Perfect Picture Book Friday: NIGHTY NIGHT, DINOS

Posted on June 12, 2026 by viviankirkfield

Hello dear friends…and Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday! I had taken a step back from blogging last month to prepare for and attend the New England SCBWI conference in Stamford, CT…which was AMAZING. And also to enjoy a trip to Scotland and England…which was INCREDIBLE. If you are on social media, hopefully you saw some of the photos…I even got to enjoy a high tea at Jane Austen’s house in Bath…and try on some period costumes. But, when I discovered that a dear friend, Deb Williams, had a debut picture book launching on June 16, I knew I’d want to spread the word and share it with all of you.

NIGHTY NIGHT, DINOS

Written by Deborah Holt Williams

Illustrated by Anna Doherty

Published by Familius (June 16, 2026)

Ages: 3-5

Themes: Bedtime, Rhyming, Dinosaurs

Why I Love This Book
1. I love lyrical, many-layered books – this one is so relatable for young children – focusing on the importance of sleep – using dinosaurs and rhyming text to entertain.
2. I love illustrations that engage and keep kids turning the pages.
3. I love new bedtime stories…I think we never have enough of them.

And now, dear friends, because we are SO lucky…and because author Williams is SO generous, we get to chat with her…and learn the story behind the story.

ME: Welcome to Picture Books Help Kids Soar, dear Deb. I know that everyone is excited to learn more about you…and how this wonderful picture book came to be.
Is Nighty Night, Dinos your first published book?

DEB: I have five small early readers published for the educational market, but this is my first hard-cover picture book, and I’m delighted with it!

ME: Did you always envision Nighty Night, Dinos as a picture book?

DEB: Actually, it began in 2020 as an entry in a bedtime story contest that did not win. But I really liked it, so I started submitting it as a board book. Familius responded the day after I sent it in 2021, but they had quite a few dino books already. We kept in touch though, and in 2023 the publisher at Familius asked if I would add a few more stanzas so it could become a 32-page picture book. I was thrilled!

ME: When did you first start submitting your writing?

DEB: I started to get serious about writing and submitting when the youngest of my five children went to school full-time. I joined SCBWI in 1998 and started sending stories out.

ME: Do you have an agent?

DEB: I’ve had two agents in the past and we parted amicably. I am currently un-agented, which is fine because I’ve had better luck on my own.

ME: Between when you started submitting in 1998 and your first picture book contract in 2026, did you have any stories that came close to being published?

DEB: Yes. I had a New Mexican version of The Gingerbread Man called Biscochito Man (that’s the state cookie of NM) and it made it to the acquisitions committee at a major publisher. But the final “No” came while I was going through chemo for breast cancer. (That was 14 years ago and the treatment was successful. Yay!) Then 5 years ago I had a contract with a publisher for a lyrical biography of the glass artist Chihuly, with an illustrator who knew and loved Chihuly’s work, and the week it was to go out on sub the agent left the agency and decided she would no longer represent picture books. I had to write to the agency and request the termination of my contract. That was painful! But the agent and I still keep in touch and she’s happy for my success.

ME: With so many years of collecting rejections, how did you stay motivated to keep going?

DEB: At a Highlights workshop in Chautauqua, NY in 2011, author Eileen Spinelli handed everyone a little rubber ball to remind us to bounce back from rejections, and I still have mine in my writing desk. I keep going because it’s been a dream of mine to be an author since I learned how to write in first grade, and I know the only guaranteed way to fail is to quit. Plus I had successes along the way with poems and non-fiction pieces sold to magazines and websites for kids. Entering and doing well in contests helped, too. I find I’m more motivated to succeed now that I have grandchildren, because I want them to see that they should follow their dreams. And I want to make them proud of their Nana!

ME: Tell us about the illustrator of your book.

DEB: Her name is Ana Doherty and she is Scottish but lives in Switzerland. She’s been illustrating books since 2017 and this is her third book with Familius Publishing. She says she enjoyed creating the little touches she added to the pictures, like the tiny bunny slippers under the triceratops’ bed. Familius has been very good about asking for my input on her illustrations. When they told me she was thinking of clouds for the end papers, I asked if the clouds could be shaped like puffy dinosaurs, and that’s what she did.

