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In July 2008, Just One More Book!!, the lovely, “free online audio program (podcast) about children’s books we love and why we love them,” celebrated its second anniversary and 400th episode of promoting children’s books and literacy. As part of their celebration, they invited illustrators of all backgrounds and ages, including wee ones, to submit a logo-like illustration on the theme of reading. The result was an online gallery of wonderful images. One of my favorites is the one featured here (click the image to enlarge), by Canadian author/illustrator, Lee Edward Fodi, titled “He Was a Tiger of a Storyteller,” and I bet you can guess why…

Busy parents and educators will treasure all the great content and resources Just One More Book!! has to offer. And here’s our shout out to listeners: anyone can participate by calling in and leaving a message about a favorite children’s book (the number is available on their website). The recorded messages will become part of the show. Isn’t that great? Isn’t it wonderful to have venues such as this (and the PaperTigers blog, too, let’s not forget) to share about them?

Heads up: on Monday, PaperTigers celebration of “Hispanic Heritage Month” will go live on the website, so keep your eyes peeled! We’ll be blogging about books and topics related to the theme through Oct 15.

One of the amazing things about producing Just One More Book!! is getting geek out on subjects of literature and literacy with the incredible people behind children’s books. One such occasion took place at the Steamworks Brewing Company in Vancouver this past November. Mark had dinner with young adult fiction novelist James McCann, children’s book illustrator Kirsti Wakelin, and children’s book author and illustrator Lee Edward Fodi.

A portable recorder sat on the table and captured the entire conversation - two hours worth - and it was all great. However, two hours is more than practical for a podcast. So, we’ve grabbed about twenty minutes for this edition of Just One More Book!! and more of the recording will be made available on markblevis.com in the coming week.

Follow the JustOneMoreBook.com website for links to more of the conversation when it’s made available.

Highlights of this excerpt:

• how feedback from fans inspires and influences
• sabbaticals
• creativity as a finite resource
• productive times and places
• writer and illustrator toolkits
• how books are like drops of water

Musical stings: Veranda by Robert Farrell

On March 3 we issued the first of a special series on Just One More Book. We called it Waiting at the Door to Unger and it followed the process of writing, editing and publishing Lee Edward Fodi’s book Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger, the long awaited sequel to Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers.

The wait is now over. The Door to Unger opened a few weeks ago, just before the end of October.

Lee Edward Fodi joins us for this ninth and final edition of the series to talk about his release party, early feedback on the book, an upcoming event in New York City and his plans for the next installments of the Kendra Kandlestar series.

You are entering the Door to Unger.

Waiting at the Door to Unger is our ongoing series of Podcast interviews in which we follow the process of writing, editing and publishing Lee Edward Fodi’s book Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger, the long awaited sequel to Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers.

In this eighth knock, join Lee and me as we spend an afternoon together in Vancouver, Canada on what Lee would later call a children’s book pilgrimage. Our afternoon consisted of lunch at Bellaggio Cafe on Hornby Street, shopping for children’s books at a store appropriately called Kidsbooks and then taking a tour of Christian’s Lyceum of Literature and Art — a newly opened literacy centre — all the while talking about reading and writing great children’s books.

Books mentioned:

• Shi-shi-etko
• Foundling
• Porcupine
• Fiona’s Luck
• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

What an honour!!!

We are thrilled to announce that an excerpt from our review of Lee Edward Fodi’s new fantasy adventure Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger, the long awaited sequel to Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers, has been printed on the back of the freshly released book:

“In The Box of Whispers, Kendra Kandlestar helped us understand the magic of facing ourselves. Now she’s back—older, wiser and full of spunk—to share with us the incredible power of resisting negativity and being gatekeepers of our own truth.”
~ Andrea Ross and Mark Blevis, JustOneMoreBook.com

We hope you’ll get your hands on a copy of this engaging adventure so you can see for yourself!

Waiting at the Door to Unger is our ongoing series of Podcast interviews in which we follow the process of writing, editing and publishing Lee Edward Fodi’s book Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger, the long awaited sequel to Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers.

In this seventh knock, I speak with Lee Edward Fodi about the excitement building up towards the October release of The Door to Unger.

Waiting at the Door to Unger is our ongoing series of Podcast interviews in which we follow the process of writing, editing and publishing Lee Edward Fodi’s book Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger, the long awaited sequel to Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers.

In this sixth knock, Lee Edward Fodi teases us with a reading from Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger. So come along, pull up a seat, make yourself comfortable and let us put our ears to The Door to Unger. Here is chapter one: A Mysterious Visitor.

Drawing of Oroook and Kendra: Lee Edward Fodi

Waiting at the Door to Unger is our ongoing series of Podcast interviews in which we follow the process of writing, editing and publishing Lee Edward Fodi’s book Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger, the long awaited sequel to Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers.

In this fifth knock at the Door to Unger, Lee Edward Fodi makes some announcements including a surprise about the release date of the book, shares his plans for the summer and offers suggestions for those who want to do some creative writing.

Sound effect: Concrete blocks moving from the Freesound project

Waiting at the Door to Unger is our ongoing series of Podcast interviews in which we follow the process of writing, editing and publishing Lee Edward Fodi’s book Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger, the long awaited sequel to Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers.

In this fourth knock at the Door to Unger, Lee Edward Fodi talks about plans for marketing and promotion, and keeping things fresh in the public speaking circuit.

Also mentioned

• The Chocolatier’s Apprentice (illustrated by Lee)

Sound effect: Concrete blocks moving from the Freesound project

Waiting at the Door to Unger is our ongoing series of Podcast interviews in which we follow the process of writing, editing and publishing Lee Edward Fodis book Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger, the long awaited sequel to Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers. In this third knock at the Door to Unger, Lee Edward Fodi explains the role that illustrations play in developing characters and plot lines, and how being both an illustrator and an author helps him to tell stories. Also mentioned Interview with Lee Edward Fodi on Electric Sky The Chocolatier’s Apprentice (illustrated by Lee) Sound effect: Concrete blocks moving from the Freesound project Tags:Box of Whispers, Chocolatiers Apprentice, Door to Unger, Kendra Kandlestar, Lee Edward FodiBox of Whispers, Chocolatiers Apprentice, Door to Unger, Kendra Kandlestar, Lee Edward Fodi

Waiting at the Door to Unger is our ongoing series of Podcast interviews in which we follow the process of writing, editing and publishing Lee Edward Fodis book Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger, the long awaited sequel to Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers. Editing is critical to the success of all books. It helps to ensure consistency, efficiency, and (above all) quality. While this is true of all books, it is even more important when it comes to a book series. In this second knock at The Door to Unger, Mark talks to author Lee Edward Fodi about the editing process and the challenges and rewards of working on a sequel. Sound effect: Concrete blocks moving from the Freesound project Tags:Box of Whispers, childrens books, Door to Unger, Kendra Kandlestar, Lee Edward FodiBox of Whispers, childrens books, Door to Unger, Kendra Kandlestar, Lee Edward Fodi

Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers was the first gift left by our family’s tooth fairy. That magical and magnificent book made hard-core Kendra fans of our entire family.

Although our girls insisted that a sequel was just a lost tooth away — four teeth later we are still waiting….

…So, to sweeten the suspense, we thought we’d check in from time to time with author Lee Edward Fodi to see how that long awaited sequel, Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger, is coming.

In this first knock at The Door to Unger, Mark talks to author Lee Edward Fodi about the success of Kendra Kandlestar, the pros and cons of various publishing alternatives and the exciting announcement of a November 2007 publication date for Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger.