Interview with Author Erin Dealey

April 27, 2023Authors, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with the immensely talented author Erin Dealey! She’s here today to chat about her newest book, THE HALF BIRTHDAY BOOK, illustrated by Germán Blanco, publishing with Genius Cat Books this week! I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her new book, experience in publishing, and creative process.

So without further ado, please welcome Erin Dealey!

Where do you live?

I live in northern California, halfway between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe. And yes, we’ve had quite a bit of snow & rain recently but we’re not complaining!

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first book, GOLDIE LOCKS HAS CHICKEN POX, came out when our daughter was in second grade, and now she is a second grade teacher!

How did you first get published?

My path to publication is a slush pile success story. As a high school theater teacher, I wrote skits and plays for my students as well as elementary classes to perform. My first published play was "The Christmas Wrap Rap" in Plays magazine. One day I picked up a YA novel left behind by one of my drama students and thought, I could do this. I always told my students to follow their dreams, so I took my own advice.

I started writing a YA and swapping pages with a fellow teacher, author Anne Martin Bowler. But Annie was having me read a picture book pages while I gave her chapters. This is when Goldie Locks Has Chicken Pox popped into my head. To my surprise it was like writing a skit or play, a story to be performed (or read) aloud and keep "audiences" coming back for more.

When Goldie was done, I queried two publishers and received a rejection slip right away from one of them. The other editor asked me to send the full manuscript, which I did. During the summer, I run the Theater Department at Sugarloaf Fine Arts Camp, so I truly lost track of how much time had passed. In September, I got a call from a Senior Editor at Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, who eventually offered me a contract. I am forever grateful to Caitlyn Dlouhy for changing my life. (I am proud to say one of my recent books, PETER EASTER FROG, illus. but G.Brian Karas, is a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book/ Atheneum/ Simon & Schuster. We have come full circle!)

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Yes, now I do—and I am so very grateful!

What inspires you to create picture books? It feels like all the paths of my crazy life converged when I started writing children’s books. In my opinion, everyone needs to find a way to keep creativity in their lives. I’m so very lucky to have found the world of #kidlit.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I get to play with words, and sometimes they become books; and sometimes those books make children happy; and sometimes I get to meet kids at school visits and on zooms; and sometimes I get to tell them I never thought I would be an author someday; and sometimes there’s a kid who feels the same way.

What do you find difficult working as an author? Waiting, waiting, WAITING. I get that it’s part of the process, but I was that kid who would turn in an assignment and instantly want to know: “What’d I get?” So this is definitely the hard part. The key is to know you’ve sent the best version of your story (so far), and then trust. Remember that editors, agents, critique partners, Beta readers ALL have busy lives. We’re not the only kids in the family who want attention. Focus on how very lucky we are to be doing this crazy #kidlit thing to begin with. And go write something else while you’re waiting.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas? I have an idea notebook where I write these down, and I try to play with every idea that shows up. Even the craziest ones. I firmly believe that the more you honor those ideas, more will come to you.

Can you tell us about your newest book? Thanks for asking! THE HALF BIRTHDAY BOOK (Genius Cat Books, illustrated by Germán Blanco) will release on April 25th! I can’t wait for everyone to meet the half-Birthday buddies, Big, Best, Blinger, and Bright. Let the celebrations begin! The Half Birthday Book is for everyone –any time of the year but especially kids with summer birthdays or birthdays on holidays, who don’t get to celebrate at school. And there are also those who share their birthdays with the BIG holidays…

What’s up next for you?

On July 15th look for CHRISTMAS AHOY! (Illus. Kayla Stark / Sleeping Bear), a counting book about a lighted holiday boat parade, with a different kind of boat on each spread, and possibly a missing Santa. (Oh no!) If that sounds like a very early release date for a holiday book, the goal is to get the buzz going so that bookstores will carry it for the holidays. I’ve seen the illustrations and they’re so much fun!

After that, there’s a hasn’t-been-announced picture book coming in 2024 with Sleeping Bear, as well as more happy book news to come!

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Thanks so much for having me on your Critter Lit blog, Lindsay.

Another key factor in navigating this crazy #kidlit world of ours is to find your community. Find ways to lift each other up. Share each other’s successes and the not-so-successful times too, and NEVER compare your path to someone else’s. There is no “right way.” Take the time to find your way. You’ve got this!

Huge thank you to Erin for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your newest book!

Erin Dealey's original career goal was Olympic Gold Medal tetherball player. When that didn't pan out, she became a teacher, theater director, actor, mom, screenwriter, and author of over a dozen children’s books (so far), including DEAR EARTH…From Your Friends in Room 5 (Harper Collins/ Illus. Luisa Uribe), and the upcoming HALF BIRTHDAY BOOK (Genius Cat / Illus. Germán Blanco) & CHRISTMAS AHOY! (Sleeping Bear/ Illus. Kayla Stark). She lives in northern California with her husband, and welcomes any opportunity to visit schools around the world. You can find her online at erindealey.com and on social media as @ErinDealey. (She will follow you back!)

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Erin follow her on online:

You can find #BookBirthday interviews on Erin’s blog. As well as extensions for her books at erindealey.com.

Twitter @ErinDealey

Insta: erindealey

Pinterest Erin Dealey

FB Erin Dealey

Find Erin’s Reading Song and Freebies at Dealey/Links

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of THE HALF BIRTHDAY BOOK, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of THE HALF BIRTHDAY BOOK?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, May 4th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Deb Adamson

November 3, 2022Authors, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward5 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Deb Adamson to talk about her road to publication, writing process, and TWO new books: THANKFUL THANKSGIVING, illustrated by Benedetta Caprotti, and GOD SENT YOU WITH LOVE, illustrated by Allessia Trunfio, published by Cottage Door Press. I’m thrilled to have Deb with us today!

So without further ado, please welcome Deb Adamson!

Where do you live?

I live on the shoreline of Connecticut.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I’ve been in publishing for nearly 30 years but took a long break from submitting, to homeschool my son. Just stepped back into querying five years ago.

How did you first get published?

I was published by Millbrook Press. My first book, is titled Monkey See Monkey Do and Animal Exercise Book for You! It is a rhyming book that encourages mimicking animal movement. It teaches a little natural history along with getting kids up and active.

Do you write full-time?

I do write full time. I also teach a weekly memoir writing class for adults. I’ve been doing that for ten years and absolutely love it!

What inspires you to create picture books?

Everything! Inspiration is really everywhere. Sometimes I can’t keep up with the ideas that spark a picture book. Of course developing an idea into a picture book is always the biggest challenge—making the idea make sense and come to life.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

How challenging the writing is. I tell my adult writing students that writing for children is even more challenging. Every word counts.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Seeing children enjoy my books. School visits that allow me to see several kids all at once having fun and being inspired.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

Continuous rejection.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I sometimes take a respite from writing to paint in watercolor, garden or practice guitar. The switch in creativity seems to reboot my writing. Breaks are necessary.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I do write most days. I feel like if I don’t, then I step out of the mindset or story and it becomes more challenging to see it through to completion.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

Other kidlit authors! The moral support from others who understand the business is invaluable. We write alone so much of the time that having a support system is crucial. I’ve mostly found it on Twitter and Instagram but also have a small dependable local community too.

Recommended reading?

I just read, the picture book Every Dog In The Neighborhood by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Mathew Cordell. It is an intergenerational/dog story. Two subjects near and dear.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Staying with it long-term feels like a highlight. With so much rejection I feel proud of myself for not throwing in the towel. I enjoy the process, so most days when I can immerse in a story feel like a highlight of my career.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

That even if an editor buys one book from you or your agent, they are not guaranteed to ever like anything else you write! Getting published doesn’t really make it any easier to get a book deal. It continues to be a competitive endeavor.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

I have TWO new board books out!

Thankful Thanksgiving, illustrated by Benedetta Caprotti is a book that encourages young children to be thankful not only on Thanksgiving day, but all year. It follows a young mouse family as they festively celebrate the holiday with family and friends.

*Interior art from THANKFUL THANKSGIVING by Deb Adamson, Illustrated by Benedetta Capriotti, published by Cottage Door Press*

God Sent You With Love is a poem of praise from a mother to her child. It’s a keepsake book meant to gift at baby showers, baptisms and births. It is beautifully illustrated by Allessia Trunfio with warm light throughout. I wrote it as someone who suffered through the challenges of infertility and when I finally got my son, felt immensely blessed.

*Interior art from GOD SENT YOU WITH LOVE by Deb Adamson, Illustrated by Alessia Trunfio, published by Cottage Door Press*

What’s up next for you?

I’ve got several school visits and bookstore signings scheduled this fall to promote these two new books! Stay tuned for new titles on the horizon.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Find a writing community. You cannot stay with this if you don’t have support.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

The Breakfast Club! A creative cast of characters.

Huge thank you to Deb for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your two new books!

Deb Adamson’s books can be silly sweet and often a combination of both.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Deb Adamson or her books visit her online or follow her on social media: Twitter and Instagram @DebAdamsonBooks

BUY THIS BOOK To purchase Deb Adamson’s books, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of THANKFUL THANKSGIVING?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, November 10th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Susanna Leonard Hill and Illustrator Betsy Snyder

October 25, 2022Authors, book release, Interviews, Illustrators, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward15 Comments

Happy TUESDAY Critters! This week we have TWO awesome interviews with THREE amazing creators. Today, we are celebrating the release of ALPHABEDTIME, written by Susanna Leonard Hill, illustrated by my friend and critique partner Betsy Snyder, and published by Nancy Paulsen Books! I’m thrilled to have both of these fabulous ladies with me today on their book birthday!

I was lucky enough to see the art for this book come together so it’s an honor to be featuring this book and interview as a bonus post this week.

So without further ado, please welcome Susanna Leonard Hill and Betsy Snyder!

It’s lovely to have you both here on Critter Lit!

Susanna: Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Lindsay!

Betsy: It’s great to be here!

Where do you live?

Susanna: I live on Blueberry Hill in Unionvale, NY, a map dot so small it is like a well-kept secret

Betsy: Independence, Ohio

How many years have you been in publishing?

Susanna: My first book was published in November, 2002, so almost exactly twenty years.

Betsy: About 17 years.

How did you first get published?

Susanna: My daughter was starting kindergarten, and we had just moved to the area so she didn’t know anyone. I asked the school for a couple names of nearby classmates so we could arrange a playdate. The first person I called wasn’t home. The second was Liza Voges and she brought her son over to play a few days later. We talked while the kids played and I asked her if she was a SAHM or if she did something else. She said she was a children’s literary agent. I said, I write children’s books! She asked to see my work, but it took me 6 months to get up the nerve to show her. I was afraid she wouldn’t like it, and then things would be awkward at school get-togethers. I could just imagine myself trying to use my power of invisibility to avoid the embarrassment of facing her at the kindergarten Halloween party. But when I finally did show her a handful of manuscripts, she was enthusiastic. She became my agent, and she sold my first book to Simon & Schuster within the year. She has been my agent and friend for twenty years, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her!

Betsy: Publishing a children’s book was on my career bucket list since studying Illustration in college (Go Flyers!), but I knew I needed to get more illustration experience (and benefits!) first. Following graduation with a degree in Visual Communication Design, I worked as a staff designer at a small publisher and later as both a designer and illustrator at American Greetings. Around 2005, just when I decided it was time to get serious about getting published, serendipity struck. Brian Cleary, a coworker, who also happened to be an accomplished children’s book author, approached me about the possibility of illustrating his new manuscript Peanut Butter and Jellyfishes: A Very Silly Alphabet Book. He connected me with his publisher Lerner Books, I sent them my portfolio, and they offered me my first book contract! That opportunity and a referral from a friend led me to my agent Lori Nowicki at Painted Words, and that soon led me to a 3-book (and later 5-book) contract with Random House writing my own books.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Susanna: I write as full-time as I can manage, between teaching writing, school and library visits, and a lot of time spent on family commitments.

Betsy: The hours I dedicate to work vary depending on my project load and my family’s needs (I have a 5yo, 8yo and crazy 5mo puppy-monster). Right now, I’m more part-time, but I fit work in whenever I can (during school days, puppy naps and in the wee hours after everyone else is asleep). But my mind never stops thinking about book ideas (ask my family!).

What inspires you to create picture books?

Susanna: When you get right down to it, are there any books better than picture books? I love the interplay of words and art. I love the age group for whom they are written, for whom all the world is new. I have 5 children and 3 grandchildren (plus, technically, I was a child myself once upon a time in the last millennium) and that is a constant source of inspiration – the funny things they say and do, their wishes and fears, their wonder and curiosity, the milestones they pass, the things they sometimes misunderstand because they’re young and everything is new, the challenges they face, the feelings that seem bigger than they are sometimes – it all inspires ideas for picture books. And there is something wonderful about reading picture books with little ones who are just learning about the world.

Betsy: I love creating characters and stories that spark imaginations. Some of my favorite memories as a young child are of my family reading to me, and getting lost in the pictures (like Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey). It’s such a gift to be able to make books that families can snuggle up with and read together.

What surprised you the most working as an author or illustrator?

Susanna: I was most surprised by how many people are involved in the creation of a book. When I was little, we didn’t have authors come visit our school. I thought of them as wise old hermit men (or women) – picture Merlin – who lived in isolated places like mountaintops, or hobbit holes in the woods, and wrote amazing books that were perfect straight out of the starting gate. I had no idea that they might have agents, or how much editors might help them improve their books before publication, or that there were separate art directors, or all the people involved with marketing and publicity. A traditionally published book isn’t something you do completely on your own. It really takes a village.

Betsy: When I entered publishing, I didn’t anticipate that I’d need to hone my public speaking skills for author events. I’m not a natural at being in the spotlight, so the idea of putting myself out there was intimidating at first, but I’ve grown to genuinely enjoy and embrace the more social side of being an author and connecting face to face with my audience.

What is your favorite thing about being an author, illustrator, or author/illustrator?

