I’ve long admired people who wrote picture books, but for years I thought I could never be one of them. Not only was I too wordy and not visually oriented enough, but I never had a decent idea that demanded to be illustrated. But after working on those picture book muscles, I finally managed to strengthen my craft, and I even managed to find an editor who liked my projects. And today, I am officially a picture book author!
Happy book birthday, Little Robot! It still doesn’t quite feel real. Even though my first novel came out in 2011, I sort of chuckle when I call myself a novelist, so I guess in a few years, maybe this whole picture book author thing will finally sink in. In the meantime, I can look at this adorable red robot (I can’t gush enough about Time Zeltner’s illustrations) and grin like a robo-monkey.
In honor of the book’s release, I’ve put two signed copies of LITTLE ROBOT up on Goodreads:
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Power Down, Little Robot
by Anna Staniszewski
Giveaway ends April 01, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
And adding to this week’s general awesomeness, I found out that the book was reviewed in the Wall Street Journal! (Isn’t that crazy?) They said:
“For parents and small children who experience bedtime as an ordeal, inspiring new vocabulary awaits in Anna Staniszewski’s “Power Down, Little Robot”…a fresh take on an old topic.”
Plus, I was really touched by this personal review of the book and this very thoughtful one. And I know of at least two people who use the term “power down” at bedtime now. There really isn’t any better compliment than that!
Stay tuned for the LITTLE ROBOT book trailer, which should be hitting YouTube any day now, and if you’re in the Boston area, I hope to see you at the book launch on March 14th at the Brookline Booksmith or at pajama storytime on March 27th at Blue Bunny Books. Don’t forget your robot pajamas! 