Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I totally needed this book when I was a kid. I loved to draw…I had a big round cookie tin that was filled with broken crayons. I remember the day I got a new box of Crayola crayons…the big 64 color box with the SHARPENER…it was 1958 (that was the first year Crayola released the 64-crayon box with the sharpener) and I was 11 years old – and I felt like I had just gotten the best gift ever! But I didn’t have much confidence in my art – and most of the time, I colored in coloring books…allowing my creativity to be confined within the boundaries of the lines on the page. Danielle Dufayet’s newest book, BENFORD DRAWS A BLANK, is all about creativity and imagination and believing in oneself…and something many of us writers experience – not knowing where to begin! And before you begin reading this post, I want to let you know that the lovely Danielle is offering a fabulous giveaway: winner’s choice of either a signed copy of the book OR a Picture Book Critique! WOW!
BENFORD DRAWS A BLANK
Written by Danielle Dufayet
Illustrated by Katia Klein
Published by Capstone
Ages: 4-8
Themes: Imagination, be yourself, art
Synopsis: From Amazon:
Benford loves art, and his very first canvas is ready and waiting! But he can’t think of a single thing to paint. Not one! Nothing! His mind is completely BLANK! How will Benford break free from his painter’s block? Author Danielle Dufayet highlights the importance of silencing the inner critic by letting go of perfectionism and letting loose. See Benford’s final masterpiece where he adds the missing piece to get his painting “just right”.
Why I Love This Book:
1. We all get stuck – children and adults, writers and artists…I love that every child reader will be able to relate to Benford!
2. Wonderful text that takes the reader on Benford’s journey of discovery!
3. Fabulous illustrations that engage the reader and keep you turning the pages!
And guess what!!! Author Danielle Dufayet stopped by to chat and she’s sharing a little bit about the path to publication for this book…I always love to get an inside peek at the story behind the story.
DANIELLE: I was so torn as to what to paint after a long dry spell, but somehow, I started seeing blank canvases everywhere I went: once in Target just passing through the art supplies, once in my grandson’s school where they were getting ready to paint small canvases and a third time my friend called me to tell me she picked up a canvas for me at a garage sale for a really great price. All in the same day! I took it as a sign, but it did feel like blank canvases were stalking me! I definitely wanted to add that funny element to my story. I love how the illustrator gave it beady eyes!
ME: I love that, Danielle. It just goes to show how in tune we need to be with the Universe…which is always sending us ideas for stories!
RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Photo courtesy: https://artfulparent.com/how-to-encourage-drawing-skills-confidence-creativity-in-young-children/
Please visit this fabulous website and read this important post about how parents can encourage the artist that lives inside of every child. One of the most important tips is: DON’T DENIGRATE YOUR OWN ARTISTIC ABILITY! (I am definitely guilty of this…even when I do a school visit…I can hear myself saying…oh, the art in my book dummy is so bad. What I think I’m doing is letting the kids know that even though I don’t draw like a professional artist, I do it anyway…but perhaps there is a better way I can say it. It’s kind of like if a parent makes a face when spinach is served…kids clue into not only what we say, but they watch what we do…and then the kid doesn’t want to eat spinach either.
Before I sign off I want to remind you all to leave a comment for a chance to win the FABULOUS giveaway of a Picture Book Critique with author Danielle Dufayet OR a signed copy of BENFORD DRAWS A BLANK. And if you share on social media (which I hope you will), you get extra tickets in the giveaway hat.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
Great premise for a book!
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Thank you, Judith -it’s based on real life (sort of)!
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I love to hear the story behind the story. Can’t wait to read this!
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Thank you, Amita. Yes, it’s fun to see how a story is sparked sometimes.
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This sounds like a great book, especially for writers who sit down to stare at a blank page and have no idea what to write!
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Thank you, Stefsennn. I hope my book inspires the writer/artist to just start with something, anything and see where it takes them. Sometimes, the page has to stay blank for a while until we’ve worked out what we want to express, subconsciously.
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Letting go of perfection is something we all need to remember. And I do agree that every child/every person is artistic in some way. Having the encouragement to experiment and just try/make things is so important for little ones.
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Thank you, Marty. Yes, perfectionism is a creativity killer. Having fun and experiencing joy is what makes the creative process so enjoyable and satisfying, but it’s not easy to let go and trust the process, especially as we get older.
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I am so excited to read your book, Danielle. It’s so relatable to adults and kids, and an important message that perfectionism and a great result aren’t the end goal, but letting go and letting your creativity fly is what is the fun part!!
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Thank you, Jessica. Yes, having fun and finding the joy in the creative process is the end goal, really.
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What a great idea for a book! I’m looking forward to reading it!
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Thank you, Jan. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope it inspires you to create! 🙂
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It’s so important to talk about self-denigration! Children are listening. ❤️ This looks like a wonderful book for kids and adults alike!
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Thank you, Joyce. How we talk to ourselves determines the quality of our lives! We should teach a class in school that addresses self-talk and the power it has on us.
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Indeed ❤️
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This looks like a great kids’ book. I love the picture of the dog and cat!
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Thank you, Carolsue. I love the illustrations too -so grateful to have been paired with Katia Klein.
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This is so great! I already can relate to this! When things don’t come easy, children tend to label themselves as a bad (fill in the blank). I can’t wait to read this book to some kiddos I know. Congrats!
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Thank you, Ellen. I agree, we’re so quick to put ourselves down -ugh! We need to learn how to be our own best friend and cheerleader. That was my goal in Fantastic You. It’s so important how we talk to ourselves.
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What a great book for all of those “I can’t think of anything” moments! I used to work with gifted kids and as smart as they were, they often drew a blank.
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Thank you, Donna. We are our own worst enemy because we tend to want to make something perfect or great the first go-around. Whether writing or painting, we just need to start. Sometimes we have a plan, but when we don’t, we shouldn’t quit. (But it is hard to see beyond that big, white blank sometimes!)
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DANIELLE: OH, I AM SO IN LOVE with Benford–and his ADORABLE dog starring up at the canvas, expectantly! SWEET detail! And I LOVE the backstory to creating the story. Vivian’s right: we need to pay attention to what the universe is trying to tell us–then maybe our canvases won’t stare at us so blankly! THANK YOU for the INSPIRATION! I CAN’T WAIT to read this one–ESPECIALLY on days I need help facing my own blank canvases or computer screen.
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OH, thank you so much, Natalie! Yes, I love Katia’s sweet dog who’s trying so hard to be Benford’s inspiration! And the cat… who couldn’t care less. Typical! Did you notice Benford added Van Gogh at the very end? Some see it, others, don’t. 🙂 Good luck facing the blank. I know you can do it!
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Wonderful advice. Thank you
We all draw our own “blanks “ at times… that is until we find ourselves in a new box of colors!
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Thank you, Meredith. Yes, a big box of beautiful crayons can be very inspiring!
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Can’t wait to read this!
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Thank you, Kim. I hope you enjoy it!
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Oh my gosh! I can’t wait to read this book! Especially knowing the canvas has beady eyes! 😆
I had a similar experience where I kept encountering the same thing again and again, until I finally sat down and wrote about it! Gotta listen to those signs!
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Thank you, Jessaroux. Yes, the signs finally get our attention in the end. Funny how that happens sometimes. Glad you listened and went to work!
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