April Fool, Phyllis!

Every afternoon when my children and I pull into the driveway after school, the same discussion/argument occurs.

"I am checking the mailbox"
"She got the mail yesterday!"
"Fine, I will see if there are any packages on the front porch."
"You checked the porch yesterday!"
"Today, I want to get the mail and check the front porch!"
"I never get a turn.  IT'S NOT FAIR!!!"

Yes, that is a daily conversation with all 4 of my daughters as very active participants.  I have decided not to get involved, as they always work it out-- sometimes with tears and sometimes without.   I don't quite understand the excitement about getting the mail, as it is usually bills and ads.

Today, however, after the argument, my 6 year old twins went to check the porch and found a package and then began to argue over who would get to open it.  Since my name was on it. . . I opened it.

On a side note, I know that the girls are dressed alike in the picture, they did that themselves.  I NEVER dress them the same!  I believe that even though they are genetically identical, it is important that they celebrate their individuality.

Back to the book.  We were all very excited to find April Fool, Phyllis by, Susanna Leonard Hill.  Phyllis had landed in Los Angeles for her US Tour, and made her LA stop at our house!  My girls love to read new books, but they especially love to receive new books in the mail.  We read the instructions, and were eager to begin.

We sat down to read it and now that they both know how to read, they enjoyed reading the treasure hunt clues to me.  Susanna does a fantastic job of integrating so many different concepts into the book.  Weather, practical jokes, and a treasure hunt are all intertwined and enhanced by the amazing artwork of Jeffrey Ebbeler.  I also loved the back matter about the history of April Fool's Day and how it is celebrated in different places around the world.

Since I have to give up the book and send Phyllis on her way to the next stop on her US tour, I plan to purchase my own copy.  

Benjie NEVER misses out on story time with the girls!  

Don't miss out on having this book in your home in a few weeks. Check out April Fool, Phyllis on Amazon and order it today!  You won't be disappointed.

World Read Aloud Day 2012

Yes, World Read Aloud Day was last week, but I am posting about it today.  Last week I was scheduled to read to 2 different classes, but had to cancel because my daughter was sick and she needed my full attention.  I was able to reschedule, and today I read to a kindergarten in Bloomingdale, New York.

What an amazing experience!  I connected with the class via Skype and had the opportunity to read 2 stories with them.  I specifically say WITH  them and not TO  them because they participated in the story as much as I did.  They pointed out things that they liked in the illustrations, they laughed at all the right parts, and they shared their thoughts throughout the stories.  Those 32 kids brought the stories to life!

I began by sharing Annie and Me with them.  Being that this is only the second time that I shared it publicly, I was a little nervous about how it would go.  Thank goodness I had my husband, technical guru, standing behind me to make sure that it worked.  The class loved it!  It was such an adrenaline rush to hear their laughter.  They made my day!

We had more time, and I shared a story called A Porcupine Named Fluffy, by Helen Lester.  Once again, the kids thoroughly enjoyed the story.  I hope that they all take as much from this experience as I did.

A special thank you goes out to Diana LeBlanc, Literary Coach of the Bloomingdale and Petrova Schools, for making this experience happen for all of us.  I hope that I can come and 'visit' you again.

I look forward to participating in World Read Aloud Day 2013!

Words From the Wise #4 -- Beth Stillborn

For this week's guest, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Beth Stillborn.  Beth is a pre-published author who has truly devoted herself to being a wonderful children's author.  I hope that you learn from her and enjoy her thoughts.

1.    Can you please give us a history on how you became a writer for children? 

I dabbled in writing for years. In the late 1980s when I was going through a rough patch in my life, my mother said, “Why don’t you write?” That moment was the catalyst for all that followed.

For years, writing was something I did in my spare time. I no longer work outside the home, so I now have much more time to devote to writing.

When I started submitting – and receiving rejection letters – I realized I needed some instruction. I started Emma Walton Hamilton’s Just Write for Kids online course in picture book writing in September 2010. Lessons arrive by email each week and there’s a website where one can give feedback. Emma’s responses were enthusiastic, supportive and encouraging to all my progress reports and questions.

My confidence in myself and in my writing grew enormously because of my participation in JWFK, as did my understanding of crafting a story, creating characters, building a plot.

I readily recommend Just Write for Kids, http://www.justwriteforkids.com to anyone who wants grounding in the basics of writing picture books – noting that the lessons can then be applied to any genre.

2.    You are very involved with Children's Book Hub.  Can you please explain a little bit about what Children's Book Hub is, and your involvement? 

