I’m not quite sure how this week flew by so fast (oh, wait… maybe it was partly because I posted so late last week 😊) but here we are at Perfect Picture Book Friday again!
With Father’s Day just a month away, I have a wonderful, brand new book about Dads of every kind to share with you this week! I think it’s a great book for anytime, but it’s especially appropriate at this time of year.
Title: Some Daddies
Written By: Carol Gordon Ekster
Illustrated By: Javiera Maclean Alvarez
Publisher: Beaming Books, May 17, 2022
Suitable For Ages: 4-7
Themes/Topics: fathers/families
Opening: “Every daddy is different. Some daddies wake up whistling. Others need time before they talk. Some joke around and tell stories. Others like to listen.”
text copyright Carol Gordon Ekster 2022, illustration copyright Javiera Maclean Alvarez 2022, Beaming Books
Brief Synopsis: a celebration of the incredible diversity of modern fathers with an inclusive cast of characters and a wide array of fathers that will allow readers to catch glimpses of, and feel new appreciation for, their own fathers and father-figures and how they shine in their own unique ways.
text copyright Carol Gordon Ekster 2022, illustration copyright Javiera Maclean Alvarez 2022, Beaming Books
Why I Like This Book: I love that such a broad view of fatherhood is taken in this book. Fathers of many races, cultures, occupations, and interests, as well as a two-dad family, a single dad, and a stay-at-home dad are pictured so that every child will likely find some representation of their own father or father-figure. I think it’s wonderful for young readers to be introduced to the many kinds of things fathers can do, be like, and participate in so they can understand that not everyone’s father/father-figure is exactly like their own, and get a sense of the possibilities that exist for them someday. This is a lovely book to read around Father’s Day, or any time 😊
text copyright Carol Gordon Ekster 2022, illustration copyright Javiera Maclean Alvarez 2022, Beaming Books
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
I have such a beautiful book about friendship, community, and learning to open your heart and trust the world around you. It was written and illustrated by Edward Hemingway, youngest grandson of Ernest, (and is a far cry from my 9th grade reading of A Farewell To Arms 😊) It is due out on June 21 and I think it’s a book classrooms and libraries can benefit from as well as home libraries. Have a look!
Title: Pigeon & Cat
Written & Illustrated By: Edward Hemingway
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books/Little Brown & Co, June 21, 2022
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: friendship, community, creativity, personal growth
Opening: “In an abandoned city lot there sits a cardboard box. Inside the box lives Cat.”
text & illustration copyright Edward Hemingway 2022, Christy Ottaviano Books
Brief Synopsis: from the publisher: “In an abandoned city lot, Cat lives alone in a cardboard box. He leaves only to find food. One day, Cat discovers an unbroken egg too beautiful to eat. Soon, out pecks Pigeon, and they become fast friends. Cat is happy to share his box with Pigeon. But when Pigeon flies far away from where they live, Cat must brave the city in order to rescue his friend. This journey will forever transform his understanding of home.
This heartwarming story explores unlikely friendships, the creative spark within us, and how to give comfort and kindness in small, impactful gestures. It is also a celebration of urban community.”
text & illustration copyright Edward Hemingway 2022, Christy Ottaviano Books
Links To Resources: as a parent or teacher, encourage your kids to be part of their communities – family, school, neighborhood. Look at family photos so kids learn who family members are and how important they are to you. Make a family storybook using photos, including birthdays and addresses and relationships so kids gain a solid understanding of their family community. Participate in school activities beyond the classroom – book fairs, sports events, school plays. Get out in the local community with your kids. Are there opportunities for helping with recycling, planting trees or flowers, making cards for seniors at holidays? If not, maybe you can start one 😊
text & illustration copyright Edward Hemingway 2022, Christy Ottaviano Books
Why I Like This Book: It can be easy for anyone who has faced hardship, hurt, or disappointment to wall themselves off from the world as a measure of self protection. So Cat lives his life, staying where he feels safe, never venturing forth, and threatening all he encounters with hisses, teeth, and claws because the world is frightening to him. But along comes Pigeon who has never known anything but love – Cat’s love for her and hers for him – and over the course of the story Cat opens his heart and his mind and comes to realize that the world can be a good and beautiful place to which he has a lot to offer, and maybe, just maybe, it has something to offer him. This book is a sweet and lovely celebration of friendship and community, taking something rough and making it better for everyone. The art is engaging, full of details. I love the places where Cat and Pigeon talk, because Pigeon has her own way of communicating, all in pictures 😊 I can’t imagine anyone not loving this book!
