Beth Anderson's Blog, page 5

Mining for Heart: “Uncovering Strength, Resilience and Hope” by Barbara Herkert

Where do you find inspiration? Barbara Herkert found it growing near her home. Here she shares how she brought the source of her own inspiration to young readers in THIS OLD MADRONE TREE. 

GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below to be entered  to win a copy of THIS OLD MADRONE TREE!    

And congratulations to Emily Starr, winner of THE ODDBALL BOOK OF ARMADILLOS, complete with card deck for “The Adaptation Game,” from Elizabeth Shreeve!

Uncovering Strength, Resilience and Hope

by Barbara Herkert

My fami...

Especially for Educators: “Passive to Active: Using a Game to Engage Students with Nonfiction” by Elizabeth Shreeve

Kids love animals—especially the weird ones! Elizabeth Shreeve shares a science book for ages 7-10 that celebrates one of Earth’s most unique group of critters. The Teacher Guide comes with “The Adaptation Game,” a fun, card-based activity developed with STEM experts.

GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment after the post to enter the drawing for a copy of THE ODDBALL BOOK OF ARMADILLOS, complete with card deck for “The Adaptation Game”.

“Passive to Active: Using a Game to Engage Students with Nonfiction”

by ...

Behind the Scenes: “How to Get an Expert Interview for Your Nonfiction PB” by Becca McMurdie

It’s always hard to approach an expert to ask for their time and expertise. And when you don’t have a track record and published titles to prove you’re bonafide, the real deal, worthy of trust, it can be truly daunting. In this post, debut author Becca McMurdie shares her approach and the sample letter that got her on the path to BUILDING A BEAK: HOW A TOUCAN’S RESCUE INSPIRED THE WORLD.  

GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of BUILDING A BEAK: HOW A TOUCAN’S RESCUE INSPIR...

Behind the Scenes: “A Sensory Recipe for Writing Nonfiction” by Nell Cross Beckerman

With a goal of writing a book for kids about volcanoes using lyrical language, author Nell Cross Beckerman not only researched for information, she also used her own and gathered more sensory input. Here’s how using her senses paid off in writing VOLCANOES.

Congratulations to Claire Annette, winner of Lori Alexander’s giveaway of a picture book critique OR a 20-minute “Ask-Me-Anything” Zoom!

A Sensory Recipe for Writing Nonfiction

by Nell Cross Beckerman

Don’t all kids play “the floor is l...

Behind the Scenes: “A Biography’s Journey: From Dry to Lively” by Lori Alexander

Transforming a pile of information into story is a challenge. And then when you think you’ve done it, you learn it’s not working as you’d hoped. In this post, author Lori Alexander shares how she continued to revise until the story came alive. Her examples are informative, and the tips she leaves us with are golden! 

Giveaway: Lori is offering a picture book critique OR a 20-minute “Ask-Me-Anything” Zoom to one lucky commenter!

A Biography’s Journey: From Dry to Lively

by Lori Alexander

I grew ...

Cover Reveal! Hiding in Plain Sight: Kate Warne and the Race to Save Abraham Lincoln

If I asked you to name a detective, I’d likely hear

Nancy Drew,

Agatha Christie,

Sherlock Holmes,

Dick Tracy,

and maybe even Allan Pinkerton…

BUT…I’m willing to bet no one would mention Kate Warne.

I’m hoping HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: KATE WARNE AND THE RACE TO SAVE ABRAHAM LINCOLN might change that and shine some light on this trailblazing woman and little known piece of history.

Until about 12 years ago, I’d never heard of Kate Warne. Or the Baltimore Plot. But when I did, I was smitten with her ...

Behind the Scenes: “How to Navigate a King-Size Conference” by Kerry Aradhya

Sometimes a large professional conference can be as puzzling as that famous cube with all the squares. Never fear, author Kerry Aradhya, has some tips to help you make the most of a conference opportunity.

AND…she’s offering a GIVEAWAY to one lucky person who comments on the post below—a copy of ERNO RUBIK AND HIS MAGIC CUBE!

Congratulations to  , winner of Melissa Mwai’s giveaway: a 30-min AMA for an author or a book and classroom visit for an educator.

How to Navigate a King-Size Conference

B...

Especially for Educators: “Harnessing the History of the Harlem Renaissance” by Melissa H. Mwai

Sharing the past can inspire the future! In her new book, author Melissa Mwai gives young readers a peek into the Harlem Renaissance, and in this post, she shares three activities for the classroom to build understanding of the time, make use of nonfiction text features, and extend learning.

Leave a comment below to get in on the GIVEAWAY: One 30-minute AMA (for authors/illustrators) or one 30-minute virtual school visit with a signed book (for educators).

Congratulations to Laura Roettiger, win...

Mining for Heart: “How a Little Red Chair Sparked a Picture Book” by Cathy Stefanec Ogren

Think back…do you have a favorite piece of furniture from your past? One that comes with precious memories? One that’s part of YOUR story. But what if that special piece of furniture could share ITS story? Author Cathy Stefanec Ogren’s latest book is just such a tale, and here she shares how she found the heart of THE LITTLE RED CHAIR. 

Cathy is offering a GIVEAWAY!! A copy of THE LITTLE RED CHAIR to one lucky person who comments below! 

Congratulations to Robin Brett Wechsler, winner of the cho...

Behind the Scenes: “Why Art Notes Can Make or Break a Manuscript” by Maria Marianayagam

In an article I wrote recently for GROG Blog about my experience with illustration notes with THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE, my look back over the editorial revision process showed that when the text was clarified, the notes weren’t needed. In this post, Maria Marianayagam shares a very different experience. Once again, there are no hard and fast rules. Each manuscript is different, each experience is different. And the points Maria leaves us with are valuable in any situation. 

GIVEAWAY...