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Children's author keeps you updated on her latest publishing news and book-related topics.
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This past weekend, I attended the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Conference (I know, it's a mouthful) in Lakewood, Colorado. I was there as a presenter, and talked about how my Night Before series started as one book and grew to 16 over the past 12 years. Twelve years! I've been writing that series for that long!
It turned out to be a fun assignment for me to study my own works. Typically I read other people's books to help improve my own. Well, I found out a few interesting things:
- My top three selling titles are: The Night Before Kindergarten, then Thanksgiving, then Easter.
- It was a wise idea to get an agent. I earned more in the advance and royalties ever since signing on with my agent.
- The stories all have families with a mother and father and either one child or two.
- It would have been better to have one artist for the whole series.
- The books illustrated with big-headed kids with skinny necks didn't sell as well as kids depicted more accurately.
It's always good to connect to your audience, too. Two women at the presentation were teachers and used my books in their classrooms. One woman who was pregnant read The Night Before the New Baby and started crying, it touched her so. Plus, people offered great ideas for new titles.
The thing attendees were most thankful for is that I talked about what I earned for this series: advances and royalties.
Besides presenting, I was also fortunate to attend a sessions that offered new information to an old hack who's been in the business for 20 years. Plus I made contacts with editors, and learned more about how to craft a better story.
So if you are considering attending an SCBWI conference, I say do it if you get a chance. This is a people business, and you have to make face-to-face connections. And getting a shot of inspiration doesn't hurt either.
This bit of information came to me via fellow writer and friend,
Teresa Funke, who emails me newsletters about writing which I read top to bottom. I thought this would be interesting for writers, especially if you are designing, publishing or marketing your own book.
People Buy Books Based On:
Friend's Recommendation - 49%
Familiarity with Author - 45%
Description on Jacket - 32%
Reviews - 22%
Advertisement - 21%
Place on Best-seller List - 17%
Reading Group Pick - 16%
Cover Design - 12%
Source: Spier N.Y. (Based on responses from 813 readers, as noted in Publisher's Weekly and quoted in Joe Watt's column inThe Denver Post).
Read my
guest post on Bubble Cow about back matter to see how you as a writer can enhance your manuscripts with information that furthers and deepens your story.
Note: Above back matter page from An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers.
My book, T
he Night Before Kindergarten, was mentioned on
The Barron Bunch blog. There's an adorable video of daughter, Ella, singing a going to kindergarten song. With their permission, I am posting it here to share.
Wouldn't you love to have had her girl's room when you were a little girl?
Watch my new
You Tube video for my get-ready-for-school books.
Just wanted to pass along information about a new book that aims at inspiring children to write. Here's what the website says: "An illuminating, first-of-its-kind resource to help parents foster a love of writing in their child’s life. New educational research reveals that writing is as fundamental to a child’s development as reading. But though there are books that promote literacy, no book guides parents in helping their child cultivate a love of writing. In this book, Pam Allyn, a nationally recognized educator and literacy expert, reminds us that writing is not only a key skill but also an essential part of self-discovery and critical to success later in life. Allyn offers the the five keys” to help kids WRITE-Word Power, Ritual, Independence, Time, and Environment-along with fun, imaginative prompts to inspire and empower children to put their thoughts on the page. A groundbreaking blueprint for developing every child’s abilities, Your Child’s Writing Life teaches parents how to give a gift that will last a lifetime."Shop Indie Bookstores
The Friendship Doll by Kirby Larson, (Delcorte Press, 2011): My writer friend, Kirby Larson, was researching
Hattie Big Sky (which went on to win a Newbery Honor) when she came upon an interesting piece of history.
In 1927, Japanese schoolchildren sent 58 friendship dolls to the United States as ambassadors of friendship. Kirby had seen a photo of a blond farm girl with an exquisite Japanese doll and the seed for this story was planted. The story is told partly through the doll eyes of Miss Kanagawa - a hoity doll at that - who meets children through the ages and imparts telepathic wisdom upon each child. With each child she feels a tug at her heart.
The touchdowns in each era are interesting to me since Kirby does an excellent job of bringing in historical details and jargon of the country's different regions and time periods. I especially enjoyed the description of the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago during the Depression (although I secretly hoped the girl would ride the Sky Ride.) There's a valuable message as well as clever methods of exposing the doll to the various children throughout the ages which makes for an interesting read.
Kirby has put out a challenge to find the 13 dolls that are missing. Check your attic!
One feature on Amazon I like to check is Customer Reviews even though I cringe when I click on the button. Because you never know if the review will be good or not. But today I was thrilled to find the first review for The Night Before Preschool.
Read the review.
If you know of any kids heading off to preschool this year, please gift them my book.
