Children’s author Valerie Fentress and I have something special in common: We both have faith-based Easter Bunny books that released last spring! And today, in celebration of books that point kids to Jesus at Easter, I am delighted to have Valerie as my guest sharing FIVE FUN FACTS about her book An Easter Bunny’s Tale.
Here’s the official description:
Follow a little rabbit, as he discovers a familiar voice in a garden one night. The man is God in the flesh, of this he is sure, and he cannot help but follow him. The little rabbit is confused as He is captured and put on trial. Then as he hides and waits he discovers the true source of transformation. Now he can’t wait to tell you and his friends about the good news he has found. Will you listen to his tale?
Doesn’t that sound like a creative way to introduce little ones to the Easter story? And now, learn more about Valerie’s book as she shares five fun facts about its creation. Take it away, Valerie!
Five Fun Facts about An Easter Bunny’s Tale with Valerie Fentress
Fact #1: I grew up with the Easter Bunny visiting my home, but when it came time to start making traditions in our young family I struggled with the idea of the Easter Bunny. As I wrestled with how to celebrate Easter with my family and the character of the Easter Bunny, I started to wonder how the bunny we see everywhere could communicate the truth of Easter. This was almost twelve years ago, and the words of this story didn’t come to me till six years ago. This has been a heart project that has grown and stretched my faith in so many ways.
Fact #2: Originally, I wrote and illustrated this for an Easter gift for my nieces and nephews during the COVID shutdown. The book went through a lot of revisions from 2020 to 2022, as God moved my heart to obey his calling to tell stories that speak his truth.
Fact #3: I went through three different illustrators before I found one. My Illustrator, Bebqui, is from Indonesia, and not of a Christian background. Which led to some sweet and faith-stretching conversations for me.
Fact #4:My Illustrator and I had to rework many of the illustrations two months before the book went to print, because of some Beta reader responses. It was so stressful, but I felt that I was honoring God in the changes I made to ensure the Gospel wouldn’t be hindered by anyone reading the book.
Fact #5: My favorite line in the whole book is when Jesus picks up the dirty bunny after Jesus’ resurrection. It says, “His nail-torn hands scooped me up. He didn’t fear the mud and the muck.” It is the sweetest truth that even while we were sinners, Christ died for us. He didn’t wait for us to ‘fix’ ourselves or get ‘cleaned up’. (Here is a portion of that illustration.)
Thank you, Valerie, for giving us an inside peek into the heart behind your story. I hope this Easter Bunny finds his way into many, many Easter baskets.
BIO: Valerie Fentress writes children’s books, hoping to communicate biblical truths through simple stories. She is the author of Beneath the Hood: a retelling woven with biblical truth, and the Host of Again and Again Author interviews on Instagram and YouTube. Valerie lives with her husband and three boys, who challenge her daily to find joy between imagination and chaos. You can find out more about her and her thoughts at www.valeriefentress.com
Every day recently, I’ve been doing a little something special to get ready for my newest board book to release. Last week these special efforts included filming a short video introducing MY TENDER HEART BIBLE. Well, I just noticed that the video is now up on Paraclete’s website as well as their YouTube channel, so that means I can share it!
I hope you have time to take one minute and 37 seconds to listen. It’s short, but you wouldn’t believe how much time I spent getting my part just right! I hope it inspires you to order copies for the little ones in your life. Check my website’s designated book page for quick links to order the book through several major vendors.
Stay tuned for more fun bookish news in the coming days! Blessings, all!
Today I’m delighted to have picture book author Mary Wagley Copp as my guest sharing five fun facts about her latest picture book YOSHI’S BIG SWIM: ONE TURTLE’S EPIC JOURNEY HOME, illustrated by KajaKajfež and published by Capstone. Here’s the official description per the publisher’s website:
“Yoshi’s Big Swim chronicles the impressive true story of Yoshi, a loggerhead turtle who was rescued by fishermen, then rehabilitated and cared for by scientists for many years. The scientists adored her, and Yoshi was happy in her aquarium home. But then, many years later, Yoshi let them know that it was time for her to move on. Would Yoshi be safe? Would she know what to do? After lots of preparation—and plenty of friendly back scratches for Yoshi—the determined loggerhead set off on her journey. Discover an amazing story celebrating teamwork, science, and an animal hero who swam more than 22,000 miles to her true home—the longest journey of any animal ever tracked. In addition to being awe-inspiring, Yoshi’s story underlines the importance of wildlife conservation and the power of one animal to unite people around the world for a common cause.“
Beautifully crafted, both in word and illustration, this book is a wonderful addition to any school, town, or home library. Now enjoy this special post as Mary shares five fun facts aboutthe book and writing. Thank you, Mary!
