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.

#PPBF: Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di at the Night Safari – Teaching Cooperation with Picture Books

Posted on February 27, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday, but I have some exciting news to share first…I just completed Susanna Leonard Hill’s Making Picture Book Magic class.

I can honestly say that I learned more about writing picture books during the one month online course than I did in the last two years. More importantly, it was a hands-on experience ALL THE WAY – personally mentored by the lovely Susanna and filled with amazing comraderie and feedback from the other attendees…thank you to Jeanine, Carrie, Dana, Linda, Heather and Kirsten…for your support, encouragement and inspiration.

Don’t you love getting packages in the mail?

Yesterday the doorbell rang. The mailman had a package for me…I had to sign for it because it was from Singapore. I opened it carefully and took a deep breath, hoping I could bring back the scents of that beautiful city.

I wasn’t able to detect anything in the air, but the contents more than made up for that. TWO PICTURE BOOKS from leading Singapore author, David Seow! Hip hip hooray!

I don’t want to overwhelm you, so I’m reviewing one today and will save the other for another time. I read this one to my grandson last night…he loved it and wanted to hear it again…and we all know that is the sign that Continue reading →

#PPBF – Monsters Don’t Eat Broccoli – Helping Fussy Eaters

Posted on February 21, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Today is Friday – and that means that Susanna Leonard Hill has set up a linky for picture book reviews. To see more great book reviews and activities, please click here.

I also want to announce the winner of a copy of My Warp Speed Mind by Donalisa Helsley.

Drumroll….the winner is….Jaymie Shook!

Congratulations, Jaymie…please contact me and I will get your book in the mail right away.

This afternoon, I saw a video of awesome food art, I knew I had to find a book that would address the problem of fussy eaters. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the video – you will be amazed.

Do you have any fussy eaters in your house? I can sympathize because I was one…and so was my oldest son. If picky eating was one of the sports in the Winter Olympics, would your child win the gold medal?

Here’s a great picture book that might help your child try new foods.

MONSTERS DON’T EAT BROCCOLI

Written by Barbara Jean Hicks

Illustrated by Sue Hendra

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers (2009)

Ages: 3-7

Synopsis: From School Library Journal:

“Kids generally don’t like eating broccoli. Apparently, neither do monsters. Sure, they like tractors, rocket ships, and boulders. Only don’t give them artichokes, lima beans, or anything green. When the “monsters” eat giant maple trees, though, they discover Continue reading →

Author Emily Lim – Will Write for Cookies

Posted on February 15, 2014 by viviankirkfield

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION FOR WRITERS

TODAY’S GUEST

EMILY LIM

There are many reasons to blog…for me, one of the most important is to reach out and connect.

And that is how I connected author Emily Lim. Two years ago, while searching for articles on the importance of picture books, I discovered Mum Mum’s The Word, Emily’s blog. I didn’t know who she was…I only knew that someone had written a darn good post about a topic near and dear to my heart. I linked my post to hers…and the rest is history.

I met Emily when I was in Singapore last year at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content. She is kind and generous and smart and beautiful and talented and a true friend. As one of the festival directors, Emily was directly responsible for my being there. I was thrilled and honored to go…and I am equally thrilled and honored to shine the Will Write for Cookies spotlight on one of Singapore’s leading picture book authors, Emily Lim!

Welcome, Emily…thank you so much for agreeing to the interview. I know everyone is anxious to hear all about you.

Who were your favorite authors/illustrators when you were a child?

Emily: Enid Blyton was my all time favourite. I dreamt of finding a faraway tree and wishing chair which could take me to magical places. When I was older, my girlfriends and I all chanted Judy Blume’s recommended… ahem…exercises.
What do you know now that you wish you had known when you first started writing for children?

Emily: I wish I knew how helpful it is to have critique partners and Continue reading →