Beth Anderson's Blog, page 18

Behind the Scenes: “Finding Focus” by Keila Dawson

After 2020 and all the challenges faced, I’m sure you’re all itching to hit the road to get out and explore. That wasn’t always as simple for everyone as it is today.  Keila Dawson’s new book, OPENING THE ROAD: VICTOR HUGO GREEN AND HIS GREEN BOOK, opens our eyes to a time when African Americans who traveled faced danger and humiliation. A picture book is all about focus, which can be a real challenge when you go down that rabbit hole of research. Here, Keila shares a peek behind the scenes at h...

Behind the Scenes: “Creating a Compilation” by Vivian Kirkfield

Welcome back, Vivian Kirkfield! If anyone knows about going HERE to THERE, it’s Vivian who is always on the MOVE herself! Wondering how one picture book can become nine? 

Vivian is offering the final giveaway of 2020 for this blog – a year that was a little bit better for all the books that creators have offered. Leave a comment below for a chance to win your choice of  the anthology FROM HERE TO THERE – a total of 9 picture books packed into one beautiful book, OR a picture book manuscript crit...

The Day Saida Arrived

Here’s a really special book I’m recommending for Perfect Picture Book Friday about connecting across cultures, respect, empathy, and so much more. This book, a finalist for the Jane Addams award, should not be missed!

The winner of the giveaway for Cow Boy is Not a Cowboy by Gregory Barrington is Cathy Ballou Mealey! Congratulations!

Title: The Day Saida Arrived

Written by: Susana Gomez Redondo

Illustrated by: Sonja Wimmer

Translated by: Lawrence Schimel

Blue Dot Kids Press, 2020

Suitable for ...

Behind the Scenes: “The Advice that Created a Story” by Gregory Barrington

Authors get advice from all  sorts of people – their family, critique partners, agents, and editors. Sometimes it takes a while to nail down exactly what’s needed, and the path to publication can be long. Here, Gregory Barrington shares how he stayed the course and put the advice he received to good use, turning his idea into a book called COW BOY IS NOT A COWBOY.  

And…we have another GIVEAWAY! Thank you, Greg, for offering a copy of your book!

The winner of Oscar’s American Dream from Barry Wi...

Mining for Heart: “Heart of a Building” by Barry Wittenstein

As a former ESL teacher, immigrant stories are near and dear to my heart. OSCAR’S AMERICAN DREAM by Barry Wittenstein caught me eye, and, as I turned each page, I was amazed at how Barry embedded heart and so much more in a story about a building. As you’ll see in this post, the heart that drives the telling came from the author’s life experiences.  Thanks, Barry, for sharing!

And thank you also for offering a giveaway for a copy of the book. For a chance to win a copy of OSCAR’S AMERICAN DREAM,...

Behind the Scenes: “The Power of Yes!” by Jolene Gutiérrez

All it takes is one word to launch you on a new adventure! Jolene Gutiérrez shares how a picture book manuscript grew into a middle grade nonfiction book, and also how she embraced opportunity to stretch herself in the process. 

And thank you, Jolene, for offering a copy of your book to one lucky winner! Comment below for a chance to win!

Congratulations to Michele Helsel, winner of NO VOICE TOO SMALL from last week’s post by Lindsay Metcalf! 

“The Power of YES” by Jolene Gutiérrez

I’m so excit...

Behind the Scenes: “A Case Study in Collaboration” by Lindsay Metcalf

Lindsay Metcalf is having a big year! Today she takes us behind the scenes again with another new release: NO VOICE TOO SMALL: FOURTEEN YOUNG AMERICANS MAKING HISTORY. This anthology was a team effort. Thank you, Lindsay for sharing how this collaborative effort came together.

And also thank you for offering a signed copy as a giveaway! Leave a comment below for a chance to win NO VOICE TOO SMALL. 

The winner of a signed copy of FARMERS UNITE from last week’s post is Jilanne Hoffmann!

NO VOICE T...

Behind the Scenes: “The Path to the Perfect Editor” by Lindsay Metcalf

Rejections never feel good, but sometimes, they actually serve us well. And Lindsay Metcalf’s post here is a great example. I hope you’ll take a few moments to read this outstanding post that proves that “breaking the rules” and defying traditional book categories can work with the right editor. Thank you, Lindsay for sharing your path to the perfect editor for your story! 

Lindsay is offering a signed copy to one lucky person who comments below! 

The Path to the Perfect Editor By Lindsay H. Met...

Mining for Heart: “Using Family History to Write Your Story” by Melissa Stoller

Family stories are near and dear to our hearts, but it can be a challenge to shape them into a story. Here, Melissa Stoller shares her process of crafting her own story into Sadie’s Shabbat Stories. 

Melissa is offering a GIVEAWAY! Just leave a comment below for a chance to win a signed copy of Sadie’s Shabbat Stories.  

Using Family History to Write Your Story by Melissa Stoller

FAMILY HISTORY INSPIRATION:

The inspiration for SADIE’S SHABBAT STORIES (illustrated by Lisa Goldberg, releasing...

Pies from Nowhere

Here’s a book I just became aware of and wanted to share as a Perfect Picture Book Friday recommendation. It’s the story of how one person can make a difference, about an unsung heroine, about the people behind the scenes of social change. 

Title: Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott

Written by: Dee Romito

Illustrated by: Laura Freeman

Little Bee Books, 2018

Suitable for ages: 7-12

Themes/topics: segregation, civil rights, initiative

Opening:

When Georgia G...