WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES
INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION
FOR WRITERS
TODAY’S GUEST
SUE LOWELL GALLION
I hadn’t taken a picture book writing class since 2014, but last year I noticed that Marcie Colleen was going to be teaching an online Writing Barn course entitled: The Heart and Humor of Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Little did I know that the April/May 2020 class would come at the perfect time – right when the world had stopped due to the health crisis – and many of us felt we needed to connect, but couldn’t because of the ban on travel and the new social distancing rules. It was a wonderful class…and our guest today was one of my fellow students.
Sue Lowell Gallion was destined to write books! As the daughter of a third-generation printer, Sue grew up immersed in the smells of paper and ink and the sound of printing presses at Lowell Press in Kansas City.
She is the author of eight children’s books including two series: the PIG & PUG picture books and the TUCKER AND TIP early readers.
ME: I’m really so thrilled you agreed to stop by to chat with us, Sue! I know everyone is excited to hear about your writing journey and your newest book – a board book – that launches this month: OUR WORLD: A First Book of Geography.
ME: Who were your favorite authors/illustrators when you were a child?
SUE: THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD and THE POKY LITTLE PUPPY — that chance to get out in the wide world was appealing to me from way back! As far as illustrators, Garth Williams and Clare Turlay Newberry (MITTENS and MARSHMALLOW) were favorites of mine. I still love UNDERSTOOD BETSY by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, a young middle grade novel published in 1917. Fisher was an educational reformer and early proponent of the Montessori method. I was lucky to have a grandmother who taught 4th grade and loved to read, so birthdays and holidays always meant new and wonderful books.
ME: What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started writing?
SUE: When I began writing picture books, I worked on two or three manuscripts for years. I was so determined that those books would be published – and none of them were (or ever will be!) I wish I had paid more attention to writers who encouraged me to write new stories instead of focusing on those. I love the way Lin Oliver, executive director of SCBWI, talks about considering your whole body of work. Some work will be published, some won’t. But as you keep learning about craft and trying different things, your experiences and relationships and growth all combine to feed your creativity and enhance your work.
ME: Where do you like to write – inside, outside, special room, laptop, pen and paper?
SUE: I love a freshly sharpened pencil, and I collect pencils. Choosing which pencil to use, then sharpening it, are yet another way for me to procrastinate on the actual writing! I also write on my laptop, but I still like to look at a printed manuscript and revise with pencil.
I write most often at my kitchen table, or outside on my deck in good weather.
ME: When do you write – early morning, late in the day, middle of the night, on schedule, as the muse strikes?
SUE: I’m not one of those people who write every day, although I do author work every day. I think about stories and ideas all the time, but I’m more likely to figure something out while I’m walking my dog or weeding than sitting at my desk. I’m at my best in the morning after a cup of coffee and a walk. I read picture books and middle grade at night.
ME: Why do you write for children?
SUE: Children’s books have been part of my adult life since my first niece arrived, and I became the “book aunt.” Reading with my own kids was one of the best parts of every day as a parent. I feel that way about reading with my two preschool grandsons now. It’s a shared experience, adventure, and conversation.
I’ve been a volunteer reader with a literacy organization here in Kansas City called Lead to Read KC, https://www.leadtoreadkc.org/
I read with the same first or second grader at a school every week during the school year. I always bring a big bag of books for them to choose from, it gives me a chance to share my library books! I love doing school visits as well.
I started seriously writing for kids about 15 years ago. My first picture book, PUG MEETS PIG, was released in 2016. I’ve been incredibly lucky. I have three books coming out this summer and fall (a picture book, ALL EXCEPT AXLE, and the third in an early reader series co-authored with Ann Ingalls, TIP AND TUCKER PAW PAINTERS.) It’s not ideal timing with covid-19, but I’m grateful just the same!
ME: And we are grateful for the beautiful books you are writing, Sue. And for answering our questions. But I know you have a few more thoughts to share with us.
SUE: Thank you so much for this opportunity to share OUR WORLD, Vivian. You asked me to talk a bit about this book’s journey. I love the physical format and interactive options of board books, and the way they travel with kids in diaper bags or car seats. I got the idea for a board book shaped like a globe at a workshop on novelty board books at a regional SCBWI conference.
After I came up with the concept, I did some market research and didn’t find anything similar. The text of OUR WORLD started as a short rhyming poem about geography and the connectedness of our world. I made a paper dummy with scissors and tape, and my agent submitted the dummy with the manuscript. When Phaidon Press became interested, I did two major revisions with the editor over many months before the manuscript was purchased. We added another layer of nonfiction text and narrowed the focus. I did a lot of research and revisions throughout the whole process of making this book, as did the marvelous illustrator, Lisk Feng. It’s been a very collaborative and wonderful experience.
My first critique group, through Heartland Writers for Kids and Teens, had a tasty tradition of bringing treats when you had good news to share. I brought these cookies when I sold my first piece to Highlights about 15 years ago! My grandmother called them Ranger Cookies, but one of my long-time critique partners, Ann Ingalls, came up with the new name. I’ve made them for friends’ book launch parties and other occasions. Even people who don’t think they like coconut tend to like these cookies. You can make them when you have good news, are hoping for good news, or just need a cookie.
Good News Cookies
1 cup (two sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup sugar + ¼ cup
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
3 ½ cups flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup Rice Krispies
Cream butter, 1 cup sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, oil, and vanilla. Add salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Add flour 1 cup at a time until batter is smooth. Add oats, coconut, and Rice Krispies, stir with spoon. Dough will be soft. Cover and chill for several hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Form dough into 1-inch balls and place on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten each dough ball with the bottom of a glass greased with butter and dipped into ¼ cup sugar. Bake 12 minutes or until light brown.
