Thankful For Many Splendid Things - New Client, Cynsations Post and More!

To me October is all about celebrating the many blessings we encounter partly because growing up in Canada, the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday always fell on the second Monday in October. So once October arrives, I naturally begin recounting the many splendid things I'm grateful for and this month I've much to be thankful for.

Lindsey Lane

I'm happy to announce that the incredibly compassionate, kind, and talented children's and young adult author Lindsey Lane has joined the Booking Biz family. Lindsey and I have been secretly working together since June 2014, and I'm thrilled to welcome her into the fold. There are many things I admire about Lindsey; I could go on and on about her evocative writing that emotes emotion after emotion on the page. I could go on and on about her spirit and how being in her presence makes you a better person. And I could go on and on about her work ethic and passion for the craft of writing. She gives herself completely to her book projects and it shows.

Lindsey is the author of the award-winning picture book (Clarion) and iTunes app (PicPocket) Snuggle Mountain, which was named Best Children’s Book of 2004 by Bank Street College of Education. According to Publisher's Weekly her debut young adult novel Evidence of Things Not Seen (Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, 2014) is "a gripping and genre-bending mosaic centered around the sudden disappearance of physics-obsessed high school junior Tommy Smythe.”


Speaking about incredibly passionate, kind, and talented children's and young adult authors, Cynthia Leitich Smith is hosting me on her well-read and informational kid-lit writing blog Cynsations today with my guest post on "Founding a Children's-YA Author & Illustrator Booking Agency," and I'm honored to be a contributor. Thank you, Cynthia.

Cynthia Leitich Smith and I at the Texas Book Festival (2013)

This coming Saturday, Oct 25th at 10am in the Family Life Center, I'll be moderating the Grandfather Gandhi panel with peacemaker Arun Gandhi and children's and young adult author Bethany Hegedus at the Texas Book Festival 2014. This year's line-up boasts 280+ authors, the largest in the festival's history. Author friend Greg Leitich Smith has put together a list of scheduled children's and young adult author panels on his blog. Click HERE to view. Thanks, Greg!

And I'd be remiss to say that I'm not in a state of bliss about the fact that my agent Erzsi Deak will be in town to read her book Pumpkin Time! illustrated by Doug Cushman at the Texas Book Festival and to reconnect with some of her Texas chicks from Hen & Ink Literary.

If you live locally, please come out and celebrate Texas Book Festival 2014 and be a part of this magnificent literature event that brings authors and families together at the Austin Capital and adjacent grounds. It's two days (Oct. 25-26, 2014) of readings, panels, children's activities, food, live music, and hundreds of exhibitors. The Texas Book Festival supports Texas libraries and literacy!

ReaderKidZ Review - On the Wing

I write reviews for children's books for many reasons.

One, I know what it feels like to discover a gem of a book you haven't heard about or seen before and I want to share the magic of that discovery with other readers.

Two, I think writing children's book reviews is another tool a writer can use to educate themselves on the craft of writing. You learn so much when you examine a book with a reviewer's eye. With picture books, you focus on the blend of art and text and you look to see how the story is extended through the illustrations. You examine the text for its musicality, rhythm, cadence, and patterns. Is it fun to read? Does the story engage? Then surprise you at the end?

And three, I write children's reviews because I LOVE language and I LOVE story.

So on that note hop on over to ReaderKidZ and read my review of On the Wing by David Elliott and Becca Stadtlander (Candlewick, 2014) HERE.

Enjoy the incredible art by Becca Stadtlander in the book trailer!

Pumpkin Time! Teacher/Librarian Appreciation Gift

Every year in the United States the National PTA sponsors PTA Teacher Appreciation Week. It's an opportunity for us parents to thank the many teachers, administrators, and support staff that educate our children and enrich their lives. For the 2014-15 school year, the PTA Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8, 2015. It's never too early to start thinking about ideas and that's why I've put together the Pumpkin Time! Teacher/Librarian Appreciation Gift inspired by the picture book Pumpkin Time! by Erzsi Deak, illustrated by Doug Cushman (Soucebooks, 2014). A book for all seasons!

