How have we gotten to Perfect Picture Book Friday again so soon? Where does the time go?!
I was hoping to post the winners of the Valentiny Contest today. I know who they are! But life continues to be a bit nuts and I haven’t had time to finish figuring out the Honorable Mentions or make any of the badges, so I thought it would be better to wait another day or two and hopefully get those done than skip them. But you guys can tell me. If you just want to know the winners and skip the rest I can put that together pretty quickly.
Meanwhile, the first day of spring is only 2 days away, so I have chosen one of my favorite books for today. It is so beautiful and so nature-oriented it makes me think of spring 😊
Title: Step Gently Out Written By: Helen Frost Photography By: Rick Lieder Candlewick, March 2012, Fiction
Themes/Topics: nature, insects, taking time to look closely, poetry
Suitable For: ages 2-7
Opening: “Step gently out,/ be still, and watch a single blade of grass.“
Brief Synopsis: (From the Booklist starred review) “Nature’s miracles are often small and hard to capture, but in a syncopated harmony of text and image, Frost and Lieder manage to depict tiny moments as seen through a bugs-eye-view of the world… Moving from day to night, the poem makes for a soothing bedtime lullaby that includes a reminder to children about the book’s small creatures: “In song and dance / and stillness, / they share the world / with you.””
Links To Resources: the back of the book includes lots of information on all the insects pictured – a resource all in itself. In addition, here are some Insect Coloring Pages. Try taking some photographs of your own. Try writing a short poem about an insect. Story Time Resources: Step Gently Out
Why I Like This Book: I am always in favor of books that encourage kids to go outside and look closely at the real world around them, really observe it, think about it, be part of it. I’m not an insect lover per se :), but this book is amazingly beautiful. I cannot stress enough how absolutely exquisite the photography is. Such detail! Here’s another little sample:
It’s breathtaking, isn’t it? and I think kids and adults alike will thoroughly enjoy looking at it, especially in combination with the poetic text which is as gorgeous in its imagery as the photography is. This book is a feast for eyes and ears and hearts!
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!
At last, my friends, just when you were probably beginning to suspect that the whole “family medical situation” was a cover story and I had actually disappeared to parts unknown having undergone plastic surgery to mask my identity whilst hiding out from the FBI, or gone into witness protection because of my secret past, I have materialized with the Valentiny Contest Finalists!
I know.
My secret past sounds intriguing.
And let me assure you, IT IS!
But it is a story for another day.
Today we need to focus on the finalists and the voting. It would be irresponsible of me to distract you from the task at hand by telling you about my days as an undercover operative, or about rescuing the princess of a country whose name I cannot divulge and restoring the throne and the government of said country, or the fact that my left pinky is registered as a lethal weapon, or any of the other things I did before I reinvented myself as a mild-mannered picture book writer as vanilla as they come. There will be no distractions today. No sirreee, Bob! Not one!
We’re going bare bones.
Here are your finalists. There are 14 because Valentine’s Day is on the 14th of February and I am finally posting finalists on the 14th of March. (Also because we couldn’t decide on only 12 and there were 13 prizes so I’ll just add one 😊)
Please read these amazing stories, choose your favorite, and vote by Wednesday March 16 at 9PM Eastern. Pride. Story. Kids 12 and under. Valentine’s Day.
A word about the voting. You are welcome (and encouraged!) to share today’s post anywhere and everywhere! The more readers and voters we get, the better because all these marvelous stories deserve to be read and enjoyed by as many people as we can get! But the finalists are listed by title only in order to preserve some anonymity so that the voting can be as merit-based and unbiased as possible. Please do not troll for votes. Please do not ask people to vote for entries by number, title, or description (i.e. the one about the lovesick unicorn who wept marshmallow tears 🦄) That goes against the spirit of the contest. Thank you so much in advance!
Now then! Prepare to have your socks knocked off!
#1 – Special Delivery
I am BEAUTIFUL!
Red construction paper hearts inside of pink construction paper hearts and glitter from top to bottom – that’s my front! My back says, “Made with love” and the “o” is a little red heart. Could I be any cuter?
My maker, Ali, is going to give me to someone special, I know it! I am so proud of how I turned out.
Inside, I say the sweetest thing: “Roses have thorns, Violet’s are tiny, but you’re just right, my Valentiney!”
Oh, she’s picking me up! Here we go!
Walking past her best friend? Ok, I was not expecting that. Past Javon? Hmm, he would have been special. Ok, who’s next? Sydney? Aaaand she keeps going.
Where in the world is she taking me?
We stopped. Whose desk is this? The new kid Jasmine?
Hey, her box is covered in glitter like me!
Am I going in? Wheeee, she’s putting me in! I knew she’d pick someone special.
#2 – The Valentine’s Cake
“Today,” said Miss Rabbit, “you’ll each get to make, a yummy, fantabulous Valentine’s cake.”
Anteater frowned, “But Miss, who are they for?” “For someone you’ve chosen who makes your heart soar.”
Anteater pondered, while whisks whizzed and whirled. A someone who’s special, who lights up my world…?
“Eureka!” he cried. “I know just who to choose!” And grinning, he mixed up a brown cakey ooze.
The ovens all roared as the cakes baked and browned, til “Quick!” said Miss Rabbit. “Come gather around!”
Anteater’s tummy flipped, what would he see? He hardly dared look, but then… Wow! Could it be?!
His cake was magnificent, tall, round and wide. The flips turned to flutters, his chest swelled with pride.
“Such wonderful cakes,” said Miss Rabbit with glee, “they’ll make someone happy, but who will that be?”
Anteater watched as his friends leapt away, excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day…
… a fruitcake for Gran Bear, a loafcake for Miss, and baby Racoon got a cupcake and kiss.
Then Anteater followed, his cake carried high, to the someone he’d chosen who made his heart fly.
“Excuse me,” he whispered, “I wanted to say, how special you are. Happy Valentine’s Day!”
The ants scurried out as the cake touched the floor, and anteater feasted on someone’s galore.
#3 – Flicker’s Valentine
Flicker the dragon stomped past the valentines for sale in town. “None of these work!” he fumed, but he needed valentines for the valentine party.
He bought chocolate heart valentines. “Agh!” he cried, “They’re melting!”
He bought paper heart valentines. “Agh!” he cried, “They’re burning!”
“Besides,” growled Flicker patting them out–he was ashamed so he felt angry–“They aren’t dragony enough!
“The dryad brings heart-shaped willow wreaths, so her valentines are dryad-y.
“The mermaid brings heart-shaped pearls, so her valentines are mermaid-y.”
“Is it valentine time?” Flicker gasped rushing into the party. “Yes,” said the Dryad. “Did you bring some?”
