Natasha Wing's Blog, page 5

How My New Chapter BookCame to Be

The proof of my new children’s chapter book arrived last week! The actual release date is January 2, 2022. Until then enjoy this first installment of the journeys both the illustrator and I took to create The Legend of Lop-eared Larry. It all began with…

Where I got the Idea for the Story

I’d been working on this story for a long time, probably 20-plus years. It’s a chapter book that was submitted to editors for the past few decades, with no takers. But every time I revisited the story, I still loved it. So the time came to take the hop and self publish my bunny book.

Welby, the bunny that fell down the window well.

Ever since I was a baby, I loved bunnies. My first stuffed toy was a white rabbit named Boing Boing. Later, in my 20s I got a tawny lop-eared rabbit for my birthday and named it Br’er. (He was the inspiration for my tale.) Then one snowy day in Colorado, a baby bunny fell into the window well. I took it in and fed it until the storm passed three days later. It was a challenge to keep my curious cat from wanting to “meet” the bunny! When the storm let up, Welby was released back to the wild. But all that summer a bunny that I’m sure was Welby hung out in the backyard. So you see, my love for bunnies couldn’t help but sneak into a story!

As an ode to Beatrix Potter, I wanted to tell a legend of how lop ears on rabbits came to be. In The Legend of Lop-eared Larry, Larry is born with droopy ears. His parents try to fix them but can’t. The other rabbits make fun of him. Larry dreams of fitting in and finding a talent of his own.

As a lover of Easter (‘cuz bunnies!) I tied my story in with Easter to show a holiday tradition from the rabbits’ point of view. In Hare Hollow, after the Easter Bunny delivers all the eggs, the rabbits throw him a big party, complete with a carrot cake.  (Easter Bunny has a sweet tooth like someone else I know.) This Easter, Larry’s lop ears save the day when he’s the only one who returns from Old Man Hooley’s garden with carrots to make the cake. Larry goes from being an outcast for having different ears to a hero.

My childhood Easter basket with Boing Boing in front. 

In a way I’m glad that it took so many years for the story to be published. My writing skills improved in that time, and I also was able to find the perfect artist to illustrate the story, Brittany David. Sometimes things happen for a reason. But all these years, I didn’t give up on the dream of putting this story out into the world, no matter how long it took.

The Legend of Lop-eared Larry will be officially released January 2, 2022 for Easter 2022. But if you want to be notified of the pre-release sale, send me an email to: natashawing@gmail.com with the subject line: Larry Book, and I’ll put you on the list. Thanks as always for your support. Can’t wait for you to read it!

If you know someone who'd like to hear about the making of a book, please share this post with them. 

3 Prizes!!!

Los Bagels is joining author Natasha Wing in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the children’s book inspired by the bakery titled Jalapeño Bagels. They are giving away three prizes:

- An 11”x14” print of art from the story signed by the illustrator Robert Casilla

- A Jalapeño Bagels: The Full Experience sampler with baked goods mentioned in the story

- A book signed by Natasha Wing

Natasha was a resident of Humboldt County from 1988 to 2010 where Los Bagels is located. Jalapeño Bagels is her second published book and was inspired by Los Bagels. “I wrote this story to address multiculturalism,” said Wing. “I combined Mexican and Jewish heritages. Los Bagels was both my research and setting for the story.”

The story is about a boy who has to bring something to school for International Day to represent his heritage.  “I imagined owner Dennis Rael as the young boy, Pablo, who is the main character.”

The illustrator actually used his own son as the model for Pablo. But he used photos Wing had taken of the interior of Los Bagels in Arcata and of the baked goods to create his artwork. There are recipes and a glossary included in the end notes.

To enter the drawing for the prizes: Send an email to: jalbagelscontest@gmail.com. Entry period is from June 1 to June 15, 2021. Three winners will be randomly chosen.

For more about Natasha Wing’s books go to natashawing.com. For more about Los Bagels go to losbagels.com.

New Summer Activity Book Winner!

My publisher had a great idea to create activity books to go along with some of my Night Before books. The newest in this line is The Night Before Summer Vacation Activity Book. The release date is May 4, 2021. 

I had so much fun coming up with the activities and in this one, Amy Wummer illustrated them. Plus there are stickers and a pop-out sea shell. I'm imagining kids taking this book along on their summer trip. I'm also imaging that more people will be taking trips this summer!

Here's a peek at a few of the activities:

As a kid, I always loved playing those games of finding the things that don't belong in a scene. (In my next life I should be a continuity director for movies!) Can you find the things that are wrong in this beach scene?

Here's one of those challenges where you have to find the animal hidden in the line drawing. So fun!

If you're looking for something to occupy the kids while you're traveling, or a rainy day activity, check out my activity book. Read The Night Before Summer Vacation first and see how the two books connect. 

Have a wonderful summer!

GIVEAWAY! To celebrate the release of my new book, I'm giving away a signed copy to a random person who leaves a comment either here or on my author Facebook page. Please tell me what your favorite summer vacation spot is below in the comment area. I will randomly pick a winner on May 17, 2021 so get your comment in before then. Good luck!