Fun Fact #1:
Like Yoshi, I love to swim! My mother used to recount the first time I saw a pool, I leaped in – no floaties, no life preserver – I just jumped! I couldn’t swim (I think I was about 2 ½ years old) but that didn’t stop me! Of course, I was quickly rescued feet first. My mother said I coughed up some water but wanted to jump in again! And, to this day, if I see water I usually jump in! I love to swim! I think that is one reason I was so excited to learn about Yoshi, the amazing loggerhead turtle who swam 22,000 miles to her natal beach!
Here I am swimming across Buzzards Bay:
Fun Fact #2:
After I read many articles about Yoshi and watched television clips about her, I reached out to the aquarium where she was cared for for 20 years. I was able to interview the director – which was such an honor for me. I had seen her on TV, listened to her on podcasts and here I was talking to her about her most famous resident – Yoshi! She reaffirmed the fact that Yoshi was a magnificent turtle but also that there was such a large community of people who loved her and cared for her – throughout her life.
Fun Fact #3:
I have been working and re-working some picture manuscripts for a few years. I love revising and I love the challenge of really getting a story the best it can be. It is such a joyful feeling to polish a story and push ‘send’ in hopes that it turns into a book. However, unlike the other manuscript, YOSHI’S BIG SWIM seemed to almost write itself! After the bulk of research, I wrote the entire manuscript in a day and then spent a few weeks pondering it, changing some words and deleting an extraneous scene – or two. But, really, Yoshi told her own story and I just typed away. It was a very cool experience – one that is very atypical for me as a writer!
Fun Fact #4:
I now follow a lot of turtles online! They have satellite tags affixed to their shells so interested people around the world can track their migrations. It is fascinating AND you can get very attached to these wonderful creatures as you witness their journeys.
Fun Fact #5:
Every spring, I watch nesting peregrine falcons through my local Audubon Society’s webcam that is placed on an office building where the pair lives. I love wacthing their journey as parents. From the time the pair makes their nest until the last fledgling leaves, I am hooked! I have seen the parents bring back a lot of birds, which is hard to watch – but it is also so neat to see the hatchlings grow, learn from their parents and then learn to fly. Animals are amazing!!
BIO: Mary graduated from Smith College and earned an MPH from UNC – Chapel Hill. Her career has been primarily focused on strengthening non-profit, social justice organizations – both as a management consultant as well as an executive director. Mary also spent several years in the filmmaking world. For one documentary, Mary and her team followed a family in an Ethiopian refugee camp to their new home in Providence, RI. This film – and the people featured – was the inspiration for her debut picture book, Wherever I Go (Atheneum/S&S, 2020), illustrated by Munir D. Mohammed. Mary is also author of the nonfiction picture book, Yoshi’s Big Swim: One Turtle’s Epic journey Home, illustrated by Kaja Kajfez (Capstone, 2023). Yoshi is a record-breaking magnificent creature and her long journey back to her natal beach.As well as writing for children, Mary teaches ESL to newcomers in her area. Mary loves to swim and garden. She lives in Westport, MA with her husband, Allyn. They have 3 grown children.
Connect with Mary on the web: marywagleycopp.com Twitter @Maryfkwc Instagram @marywcopp FB Mary Wagley Copp
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Today I am delighted to welcome long-time writing friend Diana Murray to my blog. Diana and I met through a poetry critique group several years ago and our first books came out at roughly the same time. Diana is now the author of over 20 books and I am a fan of all of them. Her rhyme is impeccable and her storytelling is light and fun. Today we are chatting about the release of her newest book GROGGLE’S MONSTER HALLOWEEN, illustrated by Bats Langley and published by Sky Pony Press.
First a little confession, though. Diana’s first Groggle book, GROGGLE’S MONSTER VALENTINE is a favorite of mine. It’s the story of an appealing young monster who wants to make his sweetheart the perfect valentine. Unfortunately, he’s also hungry! I featured that book on my blog back in 2017 when it first released. You can check that post out here.
And now a second confession. I have mixed feelings about Halloween and dislike the darkness that surrounds so much of it. You can see that darkness in the choice of some of the lawn decorations people put out that include gory bodies and other frightening things. These scared my kids when they were little and because of that I’m always on the lookout for fun, non-spooky Halloween options. GROGGLE’S MONSTER HALLOWEEN, still starring that appealing young monster, fits the bill… delightfully! Now, enjoy the interview with my questions bolded.
Thank you so much for joining me today, Diana. Let’s dig right in. First off, tell us a little bit about yourself including your favorite Halloween memory.