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
So, in my mind I had this plan that I was going to post a Perfect Picture Book (on time!) today.
In reality, I am spending my days helping out with my new granddaughter.
“Helping out” (in case you’re unfamiliar with the term) in addition to actually helping out with baby care and laundry and grocery shopping etc. involves a lot of gazing at the baby and looking at each other and saying, “Isn’t she perfect?” and “Can you believe how perfect she is?”
SO…. not a lot of non-baby related work getting done around here at the moment! 😊
So instead of sharing a new book on time, I am sharing an old book late 😊
I chose Little Tiger because Charlotte, having been born in the Year of the Tiger, is a little tiger, and because I love this whole series by Julie Abery – perfect little books for youngest readers!
Title: Little Tiger
Written By: Julie Abery
Illustrated By: Suzie Mason
Amicus Ink, March 12 2019, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-5
Themes/Topics: baby jungle adventure, mother/child love, language fun (rhyme)
Opening: “Little Tiger waking, shaking, in the morning sun.”
Brief Synopsis: a “day-in-the-life” adventure in which Little Tiger romps and plays and experiments… but mama is always close by to watch over and keep him safe.
Links To Resources: Special Resource straight from the author!!!
Hi Susanna.
Thank you so much for inviting Little Tiger to Blueberry Hill. We have been looking forward to visiting you on Perfect Picture Book Friday for such a long time!
We are so happy that you and your granddaughters loved our book sooo much! How about a little painting fun to go with the book.
Little Tiger handprints…
TIGER-ific!
Fun and easy to make, just don’t forget to have a bowl of soapy water to wash those paint-covered hands.
We hope that you enjoyed the Little Tiger craft time.
Thank you so much for taking time to stop by and share these wonderful activities with us, Julie!!!
Why I Like This Books: the story is sweet, engaging, and accessible to youngest readers/listeners. The rhyme is fun to read aloud, with perfect rhythm and fun internal rhyme as well as end-of-line-rhyme. The story lets us play and explore along with the baby animal, always feeling the safety of mama’s watchful eye and the warmth of her love. A lovely, gentle read, perfect for bedtime or any time!!!
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific links (and any other info you feel like filling out 🙂 ) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
My perfect picture book for this week is the most special kind of story of all. A brand new one that is just beginning, surrounded by love, and with wonder, hope, light, and every kind of beautiful possibility shining from it.
Welcome, Charlotte Susanna! We’re so very glad you’re here ❤️❤️❤️
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Good morning, and welcome to Tuesday Debut, everyone!
Today’s debutess is Carrie Tillotson, and just wait until you see how fun her debut picture book, COUNTING TO BANANAS is!
Let’s jump right in, shall we?
Title: Counting to Bananas: A Mostly Rhyming Fruit Book Author: Carrie Tillotson Illustrator: Estrela Lourenço Publishing House: Flamingo Books/Penguin Young Readers Release Date: April 12, 2022 Fiction, Ages 4-8
A hilarious, mostly-rhyming picture book about a banana and narrator who can’t quite agree on what their book is about.
SUSANNA: Welcome, Carrie! Thank you so much for joining us today! We’re looking forward to learning from you! Where did the idea for this book come from?
CARRIE: Thank you so much for having me on the blog, Susanna! The idea came from an interaction between my son and his swim instructor. Every lesson, my son had to perform a starfish float, where he lay on his back and floated for ten seconds. The instructor counted “One-two-three, four-five-six, seven-eight-nine, BANANAS!” and my son would laugh hysterically. One day, the instructor said, “Don’t you love my counting to bananas?” In that moment, I knew a picture book title was born.
SUSANNA: How long did it take you to write this book?
CARRIE: I let the idea simmer for about a year before I even started writing it, because I had no idea what the story was about. But once I committed to it, I first journaled with a stream of consciousness approach to see what ideas bubbled up. From title idea in 2017, to first draft in 2018, to final draft in 2020, it took about 3 years.
SUSANNA: Did you go through many revisions?
CARRIE: I think I had about 16 drafts from start to finish, and often took months-long breaks in between some of them. One key for me and this manuscript was receiving a critique ninja visit from 12×12 Picture Book Challenge critique-ninja-and-author, Carter Higgins. Her feedback on a couple of things was key in helping me streamline one of the layers of the text that ended up just not being necessary.
