Perfect Picture Book Friday: Wheels of Change

Posted on May 1, 2015 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday where I link up with Susanna Leonard Hill’s fantastic group of picture book writers, illustrators, librarians and others.

For the last month, I’ve been immersed in a different genre of books. I’m taking Jodell Sadler’s Innovative Pacing for MG/YA class. Stacks of middle grade classics sprout from every table, chair and shelf in my house. A Wrinkle in Time. The Borrowers. Little Women. And some of the newer titles as well. The One and Only Ivan. Brown Girl Dreaming. The Braid. We Are Liars. So I hope you will all bear with me as I diverge a bit from the picture book path and give you a review of a brand new historical fiction middle grade book that I just finished reading.

Wheels of Change

Written by Darlene Beck Jacobson

Publisher: Creston Books (2014)

Ages: 8-13

Themes:

Racial intolerance, being true to yourself

Synopsis:

From Amazon: “Racial intolerance, social change, and sweeping progress make Continue reading →

Julie Rowan-Zoch: Will Write for Cookies

Posted on April 18, 2015 by viviankirkfield

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION

FOR WRITERS

TODAY’S GUEST

JULIE ROWAN-ZOCH

Most of my Will Write for Cookies’ guests – in fact, most of the people I’ve connected with in this incredible kid lit community – are ‘just’ internet friends. But a very special few I have met in person – and Julie is one of those!

A few weeks before my departure from Colorado, there was an author event at the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver. I actually got to listen to Peter Brown read Mr. Tiger Goes Wild. And while that was an honor, the biggest thrill for me was going to lunch with several Colorado writers including: Julie Hedlund, Stacy Jensen, Sheri McCrimmon, and our featured author/illustrator, Julie Rowan-Zoch.

Julie grew up chasing hermit crabs on Continue reading →

Perfect Picture Book Friday: A Chair For My Mother

Posted on April 10, 2015 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday where I link up with Susanna Leonard Hill’s fantastic group of picture book writers, illustrators, librarians and others.

As usual, I have a couple of things to share before I get to the picture book review.I want to invite you to visit two of the best kidlit websites in cyberspace – Katie Davis and KidLit411.

The other day, it was my pleasure to do a podcast with Katie Davis and her wildly popular Brain Burps. We talked about the importance of marketing yourself as an author and how to get the word out about your books. She’s offering some amazing FREE training that you can find out about by listening to the podcast. Of course, good promotion is critical for any product or service you offer, so Katie’s words of wisdom will apply to many people, not just authors. Click here to go to the podcast.

One of the ways you can expand your exposure, is by doing guest posts. And it’s also just so much fun to connect with other bloggers. I was honored when Elaine Kiely Kearns invited me to join KidLit411 for an interview. Please stop over there also – you might find out Continue reading →