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.

Cover Reveal: WHAT I’LL CARRY

Posted on October 19, 2026 by viviankirkfield

Hello dear friends! I often mention how much I love this kid-lit community…and how wonderful it is to meet up with kid-lit folks at conferences and book events. I also talk about how fabulous it is to work with folks on manuscripts…and then find out that they have a book coming out…even if the book isn’t based on the manuscript I helped them with. And today, we have a DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE/DOUBLE YOUR FUN guest! Charlotte Sheer and I met in person at the 2019 New England SCBWI Spring Conference in Springfield, MA.

She and I have worked together on manuscripts as well! And so, when Charlotte reached out to let me know that her debut middle grade novel in verse is coming out next year, we put our heads together to celebrate with a COVER REVEAL!

Oh My Goodness! The cover just pulls me right in! I want to find out what is going on…why the girl looks so sad/worried. Luckily, Charlotte stopped by to chat with us. And what could be better than sharing the story behind the story…I think we all love to learn what inspired an author to write a particular story…and how the path to publication unfolded.

ME: Welcome, Charlotte! I loved seeing that photo from 2019…it was fun to see my hair brown…during COVID, I decided to let nature take its course and now my hair is whatever color it wants to be…white/grey/brown…I think they call it salt and pepper. I call it saving lots of money and time.
I’m so thrilled about WHAT I’LL CARRY, dear Charlotte. Can you tell us a little bit about the book?

CHARLOTTE: It’s wonderful to be here, Vivian. I’m excited about the book…and happy to share a little bit about how it came to be.
WHAT I’LL CARRY by Charlotte Sheer – a middle grade Novel in Verse
(Behrman House/Apples and Honey Press, April, 2027)
The story of my writing journey for WHAT I’LL CARRY began more than ten years ago, before I retired from teaching fifth grade English at Foxborough Regional Charter School in Foxboro, Massachusetts. In connection with a Holocaust educational project my students were doing, a special guest came to school and spoke about how Nicholas Winton’s kindertransport mission rescued her three-year-old self and her nine-year-old sister, as well as 667 other Jewish children in Czechoslovakia, from the Nazis’ reach during 1939.

It was like a lightbulb switched on for me! This amazing lady’s personal story was a snapshot of actual history, experienced by children. It seemed like the perfect basis for a book which might
serve as a soft entry point for middle grade children to begin learning about causes and effects of World War II.

The manuscript began as a picture book in 2015, but by 2019 I agreed with my many critique partners that such an important, emotional story deserved many more pages. As the story
evolved, so did the need to tell it in verse, making some of its heavy themes more approachable for middle grade readers.

And I, a Late Bloomer kidlit author did NOT give up, persevering more than a decade to see my way to book publication. (A little side story: I wrote a play in fifth grade and couldn’t think of a
good title. I don’t recall what the story was about, but my teacher, Mrs. Oliver suggested I call it “Perseverance Wins”. That was the first time I heard that important word…and it turns out, I never forgot the title of my play or what it meant!)

Originally titled, TAGGED FOR DELIVERY, the manuscript won the 2022 New England SCBWI Windows and Mirrors Award and the 2023 SCBWI Novel in Verse Award, the first year it was
ever offered. The recognition helped me acquire the agent who spent a year and a half finding me the best publisher for my book.

Here’s a little description from the book sale sites:

Readers might consider the question, “What would you carry, if you had to leave the only home
you’ve ever known?”
When the Nazis invade Czechoslovakia, Alena and her two sisters flee their village on the Kindertransport to England, leaving their beloved parents and home behind. The once sheltered girls are nearly entirely on their own.

As Alena struggles with her inner turmoil and her growing recognition of what hatred feels like, she slowly grows into a self-sufficient young woman, finally able to contribute to the war effort herself.
Inspired by a true story, this historical fiction novel in verse is not only about surviving impossible cir cumstances but also about taking ownership of your choices, finding your voice, and learning to stand up for yourself.

Publication is set for April 13, 2027, appropriately during National Poetry Month (and just before Holocaust Remembrance Day in early May).

As I’ve pondered “clever” ways to market my debut book, the question occurred to me, “Who IS the oldest debut author of a traditionally published children’s picture book or novel?
I discovered that Laura Ingalls Wilder was 65 when her Little House on the Prairie published. I will have beaten her by 11 years when my book publishes next April.