“Yup!” grinned Flicker, “Can I borrow a stick?”
The dryad handed Flicker a slim willow branch from her wreath.
He pushed the heart-shaped marshmallow onto the tip of the stick.
Lifted it up and—Fwoosh! A beautiful, toasted marshmallow heart.
“Here,” said Flicker, beaming. “A properly dragony valentine. It’s melty. It’s singed! And I made it just for you.”
The dryad popped the toasty treat into her mouth.
“It’s perfect!”
That year and every year after all the magical creatures looked forward to Flicker’s melty, singed marshmallow valentines. And he toasted them up–one by one–with great dragony pride.
#4 – Valentine Wins
Whistle blows, racers run, every kid except for one.
Leo limps and comes in last. Kat takes first. She’s rocket-fast.
Kat sees Leo limping in. He does not quit, though he cannot win.
Kat likes Leo. He is kind. He helps with math when she’s behind.
Teacher says, “For Valentine’s Day, let’s show love in some new way.”
Back at class it’s time for art. Leo makes a bright red heart.
He hands Kat his Valentine while all the kids get back in line.
Whistle blows, they race again. Kat starts out in first, but then…
She runs back to Leo’s side. Teacher’s face lights up with pride.
Kat and Leo run the race arm-on-arm and win tenth place!
Teacher gives them both a prize: a bag of mini chocolate pies.
Walking home along Pear Street Kat and Leo share their treat.
Both of them know this is true – fast or smart, me or you:
It’s fun to win, or ace a test, but being someone’s friend is best.
#5 – A Change Of Heart
Valentine’s Day is Mabel’s least favorite holiday. The worst thing about Valentine’s Day… Conversation hearts. These hearts were bad enough without posters and stickers of them spread all over school. UR CUTE Ugh. BE MINE Ew. KISS ME Barf. “They’re too lovey-dovey,” Mabel rolled her eyes. “Agreed. Let’s do something about it,” said Lev. “I’ve already got a plan!” Mabel smirked. She filled him in, and they got right to work making a poster. A CHANGE OF HEART Conversation hearts are gushy and mushy! Let go of the old sayings and make way for… Mindful hearts! Take some hearts, write your best encouraging sayings, and drop them in the box. The contest created a flurry. When they checked the box after school it was overflowing. Mabel high-fived Lev. “Let’s do this!” They pulled the mushy, gushy hearts off the walls and replaced them with the new hearts. The next day, students and teachers crowded the hallways, reading the hearts aloud. DON’T QUIT PROUD OF U FEAR LESS BE YOU “Now that’s a conversation!” said Lev. Mabel beamed. Maybe Valentine’s Day isn’t so bad after all, she thought.
#6 – The Perfect Valentine
“It’s Valentine’s!” said Mrs. Hughes. “And so I’d like for you to choose a person who you love real hard to make an extra special card.”
Cecilia chose her cousin Sal and Pablo chose his closest pal Patricia who sat next to Brad, who chose Brianne, who chose her dad.
And as for me, I chose someone who truly cannot be outdone. The brightest bulb, A-plus! First rate! The pride of P.S. 28.
The smartest kid in all the school. The fastest in the swimming pool. A star in art and music class, with talent no one can surpass.
The bravest kid in the whole grade who’s super tough and not afraid of roller coasters, snakes or sharks, of monsters, bugs, even the dark.
“Time for lunch!” Mrs. Hughes said. “So take your finished cards and spread them out to dry on that shelf next to all our other art projects.”
Before I head on out the door, I gaze upon my card once more. It’s perfect as I knew it’d be because this one’s addressed to me.
“You shouldn’t have!” I tell myself and place the card up on the shelf with all the other Valentines (that just aren’t quite as good as mine).
#7 – Valentine Delivery – Part II
Last Valentine’s Day, Mail Truck bravely delivered the mail despite slick, snowy roads. This year, he has a different problem: nothing to deliver! All packages have been given to bigger, faster trucks.
Disappointed, Mail Truck spins his wheels. “I’ll do my route anyhow. Maybe there’s mail to pick up! I’d hate to let the neighbors down, especially on Valentine’s Day!”
As he pulls down 1st Avenue… THUD! A delivery truck launches boxes into flowerbeds. Mail Truck’s engine heats up. “That’s not where those belong.” He shuffles over and carefully places the packages in mailboxes.
On 2nd Avenue… ZOOM! A delivery truck speeds by. “Whoa! There are kids around!” Mail Truck’s blares his horn. “HOOOOOONK! Slow down!”
The delivery truck is busy on 3rd Avenue too. SPLASH! A package lands right in a puddle. The delivery truck doesn’t even notice (or care). Mail Truck’s blinkers turn red. “A wet package will not do.” He scoots over and dries it off. As he puts it in the mailbox, a neighbor runs outside with an envelope.
“Ah-ha! Outgoing mail!” Surprise! The envelope is addressed to him! It’s his very own Valentine!
Roses are red, Violets are blue. We appreciate All that you do.
Mail Truck wipes away a proud tear and remembers why he LOVES his job.
#8 – Sweet Valentine
The third-grade class all write their names and doodle heart designs on baggies colored red and pink which hold their valentines.
They peek into each other’s bags and chat about the treats. Today they’ll exchange cards, but more importantly eat sweets.
Millie glances nervously at snacks her classmates bought. She made cute cards with special notes, but cards were ALL she brought.
Twenty unique valentines specifically addressed, she’d worked so hard creating them she’d missed what kids like best.
One by one, the class delivers mail to each other. Candy wrappers crinkle as they swap with one another.
Millie’s cards are tossed aside for lacking sugar loot, and her (once beaming) confidence dwindles…dims… goes mute.
But then a nearby classmate shouts, “Oops! This card fell behind. No candy? Hmm… this one is from… Millie!! You’re so kind!”
The whole third-grade then drops their treats to shuffle through their piles, and as they read what Millie wrote, the room fills with sweet smiles.
“She likes the way I heart my i’s.” “She noticed when I shared.” “Millie saw I learned to draw! I thought nobody cared.”
Millie shines as her friends say they never would have guessed, that candy’s nice, but feeling proud is what they all like best.
#9 – V-Day!