Carrie in her blanket fort office with her writing buddy 😊
SUSANNA: When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?
CARRIE: Ha! When one of my critique partners was like, “Why aren’t you sending this out?!”
SUSANNA: When and how did you submit?
CARRIE: I attended the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature One-on-One Plus Conference in the fall of 2019, and had a pass to submit to agents and editors from that conference. I submitted Counting to Bananas to two of those editors and a handful of agents, and submitted other manuscripts to other editors and agents, based on their preferences and what they were looking for.
SUSANNA: How long after you found out about your book going to acquisitions (if you did) or after you submitted were you told it was a “yes”?
CARRIE: I don’t remember exactly, but I think it was about four to six weeks.
SUSANNA: When did you get “the call”, which these days is more likely to be “the email”? (Best moment ever! ☺)
CARRIE: Because I submitted directly to editors from the conference, things went a little out of order for me. After I submitted the story, my editor requested an R&R. After that, she emailed to say she was interested in taking the story to acquisitions, encouraged me to continue seeking an agent, and gave me permission to let agents know she was taking the story to acquisitions. I already had submissions out with several agents, so I was able to notify them of an editor’s interest. Shortly after, my now-agent Tracy Marchini set up a call with me, and happily, she and I felt like a great match! Once I signed with Tracy, it was just a couple of weeks until we had an offer for Counting to Bananas.
SUSANNA: How long was it between getting your offer and getting your contract to sign?
CARRIE: About 4-5 months.
SUSANNA: How did you celebrate signing your contract?
CARRIE: Oh, I’m sure I had ice cream – that’s how I celebrate everything!
SUSANNA: A girl after my own heart 😊 Was the contract what you expected in terms of advance, royalty percentage, publication timeline, author copies etc.?
CARRIE: The contract was pretty much what I expected, from having researched in other places like the Author’s Guild, and Hannah Holt’s author surveys. I was happy that my agent was able to negotiate some increases in various items on my behalf, and appreciated all her work during the negotiation process!
SUSANNA: Can you tell us a little about the editorial process?
CARRIE: When my editor first asked for an R&R, the changes were pretty minor. Once the manuscript was acquired, we had one more round of revisions. My editor and I had a phone call to discuss, which was very helpful because it helped clarify a couple of questions I had about her comments. From there, revisions were pretty straightforward.
SUSANNA: What was your experience of the illustration process like?
CARRIE: I LOVED seeing the illustrations take shape! I remember in particular being asked if it was OK with me for the fruits to have faces and personalities. I hadn’t considered that before, but was definitely OK with it. Once I saw the initial sketches, I was so glad I had said yes because I fell in love with all the hilarious fruit expressions! It was really exciting to get to see the process from sketches to final art, and I really appreciated the opportunity to give my own input at various stages, which I hadn’t expected going in.
text copyright Carrie Tillotson 2022, illustration copyright Estrela Lourenço 2022, Flamingo Books/Penguin Young Readers
text copyright Carrie Tillotson 2022, illustration copyright Estrela Lourenço 2022, Flamingo Books/Penguin Young Readers
SUSANNA: Did you get to see advance reviews from Kirkus, SLJ, etc? What was that like?
CARRIE: Yes, I saw an advance review from Kirkus and it was thrilling! I was happy to receive a positive review, knowing that they sometimes have a reputation for being a bit blunt if they don’t like a book – and to have my book compared to one of Mac Barnett’s felt great!
SUSANNA: High praise! How long did it take from offer to having the first copy in your hand?
CARRIE: The offer came in July of 2020, and publication was April 12, 2022, so just a few months shy of 2 years.
SUSANNA: What kind of marketing and promotion has your publisher done for this book?
CARRIE: They have done so much, and I appreciate every bit of it! My publicist sent the book out for reviews and helped arrange a couple of virtual events with local bookstores, as well as preorder signing opportunities for me. And the marketing team helped create a downloadable activity guide, animated trailer, and adorable posts on social media. They probably both did so much more than I’m even aware of, and I’m so grateful for everything they’ve done!
SUSANNA: Describe any marketing/promotion you did for this book.
