Happy Book Birthday: HAZEL AND MABEL: TWO HEARTS APART

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It’s Tuesday, dear friends…and you know what that means! It’s time to sing Happy Birthday to a brand new book from a long-time kid lit buddy of mine, Melissa Stoller.  

It’s called: HAZEL AND MABEL: TWO HEARTS APART…and it’s illustrated by Anita Bagdi and published by Gnome Road Publishing!

And because Melissa is a sweetheart – she’s stopped by to share a bit of the story behind the story. She knows we always love to get a peek at what inspires writers to write a particular story.
ME: Welcome, Melissa! Thank you so much for visiting with us today! Please share a little bit about the story and why you wrote it.

MELISSA: Thank you for hosting me on your blog, Vivian! I could not think of a better book birthday launch for HAZEL AND MABEL: TWO HEARTS APART, illustrated by the extremely talented Anita Bagdi, and published by Gnome Road Publishing. It’s a story about friendship, and I am grateful for our amazing friendship which has spanned many years.

This book is about what happens after a best friend moves away, and when she returns, things don’t feel exactly as they used to. I was inspired to write this story because my children and I have experienced people moving and friendships shifting and changing. Through Hazel and Mabel’s adventures, I wanted children to see that while someone can change, the friendship can still survive. Also, Hazel and Mabel communicate through letters and they both love writing and storytelling. This becomes part of the creative way they find to get the heart of their friendship beating again. Including characters who enjoy writing made my heart sing!

ME: Can you share a bit about how it was to work with your editor? And also, how did you feel when you saw the illustrations?

MELISSA: It has been a dream working with Sandra Sutter and her team at Gnome Road Publishing! And Anita’s illustrations are absolutely stunning and capture all the emotions the characters feel such as disappointment, longing, happiness, and more. I especially appreciate all the details she includes, and I love that she shows Mabel moving away in a hot air balloon. Too cute! And she illustrates how Hazel and Mabel send their letters back and forth – through an Owl Post – truly adorable! 

ME: I’m so glad it was such a positive experience, Melissa! And thank you for writing this story…we need all the friendship stories we can get to help mend our somewhat broken world. Plus, I understand you have teacher resources on your website.

MELISSA: Thank you again for highlighting HAZEL AND MABEL: TWO HEARTS APART on launch day! I am so excited for young readers to discover the enduring friendship of Hazel and Mabel! And for educators: check out my website at www.MelissaStoller.com for a complimentary Educator’s Curriculum Guide with discussion questions, enrichment materials, and lesson ideas. 

Dear friends, here’s a little bit about author Melissa Stoller:
 
Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. Her newest picture book, Hazel and Mabel: Two Hearts Apart, illustrated by Anita Bagdi, releases from Gnome Road Publishing on September 30, 2025. Melissa’s next picture book, Stella’s Special Recipe, illustrated by Valerya Milovanova, will release from Kar-Ben Publishing in Fall 2026.                                                                                        

Melissa is also the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection – Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written). Melissa is a Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, and a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Trustee. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and Central Park walks with family and friends. 
 
 TO CONNECT WITH MELISSA AND FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HER BOOKS:
 https://www.MelissaStoller.com
https://www.MelissaStoller.com/blog 
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
http://www.twitter.com/melissastoller
http://www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller

@MelissaStoller.bsky.social
​

You can purchase HAZEL AND MABEL: TWO HEARTS APART at these bookstores:
https://bookshop.org/p/books/hazel-and-mabel-two-hearts-apart-melissa-stoller/960a747616a2c234?ean=9781957655574&next=t&next=t

https://www.amazon.com/Hazel-Mabel-Two-Hearts-Apart/dp/1957655577/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hazel-and-mabel-melissa-stoller/1146882184?ean=9781957655574

And because we want beautiful books like this one to become a success and get into the hands of young readers, we can:
Buy the book – use one of the links above
Review the book
Tell friends about the book (PLEASE share this post on your social media)
Ask local libraries to purchase copies for their collection

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

Perfect Picture Book Friday: WOODY’S WORDS: Woodrow Wilson Rawls and Where the Red Fern Grows Plus PB Critique GIVEAWAY

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Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! Today’s author is a longtime kidlit friend of mine…we both debuted in 2019 and have been friends ever since! She has graciously offered a giveaway for a Picture Book Critique (nonrhyming under 600 words). So, please make sure you leave a comment.

WOODY’S WORDS: WOODROW WILSON RAWLS AND WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS

Written by Lisa Rogers

Illustrated by Susan Reagan

Published by Calkins Creek/Astra (September 9, 2025)

Ages: 7-10

Themes: Perseverance, accepting help, the power of words

From Astra: The life of Woodrow “Woody” Wilson Rawls, the author of the children’s classic Where the Red Fern Grows, is revealed in this nonfiction picture book for ages 7 – 10 that celebrates persistence, creativity, and chasing dreams.

