Beth Anderson's Blog, page 16

Mining for Heart: “Heart in Action—Louder than Words”

With Father’s Day approaching, it seems fitting to celebrate a father who gave the gift of patience.

 

“Heart in Action — Louder Than Words”

Illustrations © S.D. Schindler 2021

Tad Lincoln was a boy of action. Lots of action. Endless Action. To the point he drove everyone around him crazy. Except his father. One father/son action had sparked my interest in Tad—the first presidential turkey pardon. That quirky bit of tradition offered potential, but I had to find a way to take it from an interest...

Mining for Heart: “Heart in Picture Books: A Treasure Map to Emotional Resonance” by Kim Tomsic

I’ve come to believe that the most important element in a picture book, or any story for that matter, is what I call “heart.” Digging it out can be agonizing. But if you’re lucky, it might float to the surface in a haunting question or pop out with a shiver of goosebumps. And then, of course, you have to figure out how to weave it through the story. Here Kim Tomsic adds another terrific post to my “Mining for Heart” series about this essential concept. She shares her own experience and also what...

Dark Was the Night: Blind Willie Johnson’s Journey to the Stars

Popping in with a Perfect Picture Book Friday recommendation. This book is in my top 10 for 2020—a lyrical, gorgeous, important book about the power of music. Don’t miss it! 

Title: Dark Was the Night: Blind Willie Johnson’s Journey to the Stars

Written by:  Gary Golio

Illustrated by: E.B. Lewis

Nancy Paulsen Books/PRH 2020, biography

Suitable for ages: 6-12

Themes/topics: music, blindness, African American history, blues

Opening:

Even in the deep darkness of outer space, there is light…

1977

A ...

Behind the Scenes: “The Urgency of Oral History” by Rich and Sandra Wallace

The Teachers March!: How Selma’s Teachers Changed History was one of the outstanding picture books of 2020 that kept popping up everywhere. Thanks to authors Rich Wallace and Sandra Neil Wallace, we have this dynamic telling of an overlooked event. Here, the authors share how meeting the right person at the right time made all the difference. 

Also – Thank you to Sandra and Rich for offering a copy oof The Teachers March as a GIVEAWAY! Just leave a comment after the post to enter the drawing. (U...

Swashby and the Sea

Here’s a new picture book that’s really won my heart with it’s word play, timely message, and irresistible illustrations! Author Beth Ferry and illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal have created an endearing and humorous story about not getting what you want, but rather, what you need. Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday!

Congratulations to the winner of WATERCRESS from Andrea Wang – Danielle Hammelef!

 

Title: Swashby and the Sea

Written by: Beth Ferry

Illustrated by: Juana Martinez-Neal

HMH 2020, fi...

Behind the Scenes: “Collaborating with an Illustrator” by Andrea Wang

Andrea Wang’s new picture book, WATERCRESS, has been all over the news recently. It’s an outstanding book in every way, a collaboration of skilled, sensitive, extraordinary book creators. I wish I’d had this book when I had a classroom full of English language learners from around the world with their myriad of experiences. Here Andrea provides a peek behind the scenes in the making of WATERCRESS. 

And thank you, Andrea, for offering a giveaway—a copy of WATERCRESS with a signed bookplate! Just ...

Flying Frogs and Walking Fish

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday! Prepare to be amazed! In honor of Earth Day and the myriad of extraordinary creatures on our planet, I’m sharing a book that totally fascinated me. Let’s double-down efforts to heal the environment, preserve these treasures, and stall the devastating effects of climate change.

Congratulations to Kristin Sawyer – you’ve won a copy of THE PIG WAR: HOW A PORCINE TRAGEDY TAUGHT ENGLAND AND AMERICA TO SHARE from Emma Blandon Smith, author of last week’s post! 

Flyin...

Behind the Scenes: “Best Practices for Reaching Out (or Not!) to Biography Subjects” by Emma Bland Smith

Inquiring minds want to know the answers to all these frequently asked questions! Thank you, Emma Bland Smith, for addressing these issues! Nonfiction writers, biography writers, parents, educators, librarians, and readers—dig in. I’ll bet you all find something of interest here. 

Emma is offering a GIVEAWAY, too! Just leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of THE PIG WAR. 

The winner of last week’s giveaway, COW SAYS MEOW by Kirsti Call is….Donna Rossman!! 

Behind the Scenes: Best Pr...

Behind the Scenes: “How Waiting Saved My Writing Career” by Kirsti Call

Welcome, Kirsti Call! Thank you so much for sharing this essential part of the path to publication! Waiting is hard. So hard. And after experiencing rejections, even harder. But…patience can make all the difference. 

If you’d like a chance to win a copy of COW SAYS MEOW, just leave a comment after the post to enter Kirsti’s GIVEAWAY! (US address only please)

The winner of a signed copy of MY TREE from Hope Lim is Robin Brett Wechsler! Congratulations!

How Waiting Saved My Writing Career

By Kirst...

Mining for Heart: “Family Connection” by Hope Lim

I started seeing today’s guest, Hope Lim, in online kid lit writing groups a few years ago, and am truly excited to see all her hard work pay off! Hope mined her own heart for her new book MY TREE. Here she shares her connection to a special tree and how that translated into a story. Having grown up on a tree nursery, trees have always had a special place in my heart.

GIVEAWAY! Hope is offering a signed copy of MY TREE to one lucky winner who comments on the blog post! 

And the winner of THE GRE...