and illustrator having created the much-loved character of Peter Rabbit. Hena Khan (author), Vashti Harrison (both), Raissa Figueroa (illustrator,) Hatem Aly (illustrator) and, of course, illustrator extraordinaire Valenti Gubianas for the wonderful job he did of bringing Humphrey to life!
Where can fans connect with you or find out more about your books online?
Do you have any words of advice for aspiring picture book writers?
Nadia:Publishing a picture book by a traditional publisher takes time…lots of time! From the moment you get a yes to your submission to signing a contract, writing revisions, and holding the completed book in your hands – the whole process could span two years! So my words of advice is patiently persevere and be in no rush.
Giveaway!
Nadia and Yeehoo Press are generously giving away a copy of Humphrey the Egg-Splorer to one lucky person who comments on this blog post! Just leave a comment by April 22nd. I will choose a winner at random and connect them with Nadia. The giveaway is open to US residents only. Good luck!
Nadia Ali was born in London, UK, and currently resides in the Caribbean where she lives with her husband and has two married daughters. She enjoys writing features and articles which are published online and in magazines. As a children’s author, she writes fiction and nonfiction picture books. When she is not writing, she can be found in the kitchen whipping up a super sweet dessert.
More about Humphrey the Egg-splorer from Yeehoo Press:
A rollicking story that expands the famous tale of a fragile egg to a new story about bravery, creativity, and forging your own path.
Summary:
Eggs are fragile and bought specifically to be cracked. . . but what if they don’t want to be cracked and have their own ambitions and goals for life like becoming a great egg-splorer? Humphrey has long known the cautionary tale of his grandfather, Humpty Dumpty. Being an egg means he can easily slip and crack at any time . . . but what does that mean for his dreams of becoming an egg-splorer and going on grand adventures? But Humphrey is determined, and he’ll do whatever it takes to become a brave adventurer―even if that means putting himself through the fieriest trials to get there. Inspired by the beloved nursery rhyme, author Nadia Ali and artist Valentí Gubianas deliver a rollicking story that expands the famous tale of a fragile egg to a new story about bravery, creativity, and forging your own path.
Please welcome children’s book author Kari Gonzalez to Frog on a Blog! Picture books that encourage a love for books and reading are some of my favorites, and Kari’s debut How to Hatch a Reader, which launches this summer from Gnome Road Publishing with adorable illustrations by Rachel Suzanne, does exactly that. Full of clever puns, How toHatch a Reader follows a little girl as she shows you, the reader, how to teach your chickens to read. Including the “learning to read” aspect is what takes this fun book to the next level.
Kari likes to combine humor and STEAM concepts in her stories, especially when tackling tough topics. I asked her to stop by and talk a little bit about her process and how we can pair those two seemingly very different elements in our own writing too. Be sure to read to the endfor a fabulous giveaway offer from Kari, your chance to win either a picture book manuscript critique or a 30-minute AMA (ask me anything) session!
I can’t help but laugh when I mention I am a writer to a new acquaintance and they say, “Oh, writing picture books sounds so easy!”
Wrong!
Writing picture books geared toward the harshest of critics, ones that won’t hesitate to walk away from a book in a heartbeat if it doesn’t suit them, is tough work! As an author, we have an economy of words and have to make each count to tell our stories in such a small word count.
When I started watching my kids pick their favorite books, they were always humor driven. And my favorite? Humor and STEAM to further connections and spark some great conversations.
After getting backyard chickens, an idea sparked. I knew immediately I wanted to write about the funny concept of teaching chickens to read. It was hilarious to picture, and I knew it would be a funny read-aloud. And when I sat down, How To Hatch A Reader poured out of me.
I wrote my story in one draft and mailed it off to my editor.
Kidding!
This story went through many revisions. The first version focused on the story. I knew I wanted to add STEAM language arts concepts, so that was my next pass at revision. The concepts came easily because I was in the thick of teaching my own emerging readers at home. So, I built in concepts like practicing letter sounds, pointing out sight words, and helping chickens practice their chicken scratch.
Then, my very favorite part…the humor! When I tackle a funny picture book idea I love to research idioms and puns. In fact, I started with a pun on the very first page!
I played off chicken-related idioms, like shake your tailfeathers and the early bird gets the worm. I also had a blast with subverting expectations at key page turns. And, as a nod to the parents, I even included some subtle and not-so-subtle jokes, like when I referenced dancing dinosaurs. Chickens are one of the closest living relatives to the T-rex!
These created such fun opportunities for illustrator, Rachel Suzanne, to bring her own brand of humor to our project. Each bit of humor played a role in driving the story forward while also pairing a fun read-a-loud story with STEAM concepts.