When Woody Rawls read The Call of the Wild, a classic novel about a stolen mistreated dog and a kindly man, his life was forever changed. Maybe it was because he loved his own dog, or maybe it was because the story reached deep into his heart and stayed there. From then on, Woody was determined to learn to write and become a teller of tales.

Woody didn’t care that he couldn’t afford pen and paper. He would use a stick in the sand if he had to. Woody trusted his heart and used his imagination to create his stories, which he shared with Rowdy, his trusty hound. Woody never stopped writing even when it was hard to and when life got in the way. He went on to write several novels and publish two books for children– including the timeless classic Where the Red Fern Grows. This story of hard work creatively presented by author Lisa Rogers and illustrator Susan Reagan will resonate with young readers and adults alike.

Why I Love This Book
1. I love books about authors of classic books!

2. I love books that take me to a different place and time!
3. I love books filled with heart – Wilson Rawls’ struggle to realize his dream of becoming an author is relatable and makes his achievement one to celebrate!

ME:I was chatting with Lisa and mentioned that we all love to hear about the path to publication for our Perfect Picture Book Friday books…and she graciously stopped by.
Welcome, Lisa! Can you share a bit about why you wrote this story and how it came about?

Lisa:  Thanks for sharing WOODY’S WORDS today, Vivian! I have a special story about the impetus for writing this book.

During my career as an elementary library teacher, I read thousands of books. But I had never read Where the Red Fern Grows, the classic story of a boy and his hounds, until one of my students told me how much it moved him.

That afternoon, I brought home the book and could not put it down. The story held my attention from its start to its heart-rending finish. But I gasped aloud as I read the note about its author: “Though he didn’t have access to real books until he was of high-school age…”

I had to know more. I instantly was captivated as I listened to Rawls telling his life story—a priceless treasure, made available online, thanks to Woody’s wife, Sophie Rawls, and read-aloud champion Jim Trelease. I was drawn to Rawls’ world just as I was drawn into Where the Red Fern Grows.

There was more to Woody’s story, though, which I discovered during extensive research, including interviews with family members. That research made Rawls’ achievement even more impressive than I could have imagined.

What struck me, though, was not just his achievement. It was that he gave up—completely abandoned his dream–until he found encouragement from Sophie.

That struggle resonated with me. Growing up, I shared Woody’s dream of becoming a published author. I had advantages that Woody did not have, but I didn’t try writing until I was in my second career as a librarian. I almost gave up, but our wonderful kidlit writing community encouraged me.


I think Woody’s story is a wonderful example for anyone — child or adult — with a dream. Almost no one reaches a goal without some kind of help. If Woody hadn’t trusted his wife to help and encourage him, we would not have Where the Red Fern grows to cherish and read over and over again. Look for his acknowledgement of that help in the dedication to Where the Red Fern Grows.

Woody’s Words is beautifully and tenderly illustrated by Susan Reagan. Susan’s art is gorgeous and so evocative!!

I’m sharing an activity for practicing writing like Woody did. It’s from my Woody’s Words Activity Kit, which anyone can obtain by signing up for my newsletter at lisarogerswrites.com.

ME: WOW…thank you so much, Lisa. I loved hearing your path to publication for this book. And thank you for providing the writing activity! What could be better than encouraging readers to write?

RELATED ACTIVITY:

Write like Wilson Rawls!

Woody learned to write as a child in the Ozarks of Oklahoma by noticing what was around him. Find a spot that is special to you or imagine that you are there. What do you see, hear, touch, taste, smell? Use as many senses as you can.

Write down one or two words for each sense. Then, choose more specific, “juicy” words to describe what you imagine. For example, you might “see” a bird flying. How does it move? Does it soar, swoop, circle, dive?

Then, use your beautiful words to write a poem or description of your special place.

Keep all of your work, even if you don’t think it’s your best. As Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator Brian Lies says, “Practice makes better.” Keep writing. Keep noticing. With practice, maybe you will become a cherished author, just like Wilson Rawls!

ME: I’m so excited to add this beautiful book to my special shelf of books by dear friends. And honestly, I am also going to get a copy of WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS…I’m sure I read it years ago…but it feels like a story that will become a faithful friend…there when you need inspiration or encouragement…the perfect book for these difficult days.

To order your OWN copy from Lisa’s local indie bookstore:

Buy link: https://www.wellesleybooks.com/book/9781662680298

Website: https://lisarogerswrites.com

And here’s a little bit more about Lisa:

Lisa Rogers’ career as an elementary library teacher inspired her to write for children. She’s the award-winning author of Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage, 16 Words: William Carlos Williams and “The Red Wheelbarrow,” Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony, and the brand-new Woody’s Words: Woodrow Wilson Rawls and Where the Red Fern Grows. A former news reporter and editor, Lisa received degrees in English Literature from William & Mary and Boston College and a master’s in Library Science from Southern Connecticut State University. In 2024, she served as a PB Rising Stars mentor. A four-time runner of the Boston Marathon, she daydreams, runs, paints, and has adventures with her hound near Boston.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your precious time with us. Please don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to WIN the fabulous giveaway: A Picture Book Critique (nonrhyming, under 600 words) from the lovely and talented Lisa. If you have read it, maybe you can share your thoughts about Where the Red Fern Grows…and if you haven’t, perhaps you can share the title of another childhood favorite that inspired and encouraged you.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Book Birthday: MY BACKYARD USED TO BE Plus GIVEAWAY