The Children’s Book Hub began in January 2011, an offshoot of Emma’s Just Write for Kids course. Membership is by paid subscription. I was one of the first subscribers. There are resources, teleseminar interviews, as well as question and answer sessions with Emma. For more information, go to http://www.childrensbookhub.com

In December 2011 I suggested to Emma that the Hub start a Facebook Group that would be open to writers, illustrators and editors whether or not they were paid members of the Children’s Book Hub.

As Emma and I developed the idea, we envisioned the Facebook Group being a place where children’s writers and illustrators could interact, discuss topics pertaining to writing, share links and resources. We also saw it as a way to give people a taste of the Hub itself. Emma asked me to co-administer the Group with her, and I was honored to do so.

If any children’s writer, illustrator, or editor is interested in joining us in the Children’s Book Hub Facebook Group, check out our main page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/childrensbookhub/  Emma and I will be glad to make you welcome.

(Note: Membership in the Hub Facebook Group is free, but it is a closed group, so you have to request membership. If your connection to the kidlit world isn’t clear, we’ll send you a message to clarify that before we approve your request.)

3.    What goals do you have for yourself as a writer, and do you have a strategy as to how you hope to achieve those goals? 

I hope to have an agent by the end of 2012. I’m currently working on a picture book series and have begun a related chapter book series. I’ll begin my agent-search when three manuscripts in the picture book series and two in the chapter book series are submission-ready.I’m working on a middle grade novel. I hope to attend a conference this summer focusing on writing for middle grade kids. I plan to attend SCBWI LA in August, too. Writing is now my job. I’m learning to be systematic in my writing. Writing a draft a month for 12 x 12, and the critique group I have joined, are providing accountability.I’m working to build my “brand”. Since many of my writing projects involve the arts, my blog’s focus is mainly the arts. (By Word of Beth, http://www.bethstilborn.com.) I’m considering other ways to build on that, as well.

4.    Which picture book authors are you most fond of, what about their writing engages you? 

Kevin Henkes, particularly Owen, Jessica, Chrysanthemum, and Wemberly Worried. I love the way he expresses the feelings, fears and misunderstandings that are part of childhood.

Peter H. Reynolds, particularly Ish, which I wish had been around when I was a child feeling that I was “no good” at art.

I love the spunky sparkle of Gerry in Julie Andrews Edwards’ and Emma Walton Hamilton’s Very Fairy Princess series, and the lyricism of their Simeon’s Gift.

5.    If you could be a character in any book, which book would it be, and what character would you take on? 

It’s hard to choose “this one and not that one” for anything! The book – T.H. White’s The Once and Future King; the character – Wart, the not-yet-king Arthur. The potential in Wart, the wise teacher Merlyn, plus Camelot – wonderful! At least, that’s what I’d choose today...

 Thanks so much, Sandi, for interviewing me!

Beth Stilborn is a pre-published writer of picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, and adult fiction, and a published writer of hymn texts. She lives in a windswept city on the Canadian prairies. You can connect with Beth on her blog, By Word of Beth, http://www.bethstilborn.com, her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/bethstilbornwrites, and her Twitter, @BethStillborn

Thank you Illustration Junky Kerie Miller

Thank you so much to Kerie Miller -- Illustration Junky for interviewing me about Annie and Me.

Here is how the story began, I invite you to check out her blog!

Interview with Kerie Miller

Words From the Wise #3 -- Barb Dragony

This week in Words From the Wise, I am featuring Barb Dragony, the illustrator for Annie and Me.  Since you have all been learning so much about me, I figured that it was time we all learned some more about Barb.  Enjoy!

1.  How did you get your start as an artist, and particularly as an illustrator?
I've been drawing ever since I can remember. My grandmother always provided me with paper and crayons and I just drew! In kindergarten, I was coloring with wild abandon and the teacher tried to get me to color "in one direction" and the proverbial "inside the lines". I did like she asked, but  as soon as she walked away, I went back to my wildness. Again, she told me to color in one direction. How did she know? She wasn't watching me color? My 5 year old mind didn't grasp that she could see the crayon strokes…I just figured she was all knowing and all seeing. It wasn't until high school that I finally broke free of trying to stay within the lines.
When I went to art school I was thinking of going into Fine Arts or Photography, both of which held great interest for me, but decided on Illustration. I began to like the process of giving life to the characters that lived in my head…and those that lived in the heads of others through their stories.