Susanna: If I can have a part in helping to entertain, educate, delight, inspire, comfort, reassure, or engage young readers in a way that brightens their day and invites them to love books and reading, I feel like that is the most fulfilling work I can do. And although it’s hard and requires effort, it doesn’t feel like work the way some things do because it is also such a pleasure. Is there a better job than getting to make up stories all day long?

Betsy: Definitely meeting my readers and sharing my books with others. Holding my published book in my hands for the first time is pretty special too.

What do you find difficult working as an author, or illustrator?

Susanna: For me, the difficult part of working as an author are all the extras. If I could only write, that would be great! But there are so many other things to do! Social media and maintaining an online presence. Arranging and doing school, library, festival, conference, and bookstore events. Doing what you can to publicize your books. Don’t get me wrong – it’s all important and I’m happy to do it. But those are not things I’m particularly comfortable with. I would rather talk up someone else’s books than my own. Twenty years in, I still get nervous any time I have to speak in public. And anything I know about marketing/publicity I’ve learned as I go, and I know I could be a lot better at it.

Betsy: Imposter Syndrome is no joke and self doubt can be paralyzing. When I find myself feeling stuck in a rut with a project and negativity creeps in, it has helped me to have a network of creative friends to reach out to, and in turn, to offer my support when they need it. This creative collaborating always fills my cup and gives me the confidence boost I need to get back at it.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Susanna: One of my favorite things to do is write or type out someone else’s book – a book I love. There’s something about writing or typing it that helps get my creative wheels turning and gets me in the right mindset. If I haven’t written for a few days, or if ideas are slow to come, this can often be a way to get things rolling.

Betsy: I take a walk, play with words, think up catchy titles, get goofy with my kids, browse at the library or bookstore, start with a fun format, or dig up nuggets of ideas that I’ve set aside.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Susanna: I always write my first drafts longhand – pen on paper. I just think better that way.

Betsy: I’m pretty prolific at collecting my ideas. I’m always typing notes into my phone—during showers, road trips, etc.—and emailing them to myself to tuck away into folders for revisiting later.

Also, at the beginning of every project, I do a brain dump to empty the clutter in my head and get to the good stuff. My problem is always TOO many ideas vs. a lack of ideas.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

Susanna: I’m not sure I can point to one single instance, but I find the Kid Lit community in general to be wonderfully friendly and supportive – a group of genuinely lovely people I’m deeply glad to be a part of.

Betsy: Having my artwork from Tons of Trucks (by Sue Fliess) accepted into the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show and attending the opening in NYC was an experience I’ll always remember. It was such an honor to be in the company of so much talent in one room.

Recommended reading?

Susanna: Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul, The Nuts & Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books, by Linda Ashman, The Writer’s Guide to Crafting Stories for Children, by Nancy Lamb, picture books, picture books, and more picture books.

Betsy: Some of our family favorites are Swashby and the Sea (Beth Ferry and Juana Martinez-Neal), Bob, Not Bob! (Liz Garton Scanlon, Audrey Vernick, Matthew Cordell), The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse (by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen), We Don’t Eat Our Classmates (by Ryan T. Higgins), and Sophie’s Squash (by Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf)…and there are SO many more.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Susanna: The highlight of my career thus far has been when kids light up when they recognize one of my books and tell me they have it, or they’ve read it, and they love it. A close second is when I get emails, sometimes including photos or videos, from parents or grandparents telling me one of my books is their little one’s favorite and gets read every night, or drawings or thank you notes from kids. Also, becoming a New York Times Bestseller was pretty amazing and not something I ever thought would be on my resume! That was an honor I never expected.

Betsy: It’s a 3-way tie between landing my first contract to both write and illustrate my own books with Random House (beginning with Haiku Baby), having my work accepted into the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show, and publishing a 4-book novelty series with Chronicle Books (I Can Dance, I Can Play, I Can Dream, I Can Explore).

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

Susanna: Writing can be isolating, even for introverts who are pretty happy on their own, and it was hard in the beginning not having anyone to talk to who understood the writing life. So, I wish someone had told me when I first started that the internet was coming, and that communication, critique partners, support, the opportunity to further my writing education through webinars and online classes, and most importantly friendship with other writers was about to become so much more possible. The internet is a double-edged sword, but it’s worth it for the connection to other writers. I have met so many wonderful people online, and it is a joy when I get to meet them in person at conferences.

Betsy: Just because it feels hard doesn’t mean you aren’t good at it or that you aren’t meant to do it. Making a book is hard work every time, even for experienced authors and illustrators. Every book presents a new challenge to solve that is difficult in its own way and needs its own unique solution. There is no road map, and sometimes you have to go down many paths, and even backtrack, to find the right one. This process is not easy for anyone, but when you see it through to the other side, it’s so worth it.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Susanna: My newest book is ALPHABEDTIME, illustrated by the amazingly talented Betsy Snyder, and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. In case you couldn’t tell from the title, it’s a book about putting the alphabet to bed ☺ It is written in rhyme, and is (I hope!) lively and fun, while also being an opportunity for young readers to practice the alphabet and feel the safety and security of being part of a large, rambunctious, and happy family. I am proud of the text, but Betsy’s art really takes it to the next level. She put so much thought and care into creating it. It is clever, bright, and energetic, and filled with details that make looking at the pictures so much fun! Every single character has multiple things associated with it which begin with his or her letter. B alone has at least 8! The dog and the cat appear on every page and are fun to look for. And after M appears, there are bunnies to find, too. I feel so lucky that Betsy was the one to illustrate this book. She really brought it to life in the best possible way!

Betsy: Here’s a sneak peek…

*Interior Art from ALPHABEDTIME by Susanna Leonard Hill, Illustrated by Betsy Snyder, Published by Nancy Paulsen Books*

Betsy: The book begins with all the letters plus Mom and Dad at the dinner table (but none of the letters are revealed yet).

Betsy: From here, Alpha Mom announces “TIME FOR BED!” and we meet each of the letters in order and follow them through the book as they scramble and ready for bed.

Betsy: But even once the alphababies are rounded up and put to bed, there are surprises. Can you guess what happens next?!

Betsy: Fi-nally, the alpha babies are all tucked in again—almost. (This is the part where you have to read the book to find out how it ends!)

What inspired this story/art?

Susanna: This book wasn’t exactly inspired. I was having a hard time thinking up something to write about one cold winter morning – you know the feeling, where you stare at the wall and consider that doing your taxes would be more fun than facing that blank page – and I just decided to write an alphabet book. Of course, there are many very good ones out there already, so I had to think of something that hadn’t been done yet. It took me a fair amount of playing around, experimenting with bad (some very bad ☺) ideas before, in an effort to just feel like I was writing something, anything, I wrote alphabet alphabet alphabet across my page. When I read it out loud to myself, it started to sound like “alphabed”, and that made me think of bedtime, and suddenly, EUREKA! I thought, ALPHABEDTIME! I’ll write a book about putting the alphabet to bed.

Betsy: I’m lucky that I had an already-amazing manuscript to inspire my art (since all Susanna had was a blank page!). It was love at first read for me. My inspiration was part what Susanna put into her writing—the skillful rhyme, bouncy cadence and playful pacing—and part what she left out. The manuscript had an openness that allowed me the freedom to explore a strong visual narrative and weave in fun alphabet references along the way.

In terms of the characters (26 kids, 2 parents, and 11 pets—PHEW!), I wanted the entire alpha family to be colorful, diverse and quirky with lots of personality and alphabet details. My own kids loved playing “art director” and offering up their ideas and opinions along the way, and my real art director Marikka Tamura with designer Cindy De La Cruz helped me wrangle all those kiddos onto the pages in the very best way.

What’s up next for you?

Susanna: I have a couple other books coming out in December – WHAT LITTLE GIRLS ARE MADE OF and WHAT LITTLE BOYS ARE MADE OF – and one coming out next summer – YOU’RE THE STAR IN MY SKY – all for Sourcebooks. And I’m in the middle of contest season on my blog, where I run the Halloweensie, Holiday, and Valentiny Contests for Children’s Writers.

Betsy: More books! I’m about to jump back to working on some new ideas that I am pretty excited about.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Susanna: Try to love what you do. Try not to get caught up in what’s trendy, or what you think will sell. Write for yourself. Write what you love. If you feel passionate about what you’re writing, that will come through in your work and make it shine. And whether you sell it or not, you will have written something that’s meaningful to you. It might be something that really doesn’t turn out well but that you learn a lot from writing. Whether it’s good or not so good, every manuscript you write makes you a better writer.

Betsy: There is no one roadmap to get published—every artist’s journey is unique. Seek opportunities, like stepping stones, that get you closer to your goals. Looking forward, you cannot always see how one thing will lead to another, but it inevitably will.

And last, but not least, who is your favorite children’s book character?

Susanna: That’s like asking who your favorite child is! It’s impossible to pick just one! But, if I had to pick just one, (er, per age group) I guess I’d say, for picture books, Frances, from Russell Hoban’s series, for middle grade Anne of Green Gables, and for YA, Karou from The Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. (That was practically only one!)

Betsy: Lola from the Charlie and Lola book series by Lauren Child.

Huge thank you to you both for stopping by Critter Lit today! Happy Book Birthday to ALPHABEDTIME!

Susanna L. Hill (susannahill.com) 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.

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. Betsy lives in northeast Ohio, where she enjoys cozying up to doodle with her art-loving family of four (plus one furball puppy), 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.

BUY THIS BOOK To purchase a copy of ALPHABEDTIME, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of ALPHABEDTIME?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, November 3rd! US addresses only please.

Interview with Glenys Nellist Part 2

October 20, 2022Authors, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward7 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we are chatting with author Glenys Nellist for a second interview here on Critter Lit. I’m so happy to have Glenys back with us today to talk about her latest book in the Little Mole Series, LITTLE MOLE GOES TO SCHOOL, illustrated by Sally Garland, and published by Beaming Books in July.

For those of you who missed Glenys first interview with us, you can find it here.

So without further ado, please welcome back Glenys Nellist to Critter Lit!

It’s great to have you back!

Tell us about your latest book, LITTLE MOLE GOES TO SCHOOL.

Thanks Lindsay! In this third installment in the popular Little Mole series, illustrated by Sally Garland, it’s Little Mole’s first day of school, and he’s nervous. What if he's the last to know his alphabet? What if he’s not good at anything? With a good bit of anxiety, Little Mole heads to class and begins to compare himself to his peers. How will he ever measure up? But soon a crisis on the playground reveals that he has everything he needs in his own two paws to save the day. Little Mole Goes to School is really a simple story about finding your unique gifts and using them for the common good.

*Interior art from LITTLE MOLE GOES TO SCHOOL by Glenys Nellist, Illustrated by Sally Garland, published by Beaming Books*

I love that you address the anxiety of going to school for the first time in this book, as this is something so relevant for young children today. What inspired this story?

When we first met our little protagonist in the pages of Little Mole Finds Hope and Little Mole's Christmas Gift, he was living at home with his mama in their cozy underground burrow. If you're familiar with his character, you'll know that he's a little reticent, and I found myself wondering one day about how he would cope when the day came for him to venture out of his warm surroundings and begin kindergarten. There's so much anxiety in the real world for little ones who are starting school, and so I thought it would be good to address some of those issues in this next installment. I'm also thrilled that the book contains useful tips for helping a child who is anxious about starting school. These were written by a Child and Family Therapist.

Last we spoke, you had released LITTLE MOLE FINDS HOPE, the first book in the Little Mole series. Now you are back with your third, LITTLE MOLE GOES TO SCHOOL. How does it feel to be back with these characters again?

Well, it's so fun, because they feel like family! Sally Garland, the illustrator, has done a marvelous job of bringing these characters to life, and once you've met Little Mole and his friends, you feel like you know them and want to follow their adventures.

Will there be more Little Mole books in the future?

Yes! Everyone's favorite furry friend returns next year in a Thanksgiving-themed book called Little Mole Gives Thanks. Little Mole is excited because he's throwing a huge fancy forest feast, and he's invited three very important guests. However, what will happen when those special people can't attend? This title is another simple story that explores the importance of friendship and family.

You’ve worked on a few different series. Can you share a little bit about the process of working on a book series. What do you love about it? What do you find challenging?

There are two exciting things about developing a series. Firstly, you can show how a character grows and develops. Secondly, you also begin to accrue a whole 'fan family' of readers who follows your character from book to book and who is anxious to read about their next adventure. The challenging part in writing a series is finding fun new stories to tell!

Many of your books have a Christian theme to them. For those writers who are interested in breaking into that market, what advice would you offer?

Three things: firstly, read as many titles as you can that correlate with your genre or area of interest. Secondly, find support groups or critique groups to join. (There are many such groups on Facebook.) Thirdly, attend a Christian writers conference. (I'm a huge advocate for those, because that's how I became published.)

What do you find inspiring right now?

In the book world, I'm inspired by the plethora of wonderful children's titles being published by Beaming Books, the publisher of Little Mole Goes to School. Their purpose statement is 'helping kids thrive' and they really do achieve this, with both faith-based and general titles that are so timely and relevant to the world our children are growing up in. In the natural world, I'm inspired by the gorgeous fall colors that are all around right now! I think we all need to look up more!

Anything you are reading right now that you love and want to share with us?

If you're interested in writing, I am really enjoying Anne Lamott's book, Bird by Bird. She is funny, smart and very relevant.

What’s up next for you?

I'm SUPER excited about my next picture book releasing in February with Beaming Books, called Wherever You Are. It's based on the true story of an ordinary little moment I shared with my grandson several years ago. Anyone interested in that story can learn more here.

And last, but not least, favorite book character?

That's easy! It's a jolly little postman who rides his bike delivering letters to Nursery Rhyme characters (such as an apology note from Goldilocks to the three bears.) This ancient but innovative little book was published the year my first son was born, in 1984, and is still selling today. The Jolly Postman was the inspiration behind my first children's book, Love Letters from God.

Huge thank you to Glenys for stopping by to chat with us again! Congrats on your latest book, we can’t wait to read what comes next!