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Lalalala! I’m getting my voice ready to sing a joyous Happy Book Birthday to MY BACKYARD USED TO BE, written by Lynn Baldwin, illustrated by Megan Elizabeth Baratta and published by Tilbury House Press. I’m especially excited about this book because I saw an early draft of this years ago and I told Lynn…this is a book! And now it is! And guess what!! The lovely Lynn is offering a GIVEAWAY…a brand new copy of MY BACKYARD USED TO BE for one lucky WINNER. Just leave a comment on this blog post.

WOW! This is a fabulous story…and kids will connect with it because it’s all about what came before us…whether a kid lives in a city or rural farmland, they can imagine what it was like before they were there…and the book goes WAY back in time…fascinating! And, what’s also fascinating is that author Lynn stopped by to chat with us – and share the story behind the story.
ME: Welcome, Lynn! Thank you for stopping by Picture Books Help Kids Soar. Can you tell us a little about the story and how you came to write it?

LYNN: Thank you so much for inviting me, Vivian. And thank you for helping to celebrate the book birthday of MY BACKYARD USED TO BE.
Here’s a short synopsis of the book:

My backyard is where we play and learn, but it wasn’t always my backyard…

Hit rewind on the view out your backdoor as this story zips back in time, showing readers how people, lifestyles, and land have changed over time. My Backyard Used to Be makes history feel current and accessible to young readers―and encourages them to discover what their own backyard used to be.

About the Story:

I’m so excited to be celebrating the release of my first picture book on your blog, Vivian! It’s especially meaningful because I hired you to do a critique of this story early on and I’m sure some of your suggestions helped improve the story☺ 

I had several sources of inspiration for this story. A few years back, I read the amazing picture book Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome and loved how she told the story backwards. I tried a few different ideas using that framework, but nothing clicked…until I remembered that a neighbor had mentioned that our neighborhood used to be a farm. One day, I was thinking about that, and about how important it is for kids to be active outdoors. As I kid, I loved playing in my backyard with my sisters and friends, and I also have many happy memories of backyard fun with my son when he was younger. All of these ideas came together to create My Backyard Used to Be. 

This story is loosely set in Ann Arbor, MI, where I live but it’s not tied to a particular piece of land. My goal was to write a lyrical book that would be fun to read aloud. As it evolved, I realized the story could help kids think about the joy of playing outside, the history of their own backyard and what we can all do to make sure our backyards can be enjoyed by the next generation. 

The interesting thing about this story is how quickly it came together! I connected with editor Sarah Rockett through an SCBWI critique event and actually signed the contract for the book one year to the day of the first draft! Then, the story went from acquisition to publication in less than a year-and-a-half! I know this is highly unusual and likely won’t happen again, especially as most of my other stories have been “in the making” for years. However, it didn’t feel that fast because I’ve been writing and working toward publication ever since my son was a toddler…and he’s now a teenager! 

I’m really thrilled with what illustrator Megan Elizabeth Baratta added to the story, and I’m really looking forward to a launch event at my local independent bookstore and school visits. 

Author Bio:
Lynn Baldwin is a picture book author who lives in Ann Arbor, MI, with her husband and teenage son. She writes in a purple office under a “Create with Joy” sign or on her deck surrounded by trees. Lynn loves being outdoors – whether exploring the world or in her own backyard. My Backyard Used to Be is her first book. To find out more about Lynn and connect with her: https://www.lynnbaldwinbooks.com/

Illustrator Bio:

Megan Elizabeth Baratta is a children’s book illustrator and winner of the School Library Journal’s inaugural 2022 Endies Award for Best Map. She lives in central New York with her husband, daughter, and son. Her books include Most Days, I Begin with Spring and The Secret Stream. 

ME: What a talented team! The book is beautiful, Lynn…and I’m thrilled for you – and for all the kiddos who will enjoy reading it!

And now, dear blog friends, let’s do our part to help this book get into the hands of young readers. We can:
Buy the book
Review the book
Tell friends about the book (PLEASE share on social media)
Ask local libraries to purchase copies for their collection

And, if you want to purchase from Lynn’s local indie:
Link to Purchase from Schuler Books, my local bookstore: https://www.schulerbooks.com/book/9781668955239Thank you for spending your precious time with us…and don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to WIN a copy of MY BACKYARD USED TO BE…maybe you can share what you see when you look in your ‘backyard’.
I hope you all have a wonderful week. Tomorrow I will be meeting Laura Knoy, the host of ReadLocalNH, a podcast direct from Concord, NH. Laura has invited me to join her to chat about ONE GIRL’S VOICE…I’m excited!