Happy Book Birthday: MAMA’S HOME (AND BABY, TOO!)

Posted on October 13, 2026 by viviankirkfield

Welcome back, dear friends! It’s Tuesday…and Tuesday is often the launch day for brand-new books…and so I hope you are ready for Cake and Candles and a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to You for Dawn Babb Prochovnic’s 20th book and debut board book: MAMA’S HOME (AND BABY, TOO!), illustrated by Adele Dafflon and published by Familius.

I absolutely love the art…so kid-friendly! And the simple rhyming text is guaranteed to put smiles on our youngest story lovers’ faces. Author Dawn and I have been kid lit friends for many years…and so, when I heard she had another new book…and her first BOARD BOOK, I knew I’d want to help her celebate!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MAMA’S HOME (AND BABY, TOO!) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

And guess what? Dawn was kind enough to stop by to share a bit about the story…and the story behind the story.

ME: WELCOME, DAWN! We’re so glad to have you here at Picture Books Help Kids Soar! Can you share What Inspired You to Write This Story, and What Were Some Notable Moments on the Path to Publication?

DAWN: Thank you so much for celebrating this book birthday along with me, Vivian! Mama’s Home (and Baby Too!) is a 95-word story that took over 20 years to become a book. I never gave up on this story; it’s a bit surreal that it’s finally coming to be.

It began as a poem that I jotted down on a scrap of paper as I watched my preschool-aged son blissfully engage in imaginative play at our local children’s museum. For context, that same son graduated from college a couple of years ago.

I loved the idea of a slice-of-life story about child-centered activities that collectively make for a joyful, play-filled childhood. The first working title I penciled in was, Childhood Bliss.

Over time, it became clear that the story would need a stronger hook in order to become a book.

I loved the essence of the story enough to keep working on it, and I experimented with many different approaches, including structuring it as a novelty book that incorporated American Sign Language. Although these approaches generated interest, they did not generate book offers.

I continued to revise the story with different themes in mind. For a couple of years, it was entitled Grandma’s House is Happiness, and associated revisions incorporated elements of connection with an active and engaged grandparent. Eventually, the focus shifted to the excitement and delight in sharing simple, joyful activities with a parent who returns home after being away for an extended period of time. With that angle, the working title became, Mama’s Home!, and I revised the story to incorporate the preparations for and anticipation of Mama’s return . . . from somewhere.

When I submitted Mama’s Home! to Familius, co-founder and CEO Christopher Robbins and team (rightfully!) wondered if I might be open to a more specific reason for Mama being away— the arrival of a new sibling. This brought additional revisions that incorporated the anticipation and preparations for Mama’s return, featuring activities that could be engaged in with a recuperating Mama and new baby.

To bring authenticity to the sibling component, I mined my memories of my younger sister’s arrival, and I looked for opportunities to emphasize and lean into the enduring and evolving nature of the relationship between Mama and an older child.

Additionally, I mined memories about my own mom being away from home for extended periods when I was a child. In her case it was due to health issues, but no matter the reason, it was always such a delight when she returned home.

One of the things I especially love about the final book is the way in which Adèle Dafflon’s illustrations beautifully capture the element of family. Papa and older siblings are together. Waiting. Pitching in. Contributing. Staying close. And once Mama and baby come home, the familial love and joy simply expands and grows.

Eventually, after input from industry sales reps and the publisher’s marketing team, the current title, Mama’s Home (and Baby Too!), came to be.

Despite all the twists and turns this story took along the path to publication and throughout many (many!) revisions, the essence of the story—childhood bliss—remains true. It’s the story idea that took hold of me from the start and insisted on being written. It’s the part of the story that I connected with so deeply when I watched my own child engage in imaginative play and scribbled down a rough poem. It’s the part of the story that kept me motivated to keep working on it until it was just right. A story about a joyful, play-filled, childhood—and now, a unique take on the arrival of a new sibling, and a loving family making room for one more.

ME: Thank you so much for all of this, dear Dawn! My takeaway is…NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR STORY…and also, be willing to revise and to listen to editor advice. I’m so glad you practiced patience and perseverance, my friend.

And now, here’s some info about the author and illustrator…and ways you can connect with them and BUY and REVIEW this important book!

