Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! Today’s author is a wonderful kid lit friend of mine…and we are both part of the New England SCBWI chapter. I love her books…and she has graciously offered a choice to whoever wins the giveaway: either a copy of JOAN MITCHELL PAINTS A SYMPHONY or a Picture Book Critique (nonrhyming under 600 words). So, please make sure you leave a comment.
JOAN MITCHELL PAINTS A SYMPHONY: LA GRANDE VALLÉE SUITE
Written by Lisa Rogers
Illustrated by Stacy Innerst
Published by Calkins Creek/Astra (February 25, 2025)
Synopsis: Celebrate the creative process of pioneering American abstract painter Joan Mitchell in this beautifully illustrated STEAM picture book, perfect for all kinds of young creators.
It’s 1983, and American artist Joan Mitchell is in her studio outside Paris, transforming her emotions and memories into a symphony of colors and shapes. Inspired by her friend’s description of an idyllic hidden valley in France, Mitchell creates 21 massive paintings—her Grande Vallée series —bursting with vibrant, energizing hues. But she doesn’t paint the valley’s flowers and meadows. She paints a feeling about them—abundance, freedom, liveliness—creating a harmonious blend of drips, splashes, and brushstrokes in rainbow colors. When the paint dries, it’s time to share her valley with the world.
This inspiring, poetic picture book about an influential yet lesser-known American artist provides a snapshot of a creator who deserves as much acclaim as better-known Abstract Expressionists like Jackson Pollock or Willem de Kooning. Author Lisa Rogers shares both the despair and delight Mitchell experienced throughout her career, while acclaimed illustrator Stacy Innerst’s bright artwork captures the movement and energy of Mitchell’s work, as her paintings develop from page to page.
Celebrate the creative process of pioneering American abstract painter Joan Mitchell in this beautifully illustrated STEAM picture book, perfect for all kinds of young creators.
From Astra: Celebrate the creative process of pioneering American abstract painter Joan Mitchell in this beautifully illustrated STEAM picture book, perfect for all kinds of young creator
Why I Love This Book 1. I love books that celebrate creativity! 2. I love books where the text and art work so perfectly together! 3. I love books filled with glorious illustrations – how wonderful for kids to see Joan Mitchell’s abstract paintings come to life in these pages!
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. ME: Welcome, Lisa! Can you share a bit about why you wrote this story and how it came about?
LISA: Thank you so much for featuring JOAN MITCHELL PAINTS A SYMPHONY, Vivian. I’m thrilled to share about the spark for this book!
Since childhood, I’ve loved poring over paintings – from illustrations in my poetry and folktale books to the art in museums. I’m fascinated by how each individual brings something unique to their art, and how that act of personal creation can speak to others.
I didn’t know much about Joan Mitchell’s art when I was researching her life and work for my book DISCOVER HER ART: WOMEN ARTISTS AND THEIR MASTERPIECES. I read an essay about her inspiration for a series of 21 monumental paintings – a special valley in France that was a safe place for Mitchell’s dear friend and composer Gisèle Barreau. Mitchell became entranced with the idea of this valley. She began creating enormous abstract paintings using her own memories and emotions of places, people, poetry, and music that she loved—and even her dogs, who lounged in her studio while she painted!
I’ve long been interested in what sparks creativity, and in this book I focused on Mitchell’s process. I viewed a retrospective at the Baltimore Museum of Art that included some of her Grande Vallée paintings, and even after the manuscript was finished I went to New York to see another exhibition. Each time, I was struck by the beauty and power of her energetic brushwork and brilliant color palette.
Illustrator Stacy Innerst studied Joan Mitchell’s work while he was in art school, and he used acrylic paint to create the glorious illustrations in the book. You can almost feel the texture of the paint he used. The brilliant color jumps off the page. I love that he chose to end the book with an image of two children taking in a Mitchell painting. I hope that young readers take the time to not only study the illustrations but seek out Mitchell’s paintings in museums or online.
I have been awed by the power of abstract art—and I hope young readers will feel that power, too.
ME: WOW…thank you so much, Lisa. I loved hearing your path to publication for this book. And thank you for providing the painting activity! It’s a great way for readers to create their own abstract art!