ME: Do you have other books coming out and are they also written in rhyme?

DEB: Yes, I’m happy to have contracted with Familius for two more in the series, due to be released in 2028: Nighty Night, Puppies and Nighty Night, Bears. Like the dinosaur book, they are also rhymers. It’s often said that rhyme doesn’t sell, because it doesn’t always translate well for foreign markets. But children love it, and I really enjoy the challenge of writing in rhyme.

ME: What advice would you give to aspiring children’s book writers?

DEB: Get involved: join SCBWI and participate with your local chapter, join a critique group, follow other writers like Vivian on social media, read books on writing, take classes, follow sites like Kidlit411, Harold Underdown’s Purple Crayon and Literary Rambles, enter contests, write and submit a wide variety of work from poems to stories to non-fiction pieces, and volunteer at your local library once a week to see what’s new in kids’ books. I go in and wipe down the picture books and check for books in the wrong place, and I often snap a picture of a publisher’s name when I see a book that looks like one I might submit to.

ME: What is one of the best things about writing for children?

DEB: The best thing is reading your words to a child and seeing the enjoyment on that little face. And I love that writers can keep on being writers all their lives. I’m in an online group of women authors over 60 who are all “late bloomers,” finally having time to devote to writing and submitting, and getting published. I feel like I’m hitting my stride at the age of 74, and I plan to keep at it!

ME: Can you tell us about yourself?

DEB: I live in the mountains of Colorado with my husband and three adopted senior pets, a cat and two dogs. I have five children and six grandchildren, and my hobby is making enormous bubbles for events.

Thank you so much, dear Deb! I LOVE that you never gave up…and I am so very happy to help you celebrate your success!

Dear friends…if you’d like to learn more about Deb and her books
Website: deborahholtwilliams.com
Blog: https://deboraholtwilliams.blogspot.com
@debwriter on bluesky and Instagram
Email: williamsdeborahholt@gmail.com
Facebook page: Deborah Holt Williams

To purchase her book, please visit Bookshop.org or her local bookstore Alpenglow in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Thank you all for spending your precious time with us. I hope you have a safe and wonderful weekend!

Perfect Picture Book Friday: A FOREST BEGINS ANEW Plus Giveaway

Posted on May 8, 2026 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I was thrilled when author Louise Aamodt reached out to tell me about the upcoming launch of her debut picture book (in just a few days on May 12). She reminded me that I had done a manuscript critique for her many years ago…and now she has several other books in the pipeline…not that I had anything to do with that…that is all Louise’s talented writing! But I love to hear stories of dedication that leads to success…and I know that all of you do, too. And happily, Louise stopped by to share the story behind the story…PLUS…there is a GIVEAWAY. Make sure you scroll to the end of the post and leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway…and PLEASE, share the post on your social media to help get the word out about this absolutely beautiful book!

A FOREST BEGINS ANEW

Written by Louise M. Aamodt

Illustrated by Elly McKay

Published by Astra Books for Young Readers (May 12, 2026)

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Ecology, Forest Rebirth, Hope

Synopsis: Told through lyrical rhyme and stunning 3D cut-paper illustrations, this is the captivating story of a forest’s renewal as it goes from ashes to new growth in the aftermath of a sweeping forest fire.

Set against the backdrop of a devastating forest fire, A Forest Begins Anew unfolds the life cycle of a particularly resilient ecosystem. As smoke jumpers leap from planes and pinecones eventually unseal from the heat of the fire, the story poetically weaves the effects of a forest fire into a vibrant tapestry that reveals a delicate balance between destruction and renewal.

Back matter containing fascinating facts and further reading portrays forest fires not just as destructive forces but as catalysts for growth and rebirth. With its lyrical rhyming text and breathtaking illustrations, A Forest Begins Anew honors nature’s ability to survive against the odds.

WHY I LOVE THIS BOOK
1. I love books that help young readers develop a love of and an appreciation for the wonders of nature.
2. I love books that engage readers with lyrical text…this one is in rhyme…and it is SO GOOD!
3. I love books where the art is such a large part of the story…with illustrations that keep readers turning the pages…and with art that embraces unique media choices.