Additional info about me:
Before retiring as a fifth-grade teacher, I began the Holocaust Stamps Project, an idea inspired by my class. An interactive educational initiative, it was completed by kindergarten through
grade twelve students from 2009-2018, during which time students and countless community members collected, trimmed, and counted 11 MILLION postage stamps, one for every Holocaust victim (6 million Jewish, 5 million others considered inferior by the Third Reich). I regularly returned to the school to work on the project with the students, assisting with design and completion of eighteen 18 x24 inch collage artworks, made from thousands of the stamps, each telling stories about causes and effects of the Holocaust. Today the stamps collection and artworks form the ce nterpiece of a permanent public museum exhibit,
“A Philatelic Memorial of the Holocaust” at the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte PA.
For my work on the Holocaust Stamps Project, I was presented with the 2017 Leadership in Holocaust Education Award at Fanueil Hall in Boston.

My poetry for children appears in a half dozen anthologies.
Social media links:
Website: www.charlottesheer.com
IG: @charlotte_sheer
FB: https://www.facebook.com/CharlotteSheer.Writer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottesheer
#applesandhoneypress
#behrmanhouse
Pre-orders
Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/p/books/what-i-ll-carry-a-novel-in-verse/3313d1a9bd78bc75?ean=9781681157337

Dear friends…I know we are all grateful to Charlotte for generously sharing so much about herself and how her book came to be…and most importantly, how she never gave up. Remember the 5Ps…perseverance is one of the most important elements on the path to publication. And I think Charlotte has me beat when it comes to age when first traditionally published book launched…I was 72 when Sweet Dreams, Sarah and Pippa’s Passover Plate and Four Otters Toboggan debuted.

Let’s do what we can to help make WHAT I’LL CARRY a success. We can:
Buy the book
Review the book
Tell friends about the book (please share this post on social media)
Ask your local library to purchase copies for their shelves
Add the title to your Goodreads WANT TO READ shelf

Thank you for spending your precious time with us. I hope you all have a wonderful week!

WHAT I’LL CARRY

Perfect Picture Book Friday: I WILL NOT EAT LATKES

Posted on October 16, 2026 by viviankirkfield

Hello dear friends! Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday. Today’s featured book is a perfect choice for the coming holiday of Hanukkah. I’ve know author Martha Seif Simpson for a long time…and I had the pleasure of meeting her at the New England SCBWI Spring Conference in May. She’s agreed to share the story behind the story…it’s always fun to learn what inspired a writer to write a particular story.

I WILL NOT EAT LATKES

Written by Martha Seif Simpson

Illustrated by Lisa Hunt

Published by Apples and Honey Press (October 20, 2026)

Ages: 4-6

Themes: Hanukkah, friendship, picky eaters

Synopsis: From Amazon:
A funny, foodie friendship tale for Hanukkah about patience, courage, and trying new things.

Potchky will not eat smelly onions or brown potatoes, especially when his friend Nosh mixes them with matza meal, eggs and salt, thank you very much. But Nosh doesn’t let Potchky’s complaints get in the way of cooking for Hanukkah. Rather, Nosh gently guides Potchky to give new foods a try. This sweet, simple tale celebrates Hanukkah with age-appropriate messages of trying new foods and having patience with our friends.

Written with an early reader in mind, the story is told with easy-to-read words and without contractions. The book’s backmatter includes the story of Hanukkah, a science experiment to do at home, and, of course, a latke recipe. Perfect for fans of Elephant and Piggie, Green Eggs and Ham, and other simple books of humor, friendship, and growing.

“Lively . . . both funny and familiar.” —Publisher’s Weekly

“An engaging holiday tale that folds in a lesson on trying new things.” —Kirkus Reviews

WHY I LOVE THIS BOOK:
1. I love books that are filled with humor!
2. I love books that encourage kids to try new things!
3. I love books filled with art that engages kids!

ME: And now, as promised, Martha is ready to share a little bit about how and why she wrote this book. Welcome, Martha!

MARTHA: Thank you for inviting me back for another Perfect Picture Book Friday. We both have new Hanukkah books this year, and I’m looking forward to interviewing you on my Substack in November!

Making latkes on Hanukkah was always a big production in our family. I had an old cast-iron meat grinder that we used to ground up the potatoes and onions to the perfect consistency. Everyone joined in to turn the big handle, including any guests who happened to be visiting us. One time, someone said the uncooked mixture looked like “rusty potato mush” and that became a family joke.