2.  What types of art to you specialize in?  What is your favorite medium to work with?  Where do you find your inspiration?
I'm not a cartoonist by any means, but my drawings range from quirky little line drawings to children's books. Since the Mac came into my life in the mid 90's I work in Photoshop and Illustrator, casting aside the little tubes of watercolors, inks and brushes. I still keep a box of 64 Crayola Crayons nearby just to remind me of my roots! I scan in my sketches and redraw them on my Mac. I still like the feel of being able to create and put my ideas and layouts down on paper first.
Everything inspires me! That would be hard to pin point. On any given day it could be swatches of colors on fabric, an ad in a magazine, or my dog sleeping with her toys. When I get the story from an author, I first give life to the characters…what do they look like, what would they do…then I do a story board layout and break down the "scenes". 




3.  Can you describe for us the process that you went through in designing the artwork in the uTales format, and specifically for Annie and Me.
I went through the same process as I described, but this time  I had to be conscious of the limitations of web vs printed colors and also that animation and sound could enhance the story. This was my first time designing an ebook. When I received the story of Annie and Me, I really wanted the two girls to come to life! 

4.  Is uTales something that you would recommend to other illustrators, and is it something that you would be interested in working with again?
I really enjoyed the whole uTales process and have been recommending it to my artist and writer friends. To be able to collaborate with writers and other artists all over the world has been wonderful. And, the uTales team is very helpful!!

5.  Where do you envision yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully continuing to create books for kids! I was so blessed to have a grandmother who taught me the love of reading. I want every child to have the opportunity set their imaginations free. You don't have to color inside the lines!

Bio: Barb Dragony resides in Cleveland OH where she has lived all her life. Being close to family and friends, a plethora of museums and theaters, and of course that big, beautiful Lake Erie, give her the inspiration she needs for her creativity. When not at her drawing table giving life to the characters in her head, Barb can be found bringing life to characters on stage where she has performed for over 20 years.

My Very First Author Visit

What better day to do my very first author visit than on Dr. Seuss' birthday and on Read Across America?

Now granted, I had an 'in' as I visited my twin daughters first grade classes, but you have to start somewhere.

When I got to school I walked past one of the classes and peeked in the window without my kids seeing me, and they were all wearing red and white striped hats in honor of the Cat in the Hat.  I felt a huge smile across my face, and I suddenly had a craving for green eggs.

I became a little bit nervous.  I shouldn't have been nervous . . . I am a former elementary school teacher, I have 4 kids of my own, and I know most of these kids already.  But here I was, about to publicly share my book for the first time in it's completed format.  I was not reading to my family.  I was not reading to my friends.  I was reading to an audience filled with people that were my target audience when writing the book.  What if it was to be a flop?  I know Dr. Seuss, I needed to get on my way and move some mountains!  I went inside.

What book did I share?  My only published book to date. . .Annie and Me, a book that I published with the help of amazing illustrator, Barb Dragony, and uTales!  Can you believe it?  I did an author visit with an e-book.  Never in a million years did I think that I would be doing that when I started on this writing journey so many years ago.

My children are very fortunate to attend a school that is technologically advanced, and they have SMART  Boards in almost every classroom.  For those of you not familiar with a SMART Board, it looks like a dry erase board, but it requires special pens for writing. It also can be connected to a computer and whatever is on your computer screen can be projected onto the board.  It has a sound system, and you can even touch the board as if it were a touch pad on your computer.  We projected the story onto the SMART Board, the classes sat on the floor, and I shared with them.

The children loved the animations, loved the illustrations, and loved the sounds.  Teachers and children alike were asking wonderful questions about the book writing process in general, but also about the specifics of digital publishing, and uTales.  They were amazed that this is how they could read a book, and they wanted to know how they could get the app at home.

One little boy asked how I was able to get the book into the computer.  Fortunately, I have another book that is in the editing process on uTales right now, and I was able to give the class a sneak peak as to how it works.  I showed them how to enter the text, and how the illustrator uploads the images.  They enjoyed seeing some images still in sketch form, and some in full color.  I think that they don't always realized that a book doesn't start out looking like it does when you check it out at the library.

Before I even had my coat on to leave, the first graders were lined up in front of their teacher as she wrote down the uTales website on sticky notes for each one of them.  I could see her wheels turning as she was figuring out ways to make use of this technology in teaching reading in her classroom.  One of the teaching assistants was so fascinated by the whole process that she said she would recommend that I come to other classes in the school at all grade levels (school is K-8).  Wouldn't it be great if we could inspire even just one child who has an interest in writing?

Thank you uTales for helping me to achieve my dream of being a children's author.

Thank you Dr. Seuss for inspiring so many authors, illustrators, and especially children.  We are all thrilled to have celebrated your 108th birthday with you today as we Read Across America.

And the winner is. . .

PAM!

Congratulations Pam on winning a free copy of Hidden New Jersey, written by Linda J. Barth and illustrated by Hazel Mitchel.

I hope that you enjoy your travels through New Jersey.