CARRIE: One of the biggest and most helpful things I have done is to join a debut group of picture book creators, Kidlit Caravan. It has been really helpful to talk with other creators navigating the debut process to get ideas and see what others are doing. A few specific things I did were to create some bookmarks, which I plan to give away for school visits and at book stores, helped create the activities for the activity guide, and have appeared on a few blogs. I tried to keep my promotion efforts tied to things that would be fun for me, and not worry about the rest!
SUSANNA: How long was it between the time you started writing seriously and the time you sold your first picture book?
CARRIE: 8 years! After years of lurking on the SCBWI website and wanting to be involved in making children’s books, I finally realized that the only thing standing in my way was myself. That summer of 2014, I signed up for my first SCBWI conference, and I’ve been writing ever since.
SUSANNA: What is the most important/helpful thing you learned on your way to publication? (Or what is your most helpful piece of advice for up and coming writers?)
CARRIE: Probably the most important thing I’ve done is to get out of my own way. Like I mentioned in the previous question, I thought for years that authors and illustrators were these amazing people, and I wondered how to be like them… until I realized the only thing stopping me was myself. So to everyone who has dreams they want to achieve, I say go for it!
SUSANNA: Thank you so much for taking the time to participate in this series and paying it forward to other writers! We so appreciate the opportunity to learn from you, and wish you all the best with this and future titles!
CARRIE: Thanks so much to you and your readers for giving new authors an opportunity to share!
Readers, if you have questions for Carrie, please post them in the comments below and if she has time I’m sure she’ll respond!
You may purchase Carrie’s book at: (all links below are book-specific)
(Although truth be told, I’m not even here today! You might have guessed that, given the tardiness of this post. I am in the Green Mountains visiting my daughter! 😊)
First off, I’m happy to announce the winner of last week’s giveaway!!! JENNY MORALES, come on down! You are the lucky winner of your choice of either a copy of GARDENS ARE FOR GROWING by Chelsea Tornetto, OR, a PB Manuscript Critique from Chelsea!!! Please email me (you can use the handy contact form in the menu bar above) and I’ll get you set up with your winnings! 😊
Now, then! I can’t say today’s choice relates to the time of year or anything that’s going on. I just loved this book from the opening sentence, and I hope you will too!
Title: Marilyn’s Monster Written By: Michelle Knudsen Illustrated By: Matt Phelan Candlewick, March 2015, Fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: patience/waiting, monsters, doing what you know is right
Opening: “Some of the kids in Marilyn’s class had monsters. It was the latest thing. Marilyn didn’t have a monster. Not yet. You couldn’t just go out and get one. Your monster had to find you. That’s just the way it worked.”
text copyright Michelle Knudson 2017, illustration copyright Matt Phelan 2017, Candlewick
Brief Synopsis: Marilyn longs for her monster to find her. She tries to be patient and be the kind of girl no monster can resist. But the longer she waits, the harder it gets, until finally Marilyn takes matters into her own hands. And it’s a good thing she does!
text copyright Michelle Knudson 2017, illustration copyright Matt Phelan 2017, Candlewick
Why I Like This Book: Oh, gosh! Where to begin? The story is wonderfully original and entertaining, and relates to a theme all kids can understand – having to wait for things! Marilyn is so believably child-like in her behaviors and emotions. The art is delightful, full of wacky monsters that are tons of fun to look at, and Marilyn’s face and body language are so expressive. Marilyn goes against expectation without being disobedient or breaking any rules, so it’s a nice way to model doing what you know is right, or being true to yourself. And the resolution is surprisingly sweet. Across the board, this one is a winner!
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific links (and any other info you feel like filling out 🙂 ) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
If you spend any time around kids, you have no doubt been challenged to a variety of tongue twisters. My sister and I had two favorites when we were kids: “toy boat” and “rubber baby buggy bumper” ((say either of them at least 3 times fast!)
But the most recent one I got challenged to (which I can barely say 1 time without messing up 😊) is “Irish wristwatch, Swiss wristwatch” Go on! I dare you!
It’s hard, right?! 😊
So, if you’re casting about for a writing prompt today, why not have a go at writing something with tongue twisters? Dr. Seuss did it. You can, too!
I think it’s actually kind of a cool exercise, since it makes you really think about the sounds in words – something we care a lot about here in kidlit 😊
Here’s Something Chocolate to get you fueled up and ready to write – Cookie Dough Fudge! Looks scrumptious, doesn’t it?
