About viviankirkfield

Writer for children - Reader forever - Mom of 3, educator, author of FOUR OTTERS TOBOGGAN: AN ANIMAL COUNTING BOOK (PomegranateKids, PIPPA'S PASSOVER PLATE (Holiday House), SWEET DREAMS, SARAH (Creston Books); MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD: THE INSPIRING FRIENDSHIP OF ELLA FITZGERALD AND MARILYN MONROE (Little Bee Books); FROM HERE TO THERE: INVENTIONS THAT CHANGED THE WAY THE WORLD MOVES (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Jan 19, 2021); PEDAL, BALANCE, STEER: Annie Londonderry, First Woman to Bike Around the World (Calkins Creek/Astra, Feb 20, 2024) picture book junkie, lover of travel, hiking, fly-fishing, cooking, and playing Monopoly with my grandson.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: FREE FOR YOU AND ME Plus Giveaway

Posted on March 6, 2020 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I’m just catching my breath becasue #50PreciousWords closed last night at 11:59pm…a couple of stats for you…over 375 entries, over 3000 comments and counting because I know in the next two weeks, many of you will be reading through these fabulous stories and I’ve only commented on a few so far, 24 prizes, and 4 judges who will be burning the midnight oil for the next two weeks…look for the winners’ post on March 21.

I’m really excited about our perfect picture book today…written by a dear friend, Chris Mihaly, it examines the importance of the First Amendment. And she is giving away a copy of this wonderful book to one lucky winner…so don’t forget to leave a comment and share the post on social media.

Continue reading →

Happy Book Birthday: LET’S DANCE! Plus Giveaway

Posted on March 3, 2020 by viviankirkfield

I know we are in the middle of the #50PreciousWords Contest…but I just had to kick up my heels and do a shimmy-shimmy for a brand-new book – so…LET’S DANCE!!!

Yes…it is a HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY for Valerie Bolling’s new book, illustrated by Maine Diaz and published by Boyds Mills & Kane – CONGRATULATIONS to all! Continue reading →

#50PreciousWords 2020 Contest is OFFICIALLY OPEN

Posted on February 29, 2020 by viviankirkfield

WELCOME, WELCOME to the FIFTH ANNUAL #50PreciousWords Contest!!!

I am so very happy you’ve stopped by!

Art by Vicky Fang

When I first got the idea for this contest back in 2016, I thought a few of my friends might take pity on me and submit a story – to my surprise, there were 128 entries! The winner that year went on to sign with my wonderful agent, Essie White, and the story that won is now part of a beautiful board book series. Several other entries over the years have become books…and I’m thrilled with the positive energy that this contest generates. Continue reading →