Writing a picture book isn’t as easy as some think. But tackling a tough topic like learning to read with humor and STEAM concepts made my book a standout submission when it hit my publisher’s desk. So dive deep into revisions. Try tackling tough topics with humor and STEAM and watch the magic unfold!
Giveaway!
Kari is generously giving away, to one lucky person who comments on this blog post, a winner’s choice of either a non-rhyming picture book manuscript critique or a 30-minute AMA (ask me anything) session via Zoom. Just leave a comment by April 15th. I’ll choose a winner at random and connect them with Kari. Good luck!
Kari loves writing funny and sometimes lyrical children’s books. Her first draft writing process is fast and furious to get stories out of her head, which of course makes room for more! Six chickens, three fish, and one cat are kind enough to share their home with Kari, her husband, and their two little girls. HOW TO HATCH A READER, Kari’s debut picture book, releases in 2023, and an unannounced book in 2024. She is represented by Stacey Kondla at The Rights Factory.
Summary: After being called “just a worm” by two children, Worm embarks on a journey around the garden to prove them wrong. Debut author-illustrator Marie Boyd seamlessly incorporates concepts of nature, natural selection, habitats, and interdependence in this picture book beautifully illustrated with a cut-paper technique called quilling.
Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! CLICK for more information.
Please welcome children’s book author Shetal Shah to Frog on a Blog. Her debut Shakti Girls: Poems of Inspiring Indian Women launched just this week and is perfect for Women’s History Month! Through 13 poetic, biographical stories and colorful portraits (by artist Kavita Rajput), the book introduces kids to real Indian women who’ve accomplished incredible things in the fields of science, politics, sports, math, and activism and exemplify Shakti, a Hindi word meaning feminine energy and strength, power, and a force to be reckoned with. Shetal is a former educator currently pursuing her mission to positively impact and inspire girls from all backgrounds with her writing and to bring diversity to bookshelves. I asked her to stop by and talk about the importance of showing diversity in children’s literature and diversifying curriculum to bring visibility to all students. Let’s hear from Shetal!
The year was 1999. I was a senior in high school experiencing a heavy dose of seniorities and found myself at the local Barnes & Noble more often than planned. On one of my weekly trips, I walked into the store and a beautiful henna-inspired cover with a name that felt familiar caught my attention. The author, Jhumpa Lahiri, I knew right away was of Indian descent. Could it be that a South Asian author made it to the New York Times Bestseller list? This was new to me. I immediately grabbed the book, Interpreter of Maladies, and ran home to dig in. After a few days of indulging her words, I felt a sense of comfort, peace, and home that I had never felt from reading especially the novels assigned at school. It wasn’t long before I returned to the bookstore and actively sought out the works of other South Asian authors, including Arundhati Roy, Chitra Banerjee Divakurni, and Salman Rushdie. While there were few at the time, I knew getting my hands on as many as possible would recreate the feeling of being seen and understood as much as my heart needed.
I know my experience is not unique. Scholar Rudine Sims Bishop, who famously coined the phrase “mirrors and windows”, explained that “literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection, we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience. Reading, then, becomes a means of self-affirmation…” When children see themselves in book pages, they feel seen and valued. They feel a sense of belonging and acceptance, no longer an outlier or exception to the full American story. As a window, diverse books expose children to different cultures and contexts helping them expand their capacity to appreciate and understand differences. “Research has shown that children notice race as early as six months, begin to internalize bias between the ages of two and five, and can become set in their beliefs by age 12.” If children are not exposed to the diversity of the world starting at a young age, then they will not be prepared to navigate and reap the benefits of this diverse world when they are adults. What better way to start than with books?
Whether it’s small steps or broad strokes, any action toward building a more inclusive curriculum and school or home library will make a positive difference in a child’s life. Families, schools, and educators either in a diverse or homogenous community can use any of the following ideas to get started:
Develop an annual ritual of evaluating books in your curriculum and library. What percentage of books reflect characters from diverse backgrounds? How many were written by people of color? From here, create a SMART goal to strive for to grow your diverse library.
Assess the books in your (or your child’s) curriculum, including summer reading lists. What percentage of characters and themes reflect diverse cultures and identities? Are students and families from diverse backgrounds and identities reflected in these books? Identify the gaps and find the titles to fill those gaps. For schools and educators, set a numerical goal or standard to ensure that future book lists are representative of diverse backgrounds. Families can reach out to their teachers and suggest or donate titles to add to the class library.
Do your children love story time? Rotate diverse themes and characters when reading to them. Set some rules or routines to ensure you include a number of diverse selections every day.
Shop for books at your local BIPOC-owned bookstore. Consider partnering with them to host your next school book fair or birthday party!