Glenys Nellist was born and raised in a little village in northern England. The author of multiple award-winning children's books, including the bestselling 'Twas the Evening of Christmas, The Wonder That is You, and five popular series: Love Letters from God, Snuggle Time, 'Twas, Good News and Little Mole, her writing reflects a deep passion for helping children discover joy and hope in the world. Glenys lives in Michigan with her husband, David. Connect with her at www.glenysnellist.com

DOWNLOAD a free Activity Pack to accompany LITTLE MOLE GOES TO SCHOOL here.

BUY THIS BOOK To purchase a copy of LITTLE MOLE GOES TO SCHOOL, click here.

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Interview with Author Susan Hughes

October 13, 2022Authors, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward9 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Susan Hughes. Her newest book, HOORAY FOR TRUCKS, illustrated by Suharu Ogawa, just came out with Owlkids this month. I’m thrilled to have Susan with us today to tell us about her new book, road to publication, and experience as a writer, editor, and story coach. She also has fantastic taste in movies!

So without further ado, please welcome Susan Hughes!

Where do you live?

I love in Toronto, Canada.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first book, a juvenile novel, was traditionally published in 1990, and I’ve been writing children’s books (and editing them too) ever since. I’ve been fortunate to have over 35 books traditionally published, including fiction, informational fiction, and non-fiction, and including board books, picture books, chapter books, MG novels, and a YA novel.

Do you write full-time?

I'm a full-time editor, writer, and story coach. I'm so fortunate to work with words and ideas--either my own or those of my amazing clients--all day long!

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Every time I have a new children’s book published, it’s the highlight of my career. It’s such an exhilarating feeling, one I really treasure.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Sure! Hooray for Trucks! is my newest picture book—and my very first rhyming story to be published. The story is for kids 2 to 6. It’s playful and fun and … beep! beep! yes, the pages are loaded with names of trucks from bulldozers to forklifts and sparkling with lively illustrations by Suharu Ogawa.

Here’s a quick intro …

Splash and spray, slather and slosh.

dunk and swish—wash, wash, WASH!

It’s time for all hardworking trucks at the construction site to get clean—but when the narrator tries to round up the muddy machines, they dig in their wheels and refuse to move. They don’t want to waste time taking a bath! Trucks want to be USEFUL.

They want to flatten that soil and haul that dirt.

Trucks like one thing: trucks like WORK!

*Interior Art from HOORAY FOR TRUCKS, Written by Susan Hughes, Illustrated by Suharu Ogawa, published by Owlkids*

Then the narrator reveals they’re cleaning up for an extra special purpose — a truck parade! Soon, the machines are sparkling and shiny and rolling down the street to the cheers of a diverse group of truck fans.

What was your favorite part of writing this book?

I loved researching all the many names of trucks that could work on a construction site. I came up with quite a list: not only bulldozer and forklift but bucket truck, pickup truck, bobcat, cement mixer, grader … and more. It was super fun to try to work as many as I could into the text while keeping to a strict rhythm.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

This isn’t new advice. Far from it. We all know how important it is.

And so that’s why it bears repeating:

Read, read, read.

If you write picture books, read picture books. If you write MG or YA, read MG or YA. And then read beyond … Read for fun, of course, but also read to learn. Ask yourself, what did I like most about this book and why? What did I like least, and why? How did the author create this effect?

And then, (again, of course) write. Sit down and do the work. Get the words on the page, for better or worse. Once they’re right there in front of you, you’ve begun—and now the magic can begin.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Ha! I’m going to take over this question—and revise it (like a true editor/writer) and tell you my favorite 1950s movie, which, yes, is before I was born but oh, what a movie! It’s Roman Holiday, the classic romantic comedy starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. It was filmed in black and white, and entirely shot in Rome, Italy. It’s so wonderful!

Thank you to Susan for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book!

Susan Hughes is a Canadian award-winning writer of many traditionally published children's books, including fiction and non-fiction—from board books, picture books, and chapter books to MG novels and YA novels, including titles such as Hooray for Trucks! (Owl Kids, 2022), Walking for Water: How One Boy Stood Up for Gender Equality (Kids Can, 2021), and the Puppy Collection chapter book series (Scholastic). Susan is an experienced freelance story coach and editor who works with writers, both novice and experienced, providing critiques and developmental edits, and guiding them in their writing practice. She frequently serves as a juror for book awards and has volunteered her expertise with organizations such as CODE and the CNIB.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Susan at visit her online: www.susanhughes.ca.

Or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @childbkauthor

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of HOORAY FOR TRUCKS!, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of HOORAY FOR TRUCKS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 20th! US and Canadian addresses only please.

Interview with Author Karen Henry Clark

September 29, 2022Authors, Vet Interviews, InterviewsLindsay Ward4 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Karen Henry Clark, whose sophomore release, LIBRARY GIRL: How Nancy Pearl Became America's Most Celebrated Librarian, illustrated by Sheryl Murray, released this week with Little Bigfoot. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to share her newest book, writing process, and road to publication.

So without further ado, please welcome Karen Henry Clark to Critter Lit!

Where do you live?

In rural NE Ohio. I call our village a civic island surrounded by cornfield seas.

How many years have you been in publishing?

12 years, give or take.

How did you first get published?

My highly unlikely story resulted from teaching in Tulsa.

A brilliant boy, Tim (Blake Nelson), landed in my 9th grade English class. He was all quick-energy, so I suggested he audition for the fall play I was directing. He took off like lightning, eventually becoming a successful actor, director, writer.

One day he called to admit something he’d done in high school without getting caught. In the spirit of confession, I admitted to wanting to be an author, not a teacher. He wanted to help and insisted I send something.

Tim discovered children’s publishing is as tough as show business. But we succeeded. My first picture book, Sweet Moon Baby: An Adoption Tale, resulted.

Do you write full-time?

I procrastinate full-time. I write in my head constantly, but sitting down to write happens in fits and starts.

What inspires you to create picture books?

My parents read to me from big fairy tale books. When I started school, I thought even bigger books would happen. Imagine my disappointment over Dick and Jane Readers—just kids shouting verbs.

My mother recognized an educational crisis and took me to the public library. A kind librarian suggested Curious George, an adventurous book I could read myself. A library card changed everything.

I write to inspire another child in search of the world.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

Writing never gets any easier. In the beginning, I thought there was secret. Nope. It is, as Anne Lamott, wrote: “bird by bird.”

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Seeing the illustrations for the first time. They’re always 100 times better than anything I imagined. Suddenly I know what my words mean.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

The loneliness of writing. It feels more pronounced now because I no longer have our sweet dog under my chair. We lost Maria in May because of a terrible diagnosis with no good options.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas as an author?

I wander the aisles of a local fabric outlet because color distracts me. I pretend I’m decorating a room, imagining throw pillows and drapes and trims. The staff understands I’m there for inspiration, so they just wave. Clearing my mind of words lets my imagination loose. Every time.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I stash scrap paper and pens around the house and in the car to capture ideas, dialogue, metaphors, whatever.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

Although I was nervous, I attended Jane Yolen’s Picture Book Boot Camp in 2015. She overheard me bemoaning my flimsy Nancy Pearl story and interrupted to say, “Karen, that story will sell.” I reeled from her confidence and tried again. No one wants to disappoint Jane.

Recommended reading?

Ann Whitford Paul’s Writing Picture Books explains all the plates a writer has to spin.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Meeting my Knopf editor for lunch. The Random House lobby is straight out of Oz: massive lighted cases with famous books and a mile-long carpet runner to an imposing man at a counter. I thought to myself, You’re a long way from Oklahoma now, Karen.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

Picture book standards will change, and there is no crystal ball. When I started, 1000-word stories were the norm. Now it’s 500ish words, a completely different style.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Library Girl: How Nancy Pearl Became America’s Most Celebrated Librarian, illustrated by Sheryl Murray, is the true story of a child who loved reading more than recess, even though kids teased her about this book obsession. Fortunately, encouragement from both real and imaginary characters helped her gain confidence and make a discovery that changed her life.

*Interior art from LIBRARY GIRL: HOW NANCY PEARL BECAME AMERICA’S MOST CELEBRATED LIBRARIAN by Karen Henry Clark, illustrated by Sheryl Murray, published by Little Bigfoot.*

Nancy Pearl is an acclaimed advocate for books and libraries. She has received numerous awards for her valuable contributions and is a popular speaker, author, literary critic, television host of Seattle channel’s Book Lust, and the inspiration for three “Librarian Action Figures.”

What’s up next for you?

I’m taking a new look at old manuscripts. Once upon a time, editors labeled them “almost but not quite.” Those characters call to me still.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors?

Don’t be hard on yourself. Your path is unlike anyone else’s. Watch for your own helpers, arrows, landmarks. I promise they exist.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

The Breakfast Club because I was teaching high school English, speech, and drama at the time and saw the promise in imperfectly perfect teenagers. I had all of those characters in my classes and adored each one.

Huge thank you to Karen for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your fantastic new book!

Karen Henry Clark decided to become an author when she was four years old. While figuring out how to do that, she worked as a bookstore clerk, teacher, college administrator, copywriter, and book reviewer. Her first picture book was Sweet Moon Baby, a tale based on adopting her daughter from China. Library Girl is her second book. In "Margin Notes," Karen blogs about the magic in everyday life's small moments at karenhenryclark.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Karen or her books, visit her online at karenhenryclark.com

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of LIBRARY GIRL, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of LIBRARY GIRL?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 6th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Amani Uduman

May 12, 2022Authors, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward2 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a fantastic interview with an author all the way from Australia! I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her newest book, CEDRIC’S TAIL, illustrated by Agnès Ernoult, published by Yeehoo Press, which came out this past March.

So without further ado, please welcome Amani Uduman!

Where do you live?

I live in Melbourne, Australia. I’m originally from Sri Lanka, but my family migrated to Melbourne at the age of six.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I have been writing for over twelve years. During that time, I have published numerous titles in the non-profit sector and been included in several anthologies.

How did you first get published?

My first publication was in an online children’s magazine where I wrote short stories for specific age groups.

I also self-published an Ebook called, ‘Snakes in Class,’ which is a fun story about a school incursion featuring snakes.

Do you write full-time?

I would love to write full-time. However, with life being extremely busy as it is, I endevour to write whenever I get a chance.

Sometimes, I’ll scribble notes on a piece of paper if inspiration suddenly comes to me and use it later as springboard for a new manuscript.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I loved reading picture books as a child. Particularly, if they were humorous and quirky.

Some of my favourite authors include Jon Klassen, Enid Blyton and Aaron Blabey.

It’s a joy to reread stories that bring a smile to my face.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

The biggest surprise for me being an author was the fact that learning never ceases to exist. There is always room to refine my craft, and it’s exciting to venture into different genres of writing.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

My favourite thing about being an author is being able to contribute to the world of children’s literature. To have children and adults alike, enjoy my work and discuss their favourite stories with one another.

It’s also exciting to see my story with the accompanying illustrations for the first time. The illustrations add a whole new dimension to my manuscript, and the illustrator does an amazing job of bringing the story to life.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

The most difficult aspect of being an author is finding the time to write. And to write without distractions. However, I find that little tasks can be put aside to focus on my passion in life- which is to write!

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I find walking helps me with new ideas. Generally, inspiration comes suddenly and from now nowhere in particular. So, when a new idea does come into my mind, it’s often a pleasant surprise.

I have even woken up in the middle of the night to record a new story idea.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

A nice cup of green tea is always a must!

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

The Kit Lit community is one of encouragement and support. I found that joining organisations such as SCBWI, attending festivals and writing workshops helps build a supportive network of people, with whom I could share my love of writing.

Recommended reading?

There are so many books which I could recommend. However, if I had to pick my top five children’s books/series. they would include the following:

This is not my hat by Jon Klassen.
The Bad Guy Series by Aaron Blabey.
The Faraway Tree Series by Enid Blyton.
I’m Coming to Get You! by Tony Ross.
Stephanie’s Ponytail by Robert Munsch.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

My career highlight is collaborating with talented illustrators, editors and publishers who have been encouraging and supportive of my work and provided valuable feedback on how to make to make my story shine.

I’ve also met diverse authors at writing conferences and festivals who share a love of writing and children’s books.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

I wish that someone had told me that writing is a continuous growth journey and not to feel too dejected by the dreaded rejection letter. There are various reasons as to why work can be rejected, and it’s simply a case of dust yourself off and move forward. There was one particular manuscript of mine which made it to an acquisition meeting, and although the editors loved my work, there was simply no room on their list for another picture book.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Cedric’s Tail, illustrated by Agnès Ernoult, published by Yeehoo Press, is a light-hearted story about a little boy who wishes for a tail on his birthday after examining his pets. When his wish finally comes true, Cedric must deal with the advantages and limitations of having his tail.

What’s up next for you?

I will continue to write stories as I visualise new ideas. I’m also editing and revising several manuscripts which I have previously completed. I usually take a long break from my work, so I can get back to my stories with a fresh pair of eyes.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

I think it’s important to follow your heart and write what inspires you and what you believe in. Even if a story isn’t published, relish the experience of immersing yourself in the creative process.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Pretty in Pink is my favourite 80’s movie of all time. Jon Cryer is absolutely hilarious!

Huge THANK YOU to Amani for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on CEDRIC’S TAIL!

Amani Uduman is a children’s author and poet. She studied at Deakin University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Science (Health Promotion) and a postgraduate degree in Teaching (Primary and Secondary).

Having worked as primary school teacher, her favourite lessons involved reading and writing stories with her students. Over the years, Amani’s interest in children’s fiction continued to strengthen and she found herself immersed in the world of writing children’s literature.

Amani has published many titles within the non-profit sector. Her books include levelled readers, picture books, and non-fiction texts. Her books are translated into different languages including Lao and Tetun.

