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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.

Will Write for Cookies: Iza Trapani In the Spotlight

Can you hear my heart beating quickly?

I remember this feeling – kind of scared – very excited – a little anxious.

When I was in 7th grade, we made an apron in home ec (short for home economics – the class all the GIRLS took so they would know how to cook and sew…BOYS took woodworking so they would know how to…build a log cabin?).

Each student received a piece of material and a pattern and instructions on how to proceed. It took a great deal of courage to make that first cut, knowing that if you did it incorrectly, your finished apron would look ridiculous.

I’m sure artists feel the same way when their hand hovers over a clean blank canvas.

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As I hover over this new project and lay out the template for future posts in the ‘WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES’ series, I experience those same feelings. My vision is to provide insights and information from experienced authors and illustrators – my hope is that you will find these posts educational and entertaining.

Lucky for me, the award-winning, multi-talented children’s author and illustrator, Iza Trapani, graciously agreed to participate. I’ve gotten to know Iza through her wonderful picture books and her warm and generous comments on many kid lit blogs.

iza trapani at work

Kids have an innate curiosity that drives them to always be asking WHO? WHAT?, WHERE? WHEN/ and WHY? So here, without further ado to answer those questions AND to provide us with a recipe for a treat that is guaranteed to excite your taste-buds, is the lovely Iza!

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

Sto Bajek cover

I immigrated to the U.S. from Poland when I was seven years old. One of my favorite books was a collection of poems called Sto Bajek (100 Tales) and I still have a copy! The author was Jan Brzechwa and his poems were full of Seuss-like humor and hyperbole. The wordplay, tongue-twisters playful language and clever concepts never ceased to delight and amaze me. One example is Continue reading

National Bullying Prevention Month – PPBF

Today is Friday – I have a children’s book review to add to the Perfect Picture Book resource list that author Susanna Leonard Hill is building on her blog. For more wonderful reviews from authors, educators and others who contributed today, please go here.

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We’ve been so busy with our move, the fact that it is National Bullying Prevention Month almost got past me. We read tragic stories in the media about kids who suffer from bullying so much, they can think of no other option but to take their own lives. The campaign to prevent bullying starts with each one of us. What will you do to help?

One of the things I do is to encourage parents to help their young children develop strong positive self-esteem. Kids who believe they are valuable and worthwhile are much less likely to be bullied. Spending time with your children, whether you are reading, crafting, cooking or simply having a conversation with them, is an important way. Please check out my award-winning parent/teacher resource for quick and easy activities that are fun for the entire family.

Another important element in building self-esteem is feeling loved and accepted. One of the stories on my grandson’s bookshelf is all about this.

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THE KISS BOX

Written by Bonnie Verburg

Illustrated by Henry Cole

Publisher: Orchard Books (2011)

Ages: 3 and up

Themes:

Separation anxiety, feeling loved

Opening Lines:

“Mama Bear was always home, and that’s how Little Bear liked it. But sooner or later, all mama bears need to go away, even if it’s just for a little while.” Continue reading

READING FOR RENN – One Kid Trying to Help Another Battle Epilepsy

READING FOR RENN – One Kid Trying to Help Another Battle Epilepsy.

One of the most amazing members of this amazing kid lit community is a kid himself.

Erik is only 11, but he has the heart and soul that is bigger and more generous than most adults.

Please read how he is reaching out, through reading books, to help another child.

Please share this with all of your social networks!

Please support Erik’s efforts to help Renn and his family!

Thank you!