Today I'm excited to host fellow Indie Debut 2010 author Beth Bence Reinke who has not one but two pictures books coming out this year with 4RV Publishing. Beth's first picture book, In My Bath, is a delightful and whimsical story. She takes the reader on an imagination thrill ride, pretending to be different animals splashing and sliding in the tub. It is an easy story for kids to have fun with and imagine all sorts of creatures in their bath.
Tell us about In My Bath - what inspired you for this story idea?
Two things inspired this story. First was a bedtime picture book that showed a little girl pretending to sleep in different animal beds like a bird nest, in a cave, underwater. The second was a bedtime routine with my sons where I acted out silly skits using their stuffed animals - including an elephant and manatee, which appear in In My Bath. Those two things merged into a little boy imagining different water-loving animals in his bathtub.
Although picture books don't have a lot of words, they are some of the most difficult books to write. How long did it take you to write In My Bath?
First I wrote down two things– the steps in taking a bath and a list of water-loving animals. Then I matched an animal to each step and wrote what the boy and animal were doing. That all flowed pretty quickly. The reworking and editing took longer. I tend to put things aside for a while to let them “cool,” then come back to them with fresh eyes. So even though this is a short book, it was probably several weeks from start to finish.
I love the illustrations in your book - did you have any input?
When submitting the manuscript, I noted which animal or bird would be on each page to help the editor understand and visualize the story. Once the illustrator was assigned to the project, I didn’t see the illustrations until they were finished. I think Ginger did a fantastic job!
You have another picture book out shortly - tell us a little bit about that one.
A Wish and a Prayer releases this summer from 4RV Publishing. It is a story about a boy named Jason whose pet parakeet flies out the window and is lost. The book explores the differences between wishing and praying.
Where can we read more about you online and/or purchase your books?
Visit me at http://www.bethbencereinke.com You can purchase the books from my website or 4RV Publishing. They are also available from Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble online. If you prefer shopping in a brick and mortar store, any bookstore will order them for you.
Thanks Beth!
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