Perhaps you’ll feel inspired to write a story full of tongue twisters about cookie dough fudge 😊
Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Cindy. Cindy is a kidlit writer, graphic designer, kid at heart, and lover of all things chocolate. She works full time in marketing but writing for kids is her happy place. She is also a member of the Write2Ignite Conference team (write2ignite.com) which offers virtual workshops for children’s writers and her website is cindylynnsawyer.net.
Find her on the web at:
Here is her pitch:
Working Title: Remmy’s Sticky Situation
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)
The Pitch: When Remmy raccoon’s cotton candy disappears, he blames his friends. But he finds himself in a sticky situation when he discovers the real reason for the mystery. Has he lost his best buds forever? How can Remmy show his friends that he is truly sorry?
So what do you think? Would you read it? YES, MAYBE, or NO?
If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest. If you answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Cindy improve her pitch. Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome. (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful. I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)
Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks! For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It, or on Would You Read It in the dropdown under For Writers in the menu bar above. There are openings as soon as next week (April 27), so you could get your pitch up pretty soon for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on my editor Erin Molta!
Cindy is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to seeing if I can figure out a story that has been percolating in my mind for about 2 weeks. . . I hope I can get it on paper, and I hope I love it when it gets there! 😊
Today’s debutess has a lovely book called FISHING WITH GRANDPA AND SKYE. I can’t wait to show it to you! You might recognize the illustrator too, since she was on Tuesday Debut a few weeks ago (Beverly Warren.) How fun is that?
So without further ado, I’m thrilled to present Candace Spizzirri! She has all kinds of helpful tidbits to share!
Title: FISHING WITH GRANDPA AND SKYE Author: Candace Spizzirri Illustrator: Beverly Love Warren Publishing House: Clear Fork Publishing/Spork imprint Date of Publication: April 19, 2022 Fiction, Ages 3-8
Skye and Grandpa load up their tackle box, hop aboard their skiff, and chug out to their favorite fishing spot. Today, the sun is shining, the fish are jumping, but will Skye hook a big one?
SUSANNA: Welcome, Candace! Thank you so much for joining us today! We’re looking forward to all you have to share.! Where did the idea for this book come from?
CANDACE: Thanks so much, Susanna, for having me on your blog. It is a pleasure to be here! The idea for FISHING WITH GRANDPA AND SKYE came from my own childhood. My grandpa Henry and I loved to go fishing together. It was our special thing. This story is about the events of one particular day spent on the lake that is very dear to my heart.
I often look to my own life as an idea generator. The spark for my second picture book, FINLEY; A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE, was inspired by a trip to beautiful Alaska, where moose roam about freely. (and they’re so adorable!)
SUSANNA: How long did it take you to write this book?
CANDACE: The rough draft of FISHING was written in a few hours one afternoon at my local library. I like to find a cozy corner in the quiet section, be alone with my thoughts, and just let the words flow naturally. But trust me, they’re not all gems on the first go around. I always attempt to write a new story in one sitting, try to turn off my internal “editor” and just get it all down. I have to admit, I’m a bit of a pantser, not a planner, when it comes to writing.
Candace’s favorite spot to write when it’s nice out
SUSANNA: Did you go through many revisions?
CANDACE: I don’t know exactly how many revisions there were for FISHING, but not as many as usual for me. The story follows the actual events of one particular day on the lake with my grandpa Henry, so it was fully formed from the beginning. It did require a lot of tightening/cutting of darlings and line/word edits.
I generally go through many revisions before I feel a manuscript is ready to submit. After I write a new story, I like to put it away for a week or two. Then I generally do a bit of revising and send it off to my critique partners.(I don’t know what I’d do without them!) After each has weighed in, I carefully consider all of their comments/suggestions while staying true to the vision for my story.
Candace’s writing buddy, Penelope 😊
SUSANNA: When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?
CANDACE: My critique partners often tell me when they believe a manuscript is ready to go. Thanks, CPs! I also get a gut feeling that a story is finished. If the story arc is all there, the characters are developed, each line/word has been examined, and I’m happy with the beginning and ending. (endings are the hardest part for me) then, I submit and see what happens. It doesn’t mean there won’t be rejections…there are always rejections when you are a writer. It’s part of the process. Just keep going until you get your “yes”!
SUSANNA: When and how did you submit?
CANDACE: I submitted FISHING WITH GRANDPA AND SKYE directly to Callie Metler at Clear Fork Publishing in August of 2018. I was unagented and Clear Fork accepted unsolicited manuscripts.
SUSANNA: How long after you found out about your book going to acquisitions (if you did) or after you submitted were you told it was a “yes”?
CANDACE: FISHING WITH GRANDPA AND SKYE went to acquisitions in October 2018 and I had my YES in January 2019.
SUSANNA: When did you get “the call”, which these days is more likely to be “the email”? (Best moment ever! ☺)
CANDACE: My “call” was an in person meeting. How exciting is that?! And yep, it was the best!
Callie Metler had a conference in Southern California in January 2019 just minutes from where I live. We arranged to meet for dinner. I was nervous, but she is so warm and friendly. I have to admit my eyes welled up when she said she loved my book and wanted to publish it. Woohoo!
SUSANNA: How long was it between getting your offer and getting your contract to sign?
CANDACE: I had my YES in January 2019 and signed my contract in early February 2019.
SUSANNA: How did you celebrate signing your contract?
CANDACE: My husband took a picture of me signing my contract to commemorate the occasion. We had a wonderful dinner and a glass of champagne. I celebrated with my kids and grandkids too. Cheers!
SUSANNA: Was the contract what you expected in terms of advance, royalty percentage, publication timeline, author copies etc.?
CANDACE: The contract was exactly what I expected from a small independent publisher.
SUSANNA: Can you tell us a little about the editorial process?
CANDACE: Much of the editing for FISHING happened prior to receiving my contract. The manuscript went to acquisitions in October 2018 and came back with notes/suggestions to revise and resubmit. At that point I worked with Callie Metler and freelance editor Lynne Marie, now Editorial Director at Clear Fork Publishing, on revisions prior to it going back to acquisitions in early December 2018.
I felt that Callie had a great vision for FISHING and really loved my “slice of life” book. After the illustrator, Beverly Love Warren, paginated the book, we did some additional edits based on page turns. Then, we made a couple of small text changes just before the book went to print.
SUSANNA: What was your experience of the illustration process like?
CANDACE: Early in the process, Callie Metler shared art by a few illustrators and asked for my opinion. I was thrilled when she ultimately chose Beverly Love Warren to illustrate FISHING WITH GRANDPA AND SKYE! Callie showed me initial sketches and I loved the direction it was going. I also saw what would become the cover (oh my heart!) and spreads along the way. Bev did an amazing job and I couldn’t be happier with the result. I felt her style fit my story perfectly and she even had a few surprises, like the sweet little dog that accompanies Grandpa and Skye on their fishing trip. Oh, and I didn’t include any art notes in the manuscript for FISHING as I felt they were not necessary.
text copyright Candace Spzzirri 2022, illustration copyright Beverly Love Warren 2022, Clear Fork
text copyright Candace Spzzirri 2022, illustration copyright Beverly Love Warren 2022, Clear Fork
text copyright Candace Spzzirri 2022, illustration copyright Beverly Love Warren 2022, Clear Fork
SUSANNA: Did you get to see advance reviews from Kirkus, SLJ, etc? What was that like?
CANDACE: I am waiting on reviews.
SUSANNA: How long did it take from offer to having the first copy in your hand?
CANDACE: Callie Metler at Clear Fork sent the contract for FISHING in early February 2019 and I held an advanced copy in my hands on March 14, 2022. I must admit, there were tears of joy!
SUSANNA: What kind of marketing and promotion has your publisher done for this book?
CANDACE: Clear Fork sent out FISHING to reviewers and did a promotion of their Spring releases. They also sent me high resolution cover art and a PDF version of my book so I could send it out for reviews as well. Clear Fork, Callie Metler, Beverly Love Warren, and I have worked together to market and promote FISHING.
SUSANNA: Describe any marketing/promotion you did for this book.
CANDACE: I belong to two awesome promotional groups @KidLitCollective and @PB22Peekaboo. They have been absolutely invaluable! We share about one another’s books on social media and support each other on this writing journey.
For FISHING, I scheduled an interview blog tour with book giveaways during April, May and June. I created bookmarks, stickers, and other swag. Beverly Love Warren made some fun coloring pages. I have a couple of appearances scheduled and an author visit to my niece’s second grade class.
SUSANNA: How long was it between the time you started writing seriously and the time you sold your first picture book?
