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

Posted on September 26, 2025 by viviankirkfield

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

Posted on September 23, 2025 by viviankirkfield

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!

Book Birthday: UNIQUE LIKE YOU Plus Giveaway

Posted on September 16, 2025 by viviankirkfield

From idea to published book…what a process! It takes passion, practice, preparation, patience, and perseverance! And that’s why our Book Birthday posts are so very special because we are celebrating all of that hard work – and we are thrilled that the story we hoped to share is ready to fly into the hands of young readers. More than anything, our children need books that will lift them up and empower them to believe in themselves…so, when I heard that UNIQUE LIKE YOU, written by Allison and Rafael Rozo and illustrated by Angie Alape, I knew I had to share it with you.

And guess what? Allison stopped by to share the story behind the story…and to offer a wonderful GIVEAWAY…one lucky person will receive a copy of the book AND an adorable stuffy!

ME: Dear friends…that’s a cover to sing about, right? So, let’s welcome Allison who co-wrote this story with her husband…and she’s going to talk about how that process unfolded also. Allison, thanks for stopping by Picture Books Help Kids Soar!

ALLISON: Thank you so much Vivian for helping us celebrate the Book Birthday of UNIQUE LIKE YOU, a story that is near and dear to our hearts! We would be thrilled to do a Giveaway of a signed copy of our book!

SHORT SUMMARY OF UNIQUE LIKE YOU

What makes you unique?

While helping her Mamá collect empty cans, old newspapers, and other recyclable treasure to sell, Lina discovers a wall of graffiti with the words ÚNICO COMO TÚ, UNIQUE LIKE YOU. This discovery sends her on a quest through Bogotá, Colombia, to find treasure where she least expects it, and to discover what makes her unique.

With Spanish vocabulary woven throughout the story, Unique Like You transports readers to the colorful streets of Bogotá and encourages them to look at the world with curious eyes. What unique treasures wait to be discovered around us? What makes each of us unique? A helpful glossary in the back of the book makes it an accessible read for all.

WHY WE WROTE UNIQUE LIKE YOU

UNIQUE LIKE YOU was inspired by a photograph I took in 2009 on a trip with Rafael to Bogotá, Colombia of recicladores (a mother, her young daughter, and their donkey who collect reusable trash to sell or trade) in the middle of the bustling capital city as they stopped in front of a wall of graffiti with the words ÚNICO COMO TÚ, UNIQUE LIKE YOU. The image sent us on a journey of looking at our own world with new eyes, seeing special things that are all around us every moment.

Rafael is from Bogotá, and together we created a story that represents our family and incorporates pieces of his beloved city, including graffiti art. It shows how one small moment on an average day can inspire a journey of discovery about how each one of us is unique, from a far-off country to our own neighborhood. As youths, it would have been invaluable to have a relatable character, like Lina, who speaks a different language, and is impoverished, but sees trash as treasure, opening our eyes to the beauty that is hiding all around us.

It’s our hope that readers of UNIQUE LIKE YOU discover, not only what makes them unique, but the special things in others that make them unique as well. It doesn’t have to be big, or even one thing. Many little things make each of us unique if we take the time to look. Treasure can be found where you least expect it, in the people we talk to everyday to discarded trash collected on the street. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and we wanted this book as a piece of art itself. Angie Alape’s illustrations are stunning and more beautiful than we ever imagined! You truly feel immersed in the city and find new things to see on each page.

THE WIFE & HUSBAND COLLABORATION

It is a dream come true to have this book out in the world, especially since we wrote it together. Rafael and my writing process is that I usually come up with an idea I want to explore, and I write a rough outline of the story arc or plot. Then we discuss what is working and what can be revised. When we write bilingual books, we craft the story in a way to include Spanish words and try to weave them seamlessly into the manuscript. We always add a glossary at the end of our books, but it is our intent for the words to be understood from the context and illustrations. We include moments from both of our childhoods, Rafael growing up in Colombia, and my childhood in the Midwest. We often hit walls on things that don’t translate, so we decide if it’s a language barrier or if it simply doesn’t make sense. It is a fun process, and we love creating stories that connect readers to people, places, and words that perhaps they’ve never seen or heard of before.

SHORT BIO FOR ALLISON & RAFAEL

Allison and Rafael Rozo are authors who write bilingual English and Spanish picture books to weave together their Hispanic and American cultures. They are proud to create books that represent their family—including their two children Vivian and Gianluca. The Rozos began writing when they lived in Chicago, IL, and are currently living in Akron, OH. You can go to rozobooksart.com to learn more about both Allison and Rafael.

SHORT BIO FOR ANGIE ALAPE

Angie Alape grew up drawing on cardboard boxes to build worlds to play win with her siblings. Now she illustrates picture books! When not illustrating, she loves playing with her adopted dogs and trying new restaurants. Angie was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, and still lives there today.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram:
@allisonrozo
@angie.alape

Bluesky:
@allisonrozo.bsky.social

Facebook:
@allison.rozo.books

Twitter:
@allison_rozo
@AngieAlape

Link to Purchase https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9781506492544/Unique-Like-You

UNIQUE LIKE YOU

ME: Thank you so much, Allison, for all of the insights you shared…and for the giveaway!
To grab you chance to win a copy of UNIQUE LIKE YOU and that amazing little stuffy, please leave a comment. And please share this post on social media so that more folks will find out about this beautiful new book.