When Radney Rat broke up with Vivian Vole on February 13th– right before her Valentine’s party– Vivian vented to her best friend, Morley Mouse. “I’m done with love! The party’s canceled! No conversation hearts! No pink balloons! No valentines whatsoever!” Morley blinked. “Absolutely no ooey-gooey or mushy-gushy.” Vivian sighed. Morley patted her paw. “We could still celebrate . . . SOMETHING.” He pointed to her calendar. V-day was scribbled on February 14th. “V-day?” Vivian mused. Morley nodded. “Your favorite letter.” “Morley, you’re a genius!” Vivian cried. Morley’s ears turned pink with pride. They called their friends. No ooey-gooey. No mushy-gushy. But V things were VERY encouraged! Morley chopped vegetables. Vivian placed violets in vases. They donned new vests. Would their friends come to a V-day party on Valentine’s Day? Ding-dong! They came! And they delivered: Vinegar. A violin. Vacuum cleaners! Vanilla ice cream. Vampire books. A Venus flytrap! And a Velveeta volcano! Guests played volleyball and watched videos. “Wow,” said Vivian. “This is better than a Valentine’s party! Thanks, Morley.” Morley’s cheeks turned as pink as his ears with pride . . . and something sweeter. He smiled. “My favorite V thing is . . . you!” Vivian beamed at her best friend. “Strike a pose!” someone called. “Let’s dance!” Vivian pulled Morley’s paw. Vivian, Morley, and all their friends vogued. “Happy V-day!”
#10 – Percy’s Performance
Peacocks lookin’ fancy! (Gasp!) Peacocks lookin’ fine! (Oh my!) Tonight’s the night they’ll strut their stuff and score a Valentine! (Aww!)
The ballroom is aflutter. The party’s at its peak. But Percy watches all the others chatting cheek to beak.
He spent the whole day primping. He memorized the dance. Though maybe not the boldest, Percy thinks he has a chance.
It’s time for the performance. The ladies have a seat. The four-piece band begins to play a fresh and funky beat.
The gents unfurl their plumage. There’s nothing left to lose. With puffed-up chests they do their best and peahens start to choose.
Strut strut strut and flick! Turn and twist and shout! All the peacocks are in sync, but one is standing out.
Percy’s really grooving. (Oof!) He thinks, “I’m in the zone!” (Watch out!) But when the music fades away, he finds himself…alone. (Sniff)
Every other birdie has found a Valentine. Percy leaves, his head held high, but then he hears… “Be mine?”
It’s shy but lovely Hilda! She blushes with a smile. “I don’t care much for dancing, but I can’t resist your style.”
Percy’s feelin’ awesome. (Yeah!) Hilda’s at her best. (Mm-hmm!) Their hearts are full of love and pride, and now so is their nest! (Cheep cheep!)
#11 – Oog Love Rock
One Valentine’s Day, Cupid set out to help Oog the Caveman find love.
But this was long, long ago, and Cupid was still getting the hang of his bow. He didn’t always hit his target…
His arrow missed Ugga.
It whizzed by Unk.
It flew over Froon.
But then, it struck!
A boulder.
“OOG LOVE ROCK!”
Oog made Valentines for Rock out of moss and bark.
He sang love songs to Rock.
He carried Rock everywhere. “Oog tired!” (Rock was very heavy!)
When spring came, it was time to move to a new cave, far away. Too far for Oog to carry Rock.
But Oog would not leave his beloved Rock behind.
He pressed his shoulder against Rock.
“Oog push!”
But Rock wouldn’t budge.
He made a rope and tied it around Rock.
“Oog pull!”
But the rope wasn’t strong enough.
SNAP!
Oog flipped Rock end over end, but it made him go very,
very,
sloooowwwly.
“Oog never get there!”
Then Oog had an idea.
He chipped and chopped, scraped and smoothed, until…
“Rock roll!”
Oog had invented the wheel!
“Oog proud.”
Cupid was proud too. He might not have been aiming at that boulder, but Oog and Rock were the perfect match.
“Oog love Rock.”
#12 – Showdown In Smoochalot
In the foothills of Smoochalot, Texas Lived a cowboy called Honey Pie Pete. He was dashing and thin With a lopsided grin, And, true to his name, he was sweet.
“I’m like syrup on biscuits!” he gloated. “In this town, ain’t nobody sweeter.” And he may have been right, Except–one winter night, He bumped into Sugar Lump Skeeter.
“I’M the sweetest!” ol’ Skeeter cried proudly. “And that’s the way it’s gonna stay. If you dare disagree You can square off with me In a showdown on Valentine’s Day.”
“What kind of a showdown?” Pete wondered. “Valentine’s cards!” Skeeter said. “Make your sweetest design, And I’ll offer up mine. We’ll see which one comes out ahead.”
“You got it!” Pete shouted with gusto. “Can’t see that this breaks any law!” So, when V Day came ’round, Both men stood their ground And hollered out: “3-2-1…DRAW!”
Markers and crayons went flying! There were stickers and glitter and glue! When Skeeter was done, He said, “That was fun! And, by the way…this card’s for you.”
“Oh, how sweet!” Pete exclaimed without thinking. In an instant, he realized his sin. Blushing five shades of pink, He said with a wink– “Fair enough, cowboy. You win.”
#13 – Hoppy Belated Valentine
It’s Valentine’s Eve! There’s love everywhere! It’s the (second) best holiday to be a hare. Hoppy hopped as she shopped, plucking flowers peak bloom, with a zig and a zag past the folks in the room.
Hoppy was happy! Her flowers looked great! A gift for a friend… who is chronically late. She clutched her bouquet then bounced on her way to proudly present them on Valentine’s Day.
When the morning arrived and the sun rose above, hopeful Hoppy was eager to soon share her love. But her pride became guilt, feeling hours tick by, as the flowers wilted and the sun left the sky.
On the following day burrowed deep in her trunk, mopey Hoppy awoke to a THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! Upside-down from a bough with a ginormous smile hung her good friend Slow-Joe with a MUCH LARGER pile.
“…The one gooood thing about beeeing a sloth… …By theee time I arrrrive everything is half-off… …That’s twice as much candy for meee and yoooouuu… …if we celebrate late by a day or twoooo…”
Her smile appeared, but soon was erased. She scooted in front of the sad drooping vase. “…FLOWERRRS ARE PERRRFECT… …THE FOLLOWING DAAAY!!! …Beeesides, they taste better when wilted this waaaay!!”
[SLOPPY BITE! SHOVE! CHEW!] “Slow-Joe, I Love you, too!”
#14 – Cupid’s Confidence
My cherub classmates look my way. I hear them whisper “Cupid … .” They laugh at something I’ve said wrong. “That archer sure is—”
NOPE!
Sure, numbers jumble in my mind because my gears are turning. I know, though, I’m a gifted chum. Mistakes mean I’m still learning.
In basketball, my shot gets blocked. I hear some seraphs snort. And when my next one nicks the net, they reason, “Cu’s too—”
NOPE!
So what if I can’t alley-oop and rebounds find me last? My layup’s featherlight and suave. My breakaway is fast!
If teardrops drip, their eyebrows raise. (I cry when sad AND happy.) “Wah-wah,” they mock. “Boo-hoo,” they squawk. “Oh, Cupid, you’re too—”
NOPE!
They might not fathom feelings now, but that’s about to change. My arrow’s primed for Valentine’s. I’ll keep their hearts in range.
Phew! Do you see how we had such a hard time even getting it down to 14?! Please vote for your favorite in the poll below by Wednesday March 16 at 9PM Eastern! Then go take a nap. That was hard work!
I will do my very best to post the winners before April 14 😊 Shall we say Thursday, Friday or Saturday? I’ll do my best!
Now then, my darlings! Go forth and VOTE! And share the post with everyone you know who might enjoy reading these stories to themselves or their children or their students – the more the merrier! 😊
So glad you’re here for Perfect Picture Book Friday!
In my dreams, I managed to actually post a perfect picture book for this week, but in reality. . . not so much. I’m afraid my time problems are continuing as in, I don’t have enough. If my car would kindly handle all the driving to and from my dad’s rehab center every day without my participation, I could get some significant work done in that time, but alas, my car doesn’t appear to be that gifted! (But please don’t tell her I said so – I don’t want to hurt her feelings! It’s not her fault she has the driving skills and navigational savvy of a box of hair 😊)
So let’s start by finding out who the randomly chosen lucky winner is of last week’s Perfect Picture Book Friday giveaway, HOW TO DRESS A DINOSAUR by Robin Currie!
And the winner is . . .
Emily Durant!
Emily, please email me (you can use the handy contact button in the menu bar) so I can set you up with your prize!
Thank you, Robin, for the giveaway! Such a treat!
Now, I am hoping all you lovely people will add your Perfect Picture Books to today’s list which is provided below.
If a miracle occurs, I will update this post with a book of my own, but don’t hold your breath! 🙃🙃🙃
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!
Welcome, my friends, to another exciting installment of Tuesday Debut!
I am always thrilled to introduce new authors, but never more so than when the debut author about to be in the limelight is a former student, an exceptionally talented writer (a poet, no less!), and a friend. What could be better?
So without further ado, please meet and welcome today’s debutess, Renée LaTulippe, and join me in wishing her a Happy Book Birthday (yes! it’s today!) for her absolutely gorgeous debut picture book! (So pretty! 😊)
THE CRAB BALLET written by Renée M. LaTulippe illustrated by Cécile Metzger Cameron Kids/Abrams March 8, 2022 Fiction Ages 4-8
The Crab Ballet is a sunset seaside show starring the dancing crab divas and their aquatic corps de ballet. A fantastical rhyming text and sea-washed watercolors usher readers through one sea-foam-dreamy act after another, from a gentle seahorse pas de deux and dramatic dolphin leaps beyond the spray to the grand crab finale.
SUSANNA: Welcome, ! We are so incredibly thrilled to have you here with us today! Where did the idea for this book come from?
Renée: Thanks for having me on the blog, Susanna!
This book actually started as a six-stanza poem (127 words) that I wrote for a poetry contest in 2015. The challenge was to use the word “iridescent” in a poem, and that word somehow triggered an image of wet sand at sunset as the waves roll back.
Then I wondered what might happen if the receding waves revealed some sea creatures, and it just developed from there. Two things that certainly helped me shape the idea are that I have a background in theater and I actually live right by the Mediterranean sea!
I also love French, so it was exciting for me to use French ballet terms in the poem. Those have been there since the beginning—but the word “iridescent” was cut in an early draft.
This is where I do most of my writing.
SUSANNA: Wow! Nice office! How long did it take you to write this book, sitting in that lovely spot?
Renée: At some point after writing the shorter poem I realized that I could expand it into a picture-book length poem, so I began where I often begin: LISTS!
-marine animals that live or can come close to shore
-ballet terms
-rhymes
As you can see on the left side of my lists, I paired ballet terms with the creatures most likely to perform those moves, and this helped me shape the stanzas. I also spent a lot of time staring at photos and videos and looking up facts about these marine creatures, which is always an invaluable piece of my writing puzzle. A bit of research goes a long way in terms of sparking new ideas and directions you may not have thought about.
Working like this, I managed to get the poem up to eleven stanzas (244 words). I’m not sure how long it took, but I do know that this is the version I submitted to the agent I signed with, and that was in the summer of 2016—so about 15 months after I wrote the original poem. I’m a very slow writer!
SUSANNA: Did you go through many revisions?
Renée: This manuscript has had about ten revisions, but I count revisions even if I change a couple of words, and I tend to tinker.
The only major revision happened after I signed with my agent. I am fortunate that I have an editorial agent who specializes in poetry, so her feedback was essential. She felt that the story was lopsided in that I needed to fill out the second act of the story, which was quite a bit shorter than the first act.
This revision took me A YEAR! I kid you not. I had chosen such a difficult rhyme scheme that writing any more stanzas felt impossible. Granted, I didn’t actually write for that whole year; rather, I stuck the manuscript in a drawer and wished it would write itself. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I was totally blocked.
When I finally felt ready, I took it out and brought it up to sixteen stanzas (367 words), plus a glossary of French ballet terms. Phew!
I do not suggest doing this, by the way! I must have been paralyzed by fear or stupidity, or a bit of both. Revision can be daunting, yes, but now that I have more experience, I don’t balk at it and actually really like this stage.
What works best for me, so I don’t feel overwhelmed, is to do all the “easy” stuff first—changing a single word, fixing a little glitch in the meter, tweaking a rhyme, and so on. Then I move on to the larger bits of content revision one at a time. No more head in the sand!
SUSANNA: Very helpful advice. I work the same way. When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?
Renée: When I sent my agent the requested revision. It may have taken forever, but we both felt that it was now a more balanced and complete story and ready to send out into the world. This was in the summer of 2017, so about two and a half years after I’d written the original poem.
SUSANNA: When and how did you submit?
Renée: My agent started submitting it in October 2017 with a round of about five editors. Over the next couple of years it went on four other rounds, always to about 3-5 editors each time.
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”?
Renée: Not long at all! I know! Amazing! Cameron is ON TOP OF THINGS. We submitted to them in February 2020, heard that it was going to acquisitions about three weeks later, and got the news they wanted to acquire it four days after that. A whirlwind romance!
SUSANNA: When did you get “the call”, which these days is more likely to be “the email”? (Best moment ever! ☺)
Renée: It was certainly exciting to get that YES email from my agent, especially since it was at the very start of the pandemic in March 2020. I live in Italy and things were dire, so this good news was very welcome.