ME: And now we are so lucky, because Louise is here to chat with us! Welcome to Picture Books Help Kids Soar, Louise…and this book, filled with optimism and hope, is sure to help many kids soar. Please share a little bit about the book and why you wrote it.

LOUISE:
My curious brain never quiets down, so when I came across a few sentences stating that fires can lead to beetles, then woodpeckers, then bluebirds, I needed to know more about that cause-effect relationship. The deeper I dove, the more I felt compelled to share this information with young people, including ‘good’ versus ‘bad’ fires, the balance of nature, and an overall message of cooperation, renewal, and– ultimately– hope.

A humorous incident on the path to publication:

The week my editor was ready for the first round of edits, I was volunteering at Boy Scout summer camp. After making sure the kids didn’t have any bear-attracting snacks in their tents for the night, I’d hike through the dark up to the main camp headquarters to pick up wifi for a surface-level initial fact-check and to download any editor’s comments. Then I’d hike back and padlock my laptop inside the troop’s trailer. The next day, I’d get the boys situated practicing their first aid or fire starting skills, and then I’d draft new stanzas in my ratty notebook. As zany as the process was, it was also the perfect setting to work on a forest story.

The book has been so well-received…here’s a glowing review from Kirkus:

“A devastating wildfire transforms into a story of ecological resilience and hope in this lyrical meditation on nature’s capacity for renewal… A beautiful testament to nature’s—and our own—ability to flourish after devastation.”

Read the full review here.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Louise M. Aamodt (rhymes with ‘comet’) has taught English Learners in public schools for over 25 years. As both a writer and a teacher, she loves igniting curiosity and making complicated concepts accessible. She can be found in the kids’ section of the library, or out watching bugs somewhere. Learn more about her debut picture book, A FOREST BEGINS ANEW, at https://www.LouiseAamodt.com.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
Elly MacKay is an acclaimed paper artist and award-winning children’s bookmaker. She is the author and illustrator of a number of picture books. Before pursuing a career in picture books, she taught in schools and was an educator in galleries. Elly lives in the winter kingdom of Owen Sound, Ontario, where she and her family often search for snow dragons in the gardens and fields nearby.

Social media links
Website
Author’s Facebook
Goodreads
Bluesky
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ME: Thank you so much, Louise. We love hearing how beautiful books get their start!
And now, dear friends, make sure you leave a comment and share on social media to help this beautiful book become a success…and as you help the book, you’ll be qualifying for a chance to win a copy of A FOREST BEGINS ANEW.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Please come back on Sunday for a SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY blog post that will share the many amazing #50PreciousWordsforKids submissions from all over the country and a few from other countries!

Perfect Picture Book Friday: GOD’S WONDER-FILLED WORLD

Posted on February 27, 2026 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. It’s always a joy to spread the news about new books…and it’s an especial pleasure when the book creator is someone I’ve know for a long time. And we are so very lucky because author Judy Cooper is stopping by to chat with us to share a bit about how her debut picture book, GOD’S WONDER-FILLED WORLD came to be.

GOD’S WONDER-FILLED WORLD

Written by Judy Cooper

Illustrated by Amanda Hillier

Published by OSV (March 9, 2026)

Ages: 5-8

Themes: Nature, Wonder of Creation, Bible verses

Why I Love This Book:
1. I love books that show children the beauty of nature and how they are part of it.
2. I love books where the illustrations are joyful and engaging.
3. I love books that encourage kids to be thoughtful about their world and to believe they are an important part of it…brave and brilliant!

ME: And now, as promised, let’s welcome Judy!

JUDY: Dearest Vivian, Thank you for inviting me to share about my debut picture book. You have been my inspiration for years. So it is an honor to chat with you here.

Summary:

Long ago…
God created light and saw it was good.
But that was just the beginning.

In a fresh and lyrical style, God’s Wonder-Filled World: The Story of Creation tells the story of the beauty and wonder embedded in creation from the foundation of the world.