Looking for things for the kids to do this summer? Look in the back of a book you may already own:
An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers.
In the back matter are art activities that are simple, plus your kids can create their own piece of art in one sitting. Inside the book are color illusions that are fun to trick your eye with. So pull that book from your shelf and let it entertain you and your kids!
After being re-routed from California, I finally received my author copies of
The Night Before Preschool which was released in May. If you are a blogger dedicated to children's books, motherhood, or early education - and have at least 200 fans - let me know if you are interested in reviewing my book and I will send you a copy.
Jalapeno Bagels is about a Mexican-Jewish boy.
I thought this was an interesting article from an online newsletter I get called Shelf Awareness regarding multicultural picture books:
A solid majority of adults in the U.S. believe in the importance of multicultural picture books for children, but many find it difficult to obtain them. According to a recent telephone survey of a thousand adults conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, 78% said they believe that it is important for children to be exposed to picture books that feature main characters of various ethnicities or races, while 33% reported that it is difficult to find such books.
The survey also found that 73% of parents and 49% of adults have purchased a children's picture book with a protagonist of a different race or ethnicity from the child who will be reading the book, while only 10% consider it important to match the race or ethnicity of the main character of a picture book to the race or ethnicity of the child who will be receiving the book.
"It's reassuring that so many adults recognize the value in exposing children to books that portray people of all colors and ethnicities," sai
I'm reading Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. I had seen her being interviewed, and just watching her face and listening to her voice and stories captivated me. I wondered why I hadn't ever read any of her books that people speak so highly of. So I ordered I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings through Bookins (a used book swap), and am mesmerized by her writing. The way she turns phrases, delivers fresh images, adds humor to her descriptions. I'm hypnotized. At first I wanted to share the book once I was finished, but now I decided to keep it and use it as a reference and inspiration when I write. If you've never read this book, I suggest you put it on your summer reading list and savor every sentence.
Okay, so I'm like millions of girls/women who have this thing for Johnny Depp so OF COURSE I'm going to read this book coming out in June. I already took a sneak peek at the
e-galley and yep, it sounds like a fun read. Plus it's set in France, so what's not to love? Well, you've gotta love aliens, too, which it typically not my genre, but writing with attitude is. So I will definitely give this book a summer read. And the artwork is cool, too.
Here's the publisher's book description:
David Gershwin's summer is about to take a turn for the weird. When his dad's new patient Zelda tells him she's from outer space and on a quest to take Johnny Depp back to her planet, he knows he should run away screaming. But with one look from her mean, green eyes, David's hooked, and soon he's leaping across rooftops, running from police, and stealing cars just to stay by her side. He might not be a typical hero, but David's going to get the girl even if it takes him to the ends of the earth—or beyond.
Many years ago, when I was a member of NorBAG (Northern Books Arts Guild) while living in California, a talented print artist, Brenda Tuxford, and I created a handmade book - the cover, the illustrations, the type, the bookmark!
Fiona's Tea Party is a story about a girl whose parents live at a Victorian bed & breakfast, who coerces the guests to have a tea party with her since her parents are so busy tending to their full house. Brenda's illustrations are what you might see in a dark, children's book of an earlier era of England. Since she loved cats, a cat creeps into every page of her drawings.
Brenda has since passed on, but this signed book - or shall I say piece of art - is still available. It is listed on
Amazon for $300, or you can view it in person at Eureka Books in Eureka, California.
Here are some tips for nervous Nillys and Willys heading to Kindergarten this fall.
How to Help Dependent Children Transition to Kindergarten | eHow.com
With summer right around the corner, here are some wonderful suggestions for books that appeal to kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Thanks to Penguin, you can download a
Summer Reading Booklet with book lists and activities related to the books. Another great place to go for summer reading ideas is your local library. Many libraries have programs that reward kids for the number of books they read. Whatever it takes, please make the effort to include reading in your summer activities and keep those brains active!
Inventory Clearance: Nearly 1/2 off!
One box of 40 children's books (
Go to Bed, Monster!) for $320 which includes
free shipping.
Josef Albers (1888-1976)
Study for Homage to the Square: Cerulean
signed with artist's monogram and dated '61' (lower right); signed again, titled and dated again 'Study for Homage to the Square: "Cerulean" Albers 1961' (on the reverse)
oil on masonite
24 x 24 in. (60.9 x 60.9 cm.)
Painted in 1961.
This piece of art painted by the subject of my book,
An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers, is up for auction at Christie's and starts at $200,000. Are there any patrons out there who would love to buy me a painting to hang in my office?
This review appeared on Amazon. There might be some good ideas for your kids on how they can help celebrate Mother's Day. (It's Sunday, May 8th.)