The manuscript had been on submission for two and a half years, and I admit I was feeling frustrated. Plus you begin to doubt if it’s even a good story, and I wondered if it needed revision. But in the end, my agent and I both thought it was already strong, so we left it as is. Overall, it received very nice rejections from nine editors and a symphony of crickets from another thirteen. But it only takes one!
SUSANNA: That is the truth! How long was it between getting your offer and getting your contract to sign?
Renée: This actually did take longer because the publishing industry was in turmoil during the pandemic when no one knew which way was up. But Cameron was always very communicative about their timeline and delays, which I so appreciated. We received the official offer letter in July 2020 and the final contract in October of that year.
SUSANNA: How did you celebrate signing your contract?
Renée: I didn’t wait for the contract—I celebrated when I got the YES email from my agent! And since we were in lockdown, my husband, the only one allowed out for grocery shopping, brought home profiteroles and Bailey’s. This is my standard celebration fare. 😊
SUSANNA: Was the contract what you expected in terms of advance, royalty percentage, publication timeline, author copies etc.?
Renée: Of course we always want bigger advances! And honestly, I didn’t really know what to expect from any of this—I was just glad to have sold the book! The advance was initially in the under 5K range, but during this time Cameron Kids was bought by Abrams, so my agent did negotiate for and receive a bit more moola for the advance. And I have to say for the millionth time that I am so relieved to have an agent.
The rest of the contract was very standard with 5% royalties on hardcover up to 15K copies sold and 6.25% thereafter, and a bit less on paperback. The contract includes 20 author copies.
SUSANNA: Can you tell us a little about the editorial process?
Renée: I was terrified at what changes the editor might request! Remember the year it took me to do that first revision for my agent? Again, it was the difficult rhyme scheme and all those French words that made me shake in my boots! Luckily, though, the edits were not scary at all. While no significant changes were made to the story, she did ask excellent questions and make suggestions for several lines and stanzas that I thought were spot on and that gave me the opportunity to strengthen the text—exactly what I would want in an editor! The process was very respectful, and since she’s not a rhymer, she completely trusted me to be the expert on that count and to take her suggestions and make them work within my meter and rhyme scheme.
Sometimes editors can make suggestions you don’t agree with, and that’s okay too. For example, my editor wondered if we needed the second stanza at all, or if it could be combined with the first somehow. I mulled that over for a bit and tried some alternatives, but in the end I felt that the stanza should stay, and it did. In these cases, I always like to state my case, respectfully, and explain my preferences.
One “battle” I did lose, though, was on the title. The original title was THE SEASIDE CRAB BALLET, and I was so used to it after all these years that I was taken aback when she said she wanted to change it to THE CRAB BALLET. Seems like a minor thing, but everything is huge when you’re in the middle of it! She was gently insistent that it was better, so I let it go. And you know what? She was totally right. I was still skeptical, but as soon as I saw the cover I knew it was the perfect choice.
SUSANNA: What was your experience of the illustration process like?
Renée: Cameron Kids was so wonderful about keeping me apprised of developments every step of the way. I feel like I landed in some sort of publishing fairy land. As had happened with other writers I know, they did not send me a list of potential illustrators to get my opinion as I think they already had Cécile on board. This might have concerned me if it hadn’t been Cameron, but I knew their list and loved their aesthetic, so I had complete trust that they’d make a beautiful book.
I had very few art notes in my manuscript since it was self-explanatory. Though I generally keep my art notes very short, the first one was longer simply to set the scene and make it clear what exactly was happening in this funny little world I’d created:
[Art note: Seaside show about to begin as the corps de ballet—anemones, squids, turtles, seahorses—warms up at the barre.]
I received the first black-and-white storyboards via email in December 2020 and was blown away not only by Cécile’s detail, but by the fact that she had written explanations on every spread about why she had made those specific choices. Amazing! It was a great peek inside an artist’s head.
At that point, I wasn’t really sure if I was supposed to comment on the sketches or not, but I did end up sending my editor a list of notes I had on the illustrations. Nothing terribly invasive, mind you, although if there had been something really “wrong” I definitely would have spoken up. Again, the key is always respect for the whole team.
Still, I was concerned about stepping on toes, but instead she told me she’d passed my notes to the art director and that they were probably going to accommodate almost all of them (they did!). Have I mentioned that this publisher is amazing?
From there I received the color galleys and was able to give my thoughts on those as well. All around an open, inclusive, and collaborative experience!
SUSANNA: Did you get to see advance reviews from Kirkus, SLJ, etc? What was that like?
Renée: Yesssss. Yet another terrifying passage we must all face. The only review I’ve received so far is from Kirkus and, boy, did I cringe as I clicked on that link. I really couldn’t imagine how this book was going to be received. I’d already seen a hilarious review on Goodreads that talked about how bizarre my concept was, and though that reviewer loved the book, I was nonetheless concerned, haha. Luckily, Kirkus loved it too! What a dang relief that was!
SUSANNA: How long did it take from offer to having the first copy in your hand?
Renée: I received an advance copy in January of this year, so it was 18 months from official offer to physical book. I saw on Edelweiss that the initial print run will be 20,000 copies. Sadly, I will never get to open a box of author copies. I have no use for them in Italy, so they will live with my sister in the U.S. Should I ever need an extra copy here, I will have to order it. Ah, well!
SUSANNA: What kind of marketing and promotion has your publisher done for this book?
Renée: They sent it to the major reviewers (Kirkus, SLJ, Horn Book, etc.) as well as some influencers on Instagram. They also provided me with a hi-res cover image and an eGalley (PDF) of the book that I can share with bloggers and reviewers. I don’t know what else they may be doing internally.
SUSANNA: Describe any marketing/promotion you did for this book.
Renée: I didn’t plan on doing much, but then I got caught up in the whirlwind—and it really is way too time consuming, so proceed with caution. Here’s a list of things I did:
Cover reveal
Pre-order campaign with giveaways (including critiques)
Created activity pack for campaign and as a free download on my website. The illustrator was kind enough to provide coloring pages and images for this.
Contacted larger podcasters, bloggers, and influencers on my own. Received ZERO response.
Contacted smaller podcasts and blogs (like this one!) and set up several interviews (though not a blog tour, per se).
Participated with other writers in in-kind review exchanges on Goodreads and B&N.
Recorded a Sneak Peek & Book Giveaway video for my YouTube channel (not a book trailer) that also gives info on the pre-order campaign and giveaway.
Sent a book news email to my mailing list that included links to the Sneak Peek video and the pre-order campaign.
Social media: I do what interests me and what I have time for and try to support and share other people’s book news, and thank them for sharing mine.