RELATED ACTIVITY:
Paint like Joan Mitchell!
Inside spread from book: Text by Lisa Rogers and art by Stacy Innerst
Materials: Paper bags, cut and unfolded to the largest possible size, or large pieces of watercolor or drawing paper.
Acrylic or watercolor paint or pastels, markers, crayons, paint pens –whatever is on hand.
Large brushes
List of emotions. Some examples: happiness, sadness, excitement, calmness, love. Add your own emotions to the list.
Steps:
Spread the paper out on a protected surface. Play some music that you like. Close your eyes and think of a place or person or animal that is important to you. How does that place or person or animal make you feel? Let your mind drift as you put yourself in that place or with that person or animal.
Open your eyes and choose a color that expresses how your place, person, or animal makes you feel. Make a few strokes that represent the feeling they give you.
Leaving some open spaces, try another color and make more strokes. You are expressing a feeling, so there is no wrong way to paint it. You might make different kinds of strokes for different emotions. You might use different colors for different emotions.
Try making drips, or layering one color partly over another. Remember to leave white space.
Keep painting until you feel like you are done. No one can decide that except for you!
Keep all of your work, even if you don’t like it at first. Try another painting. Maybe you will create a series, just like Joan Mitchell!
This is a great activity for kids…but also for adults. Next time you are feeling stuck with your writing, why not try painting?
Thank you all for stopping by and spending your precious time with us. Please make sure you leave a comment to be entered in the FABULOUS giveaway! And please remember that the best way to tell an author or illustrator that you love their work is to: Busy their books Review their books Tell friends about their books (please share this post on your social media) Ask local libraries to purchase copies of their books!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be in Massachusetts at two school visits and then, on Saturday, at the Silver Unicorn Bookstore in Acton MA at 11am – if you are local to that area, please stop by for a fabulous story time! And then pop in to the blog on the last day of March for the #50PreciousWords Prize Winners and Honorable Mentions reveal!!!
FOR WRITERS, ILLUSTRATORS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS, AND BOOK LOVERS EVERYWHERE
TODAY’S GUESTS
BETH ANDERSONVIVIAN KIRKFIELD
Welcome, everyone! I hope you are all safe – the world is a sad and scary place sometimes, but it’s important to continue to connect with people and projects that give us joy, even in the midst of troubled times…maybe especially in the midst of troubled times. And when I discovered that one of my dearest kidlit friends and long-time CPs, Beth Anderson, had a new book launching right around the time my latest book was launching, we knew we needed to do something special.
Both books are nonfiction picture books. Both books focus on women who refused to accept the role society offered them. Instead, both women used their skills, courageously making their voices heard..and making a difference of global proportions.
Kate WarneLucy Stone
So, please grab your coffee, tea, hot cocoa, or beverage of choice and sit back to enjoy a conversation of sorts between book creators and their characters.
VIVIAN: Hi, Beth. I’m so glad you are here – and although your character, Kate Warne, and mine, Lucy Stone, can’t be here in person with us, I know they are here in spirit. So, I’m curious. Why did you feel kids needed to know about Kate? How will young readers relate to her hopes and dreams and the path she decided to take to become a Pinkerton detective?
BETH: Thanks so much, Vivian. I’m excited to chat about these amazing women. Kate’s story interested me for so many reasons! It was a detective story! With a gutsy woman who blazed an unusual path. It’s about a piece of history, the Baltimore Plot, which I’d never heard of before. And, it features a favorite person from history, Abraham Lincoln. Like me, I think kids will connect to the secrets, a dangerous plot, and be fascinated by this exciting peek “behind the scenes” that lets us know how complicated, and surprising, history can be.
Kids need to know about Kate because she’s a “regular” person like most of us. She put herself out there, not seeking fame and fortune, and took risks for others—and she impacted history. This event shows how important us regular people are, which can inspire hope, courage, and action when we look at the world today.
So now, I’m curious about your choice. Why did you choose Lucy Stone to write about? Why do you feel kids need to know about her?