Inspired by Sacred Scripture, this book shows children their heavenly Father’s joy-filled love for them and lets them know they are part of the ongoing story of God’s creation.

What inspired me to write this book:

Many years ago, I had read a line in a book written by Stormie Omartian that said, “God didn’t say oops when you were born.” I felt that thought was so powerful and at the same time, kid-friendly. I tussled for years trying to figure out how to weave that concept into a picture book.

I then came up with an idea about an oops-filled family that showed ‘everyone says oops sometimes, but that God never says oops ‘, and wove the Creation story in to illustrate the point.
Well, after a mentoring session with Lynne Marie, she suggested that I drop the family angle and research what picture books about Creation were already on the market. I found that none were out there using the same approach I envisioned.

A challenging moment I faced on the path to publication:

Oh, there were many challenging moments in the revision process after my editor, Kate Camden, first contacted me with her interest in the manuscript. She said she could envision this book being a classic on their list but wanted a few revisions before taking it to her acquisition team. Some were very basic word tweaks. No problem. But then, on one spread, the text was simply, “God’s words twirled and whirled weaving you into life.” Kate asked if I could make that more specific to a child.

I was perplexed. How to make it specific to one child if you wanted the text to resonate with a multitude of children? I tossed around suggestions from my critique partners. But nothing was hitting the mark. Then I went into prayer and asked God, “What do You want me to say here?” Miraculously, the text downloaded into my brain within seconds. I grabbed a pen and jotted down the words before they escaped me.

So now the text on that spread reads:

Then God spoke these words…

Be brave and brilliant.

Be kind and caring.

Be wise and wonder filled.

God’s words twirled and whirled,
weaving you into life.

This spread is now one of my favorites in the book. The illustrator created an amazing image for it that you can see here.

There were several more revision challenges along the way. Some times I felt like I just wanted to quit because it was so difficult. But I’m grateful I persevered. Seeing my words come to life through Amanda Hillier’s illustrations is such a blessing.

Here is another example of her beautiful work.

Here’s a little bit about Judy

Judy Cooper’s debut picture book, God’s Wonder-Filled World: The Story of Creation, is scheduled for release on March 9, 2026. A FL-SCBWI Rising Kite Award recipient, Judy has designed and implemented a PreK-4^th grade arts enrichment curriculum. Her short story, The Candy Monster, was featured in a Make-A-Wish Foundation anthology publication.

Judy works as the Manuscript Coordinator for Rate Your Story. She is also a Curatorial Writer and a Docent, specializing in tours for fourth grade students at a Smithsonian Affiliate Art Museum in Central Florida where she marvels daily at its stunning sunsets, swaying palms and leaping lizards – all a part of God’s wonder-filled world.

Here’s a little bit about illustrator Amanda:

Amanda Hillier is an illustrator, printmaker, and designer inspired by the wonder of landscapes and nature. Formally trained as a graphic designer, illustrator, and textile artist, Amanda has over 30 years of experience working for prestigious clients on projects including giftware, puzzles, books, and stationery. Her eclectic style utilizes watercolors, painting, vintage finds, and hand printing to create unique art pieces licensed around the world.

ME: Thank you so much, Judy! We all love to hear the story behind the story. Hearing about challenges that others have overcome always gives us hope for our own manuscripts.
And, dear friends, this beautiful book is launching March 9th…I’m excitedly waiting for my copy…and you can Preorder NOW on Amazon at https://a.co/d/06TAuq7u

Remember…we can help beautiful books become a success:
Buy the book
Review the book
Tell friends about the book (share on your social media)
Ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection

And to find out more about Judy:
Wedsite: www.judycooperwrites.com
Personal Facebook page (Facebook)
Author Facebook page: Judy Cooper, Author’ Facebook page. (Facebook)

Thank you all for spending your precious time with us. And speaking about PRECIOUS…

Make sure you come back on Monday, March 2 for the opportunity to enter the #50PreciousWords International Writing Contest…you will have TWO DAYS to submit your story…March 2 and March 3…please check out the guidelines in the Heads Up post: https://viviankirkfield.com/2026/02/07/heads-up-the-50preciouswords-2026-international-writing-contest-is-coming-soon/