Beth Anderson's Blog, page 3

Behind the Scenes: “Telling Your Story” by Selene Castrovilla

I’m a fan of Selene Castrovilla’s writing…and the ways she finds to tell stories. I know how hard it is to take a snippet of history, dig out the information, and create a story that’s engaging and meaningful! Her new book, GEORGE WASHINGTON’S SPECTACULAR SPECTACLES: THE GLASSES THAT SAVED AMERICA is fabulous! Here Selene shares how, after a VERY long time, she landed on a way to tell the story. 

GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment after the post for a chance to win a copy of GEORGE WASHINGTON’S SPECTA...

Mining for Heart: “Writing Nonfiction with Kid Appeal” by Lydia Lukidis

Today’s nonfiction picture books invite young readers in with a huge range of creative ways to share information. Here’s how author Lydia Lukidis went after finding an effective format, point of view, and structure for her newest release, UP, UP HIGH: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere.

Writing Nonfiction with Kid Appeal by Lydia Lukidis

Thanks for having me, Beth!

I’m excited to be here chatting about my new STEM picture book, UP, UP HIGH: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere illustrat...

Behind the Scenes: “Emotions Across Eras: Creating Characters That Connect” by Rosanne Tolin

Today we join the virtual book tour for FREEDOM’S GAME with author Rosanne Tolin and hear how a story opened up and a picture book moved into new territory to become a middle grade historical novel.

The link for a GIVEAWAY follows the article, with an opportunity for multiple entries to win a signed copy of FREEDOM’S GAME!

Congratulations Leslee Anne Hewson, winner of Jonathan Roth’s ALMOST UNDERWEAR!

Emotions Across Eras: Creating Characters that Connect by Rosanne Tolin

 My...

Mining for Heart: “The Inspiring Fabric of Community…and Underwear!” by Jonathan Roth

Author-illustrator Jonathan Roth found a unique and fascinating object to take a reader on a special journey through time. But ALMOST UNDERWEAR: HOW A PIECE OF CLOTH TRAVELED FROM KITTY HAWK TO THE MOON AND MARS has more than a piece of cloth tying history together, Jonathan found a special emotional element to pull through the story, too.

GIVEAWAY! Jonathan is offering a copy of ALMOST UNDERWEAR to one randomly chosen person who comments below.

Congratulations to Kim Parfitt, the winner of ST...

Behind the Scenes: “Momentos for Momentum” by Julie Rowan-Zoch

 I love to hear about how the illustration process happens. I didn’t know about “Easter eggs” in illustrations until I saw the sketches and ideas from Sally Wern Comport for HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT. Indeed, it’s a thing!  Here, local critique partner Julie Rowan-Zoch shares some of her own special touches and a bit of her work on just-released STOPPING BY JUNGLE ON A SNOWY EVENING, written by Richard T. Morris. I have to tell you, this book is a hoot! 

GIVEAWAY! Julie is offering a copy of STOPPIN...

Behind the Scenes: “Making Your Book Stand Out in a Crowded Market” by Suzanne Lipshaw

One of the great changes in nonfiction for kids is that, unlike the old days with a standard, sterile, informational text format, now we see all kinds of engaging nonfiction, including informational fiction, creative nonfiction, and narratives. Creative approaches broaden understanding by allowing kids to see a familiar topic in new ways, as well as serving as a “fresh” take with a better chance of finding an interested publisher.  Here’s how Suzanne Lipshaw found a new way to share the supervol...

Behind the Scenes: “The Importance of Wonder and Play” by Jami Gigot

The words “wonder” and “play” make us think of kids. But, guess what? Wonder and play are beneficial for all of us! Here’s how author/illustrator Jami Gigot found an engaging path into story by following the wonder and freeing up her imagination to play with how she saw the real world around her.

Giveaway! Jami is offering a copy of THE WORLD IN OUR BACKYARD to one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment below. 

Congratulations to Melissa Mwai, the winner of Kim Larson’s book, GOAT’S BOAT ...

Behind the Scenes: “The Ins and Outs of Writing Early Readers” by Kim Larson

Are you considering writing an early reader? Wondering where to start? Here’s an informative post from author Kim Larson on how she took what she learned from a webinar, did her research on the form, and worked her way to a published book. 

Leave a comment below to get in on the GIVEAWAY for a copy of Kim’s debut book, GOAT’S BOAT WON’T FLOAT! 

The Ins and Outs of Writing Early Readers

by Kim Larson

In 2020, I wrote Goat’s Boat Won’t Float after attending an SCBWI webinar on writing early reade...

Behind the Scenes: “Building Tension in Nonfiction Picture Books” by Donna McKinney

In this post, author Donna McKinney addresses the challenge of finding the essential tension needed to pull readers through a nonfiction story and keep them turning pages.

GIVEAWAY! Donna is giving away a copy of TINY TERN TAKES FLIGHT to one person who comments below!

Congratulations to Lillie Pardo , winner of a copy of YOUR SUSTAINABLE WORLD: A Kid’s Guide to Everyday Choices That Help the Planet!  

Building Tension in Nonfiction Picture Books

by Donna McKinney

Fiction writers often speak of...

Especially for Educators: “What Can I Do? Using Books to Inspire Action” by Laura Perdew

As an educator, it was truly exciting to watch as kids discovered their agency. Here’s a great post from author Laura Perdew with a super new book and activities to inspire children to adopt sustainable habits, discover how they can make a difference, and become agents of change. Please share this post with teachers, parents, and librarians! 

GIVEAWAY! Laura is giving a copy of YOUR SUSTAINABLE WORLD: A Kid’s Guide to Everyday Choices That Help the Planet! to one person who leaves a comment belo...