Beth Anderson's Blog, page 9

Behind the Scenes: “The Sweet Spot Where History and Fiction Meet” by Nancy Churnin

As a children’s author drawn to nonfiction topics, I know the most difficult part of writing a book about real people and events in the past is to figure out the best way to tell a story to make it matter and connect to kids today. THAT is everything. And that challenge can lead a writer to new places. In this post, author Nancy Churnin shares how she dealt with it for one of her new titles, LILA AND THE JACK-O’-LANTERN.

Nancy is offering a book GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment after the post to ge...

Mining for Heart: “One Seed, Many Connections” by Sue Heavenrich

THE SEED THAT MOLLY GREW is all about connections that come from the miracle of a tiny seed. Author Sue Heavenrich even found a way to make story structure a part of that heart! This is a perfect book to share for fall as kids’ attention turns to pumpkins. 

Congratulations to A. Turner, winner of OUR UNDERWATER WORLD from Sue Lowell Gallion! 

One Seed, Many Connections by Sue Heavenrich

When I began writing The Pie That Molly Grew, I wanted to share the wonder I see in my garden every...

Behind the Scenes: “Circular Thinking” by Sue Lowell Gallion

There’s nothing more fun than a book that is a shape! The first book of the nonfiction board book series by Sue Lowell Gallion and Lisk Feng (Phaidon Press) caught my eye immediately. It looks like a globe and stands up! One thing I didn’t think about was what that means for the writing. So thank you, Sue Lowell Gallion, for this fascinating post on what that entails.

GIVEAWAY! If you’d like to get in on the drawing for a copy of OUR UNDERWATER WORLD from Sue, be sure to leave a comment after t...

Especially for Educators: “Recentering Diversity and Decentering White/Eurocentric Culture” by Zeena M. Pliska

Just in time for the start of a new school year! This post from author and teacher Zeena Pliska shares an activity for educators to help explore, examine, and evaluate classroom libraries. AND she’s offering a copy of her newest picture book, EGYPTIAN LULLABY.

GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment after the post to get in the drawing for a copy of Zeena’s EGYPTIAN LULLABY. 

Congratulations to Maria Marshall, winner of ARMANDO’S ISLAND from Marsha Diane Arnold! 

Recentering Diversity and Decentering White/Eu...

Behind the Scenes: “The Long Journey of ARMANDO’S ISLAND” by Marsha Diane Arnold

I would bet just about every writer has been asked, “How long does it take you to write a book?” Well…it turns out every book has its own story of becoming. And if you peruse this blog, you’ll find many books that sprang from ideas or experiences many years earlier. Here, Marsha Diane Arnold shares the journey of ARMANDO’S ISLAND. And…..

a GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment after the post to get in the drawing for a copy of ARMANDO’S ISLAND. 

The Long Journey of Armando’s Island

By Marsha Diane Arnold

I’...

Mining For Heart: “THIS IS TAP: A Nineteen-Year Breech Birth” by Selene Castrovilla

When I picked up THIS IS TAP, I was delighted by this lively, lyrical, rhythmic, toe-tapping, sparsely written, standout biography. So I reached out to Selene Castrovilla wanting to learn about how it came to be. Here’s a terrific post from Selene about how an idea in her heart found its way to the page by thinking outside the box she had built for herself. (And when you’re done reading the article, treat yourself to a video of Savion Glover in action!)

Selene is offering a GIVEAWAY! A copy of T...

Behind the Scenes: “Start a Picture Book Marketing Group!” by Susan Johnston Taylor

When new authors learn that much of the marketing and promotion for their book will be left to them, it can be daunting for many who are not “natural salespeople.” In this post, Susan Johnston Taylor shares tips for starting a marketing group, a group of kid lit creators who band together to learn and support each other. 

Susan is offering a GIVEAWAY to one lucky person who leaves a comment below: your choice of a custom marketing tool or a signed copy of ANIMALS IN SURPRISING SHADES: POEMS ABOU...

Mining for Heart: “A Transformation Invites New Life” by Jessica Stremer

Stories of inanimate objects offer their own special challenge. As with all stories, I think the secret is to find a meaningful personal connection that also connects to children. In Jessica Stremer’s new book, GREAT CARRIER REEF, she was drawn to the idea of transformation. Read on to find out how this idea played out in the writing. 

Jessica is offering a GIVEAWAY! If you write for children, let us know in a comment below and we’ll put  you in the drawing for a NonFiction Picture Book critique...

Mining for Heart: “Finding the Focus for Rivka’s Presents” by Laurie Wallmark

While many people are inspired to write a piece of family history, a memory or heartfelt reverence for ancestors’ endeavors isn’t usually enough to create a great picture book. Laurie Wallmark’s patient pondering to find the focus along with her expert knowledge of how to write an engaging story resulted in her latest release, RIVKA’S PRESENTS.

GIVEAWAY! Just leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of RIVKA’S PRESENTS!

Finding the Focus for Rivka’s Presents by Laurie Wallmark

RIVKA’S PR...

Especially for Educators: “Using Back Matter to Inspire Lesson Plans” by Roxanne Troup

Maps! And trees! I’m a fan of both! Here’s an activity to use with MY GRANDPA, MY TREE, AND ME by Roxanne Troup—ready to go for busy educators!

Roxanne is offering a GIVEAWAY—a free 30-minute virtual visit! For a teacher, it can be a virtual author visit for a classroom. Or for a writer, a visit for self or critique group.  

Using Back Matter to Inspire Lesson Plans by Roxanne Troup

Thanks for hosting me, Beth!

I’m thrilled to share my new picture book, MY GRANDPA, MY TREE, AND ME, with your re...