Setting measurable goals and developing intentional strategies and tactics to reach those goals is an effective strategy for building more diversity and inclusion in a school’s curriculum and school or home library. By focusing on these concrete goals, you are ensuring there is measurable progress being made to close any gaps and help your children feel validation and belonging while offering a window into another world. As I moved on from high school, I sought out educational settings as both student, teacher, and mother where inclusion was starting to become normalized. As a result, I started to see myself as a valuable member of society who has something unique to contribute. I can only imagine what impact this would have made on me had I grown up with access to more diverse books. Better late than never, I say.
SHETAL SHAH grew up to the sounds of Bollywood and the delicious smells of her mother’s Indian cooking in the suburbs of New York City. As a second-generation Indian-American, Shetal hoped to one day see more stories of girls like her fill the shelves of local bookstores.
A former educator, Shetal taught world history in all-girls schools where she was reminded how curriculum and literature inclusive of women from diverse backgrounds can have a positive impact on girls’ self-esteem, identity development and belonging. Shetal also developed and led numerous educator workshops, presenting at national conferences covering topics on pedagogy and diversity and inclusion.
Shetal currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and her two young boys while pursuing her writing and mission to bring diversity to bookshelves with stories that inspire. “Shakti Girls” is her inspiring debut.
Summary:We might not know what the future holds, but the lyrical rhyming text in this beautiful book reassures readers that they have the resilience and strength to face whatever comes their way. Whimsical illustrations make for a captivating read-aloud or bedtime story. Inspired by the author’s own experience with anxiety, this book offers gentle wisdom applicable to both children and adults. End matter includes a discussion guide and activity ideas for managing worries.
Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! CLICK for more information.
It’s my pleasure to welcome multi-published children’s author and advertising creative director Howard Pearlstein to Frog On A Blog. Howard has four picture books coming out this year, so this is the perfect time to learn more about him and his books.Howard enjoys collaborating with his daughter Amanda Pearlstein, and two of his upcoming books, Tribecaand The Liebrary, are coauthored with her. Let’s chat a bit with Howard.
How did you begin you picture book writing career?
My picture book career began in 2018. I was an advertising creative director at the time, and still am, but I was listening to a podcast on my way home from work, and the guest said something along the lines of, “We spend our best years giving our creativity away to other people.” I can’t remember the podcast or who the person was that said that, but it struck a chord with me. Advertising is literally just that – giving your creativity away to other people. I looked back at my career and was proud of the work I had done, but I had nothing personal to show for it. I started thinking about what I could do for myself and realized that ads are like little stories, where the words and pictures have to work together to communicate a message. I figured if I could do these little stories, I could write little stories for children.
When I got home, I told my wife I was going to write picture books. She, of course, supported me, but I actually had no idea how to do it. So I Googled, “How to write a picture book.” That’s how my career began.
Why do you like to write stories for children?
I have precious memories of reading to my daughters when they were young. The thought that parents might be reading my stories to their children – and creating these memories – is pretty cool. If the stories teach children something along the way, entertain them, or make them feel some sort of emotion, even better. From a practical standpoint, I like writing stories for children because I can complete them quickly.
Amanda Pearlstein, Howard’s daughter and picture book coauthor.
How does your experience as an advertising creative director influence the way you write picture books?
My advertising background has been the perfect experience for writing picture books. In many ways, the process is similar:
You have to come up with a concept on how you will communicate an idea.
You have to understand who your target audience is and what motivates them.
You need to know what goals you’re trying to achieve.
You then need to create words and visuals that go together to tell the story in the most creative way possible.
You also need to use the fewest words possible to get across your message.
You want the final product to be something that speaks to the audience on an emotional level since that’s what sells.
I mentioned before that I write quickly, and that has everything to do with my advertising background. We work under extremely tight deadlines, and when there’s a due date, that’s when the project has to be complete. That structure forces you to be creative quickly.
What do you love most about picture books?
I love that picture books have limitless opportunities to tell any story in any way imaginable. The stories can be reality-based or complete fantasy. They can be wordless or rhyme or be told from any perspective. The possibilities for what a picture book can be are truly endless.
Who are your favorite picture book authors and illustrators?
My favorite picture book author and illustrator is Dr. Seuss. His work, both in the stories and the visuals, were groundbreaking, which is why they remain so popular today. Plus, he made rhyming seem effortless – something that is definitely not effortless.
Congratulations on your four upcoming books! Please give us just a little taste of each one and tell us what inspired you to write them.
My oldest daughter Amanda, a lawyer with the department of justice, called me one day and said I should write a picture book about the three-legged cat she and her girlfriend had fostered and that was eventually adopted by a family with a three-legged dog. I told her it was a great idea, but I’d only write it if she wrote it with me. She agreed, and we wrote the story from Tribeca’s perspective about the thoughts and fears a foster cat could have.
