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The first few days of September have (finally) broken the hot spell that has been summer 2010, and nothing says “fall” more than curling up with a cup of tea and a good book.  That is exactly what you will want to do with the picture book Lively Elizabeth! Today we are speaking with author Mara Bergman and illustrator Cassia Thomas about what a strong character like Elizabeth can learn from watching the consequences of her actions spiral out of control. Click here to listen. (RT: 8:20)

Mara Bergman was born in New York and grew up on Long Island. She has written more than a dozen picture books and was awarded the Booktrust Early Years Award in 2009 (UK) for Oliver Who Travelled Far and Wide and a Parents’ Choice Award for Snip Snap, Who’s That? Mara lives in England with her family and their various pets.

Cassia Thomas was born and raised in London with a pencil in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. She has always loved how illustrators are able to transport you into their own worlds and so aspired to do the same. Cassia drew (a lot) and grew (not very much) and finally did a Masters in Children’s Book Illustration, at Anglia Ruskin School of Art. The course helped her realize her ambition to become a visual storyteller.

Since then, she’s twice been selected for the Cheltenham Illustration Awards, where she exhibited alongside her hero, Shaun Tan. She also exhibited this summer in the UK at a children’s book retrospective.  Lively Elizabeth is her first book. Her second, George and Ghost, by Catriona Hoy, is set to come out in November 2010. She is currently beavering away on writing and illustrating a new picture book.

It is that time of year again.  Characterized by those three little words that bring so much anticipation on the parts of parents and schoolchildren.  Back. To. School.

As another school year begins, we think it is important to address the growing issue of bullying.  And so, today we are talking with author Ouisie Shapiro and photographer Steven Vote of Bullying and Me: Schoolyard Stories.  This nonfiction book tells the  real-life stories of elementary and middle school children who have been bullied or were once a bully themselves.  The poignant narratives illustrate the negative effects of bullying another child as well as what kids, parents, and educators can do to stop the cycle.  Click below to listen to Ouisie and Steven discuss their experiences interviewing students, their own experiences with bullying, and their plans for extending this theme in future projects. (RT: 8:58)

Ouisie Shapiro is the author, most recently, of Bulling and Me: Schoolyard Stories. Her first book with Albert Whitman, Autism & Me: Sibling Stories, was published in 2009. Ouisie is also co-author of Batter Up: Baseball Activities for Kids of all Ages. In addition to books, Ouisie has been writing for television for many years and has won three Emmy awards for documentaries on sports figures.

Steven Vote is an award-winning Australian photographer and filmmaker who divides his time between New York City and Western Massachusetts. In addition to his acclaimed work in advertising, editorial, corporate and travel photography; Steven has a special interest in telling visual stories – photographing his subjects in their world. His work has been featured in American Photo, PDN, Popular Photography, Applied Arts and singled out by Graphis Photo Annual for exceptional imagery.

For more information and resources on dealing with bullying, check out:

http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/ -  Health and Human Services
http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/bullying/bullies.html – Teen Health
http://aacap.org/page.w

On these hot, muggy summer days it is refreshing to think back to the cool rain showers of early spring, which is why we are talking with Charlotte Herman, the author of First Rain.  This is a story about one Jewish family’s move to Israel, also known as aliyah, and how a young girl embarks upon new experiences such as floating in the Dead Sea and visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem.  While set in Israel, the book is universal, especially for anyone who has had to move to a new place and leave loved ones behind.  Click here or on player below to hear the conversation.

Charlotte Herman, a former elementary school teacher, is the author of 23 children’s books, ranging from picture books to short chapter and middle grade novels.

Charlotte is the recipient of the Carl Sandburg Literary Arts Award, and the Society of Midland Authors Children’s Book Award. Her books have been nominated for numerous state awards, and have been selected as an Editors’ Choice of the ALA, and as a Children’s Choice of the Children’s Book Council and the International Reading Association.  They have been translated into French, Danish, German, Chinese, and Dutch, and have been listed in Best of the Best for Children, and Choosing Books for Children.

Her most recent novel, My Chocolate Year, was named a 2009 Sydney Taylor Notable Book, by the Association of Jewish Libraries.  Charlotte lives in Lincolnwood, Illinois.

First Rain is available now on the Albert Whitman website at www.albertwhitman.com or at a retailer near you.

0 Comments on AWCo Author Podcast Series: First Rain as of 1/1/1900

Welcome to the Albert Whitman & Co. author/illustrator podcast series.  Every week we interview one of our talented authors or illustrators to explore the inspiration behind our favorite books.  This week we are talking with Alison Formento and Sarah Snow of This Tree Counts!  Click below to hear the discussion.

Alison Formento’s first picture book THIS TREE COUNTS! proves that trees are for more than just climbing. Alison’s next book, THIS TREE, 1, 2, 3 will be released in 2011. She has written several plays, short stories and poetry and was a co-author of the romance/thriller, PANDORA (WeBooks, 2008). With a background in journalism, Alison’s publication credits include, among several others, The New York Times, The Writer and Parenting. She grew up in Arkansas and now lives in New Jersey, and besides enjoying life with her husband and kids and writing everyday, Alison dreams of someday building a spectacular tree house.

Alison donates a portion of her personal proceeds from THIS TREE COUNTS! to AmericanForests.org to help plant more trees. http://www.americanforests.org/

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Sarah Snow is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design. She is a collage artist, who works with combining found papers and acrylic and watercolor.  She grew up in Los Angeles now lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley with her husband and two sons.  Her honors include the Joseph Lefevere Memorial Award for excellence in Illustration,1992 and Second Place Jacket/Cover Award New York Book Show, 1995.

www.seedlibrary.org
www.treeodesign.com
1 Comments on AWC Author Podcast Series: This Tree Counts!, last added: 7/16/2010