Still to do: Contact ARC-sharing groups on Twitter. These are groups of educators and librarians who share your book and talk it up on social media. You can learn about it here.
It’s important to understand that the goal of all these activities is not to drive sales, which I think we as writers have very little control over. Rather, I see the promo period as a way to create a presence for you as author and an awareness of your book, and in doing so to expand your community in an organic, authentic, and reciprocal way. Everything is about relationships!
Also, so much of what we do is preaching to the choir—in this case, other writers. What I really want to do is reach educators and librarians, the gatekeepers for our books (like with the ARC-sharing groups). Next time my efforts will be more focused on these groups.
SUSANNA: How long was it between the time you started writing seriously and the time you sold your first picture book?
Renée: I started toying with picture book writing in 2012, but I can’t say I did it seriously. And although I began having poems published in anthologies in 2013, it took me quite some time to remember that I’m a poet and not a plotter and should be focusing my efforts on that. Duh! So I’d say I got serious in 2015 when I began writing my first poetry collection under the tutelage of my wonderful mentor, the late Lee Bennett Hopkins. And that is the first manuscript I sold in 2017, though it has yet to come out (LIMELIGHT: Theater Poems to Perform / Charlesbridge). THE CRAB BALLET is my debut, but it’s the second book I sold.
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?)
Renée: Turn off the noise when you need to, to protect your mental health and creativity. The kidlit community is vast and generous, but also frenetic and cacophonous. There are deal announcements, writing challenges, pitch parties, contests, webinars, classes, cover reveals, release parties, signings, how-to advice galore, social media, more deals—all good things that, when taken in too-big doses, can easily overwhelm. You don’t need to do everything. Recognize where you are in your journey and focus on the things that help you right where you are. Take care of your quiet space. Write. We’ll be here when you get back.
SUSANNA: Excellent advice! Anything else you’d like to share about your book’s journey from inspiration to publication?
Renée: Yes—the fact that it takes a village to write a manuscript. Reading my book now is like looking at a photo album of all the people who helped it become what it is: the critique partners who suggested that phrase or that rhyme or that I write the book in the first place; the agent who saw its potential and pushed me further; the editor who helped me see the weaknesses so I could make them stronger; the family who supported me with time, ideas, and silence.
SUSANNA: Thank you so much for sharing your publication journey with us, Renée! We so appreciate it, and all the wonderful tips and advice! I’m sure I speak for everyone when I wish you the best with this and future titles!
Renée M. LaTulippe is the author of TheCrab Ballet (Cameron Kids/Abrams, 2022) and Limelight: Theater Poems to Perform (Charlesbridge, TBA) and has poems published in many anthologies including Night Wishes, School People, National Geographic’s The Poetry of US and Book of Nature Poetry,One Minute Till Bedtime, and ThankU: Poems of Gratitude.
Renée developed The Lyrical Language Lab and provides free lessons and critiques for children’s writers on her YouTube channel. She has a BFA in acting/directing and an MA in English Education. She lives by the sea in Italy with her husband and three children.
She is represented by Elizabeth Harding at Curtis Brown.
I’d like to start by apologizing for my absence lately, and for making you all wait so long for the results of the Valentiny Contest. I’m afraid a family medical situation has been demanding most of my time and, burn the candle at both ends as I might, I can’t seem to find time for everything. But I am making my way through the entries – wonderful, AMAZING entries, really! You guys all did such a good job! – enjoying every minute of reading, dreading having to narrow the field to 12, and I hope to have your results soon! Thank you all for your patience. I so appreciate it. You have been so kind about the wait!
Meanwhile, I have a treat for you today! A wonderful new book I know you’re going to love, plus a few words from the author and some wonderful activities she has provided, AND she’s offering a giveaway!!! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post by Wednesday March 9 at 9 PM Eastern and you’ll be in the running to be randomly selected to win a copy of today’s delightful book!
So let’s have a look, shall we?
Title: How To Dress A Dinosaur
Written By: Robin Currie
Illustrated By: Alycia Pace
Publisher: Familius, March 1, 2022, fiction (board book)
Suitable For Ages: 2-5 years
Themes/Topics: humor, getting dressed, dinosaurs
Opening: “Roar! Oh no – You turned into a dinosaur!”
Brief Synopsis: Every parent knows the struggle of getting a child dressed and out the door. But with a cast of hilariously coiffed dinosaurs to teach toddlers how to stomp their feet into pant legs and reach their claws into shirts, getting dressed becomes a game.
Links To Resources:
First, a few words from author Robin Currie! It’s always interesting to know where a book came from 😊
Back Story (or the Tail of the Dinosaur)
The original inspiration for this story was in the fall of 2014 when my youngest grandson was 3 years old and had many things on his mind to do with dinosaurs but few with getting dressed. James was in the dinosaur phase where he can’t pronounce “Spaghetti” but can say “Pachycephalosaurus” and correct my mispronunciation. He also owned dinosaur-themed shirts, hats, socks, jackets, and underwear. And hundreds of plastic painful-to-step-on in-the-dark dinosaur figures.
A brain burble became first a badly rhyming text – what rhymes with Diplodocus? (Hopped aboard a bus? Was oozing green pus? Super-flu-i-us?). Now I am pleased to introduce you to 14 chewable pages of How to Dress a Dinosaur! If you are counting, that is a total of 8 years for a board book! Always believe that the best ideas out there will find a home! Even if it seems to take longer than the Pleistocene era!
Dino Breakfast Starts The Day!Dino Feet!Thumb Dino!Populate the jungle with Handy Dinos!
Why I Like This Book: If you’re a parent, you’ve had the showdown at the getting dressed corral! This book makes getting dressed so much fun kids will probably want to do it extra times each day 😊 How can you not love a story that will make a necessary chore fun for everyone involved? But to make it even better, young readers will learn a little bit about dinosaurs. The art is adorable. All those cute baby dinos are irresistible. (My personal favorites are diplodocus and triceratops 😊) A fun story to read aloud, a way to make getting dressed something to look forward to, a little info about dinosaurs, and appealing illustrations – what’s not to love?
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
Robin Currie learned story sharing by sitting on the floor, in library story times. She has sold 1.7 M copies of her 40 storybooks and writes stories to read and read again! How to Dress a Dinosaur is available now! How to Dress a Dinosaur – Familius.com Shop
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! 😊 (And don’t forget to leave a comment by Wednesday at 9PM so you can be in the running to win a copy of this delightful book!)
Hi Everyone! I’m so sorry, but there is absolutely no chance I’m going to have finalists Friday morning as I originally posted. I’m not even sure when to say I will have them, though I’ll get them up as soon as I can. It will not be over this weekend, I’m sure of that. Thank you all for your patience. I’m so sorry for the delay!