I realized one day that the word “library” sounds the same if it’s spelled “liebrary.” This was around the time that the term “fake news” was in the news a lot, and people tended to believe whatever story aligned with their viewpoints – no matter how fantastical or unrealistic the stories might have been. I thought it would be interesting to tell a story about the consequences of believing everything you read without thinking critically about what is actually being said. I wrote a draft and thought it was okay, but knew it could be better. So I emailed it to Amanda and said, “Make this better.” Sure enough, she took my Corolla of a story and transformed it into a Lexus.
My youngest daughter Emily has always been very empathetic. One of the things that upset her the most, from a young age, was seeing old men eating by themselves. I have no idea why. But I took this idea of an old man eating alone and thought about how I could transform this sad premise into something else. While the story has sadness and deals with dying, it gives the reader an opportunity to look at loss from a different perspective.
My wife and I went out to breakfast one day, and it seemed like every parent was on his or her phone rather than paying attention to their children. When the kids started getting antsy, the parents gave them their phones to occupy them. I thought this was incredibly sad to see families barely interacting with each other. I remembered a story from when I was little about a boy who pushed vegetables onto his fork with his thumb, even though his parents told him not to. He kept doing it and one day vegetables started growing from his thumb. At first it was cool, but then the vegetables grew out of control. I thought a similar premise could work for a boy who’s addicted to his device and then realizes the consequences. I wanted this story to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of choosing devices over people.
Where can fans connect with you or find your books online?
Howard Pearlstein is a picture book author and advertising creative director who has worked on some of the world’s most popular brands, including Toyota, Verizon, and Mitsubishi. A California native, Howard now lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with his wife Debi. Howard has three daughters, Amanda, Jacquie, and Emily, who live across the country, and one dog, Maeby, who still lives at home.
Summary:From author Andrea Denish and illustrator BlueBean comes a touching story about new siblings, greetings, languages, and love.
A young child searches for the best way to greet the newest member of their family as they ask, “A special day. A special place. How will you greet a special face?” With rhyming text, heartwarming art, and nonfiction backmatter, The Way We Say Hello takes you as far as Tibet and as near as your front yard as you learn greeting after greeting.
Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! CLICK for more information.
Please welcome multi-published children’s book author Marcia Berneger to Frog on a Blog. Marcia and I were in a critique group together once upon a time. I’m thrilled that she has a new picture book coming out this month, and I get to share it with you all right here!
As a retired elementary school teacher and now a grandmother, Marcia’s no stranger to the seemingly unending supply of energy that kids have, and her book Busy Feet captures the essence of that energy so perfectly through the activities of children’s (and a few animals’) feet, following them from home to playground to beach and back home again.
Along with Marcia’s rollicking rhyme and bold illustrations by Susanna Chapman that kids are sure to love, Busy Feet incorporates a surprise element–opposites–giving this super-fun story an extra layer of “teaching without teaching.” Marcia stopped by to share more about this engaging book.
People always ask, “Wow! Where’d you come up with that idea?” I’d love to answer that Busy Feet leapt into my head when we first found out my daughter-in-law was pregnant. Or even when Ori was born. However, truth be told, the text for Busy Feet predates Ori’s birth by five years. The very first Busy Feet manuscript was penned in July 2015. The original text for this book is almost identical to the final copy. One or two simple word substitutions and one additional verse are the only changes. But, what a difference the illustrations make. Susanna Chapman splashed bright, vivid colors onto every page. My favorite page? The very last one. The kids, and the dog, are settling down for the night and the boy is pulling the chain to shut the light—with his foot! Inspired!
So where did the idea for Busy Feet come from? I taught at the elementary level for thirty-four years. My last twenty were first and second grade. I also taught in a preschool. But, again, if I’m being truthful, I retired from public school in 2013, and didn’t start teaching the preschoolers until 2020. I did read a lot of picture books to my students throughout the years. That reading, and teaching basic concepts to young children, influenced all of my writing, helping me understand what children love about books and how best to write them.
Many of my picture book ideas are generated during what is now called Storystorm. This is Tara Lazar’s challenge to writers to think up 30 different picture book ideas during the month of January. I participated back in 2014 when it was held in November and was called Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoldMo). The idea for Busy Feet came from that list. It was a title in a list of 34 random story ideas. When I reviewed the list and saw the title, a verse just popped into my head.
Feet wake up
Time to play.
Happy feet,
Out all day.
You’ll probably notice this is a simple rhyming verse. No learning here whatsoever. But, being the teacher that I am (or was), I couldn’t let it go at that. Could I make up verses that rhymed perfectly, that had, say…antonyms?