Diana: I started writing after my first daughter was born. We read so many books together and I began to fall in love with picture books as a genre. My favorite Halloween memory might be when she dressed up as a yellow duck and tried her very first lollipop. She was about two and I’ll never forget the look of joy on her face. Or, maybe my favorite memory is when my second daughter dressed up as a pumpkin with a little pumpkin hat. She was just barely walking and it was one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen. Halloween is my favorite holiday and having young kids makes it extra fun.
Groggle’s Monster Halloween is the sequel to your first Groggle book. How did you come up with the idea? Were there any challenges?
Diana: The suggestion to do a sequel actually first came from a fan! Because the main character is a monster, Halloween was a natural choice. I did struggle initially, trying to figure out how to make Groggle’s “monster appetite” a problem again, while keeping the story fresh and having a unique ending. I wrote the first story in prose (although there are rhyming poems sprinkled in) but decided to write the second one fully in rhyming verse. That’s just the type of writing that I’m more comfortable with. I had fun with it.
Bats Langsley’s illustrations are so much fun and integral to the not-so-spooky monster fun of this story. Tell us a little bit about Bats. Do you have a favorite spread? What makes it your favorite?
Yes, it’s so wonderful seeing Bats bring the characters to life! That’s my favorite part of the process. My favorite spread is at the very beginning when Groggle and Snarlina are walking up a long, winding path to Werewolf’s house. It so perfectly captures the spooky but slightly silly mood, and the colors are so rich. There is also the touch of humor with Werewolf “howling” while watching TV on his roof. So funny and quite brilliant.
What would you like readers to take away from this story?
Well, School Library Journal said that it includes “sweet messages about friendship”. And I think that’s exactly right. I want people to see that nobody’s perfect and you should always treat your friends with kindness and care. Things don’t always go as planned but friends can help. It’s a subtle message wrapped in a silly-spooky story.
Finally, what’s next? Also, where can interested readers find your books?
There are many more books to come! For example, the third and fourth sequels to “Unicorn Day”, which are “Unicorn Christmas” and (branching out into other topics) “Mermaid Day”. There’s also “Someday, Maybe” which is an optimistic look at the future with different futuristic jobs explored, “Love Stinks!” which is a Valentine’s Day themed early reader comic starring a skunk, and “Firehouse Rainbow” which is a color concept Little Golden Book about a busy and diverse group of firefighters. And there’s more on the horizon! My website: http://www.dianamurray.com Twitter: @DianaMWrite
Thank you for taking the time for a blog chat, Diana. I wish you the very best and I’m hoping that maybe today a little costumed Groggle come trick-or-treating at my house.
Happy Halloween, all!
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Look what landed on my porch! It’s children’s author Amy Houts’ newest release, CHRISTIAN Q & A BOOK FOR KIDS. Published by Rockridge Press it came out this month and it’s full of simple, kid-friendly answers to 100 questions kids age 6 – 9 might have about Christianity.
MY THOUGHTS: I am always on the lookout for good resources to teach little ones about faith and this one fits the bill. I appreciate the simple Q & A format with one question answered on each page. The questions are perfect for the target age group, but also thoughtful and deep enough to resonate with the caregivers reading alongside them. I also give a thumbs up to Amy for including a scripture reference in each answer. I think book is a great tool for sparking meaningful conversations with our kids about what Christianity is all about. I can’t wait to share it with my Sunday School class.
Now, in celebration of the book’s release, I am honored to have Amy on the blog with an interview. Let’s get started.
Thanks so much for joining us today, Amy, and congratulations your newest faith-based children’s book. What inspired you to take on this project?
Thank you for having me, Laura! I had learned about Callisto Media, the parent company of Rockridge Press, through another writer. Big shout out to Annette Whipple, who took the time to answer all my questions. Thank you! I contacted the company in February of 2021 by email and asked if they would add me to their database of writers. Then I waited. In November, 2021 I wrote a follow-up email specifically asking if they had a faith-based book assignment. Right place, right time! In early December, an acquisitions editor contacted me to see if I was interested in writing Christian Q&A Book for Kids. This publisher screens authors before awarding a contract by asking for a writing prompt. I was thrilled to be chosen to write this book. It has been such an inspiring challenge!
I’m so glad you took on the project. It seems right up your alley and I have to say that the questions you have chosen are spot-on for this age group. How did you select them?
First, I thought of my three grandchildren, a girl who was 5 and twin boys who were 8 at the time I started writing. I thought about questions they might have and asked them what questions they had. Each contributed one question to the book. I read books I owned and looked online at similar books, searched websites that answered faith-based questions, and brainstormed. Since I’ve written other books for children and taught 3-6-year olds at Head Start, I knew the questions and answers needed to be very basic.