The Jacket Flap says:

The day the cows strolled down Main Street in fancy hats...Evy didn't notice. 
What was Evy doing? 

Evy is so focused on watching her garden grow that she misses all the silliness going on around her--pigs dancing, donkeys flying, and sheep having a picnic. But after Evy's spent all year taking care of her garden, everyone's invited to pumpkin time!

Isn't that what teachers do? Take care of our children. Cultivate our children. Nurture our children. I thought this book would serve as a lovely addition to teachers' classrooms and the perfect gift to say thank you no matter what time of year it is.

Pumpkin Time! Teacher/Librarian Appreciation Gift

Supplies you will need:

Picture book Pumpkin Time! by Erzsi Deak and Doug Cushman
Cardstock
Scissors and 1/2 inch hole punch
Twine
See-thru plastic wrap
Any kind of vegetable or plant seeds
Gardening gloves
Gardening shovel or rake
Plant stand or pot

Step 1. Using your computer or handwrite "Teachers plant the seeds of knowledge that will grow forever" on your card stock. Then cut out your card using scissors and decorate. You can punch a tiny hole in the card and string some twine through. This will allow you to attach the card to the gift.

Cardstock

Decorated Card

Step 2. Roll out some of your see-thru-plastic wrap and assemble your plant stand, gloves, rake, seeds, and picture book in the center of the plastic wrap after you've cut it to the size you need.

Plant stand turned upside down with supplies inside

Seeds, gloves, rake

Step 3. Pull up all four corners and bunch together in the middle. Tie your string around the plastic wrap to secure it. Then attach your card.

Deliver to your favorite teacher or librarian! We appreciate them. We really do!

ReaderKidZ - This Orq. (he cave boy.)

It's hard to believe we're into the middle of September already! I hope many of you have had a soft launch re-entering the school year and no major hassles or hang-ups. At our house, it's been an exciting few weeks. Middle school for the almost 12-year-old is cool with the addition of a locker and  having a special space at school to call her own. The 5th-grader loves his new teacher and all the prestige and responsibility that comes with being the "leaders" at the school. I can remember when he was the smallest and youngest back in kindergarten and it's so nice to see him watching out for and making friends with the incoming kindergartners.

Speaking of friends, over at ReaderKidZ, friendship is the theme of the month. They're welcoming parents, educators, librarians back for another year of great books geared to the K-5 crowd. Check out   these two wonderful books mirroring friends who always have each other's back!

Read the ReaderKidZ review HERE for This Orq. (he cave boy.) by award-winning author David Elliott, illustrated by Lori Nichols.

Read the ReaderKidZ review HERE for Maggie and Milo by debut author Juli Brenning, illustrated by Priscilla Burris.

Be certain to check out all the books being reviewed by the talented crew over at ReaderKidZ who volunteer their time to inspire and foster a love of reading in kids K-5.

Happy September!

Texas Lifestyle Magazine - Tuesday Travels - Hyatt Regency Lost Pines and Spa

The summer is coming to an end but fall is just beginning. I love September. It's the start of a new school year and fresh beginnings.

I've been busy writing, working on publicity campaigns for my clients, and booking author visits. But during that time, I also managed to sneak a day or two off to see some of Texas with the family.  The visit to Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa was so memorable that I decided to write about it for Texas Lifestyle Magazine. Click HERE to read "Tuesday Travels: A Wilderness Escape in the Lost Pines Region." It's the perfect place to recapture those last moments of summer and anticipate the arrival of a new season.  There's truly something here for everyone; choose an adventure or relax and rejuvenate!

Happy September, everyone!