Amani enjoys writing stories which are both humorous and quirky. Her favourite children’s authors include Jon Klassen, Aaron Blabey and Enid Blyton.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Amani, visit her online or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @TarsheemAmani1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amani.uduman/

Website: www.amaniuduman.com.au

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of CEDRIC’S TAIL, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of CEDRIC’S TAIL?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, May 19th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Annette Whipple

April 21, 2022Authors, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward7 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a wonderful nonfiction picture book author with us today! I’m such a fan of nonfiction books and my boys are currently consuming lots and lots of them. I’m thrilled to have this author with us today to talk about her fabulous books, road to publication, and process.

So without further ado, please welcome Annette Whipple!

Where do you live?

I live outside of a small town in southeastern Pennsylvania near Maryland and Delaware.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first book was published in 2016. But I began writing for some magazines in 2012.

How did you first get published?

I met an editor at my first writing conference who focuses on work-for-hire educational books. I sent her a writing sample, and later she asked if I wanted to write a book about insects. For those curious about the educational market, I wrote about the educational market here. https://www.annettewhipple.com/2020/08/what-are-educational-and-trade.html

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

My writing-related work is full-time for the most part. My days begin early but typically end when my kids arrive home from school. I spend a lot of time preparing presentations, teaching (children and adults), and marketing outside of the writing process.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I think this world is amazing, and I want to share what I learn with curious kids—or make them curious to know more. I also love that picture books are for ALL readers! Here’s how a middle school teacher uses picture books in her class. https://www.annettewhipple.com/2020/09/teaching-middle-school-with-picture.html

What surprised you the most working as an author?

The biggest surprises for me are how much work I do that isn’t writing for kids and how hard it is to make a living at it.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love connecting with kids! So often I’m also told by adults that they didn’t know they liked nonfiction until they read my books. I love that I can turn readers (of any age) on to nonfiction!

What do you find difficult working as an author?

Finding focus and not allowing myself to get distracted. Also finding the write structure for a book can take years!

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Sometimes I return to my writing notebook. Other times it’s getting outside, reading a book, or watching a documentary.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I’ve learned to dedicate one day a week to writing projects. On those days I don’t email (much) or marketing or prepare presentations.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

I’ve learned so much from others’ generosity over the year. I’ve made incredible friendships that I’m thankful for with people so much more published than me as well as new writers.

Recommended reading?

Oh my…there are so many. Here are a few authors to check out for some great nonfiction books. Candace Fleming, Debra Kempf Shumaker, Melissa Stewart, Steve Sheinkin, Tina M. Cho, Amy Ludwig, VanDerwater, Christina Soontronvat, Laura Purdie Salas.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Holding an owl during my research for Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls. He’s a Eurasian Eagle Owl named Quincy. [Add photo]

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

That even nonfiction writers benefit a lot from having an agent. (I sold my first 12 books without an agent.)

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Ribbit! The Truth About Frogs is the fourth book in The Truth About series. Like the others, it’s a question-and-answer book. Each page spread asks and answers a question related to frogs. Bold photographs capture the reader’s attention. Additional illustrations add some humor and more facts about frogs. The hardcover editions of all of The Truth About series even include a full-size poster!

Interior art from *RIBBIT! The Truth About Frogs* by Annette Whipple published by Reycraft Books

What’s up next for you?

Later this year Meow! The Truth About Cats will release with Reycraft Books. I have an offer from a publisher (though no final contract) for a book but can’t share details yet. It’s definitely something different for me.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

If you’re reading this, you’re taking time to learn and connect with other writers. That’s fabulous! Be sure to also join some writing groups specific to your genre and audience. Keep learning through workshops and conferences. In-person is best for connecting with others, but you’ll still learn a ton from webinars!

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

I had to check the date. But The Princess Bride came out in 1987 though I didn’t see it until the ‘90s. Who can’t love a movie that has ROUS?

Huge thank you to Annette for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on all your fantastic books!

Annette Whipple celebrates curiosity and inspires a sense of wonder while exciting readers about science and history. She’s the author of many fact-filled children’s books including The Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion: A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide (Chicago Review Press), The Story of the Wright Brothers (Rockridge Press), and Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls (Reycraft Books) in The Truth About series. When Annette’s not reading or writing, you might find her baking for her family in Pennsylvania. Get to know her and explore her resources for teachers and writers at www.AnnetteWhipple.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Annette, visit her online or follow her on social media:

https://www.annettewhipple.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AnnetteWhippleBooks

https://twitter.com/AnnetteWhipple

https://www.instagram.com/annettewhipplebooks/

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of RIBBIT! THE TRUTH ABOUT FROGS, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of RIBBIT! THE TRUTH ABOUT FROGS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, April 28th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Julie Murphy

October 22, 2021Authors, Vet Interviews, InterviewsLindsay Ward2 Comments

Happy Friday Critters! I know— it’s Friday not Thursday but we are here! And this week has been crazy! So although this post is a day later than our normal posting, today we have a fabulous interview with Julie Murphy, a trained zoologist and zookeeper turned author! I’m such a huge fan of books that focus on fascinating facts about animals and nature— my boys pour over books like Julie’s. I’m so happy Julie is with us today, all the way from Australia, to talk about her books (19 and counting!), road to publication, and experience in the publishing industry.

So without further ado, please welcome Julie Murphy!

Where do you live?

I live in Melbourne, Australia

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first book was published in 2008. That’s also when I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

How did you first get published?

I had been writing and submitting picture book manuscripts for a couple of years, and receiving quite positive feedback but no offers to publish. Around 2007, I decided to approach education publishers for prospective work-for-hire, using my science background as a selling point to try and get my foot in the door.

After hearing about a new local packager (a company that makes books to sell on to publishers) during a writing course I was attending, I wrote to them and crossed my fingers. I was fortunate to hear back within the week! By chance, one of their writers had just pulled out of a project at short notice, and they needed someone to step in right away. I was given the task of researching and writing a children’s non-fiction book (about nutrition!) in six weeks. Luckily, my science background trained me in how to effectively research scientific literature, which was very useful in meeting the strict deadline.

For anyone who doesn’t know, work-for-hire involves writing a book according to a specific brief provided by the packager or publisher. So, in this case, although the idea for the book wasn’t mine, the research and writing certainly was, and I was the attributed author.

This first book led to others, which allowed me to build a list of publications that led to finding work-for-hire with other publishers. That led to eventually getting my own manuscripts published.

Do you write full-time?

No. Besides not earning enough from my writing, I learnt through the recent Covid lockdown that writing full-time would drive me crazy. I am happy writing part-time, and working part-time as an Education Officer who leads junior school groups through education programs at an urban farm. I find the mix of solitary writing and in-person teaching the perfect balance.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I am most inspired to write picture books about animals and nature because that’s what I am most passionate about. I am fortunate that the city where I live, Melbourne, has forests and beaches within a few hours’ drive. I love walking in nature, and find it an important way to stay centered in a hectic world.

Working in a big city, I meet many kids who lack a connection to nature. I aim through my books to inspire children to seek out nature for themselves, for their own physical and mental wellbeing.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

I think the fact that I never feel like a “real” author. “Imposter syndrome” sets in quite regularly, but in some ways it’s useful because I’m always learning and trying to write the best book I can.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love the freedom the lifestyle fosters - that a walk in the park might lead to a new story; that my job is to be curious like a child, to play with words, and to turn a thought into something fun, uplifting, important or even profound that can be shared with children.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

It’s often difficult to work out that special hook that will bring a fresh approach to a well-known topic, to give an edge over existing books in the market about that topic.

Finding the right hook requires patience and persistence. (It needs a new angle, but not too new or publishers will run a mile.)

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I leave my computer and do something different – walk my dog, visit a friend, do some gardening, watch a movie or documentary, or go out into nature. Once I stop thinking about my writing, that’s often when new ideas or a fresh approach come along.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

That’s an interesting question, which seems a bit paradoxical at first because I believe that creative ideas cannot be planned or forced. But you are right! Once I’ve got the idea or spark, I need to habitually sit at the computer to get the hard work done - writing the manuscript.

My daily routine is to check emails and social media first (for no more than half an hour) before then starting work on a manuscript. This seems to get me into the right frame of mind to do the work.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

The Kid Lit community is awesome! Your invitation to talk with you on the CritterLit blog is a wonderful example of the support and sharing that goes on. Thank you for having me here!

I must say that it took me a while to establish connections in the Kid Lit community because I’m basically an introvert. It’s easier for me to write a few sentences on Twitter than to talk person to person. However, my local SCBWI meetings were worth the initial awkwardness I felt at not knowing anyone. Through those meetings, I have found a tribe of like-minded, supportive friends and colleagues who attend each other’s’ book launches and help to spread the word of our new releases on social media.

Recommended reading?

For me, lots of picture books - fiction and non-fiction. You never know where the next idea will spring from, and it’s a great way to keep up with what’s being published, by which publishers, and to work out what (I think) works in a book and what doesn’t.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

While every step in my career has been exciting and beyond what I ever expected, the highlight is always the release of my NEXT book.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

Looking back, I think it may have been useful to have been forewarned how looooooong things take to happen in publishing. Persistence is truly as important as doing the writing.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

ODD BODS: The World’s Unusual Animals is a non-fiction picture book (with photos instead of illustrations) about how animals that look different from the norm are just as great at surviving as familiar-looking animals. ODD BODS was released in March this year through Lerner Publishing Group (Millbrook Press). It’s aimed at children K-3.

Here’s the blurb:

Long snouts, bright-red lips, pointy heads,,,the animal kingdom is full of critters with unique features. Learn about the incredible adaptations that help these creatures – and their odd bods – survive and thrive around the globe.

What’s up next for you?

I’m expecting the release of MOUNTAIN PYGMY-POSSUM: A Tiny Survivor through CSIRO Publishing (Australia) in October 2021, covid permitting. It is a narrative non-fiction picture book about a year-in-the-life of the endangered (and ultra-cute) Mountain Pygmy-possum, which is a native Australian animal that lives in only one tiny region in Australia’s highlands. And this book’s illustrations are beautiful!

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

While it’s important to attend training and information courses to hone your skills, and to get critique feedback on your manuscripts from colleagues, it’s also good to trust in yourself. With the wealth of information out there, you’re bound to discover conflicting information and suggestions that contradict each other, or which don’t suit your way of working. That’s okay. Don’t force these opinions onto yourself – follow your gut. Because if you’re in it for the long haul, you HAVE to enjoy the ride!

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

The Empire Strikes Back (1980).

In 1977, Star Wars rocked my world. (Yes, I was a kid then.) But then the three-year wait for its sequel (Empire) was excruciating. Fortunately, the wait was worth it. Empire was one of those rarities – a sequel that was even better than its predecessor.

Huge thank you to Julie for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on all your fantastic books!

JULIE MURPHY was trained as a zoologist and zookeeper, and has been writing fiction and non-fiction books for around two decades. Her 19 picture books and information books about animals and nature have been published by Trade and Education publishers in the USA and Australia (where she lives). Several books have won or been short-listed for major awards, including the Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature.

Julie is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) and the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA), and volunteer as a reviewer for the CBCA’s Reading Time, www.readingtime.com.au.

Julie writes books to inspire young readers to become lifelong readers and conservation stewards. She hopes to encourage kids to be more curious about nature and to become motivated to experience the natural world for themselves - even a park or back yard will do!

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Julie, visit her online: www.juliemurphybooks.com

Or follow her on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/juliekidsbooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/157536.Julie_Murphy

BUY THIS BOOK To order Julie’s book, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of ODD BODS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 28th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Tina Athaide

September 16, 2021Authors, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a fantastic interview with the incredibly talented Tina Athaide! I’m thrilled to have her with us today to share her experience writing both middle grade novels and picture books, road to publication, and creative process.

So without further ado, please welcome Tina Athaide!

Where do you live

I'm in Southern California right now, but grew up between London and Canada.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

As a child, l loved keeping a journal, so there's always been that part of me that likes storytelling. I was motivated to write stories when I started teaching and noticed that the books in my classroom and in the curriculum didn't represent the students in my classroom.

So, my first books were leveled readers with South Asian characters involved in everyday activities, similar to those experienced by my students.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve?

It has been like riding the Colossus roller coaster at Six Flags, full of twists and turns. My debut middle grade book, Orange for the Sunsets, about the expulsion of Asian Indians from Uganda was rejected thirty times before it was accepted for publication. It morphed from a picture book into a middle grade book with at least five different versions in between.

The whole process took me ten years, but during that time, I attended SCBWI conferences, joined critique groups, and kept reading and writing.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

When I'm working on a new story or in the middle of revisions, here are my top five go to things to keep the momentum flowing.

1. Brew a cup of tea and nibble on something sweet.

2. Yoga (A few stretches and the quiet do wonders to clear the mind)

3. I grab my black lab, Butler, and we go for a walk.

4. Pull a book from my "To be read pile" and read.

5. Draw (I draw the scene or a character or doodle)

Anything you can't live without while you write?

I must have a kettle to boil hot water for tea and a journal for those inspirational ideas that may strike at any time.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

As a child, I loved the Narnia series by C.S.Lewis and Nancy Drew Mysteries. Uma Krishnaswami inspires me because she broke boundaries and published stories with diverse characters. Her book, Book Uncle and Me, is a favorite of mine and I share it with my students.

Dream project to work on?

This is completely a dream project, but I would love to work with a producer/director to bring the story of Asha and Yesofu from Orange for the Sunsets, to the big screen. I even have a few selected directors...yes this is my dream.

Tell us about your debut book?

Meena's Mindful Moment, my picture book, debuts early November 2021 and is close to my heart for two reasons. Firstly, the main character is full of exuberance, which sometimes causes problems. She represents some of my students, who similar to Meena, find themselves getting in trouble at school. I wanted them to know that they weren't alone. Meena was just like them and that it is okay. Secondly, the story takes place in India and the places that Meena goes with her grandfather are the same places my own grandfather took me when I'd visited as a child.

What's up next for you?

I'm working on another picture book also set in Goa, India and a middle grade book set in the early 1970s.

My favorite 80s movie.