VIVIAN: I absolutely love history…and I love discovering people who made a difference, but who might not have been recognized for what they did. I uncovered some information about Lucy Stone when I was researching Annie Londonderry and then someone, I think it was you, told me that there was going to be a Lucy Stone History-At-Play. I saw the performance by Judith Kalaora, who painstakingly researches famous women in American history and then creates fascinating performances, dressed in authentic costumes. The Lucy Stone performance inspired me to find out more. From the performance, it sounded like she was the one who inspired Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony to fight for women’s rights. And like you, Beth, when something sparks my curiosity, I have to find out more. I think many kids are like that – and I hope that ONE GIRL’S VOICE will spark the curiosity of many young readers. I believe kids will relate to her because there are many spreads/scenes that take place when she is still a child, railing against the rule of the day in the 19th century, that women should remain silent – and Lucy was determined to make her voice heard – and she did!.
It’s interesting, Beth, that both women lived around the same time. There is a lot of information about Lucy and her early and later life. She was born in 1818 in Massachusetts and died in 1893, but…not much is known about Kate. She was born about 1833 and died in 1868. Their lives intersected in time, if not in person. We don’t know if they ever met, right? Also, how did you craft a story without access to a lot of information?
BETH: That’s true. There is a lot more information about Lucy Stone than there is for Kate Warne. It’s hard to understand how she came to be who she was without knowing much about her childhood. Since this event involves Lincoln and Pinkerton, we have some sources that share Kate’s role. But it’s also interesting to note that some sources mention the plot and Pinkerton, but don’t mention Kate, an example of women often being left out of history. To tell her story, I needed to research far and wide to understand the challenges of her situation and the risks she took.
With such limited information on Kate’s life, it’s impossible to know if she ever knew about or met Lucy Stone. But…I can’t help but think that given the character traits we see in Kate’s actions, she would have read newspapers and followed the news on the fight for women’s rights. Who knows, maybe that inspired her to apply for a “male” job! Since Kate’s actions to save Lincoln remained a secret so she could work as a spy during the Civil War, Lucy couldn’t have known about Kate before her death. If they had met, I think they would have had great respect for each other and cheered each other on.
What do you think?
VIVIAN: Oh, I agree, Beth. Even though they were very different, they both supported equality for all. Kate guarded President Abraham Lincoln with her life, aware that this man was a force for good in the country. And Lucy devoted her life to fighting for abolition, equal rights for women, and equality for all. What I love is that both of them can be role models for young readers, especially girls who can see how important it is to question the status quo…that we can make change happen by our actions. And it’s crucial for boys to grow into men who respect the intelligence and capabilities of women. As Lucy Stone said when she addressed the New Jersey legislature in 1867 regarding woman suffrage, “Why should not a woman be President of the United States? The names of Elizabeth of England, of Catherine of Russia, of Isabella of Spain, of Maria Theresa of Austria – each of these proves woman’s capacity to govern. Are American women alone incompetent for great responsibilities?”
Do you think Kate would have agreed with Lucy’s statement about the ability of women to handle great responsibilities?
BETH: Most definitely! And she proved it! And though Kate could never talk about her work, she had to use her voice and persuasive skills, like Lucy, when she convinced Allan Pinkerton to hire her as a detective. And Pinkerton quickly became a firm believer in the capabilities of women! He created a division of female detectives and put her in charge. I also think it’s crucial for kids to see history through the eyes of people who experienced it – to see how they responded to the challenges they faced.
VIVIAN: Oh yes! That’s so true, Beth. We can read facts about history, but it’s so much more powerful and relatable when we see it through the eyes and actions of the true life characters in these nonfiction picture book biographies. Children can observe how Kate foiled the assassination attempt – and all the planning that she had to do and the courage she had to muster to infiltrate the enemy’s strongholds to learn what was going on. They can watch how Lucy met opposition with calm and steadfast purpose and how she never gave up her battle to secure equal rights for everyone, even when her own life was threatened.
And now dear friends, Beth and I have a couple of special treats for you.
There is a GIVEAWAY! One lucky reader is going to WIN a copy of HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: Kate Warne and the Race to Save Abraham Lincoln, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport (Calkins Creek/Astra Books for Young Readers) AND a copy of ONE GIRL’S VOICE: How Lucy Stone Helped Change the Law of the Land, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon (Calkins Creek/Astra Books for Young Readers). All you need to do is COMMENT on this post OR on Beth’s post: . And if you comment on BOTH POSTS, you get TWO chances to win the double book giveaway! When the winner is chosen on February 21st, Beth will announce and contact the winner and the publisher will send out the books (U.S. addresses only, please) so you’ll have them in time for Women’s History Month!