The Night Before Mother's Day is a great read-along that kids and parents will love. This story is not only adorable, but also teaches children that showing love and affection by pampering your mother is a fun and delightful thing to do. The great thing about this story is it not only shows how fun Mother's Day can be for everyone, but also gives some great ideas about what to do to show your love on this special day! Making "fancy cards, special coupons" and baking cakes and frosting are adorable gifts for a mom, and kids will have a great time doing them!
I highly recommend this book for all children. After reading this book, kids will look at Mother's Day as fun-filled and exciting! The illustrations are colorful and cute, filled with all of the vibrant shades of springtime. I wish I had gotten to read this as a kid! Filled with colors, craft ideas, and cakes, and home spas, this book captures the perfect Mother's Day!
Diana Goodwin
Me holding up a pistachio nut at McGinn's Pistachio Tree Ranch.
Just got back from a trip to Alamogordo, New Mexico where I did school visits at four schools and then spoke at the awards ceremony at the Young Writers Conference. The kids were prepared and full of questions, the hosts were generous and a hoot, and I got to experience a new part of our country.
Organizer and teacher, Ryal McMurry, from the Otera IRA, me,
and his mom, Cheeta, a literacy coach and my gracious driver.
At the awards ceremony, the high school was decorated with artwork by the kids inspired by my book,
An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers.
Good, dino!
I even found a dinosaur behind the high school who wanted some tummy rubs.
Teachers Alicia and Jean from Yucca Elementary
at White Sands National Park.
The teachers hosted a picnic nears the dunes of White Sands. What a wonderful treat! Have you ever sled down a dune? I did! And when the sun is setting, the dunes turn a haunting pale turquoise. It was such a calming place to be, and a nice place to meet the teachers under casual circumstances.
Thanks for the wonderful visit! I hope I inspired your kids to write more. They inspired me!
As the school year nears an end, preschools across the country are gearing up for graduation.
I've had schools contact me for signed copies of
The Night Before Kindergarten to give to each kid who graduates from their preschool to prepare them for Kindergarten. One district at Wheatland AFB started this tradition more than 5 years ago and has already ordered 185 copies! I'll be signing book plates for them with each child's name on it.
New this May is a companion book
The Night Before Kindergarten -
A Sticker Story book with 16 pages of scenes from the book and 75 stickers with which to decorate the pages.
Some schools will be handing out
The Night Before Kindergarten to incoming students during their open houses, meet the teacher day, or the first day of school.
For those graduating Kindergarten I have The Night Before First Grade.
And if you're looking for a way to prepare your child for preschool, The Night Before Preschool comes out May 12th.
Whether it's preschool, Kindergarten or first grade, I've got you covered!
Contact me if you're purchasing any of these books for graduation gifts and you'd like signed copies or book plates.
I ran a contest to my blogger and Facebook friends to see who could guess my favorite Easter candy. There were a lot of good guesses, and a few near hits, but the winner is....Jane O'Connor Sobek of Litchfield, Connecticut! My brother was close in guessing a chocolate Easter bunny, but the missing word was "white" chocolate Easter bunny. The hint that sealed it for Jane was it was the kind of candy that a character in one of my books likes. Pearl, from Pearl vs. the Tooth Fairy, likes white chocolate. And so do I! Jane's son, Duncan, will be receiving a signed copy of The Night Before Easter.
Fine artist and designer Ryan Novelline (great last name - it has the word "novel" in it) created this gown by stitching together pages from a collection of 300 Golden Books, which he assembled from Goodwill and used book shops. After removing the pages, Novelline sorted them by color and sewed them into strips, using a metallic golden thread. Wouldn't dresses made from books make for a fun runway show?
Oh! Oh! An Easter dress made out of The Night Before Easter!
I will send a signed copy of
The Night Before Easter to the first person who guesses my favorite Easter candy before 5 p.m. Mountain time, April 10, 2011.
Send your guess to me by commenting below or emailing to
[email protected].
I received a review copy of a writer friend's book from Sleeping Bear Press called
Little California. As you can see by the cover above, it's an eye-catcher. This 5"x7" board book is like looking at over-sized postcards of California. The idea of the book is to introduce very young readers to features of California including the state flower and tree, with short riddles that require the reader to guess the answer. When the reader turns the page the answer is revealed in brightly rendered illustrations by Helle Urban. The riddles were written by Helen Foster James who lives in San Diego, California. I would have liked to have seen the parade riddle at the end of the book rather than in the middle of the riddles about nature subjects, and a riddle about Hollywood, but the book does a great job capturing California in 10 images. I'll be sending this one to a little California girl who it's just perfect for.
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Great book! Will you be coming out with the Night Before Father's Day?
Just sent a first draft to my editor today.