CANDACE: I first started writing back in 2016, but didn’t get serious until January of 2017. I joined SCBWI and Julie Hedlund’s 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, connected with critique partners, started taking classes/webinars, and absolutely fell in love with writing! I sold FISHING WITH GRANDPA AND SKYE in February 2019. So, a little over two years.
SUSANNA: What is the most important/helpful thing you learned on your way to publication? (Or what is your most helpful piece of advice for up and coming writers?)
CANDACE: Be patient. Work on your craft. Take classes, attend conferences, find critique partners, join writing groups, and connect with the kidlit community. What an amazing, supportive group they are! And most importantly…never give up! You’ve got this!
SUSANNA: Anything else you’d like to share about your book’s journey from inspiration to publication?
CANDACE: I just want to say to pre-published writers, believe in yourself and keep at it! Write the stories only you can tell. Enjoy the journey and make some friends along the way. The kidlit community is truly an amazing group.
I’m so happy to be on your blog today, Susanna! And thank you for all you do for the kidlit community!
SUSANNA: My pleasure, Candace! Thank YOU so much for taking the time to participate in this series and paying it forward to other writers! It’s such a wonderful opportunity to learn!
Welcome to today’s edition of Perfect Picture Book Friday!
I have a lovely book to share – perfect for spring time! It makes me want to get out and garden (and I have a black thumb, so that’s saying something! 😊) I’m sure it will have the same affect on you and any young readers you share it with.
As an added bonus, we have a little Q&A with the author, Chelsea Tornetto, who is also offering winner’s choice of a picture book manuscript critique or a copy of her beautiful book to one lucky commenter! So please leave a comment on this post by Wednesday April 20 at 9PM Eastern and you could be the randomly selected lucky winner! Check out Chelsea’s critique service HERE so you can see what she offers!
Now, let’s have a look at the book!
Title: Gardens Are For Growing
Written By: Chelsea Tornetto
Illustrated By: Hsulynn Pang
Publisher: Familius Publishing
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: gardens/nature, growth, family, cycle of life
text copyright Chelsea Tornetto 2022, illustration coptright Hsulynn Pang 2022, Familius
Opening: “Shovels are for turning soil, and clumps are meant for breaking.”
text copyright Chelsea Tornetto 2022, illustration coptright Hsulynn Pang 2022, Familius
Brief Synopsis: A father shows his daughter how to take a patch of earth and till and plant and tend until it grows into a beautiful garden. As the garden grows more lush with every passing year, the little girl grows up.
text copyright Chelsea Tornetto 2022, illustration coptright Hsulynn Pang 2022, Familius
Links To Resources: First, a treat! A little Q&A with author Chelsea Tornetto!
SUSANNA: How did you come up with the idea for Gardens Are For Growing?
CHELSEA: My husband puts in a backyard garden every year. When our daughter, Tessa, was small, my favorite thing about spring and summer was watching her hanging out in the garden with her dad. As she grew older the tasks she could/would help with changed, but the memories they made were always precious. It struck me how she was growing up just like the garden did each year. And Gardens Are For Growing was born!
SUSANNA: What do you hope kids will take away from it?
CHELSEA: I hope families are inspired to take time to get outside together! I also hope it helps them realize that the best, most powerful memories are usually made in the small moments. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a big fancy vacation to make lasting memories.
SUSANNA: What is your favorite part of being an author?
CHELSEA: I love the creativity of it. I love the challenge of finding just the right word to complete a rhyme or create a certain feeling. And I love giving my words to a talented illustrator and seeing their vision come to life!
SUSANNA: Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Chelsea! It’s so wonderful to know a little about the background of the books we love!
Next, some wonderful activity pages!
Why I Like This Book: This lovely story, told in rhyme, shows young readers the many things involved with growing a garden, from breaking up the earth, to sowing seeds and watering, to seeing earthworms, to watching things grow. With each turn of the page, the garden grows, going from a patch of earth, to neat garden with thin, young plants, until eventually it is a lush, mature garden. As the garden grows, a young girl grows alongside it, until the garden, the seasons, and the girl and her father together demonstrate the cycle of life. The art is bright and full of details, a wonderful complement to the text. Young gardeners (whether in the country with a true patch of earth, or in the city with a pot on a windowsill) will especially love this chance to learn about gardening, but it is a beautiful story anyone will enjoy.
text copyright Chelsea Tornetto 2022, illustration coptright Hsulynn Pang 2022, Familius
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Happy Passover and Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates! 😊
Don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance to be randomly selected to win your choice of a copy of this book or a picture book manuscript critique from Chelsea!