You did a great job! Do you have any tips for ways families and churches can use this book?
Families and children’s ministries can read and discuss one or more questions and answers at a specific time. The appendix includes good times and ways to start discussions, for example, focus on one question at the dinner table. This book is meant as a jumping off point to help clarify basic information and dive deeper into issues that are important. Parents and children can research together.
Besides keeping this book at the ready, what advice would you give parents and caregivers who want to share their faith with their kids?
Children are encouraged to think of and write down new questions and a few pages are provided in the book to do that. Having an open heart and mind is important—both for you and the children in your life. Be accepting of their questions, even if they express doubt. Asking questions increases understanding and strengthens faith.
Finally, what’s next? Are there more books in the pipeline? Also, where can interested readers find your books?
I have a Biblically-based Earth Care (climate change) book releasing from Bushel & Peck in March, 2023. I recently started a new assignment to write 5 books for young children with a South Korean educational publisher, Reading Gate.
You have so many exciting things on the horizon. I can’t wait to check them all out. Thank you so much for joining us. Readers, learn more about Amy and her books in the bio and links below. And don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end of the post.
BIO: Amy is the author of over 100 books for children featuring early learning concepts. She writes for both faith-based and mainstream publishers. Amy’s faith-based books include God’s Protection Covers Me (Beaming Books) and The Giant Book of Bible Fingerplays for Preschoolers (Group Publishing). Amy’s educational books include 60 retold tales for the series, Compass Children’s Classics, 2020. Her 10 nonfiction science early readers for Highlights Press were released in 2020.
NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!! If you’d like a chance to win a fresh-off-the-press copy of CHRISTIAN Q & A BOOK FOR KIDS (Rockridge Press, August 2022) follow this blog and leave a comment letting us know. (NOTE: Must be U.S. resident and at least 18 years old to enter.) Thank you, Rockridge Press, for providing the winning book. This giveaway ends Monday, August 15, 2022 at 11:59 pm EST. This giveaway is now over. The winner is announced here.
[Note: Thank you, Amy, for sending me a copy of the book which I was under no obligation to review. The views and opinions expressed on this blog about books and other things are purely my own.]
Please join me today in welcoming children’s book author Patti Richards. Patti is the author of the delightful MRS. NOAH, published by Little Lamb Books and illustrated by Alice Pieroni. Here’s the official description:
MRS. NOAH is a celebration of love, and the motivation behind all the amazing things people do to make a house a home, even when that home is an ark! Mrs. Noah knows it takes more than wood, nails, and a hammer to make their big boat a comfy place to live. Stalls need cleaning, beds need making, and food needs baking before the animals come trotting, crawling, slithering and flying aboard! And how WILL she find a place for the elephants to take a bath? Author Patti Richards shows us how Mrs. Noah gets Noah’s help with the loving details before a single raindrop falls.
I love that Patti and I have a shared love of stories inspired by Noah’s ark. For all you Noah’s ark book collectors out there, this is a clever one to add to your collection.
Later this month Patti and I have the wonderful delight of doing a shared story time at Baker Book House in Grand Rapids, MI. If you live in the Grand Rapids area, I hope will join a this special multi-book double-author event which takes place July 20th at 10:30 Here are the details for that:
Because Patti and I haven’t actually met in person yet, we thought an interview would be fun. There’s also a GIVEAWAY at the end of this post for ONE FREE SIGNED COPY of Patti Richards’ MRS. NOAH. Thank you, Patti! And now, without further ado, the interview, with my questions in bold.
Thanks so much for joining us today, Patti. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? How did you become a writer?
Thanks so much for having me, Laura! It’s an honor to be here!
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, but one experience stands out as the time when I knew it was what I wanted to do as part of my life’s work. I was sitting in my seventh-grade language arts class working on a writing assignment (I don’t remember what we were writing about). I looked out the window and could completely picture what I was putting on the page, almost like a movie playing out in front of my eyes. It seemed so real, and I remember feeling an urgency to get it all down before it disappeared, and then the satisfaction I felt when I wrote the final word. When I got the story back there was an A at the top of the paper and a comment, “Have you ever thought about being a writer?” And that was it! Of course my journey to writing full time wasn’t a straight path…there were the years of wanting to be an actress and singer on the Broadway stage, then the calling to teach language arts and theatre for a time, then marriage, then children and being a stay-at-home mom. . .all the while always writing, always reading. Then I had an opportunity to submit a story to a local newspaper. And when they kept calling and asking me to do more I thought, “Maybe now?” and God whispered, “yes.” So little by little I built my writing resume with freelance work while learning the craft of writing for children. And then last October, my first fiction picture book for children, MRS. NOAH, was released!