Writing Process Blog Tour

Over a week ago, my good friend Donna Bowman Bratton asked if I'd like to take part in a blog tour to talk about my writing process. Donna writes nonfiction and historical fiction for young readers. Her first two nonfiction books for Capstone Press will be released later this year followed by Step Right Up: The Story of Beautiful Jim Key (Lee & Low, 2015) and En Garde! Abraham Lincoln's Dueling Words (Peachtree, TBD). Click HERE to read her post.

I've been focusing a lot of my time on my clients and the Booking Biz, my new children's booking agency, so it's good to spend a few hours talking about what makes me write what I write.

What am I currently working on?

Well, quite a few things to be honest. I just finished reviewing edits with my editor for an article that'll appear in the debut magazine Seasons of South Austin. It should hit news stands mid-May. If you want to learn more about what's happening in Austin's hip zip 78704, check out the debut issue!

I've also been busy marketing my clients' work and securing author visits for them. In March 2014, I launched the Booking Biz, an agency devoted to bringing award-winning children's authors and illustrators to you through school and library visits, conferences and festivals, and book stores and special events. Every day involves the business in some aspect, and I feel grateful to be able to work with such talented people. Not only my clients but the people like me who are passionate about creating lifelong readers and ensuring that children's literature thrives. It's also a joy to know that in some small way, I'm helping to bring authors/illustrators into the lives of children, in a more up close and personal way.

My clients!

While my agent Erzsi Deak of Hen & Ink Literary Studio is busy submitting my fiction and nonfiction picture books, I'm at work on a new picture book project. One that didn't come from an idea I had, but rather one my agent passed along to me after hearing editors talk about their wish lists. I love the challenge this project poses. It's a different process when you haven't come up with the idea yourself. First you have to find the story. A lot of brainstorming and crumpled pages end up in the trash. I'm also playing with a rhyming structure which I haven't done a lot with in the past, so I'm eager to see if I can find the passion and inspiration to create magic on the page.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Hmmm. Great question. A little odd for me to answer because my books aren't published, yet. But hopefully what sets my work apart from others of its genres are my characters. Believable. Authentic. Relateable. Endearing. Can't-get-them-out-of-your-head characters.

I think that's what most children's writers strive to do. To create a character so real that the child feels like he knows them personally. That he wants to know everything about them. That he wants to return to them, night after night.

The other thing I think that makes my writing unique is me. My voice. My storytelling. My experiences. My imagination. My heart. My soul. My belief in myself. My belief in humanity. My belief in that every story matters. And every story needs to be told.

Why do I write what I write?

I write on the topics of family, friendship, and making a difference. Themes that were in the books that my grandmother read to me as a child. My hope is that my storytelling and character development brings a uniqueness and freshness that children will respond to. I try to be honest. Real. Funny. And unpredictable.

Today, in a world where poverty is rampant, hardship is common, and success has never been more important in society. I want children to be children. To be entertained by books. To be inspired by books. To forget themselves in books. To find themselves in books.

I write what I write because family, friendship, and making a difference is what's important to me. They've shaped who I am and therefore it's my way of giving back to those people and relationships that have made a difference in my life.

First Book I ever Wrote about Friendships (Approx age Gr 3)

How does my individual writing process work?

It changes every day. Every week. Every year. I think that's one of the things I love about the creative process so much is that I'm still learning. Still figuring out what works and what doesn't. Still fine tuning my process. When something becomes stale, it's time to change things. When something stops working, it's definitely time to change things.

I can tell you this. I write best early in the morning.

I like to write as fast as I can to get a first draft down on paper. I can't really begin to shape a story until I have an ending.

I like to use a dummy book (click here to read a post by Darci Pattison on how to make one) to write out my first draft. A process I adapted to help me figure out what happens next. As I turn the page I ask, "Now what?" It's also very useful to use when you've got a finished picture book but I also find it helpful at the beginning of the process too.