Dawn Babb Prochovnic is the author of over 20 children’s books including Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?, Lucy’s Blooms, and her latest title, Mama’s Home (and Baby Too!). She has devoted her life’s work to initiatives that support literacy and the literary arts, including early literacy enrichment programs, school author visits, writing workshops, and her educational blog. Dawn is the recipient of the Walt Morey Award and the esteemed “Pleasure Reading Award” (her most memorable fifth-grade achievement). She lives in Portland, Oregon with her family and fan-favorites, Pickle the Cat and Sophie the Paddleboarding Pup.

Adèle Dafflon was born in Fribourg, Switzerland, in 1985. She graduated in illustration at École Supérieure des Arts Saint-Luc de Liège in 2012 and began drawing birth announcement cards. Soon, she was contacted for individual and collective projects. Sharing a studio with four artists since 2018, she draws nature, animals, and insects in a colorful style with a dash of genuine humor.

Author and Illustrator’s Websites:

Dawn: www.dawnprochovnic.com
Adèle: https://www.adeledafflon.com/

Author’s Social Media Links:
Substack: @dawnprochovnic.substack.com
Bluesky: @DawnProhovnic.bsky.social
Facebook: @DawnProchovnicAuthor
Instagram: @DawnProchovnic
LinkedIn: @DawnProchovnic
Pinterest: @DawnProchovnic
YouTube: @dprochovnic

Buy Links:
Familius
Bookshop
B&N
Amazon

Just saying, dear friends…if you have any friends or family who are expecting a baby and have a young child already at home, THIS is the perfect gift.
Thank you for spending your precious time with us…I hope you all have a beautiful week!

Perfect Picture Book Friday: WINTER SOLSTICE HILL

Posted on October 9, 2026 by viviankirkfield

Hello dear friends! Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday! Today’s featured picture book is launching on October 20th…and so we are all getting a wonderful sneak peek…PLUS, because the author, Cathy Stefanec Ogren, a long-time kid-lit friend of mine, is such a fab person, we are also getting a mini-interview with her as she shares the story behind the story!

WINTER SOLSTICE HILL

Written by Cathy Stefanec Ogren

Illustrated by Rebecca Evans

Published by Charlesbridge (October 20, 2026)

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Winter Solstice, intergenerational activities, SEL

Synopsis: From Amazon:

A warm, wintry tale that helps kids navigate disappointment, reminding readers that even when plans shift, the magic of tradition can still shine through.

Bundled in snow clothes, Ella waits to join Gramps on her first winter solstice adventure. They go up Winter Solstice Hill, where they will pick a holiday tree and Ella will get to partake on the family tradition for the first time: making a wish on the winter solstice star. But when clouds hide the solstice star, Ella worries she will miss out on this important family tradition. Then a snow storm forces Ella and Gramps to cut their trip short.

Will Ella be the only one in her family to not make a wish on the winter solstice star? Or will Gramps

WHY I LOVE THIS BOOK:
1. I love books that are layered…and this one has so many hooks: SEL (coping with disappointment), intergenerational activities/family togetherness, nature, courage.
2. I love books with lyrical text that weaves a magical web around the reader…Cathy’s writing is so beautiful.
3. I love books where the illustrations fill our eyes…and our hearts…the art is joyous and filled with emotion.

ME: And now, as promised, Cathy is here to share a bit about why she wrote WINTER SOLSTICE HILL. Welcome, dear Cathy! Thank you for stopping by.

CATHY: Thank you for having me, Vivian. It’s a joy to be here…and to share the story behind the story.
Wisconsin. Rural living. Dairy farms. Lowing cows. Cornfields. Colorful fall landscapes. Snow-covered rolling hills. Teaching in a four-room rural school. Gatherings with family, friends, and neighbors.

Those are memories of my life in Wisconsin. We have a joke in our family that I’ve never lived in a house more than ten years because of job transfers by my father and my husband. I was born in Wisconsin and lived there two other times after getting married. Both times we lived in rural communities. I loved the crisp weather and bright colors that fall brings along with the promise of the winter season soon to follow. A few years ago, as the days grew darker earlier and the winter solstice approached, I had the urge to write a holiday story, using my Wisconsin memories. I wrote down a list of ideas and included themes of family, traditions, and new experiences. After many drafts and excellent suggestions from my critique partners. WINTER SOLSTICE HILL came to life. An editor saw potential in my manuscript and wanted to hold on to it. I was over the moon. When the editor went on maternity leave, I had to wait many moons before I was offered a contract. The wait was excruciating, but it was worth it. Rebecca Evans’ illustrations are gorgeous.

ME: Thank you so much, Cathy. I think it’s so valuable for all of us on the path to publication to hear that the wait is often long…and that our patience is often tested…but if we don’t give up…our hopes can be realized!

And, dear friends, here’s a little bit about the author and the illustrator…and some links that will help you connect with them AND purchase copies of this gorgeous book!

Cathy’s Bio:
As a child, Cathy Stefanec Ogren spent her time scripting plays for her neighborhood friends and persuading parents to come and watch with the promise of Oscar-winning performances. As a grown-up, she became a teacher and a school librarian before becoming a full-time writer. Cathy is the author of PEW! The Stinky and Legen-Dairy Gift from Colonel Thomas S. Meacham and The Little Red Chair. She now resides with her husband in New Hampshire.

Rebecca Evans’ Bio:
Rebecca Evans started drawing as soon as she could hold a crayon. She has a BA in visual art from Messiah College, with a concentration on drawing and illustration, and works as an artist and designer. She is the author-illustrator of Alone Like Me and If You Ever Meet a Skeleton.

She has also illustrated many picture books, including Baby’s Opposites and All Will Be Well.

Rebecca lives in Maryland with her husband and their four children.

Social Media:
Author Website: https://cathystefanecogren.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathy.ogren
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathyo.likes/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/CathySOgren
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/cathyso.bsky.social

AND THERE IS A SPECIAL OFFER IF YOU PRE-ORDER FROM CATHY’S FAVORITE INDIE BOOKSTORE (it’s my favorite indie bookstore also)

Pre-order WINTER SOLSTICE HILL @ BOOKERY MANCHESTER

Receive an author-signed copy, a bookmark, and a wishing star craft

Well, as Elmer Fudd used to say, “That’s all folks!”
Please remember that we can help beautiful books become a success if we:
Buy a copy
Review the book
Tell friends about the book (Please share this post on your social media…the share buttons below make it easy)
Ask your local library to purchase copies for their shelves

Thank you all for spending your precious time with us. Fall is a wonderful time for new books…and we have a full schedule of blog posts coming up…Book Birthdays and Perfect Picture Book Fridays galore. And I’ve even started gathering prizes for #50PreciousWords…an author friend, Heather Stigall, reached out to offer a PB Critique…and she asked if I’d be interested in a prize from her agent…and when I said YES (as if there could be any other answer), she connected me with her agent and voila. we now have another agent prize…a PB Critique from the lovely Amy Nielsen from the Purcell Agency. So, if you are an author or an illustrator and you have an agent or an editor you think might want to hop on board the #50PreciousWords prize train, please reach out and let me know…the more, the merrier!

Cover Reveal: NO FEATHERS IN YOUR HATS!

Posted on October 5, 2026 by viviankirkfield

The publishing industry is more challenging than ever…which makes posts like this all the more special! So, when author Lynn Street reached out to let me know that NO FEATHERS IN YOUR HATS! was going to be a real book, I knew I’d want to help her celebrate. This is a fabulous story…and just look at the AWEOME cover with art by the wonderful Anne Lambelet.

I know you will all love this story of how Florence Merriam Bailey saved millions of birds! And because author Street is so gracious, she stopped in to chat about the story behind the story.

ME: Welcome, Lynn! Thank you so much for visiting with us at Picture Books Help Kids Soar. Please share a little about the story…and the story behind the story.

LYNN: It’s a pleasure to be here, Vivian! And thank you for helping me celebrate the cover…I love Anne’s art so much!
Title: No Feathers in Your Hats!: How Florence Merriam Bailey Saved Millions of Birds
Author: Lynn Street
Illustrator: Anne Lambelet
Release Date: February 23, 2027

ME: What is the book about?

LYNN: This nonfiction picture book biography spotlights self-taught ornithologist Florence Merriam Bailey, who wrote the first US birdwatching guide in 1889 to help fight feathered fashions. She wanted to introduce the public to the beauty of observing birds in nature—instead of on women’s hats!