Here’s a little puzzler for first thing in the morning.
April is a big birthday month in my family, which prompts discussions of how likely it is people’s birthdays will land on Easter. I am well aware of the deep and important meaning of Easter and do not make light of it, but let’s face it: for kids it’s all about getting birthday presents AND jelly beans in the same day 😊
I googled a bit, but was quickly sent scurrying back to my rightful place by Scary Math. So, as is appropriate, I’m going anecdotal.
My dad’s birthday has been on Easter 3 times: 1962, 1973, and 1984. Perhaps Easter dates move in 11 year cycles? (How’s that for deductive reasoning? Take that, Scary Math!)
One of my daughters’ birthday has never fallen on Easter for her, but will in 2031. (I will not say how old she’s going to be because it is not polite to tell a lady’s age 😊)
My niece’s birthday is April Fool’s Day and her birthday landed on Easter in 2018 when she turned 14, and will again in 2029 and 2040. (There are those 11s again!) My nephew’s birthday fell on Easter 2 years before he was born when it wasn’t his birthday yet and isn’t due to land on that date again until 2066 when he will be 62 years old!
I, as you know, am extremely ancient, and yet my birthday has only landed on Easter once, the year I turned 9.
My deductions, based on the anecdotal evidence cited above, (and just try to stay with me on this because I know math and science simply aren’t for everyone and you should just not feel bad if your mind has a hard time with the acrobatic feats demonstrated by mine!), is that my next Easter birthday will be whenever Easter feels like it 😊
There will be extra credit for anyone who can guess the dates of my Dad’s, daughter’s, nephew’s, and my birthdays. The cat’s already out of the bag on my niece’s 🤣🤣
Now that I’ve limbered you up with mental calisthenics, let’s do a little celebrating, shall we? I am thrilled to announce the pitch winners that you all voted on last week! Woo hoo!!!
The Pitch Winners are . . . .
September 2021 – Hannah – The Good Wolf (PB 4-8)
October 2021 – Robin – I Am The Zookeeper (PB 3-7)
November/December 2021 – Melissa – Don’t Even Think About Lions! (PB 4-8)
January 2022 – Patti – Dragon Is Out Of Here (PB 4-8)
Congratulations, Hannah, Robin, Melissa, and Patti! Great job! Your pitches have already been sent to editor Erin Molta and I’m sure she will reply with her comments as soon as she can! We have a lot of Straight From The Editors to look forward to!
Congratulations to all our other pitchers, too! You all did a fabulous job presenting your pitches and then taking the feedback offered by our wonderful readers and using it to revise and improve. I hope everyone feels like a winner because I think you all ended up with stronger pitches!
I appreciate everyone who steps up to share because it gives all of us a chance to learn and improve our skills! So, thank you all!
All that math and excitement has rendered me slightly faint, so I think it’s time for Something Chocolate! Don’t these Easter Blossom Cookies (or Spring Blossom if you don’t celebrate Easter) look delicious? So springy! And, more importantly, so delightfully chocolate in the middle! 😊
Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Deborah. Deborah Foster is a mother, an architectural drafter, and a fantastic cook. She is a member of 12×12, Inked Voices, and SCBWI. She is always looking for more writing friends on Twitter. Follow her @DeborahClaytonF or check out her blog at www.deborahfosterbooks.com.
Here is her pitch:
Working Title: Little Camper’s Not-so-big Adventure
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)
The Pitch: Little Camper can’t wait for her first big adventure! Will it be the Grand Canyon? Roaring Niagara Falls? When Little Camper’s first adventure bounces down dusty back roads to the Apron Museum, she’s ashamed to recount her travels to the other campers. But after a hurry-to-the-next-stop trip, Little Camper realizes that bumpy back roads and odd attractions might just be the perfect adventures for her.
So what do you think? Would you read it? YES, MAYBE, or NO?
If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest. If you answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Deborah improve her pitch. Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome. (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful. I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)
Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks! For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It, or on Would You Read It in the dropdown under For Writers in the menu bar above. There are openings immediately, so you could get your pitch up next week if you want for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on my editor Erin Molta!
Deborah is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to Easter weekend! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
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