I’m glad you listened to those affirmations along the way and followed God’s whisper. And now your first book is out! What inspired you write MRS. NOAH?
I was getting my family of five ready for our very first cruise to celebrate my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary. In the middle of all the planning, shopping, laundry, getting pet instructions ready for the house sitter, cleaning, stopping the mail, paying the bills, I said out loud…” If it’s this hard to get a family of five ready for a three-day cruise, how in the world did MRS. NOAH get the ark ready for all of those animals?” Of course, I had to stop in the middle of what I was doing and get the idea down and saved in my picture book idea file. From there it took almost nine years until MRS. NOAH was released into the world with lots of twists and turns along the way.
Ha! I’m glad you recognized this gem of an idea while you were getting everyone ready for that ark, er I mean cruise ride and wrote it down.
Can you tell us about the illustrator? What was it like seeing your text come to full color with illustrations? Do you have a favorite spread?
I love Alice Pieroni’s vision for MRS. NOAH! It’s funny how you have a picture in your head of how everything should look, but when you see the illustrator’s interpretation of the story, aside from a few tweaks that are part of every book’s journey, you realize it’s exactly what it needed to be. We’ve had so much positive feedback about her beautiful illustrations! My absolute favorite spread is the one with the giraffes and the shelves Mrs. N. builds so they’ll have a place to rest their heads!
Humor in illustrations adds so much and Alice’s work is darling.
What would you like readers to take away from this story?
I’d like young readers and their caregivers to see that love is in the details when it comes to making a house a home. I’d also like them to see that there’s always more to a story than meets the eye, and that team work can really get the job done!
That’s a beautiful and heartfelt message. Finally, what’s next? Are there more picture books in the pipeline? Also, where can interested readers find your books?
Thanks so much for asking, Laura! I have two picture books coming out in the next couple of years. One is called O POSSUM’S PREDICAMENT (Blue Whale Press), about a theatre-loving opossum that’s tired of playing dead and wants to play Hamlet instead. The other picture book I have releasing in 2023 is called, MILLIE’S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE (Little Lamb Books), about a mouse and her best friend a sheep who work together to knit swaddling clothes for a very special baby.
And I’m always shopping new material to publishing houses and am currently in search of the perfect agent! New friends can find my books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org and wherever books are sold!
Thank you for joining us today, Patti. Learn more about Patti on her website and around the web
NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!! If you’d like a chance to win a SIGNED copy of MRS. NOAH (Little Lamb Books, 2021) follow this blog and leave a comment letting us know. (NOTE: Must be U.S. resident and at least 18 years old to enter.) Thank you, Patti, for providing the winning book. This giveaway ends Thursday, 7/14/22 at 11:59 pm EST. This giveaway is over. The winner is announced here.
Children’s author Annette Whipple is celebrating a book birthday this week! Ribbit! The Truth About Frogs, her newest book in the Truth About Series, published by Reycraft, released this Tuesday. Like her other books in the series, this one is chock full of fascinating facts presented in a kid-friendly, engaging way. The accompanying photographs are beautiful and the layout is appealing to both kids and grown ups. I give it a froggy thumbs up! And now, in the extra special category, I’m delighted to have Annette here today for a bookish interview with my questions in bold.
First, congratulations on this newest book in your series from Reycraft. Please tell us a little bit about the series and how you came to write it and how you landed on the topic of frogs in particular.
Thanks so much, Laura! It’s great to be back! The Truth About series began with Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls. It took me year to figure out how to write it so it would be of interest to readers. I finally landed on the question-and-answer format and added the humorous sidebars. I knew I loved the structure and thought readers (and publishers) would, too.
Since then Reycraft and I have discussed additional books to make it a series. In 2021 we added Woof! and Scurry! Now we have Ribbit! The Truth About Frogs, too. Frogs was on my list of animals that are diverse enough to include tons of beautiful photographs. I knew they were cool before, but I didn’t realize just how TOAD-ally awesome they are until I began researching.
What a great series! And I agree that the question-and-answer format works beautifully. It also pairs well with something kids are famous for – asking questions!
Speaking of kids, the kid in me really enjoyed the illustrated “Leaping Legs” feature of the book. Can you explain what those are and how you came up with them?
Each page spread includes an illustrated sidebar called “Leaping Legs.” In it, the frogs talk and share a bit more information with the reader—often in a humorous way. During my brainstorming process, I knew I wanted to add a bit of humor to the books, but I also didn’t want the main text to be silly or funny. I love layers of text and sidebars in other books. That’s when I realized an illustrated sidebar would be perfect—especially with the animals talking.
I think my readers will be curious about what your research process was like for this book. Did you meet a lot of frogs along the way?
