Beth Anderson's Blog, page 15

Mining for Heart: “Hearts Longing to be Free” by Selene Castrovilla

After a bit of a lull, I have lots to share in the new year! If you’re a regular reader, you know I love little-known stories from past. So let’s start with an important new-to-me piece of history— and a giveaway! I appreciate the deeper, more complete understanding of our past these overlooked stories offer, and I’m especially grateful they’re available for children.

Thank you, Selene Castrovilla, for sharing the heart of SEEKING FREEDOM: THE UNTOLD STORY OF FORTRESS MONROE AND THE ENDING OF S...

The Gravity Tree

Here’s a book I’ve been wanting to see… And after seeing it, I had to share it for Perfect Picture Book Friday. Anyone who knows me is probably aware that I am a lover of trees. And fascinated by history. So putting those together in a picture book is pretty irresistible! I hope you’ll check out The Gravity Tree. 

Title: The Gravity Tree: The True Story of a Tree that Inspired the World

Written by: Anna Crowley Redding 

Illustrated by: Yas Imamura

Suitable for ages: 6-10

Themes/topics: science, ...

Behind the Scenes: “Connecting to Characters” by Kirsti Call

Today I welcome back author Kirsti Call to share a bit about creating COLD TURKEY, her latest picture book. I truly think authors put a bit of themselves in the characters they create. In my case, working with historical figures, I always find a bit of myself in them. That author connection can serve a story in many ways. Here, Kirsti shares her character connection. 

Kirsti is offering a giveaway! Leave a comment after the post for a chance to win a copy of COLD TURKEY. 

“Connecting to Charac...

“Not Just for Little Kids: Five Reasons to Use Picture Books with Older Students” by Carolee Dean

I firmly believe that picture books aren’t just for little kids. And also that they’re not just for Language Arts classrooms. As a teacher, I LOVED using picture books with a wide range of ages for a wide range of skills. Picture books are magical in so many ways and open the door to a multitude of possibilities! This post is especially for educators, but it’s also for parents, kid lit creators, and everyone else who works with children. Thanks to Carolee Dean for sharing the value of picture...

Cover Reveal! Franz’s Phantasmagorical Machine

I was a kid blessed with a father who had a workshop—a section of the basement with work benches, tools, hardware, and LOTS of scraps! I could go down there to create, experiment, and “invent” (crude versions of things that had already been invented). I distinctly remember a stirring device I built with a crank that turned a small scoop around. It didn’t matter that it really wouldn’t have accomplished much except make a mess. The joy was in creating my own little hand powered machine. Something...

Behind the Scenes: “Finding the Focus in Big Picture History” by Jennifer Thermes

My sister was the one who loved horses in my family. A pair of disgruntled ponies instilled a wariness in me, but as an adult, I appreciate the beauty and power of horses. Jennifer Thermes’ new picture book HORSE POWER: HOW HORSES CHANGED THE WORLD caught my eye after I had spent time thoroughly enjoying her previous book, MANHATTAN: MAPPING THE STORY OF AN ISLAND. (I shared that book in a blog post a while back.) Here Jennifer shares her process of finding and maintaining focus, a huge challeng...

Behind the Scenes: “Letting Math Tell the Story” by Ann Marie Stephens

As an educator, I’ve always favored engaging stories that support curricular areas. So, math stories? YES! A series with chickens AND math? FUN! And math illustrated by the phenomenal Jenn Harney who did “Smelly” Kelly and His Super Senses? OH, YEAH! Thanks to author Ann Marie Stephens for sharing a bit from “behind the scenes” of her two math series from Astra Young Readers. 

Ann Marie is offering a giveaway! Your choice of the titles appearing below! Just leave a comment for a chance to win.

C...

Mining for Heart: “Embracing and Learning from Your Cultural Heritage” by Songju Ma Daemicke

Today, we get to celebrate a book birthday with this post! Congratulations to author Songju Ma Daemicke and illustrator Lin on the release of TU YOUYOU’S DISCOVERY. Thank you for sharing the cultural heart of the story, Songju, and also, thank you for offering a GIVEAWAY!

Leave a comment below for a chance to win a signed copy of TU YOUYOU’S DISCOVERY: FINDING A CURE FOR MALARIA.

Congratulations to Julie Rowan Zoch, winner of A TRUE WONDER: THE COMIC BOOK HERO WHO CHANGED EVERYTHING from Kirste...

Behind the Scenes: “Beyond Biographies of People” by Kirsten Larson

Even the nonliving can have a life of their own! So why not a biography of Wonder Woman?! I can’t wait to explore Kirsten Larson’s A TRUE WONDER! Thanks for sharing your process, Kirsten! 

Kirsten is offering a GIVEAWAY, too! A copy of A TRUE WONDER! Just leave a comment below to enter. 

“Beyond Biographies of People” by Kirsten W. Larson

When people ask me to describe A TRUE WONDER: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything (illus. Katy Wu, Clarion Books, 9/28/21), I tell them it’s a biogra...

Behind the Scenes: “Subverting Expectations with a Nonfiction Narrator” by Henry Herz

Bringing nonfiction topics to kids can entail challenges but also can invite creative approaches. Henry Herz took on an unlikely topic—smoke—and made it a character. Read on to learn how he used a narrator as a fictional element to share science, culture, and more. After reading I AM SMOKE, you’ll probably never think of smoke the same way as you once did!  

Subverting Expectations with a NF Narrator by Henry Herz

Just like kids need a balanced diet in what they eat, young readers also benefit f...