BIG. It's the story of a boy who wakes up and finds himself in an adult body after wishing to be bigger at a magic wish machine at a fair. As a child, I wondered what it would be like to be in an adult body, but these days, I wish I could live in my nine and ten year old body for a day.

Tell us about your debut picture book?

Meena's Mindful Moment, my picture book, illustrated by Asa Gilland, debuts early November 2021 and is close to my heart for two reasons. Firstly, the main character is full of exuberance, which sometimes causes problems. She represents some of my students, who similar to Meena, find themselves getting in trouble at school. I wanted them to know that they weren't alone. Meena was just like them and that it is okay. Secondly, the story takes place in India and the places that Meena goes with her grandfather are the same places my own grandfather took me when I'd visited as a child.

*Book Case from MEENA’S MINDFUL MOMENT by Tina Athaide, illustrated by Asa Gilland*

*Interior art from MEENA’S MINDFUL MOMENT by Tina Athaide, illustrated by Asa Gilland published by Page Street Kids*

What's up next for you?

I'm working on another picture book also set in Goa, India and a middle grade book set in the early 1970s.

My favorite 80s movie.

BIG. It's the story of a boy who wakes up and finds himself in an adult body after wishing to be bigger at a magic wish machine at a fair. As a child, I wondered what it would be like to be in an adult body, but these days, I wish I could live in my nine and ten year old body for a day.

Huge thank you to Tina for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut picture book, it’s lovely!

TINA ATHAIDE was born in Uganda and grew up in London and Canada. While her family left Entebbe just prior to the expulsion, she has memories of refugee family and friends staying with them in their London home. The stories and conversations she listened to through the years became the inspiration for her book Orange for the Sunsets. Tina now lives in California with her husband, Ron, and their daughter, Isabella.

FOR MORE INFO about Tina, visit her online or follow her on social media:

Website: tinaathaide.com

Twitter: @tathaide

Instagram: tinaathaide

Facebook: tinaathaide

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copy of Tina’s books, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of MEENA’S MINDFUL MOMENT?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, September 23rd! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Sherry Shahan

April 8, 2021Authors, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward1 Comment

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Sherry Shahan, who has published over 40 books for children, from picture books to young adult novels. Her newest book, PURPLE DAZE: A FAR OUT TRIP, 1965 just released this past December. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her experiences, career, and advice to upcoming authors and illustrators making their way into the industry.

So without further ado, please welcome Sherry Shahan!

Where do you live?

A laid-back beach town in California called Morro Bay.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first children’s book, Fifth Grade Crush, appeared in 1986 from a school book fair publisher.

How did you first get published?

I met a presenter at a writer’s conference who agreed to critique my manuscript for a reasonable fee. She liked it so much that she shared it with one of her editors. They published my first six books.

Do you write full-time?

Yes.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Six of my seven picture books are nonfiction and were sparked from interests in the world around me. My grandson inspired my fiction picture book That’s Not How You Play Soccer Daddy.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

The community is genuinely caring, encouraging, and supportive. It’s one big, vibrant family.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

A year ago I would’ve said visiting schools and libraries, sharing the love of creating stories with young readers. While I enjoy interactions with children on Zoom, I look forward to returning to in-person meetings.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

As in all aspects of life, things can happen that are beyond my control. I once had a four-book contract cancelled because the publisher changed directions.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I can lose myself searching topics of interest via in Google. I subscribe to AtlasObscura.com podcast and CNN’s online newsletter “The Good Stuff.” I’m enjoying the many webinars about writing available to us right now.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I reach for scissors and paste when I need a ‘screen’ break. I have drawers full of words and pictures snipped from magazines. I find collage a mind-quieting and creative outlet.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

A student in my first course at UCLA (“Writing Picture Books”) sold the manuscript she was working on. It was the first of her many publications.

Recommended reading?

Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication by award-winning author Ann Whitford Paul. I especially appreciate the revision exercises that help identify potential problems.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Making lifelong friendships with others who are passionate about children’s literature. That includes writers, illustrators, editors, teachers, librarians and those I’ve mentored.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

Give yourself permission to fail, but never give up. I once sold a nonfiction picture book manuscript after 40 rejections. People ask, “Why didn’t you send it to them in the first place?” I respond, “Because they didn’t exist when I began submitting.”

Can you tell us about your newest book?

A young adult novel in verse PURPLE DAZE: A Far Out Trip, 1965. It was inspired by letters sent to me from a friend who served in Vietnam. I’d kept them nearly 50 years.

What’s up next for you?

I’m playing around with an idea for a picture book about hydroponics, sparked by experiments in my kitchen. I’ve been growing carrot tops and celery bottoms in jars of water on my windowsill.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Join SCBWI and attend webinars. Sign up for writing classes. Consider a mentoring program. Seek out a critique group that has experienced writers and/or illustrators. Artists have unique viewpoints when it comes to pacing, page-turns, what should be presented in words, and what should be left to illustrations. Experiment with different genres.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

That’s easy since I’m an avid dance student: Flashdance and Footloose.

Huge thank you to Sherry for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book! We can’t wait to read what you write next!

SHERRY SHAHAN lives in a laid-back beach town on the Central Coast of California where she grows carrot tops in ice cube trays for pesto. She has forty children’s books to her credit, preschool through young adult, fiction and nonfiction. Her YA novel in free verse and traditional poetry features a tumultuous time in history, PURPLE DAZE: A Far Out Trip, 1965. Her short form writing has appeared in Highlights, Cricket, Cobblestone, Boys Life, and more. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and taught a creative writing course for UCLA for ten years. She enjoys hearing from other book lovers: kidbooks@thegrid.net

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Sherry or her books, visit her online: www.sherryshahan.com

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of PURPLE DAZE: A Far Out Trip, 1965 click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of PURPLE DAZE: A Far Out Trip, 1965?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, April 15th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Lisa Katzenberger

February 18, 2021Authors, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward6 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! I hope you are all staying warm wherever you are— here in Ohio it is a whopping 12 degrees today! Sunny and beautiful, but frigid! Today we have an interview with Lisa Katzenberger to celebrate her newest book, IT WILL BE OKAY: A STORY OF EMPATHY, KINDNESS, AND FRIENDSHIP, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett. The timing of this book could not be more relevant and I think we all need books that support this message in our lives right now. I’m thrilled to have Lisa with us today to share her journey in publishing and her fantastic new book!

So without further ado, please welcome Lisa Katzenberger!

Where do you live?

I live in La Grange, Illinois—a suburb of Chicago. It’s a suburban with a bit of an urban feel. We live within walking distance of La Grange’s downtown, elementary school, and most importantly library!

How many years have you been in publishing?

I had my first short story published in 2005. I didn’t get paid a thing, but I was super happy!

How did you first get published?

I started my writing career with short stories, and have had a handful published. But my first book was a Work For Hire project for Capstone, published for the school and library market. A friend referred me to her editor, who invited me to send her a couple picture book manuscripts. And while she didn’t pick those up, she did ask me to write Triceratops Would Not Be a Good Ninja. It was a good way to dip my toe into the publishing world.

Do you write full-time?

Oh I wish I could! I do freelance technical writing work from time to time, and am currently working with author Bethany Hegedus as her author assistant and helping run her Courage to Create program. Then I have my mom job to my 10-year-old twins, which requires a lot of time right now to help them through e-learning.

What inspires you to create picture books?

My kids. They have such a silly way of looking at the world. Maybe they say something funny or ask a question and it will spark an idea for me.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

How long the process takes to get a picture book published. I knew the writing and revising portion itself is long, but I didn’t understand how long the illustration process takes. So after a picture book manuscript is acquired, it can be 18-24 months before it’s published.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

That I get to make things up! I can live in a world where anything goes. It’s very freeing!

What do you find difficult working as an author?

The writing process itself is difficult. So is the revising. And editing. And coming up with new ideas. To use art notes or not, that decision is tough too. It’s all really hard—but I absolutely love it!

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I like to go for walks (if it’s not a freezing Chicago winter day!) and listen to podcasts or music. The movement and the sounds get the quiet part of my brain moving.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

No, not really. I don’t write every day, or listen to music, or go through any type of routine. Sometimes I write when it hits me and sometimes I make myself get up out of bed early and think of it as work. I’m kind of all over the place!

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

I love the community I’ve built through the SCBWI Illinois region. I’ve made really good friends (who I miss terribly during the pandemic!) who I can talk to about the writing journey. We meet for coffee or dinner and even have a kidlit book club. It’s so great to have friends who understand what you’re going through.

Recommended reading?

I am currently in love with I Am Every Good Thing written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon C. James and Eyes That Kiss in the Corners written by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho. I also adore everything Tammi Sauer writes.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

I think it’s been showing my kids that if you work hard and stick with it, you can make your dreams come true. They know I wanted to be a writer since I was a kid myself, and inspiring them is more meaningful than any book deal.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

That my life wouldn’t magically improve when I got an agent, or signed a contract, or saw my book in a store. I don’t know what I expected, but all these felt so regular and not so magical.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

IT WILL BE OK: A Story of Empathy, Kindness, and Friendship is about an anxious, overwhelmed giraffe and his loyal zebra friend whose patience and presence help him face his greatest fear head-on.

*Interior art from IT WILL BE OKAY: A STORY OF EMPATHY, KINDNESS, AND FRIENDSHIP by Lisa Katzenberger, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett*

When Giraffe sees a spider, he climbs a tree to hide. His friend Zebra finds him, listens to his feelings, and stands by his side. It is beautifully illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett.

What’s up next for you?

I don’t know! More writing. I have a chapter book out on submission and will be going out on submission with another couple of picture book manuscripts over the next few months. Cross your fingers for me!

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Keep going and don’t give up. It take A LOT of work to get published, but it is SO worth it. You will have hiccups along the way—and if you’re anything like me—feel like a fraud from time to time and that everything you created is crummy. But at least you created something, and that’s the first step. You can turn the crummy into incredible through hard work, solid critique partners, and passion.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

The Breakfast Club. I so wanted to be a glamorous Claire, but I was in fact a nerdy Brian.

Huge thank you to Lisa for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book!

LISA KATZENBERGER lives in La Grange, IL in a hundred-year-old Victorian house with sloping hardwood floors, glass doorknobs, and the tiniest bathroom you've ever seen. She lives with her husband and amazing boy-girl twins. Lisa’s an active member of SCBWI, where she volunteers as the Social Media Coordinator for the SCBWI-Illinois region. She works part-time as a technical writing consultant to fund her writing conference habit. Lisa is represented by Wendi Gu of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Lisa or her books, visit his website at www.lisakatzenberger.com or follow her on social media:

Twitter: FictionCity

Instagram: LisaKatz17

Pinterest: LisaKatzenbergerKidLit

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of IT WILL BE OKAY, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of IT WILL BE OKAY?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, February 24th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Jennifer Grant

January 14, 2021Authors, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward4 Comments

Where do you live?

I live in Chicago. I grew up here, have lived in Dallas, TX; Holland, MI; Taos, NM; Grants Pass, OR; and Brooklyn, NY.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first book, Love You More (for adults), was published in 2011, but prior, to that, I published many newspaper columns, blog posts, and articles.

How did you first get published?

My first book for children was published in 2016. The opportunity to write it came after I did some consulting work for the publisher. (I'd submitted work to an anthology and then did some editing and cleaning up of a translated manuscript.) The editor asked me to write a picture book for them; I'd wanted to write for kids for a long time, so I was delighted for the chance!

Do you write full-time?

Yes, I do. I also work as an editor/editorial consultant.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I always have about a dozen stories percolating in my mind. Sometimes a snippet of conversation gives me an idea. Sometimes my dog (or another dog at the park) does something funny, and I get an idea. Sometimes, in conversation with a little kid, they'll say something hilarious or insightful and I go write that down.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

I'm always surprised at how hard it is to get a story right and how many times I need to read it out loud before calling it "done."

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love almost everything about it. I love the creative process, getting into flow, seeing the story come alive with visual art, and I love getting to know other children's authors.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

The promotion piece (when a book is about to launch or has just launched) is my least favorite part. I'm an introvert and having to post, Tweet, make noise about the new book on various social media platforms goes against my nature...but I know it's important as I do actually want to help people find my books.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Reading books like Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way or other creativity books can be helpful. Honestly, though, I have a few file folders, thick with slips of paper with little germs of ideas on them.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

This might sound funny, but the only thing that comes to mind is that I have a big, backyard bird feeder and I spend a lot of time watching birds. That kind of time lets me daydream (and I have written about birds on a feeder in a new board book series that comes out in a year or so) and unclutter my mind. I try to have at least 20-30 minutes of daydreamy time every day.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

Having worked for newspapers, with many writers and editors in "grown up" publishing, I can honestly say that kid lit people are the best! They're silly, inventive, and very supportive of one another. When, for instance, A Little Blue Bottle first launched, my kid lit friends came out in force, Tweeting about it, posting reviews, and generally helping spread the word about it.

Recommended reading?

Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul (self-explanatory!)
How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo (wonderful book about reading to kids at various ages, but helpful for writers, too)
Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Paul Yalowitz (one of my favorite picture books)
What's Cooking at 10 Garden Street by Felicita Sala (I discovered this online recently; such a delightful book about all the people in an apartment building making dinner; richly diverse, includes recipes, and I love the illustrations. I wish I had written it!)
Little Mole Finds Hope by Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Sally Garland (Full disclosure: Glenys, a prolific kid lit author, is a friend of mine, but honestly this is one of the best books for children I've ever read.)

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

My books for kids have won a few awards, which was really special. But I would have to say, the highlight of writing for kids is hearing how they connect with the books. I recently heard from my niece, who's a young mom, and she lives in Chicago and her 2 year-old loves my book Maybe I Can Love My Neighbor Too. She told me that, before bed, he likes her to take him outside and he shouts, "Goodnight My Neighbors" over the fence! I love that!