And there you have it—a learning book without a boring lesson. I made a long list of opposites that could be included in the book. Then I checked my rhyming dictionary to make a list of words that rhymed and would go with my opposites. (There are a tremendous number of words that rhyme! It was a very long list.) THEN, I listed all the adjectives that could describe feet and yet another list of different activities kids’ feet might do. Once I’d done all this research and list-making, putting together the verses was actually pretty easy. The final product: a simple rhyming book of fun kid activities that happens to incorporate opposites. Teaching, without teaching!
And the best part… Ori just turned two, the perfect age for Busy Feet. I was so excited when I first read it to him! It’s designed to be interactive, so his feet swung up and down, his toes wiggled, we ran fast, then slow… so much fun!!
Busy Feet scurries into the world on February 14, 2023. Here’s a new verse to herald in its book birthday:
Busy feet
want to play.
Just in time
For Valentine’s Day!
Giveaway!
Marcia is generously giving away a signed copy of Busy Feet to one lucky person who comments on this blog post. Leave a comment by February 13th. I’ll choose a winner at random and connect them with Marcia. Winner must have a US mailing address.Good luck!
Marcia Berneger is an educator, speaker, and writer. She’s the author of three children’s books: a time travel chapter book, A Dreidel in Time: A New Twist on an Old Tale (Kar-Ben Publishing, 2019), and two picture books, Buster: The Little Garbage Truck (Sleeping Bear Press, 2015) and Busy Feet (Starry Forest Books, 2023).
A retired elementary school teacher of over 30 years, Marcia has developed many strategies for working with children of all ages and is passionate about writing stories that help children navigate their world. She’s available to share her expertise through live or virtual presentations.
In addition, as a Jewish author, Marcia is dedicated to highlighting the importance of diversity in publishing and children seeing themselves in the pages of the books they read. She often speaks about this topic and others for kidlit publications and organizations such as the Children’s Book Academy, the California School Library Association, the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) and GilaGreenWrites.com.
Marcia lives in San Diego, California, with her husband. You can learn more about Marcia and her books at www.marciaberneger.com or by following her on Twitter @marciaberneger or Facebook at #marciaberneger.
To see the list of all the 2023 Youth Media Award winners or to watch the recorded webcast of the awards ceremony, click HERE. Congratulations to all of the winners!
Please welcome graphic designer and author/illustrator Morissa Rubin to Frog on a Blog. I absolutely love her clever new board book Dot, Dot, Polka Dot, which features colorful and fun patterns from around the world. Her eye-catching style is so unique, and the illustrations in this book are super engaging and are sure to delight your little ones as they explore 12 different patterns, from the familiar diamond shapes of argyle to the fish-like triangles of Uroko. I wanted to learn how Dot, Dot, Polka Dot was created, so I invited Morissa to give us a close-up look at her process when she designed the book.Let’s take a look!
Dot, Dot, Polka Dot is a concept board book that explores all the different types of fabric patterns found in the patchwork of a child’s quilt. Unlike narrative books that have a built-in storyline, concept books often rely on word and visual structure to carry the story forward.
Dot, Dot, Polka Dot literally came about as I aimlessly dabbed my brush on a page. As multiple dots appeared I mused to myself “dot, dot” and then “dot, dot, polka dot”. From there I thought about making other patterns with loosely painted brush strokes: stripes, plaid, calico, paisley and argyle. It was a then editor at POW! Kids Books, Jordan Nielson, who later encouraged me to explore additional patterns from around the world. Kente cloth, Molas, Batiks and Uroko triangles along with tie-dye were added in a later round of revisions.
The short phrase-like description of the first couple of patterns became the structure for the words throughout the book. The idea that these different patterns could come together to form a quilt only came after I had spent time making and looking at the different patterns. Once I had the quilt idea, I realized that as each pattern was introduced, it’s swatch could be displayed on the next spread, alongside the previously introduced pattern swatches. The repeated swatches helped connect the separate patterns and serve as an inventory of all of the patterns introduced. They help to introduce the moment when the swatches come together to make a quilt. I used a mix of gauche paint and digital tools to create the patterns, assemble pieces, and layer and mix the images.
Thanks for sharing, Morissa! I really like the clever way you were able to “join” all of the different patterns together from page to page, leading so beautifully to the incredible quilt, featuring every pattern, at the end.Folks, this book would make a great gift at holiday time or any time!
Giveaway!
Morissa is generously offering a copy of her book Dot, Dot, Polka Dot to one lucky person! All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment on this post by December 10th. I’ll choose a winner at random and connect them with Morissa. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Morissa Rubin is a graphic designer. Her work has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Sacramento Advertising Club, the American Institute of Graphic Arts, and Graphic Design USA. She received her BFA in graphic design from the Rhode Island School of Design and her MS from MIT’s Visible Language Workshop. She lives in Sacramento, California where she teaches typography and other design courses at UC Davis and Sacramento State University. You can follow her work on Instagram at @morissa.s.childrensbooks.