I REVISE endlessly. I've been told by several of my critique partners that I'm a fast reviser. And a great reviser. This is the best part of the process for me. When I can peel back the layers and find the heart of the story. Sometimes during this process, I find I have to abandon a project. It's just not working. The story isn't there. When this happens, it's time to store the manuscript and begin on something new.

I don't write every day now because of my other obligations but I do listen to my muse. I listen to it and myself and return to the page as often as I can get there. And I don't beat myself up because I can't write every day. I try to be kind to myself. I figure that's the best way to help draw the stories out!

Mark your calendars for next week Monday, May 12th when award-winning author David Elliott and authors/illustrators Evan Turk and Andrea Zuill share their creative process on their blogs.

Children’s author David Elliott is the creator of the bestselling series On the Farm, In the Wild, and In the Sea with On the Wing poised to publish in 2014 and the final book in the series In the Past in 2016. His book And Heres to You illustrated by Randy Cecil was a New York Times bestseller and his chapter books like Jeremy Cabbage and The Transmogrification of Roscoe Wizzle are hilarious and full of heart. David's blog can be found here.

Evan Turk is an author, illustrator, and animator working in New York City. He is originally from Colorado, and loves being in nature, traveling, and learning about other cultures through drawing. He is a graduate of Parsons and continues his studies as a member of Dalvero Academy. Grandfather Gandhi is his first picture book.  Evan's blog can be found here.

Andrea Zuill is an artist, author, and illustrator living in the San Diego area. Her art work recently appeared at an exhibit at Hamilton Art Galleries and her first picture book Urban Wolf will be published with Schwartz & Wade in 2016. Andrea's blog can be found here.

Picture Book Review: The Very Tiny Baby

As a mother with children who were born premature, The Very Tiny Baby by Sylvie Kantorovitz (Charlesbridge, 2014) caught my attention. It's a topic I've often thought of exploring in a picture book and naturally I was curious to see how this author broached the subject. Brilliantly, in my opinion. Just the right amount of fact, honesty, and story woven together.

Jacob and his teddy bear Bob, Jacob's alter ego, are waiting the arrival of a new sibling. His mother and father and grandmother are excited about the baby but Jacob has mixed emotions. He's not sure he's happy about it. "Bob says the baby will steal my toys." When the baby arrives too soon (premature), everybody is concerned about the baby surviving. Will it live? Jacob doesn't understand if the baby is in the hospital under constant care by a doctor and team of nurses why aren't his mother and father home taking care of him instead of Grandma. At one point, we hear Jacob's darkest thoughts "I think we should give the baby away. I wish the baby would die."  

Through Jacob's good and bad thoughts, we understand his worries "I want to be the only one again" and watch his transformation as he understands the obstacles the tiny baby faces, learns to forgive his parents, and ultimately embraces the role of big brother.

I think this author's brave candid approach will allow for open discussions within families as they prepare for new siblings especially ones born premature. It reminds me of the honest conversations we had in our family with the birth of our premature children. The illustrations remind me of author/illustrator Lauren Child's Charlie & Lola series, full of expression and child-like. For ages 2 - 7.

ReaderKidZ Review - Grandfather Gandhi

There's been so many exciting things happening for me and my friends in 2014. Today, I'd like to share a special book with you and an incredible journey of inspiration, passion, and perseverance. The book I'm referring to is Grandfather Gandhi, co-authored by my dear friend Bethany Hegedus and Arun Gandhi, illustrated by Evan Turk (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Mar 2014).

I had the privilege of reviewing this book at ReaderKidZ this month and you can read the review and short interview with Bethany by clicking HERE. Additionally, Kirkus Reviews author Laura Jenkins also interviewed Arun, Bethany, and Evan and you can read their conversation HERE.

Arun is the 5th grandson of Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi and the book Grandfather Gandhi chronicles a special time when Arun visited his grandfather at the Sevagram Ashram and the life lessons he discovered that would lead him to choose lamp over lightening.