I used my typical resources: books, websites, scientific journals, and YouTube. My favorite website was https://amphibiaweb.org/. I also met up with a herpetologist with the Delaware Nature Society.
He clarified some questions I had and we definitely met some frogs. It was early enough in the spring that wood frogs and spring peepers were the main attraction. But we spotted lots of eggs and heard the calls of a lot of frogs—even in the daytime.
Teachers and parents are always looking for ways to tie picture books into the curriculum, and I think that’s especially true for a STEM rich book like this. Do you have any extension activities your readers might enjoy?
Oh, I love this question because frogs are so much fun and really an easy way to celebrate curiosity! I created a frog teacher guide (which is also great for home use). I included 19 frog ELA and STEM activities. And it’s free!
Finally, what’s next? Are there more books in the pipeline? Also, where can interested readers find your books?
I’m excited to say that Meow! The Truth About Cats will come out in the fall! You can see Meow’s cover in this trailer for The Truth About series. (It’s quick!)
I don’t have any official news to share about additional titles, but I hope to tell something in an upcoming newsletter and on social media sooner than later. 😊
Ribbit! The Truth About Frogs and all of my books are available wherever books are sold. Ask for them at your favorite local bookstore or find them at online retailers. I’d love it if you’d request your local library to carry Ribbit!
Thanks so much for having me, Laura! If your readers want to learn more about me or check out my resources for writers and educators, they can hop over to my website at www.AnnetteWhipple.com .
Thanks for joining me here today, Annette. I am requesting your books for purchase at my library!
Today I’m delighted to have children’s author and music teacher Janna Matthies here to share five fun facts about her newest book HERE WE COME!, published by Beach Lane Books and illustrated by Christine Davinier. Here’s the official teaser from the publisher’s website:
Join a cast of friends, human and animal alike, as they embark on a musical read-aloud adventure in this upbeat, joyful picture book.
A boy sets off with his flute and his stuffed bear and a rum-pum-pum. As they make their way through the town and the woods, they ask, “Wanna come?” Soon, kids and creatures join in the fun one by one, playing instruments, singing, and dancing to the catchy tune.
But will a storm bring their fun-filled musical parade to an end?
I was delighted to receive a review copy of this book which has universal appeal for anyone who has ever tapped a beat with their feet or sung in the shower or out in the beautiful outdoors. It certainly brought back beautiful memories from my own childhood as well as my children’s of making music in creative and impromptu ways by clapping, stomping, tapping, humming, and singing at the top of our lungs.For all these reasons, I think it would make a wonderful addition to a home or school or town library. And now, enjoy Janna’s five fun facts. And remember to enter the giveaway at the end of the post.
HERE WE COME! Five Fun Facts
by Janna Matthies
#1: HERE WE COME! is a moonlit, musical adventure. But when I wrote the story, I envisioned it taking place during the day with only human children. The illustrator, Christine Davenier, took the story to the next level by setting the scene after bedtime and bringing in both kids and animals. Don’t you love the jolly bear with the violin, and the pair of clapping hedgehogs? Like any excellent picture book, the telling of this story was shared 50/50 between author and illustrator. I couldn’t be more thrilled by the nighttime blues and violets, and the whimsical charm of all the characters as they gather for a joyous march!
#2: I’d fit right into this musical parade. I have always been drawn to music-making, starting piano lessons at the age of four, violin at eight, singing in high school, and picking up guitar as an adult. In fact, when I’m not writing books for kids, I teach music to PreK and kindergartners at an elementary school. So every week you can find me singing, dancing and playing guitar and percussion instruments of all kinds with kids. Speaking of guitar, that’s what I had in mind when I wrote the line “a pick and a strum”. But if you look closely at the strumming dog in this story, his instrument is small has four tuning pegs (instead of six like a guitar)—it’s a ukulele!
#3: One of the most fun things about writing this book was finding just the right words that rhyme with “come”. The story began with a line that popped into my head: “Here we come with a rum-pum-pum…wanna come?”. I immediately knew I wanted to continue the tale by adding more musical sounds, and that each new phrase needed to end in a rhyme with “come”. So I brainstormed a long list and was able to use most of them. At the very end, I almost used the phrase “Anyone for a plum?” but decided “Some yum for the tum?” was more open-ended and fun. Can you think of any other words rhyming with “come” that I didn’t use?
#4: Something else I love about Christine Davenier’s illustrations is the path the characters follow from village, through forest and into the countryside. Christine is from France, and you might notice a European flair to her scenes. At the same time, this setting takes me back to my own childhood in suburban Ohio. A wooded creek ran through my neighborhood, and my best friend Elizabeth and I often tromped through while singing and imagining stories and poems. Do you have a favorite outdoor place? What stories can you imagine taking place there?