Today is Children’s Grief Awareness Day, which is more than just a day, it’s a movement dedicated to helping support grieving children. (For more information and ways that you can help, click HERE.)
One way that we can all help grieving children is by reading comforting picture books with them, which brings me to today’s guest.
Please welcome Jayne Pillemer to Frog on a Blog! Jayne turned from editing children’s books to writing them! Her touching debut picture book Still Mine, featuring soft and lovely illustrations by Sheryl Murray, came out earlier this year from HarperCollins. Congratulations, Jayne! Still Mine introduces the topic of death in a gentle and sensitive way. Jayne’s stopped by to tell us more about her book and share her top recommended picture books for grieving families.
Let’s hear from Jayne.
Grief is incredibility difficult for anyone to navigate, young or old. Helping your child process death and work through grief may feel even more overwhelming. There can be a lot of questions that you may or may not feel you know the answer to. Sometimes, a loss just puts us at a loss for words, and we don’t know what to say or how to say it.
Books can give us adults the words, to help us open conversations with our children in a natural way. For the child, books are an equally important resource. They give children the opportunity to see their circumstances and emotions reflected back to them and help them gain deeper understanding of what they may be feeling, thinking or seeing. For children experiencing grief for the first time, books can help them to realize that they are not alone.
My picture book, STILL MINE, was created out of a need to tell my own young children about the death of my grandmother. I wanted to gently introduce the concept of death, and my way to do that was to juxtapose loss with something that gets to stay: Love. I knew the way I felt about my grandmother would never change, and that the special activities we did together would be memories I would not only hold in my heart forever, but would also be things I could share with my children. STILL MINE depicts several kinds of losses—a parent, a grandparent, and a friend—and carries hope for the peace that can come by embracing the permanence of love. These other picture books honor the journey of grief and support this same message that love never goes away:
One Wave at a Time by Holly Thompson, Pictures by Ashley Crowley
This beautiful story follows a boy in the wake of his father’s death and delves deeper into the emotions that come with grief: sadness, madness, fear, and hollowness. These tough feelings come in big waves, and Kai doesn’t always know which wave will tumble him. With the help of a support group, his family, and memories, Kai and his family learn together how to ride these waves as they roll in. A gentle author’s note and grief support resources round out the backmatter.
Ida, Always by Caron Levis and Charles Santoso
This gorgeously illustrated book introduces us to two adorable best friends: Ida and Gus, who live in a city zoo. Their days would not be complete without playing with one another, but one day, Ida gets sick, and the zookeeper tells Gus that Ida will die soon. Together, Ida and Gus go on a journey of preparing to be apart. “There were growling days and laughing days and days that mixed them up.” If sickness is something you are experiencing or loss is something you are preparing for, this moving story reminds us that you don’t have to see love to feel it.
Saturdays are for Stella by Candy Wellins, illustrated by Charlie Eve Ryan
Saturdays are the best days because George spends them with Grandma Stella. But when Grandma Stella suddenly dies, George doesn’t want there to be any more Saturdays. Ever. Just when George thinks he can’t take another Saturday, his sister Stella is born, and suddenly Saturdays with Stella have renewed meaning. This touching story is a beautiful way to remember that you have the power to give love, just as you once received it, and that can be healing in so many ways.
The Treasure Box by Dave Keane and Rahele Jomepour Bell
Grandpa and his granddaughter love to look for treasures. On their weekly walks, they discover all sorts of interesting things and store them in a secret box. When Grandpa gets sick, he can’t go on anymore walks, so his granddaughter brings the treasures to him. But when Grandpa dies, the girl is too sad to open the secret treasure box. It takes a long time for Grandma to come back over, but when she does, hugging and crying together help them both. So does looking for treasures that Grandpa would love. A poignant text and rich, textured illustrations make for a beautiful package and a tender story.
Molly’s Rosebushby Janice Cohn, illustrated by Gail Owens
This is an older title that can still be found at your local library or second-hand. Molly’s mother has a late-term miscarriage, and the whole family is grieving the baby that they wanted to come home. When I experienced pregnancy loss, this book was a favorite of my two older children, and inspired us to plant our own memory tree in our backyard, just like Molly’s family planted a rosebush in honor of their baby. While most books for young children deal with the death of a pet or a grandparent, this book addresses the loss of someone you are only looking forward to meeting, which is a different kind of love that is just as powerful as a love for someone you’ve already gotten to know. This book will hold a special place on our bookshelf forever, just as our tree does in our backyard.