But that’s not all, folks! Teacher guides are so important because these books are perfect for using in multiple grades and across various curriculum content areas. Beth’s guide for HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT is already up on her website: Learn more about HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT and download the EDUCATOR GUIDE here: https://bethandersonwriter.com/hiding-in-plain-sight-kate-warne-and-the-race-to-save-abraham-lincoln/
And my educator guide will be on my website soon.
And we are not done yet! After all, this is a Will Write for Cookies post, true? I love to bake and in my research, I discovered that Lucy Stone did, too. Just because she traveled from coast to coast by stagecoach, train, and horse and buggy, speaking out for abolition and women’s rights – and was the first woman from Massachusetts to secure a four-year university degree, doesn’t mean she wasn’t handy around the kitchen. I discovered she has a recipe in THE WOMAN SUFFRAGE COOKBOOK, originally published in 1886 by Hattie Burr. It’s a recipe for YEAST…because in the 1880’s, folks didn’t buy their yeast in little foil packets. So, if you are adventurous in the kitchen and want to give it a try, here is Lucy Stone’s recipe for Home Made Yeast:
Boil a heaping quart of loose hops (or if they are pressed, 2 ounces) in one gallon of water, strain it, when it is cold, put in a small handful of salt., and a half pound of sugar, then take a pound of flour and rub it smooth with some of the liquor, after which make it thin with more of the same liquor and mix all together, let this stand for 24 hours; then boil and mash three pounds of potatoes and add to it, let it stand 24 hours more; then put it in a bottle or tight vessel, and it is ready for use. Shake the bottle before using. It should be kept in a warm place while it is making, and in a cool place afterward.
Beth says we should call it ‘Rise to the Challenge’ yeast – in honor of the brave women in our books. You could use it to prepare cinnamon rolls or any other recipe that calls for yeast. I hope you let me know if you try it. It’s quite labor-intensive, as were most chores that women had to do in those days. There were many similar cookbooks that were published like this one, as a fundraiser for the suffrage movement…and they also served as a mode of communication for women back in the day before the internet and cell phones. I’m excited to read this one from cover to cover to check out the conversations.
Beth and I hope you all enjoyed this conversation between creators and characters. And we hope you’ll do all the things that help books become a success: Buy them: HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT:
One Girl’s Voice: Tell friends about them Ask your local library to purchase copies
Beth’s book is already proudly sitting on shelves in your local indie bookstores. And mine will be arriving on February 11th – which is my ACTUAL birthday…how cool is that! Plus there are several book events coming up in March for me: March 8 at 1:30pm-3pm: G. Willikers Books and Toys in Portsmouth, NH March 29 at 11am-11:45am – The Silver Unicorn Bookstore in Acton MA
We invite you all to celebrate these wonderful books with us! If you are a teacher or librarian looking for an engaging author visit, please reach out. If you are a writer of narrative nonfiction, each of these books could serve as a mentor text. And if you are a parent of young readers, we hope you’ll share these role models in history with your kids.
Have a great weekend, everyone! And don’t forget to leave a comment here and on the post on Beth’s blog for a chance to WIN this cool book pairing!
Hold onto your hats, dear friends. And grab a cup of your favorite beverage. You are in for a treat! And stick around for the entire post because the fabulous folks from Kidlit Clubhouse are each sharing a favorite yummy recipe AND giveaways!