#5: While this book features instruments like a whistle/recorder, ukulele, violin/fiddle, and drum, the story is about making music any way you like! Music can be made with the voice, on real or homemade instruments (think beads in a plastic bottle, or rubber bands across a box), or simply with sounds that occur in daily life or nature—like dripping rain, stomping feet, the honking of car horns. Rhythm and melody are everywhere, and everyone is invited! WANNA COME? How do you like to make music?
BIO: Janna Matthies is a picture book author and early-elementary music teacher in Indianapolis. Her books include HERE WE COME! (Beach Lane Books/S&S); GOD’S ALWAYS LOVING YOU (WorthyKids); TWO IS ENOUGH (Running Press Kids), THE GOODBYE CANCER GARDEN (Albert Whitman) and others. When she’s not read, writing or making music, Janna enjoys gardening, walking her dog, and spending time with her husband and three mostly-grown kids.
NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!! If you’d like a chance to win a copy of HERE WE COME! (Beach Lane, 2022) follow this blog and comment below with your favorite fact from today’s post. (NOTE: Must be U.S. resident and at least 18 years old to enter.) Thank you, Janna, for providing the winning book. This giveaway ends Thursday, 3/31/22 at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be announced the next day!
[Note: Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy at the book which I was under no obligation to review. The views and opinions expressed on this blog about books and other things are purely my own.]
Today I am delighted to have Christian children’s author Christie Thomas as my guest. She’s here today to share five fun facts about her newest release with Kregel Publications, FRUIT FULL: 100 Family Experiences For Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit. This is just the kind of resource I would have LOVED when my kids were little and it’s a wonderful resource for anyone in Christian family ministry. Here’s an excerpt from the official description:
“Christie Thomas is skilled at taking complex ideas and making them accessible to kids . . . and adults learn a lot along the way too. Each of her devotions is designed to help parents connect their children with the Holy Spirit through a Scripture passage, thought-provoking questions, ways to apply each verse, and a prayer. And for each fruit, parents can use the optional hands-on activities when there’s extra time.”
Sounds great, right? And now for FIVE FUN FACTS about the book from the author herself.
Five Fun Facts about FRUIT FULL with Christie Thomas
Fun Fact #1:Fruit Full led me full circle to a lovely editor I had connected with in 2016. She really liked another project of mine, but we fell off each other’s radars. Four years later, she had moved to another publisher and the proposal for Fruit Full came across her desk. She recognized my name and now here we are in 2022 with a book!
Fun Fact #2: With my previous devotional book, I read every one of the devotions with each 3 of my boys because it was a new way of writing for me and I wanted to make sure I wrote on their level. With Fruit Full, I had less time to write and more devotions to write, so each of my boys heard about 40% of the book. It’s fun to read it with them now, because it’s fresh for all of them!
Fun Fact #3: There’s one story in the book where I explained how my apple tree didn’t even flower for several years, and I later discovered it was because I had given it the wrong fertilizer. I didn’t say it in the book, but the wrong fertilizer…was urine! I had been asking my potty-training boys to pee near the tree when in the backyard for years because I thought it would be good for the tree. Turns out, urine has a lot of nitrogen, which is perfect for leaf growth but too much can stunt flowering and fruiting. Oops!
Fun Fact #4: I originally wanted to add a hands-on family activity to each devotion, but we realized it would make it feel too overwhelming for families. Instead, we put a list of simple activities at the beginning of each section for families to pick and choose from when they had time.
Fun Fact #5: There’s a smaller devotional book tucked inside Fruit Full. At the end of each fruit-themed section (Love, Joy, Peace, etc) there are three devotions specifically on the Easter part of Jesus’ life. These could be tied together for a shorter, 27-day reading plan specifically connected with Easter.
Thanks so much for joining us today, Christie. I know your book will be a blessing to many.And I have one closing question for our readers. Which fact was your favorite? (I’m partial to #3 and I also love how Christie’s kids are involved in her devotional writing process.)
Christie’s books are available wherever books are sold.
BIO: Christie Thomas is a homeschool mom of 3 and former Children’s Ministries Director. She is the author five books for Christian kids, including Quinn’s Promise Rock and The Mother and Son Prayer Journal. Her newbook, the Christ-centered devotional, Fruit Full: 100 Family Experiences for Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit, waswritten over many late nights beside a cold cup of blueberry tea. She lives in Western Canada and spends her time homeschooling, digging in the garden (when it’s not under 2 feet of snow) and equipping Christian families to disciple their kids.