A Kids Book About Death by Taryn Schuelke
A Kids Book About Grief by Brennan C. Wood, in partnership with Dougy Center
As a kid growing up, it felt like there were “child topics” and there were “adult topics,” and anything perceived to be an adult topic wasn’t usually discussed with kids. The A Kids Book About collection is changing that. My oldest son in particular has TONS of questions about everything and anything, especially about big words that he overhears. When I don’t know the right way to answer, I look for A Kids Book About. These books have been incredibly helpful in providing developmentally-appropriate (ages 5+) definitions and explanations on everything from Adoption to Boredom to Sexual Abuse. Reading these books has led to rich discussions and have opened the lines of communication between parent and child because these books tell children that we are allowed to talk about hard things. A Kids Book About Death clearly and directly explains what it means to be alive and what it means to be dead. It explores the various ways to die and the feelings that may come with it. It addresses why it is important to talk about death, why life is important, and how love is an element of life that continues even after death. A Kids Book About Grief is an excellent follow-up to this title, diving deeper into the emotions that arise following a death and reassuring readers that grief is normal. Just a note: the books in this series have no pictures, but the words are truly all you need!
Jayne Pillemer is a former children’s book editor who now spends her days raising her children and writing! Her debut picture book, STILL MINE, was inspired by her Grandma Helen’s special love and was called “tender and touching” by Kirkus Reviews. Jayne lives in Harrison, New York with her husband and their three sons, who all love it when she makes Grandma Helen’s old recipes.
You can alpha-bet that I’m P-U-M-P-E-D to be a stop on the ALPHABEDTIME Blog Tour! As a matter of fact, Frog on a Blog is the final stop of the tour, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome author Susanna Hill and illustrator Betsy Snyder here to wrap things up in a super enjoyable way!
To visit the other blog tour stops, click the image above!
Make sure you read the whole post because there’re lots of goodies to explore, including Susanna and Betsy’s fun, informal interview; an adorable, printable craft project for use at home or school; an awesome example of one of Betsy’s sketches with the finished illustration; Susanna’s very first book ever; and, last but not least, a giveaway of their fabulous new book Alphabedtime!Let’s go!
This is the last stop on the ALPHABLOGTIME tour! If you’re just tuning in and want to know any of the “Creation of the Book” details about Susanna’s inspiration for the book, or how Betsy approached the monumental task of creating the art, please check back to some of the earlier stops on the tour, several of which covered those topics. If you’d like to know who instigated the Alpha-Mayhem, then By Word Of Beth is the stop for you! If you are looking for activities to go with the book, they can be found at Maria Marshall’s and Laura Sassi’s. For some delicious Alphabet Cookie recipes, Little Red Story Shed with Julie Abery is the place you want to go. All the links can be found at https://linktr.ee/alphabedtime.
But here and now we’re going to get down to the nitty-gritty, the bare bones, the essential inner-workings, and give you a sneak peek at the up-close-and-personal! Just who are Susanna and Betsy?
Are you ready?Yes!
Favorite color?
Betsy:Blue—the color that makes me think of the ocean, my happy place.
Susanna:Cornflower blue – so pretty!
What was the first book you ever wrote/illustrated and how old were you?
Betsy:I don’t remember the first “book”, but the first piece of art I remember illustrating as a child was one I titled The Invisible Lady With One Orange Leg (orange marker scribble on cardboard, age unknown). Clearly I was destined for greatness, ha!
Susanna:The Girl And The Witch (can you guess what it’s about? 🙂 ) I wrote it in 2nd grade.The decorative cover should make it clear why I do not illustrate my own books!
Favorite (bedtime) snack?
Betsy:Buttery popcorn!
Susanna:I’m not a bedtime snacker, but for a regular snack, my favorite is a Snickers bar and Diet Coke (I know! Dreadful! But favorite means special occasion – not something I do often. Er, not too often…)
Favorite quote from a children’s book?
Betsy:“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.” – The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
Susanna:“It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.” – E.B. White, last line of Charlotte’s Web
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Betsy:Either a dolphin trainer at SeaWorld, a soap opera writer, or an artist.
Susanna: I wanted to drive a steam roller and put my baby on the seat next to me.
What are 3 things people might not know about you? (or people might be surprised to learn?)
Betsy:
1. I was born in North Carolina.
2. I love to ice skate.
3. My name fits perfectly into the Itsy Bity Spider song (sing it—the itsy Betsy Snyder went up the water spout…)
Susanna:
1. I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee (if Alabama means New York City and banjo means piano…but I’d have to be Pippi Longstocking to actually have a piano on my knee…)
2. I know all the words to the 1970s Big Red chewing gum commercial. Also, to the Oscar Mayer jingle. . . and the Dial jingle. . . As well as the theme songs to The Love Boat, Gilligan’s Island, The Brady Bunch. . . I could go on, but I don’t want to scare you TOO much! And I wasn’t even allowed to watch TV, except for PBS! (Of course, ask me for my ATM pin number and I have to look it up – there’s only so much real estate in the brain and mine is full of meaningless nonsense!)
