Beth Anderson's Blog, page 21

Behind the Scenes: “Puzzling Out a Picture Book” with Keely Parrack

Ive found that I really enjoy exploring structure as a writer. Readers experience all kinds of text structures, but they seldom have a chance to learn all the planning and puzzling involved in the process of writing. Here, author Keely Parrack gives us a peek behind the scenes at how MORNING, SUNSHINE came to be.

Puzzling Out a Picture Book by Keely Parrack [image error]

Morning, Sunshine! was such a delight to work on and had many surprising moments, but this was one of the most unexpected ones, and my...

Children’s Book Week 2020!

Celebrate Childrens Book Week with characters from the past! People like you and me, facing lifes challenges. In the midst of this pandemic, living our own piece of history, we can all benefit from learning how others persisted through difficult times. Pictured are six new picture books to inspire children. And there are many more!

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Here are some simple activities for kids to do with any biography or historical narrative that highlights a person from history.  Ill feature one each day on...

Behind the Scenes: “The Writing Journey” by Laura Perdew

A picture book takes longer than most people think.and longer than an author may thinkso I love this post from Laura Perdew who persevered with this story, pulling it out of the drawer to let it evolve over time with new learning and realizations. So for all of you out there with manuscripts in the drawerdont give up! Sometimes stories take time and growth. So how about a drawer challengedo you have story tucked away waiting for a revisit? I do!

The Writing Journey by Laura Perdew[image error]

I wrote the...

Behind the Scenes: “My Three Musts in Writing Picture Books” by Nancy Churnin

[image error]2020 is a big year for Nancy Churnin with two picture book releases! How does she decide what subjects are worth pursuing through months of research and revision? Read on to learn about Nancys process when she discovers a fascinating person from the past 

My Three Musts in Writing Picture Books by Nancy Churnin

People often want to know how I pick subjects for my picture book biographies. My three main ingredients are curiosity, identification and impact.

I know Im curious enough if Im...

When the Babies Came to Stay

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday! Heres an irresistible new fiction picture book that will dig deeper into your heart every time you read it. 

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Title: When the Babies Came to Stay

Written by: Christine McDonnell

Illustrated by: Jeanette Bradley

Viking, PRH 2020, fiction

Suitable for ages: 2-5

Themes/topics: adoption, acceptance, community

 

Opening:
The first arrived on the mail plane.
The harbormaster opened the canvas bag.
Inside was a squalling red-faced baby.

Overview:
The first baby...

Behind the Scenes: “One Step at a Time with Madame Saqui” by Lisa Robinson

Last week I shared Madame Saqui: Revolutionary Ropedancer, and this week you get to hear from the author, Lisa Robinson. The journey a story takes from idea to out-in-the-world is always interesting. I often think a manuscript teaches us something we need as we work through the story and get to know the character. Madam Saquis keep at it attitude just may have been contagious. 

One Step at a Time with Madame Saqui by Lisa Robinson [image error]

This book began with a book: The Ordinary Acrobat by Duncan...

Madame Saqui: Revolutionary Rope Dancer

What child hasnt pretended to be a circus performer? Taming lions! Walking tightropes! Flying on the trapeze! Today, for Perfect Picture Book Friday, in the center ring, all the way from France, in the midst of a revolution, with captivating illustrations and the wonder of well-chosen words.I give you Madame Saqui!

[image error]Title: Madame Saqui: Revolutionary Rope Dancer

Written by: Lisa Robinson

Illustrated by: Rebecca Green

Schwartz & Wade, 2020

Suitable for ages: 4-8

Themes/topics: dreams, circus,...

Introducing the Books Brothers!

[image error]Oh, such a special treat today! It just so happens that the Books Brothers are off of school and have time to share some of their thoughts about books.

First I asked about any favorite picture books.

Paxton, age 8, says that funny ones are his favorites. Some of the titles hes read over and over are: There Was an Old Dragon that Swallowed a Knight by Penny Parker Klostermann and Ben Mantle, Mos [image error]Mustache by Ben Clanton, This Is a Moose by Richard T. Morris and Tom Lichtenheld, and Mr. Tiger...

Behind the Scenes: “Where does a story start?” by Julie Abery

Stories begin in all sorts of places, and often, I think, they begin with an emotional reaction to something we see or hear. Thank you, Julie Abery, for sharing how YUSRA SWIMS came to be. 

[image error]Thank you so much, Beth, for inviting me on your blog to share my debut picture book biography, Yusra Swims (Creative Editions, illustrated by Sally Deng). It is an honor to share a behind the scenes look at how this story began.

In the spring of 2016, overloaded refugee boats appeared on the news on an...

Behind the Scenes: “Straight to the (Primary) Source” by Kirsten Larson

Each manuscript Ive tackled has brought new lessons in the research process, so its always helpful when I get to learn from someone elses experience. In this guest post, Kirsten Larson shares some Behind the Scenes learning from the research process for her debut picture book, WOOD, WIRE, WINGS: EMMA LILIAN TODD INVENTS AN AIRPLANE. 

Straight to the (Primary) Source [image error]

When I dive into a new nonfiction project, I typically start with secondary sources. My first reads are normally books. I want...