Today I’m delighted to have former Zonderkidz acquisitions editor Barbara Herndon as my guest. I got to know Barbara professionally ten years ago. She acquired my debut picture book, Goodnight, Ark plus three more after that. What a treat, then, to learn that she now has a picture book releasing with Zonderkidz. Full of fun rhymes that celebrate the joy of loving others and embracing the special connections that caring for others brings, You’re the Hugs to my Kisses is a perfect pick for Valentine’s Day or any time of year. Barbara’s bouncy rhyme is fun to read and Diane Ewan’s illustrations stand out for their colorful and wonderfully diverse cast of children and loved ones of all ages enjoying each others’ company in various delightful ways. Take a moment to enjoy the book trailer, then get ready to smile as Barbara shares five fun facts about the book. (And don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end for a chance to win a SIGNED copy of this delightful new book.)
Five Fun Facts
YOU’RE THE HUGS TO MY KISSES
By Barbara Herndon
Fun Fact #1: It all began with a donut.
From the time I was a child, my mother loved donuts. It was a wonderful treat that my dad would present to her for special occasions like Mother’s Day and her birthday. A delicious dozen that always included her favorite, jelly sticks. Many years later my mom still loves her donuts, and when I brought her some and she said to me, “You’re the jelly to my donut”, a book idea was born. I began to think of other popular pairings and similar phrases (“You’re the milk to my cookies” “You’re the ketchup to my French fries”) that I thought might be fun to compile in a children’s book. “You’re the jelly to my donut” is still my favorite phrase (for obvious reasons) and the one that begins the book. ☺
Fun Fact #2: This children’s book is not just for children.
When I first wrote the manuscript, You’re the Hugs to My Kisses, I was thinking this book would be filled with a diverse group of children. But the more I worked on the text, the more I began to imagine the pages filled with people of all ages, representing all sorts of relationships. We ended up including a variety of children (friends and siblings), parents, grandparents, pets, as well as an older couple dancing under the stars and a younger couple sharing a cupcake in the park. We all have people in our lives that mean the world to us, and I wanted to create a book where everyone young and old could find themselves reflected in the pages.
Fun Fact #3: I not only wrote the manuscript, I helped choose the illustrator.
In children’s picture book publishing it’s very unusual for the author to have a say in the look and style of the final product. Usually, the manuscript is acquired by an editor and that person casts their vision, researches artists, and makes their final decision based on input from the creative department as well as the sales and marketing teams. Because I previously worked as an acquisitions editor at Zonderkidz (and choosing artists was a large part of my job), they welcomed my input and direction. I fell in love with Diane Ewan’s style right away and felt she would be perfect to capture the joy, whimsy, and heart of this book. And I will be forever grateful that the Zkidz team agreed.
Fun Fact #4: I’ve read this book aloud more times than I can count.
Because picture books are meant to be a shared experience and read aloud with a child, it’s very important for me to hear how the book sounds as I’m writing the manuscript. As I worked on the text, I would continually read it out loud from start to finish to make sure the phrases flowed and nothing made me stumble in the reading. It’s not an exaggeration to say I probably read this material out loud hundreds of times before anyone ever saw the manuscript.
Fun Fact #5: Once you start thinking of these phrases, you can’t stop.
Once I started brainstorming the book thinking of the phrases (You’re the X to my Y) I couldn’t stop! I have a very long list of these pairings that didn’t make the cut. Fortunately, I’m channeling this obsession into a holiday sequel that I hope to share with my publisher very soon. ☺
Thank you, Barbara! I think Fact #2 is my favorite! I wonderful which fact my readers will pick. I wish you the best and look forward to reading more of your books.
BIO: Barbara began writing for children on the award-winning animated series Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys. After writing and producing children’s television and film projects for Nickelodeon, Paramount, Disney, PBS, Cartoon Network, National Geographic Kids, and American Greetings, Barbara turned her focus to children’s publishing. A lifelong fan of picture books, Barbara worked as an acquisitions editor for HarperCollins Publishing, acquiring and developing a long list of successful projects including Amazon editor’s pick I Love You, Funny Bunny and the New York Times bestselling Fiona the Hippo.
NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!! If you’d like a chance to win a SIGNED copy of YOU’RE THE HUGS TO MY KISSES (Zonderkidz, 2022) simply post a comment below letting me know. (NOTE: Must be U.S. resident and at least 18 years old to enter.) Thank you, Barbara, for providing the winning book. This giveaway ends Friday, 2/4/22 at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be announced the next day!
[Note: Thank you to Zonderkidz for sending me an advanced copy of this book which I was under no obligation to review. The views and opinions expressed on this blog about books and other things are purely my own.]
Laura Sassi Tales 