[For those trying to post, you must click on the Blog Post Title to get on the blog post page and access the comments]
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Valentinies rock
And so do YOU!
Whether your characters are filled with pride and joy, puffed up with pride, or in danger of pride going before a fall, the time has come for . . .
The 7th Annual Valentiny Writing Contest
~ for children’s writers ~
The Contest: since writing for children is all about “big emotion for little people” (I forget who said that, but someone did so I put it in quotes!) and Valentines Day is all about emotion, write a Valentines story appropriate for children (children here defined as ages 12 and under) maximum 214 words in which someone feels proud! They can be proud in a good way or a bad way. They can be proud of themselves for asking someone to be their Valentine, or they can be proud of how they asked. They can be proud of a Valentine they make, or a Valentine celebration they plan. They can be proud of giving something up, or proud of asking someone they’re not sure about for some reason in order to be nice. They can be proud of their performance in a Valentines Day play or concert or parade. . . sky’s the limit! Just make sure it is clearly Valentine-centered! Think beyond the obvious! Your story can be poetry or prose, sweet, funny, surprising or anything in between, but it will only count for the contest if it includes someone proud (can be the main character but doesn’t have to be) and is 214 words (get it? 2/14 for Valentines Day 😊 ) You can go under the word count but not over! (Title is not included in the word count.) If you are so inclined, you are welcome to enter more than one entry – just remember you’ll be competing against yourself 😊 No illustration notes please!
Post your story in the comment section below between right now this very second and Sunday February 13th by 11:59 PM EDT. There will be no regularly scheduled posts for the duration of the contest (Tuesday Debut, Would You Read It, or PPBF), so the post and all of your entries will stay up for everyone to enjoy. If you have difficulty with the comments, which unfortunately sometimes happens, you may email your entry to me and I’ll post it for you. [Also, a small note: I have a serious family situation at the moment. I didn’t want to cancel the contest at the last minute, but please be patient with me if it takes me a while to post emailed entries and update the link list etc.I will do my best, but apologies in advance for delays.]
The Judging: my lovely assistants and I will narrow down the entrants to 6-12 top choices depending on number and quality of entries (hee hee hee – you know how much trouble I have with the narrowing, so we’ll see) which will be posted here and voted on for a winner on Friday February 18th (or possibly a day or two later if the judges need extra time.) The winner will be announced Monday February 21st depending on judging and voting time needed. The dates of the judging/voting/winner announcements are subject to finagling depending on how much time the judges actually end up needing!
Judging criteria will include:
Kid-appeal/Kid-friendliness – remember, this is a story for kids!
Creativity in using pride, and success in making us feel the pride (whether it’s good pride or bad)!
Valentine’s Day appropriateness – this is a VALENTINE story and Valentine’s Day must be central to it!
Quality of story – we will look for basic story elements and a true story arc
Quality of writing – use and flow of language, correctness of mechanics, excellence of rhyme and meter if you use it, PROOFREADING!
Originality – surprise us with something new and different! 😊
How well you followed the Submission Guidelines – agents and editors expect professionalism. This is a chance to practice making sure you read and follow specified guidelines.
The Prizes: As always, we are so fortunate to have an abundance of wonderful prizes donated by our very generous friends in the kidlit community! Just look at all these goodies!
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Read & Critique from agent Mary Cummings of Great River Literary, “an agency devoted exclusively to representing authors and author/illustrators of books for children and teens. Strong relationships with editors have resulted in a rapidly growing list of sales of board and picture books, chapter books and novels to such publishing houses as Knopf; Philomel; Viking; Nancy Paulsen/Penguin; Balzer & Bray; Walker; Little, Brown; Henry Holt; Holiday House; Feiwel & Friends; FSG; Running Press; WorthyKids; Abrams; Random House; Wiseman S & S; Chronicle; Candlewick; HarperCollins and many others.”
⭐️ 1/2 Hour Zoom Picture Book Manuscript Critique or Mentoring Session with authorLynne Marie!
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Rebecca Gardyn Levington author of BRAINSTORM! (Sleeping Bear Press, Summer 2022), I WILL ALWAYS BE…(HarperCollins, Spring 2024) and a contributor to the delightful anthologyHOP TO IT: POEMS TO GET YOU MOVING (Pomelo Books, October 2020)
Please join me in thanking these very generous authors and other writing professionals for contributing their books and writing expertise as prizes by visiting their websites and blogs, considering their books and services for birthday, holiday or other gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazon, B&N, or anywhere else if you like them, recommending them for school and library visits, and supporting them in any other way you can dream up! 😊
Now! Put your heart into it and proudly post your entries!
I can’t wait to read your stories!!!
Eager Readers: Check out the comment section for all the fabulous entries! 😊
ENTRIES (all entries are linked) [will be linked tomorrow – sorry for delay]
It’s Would You Read It Wednesday where we’re all about practicing, polishing, and perfecting pitches!
Let’s jump right in, shall we?
First, a fortifying snack, Something Chocolate which isn’t exactly chocolate today 😊 Since we had chocolate cake yesterday for our impromptu giveaway winner celebration party, and since it’s practically Valentine’s Day, and since this cake is SO pretty, I’m departing from the norm and serving Valentine’s Day Cheesecake! (And it does have chocolate crust! 😊)
That just looks like four layers of heaven, doesn’t it? YUM! Dig in!
Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Mary Beth who says, “I am a debut picture book author from Nebraska, blessed with four children who have given me more story material than I could ever use. I have been learning how to write picture books with the help of the wonderful writing community through SCBWI, 12 x 12, and the amazing authors like you with your informative and encouraging websites.
When I am not making Jam (Covid stress reliever?!) I am a retreat facilitator and am trying to build more and more pockets of time to write.”
I can be found online at: Instagram @mbwallarice Twitter @mbwallarice Facebook..Mary Beth Rice http://thevillagejoymaker.com
Here is her pitch:
Working Title: The Cottonwood Stars
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8) (or maybe 5-9?)
The Pitch: Hattie shares the wonder of the Cottonwood tree with her brother near their Gram’s garden. In snip, snap, snapping the tree twigs in half, actual stars are revealed! Later that evening, Hattie makes a new discovery: Her heart is still linked to Gram’s through the stars in tree and sky. THE COTTONWOOD STARS encourages healing through the power of nature.
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 Mary Beth 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 is an opening February 23 and March is open too, 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!
Mary Beth is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to the Valentiny Writing Contest (guidelines HERE if you’re interested in writing an entry!) which opens in 2 days!!! I can’t wait to read everyone’s entries!