ME: WELCOME!!! It’s lovely to see all of you fabulous creators!I already know many of you from #50PreciousWords and/or social media. Thank you all for stopping by to share your insights, writing journeys, and upcoming books…plus of course, we are thrilled some of you have offered recipes for sweet treats AND giveaway opportunities. We’ll take turns with the Q&A – and at the end of the post, I’ll list the four giveaways so that when people leave a comment, they’ll let us know which prize they’d prefer if they are one of the lucky winners. First, here’s a little bit about our guests:
Kerisa Greene is the author-illustrator of I AM BOTH: A VIETNAMESE REFUGEE STORY (Feiwel & Friends, 2024) and LEGENDARY CAKES (Feiwel & Friends, 2025). She has also illustrated for publications such as Ladybug Magazine (Cricket Media, 2023) and THE IMPOSTER (Gnome Road, 2024). Kerisa is a first-generation Asian-American who loves her grandma’s cooking and always craves a big bowl of phở. As a previous preschool teacher and children’s book buyer for an indie bookstore with a background in graphic design, Kerisa has combined her love of illustrating and storytelling into a passion for crafting picture books. When Kerisa isn’t drawing or writing stories, you can find her munching on chocolate chip cookies, exploring new places with her family, and petting every dog that walks by. Website: kerisagreene.com Email: hello@kerisagreene.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/kerisagreene Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerisagreenebooks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerisagreenebooks Sales Order Links: East City Bookshop Barnes and Noble Amazon Bookshop.org Target
Chloe Ito Ward A former curriculum director, Chloe has a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She spent the last decade teaching kindergarten, where she discovered her passion for picture books. Chloe’s debut picture book LOVE GROWS HERE releases April 2024 with Albert Whitman & Company. Her other picture books include: MADE FOR MORE, arriving WINTER 2025 with HarperCollins and CHOPSTICKS ARE, coming SPRING 2026 with Chronicle Books. When Chloe isn’t perfecting her ramen recipe, you can find her rock climbing or dancing in the kitchen with her husband, son, and their imaginary dog Miso. Pre-Order LOVE GROWS HERE at https://bookshop.org/p/books/love-grows-here-chloe-ito-ward/20303779 http://www.chloeitoward.com https://www.instagram.com/chloeitoward
Jamie Ofelia is the author of the humorous and heartfelt picture book MIGUEL MUST FIGHT!, which is slated for publication with Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in summer of 2024. As a biracial Latina, Jamie writes fiction and nonfiction stories so Latinx kids can see themselves reflected as heroes in mainstream children’s literature. She holds her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and is currently a stay-at-home mom living in Dallas, where she spends her days reading diverse picture books with her son. When her son gets bored, she continues reading diverse picture books all by herself. JamieOfelia.com https://bookshop.org/p/books/miguel-must-fight-jamie-ofelia/20368176
David McMullin is a picture book writer, illustrator, and children’s poet. His poems are featured in several magazines and anthologies. Honors include an SCBWI Ann Whitford Paul Award, an Astra International Picture Book Writing Contest award, a Madness Poetry championship and he was a Picture Book Rising Stars mentor. David and his husband are currently full time world travelers, bird nerds, and YouTubers. In past careers he was a Broadway actor, an educator, and a children’s librarian. Website: http://www.davidmcmullinbooks.com/welcome/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcmullinpb/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmcmullinpb
Joëlle Retener is a 1st generation Haitian American children’s author from the DC metro area. Once upon a time, they traveled the world hobnobbing with foreign dignitaries and senior government officials. They now work as a reproductive justice advocate and community birth worker. Joelle has a BA in Spanish from Spelman College and an MA in International Studies from American University. When they’re not tending to their homestead, you can find Joelle on their porch sipping a cup of herbal tea with their partner and 3 tiny humans. Joëlle is represented by James McGowan at Bookends Literary. Social media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelleretener/ bluesky: @joelleretener.bsky.social www.joelleretener.comPreferred purchase link: https://bookshop.org/p/books/marley-s-pride-joelle-retener/20576412
ME: And now it’s time to ask the questions. Who were your favorite authors/illustrators when you were a child?
KERISA: Some of my favorite books as a kid were Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes, Stellaluna by Janell Cannon, and Dinotopia by James Gurney.
CHLOE: I loved Don Freeman’s picture book DANDELION. I had such a strong emotional response to it as a kid, it still makes me cry. Also, the limited color palette for that book is lovely! The first book I read and thought, I want to be an author, was ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine. It’s immersive, magical, and empowering. I must have read that book 50+ times the year my mom bought it for me. I still have that book, with dog eared pages and tomato soup stains!
JAMIE: Frances Hodgson Burnett’s books, The Little Princess and The Secret Garden, captured my imagination in a big way when I was a kid.