What I find especially rewarding about this book for children of all ages is its capacity to be a ripple in the pond affecting change around the world especially in how we deal with anger. It's also a true testament to the art form of the picture book. The collaboration between Bethany and Arun and their belief in each other to get the story right. It didn't matter how long the process took, they'd stay the course and see it to fruition. On dark days, when balled up paper and tears mixed, Bethany knew giving up wasn't an option. She knew not to force the story and like our friend and mentor New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith always says, "When all else fails, begin again."

Then enter Evan Turk, a young up-and-coming illustrator bursting with talent and creative ingenuity. His mixed media collages are nothing short of brilliant, the colors vibrant, the emotions evocative of prayer and peace then switching to anger and lightening. It's visually breathtaking and I foresee many awards in its future.

Over the years, Bethany and I have discussed working together but it wasn't until this book neared its debut before we figured out how the puzzle pieces were going to fit together for us to collaborate. As her booking agent of the Booking Biz, I'm thrilled to help bring this author and this important story into libraries, schools, book stores, literary festivals, and conferences. I'm also honored to be representing the award-winning author/illustrator Don Tate and award-winning author Dianne de Las Casas. I'm a staunch admirer of their work and their work ethic and how they live their life and spread joy.

With the first quarter of 2014 underway, I'm excited with this new business venture, the possibilities on the horizon with my own picture book projects, and continuing to be an advocate for children's literature.

Pick up a book and read to a child today, inspire a life-long reader!

ReaderKidZ Review - Under the Freedom Tree

In celebration of Black History Month I reviewed the book Under the Freedom Tree by Susan VanHecke, illustrations by London Ladd (Charlesbridge, 2014).

Peek from my ReaderKidZ review: "Under the Freedom Tree tells the story of three runaway Confederate slaves who steal away under night’s blanket of protection and row their weathered skiff to the Union side. They’re seeking freedom, a chance to build a life for themselves, but if they’re caught, “Shackles. The whip. Sold downriver. Or worse...”

Click HERE to read my full review at ReaderKidZ and to hear what the author and illustrator had to say about how this story came to be, and why they think it's important for young people to know this story.

Also last year, I interviewed illustrator Don Tate at ReaderKidZ about his book The Cart That Carried Martin written by Eve Bunting (Charlesbridge, 2013).

Peek from my ReaderKidZ review: "...Eve Bunting and Don Tate have collaborated to bring us the story about the “humble cart that, not so long ago, carried greatness.” It is a poignant tale that pays tribute to the late reverend and how the American people honored Dr. King..."

Click HERE to read the full review and interview.

On a final note make sure you drop by the Brown Bookshelf as they celebrate twenty-eight days of Black History Month through children's literature.

ReaderKidZ Review - Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas

Chinese New Year (Jan. 31, 2014) is just around the corner fellow readers and bloggers. May the Year of the Horse fill you with great wealth, long life, and good luck!

Check out my ReaderKidZ review for Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas by Natasha Yim, Illustrated by Grace Zong (Charlesbridge, 2014). Click HERE.

Not only will readers uncover a thing or two about the celebrations of Chinese New Year but they'll laugh along at Goldy's unfortunate luck in this spirited retelling of the classic fairy tale "Goldilocks and the Three Bears."

ReaderKidZ Review and Interview with LITTLE RED WRITING Author Joan Holub

Author/Illustrator Joan Holub drops by ReaderKidZ to talk about her latest book Little Red Writing, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet (Chronicle Books, 2013). Click HERE to read our interview.

Having written and/or illustrated over 130 books for young people, Joan knows a thing or two about telling stories. This retelling of fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood is humorous and filled with lots of plot twists and turns. It's fresh and original and a must-have-addition for your library.

It's Humor month at ReaderKidZ so be sure and check out all the posts highlighting funny and outrageous books especially Make Them Laugh. Help Them Read by Ann Jacobus. It highlights several favorite books in our household too!