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

Perhaps to get really involved ASAP with the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Go to local or national conferences. Go to online or in-person meet-ups. It's so great to have a supportive community--I'd have gotten involved sooner if someone had told me how helpful it can be.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

My most recently published picture book, A Little Blue Bottle, is about a friendship between a little girl and her elderly neighbor. When the neighbor dies, the girl begins to process her grief with her mother. It's a very quiet book, and I hope it will be a comfort to children who are grieving.

Interior art from A LITTLE BLUE BOTTLE written by Jennifer Grant, Illustrated by Gillian Whiting

What’s up next for you?

In fall 2021, I have a new picture book coming out. I'm working with the artist who illustrated A Little Blue Bottle, but she has created a very different look for the book. It's a book about the pandemic, telling the story of what happened in a way that I hope will acknowledge children's experiences of this time and also bring them hope. I have a board book series (about counting, colors, and the night sky) coming out after that.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Sometimes people assume that, because they are short, picture books are easy to write.

I encourage anyone who would like to write this category of kid lit to get really serious about the craft, and:

a) join the SCBWI (you don't have to have published a book yet)

b) do your homework (if you were writing a work of fiction for adults, you'd spend time plotting out the arc of the story, doing research on and creating a rich back story for the characters, and so on. Do the same for your picture book.)

c) follow your favorite picture book writers online (I recommend, for instance, the writer Josh Funk's website, and he has a lot of "writer resources" on his site, https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/)

d) remember to have fun, be playful, and let your imagination take you into wonderful places.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Oh wow -- I graduated from high school in 1985, so I'm all about the 80s movies! Die Hard is my favorite 80s Christmas movie, I'm quite fond of the "Bill and Ted" movies (including the new, third one!), but as a Chicagoan, I have to say Ferris Bueller's Day Off is my all-time favorite with The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink as a close second and third.

Huge thank you to Jennifer for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congratulations on all your books! We can’t wait to see what you come out with next.

JENNIFER GRANT is the author of five books for adults and several for children, including the award-winning picture book Maybe God is Like That Too. A former newspaper columnist, she lives with her husband and rescue dog Scarlett in Chicago.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Jennifer or her books, visit her online at www.jennifergrant.com. Or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @jennifercgrant

Instagram: @jennifergrantwriter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterJenniferGrant

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of any of Jennifer’s books, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of A LITTLE BLUE BOTTLE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, January 21st! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Brooke Hartman

December 10, 2020Authors, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward4 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Brooke Hartman, whose second picture book just released this past October. I’m thrilled to have Brooke with us today and I can’t wait for you all to see her new incredibly beautiful book, Lotte’s Magical Paper Puppets: The Woman Behind the First Animated Feature Film, illustrated by Kathryn Carr, with Page Street Kids.

As an illustrator working in cut paper, I’m completely head over heels for this book— the art is absolutely stunning and the text is lovely and lyrical. It takes the idea of a picture book biography to a whole new level. When I first came across the book I had no idea that Brooke and I were repped by the same agent— a lovely coincidence! This book is magical— opening it you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported into Lotte’s world. It’s truly incredible.

So without further ado, please welcome Brooke Hartman!

Where do you live?

Chugiak, Alaska

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first book came out in 2019, but I’ve been writing as a “serious hobby” since 2002!

How did you first get published?

Like so many published books out there, my first picture book had a vastly different path to publication than my others. Though I’ve been working on various manuscripts for over a decade, including YA Fantasy, Science Fiction, and of course picture books, my first contract took me by surprise. I was introduced to Alaskan artist Evon Zerbetz (www.EvonZerbetz.com) who works in linocut art and has done a myriad of work throughout Alaska and elsewhere. I thought one of her public art installations reminded me a lot of a poem that I’d written as a “side of a side” project years before, so I showed the poem to her. She did some mock-up sketches of what the illustrations for this poem might look like, I revised some of the stanzas, we submitted them to a publisher… and the rest is history! Dream Flights on Arctic Nights was released in February 2019 through West Margin Press. I have to be careful telling this story to folks looking to have their picture book published, though, because as you probably know, it is NOT typical to collaborate with an illustrator beforehand. This publication was entirely serendipitous.

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Do you write full-time?

I mom full time, lol, though I also have a part-time job as the community education director for a behavioral health treatment center (TMS Center of Alaska).

What inspires you to create picture books?

My kids, and my wacky imagination. I was that teenager who was petrified to try drugs because, if my brain could think of stuff this weird when I wasn’t high, I was afraid of what might happen if I ever was!

What surprised you the most working as an author?

Edits. SO. MANY. EDITS. To anyone who thinks that when you sign with an editor your manuscript is done, I have bad news for you. I’ve only worked with an editor on four picture book texts so far, but each of them had at least a dozen edits on top of the already two dozen you’ve done just to get to that point. And these are picture book texts! We’re talking less than 600 words, to begin with.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

There’s something so completely satisfying about seeing your story rewritten and perfected and then paired with amazing illustrations until it becomes this beautiful thing you can’t even believe you helped create.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

Back to that whole “edits” thing. 90% of the time, I agree with what an editor is suggesting, or at least the idea they’re suggesting if not the actual execution of it. But occasionally there’s some dichotomy on what you envision vs. what the editor envisions, and that can be frustrating. The biggest advice I try to give myself when this happens is to take a “brush my teeth” moment on it. Let those comments simmer. If I still don’t agree with them a day or two later, formulate an alternate solution that might serve as a compromise, or compose a firm-but-kind way to explain why you think the text is stronger as is.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I honestly have never had to look for new ideas. I have so many picture book and novel ideas stacked up at any given moment, it’s all I can do to carve out enough time just to put a handful of them to paper. Are all of those ideas awesome and should be a book? Nope! But at least they’re ideas.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I like alone time without kids to write, which usually means seeking out a coffee shop. Some people can tune out household hustle and bustle while they write, but I’m 100% the default parent for my kids, which makes it hard for me to just ignore everything going on around me. Plus, when I’m home, I’m constantly making someone a meal or snack. I swear my kids have tapeworms.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

I owe every last bit of me being published to the KidLit community. I went to my first SCBWI Conference (SCBWI Western Washington) in 2011, which was mind-blowing. Then I attended a local conference in 2012, where I met my critique group that’s still going strong to this day. The group has lost a few due members to attrition over the years, but there are still five of us, and we meet every single Monday night!

Recommended reading?

Anything in the genre you’re trying to publish in. For me, that’s picture books and YA Fantasy. Just within those two genres, my recommendations could go for days. But here are just a few:

YA Fantasy: Anything by Maggie Stiefvater, Neal Shusterman, or Melissa Meyer.

Picture Books: Anything by Mo Willems, Josh Funk, or Ryan T. Higgins

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

My first book received a starred review from Kirkus, which was a fun surprise. Since then, the highlights have been stumbling over random mentions of your book on sites or YouTube channels you never knew about. Or hearing from someone that their child / grandchild / friend’s child absolutely LOVES your book and has to have it read to them every single night. Those are the best.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

Join SCBWI this very second.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

My newest book was another surprise for me. I was on Facebook one day and stumbled across a short but lovely YouTube biography on Lotte Reiniger, the woman who pioneered shadow puppet cinematography and created the first full length feature film over a decade before anyone even heard of Walt Disney. I was blown away. Her work was not only groundbreaking, it was gorgeous! I was absolutely smitten with this lesser-known hero of cinema history. My brain drummed up this stanza:

Long before a cartoon mouse,

Or Snow White swept a little house,

There was a girl named Charlotte.

Everyone called her Lotte.

*Interior art from LOTTE’S MAGICAL PAPER PUPPETS: THE WOMAN BEHIND THE FIRST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM by Brooke Hartman, illustrated by Kathryn Carr, published by Page Street Kids*

That stanza began my picture book biography on Lotte Reiniger. I was agentless at the time, but PitchWars came up, and I pitched it. Editor Courtney Burke of Page Street Kids liked my tweet. She’d been a film major in college, and even she had never heard of Lotte Reiniger! Courtney worked her magic on my text with many more revisions (all the edits!) and found the most perfect illustrator anyone could imagine for this project, Kathryn Carr, who works solely in shadow puppet illustration (www.GoCarrGo.com). The result was Lotte’s Magical Paper Puppets, the Woman Behind the First Animated Feature Film, which released this October from Page Street Kids.

What’s up next for you?

I have more contracted projects with Page Street Kids, West Margin Press, and Innovation Press, all picture books. My amazing agent, Clelia Gore of Martin Literary Management, has a couple other picture books out on sub right now, with a few others we’re polishing in the meantime.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Read a TON in your genre. Get a critique group, find beta readers, and go to conferences—either in person or online! Soak up all that info and feedback, but then force yourself to actually write and submit.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Oh man, this is a tough one. But I think it’s a hard tie between Labyrinth and The Last Unicorn.

Huge thank you to Brooke for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your wonderful books— we can’t wait to see what you come out with next!

BROOKE HARTMAN is an Alaskan mom and award winning author of silly, serious, and sometimes strange stories for children and young adults. Forthcoming titles include Klyde the Kraken Wants a Friend (2020, Innovation Press), Pega Sisters! (2022, Page Street Kids), and The Littlest Airplane (2022, WestMargin Press). When she isn’t writing, you can find her fishing, flying, and having fun with her family, enjoying all the magic Alaska life has to offer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Brooke or her work, visit her online, or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @BrookesBooksAK

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of LOTTE’S MAGICAL PAPER PUPPETS: THE WOMAN BEHIND THE FIRST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of LOTTE’S MAGICAL PAPER PUPPETS: THE WOMAN BEHIND THE FIRST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, December 17th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Janet Lawler

October 1, 2020Authors, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward2 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today, we have our second interview of the week. I’m thrilled to feature another fantastic interview with someone as talented and knowledgable about the industry as Janet Lawler. She has spent the last twenty years writing wonderful picture books, including pop-ups, non-fiction, fiction, board books and more. Mirabel’s Missing Valentines is one of my favorites! Her newest book, KINDERGARTEN HAT, illustrated by Geraldine Rodriguez, received a fantastic starred review from Kirkus earlier this year.

So without further ado, please join me in welcoming Janet Lawler to Critter Lit today!

Where do you live?

Central Connecticut.

How many years have you been in publishing?

A little over 20 years—time flies!

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How did you first get published?

In 1999 I submitted my first picture book, If Kisses Were Colors, to “Submissions Editor” at Dial Books for Young Readers. I got a call, just a few weeks later, that they wanted to publish it!

Do you write full-time?

Yes.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I see inspiration all around me, every day. For example, I recently gazed out at our backyard shed and started wondering about all the critters I’ve seen take refuge under there—rabbits, woodchucks, squirrels, chipmunks, skunks. So I scribbled notes for Critter Condo, a humorous story about diverse animals cooperating while sharing close living space. Now I just have to write it!

I am also inspired by memories of my own childhood and those of my son and daughter.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

How long it takes for each step in the process of getting a picture book published. The artist for If Kisses Were Colors had another book to illustrate before mine, and so it was four long years between contract signing and publication. (It was worth the wait for Alison Jay’s wonderful art, however. Luckily, most of my other books have not taken quite as long.)

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

As an author, I have two favorite things. The first is seeing preliminary sketches that add illustration layers to my story. I am almost always surprised and delighted! The second is actually holding a copy of the published book for the first time.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

How little control I have over the many steps and stages of acquisition and publication. It helps to accept that everything takes time. I remind myself that all I can control is my own creative process.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Exercise, enjoy nature, and travel to new places.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I try to cultivate awareness and presence every day. Creativity seems to flow best when I am open to whatever the moment brings. This also seems to heighten my ability to notice details that spark ideas for stories.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

My 20-year-long membership in a critique group has been incredibly meaningful and helpful on a professional and personal level. These colleagues are always there for me, providing encouragement to become a better writer and person. They are my writing family.

Recommended reading?

For aspiring picture book writers, I recommend taking a browse through current and past Caldecott Medal winners. While this honor is awarded for the illustrations, the text is usually of equally high caliber. One of my all-time favorites is Jacqueline Briggs Martin’s nonfiction picture book, Snowflake Bentley (illustrated in stunning woodcuts by Mary Azarian), about a Vermonter with a lifelong obsession for photographing snowflakes. The first sentence of the book is so beautifully constructed and evocative:

In the days

when farmers worked with ox and sled

and cut the dark with lantern light,

there lived a boy who loved snow

more than anything else in the world.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

This is a hard question. I always have a current “highlight” to give me hope and satisfaction. That might be an external accolade, such the starred review KINDERGARTEN HAT received from Kirkus Reviews this spring, or having a top publisher acquire a new project. But some highlights come quietly, like fan letters or e-mails that say my stories have moved a parent to tears, or made a child an eager reader, or provided a connection.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

To never send out a manuscript the morning after you revise it! What seems “perfect” at night never is in the morning. I now force myself to take breaks that afford fresh looks, so I can polish a project to the point where it has the best chance of being acquired.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

KINDERGARTEN HAT was published by Little Bee Books in June of this year, and it is beautifully and colorfully illustrated by Geraldine Rodriguez.

Carlos is new to town and nervous about starting kindergarten. He brings a requested flower for his teacher’s hat on the first day, and things don’t go well on the bus ride to school. But Carlos comes up with a clever solution to his destroyed-daisy dilemma and gains courage to start his first day with a great big kindergarten smile. KINDERGARTEN HAT was inspired by a wonderful teacher who greeted my son and daughter, 9 years apart, on their first days of school. She wore a huge flowered hat so students could find her.

Interior art from KINDERGARTEN HAT written by Janet Lawler, illustrated by Geraldine Rodriguez. — ***Interior art from KINDERGARTEN HAT*** *written by Janet Lawler, illustrated by Geraldine Rodriguez.*

What’s up next for you?