DAVID: My favorite was Roald Dahl, especially James and the Giant Peach. I also loved The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. They both created such fantastic worlds.
JOELLE: Growing up I loved reading books by Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume and Stan and Jan Berenstain.
ME: What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started writing?
KERISA: Hmm, when I first started I took all the writing courses I could, which was so incredibly beneficial but I realized I learn and grow the most from actually writing and editing stories. So I guess I wish I wasn’t so afraid to just write and just gave myself the space to learn and grow with each manuscript without the pressure of thinking that everything I wrote needed to turn into something. I wish I knew that it’s okay to just play and try out an idea for fun!
CHLOE: Everyone talks about voice. But finding and creating your voice as a writer takes time and lots of practice. It wasn’t until I started leaning into my love of poetry that I really found my own distinct voice.
JAMIE: I’ve learned that as I’m drafting, it doesn’t help me much to worry about whether what I’m writing will impress others. In order to craft an exciting story, I have to follow my own nose and focus on impressing myself first. I know that if I love the story, that passion will come through stronger in my writing. Critique partners are essential to my revision process, but only after I’ve finished drafting something I love.
DAVID: How important it is to make connections within the writing community. I can attribute much of my growth and success as a writer to the relationships I built with other writers. So get on those socials and start socializing. I wish I had started making connections earlier.
JOELLE: As a recovering perfectionist I really struggled with the idea of sharing unpolished manuscripts with fellow writers. What would they think? What would they say? It’s taken a while to work through the anxiety but I now recognize that art is really a collaborative process. My critique partners each bring unique perspectives and insights into the mix which ultimately strengthen my work. They help me to stretch and grow as an author. So don’t be afraid to get an extra set of eyes on that SFD (sh*tty first draft).
ME: Where do you like to write – inside, outside, special room, laptop, pen and paper?
KERISA: With a young baby, I’ll write wherever I can which usually means I’m typing up ideas and drafts on my phone. I do prefer to edit on the computer though and need a quiet space to sit with all my thoughts!
CHLOE: Since I’m the primary caregiver of a toddler I typically write at either the kitchen counter or table. I need to have one eye on my son and another on my computer. I dream of having a desk one day!
JAMIE: I write when and where I can! Usually it’s on my laptop at a café or on the couch. Sometimes an idea strikes while I’m in the middle of doing dishes or walking the dog, and I have to quickly tap it into the Notes app on my phone. If I don’t write it down, I WILL forget!
DAVID: I prefer to work curled up on a couch. My medium depends on the style of writing. Prose goes right onto the computer. If I’m writing in rhyme, I work on paper so I can have all of the pieces spread out in front of me.
JOELLE: My writing habits are a bit eclectic. I usually write indoors on my laptop but when I am feeling stuck or experiencing writer’s block, I like to switch things up by writing with pen and paper. I have random notes on receipts and there are pieces of loose leaf paper with my notes and musings scattered across the house. I find that moving between digital and analog helps eliminate the self censorship that naturally occurs with easy access to a delete button.
ME: When do you write – early morning, late in the day, middle of the night, on schedule, as the muse strikes?
KERISA: As the muse strikes! Which usually happens late in the evening or when I’m supposed to be working on something else.
CHLOE: I get in little bits of writing throughout the day, during breakfast/lunch/nap or when my son is entertaining himself with building blocks or painting. But I prefer to write when the world is quiet, so either early in the morning or after everyone goes to bed. I drink a LOT of coffee and tea!
JAMIE: I’m a morning person; My brain is fresh and eager to work early in the day. Lately, I’ve been writing for about 30 minutes before my family wakes up, and then again for maybe another hour while my kiddo is in morning preschool.
DAVID: I am highly distractible. I work best in the wee hours of the morning before the rest of the world wakes up.
JOELLE: I typically do my best writing in the morning- ideally at the crack of dawn (I’m talking 4-5am). There’s something about writing when the world is still wrapped in stillness that really gets my creative juices flowing. With that said, I don’t schedule my writing. I really like to honor my creative rhythms instead.
ME: Why do you write for children?
