Please join me in singing a rousing happy birthday to:

Here’s a little bit about the book from the Amazon sales page:

Sometimes things are really tough. It’s just too hard, you’ve had enough. Grumble, rumble, bump, and roar, The Struggle Bus is at your door. This is a must-have picture book for any reader struggling with new experiences and figuring out how to manage emotions. Debut author-illustrator Julie Koon delivers a lighthearted and relatable picture book about facing challenges as you grow up. Incorporating her experience as an elementary school counselor, Koon uses the accessible theme of vehicles to make this social-emotional concept perfect for the preschool and early elementary crowd. It’s also a great tool for caregivers to start conversations with children about acknowledging difficult feelings. The Struggle Bus’s lyrical, rhyming text adds a comforting touch to the book, while not downplaying the reality that sometimes life is really hard. From a growth mindset perspective, the story gives the main character space to feel those hard feelings, but also to be open-minded to lots of different solutions. With a concluding reminder that we can do hard things, The Struggle Bus offers a lot: self-discovery, tips for problem-solving, and, mostly importantly, an acknowledgement that we all struggle sometimes, but we shouldn’t get stuck on that bus.

What a perfect time for a book like this! Sometimes things ARE really tough – as a matter a fact, things are really tough for so many people right now. The words in this story can provide comfort – and empowerment for little children dealing with big problems. And honestly, I think adults will find encouragement and support as well.

And guess what? Author/illustrator Julie was kind enough to stop by to chat. I asked her if there were any potholes or problems on the path to publication:

JULIE:
I took many rides on the struggle bus in the making of this book. Shortly after I finished making the full dummy, the iPad that I use for drawing died for good, and I lost the whole thing! I had to start over from scratch. I certainly needed the words I had written as I started again. Luckily, I think it turned out even better than the first version! 

WOW! That might have ended it for many…but thank goodness, you didn’t give up, Julie. Perseverance is one of those 5Ps that lead to success – and in this case, it definitely did. I know this book is going to be used by many parents and teachers.

Dear friends, I’m not sure how we got so lucky, but Julie is offering a spectacular giveaway – a Picture Book Manuscript Critique to one lucky winner! Please make sure you leave a comment below (maybe you can tell us about one of your rides on the Struggle Bus), and then tag at least one person when you share on your favorite social media channel. It’s so important to spread the word about these fabulous new books!

Here’s where to find out more about Julie: https://www.juliepkoon.com/https://www.juliepkoon.com/

And remember that the best way to thank an author or illustrator is to buy their book, review their book, tell friends about their book, and ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection.

We are all catching our breath from the excitement of #50PreciousWords. The level of participation (749 entries) was phenomenal. The quality of the stories was astonishing. There are definitely more than a few that will become books in the next few years. And again, the comment thread of the contest post is 100% positive with supportive and encouraging words for the contestants.

Plus, the pile of books for the literacy initiative is growing. There is still time to place an order with The Bookery for a book you’d like to donate. It can be a board book, a picture book, a chapter book, a middle grade, or a YA because we have an elementary, a middle, and a high school waiting to receive them: www.shopbookerymht.com or call them: 603-836-6600. And wouldn’t it be lovely if someone chose THE STRUGGLE BUS!