Perfect Picture Book Friday: DOLL TROUBLE Plus Giveaway

Posted on August 14, 2026 by viviankirkfield

Hello dear friends! Happy Perfect Picture book Friday! I’m thrilled to share a BRAND-NEW picture book with you. And we are so fortunate because…author Kim Larson stopped by to share the story behind the story…her inspiration for this book AND she and the publisher are offering a GIVEAWAY…later in the post I’ll explain how to enter the giveaway AND how to receive an extra ticket in the giveaway hat!

Title: Doll Trouble

Written by: Kim A. Larson

Illustrated by: Nataša Vertelj

Publisher: Clavis Publishing

ISBN#: 979-8890631220

Suitable For Ages: 3-8

SYNOPSIS:
A heartwarming story about loss, courage, and empathy.
Emma takes her beloved doll Mia everywhere she goes. They play, laugh, and cry together, but one day something happens that makes Mia look less than perfect. The children in the neighborhood tease Emma about her broken doll, so she hides Mia and plays with her new, beautiful doll instead. But no matter how hard she tries, Emma can’t forget Mia. When she meets Sophia, who doesn’t have a doll, Emma suddenly knows what to do.

WHY I LOVE THIS BOOK:
1. I love heartwarming stories that inspire children to be kind and compassionate.
2. I love books that are filled with glorious illustrations that help kids engage with the story.
3. I love stories that empower young readers and listeners to hold strong, even when they have to stand alone.

ME: And now it’s time to welcome author Kim A. Larson! Hello, Kim! Thank you for stopping by. We always love to hear the story behind the story. Can you share what inspired you to write this book?

KIM: Thanks so much for helping me celebrate the beautiful book, Vivian. I’d be happy to share.
As the oldest of five siblings, my toys rarely “lived” to see old age. Between a house full of kids and a particularly destructive brother, I spent a lot of my childhood figuring out how to keep loving my dolls after they ended up with missing limbs or shaved heads. Those early lessons in empathy—loving something even when it isn’t “perfect”—became the heart of this story.

But the spark for Doll Trouble really ignited when I watched the kids next door playing while their dad mowed the lawn. It brought back the memory of my cousin, who lost several toes in a lawnmower accident as a child. I wanted to weave those two worlds together: a story that celebrates the resilience of a well-loved toy, while gently alerting children to the very real dangers of lawnmowers. It’s my way of helping kids stay brave, empathetic, and most importantly, safe.

ME: THANK YOU SO MUCH, KIM! I love the intention you brought to writing this story.

RELATED ACTIVITIES:
DIY DOLL-MAKING TUTORIAL

Here’s a little bit about author Larson:
Kim A. Larson writes humorous and lyrical picture books and more. She is the author of Doll Trouble (Clavis Publishing, 2026) and Goat’s Boat Won’t Float (The Little Press, 2024). She was honored to receive the SCBWI Ann Whitford Paul Award, two Minnesota State Arts Board grants, and three Lake Region Arts Council grants. Kim lives in Minnesota, and when she’s not writing, you may find her gardening or playing Sequence with her husband. Visit Kim’s website to learn more about her and her work, or connect with her on social media via linktr.ee.

To order a copy of DOLL TROUBLE, you can go here.

To be entered in the giveaway of a copy of DOLL TROUBLE, please leave a comment and share this post on your social media platforms. This giveaway is open to US and Canadian addresses only.
To qualify for the Bonus Giveaway
Subscribe to Kim’s newsletter by August for another chance to win (US & Canada only). You’ll also receive a PDF copy of her first published book of short stories and poems: Love, Laughter, and a few Happily Ever Afters.

Thank you all for spending your precious time with us. I hope you have a beautiful weekend.

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!