3. I am a lot more comfortable with dogs and horses and cats than I am with people. I’m pretty sure I was one of those three animals in a past life because I love to bask in sun puddles. 🙂
Which characters in ALPHABEDTIME remind you most of your own children?
Betsy:S’s affinity for sharks and U running around in his underwear remind me of my spirited 5 year-old son—he has a way of making bedtime wild.
M’s magic makes me think of my 8 year-old daughter—she went through a phase where she practiced her tricks and put on magic shows.
And T’s T-Rex stuffy and Triceratops helmet are a nod to both of my dinosaur-loving kids.
Susanna:Okay. In the interest of maintaining positive relationships with my now grown children, I will not attribute names or genders to any of my choices. 🙂 But I’d say D (the noisy musician), K (the entertaining clown-around), F (the feather-boa-wearing reader), W (the quiet, serious, nonfiction reader), and Z (the dog-loving baby) grew up in my house!
Favorite stuffy/lovey as a child?
Betsy:Mr. Bear, a big stuffed polar bear that my grandma gave me. He definitely became REAL to me.
Susanna:Pink blankie
Do you have a pet, or is there a pet you wish you had?
Betsy:My family and I have a 5-month-old golden retriever puppy-monster named Penny—we adore her fluffy cuteness but fear her puppy teeth. My kids also have 2 goldfish named Golden Sun and Strawberry that are surprisingly still alive since being won at Home Days in August.
Susanna:I have two rambunctious young rescue dogs who came from bad beginnings and are still learning that the world doesn’t have to be a scary place. Their names are Finn and Violet, and if you’re friends with me on Facebook, you’ve seen way more of them than you probably ever wanted to! I also have a spotted pony named Hoops who technically belongs to my daughter, but I have inherited her. Lucky me! 🙂
Favorite tip/advice?
Betsy:“You do you.” I adopted this phrase after I first heard a close friend use it years ago (thanks Melissa Wolf!). It’s great advice for kids, but also for artists and writers, don’t you think?
Susanna:If you stir coconut oil into your kale, it makes it easier to scrape into the trash… 🙂 Oh. Did you mean a writing tip or advice? How about this: the joy of being a writer is that you can do anything. The story is yours. You are in charge. You can write happy or sad, quiet or exciting, mysterious or funny. Whatever mood you’re in, whatever you need in the moment, you can make it happen. And if it’s doing something good for you, it will do something good for someone who reads it.
On a more book-related note, we thought it would be fun to show you one of Betsy’s sketches together with the finished art so you could see how it transformed.
And Betsy also made a craft to go with the book, which you can use at home or in the classroom. You saw it here first, folks!
Craft!
Giveaway!
Was this a fabulous post or what? That’s a rhetorical question because of course it was fabulous! Thank you, Susanna and Betsy! But, just when you thought you couldn’t take any more fabulousness, you’ll have to hold onto something because we have a giveaway too!! The publisher, Nancy Paulsen Books, has generously offered a copy of Alphabedtime to one lucky person. To win a copy of Alphabedtime, leave a comment on this post. A winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, November 30. Susanna will send a personalized signed bookplate to go with it if the winner desires. This giveaway is open to US residents only.
Susanna L. Hill is the author of three New York Times bestsellers, including Moon’s First Friends: One Giant Leap for Friendship, and the award-winning author of over twenty-five more books for children, including Punxsutawney Phyllis, Can’t Sleep Without Sheep, and the popular When Your Lion Needs a Bath series. Her books have been translated into French, Dutch, German, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai.
She does frequent school and library visits, teaches picture book writing, and has a popular picture book blog. Susanna lives in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley where she practices the alphabet with her children and two rescue dogs. Find Susanna online at https://susannahill.com.
Author-illustrator Betsy Snyder’s smile-inducing art can be found on everything from social expressions products, board games, plush, decor, fabric, wallpaper, and of course—books!
Since making her publishing debut, Betsy has illustrated and/or authored over twenty books, earning recognition from groups including the Society of Illustrators, The New York Times, Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine, Indie Next List, the Cooperative Children’s Book Center and Please Touch Museum. Betsy lives in northeast Ohio, where she enjoys cozying up to doodle with her art-loving family, and venturing out to schools and libraries to encourage kids (and even grown-ups) to share their stories and chase their dreams. Learn more about Betsy and her books at www.betsysnyder.com.
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