A few years ago, I thought it would be fun to turn the idea of rusty potato mush into a story about a picky eater, sort of like a Jewish version of Green Eggs and Ham. I knew from the start that the two characters would have to be animals because I didn’t want any adults in the story and I couldn’t have little children using knives and cooking with hot oil. But I didn’t know what type of animals they were, so I wrote the book with no idea as to what Nosh and Potchky looked like!

During the editing process, my editor and I tossed around several ideas. After a while, it became obvious to me that Nosh was a koala. But we couldn’t agree on an animal for Potchky. Eventually, we decided to let the illustrator figure it out. Lisa came up with a few sketches and the ring-tailed lemur, with its long, expressive tail, was the winner. I would have never thought of that, so I’m glad Lisa did.

I had originally written the story as an easy reader, with narration and dialog. One of the first changes my editor suggested was to reformat it into a cartoon or graphic novel-style book. At first, it was unusual to re-write it with detailed illustration instructions, because writers are always told not to do that. But once I figured out what to do, it was a lot of fun.

There was another challenge. Both my editor and I assumed that the title of the book would be Rusty Potato Mush, but the marketing experts thought I Will NOT Eat Latkes! was more to the point. It certainly sounds like something a fussy eater would say, so hopefully kids (and their parents) can relate to it.

ME: Thank you so much, Martha! I loved hearing about the path to publication…so much revision goes on, even after a manuscript is acquired. And it’s so interesting to hear about the title change…as writers, we spend so much time stressing over a title…but very often, editors and/or sales and marketing teams have other ideas.

Here’s a little bit about the author and illustrator and links to connect with them:

Martha Seif Simpson is a retired children’s librarian who now volunteers at her synagogue library. She is a past chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award committee and is currently serving on the Sydney Taylor Manuscript Committee.

Martha’s other picture books are What NOT to Give Your Mom on Mother’s Day, The Dreidel That Wouldn’t Spin: A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah, Esther’s Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim, and A Ring for a King: A Tale of King Solomon. She lives in Connecticut when she’s not travelling the world with her husband. To learn more about Martha and her books, check her website and subscribe to her Substack, The Simpsonian Muse.

Website: https://www.martha-seif-simpson.com
Substack: https://marthakidlitauthor@substack.com
Facebook: Martha Kidlit Author
@marthakidlitauthor.bsky.social
Instagram:@ martha_kidlit_author
Goodreads: Martha Seif Simpson

Lisa Hunt is a freelance illustrator and has been working in children’s publishing for over 15 years. Before then, she worked as an in-house illustrator for several companies. Lisa has a passion for creating lovable, quirky characters with humorous stories to tell, and has worked with publishers both in the U.K. and internationally. She is best known for illustrating the countryside holiday books written by Phyllis Alsdurf and Dogs Don’t Dance written by Gemma Atkinson.

She lives near London with her other half, ginger cat and shih tzu pup.
Website: www.lisa-hunt.co.uk
instagram: @lease_doodles

And here are Purchase Links so you can get your own copy of this wonderful book in time for Hanukkah!

Bookshop.org:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Last but not least, Martha has a request for our blog readers:
“I’d love readers to contact me and say they read this interview! And I really appreciate it when readers post nice reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble.“

Thank you for spending your precious time with us. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Book Birthday: MAMA’S HOME (AND BABY, TOO!)

Posted on October 13, 2026 by viviankirkfield

Welcome back, dear friends! It’s Tuesday…and Tuesday is often the launch day for brand-new books…and so I hope you are ready for Cake and Candles and a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to You for Dawn Babb Prochovnic’s 20th book and debut board book: MAMA’S HOME (AND BABY, TOO!), illustrated by Adele Dafflon and published by Familius.

I absolutely love the art…so kid-friendly! And the simple rhyming text is guaranteed to put smiles on our youngest story lovers’ faces. Author Dawn and I have been kid lit friends for many years…and so, when I heard she had another new book…and her first BOARD BOOK, I knew I’d want to help her celebate!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MAMA’S HOME (AND BABY, TOO!) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

And guess what? Dawn was kind enough to stop by to share a bit about the story…and the story behind the story.

ME: WELCOME, DAWN! We’re so glad to have you here at Picture Books Help Kids Soar! Can you share What Inspired You to Write This Story, and What Were Some Notable Moments on the Path to Publication?

DAWN: Thank you so much for celebrating this book birthday along with me, Vivian! Mama’s Home (and Baby Too!) is a 95-word story that took over 20 years to become a book. I never gave up on this story; it’s a bit surreal that it’s finally coming to be.