KERISA: There’s so much joy and wonder in the way children see the world and it’s that awe that I want to imbue into the books I create. Writing for children is such a gift, kids can empathize with an emotional book while also laugh themselves silly at a fart joke and it’s amazing!
CHLOE: I taught kindergarten for over ten years and there is something so special about being a part of a child’s life. I find that picture books are a great tool to help kids grow mentally and emotion ally. Growing up I didn’t have stories with characters like me so I hope to bring that, I want kids to feel heard, seen, and accepted.
JAMIE: I write for children because they’re the most important people on this planet! Kids deserve riveting, joyful books that reflect their experiences and their families, and they also deserve the opportunity to read about families whose culture is different from their own!
DAVID: I was one of those kids who only read when I had no other choice. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I discovered what a joy reading could be. I write because I would love to create the kind of books that reluctant readers, like I was, reach for and can’t put down.
JOELLE: Writing for children is an opportunity to affect change and make an impact on future generations. It’s a chance to dream up a world that is better than what we’ve got and empower children to strive to make it a reality. Writing for children also allows me to step outside of my adult roles and responsibilities and jaded perspectives and connect to my inner child– we can all use a little more fun and joy in our lives.
ME: Also, if you have any thoughts or advice for aspiring writers, please share. As well as anything else you want to talk about that parents, educators, writers, librarians might want to hear.
CHLOE: There were so many times on my publishing journey that I thought, this is impossible, I’m not good enough, what am I doing? But I have so many wonderful friends that encouraged me to keep going, reminding me that contrary to the nagging voice inside my head, I am talented. We can be so self-critical. So please, talk to yourself the way you would a friend, be gentle with yourself, and find your people, the kidlit community is the best!
DAVID: Feel “Free to Be Fabulous!” at all times! That’s not just the title of my book, it’s a great way to approach the world. Parents, teachers and librarians, help kids make reading choices that are different, adventurous and fun. Kids can learn, be, do anything in the pages of a book. And writers, create those fabulous stories. Be brave and daring. Say what your heart wants you to say.
JOELLE: This is a message for all of those who write, consume and share diverse books. Don’t give up on these stories. I know the fight is exhausting and that you may be scared but keep going. Our kids need these books and they need us to keep pushing to keep them accessible for all. Let’s continue to work together to ensure that children can see themselves affirmed through the media around them. The future of future generations is in our hands.
What an amazing high note to end on! Thank you so much, dear guests! And of course, the sweetness isn’t over yet! Here are some of their favorites treat recipes:
KERISA’S Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients 1/2 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup sugar 1 large egg, room temperature 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup dark chocolate chips 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut Directions Grab a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar then beat in the egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; add to the creamed mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips and coconut. Scoop out the dough into small balls onto a baking sheet. Bake at 375° for about 12 minutes or until golden brown. Let them cool and enjoy this delicious writing snack!
CHLOE’S SUPER SECRET Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Preheat the oven to 350 Mix wet ingredients first 2 eggs 1 cup Crisco oil 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup white sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla Then blend in 2 cups of flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup oatmeal 6 oz chocolate chips Bake for approximately 7-12 minutes depending on cookie size and enjoy!
DAVID’S Dream Cookies Ingredients 1 cup butter 3/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons vanilla 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 cups flour Preparation Melt butter until golden Cool Mix all ingredients Make little balls and press down with two fingers Bake at 250 for 30 minutes
Yummy!!! Summertime and the kids are home and baking delicious cookies is such a fun activity.
And here are the giveaways: Kerisa: PB Critique (Manuscript or Dummy) Jamie: Picture book critique David: A fiction picture book critique, or a 30 minute ask me anything zoom call. Joelle: PB manuscript critique (fiction, non rhyming)
How special is that, dear friends!!! Please make sure you comment below and tell us which prize you would prefer if you are one of the lucky winners – and perhaps 2nd choice. Also, please share this post widely…that’s how we can thank authors and illustrators for all the hard work they do. Of course, buying a copy of their books, reviewing them, and asking your local library to purchase copies are all fabulous things we can do, as well as placing them on our Goodreads Want to Read Shelf. By the way, I hope you’ll all be back tomorrow, bright and early…we’ll be posting the results of the #50PreciousWords content….tick…tick…tick.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 