I am super excited about my upcoming nonfiction picture book WALRUS SONG that is being published by Candlewick in 2021. I just saw the fabulous final color illustrations by Timothy Basil Ering. I can’t wait to share this book with readers young and old. And in 2022, OCEANS OF LOVE (Philomel) and CELEBRATE! (Feiwel & Friends) will release.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

One last bit of advice—look for silver linings on the meandering journey that is a career in children’s publishing. Almost every time I have had a moment of defeat or rejection, something good has come of that event.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

There are SO many great 80’s movies that it is hard to pick one. But I loved TOOTSIE. Great casting, humor, heart, plot twists—and social commentary on sexism, decades before the MeToo movement!

Huge thank you to Janet for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congratulations on your latest book— we can’t wait to see your next projects in 2021 and 2022!

Award-winning children’s author JANET LAWLER has more than twenty-five fiction and nonfiction picture books, pop-ups, and early readers published. Her books have appeared in Scholastic Book Clubs and Children's Book of the Month Clubs and in translation editions in several languages, including Spanish, Japanese, and Hebrew. Janet is fascinated by the natural world, and she loves finding humor, heart, and hope in everyday life.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JANET LAWLER follow her on social media:

Website: https://janetlawler.com/

Blog: https://janetlawler.com/blog/

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of KINDERGARTEN HAT, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of KINDERGARTEN HAT?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 8th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Lydia Lukidis

December 19, 2019Authors, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward2 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! This is our last interview of 2019— what a year it has been! I’m so thrilled that Critter Lit had the opportunity to interview so many talented authors and illustrators in 2019 and can’t wait to dive into 2020 with you all! We have lots of exciting things planned. Thank you all for being apart of Critter Lit and our small contribution to the Kidlit community.

Today we have author Lydia Lukidis joining us. Lydia has written over 40 picture books for kids! I’m so excited to share her work and experiences with you all.

So without further ado…please welcome Lydia Lukidis!

Where do you live?

I live in Montreal, Canada. I’m a Canuck, eh!

How many years have you been in publishing?

I’ve been a freelance writing and journalist for the last 20 years, and have been exclusively writing for children since 2013. Before that, I was writing children’s plays and putting on marionette shows.

How did you first get published?

My first published trade picture book was in 2014. It was with a small independent publisher and though I didn’t make much money, it was a fantastic experience and I learned a lot about the industry.

Do you write full-time?

Yes, I write full time. My writing is split in three directions: trade writing for my own projects, writing work-for-hire projects for educational publishers, and giving literacy workshops and author visits in elementary schools. I think it’s important (and fun!) to work with children.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I love kidlit in general. I would say my favorite, so far, are chapter books. There’s something magical about creating stories for children who are just learning to read independently. That said, I also love picture books. I appreciate how you can sum up a whole story with heart and feeling in such a short read. Picture books can have quite the impact on their audience.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

I was surprised at how slow everything is, and how frequently agents/editors don’t reply. But now that I’ve been at this for a while, I totally get it. It’s a competitive industry, and agents/editors don’t have enough time either. But…it’s still slow!

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I LOVE the fact that children get to hold my books in their hands and enjoy them. I remember when I got my first “fan mail.” A child actually took the time to write me a letter and tell me how much he adored my book. That experience blew my socks off. Sure, big advances and working with the big 5 are real dreams, but that child’s letter reminded me of what’s truly important.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

Apart from how slow the industry is, I find the constant slew of rejection challenging at times. Over the years, I’ve developed very tough skin and I don’t get phased by rejections. But when you get close, or your book goes to acquisitions but then they pass, it can sting.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I’m never at a loss for new ideas. In fact, I have way too many. The discipline and magic happens when I go through the ideas, and figure out which ones have the most potential, and focus on developing those.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I think it’s important for all writers to read a lot, both the classics and contemporary work. You need to keep reading, especially in your genre, as much as you can. You also need to do continual research of the industry. You need to know what’s happening, and who’s who etc. Subscribe to blogs and newsletters, get involved in online writing groups, these are essentials. Once you immerse yourself in the world, the ideas and inspiration will flow.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

They are ALL positive experiences! The writing community is very generous and kind. Writers tend to support one another, and share information and resources. For example, groups like Kidlit411 and Sub it on Facebook have literally helped shape my career.

Recommended reading?

So much! Right now, here are some I currently bought and am excited to devour:

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman

Who Wet My Pants? by Bob Shea

Nine Months: Before a Baby Is Born by Miranda Paul

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Dory Fantasmagory (entire series) by Abby Hanlon

Two Dogs in a Trench Coat (entire series) by Julie Falatko (everything she says and writes is hilarious!)

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

My book The Broken Bees’ Nest just got nominated for a CYBILS Award! When I found out, I think I nearly fainted. It’s a big honor, especially since their picks are based on kid appeal.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

I wish I had become a member of SCBWI right away. I didn’t know about them for a while, and literally spent a few years compiling information about publishers. Little did I know, they send you a large comprehensive book listing publishers when you become a member.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

My book NO BEARS ALLOWED was published in July 2019 by Blue Whale Press. I’m proud of this book because it’s a story that helps cultivate empathy, which I think is very much needed in the world today. The story is about overcoming your fears, and also, not judging others. The main characters Rabbit and Bear seem quite different at first, but eventually develop an unlikely but beautiful friendship.

What’s up next for you?

I’ve been working on a lot of new projects, nonfiction seems to be my favorite passion right now. I have a new nonfiction picture I’m excited about which was vetted by several experts in the field, and have been querying agents with it.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Here’s a lesson I learned over the years:

That even though it may sometimes feel that your actions do not get noticed, they DO MATTER. You just might not see it right away. For example, let’s say you’ve been querying some dream agents but have not been getting favorable replies. Just remember this: you never know what may happen in the future. I had this interesting experience where one of my dream agents chatted with me once, and mentioned one of my past queries. All this time, I thought my queries were getting lost in cyberspace, but- they were still being received and read. Agents and editors may feel moved by your work though they may not offer you a contract (right away). It’s often a question of timing.

The moral of the story: keep working hard towards your goals. Your path to success may not be linear, but in time, you will find your way.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Easy, CLUE! I can’t even count how many times I’ve seen that movie. It’s completely ridiculous and right up my alley in humor.

Huge thank you to Lydia for joining us on Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book and all that you have accomplished! We look forward to seeing what you do next!

LYDIA LUKIDIS is a children's author with a multi-disciplinary background that spans the fields of literature, science and puppetry. So far, she has 3 trade picture books, 33 eBooks, as well as over dozen educational books published. Her latest STEM book The Broken Bees’ Nest was nominated for a CYBILS Award. Lydia is also passionate about spreading the love of literacy. She regularly gives writing workshops in elementary schools across Quebec through the Culture in the Schools Program. Her aim is to help children cultivate their imagination, sharpen their writing skills and develop self-confidence.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on Lydia Lukidis, follow her on social media:

Website: http://www.lydialukidis.com/

Blog: https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LydiaLukidis/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LydiaLukidis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydialukidis/?trk=hp-identity-name

Interview with Author Gayle C. Krause

May 16, 2019Authors, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay WardComment

Happy Thursday Critters! This week we have an interview with Gayle C. Krause, whose newest book, DADDY, CAN YOU SEE THE MOON?, illustrated by Carlos de la Garza, focuses on the relationship between a boy and his father, who is deployed overseas. I was so touched by the story and message in this book, as I know all of you will be too! I’m thrilled to have Gayle with us today, sharing her work.

So without further ado, please welcome Gayle C. Krause!

Where do you live?

I live in a country cliffside house in Northeastern PA overlooking PA, NY, and NJ. The Delaware River, which divides PA from NY, is two blocks from my house.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I always made up stories to entertain my sisters and the neighborhood kids when I was a child, but I didn’t start thinking about writing them down until I was the Director of a Laboratory PRE-K in a teacher education program, which was my first career.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

My first picture book, ROCK STAR SANTA (2008), was an original Scholastic Book Club acquisition, which is rare these days. I met my editor at the Rutgers One-on-One Conference. It was my first foray into writing for children and I’ve been writing ever since.

My second book was a YA urban fantasy titled RATGIRL: Song of the Viper, which is a retelling of The Pied Pier set in a dystopian future with global warming. It’s one of my favorite things that I have written.

DADDY, CAN YOU SEE THE MOON? is my second picture book, eleven years after my first. You see, the key is to never give up your dream.

Can you share a bit about your process?

I write in the morning as soon as I get up. My house is quiet because my husband is still sleeping and I’m free to let my mind wander in and out of scenes with my characters. If I can’t write for a solid time period, then I jot down ideas as they come to me. I’ve been known to write a whole chapter from a sentence or two quickly written on a scrap piece of paper or a napkin.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I am NOT a believer of the Butt-In-Chair writing philosophy. I would only waste my time. If the kernel of an idea has not already sprouted in my mind, I can’t force it to come by staring at a blank computer screen.

So I do something else in the creative realm like quilting or doll-making until one of my characters speaks to me, or shouts at a villain, or gives a cheeky answer to another character…and then I’m off and writing.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

The Internet. Whether I’m writing a silly picture book, a serious YA, or a whimsical MG (I never write nonfiction) it requires research. Did you know that baby T-Rex’s looked like fuzzy baby chicks? Or That you could make a bonfire on ice without it melting?

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Authors – Juliet Marillier for fantasy

Illustrator – Kinuko Y. Craft also for fantasy

Dream project to work on?

It’s funny you should say a dream project. All of my stories start as dreams. Even as I am writing one, I’m dreaming of another, something that’s saying… “hurry up and finish what you’re writing. You need to write my story.”

Tell us about your new book.

Written in rhyme, Daddy, Can You See the Moon? is about the special moments a young boy and his deployed dad share by looking at the moon, until the father comes home a wounded warrior and the boy realizes that love was what kept them connected all along. Carlos de la Garza’s illustrations are vibrant and beautiful and realistically portray the poignant story my words tell.

What’s up next for you?

Once Upon a Twisted Tale is a ‘Fractured Fairytale’ poetry collection I’ve worked on for several years. And it will be released on June 18, 2019, also from SPORK. As you can tell from the answers to my other questions, I love fantasy and fairytales. This collection combines unlikely characters in the same story. Here is a quote from the introductory poem –

“These characters, right or wrong—

in stories where they don’t belong.”

The illustrations were done by Caroline O’Neal and have a beautiful, ethereal touch of “fairy” in each one.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

It would have to be Princess Bride.

Huge thank you to Gayle C. Krause for stopping by Critter Lit today! We can’t wait to see what you do next!

As a Master Educationalist, GAYLE C. KRAUSE has taught Children’s Literature, creative writing, and storytelling techniques at the secondary and post-secondary levels. She’s a member of SCBWI, the 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge, and a past member of The Poets’ Garage. Gayle is the author of six children’s books. Her work has been nominated for the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award and the International Reading Award. She currently serves on Angie Karcher’s National Rhyme Revolution Committee, choosing the best rhyming picture book from 2015-2018 and presents writing seminars to children’s authors. Rebecca Angus of Golden Wheat Literary represents her.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Gayle, visit her online at http://www.gayleckrause.com or follow her on social media:

Twitter @GeeCeeK

Instagram

Facebook

TO ORDER Gayle’s book, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of DADDY, CAN YOU SEE THE MOON?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, May 23rd! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for an interview with author/illustrator Scott Magoon!

Interview with Author/Illustrator Philip Stead and Illustrator Erin Stead

May 2, 2019Authors + Illustrators, Authors, Interviews, Illustrators, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward4 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m so thrilled about today’s interview— it’s somewhat of a fangirl moment for me, as I love their books so much. Each time I read one, I discover a new detail to fall in love with. Their newest book, MUSIC FOR MISTER MOON is stunning. We’ve been reading it at bedtime almost every night over here. I don’t think there is an intro I could write that would do them justice…so let’s just jump in, shall we?

Please welcome Erin and Philip Stead!

Where do you live?

We live in an old farmhouse in Northern Michigan, not too far from the Lake Michigan beach.

How many years have you been in publishing?

13 years.

How did you first get published?

PHIL: We moved to New York City when we were just out of college with the idea of getting into children's books. I worked briefly for the Brooklyn Children's Museum as a designer/illustrator and spent my free time hitting the pavement, talking my way into publishing offices. Meanwhile Erin worked in a children's bookstore, Books of Wonder, and then later took a job in design at HarperCollins. In the end it was a friend that helped us get a foot all the way in the door. Our friend, fellow bookmaker George O'Connor, passed some of my work along to Neal Porter, an editor at Roaring Brook Press. George had worked with Erin at Books of Wonder. Interestingly enough, Erin also worked with other future authors Nick Bruel, Jason Chin, and Julie Fogliano at the same store. All of those names ended up getting their break with Neal Porter as well. After George had linked me up with Neal he also suggested to Neal that Erin might be interested in illustration work. Up till then Erin had never done illustration work. In fact, she'd barely done any drawing at all in almost three years. In the few days between George's suggestion and Erin's first meeting with Neal I wrote a draft of A Sick Day for Amos McGee, then basically pitched it to both Erin and Neal at the same time over dinner.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Yep, we've been doing this full-time since the beginning, even before it made any financial sense to do so. We're just not good at multi-tasking. But we are pretty good at being broke.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Dusty, old, forgotten books, mostly. And animals.

What surprised you the most working as an author, illustrator, or author/illustrator?

We would read books (i.e. Dear Genius, by Leonard Marcus) that made it seem like all the illustrators and authors that we grew up reading were all actually friends in real life. This seemed cool, but unlikely to us. But even just a few years in it became clear to us that we all really DO know each other. We love knowing so many other bookmakers. It's one of our favorite things about the job.

What do you find difficult working as an author, illustrator, or author/illustrator?