There’s no one up for Tuesday Debut today, so instead let’s party!
First, we get to celebrate the randomly selected giveaway winner of Laura Sassi’s beautiful book, BUNNY FINDS EASTER!
And the lucky winner is . . .
Pat Tilton!
I hope your great-granddaughter enjoys it! (I think she will! 😊) Please email me so I can get your book to you!
And what would a celebration party be without cake? I said we might have some, and so we shall!
How about this one?
Chocolate enough?
Let’s find out! 😊
And now, let’s round out our party by having everyone share the book they’re currently reading in the comment section. I’ll start. I’m reading something not at all kidlit – a psychological thriller by Michael Robotham called When You Are Mine. So far, it’s keeping me turning the pages! I also (as always) have a stack of picture books including How To Apologize by David LaRochelle, If You Ever Want To Bring An Alligator To School, Don’t! by Elise Parsley, and Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev (and let me tell you, that tiny elephant is SO CUTE! 😊)
What are you reading?
For a bonus party favor to take home with you, here is a little writing prompt to get the creativity flowing:
Q: What do you get when you cross a turtle with a porcupine? A: A slowpoke!
Write a story about a slowpoke 😊
OR
Work on your Valentiny Contest entry – only a couple more days to go! If you haven’t read the guidelines yet, hop on over and check them out HERE. You can write THAT story today! 😊
Enjoy your Tuesday (and help yourself to seconds on cake! 😊)
It’s the first Perfect Picture Book Friday of February, and we get to celebrate by being part of Laura Sassi‘s “Bunny Hop” for her brand new book!
What could be better in the midst of ice, snow, and freezing rain than an adorable bunny and a little glimpse of springtime and hope?
I’ll tell you! We have a wonderful activity to do with the book designed by Laura herself AND a book giveaway! One lucky reader will win a copy of this sweet book! All you need to do is have a US street address (sorry no PO addresses, and USA only) and leave a comment on this post by Monday February 7 at 5 PM Eastern to qualify for the random drawing (which I will do on Monday February 7 at 5 PM Eastern 😊.) The winner will be announced on Tuesday February 8 because there is no one up for Tuesday Debut that day so we can just celebrate. Maybe we’ll have cake 😊 (I would have posted the winner with PPBF next week, but we won’t be having it because the VALENTINY WRITING CONTEST will be underway! If you haven’t written your entry yet, click HERE for details!)
So let’s have a look at this wonderful book!
Title: Bunny Finds Easter
Written By: Laura Sassi
Illustrated By: Ela Jarzabek
Publisher: Zonderkidz, February 1, 2022, fiction
Suitable For Ages: baby – 4 years
Themes/Topics: holidays (Easter)
Opening: “Bunny wakes. Hip hip hooray! Let’s celebrate – It’s Easter Day!
But what is Easter?”
text copyright Laura Sassi 2022, illustration copyright Ela Jarzabek 2022, Zonderkidz
Brief Synopsis: From the publisher: “Coloring eggs, wearing a lovely bonnet, joining in the fun of an egg hunt, and attending church with family are special things that are a part of Easter! But the most important thing about this holiest of seasons is remembering the reason we gather to celebrate and focusing on Jesus most of all.”
text copyright Laura Sassi 2022, illustration copyright Ela Jarzabek 2022, Zonderkidz
Links To Resources: We are so lucky to have resources provided by the author herself! Thank you, Laura!
BOOK-THEMED CRAFT: Make Your Own Bunny Ears
by Laura Sassi
Inspired by Ela Jarzabek’s whimsical Easter egg patterns in BUNNY FINDS EASTER, here’s a colorful version of bunny ears for little ones to make and wear after they read the book so they can go on an Easter hunt just like Bunny does in the book.
You will need:
one strip of heavy paper (card stock weight) for the band. (approx 2” by 24”)
one pair of bunny ears cut from card stock for each child. (approx 2” by 8” – rounded at the top)
an assortment of crayons, markers, stickers, etc.
tape or glue
Instructions:
After reading BUNNY FINDS EASTER, take a moment with your child to hunt for all the Easter eggs in the book. Together, name the colors you see and count how many patterns you can find.
Next, set out the precut bunny ears and have your child decorate with colorful patterns inspired by the book.
Glue or tape the finished ears to the precut paper band. Test for size by placing it on your child’s head. Tape accordingly.
Play a game: Hide ten jelly beans (or other Easter treats) around the room. Then, have your child put on their ears so that, just like Bunny, they go on a hunt to find out what Easter is all about. Afterwards, as they enjoy their treats, remember together what Bunny discovered – that Easter is about Jesus!
And click HERE to download an Activity Guide created by Zonderkidz to go with the book!
Why I Like This Book: With simple text told in engaging rhyme, and adorable pictures that will delight any child, this lovely book reminds us what Easter is all about. Yes, there are hot cross buns, egg decorating, pretty bonnets, and Easter egg hunts, but at the heart of it all is the gift of love, hope, and faith that Jesus gave to everyone. Without being heavy-handed, this book is a just-right introduction for little ones that Easter is about more than jelly beans. The art is bright and friendly, with plenty for pre-readers to look at and engage with while they listen to the story.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
text copyright Laura Sassi 2022, illustration copyright Ela Jarzabek 2022, Zonderkidz
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! 😊 Stay warm and dry, and think of spring 😊
What a day! It’s Groundhog Day AND Would You Read It Wednesday AND World Read Aloud Day!
Since I wrote this post ahead of time, I don’t have Phyllis’s prediction for you, but I know what she’s hoping for 😊 I’ll give you a hint: it involves flowers 💐🌼🌷🌻🌹🌸🌺
She and I have a busy day, so we’re just going to jump right in and fortify ourselves with some fancy, fun, groundhog-friendly chocolate! Won’t you join us? We have a choice! Groundhog Day Cupcakes and Groundhog Day No Bake Cookies!
Groundhog Day Cupcakes & Groundhog Day No Bake Cookies
Please help yourselves to either or both. I mean, really, you should probably try both to see which one you like best 😊😊😊
Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Helen. Helen is a Texas transplant living in beautiful Richmond, VA with her husband and two children. When she is not writing and dreaming of engaging picture book ideas, she works as a medical provider with refugees and immigrants.
The Pitch: It’s first grade… Daphne’s new school requires sneakers. She refuses to wear them. What’s a bold fashionista to do when her individuality is threatened by everyday rules? With her big brother’s help, Daphne learns that embracing change can be wildly fun in DAPHNE’S DRESS CODE DILEMMA.
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 Helen 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 February 9 and 23, 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!
Helen is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to visiting classrooms full of kids to share Fun With Phyllis! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
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