UPDATE: I have a winner! Sam Sap, congratulations!

New Summer Activity Book Giveaway

My publisher had a great idea to create activity books to go along with some of my Night Before books. The newest in this line is The Night Before Summer Vacation Activity Book. The release date is May 4, 2021. 

I had so much fun coming up with the activities and in this one, Amy Wummer illustrated them. Plus there are stickers and a pop-out sea shell. I'm imagining kids taking this book along on their summer trip. I'm also imaging that more people will be taking trips this summer!

Here's a peek at a few of the activities:

As a kid, I always loved playing those games of finding the things that don't belong in a scene. (In my next life I should be a continuity director for movies!) Can you find the things that are wrong in this beach scene?

Here's one of those challenges where you have to find the animal hidden in the line drawing. So fun!

If you're looking for something to occupy the kids while you're traveling, or a rainy day activity, check out my activity book. Read The Night Before Summer Vacation first and see how the two books connect. 

Have a wonderful summer!

GIVEAWAY! To celebrate the release of my new book, I'm giving away a signed copy to a random person who leaves a comment either here or on my author Facebook page. Please tell me what your favorite summer vacation spot is below in the comment area. I will randomly pick a winner on May 17, 2021 so get your comment in before then. Good luck!

Make a Leprechaun Trap

With St. Patrick's Day on the way, it's time to make leprechaun traps. For as the legend in The Night Before St. Patrick's Day says,

"For if they caught one-

so the legend told -

they'd find where he buried

his big pot of gold."

Leprechauns love shiny things like charms and rings. Gold chocolate coins, too! So don't forget to put something shiny in your trap to lure the leprechaun. 

Here are some ideas of what to use to make your leprechaun trap:

For more leprechaun trap ideas, see this double-page spread in The Night Before St. Patrick's Day or on my Pinterest "Leprechaun Traps" page. 

 

 

 

Female & Funny

Thinking of writing funny stories for kids? Here are great tips from female children's writers and illustrators on where they get their inspirations for their funny books, from their fathers to kids cartoons.  Here's the link. 

One of the featured author/illustators is Julie Rowan-Zoch who happens to be a friend and the regional advisor for the SCBWI group that meets in Fort Collins, CO. I'm a Hare, So There! is her debut picture book that she both wrote and illustrated. It's a play on mis-dentity. Check it out when it's released March 16.

I'm a pun girl myself. I love play on words and twisting meanings which is what I did in Bagel in Love. The puns in this book are based on baked goods, which then led to writing a joke book about food called Lettuce Laugh. And boy, could we use a laugh these days!

For more funny books by Natasha Wing visit natashawing.com.

Year of the Ox

The Year of the Ox begins February 12. As someone born in the Year of the Rat, this is supposed to be a good year, so I'm looking forward to many good career opportunities. Next year I'll have a new Night Before about this holiday called The Night Before the Lunar New Year, illustrated by Amy Wummer. I can't wait to see the illustrations!

Until then, here's an excellent source for how different countries celebrate this holiday, great crafts complete with templates, and virtual events so you can still view celebratory traditions. This article is from Macaroni Kid/CertifiKID. Please check them out and sign up for their newsletter. It comes with loads of articles filled with tips for families.

If you like this post, please share with families and teachers. 

Groundhog Day Book

Students learn about the seasons and make predictions before Groundhog Day. A family joins the town in welcoming the emergence of the groundhog. Will the groundhog predict more winter or an early spring? 

I wrote this story out of request from teachers for a Groundhog Day book to assist in teaching the seasons, weather and prediction. I also went on line and found adorable crafts that kids can make and incorporated some into the text. 

If ever a book needed to be paired with a plush animal, this is it!

The Night Before Groundhog Day Amazon link.

Fun fact: The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club has been in operation since 1886. Here's their website and shop.

Valentine's Day Craft Ideas

Valentine's Day is about love and sharing. So here are some activities I would love to share!

This is from a wonderful blogger, Angela Henderson, who writes Kidsbooks Friends. Go to her post and check out the oodles of fun stuff your kids and students can do to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Within the pages of  The Night Before Valentine's Day you can find inspiration for heart-shaped animals to color in your cards. Do you see the owl and frog made with hearts below?

Psst. The art teacher in my book is the illustrator, Heidi Petach's, rendition of herself!

Another fun game to play with the book is to count the number of hearts on the pages. 

Feel free to share this post with your teacher friends. 

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Wedding Bells Are Ringing for New Book

The latest book in my series will be released January 12. The Night Before the Wedding is about a flower girl who loses her flower-girl basket so the bride offers an alternative pedal holder. Amy Wummer does a wonderful job capturing everyone getting ready for the ceremony, and showing diversity in the two joining families. 

January 16 is my husband and my 33rd anniversary so this is a fitting way to celebrate. 

This was the '80s so the style was poofy! I got the first dress I tried on and made the headpiece myself. The bridesmaids wore teal. Is that still a color? 

To celebrate both occasions, I am giving away two copies of The Night Before the Wedding here and on my social media. Just leave a comment below or on my Facebook author page by midnight January 16, 2021 and I will randomly choose a winner. 

Please share this post and share the love.