It began as a poem that I jotted down on a scrap of paper as I watched my preschool-aged son blissfully engage in imaginative play at our local children’s museum. For context, that same son graduated from college a couple of years ago.

I loved the idea of a slice-of-life story about child-centered activities that collectively make for a joyful, play-filled childhood. The first working title I penciled in was, Childhood Bliss.

Over time, it became clear that the story would need a stronger hook in order to become a book.

I loved the essence of the story enough to keep working on it, and I experimented with many different approaches, including structuring it as a novelty book that incorporated American Sign Language. Although these approaches generated interest, they did not generate book offers.

I continued to revise the story with different themes in mind. For a couple of years, it was entitled Grandma’s House is Happiness, and associated revisions incorporated elements of connection with an active and engaged grandparent. Eventually, the focus shifted to the excitement and delight in sharing simple, joyful activities with a parent who returns home after being away for an extended period of time. With that angle, the working title became, Mama’s Home!, and I revised the story to incorporate the preparations for and anticipation of Mama’s return . . . from somewhere.

When I submitted Mama’s Home! to Familius, co-founder and CEO Christopher Robbins and team (rightfully!) wondered if I might be open to a more specific reason for Mama being away— the arrival of a new sibling. This brought additional revisions that incorporated the anticipation and preparations for Mama’s return, featuring activities that could be engaged in with a recuperating Mama and new baby.

To bring authenticity to the sibling component, I mined my memories of my younger sister’s arrival, and I looked for opportunities to emphasize and lean into the enduring and evolving nature of the relationship between Mama and an older child.

Additionally, I mined memories about my own mom being away from home for extended periods when I was a child. In her case it was due to health issues, but no matter the reason, it was always such a delight when she returned home.

One of the things I especially love about the final book is the way in which Adèle Dafflon’s illustrations beautifully capture the element of family. Papa and older siblings are together. Waiting. Pitching in. Contributing. Staying close. And once Mama and baby come home, the familial love and joy simply expands and grows.

Eventually, after input from industry sales reps and the publisher’s marketing team, the current title, Mama’s Home (and Baby Too!), came to be.

Despite all the twists and turns this story took along the path to publication and throughout many (many!) revisions, the essence of the story—childhood bliss—remains true. It’s the story idea that took hold of me from the start and insisted on being written. It’s the part of the story that I connected with so deeply when I watched my own child engage in imaginative play and scribbled down a rough poem. It’s the part of the story that kept me motivated to keep working on it until it was just right. A story about a joyful, play-filled, childhood—and now, a unique take on the arrival of a new sibling, and a loving family making room for one more.

ME: Thank you so much for all of this, dear Dawn! My takeaway is…NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR STORY…and also, be willing to revise and to listen to editor advice. I’m so glad you practiced patience and perseverance, my friend.

And now, here’s some info about the author and illustrator…and ways you can connect with them and BUY and REVIEW this important book!

Dawn Babb Prochovnic is the author of over 20 children’s books including Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?, Lucy’s Blooms, and her latest title, Mama’s Home (and Baby Too!). She has devoted her life’s work to initiatives that support literacy and the literary arts, including early literacy enrichment programs, school author visits, writing workshops, and her educational blog. Dawn is the recipient of the Walt Morey Award and the esteemed “Pleasure Reading Award” (her most memorable fifth-grade achievement). She lives in Portland, Oregon with her family and fan-favorites, Pickle the Cat and Sophie the Paddleboarding Pup.

Adèle Dafflon was born in Fribourg, Switzerland, in 1985. She graduated in illustration at École Supérieure des Arts Saint-Luc de Liège in 2012 and began drawing birth announcement cards. Soon, she was contacted for individual and collective projects. Sharing a studio with four artists since 2018, she draws nature, animals, and insects in a colorful style with a dash of genuine humor.

Author and Illustrator’s Websites:

Dawn: www.dawnprochovnic.com
Adèle: https://www.adeledafflon.com/

Author’s Social Media Links:
Substack: @dawnprochovnic.substack.com
Bluesky: @DawnProhovnic.bsky.social
Facebook: @DawnProchovnicAuthor
Instagram: @DawnProchovnic
LinkedIn: @DawnProchovnic
Pinterest: @DawnProchovnic
YouTube: @dprochovnic

Buy Links:
Familius
Bookshop
B&N
Amazon

Just saying, dear friends…if you have any friends or family who are expecting a baby and have a young child already at home, THIS is the perfect gift.
Thank you for spending your precious time with us…I hope you all have a beautiful week!