Oh my gosh! Thank you so much, Sue! You’ve shared so much with us today! And this is like the post that keeps on giving…because someone is going to win a brand-new copy of OUR WORLD: A FIRST BOOK OF GEOGRAPHY…all they have to do is leave a comment (why not tell us where in the world you’d like to go) and then shout out by sharing on social media, writing a review on Amazon, and/or asking their library to purchase a copy for their shelves.
If you like to connect with Sue and find out more about her: click here.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend – please stay safe and well! My house is on the market and today is the Open House!
What a gem of a book! I can’t wait to try those cookies too.
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Thank you! And do try the cookies, they’re good straight from the freezer, too.
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This book is amazing. I cant wait to order a copy for us and requesting it at our library.
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Thank you, MIrka! And thanks also for asking your library to purchase it. It’s sturdy!
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This book looks incredible. So unique! I love to travel and want children to know there’s a whole world out there for them to explore. Great job!!
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I’ve been so lucky to work with the team at Phaidon Press, they do amazing books. I’m with you on the travel, Tara!
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This looks like such a great book! Learning about our incredible world is so important for kids. I think I’d like to play with those penguins!
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Hi Rose, thank you! Wouldn’t it be amazing to see penguins in the wild? I’m hoping the book gets in the hands of kids on all the continents, Antarctica will be the tough one.
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Hi Rose! Thank you! Wouldn’t it be amazing to see penguins in the wild? I’m hoping the book gets in the hands of kids on all the continents, but not sure how we’ll do Antarctica.
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I love everything about this book and can’t wait to get my copy! Congratulations, Sue!!!
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Thanks so much, Judy! Hope we can meet up again soon.
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My 4 and 7 year old daughters NEED this book. (Okay me too me too!) Can’t wait to read it. Congratulations, Sue. And good luck on your open house, Vivian. Hopefully you’ll have a reason soon to make some Good News Cookies.
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Thanks, Rhett! Here’s hoping for good news all around.
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I just can’t get over how fantastic this book is! Congratulations! I’ve already put it on my “to read” list & will give this post a shout out on Twitter.
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Thanks, Heather! I hugely appreciate it!
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Geography was always one of my favorite subjects, and I’m still obsessed with maps. This unique books looks wonderful.
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Me too, David. My 4-year-old grandson loves to take imaginary trips with a globe. So do I! Thanks for your kind words.
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What a fantastic idea for a book! Love the shape and colorful illustrations. Congratulations, Sue!
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Thanks, Kim! Aren’t Lisk Feng’s illustrations amazing? The book has a matte finish so the colors are really rich. There are animals to search for on most pages, too.
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So unique and lovely! Can’t wait to get my hands on this one. Congrats, Sue!
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Thank you, Lori! I’ve really enjoyed doing some nonfiction. Your IN A DROP is one of the most approachable and dazzling nonfiction books for kids I’ve seen in a long time. The format is so kid-friendly. Kudos!
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Hurrah for Sue and her clever book!
And good luck, Vivian, on selling your house!
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Thanks, Mary! It’s such a thrill to see idea become reality, isn’t it?
Vivian, what’s the house update for us?
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You are sweet to ask, Sue. Update is that my house sold the day it went on the market…closing date is August 31. Then this past weekend, my daughter and her husband put their house on the market because we found the home that we feel will be perfect for all of us. And this evening, they accepted one of the dozen offers they got. And we are under contract for the house we want to buy. I feel like I am on an express train…and there is no stopping! But I’m excited for this new chapter of my life!
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I’ve seen this book on another blog before and think it’s so clever and will be a hit with readers. If I could travel, I’d head to Ireland and then to Australia. I shared on tumblr to spread the word: https://yesreaderwriterpoetmusician.tumblr.com/post/624018371184345088/via-sue-lowell-gallion-will-write-for-cookies
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Thank you, Danielle! Both Ireland and Australia are very high on my “to go” list, too. I so appreciate your sharing the book!
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Hi Sue. So exciting to see your concept develop into this beautiful book. Can’t wait to see what’s next! All the best…
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Thanks, my friend! You saw it in a different format for sure! Hope to see you soon. All best to you, too.
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Oh my gosh…this book looks amazing, such a creative idea. When the word gets around, this book will be in every school library. Congratulations, Sue. Thanks for sharing, Vivian. You know I love to cook-these will be in the oven soon!
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Thank you for your enthusiasm, Mona! I so hope it finds a home in many school libraries. And hope you enjoy the cookies!
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What a gorgeous book.
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Thanks so much, Darlene. It’s been such a privilege to work with Phaidon on this project.
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Thanks for all the info and great recipe. My grands will love your wonderful new book!
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Thanks, Meredith. Nothing better than sharing books with grandkids!
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This book has the neatest shape! Can’t wait to read it!I would love to visit Europe! Congrats! And thanks for sharing with us. 🙂
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Thank you, Angie. I can’t quite believe it actually is out. My daughter lives in France, so I’m right there with you on travel to Europe — I am ready for the world to get safe and healthy.
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Thanks for sharing your writing journey and the yummy cookie recipe! Your new book looks like great fun.
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Thanks, Beth. I love hearing other people’s writing journeys, too.
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What a clever little book, Sue. Congrats! And I had no idea that Fisher, the author of Understood Betsy was a proponent of the Montessori method. My kids attended one of their schools from pre-school to 2nd grade.
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Thanks, Jarm!
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Would love this book for my twins! I’d like to be able to go anywhere without worrying about Covid…
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Thanks, Zachary — I so agree with you, I’m ready to travel anywhere when it’s safe. All best with your duo!
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