In the late 1800s, the study of birds was not considered a subject for girls. But Florence loved her feathered friends and thrived on watching their behavior in the woods and meadows around her family’s New York farm.

As a student at Smith College in Massachusetts, Florence encountered birds adorning ladies’ hats! She was alarmed to learn this fashion trend harmed up to five million birds a year. Florence urged her classmates to boycott feathered hats, and she introduced them to the beauty of living birds by leading nature walks. If her classmates met bobolinks and bluebirds up close, surely they would be eager to protect them!

But Florence’s passion propelled her to do more. After college, she decided to publish a guide to seventy common US birds—Birds Through an Opera-Glass. A remarkable achievement for a 26-year-old—at a time when ornithology was not open to women!

Through her advocacy, Florence brought the wonder of observing birds to everyone. Her efforts marked the beginnings of birdwatching, now enjoyed by 96 million people in the US.

And Florence’s revolutionary idea to observe birds in nature with opera or field glasses helped to advance a nationwide conservation movement to protect these winged wonders.

Illustrator Anne Lambelet did an incredible job with her true-to-life depictions of the birds and Victorian fashions in this book. Anne did a tremendous amount of image research, and I studied historical archives and visited Smith College to see Florence’s campus for myself.

I recently found out that No Feathers in Your Hats!: How Florence Merriam Bailey Saved Millions of Birds is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. I’m looking forward to libraries having this title on their shelves for curious readers to explore!

ME: What inspired you to write this?

LYNN:
I discovered Florence Merriam Bailey in a news article. Even though I find birds fascinating, I had not heard about her pivotal role in fighting fashion trends by authoring the first US birdwatching guide. I did not know she helped establish some of the earliest Audubon Societies at Smith College and in Washington, D.C. Florence devoted her life to championing birds, writing many articles and books about them. I particularly admired her ability to combine writing and science in a way that everyone could understand.

I hope that readers will be as excited as I was to learn more about Florence, and to try some of her timeless birdwatching tips listed in No Feathers in Your Hats! Of the 70 bird species included in Florence’s guide, readers can spot 30 in the pages of this picture book!

ME: WOW! Thank you so much, Lynn. Students and teachers are going to ‘flock’ to bookstores to grab a copy when it launches in February!
And now, dear friends, here is information that will help you learn more about author Lynn and illustrator Anne…please links to connect with them and purchase the book!

Social media links
Website – lynnstreetbooks.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lynnstreetbooks/
Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/lynnstreetbooks.bsky.social
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/lynn.street.1466

Lynn Street Author bio

Lynn Street is a science-inspired author sharing lively, lyrical STEM stories with young readers. She loves concepts that cross disciplines, and personal narratives set against a sea of facts. Her passion is writing for curious observers who want to discover the wonders of their world.

Lynn’s writing celebrates nature and invites readers to slow down and explore. Lynn is dedicated to environmental education and integrating art, science, writing, and nature for kids. Lynn holds an MFA in creative writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Her previous nonfiction picture book, The Blue Jays That Grew a Forest, received strong recognition, honored as an ALA/ALSC Notable Book, a NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book, and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.

Anne Lambelet (illustrator)

ANNE LAMBELET has been writing and illustrating children’s books since before she can remember. She has published ten picture books, and two graphic novels. She is also the author-illustrator of Beatrix and Her Friends, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. A native of Iowa, she now lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two sons. She especially loves drawing birds, and this picture book has given her that opportunity in abundance.

Pre-order links to the online bookshops
Little Shop of Stories
My book link: https://littleshopofstories.com/book/9781682636930

Bookshop.org
My book link: https://bookshop.org/p/books/no-feathers-in-your-hats-how-florence-merriam-bailey-saved-millions-of-birds-lynn-street/8f66aca48b13bc38?ean=9781682636930&bkshp-astro=t

Amazon
My book link: https://tinyurl.com/yeyewntz

B&N
My book link:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-feathers-in-your-hats-lynn-street/1150247441?ean=9781682636930

Thank you for spending your precious time with us, dear friends. I am back from my trip to Greece…it was fabulous…and I’ll try to do a post in a few days to share some of the photos for those who aren’t on Facebook. But meanwhile, I hope you all have a wonderful week!