Literally everything. We're both really hard on ourselves and we both contemplate quitting on an almost daily basis. By now though (and we say this often to each other) we basically have no marketable skills for the real world. We could be professional dog walkers maybe. That's about it.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

PHIL: Erin is always cooking when she's stuck on a problem. Sometimes she avoids her desk for weeks and just cooks, cooks, cooks. It used to stress me out, the longer she'd go without setting pencil to paper. But now I know it's all just part of the process. Neither of us are prolific sketchers. We often go straight to final art from the idea in our head. So I guess cooking is akin to sketching for Erin. I find a lot of my inspiration outside of the children's book world. Aside from my love of used book stores I don't really stay too up to date on what's new, other than what my friends are making. I love movies, especially weird ones. And I love music. All music. I'm currently in love with an album by an Ethiopian jazz pianist named Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou. It's unlike anything I've ever heard and I'm sure it's trying to tell me something if I just listen to it long enough.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Procrastination. And the making of coffee to do so.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

We've done several school events through an organization called An Open Book in Washington DC. Their goal is to get books into the hands of kids who might not have access to book ownership otherwise. School events can be exhausting but we always leave our Open Book events feeling energized and in love with books again. When you see how much a book, just a single book, can mean to a kid it really puts a lot of the other troubles of bookmaking into perspective. It also helps you realize that your books don't really belong to you after they're finished. They go out and live their own interesting lives outside the studio.

Recommended reading?

Who Needs Donuts? by Mark Stamaty. A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears, by Jules Feiffer, and Bambert's Book of Missing Stories, by Reinhardt Jung. We recommend these books to pretty much anyone who will listen.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Making a book about our dog (Ideas Are All Around) and then getting her picture published in the New York Times thereafter.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

That there will be a lot of public speaking. Neither one of us really considered that getting up and talking to grown-ups would be a big part of being a children's book illustrator. For two bonafide introverts it's kind of a bummer sometimes.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

We've been thinking a lot lately about what it would be like to grow up right now in a world that is all about over sharing and over stimulation. Quiet, alone time was essential to both of us as kids. It's still essential to us. I don't think kids are often allowed these days to do things alone—truly alone. Everything is always documented and shared. Music for Mister Moon is book about an introvert, made by two introverts. We hate to ever say what a books means, but at its core the book is meant to ask a question which is: can a thing have value if it isn't shared?

What’s up next for you?

Our next book is actually the 10 year anniversary edition of A Sick Day for Amos McGee. It'll come in a nice, cloth slipcase and have some bonus content inside. After that I've (Phil) got a book called In My Garden. It's the first ever book that I've illustrated but not written. It was written by Charlotte Zolotow and originally published in the 1960s with illustrations by Roger Duvoisin.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Always be curious.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

PHIL: The Princess Bride

ERIN: Yes, definitely, The Princess Bride

Huge thank you to Phil and Erin for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited to see what you make next!

PHILIP AND ERIN STEAD are the author and illustrator of the 2011 Caldecott Medal Book, A Sick Day for Amos McGee. They have collaborated on many books together including Bear Has a Story to Tell, Lenny & Lucy, and most recently The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine, a New York Times bestselling reimagining of an unfinished Mark Twain fairy tale. Philip and Erin live in northern Michigan. Someday Erin hopes to learn how to play the cello.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Erin and Philip, visit them online:

Erin Stead’s Website

Philip Stead’s Website

TO ORDER Philip and Erin’s books, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of MUSIC FOR MISTER MOON?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, May 9th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for an interview with author Sheri Dillard!

Interview with Author Julie Falatko

April 25, 2019Authors + Illustrators, Authors, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward7 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m so very excited about our guest today— the amazingly talented and oh so funny Julie Falatko! We are huge fans of Julie’s books in our house, Snappsy the Alligator…need I say more??? I’m thrilled to feature an interview with Julie today and share her latest book THE GREAT INDOORS, illustrated by Ruth Chan, which has already received a starred review and has been selected as a Junior Library Guild book!

So without further ado…please welcome Julie Falatko!

Where do you live?

I live in Maine, outside of Portland. I don’t want to make anyone else jealous, but it’s the best place to live. In my opinion. For me. And maybe you? You probably love where you live. And – oh, wait. If I talk about how great Portland is, everyone will move here, and then it will be overcrowded and not so great anymore. So never mind. I live in Maine, outside of Portland, and it’s adequate.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first book, Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in this Book) came out in 2016.

How did you first get published?

I got published in what I think is The Standard Way: I queried agents who seemed like a good fit, got an offer from the slush pile, and then that agent submitted my manuscript to an editor, who acquired it. People sometimes want to hear of some secret talisman (“oh, I see, so my mistake was that I wasn’t wearing red, got it”) but the truth is The Standard Way is the way it usually happens.

Do you write full-time?

I…do. I certainly spend a full-time number of hours working on writing and writing-related tasks, like publicity. But if I was not married to someone with a full-time job that pays decently and comes with health benefits, I would not be writing full time. I write full-time hours, but haven’t gotten to a point of full-time pay yet.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Picture books are my favorite literary medium. There are so many directions they can go, and, at their best, they are perfect nuggets of someone’s view of the world. It’s inspiring to try to rise to the challenge of fitting so much story and nuance and entertainment into such a small package. But honestly most of my ideas involve talking squirrels and birds and alligators and dogs, and those ideas are probably best suited for a picture book.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

How long it truly takes to make a picture book. I had known it wasn’t a quick process, but I hadn’t really absorbed that it was a two-and-a-half-year process at the very minimum, and often much longer. I’ve come to love the long lead time, both because it makes for a better book, but also because it allows me to have a lot of different projects going on at once.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I’m supposed to say my favorite thing is hearing from kids, but the truth is that’s my second favorite thing. The fact that I get to write such silly stories with jokes that first and foremost are in there just to crack myself up – that’s my first favorite thing. I am so lucky this is my job.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

The answer to this has probably changed a bit over the years, but right now the answer is that I’m having trouble focusing. 2017 was a very scattered year, focus-wise, and since then it has been a constant struggle to force my brain to remember what it’s here to do, and to rein my thoughts in from what they apparently want to do, which is tap dance in the many fields and meadows that have nothing to do with my writing work.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I get up. I move around. Mostly I go outside. I take my dogs for a walk every morning, and much of that walk is spent mulling over ideas and talking them out loud to see what sounds right.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I like to make a list every day of what I’m planning on getting done, and then I’m pretty good about forcing myself to sit down and do it. I do often light a candle. I do often meditate in the morning. I always exercise first thing, because I feel like it gets my blood moving and sends some blood to my brain which makes my ideas better (I have no idea if this is a scientific principle or just my general notion that exercise helps me think, and I’m afraid to find out, in case it’s not true). But the biggest thing is that I feel so grateful that right now this is my job, and so I’m very determined and motivated to work as hard as I can at it. The books don’t get made unless I write the words, so, no matter what, it’s up to me to sit down and write them.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

The people of the children’s book world are just the nicest. The whole darn thing has been a positive experience. The entire community is all about boosting and supporting and shouting our celebrations, and it’s lovely. Whenever I do meet other children’s book makers or librarians or teachers in person, we all spend the entire time talking about how much we appreciate each other and each other’s work. In my experience, children’s book makers seem like incredibly nice people online, and then you meet them, and they’re even nicer than you thought they were.

Recommended reading?

I just read Damsel by Elana K. Arnold and it completely blew me away. I also just read When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon, which is a few years old, and I can’t believe it took me so long, because I adored it. Recent picture books I loved are Another by Christian Robinson and Bikes for Sale by Carter Higgins and illustrated by Zachariah OHora. Also I just finished the graphic novel Sheets by Brenna Thummler and I love how it mixes genres, and the illustrations in it are incredible.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

The book launch party for Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book), at Books of Wonder in New York City, was an incredible and overwhelming day. Snappsy illustrator Tim Miller and I signed books for hours. It was cool enough just to have a published book with my name printed on the cover, after so many years of homemade books where I wrote my own name in crayon. And then to pack the bookstore with friends and family to celebrate Tim and my debut together was unforgettable. I also had the richest hot chocolate I’ve ever had in my life on that day. But that’s probably not relevant.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

Do the work. You can only get so far on industry connections or on wishing really hard. Yes, there is some luck involved. But none of the luck happens unless you do the work first. So always, always, prioritize the work.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

The Great Indoors is about a group of forest animals who go on vacation inside a human family’s house every year, during the same week that the human family goes camping. It is absolutely based on my own family’s yearly camping trips, and how the week starts off with us thrilling at the wonder of nature, and ends with us ready to trade large sums of money for a toilet that flushes.

What’s up next for you?

The third book in the Two Dogs in a Trench Coat series is out in May. They go on a class trip to a museum in this one. It’s pretty silly.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

There are no tricks to succeeding in this business. If you’re querying, follow the rules on an agency’s website. Be kind. People remember kindness, and they also remember jerkiness. Above all, put in your time, and don’t rush it. Publishing is a slow business, so there’s no reason for you to move quickly. Take your time to make sure your work is as good as you can make it. And keep working.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Well, this is impossible. I’m tempted to create a spreadsheet. I just. How? This is my favorite movie decade. Ok. Fine. It’s a tie between The Breakfast Club and Real Genius.

Huge thank you to Julie Falatko for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited about your upcoming books and can’t wait to see what you do next!

JULIE FALATKO writes about misunderstood characters trying to find their place in the world. She is the author of several picture books, including the Snappsy the Alligator books, and of the Two Dogs in a Trench Coat chapter book series. Julie lives in Maine with her husband, four children, and two dogs, where she maintains a Little Free Library in front of her house.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Julie and her work, visit her online here or follow her on social media:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

TO ORDER Julie’s books, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of THE GREAT INDOORS?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, May 2nd! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for an interview with author/illustrator Philip Stead and illustrator Erin Stead!

Interview with Author Natascha Biebow

April 18, 2019Authors, Interviews, Vet InterviewsLindsay Ward8 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with Natascha Biebow, author of THE CRAYON MAN: THE TRUE STORY OF THE INVENTION OF CRAYOLA CRAYONS, illustrated by Steven Salerno, which just released last month. How cool does this book sound?! I’m so excited about this biography and I can’t wait to share it and Natascha’s work with all of you!

So without further ado…please welcome Natascha Biebow!

Where do you live?

I live in London, England.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I published my first book in 1995, and have worked as a children’s book editor since 1993.

How did you first get published?

I wrote my first book, Eleonora, a true story about how elephants mourn each other, as part of a children’s literature course at Smith College. It was kicking about for a couple of years before I decided to show it to the publisher of a small children’s picture book imprint, ABC. I was surprised and delighted when she said she’d like to publish it. The publishing industry was very different then – no social media (!) or easy way to get the word out – so, though it sold reasonably well, it is sadly now out of print.

Do you write full-time?

I wish! But I’m lucky that I have a day job that I love – I edit children’s books freelance for big and small publishers, and coach and mentor authors and illustrators to fine-tune their work pre-submission through my literacy consultancy Blue Elephant Storyshaping.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Picture books are my passion. I have an affinity with this young age group and love the synergy of words and pictures working together.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons is my first non-fiction picture book, so I was surprised by the amount of research and fact-checking that was involved, even in late stages of book production, and how much time this took. But I enjoyed doing it!

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love that you get a printed book at the end of your creative journey that you can share with young readers so that you can enthuse them with the story too. I love connecting with young readers (and grown-ups’ inner child).

What do you find difficult working as an author?

Possibly the most challenging aspect is that picture books evolve in the course of their editorial journey and sometimes you have to reconcile aspects of your original vision with the final version. This is part of the creative, collaborative approach, though, and leads to a better book ultimately.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I look for ideas all around me – from people, pets, the news and experiences . . . I try to learn at least one new fact a day. A walk is often great for getting unstuck and figuring out stuff too.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I don’t keep extensive notes – most of my work is done in my head! I love stationery though – so doodling with colored crayons is a great way to brainstorm ideas and tap into my inner child.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

I have volunteered for over 20 years as the Regional Advisor for the SCBWI British Isles region. It has led to so many great opportunities to help learn new skills and make connections with people in the industry. I learned how to make a book trailer from fellow volunteers. I met my agent at the SCBWI conference in LA. I took a non-fiction writing course recommended by another writer that got me connected to the non-fiction Kid Lit community. And so much more! People are really very giving and supportive.

Recommended reading?

Yes, read read read every new picture book you can get your hands on. In terms of craft-based reading, I love Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass– though it’s about novel-writing, all the elements and thinking logic are the same for picture books.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love that you get a printed book at the end of your creative journey that you can share with young readers so that you can enthuse them with the story too. I love connecting with young readers (and grown-ups’ inner child).

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

I was awarded a SCBWI Marketing Grant to fund a mini-book tour this May, and so I’m excited to be able to connect with young readers in person!

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

That I’d have to teach myself all about marketing and then implement it!

Can you tell us about your newest book?

The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons is a non-fiction picture book biography: the true story of Edwin Binney, a man who had a knack for listening and making what people needed, whose love for color led to the invention of one of America’s most iconic toys – Crayola crayons. In a world where we take crayons for granted, what must it have been like to only have slate and chalk? It’s a fabulous journey of color and creativity, an inspiring story for the next generation of inventors who will be our future.

What’s up next for you?

Hopefully more non-fiction picture books. I am also writing a series of chapter books, which is a new venture for me.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

I’ve realized that if you’re serious about writing for children and getting your work published, you need to make a real effort to carve out the focus and time and just do it. There is no greater writing tip than butt on seat.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

E.T. heart-warming, flying bicycles, “E.T. phone home!” – all part of my childhood.

Huge thanks to Natascha for stopping by Critter Lit today! We love your new book and can’t wait to see all your upcoming projects!

NATASCHA BIEBOW’S favourite crayon color is periwinkle blue because it makes her heart sing. She loves to draw and make stuff, just like the inventor of the Crayola crayons. She lives in London, where she writes, edits, coaches and mentors children’s book authors and illustrators at Blue Elephant Storyshaping, and is the long-time Regional Advisor of SCBWI British Isles. In 2018, she was awarded an MBE for her services to children's writers and illustrators.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Natascha and her work, visit her online here or follow her on social media:

Facebook

TO ORDER Natascha’s books, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of THE CRAYON MAN: THE TRUE STORY OF THE INVENTION OF CRAYOLA CRAYONS ?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, 25th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for an interview with author Julie Falatko!

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