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/

Perfect Picture Book Friday: STORY POWER! Plus Giveaway

Posted on October 24, 2025 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I always love featuring books that entertain and educate. We talk a lot about reading with children – but what about writing with them?! Author Stephanie Wildman and I have been “kid lit network friends” through many of our books. And so, when I discovered that the fourth book in her Flor, Roberto, and Luis series — titled Story Power! – had been coauthored with her grandson, I knew I’d want to share it with you. PLUS, Stephanie stopped by to share the story behind this story and she is pleased to offer a book as a giveaway. So, make sure you leave a comment for a chance to win.

Story Power!

Written by Stephanie Wildman and Simon Wildman Chung

Illustrated by Estefanía Razo

Published by Lawley Publishing, October, 2025

Ages 3 and up

Themes: How to Write a Story; Hero/Heroine’s journey; healthy eating

Why I Love This Book:
1. I love books that entertain and educate. Readers will see the characters write a story. Then children can write their own stories by following the helpful guide in the backmatter.

2. I love books that can be enjoyed at home as well as used in the classroom! Story Power! provides both a remedy for boredom at home and a tool for classroom instruction.

3. I love books that provide young readers with great illustrations!

And now the promised treat…a visit from author Stephanie.
ME: Welcome, my friend! Thank you for stopping by to chat with us. Can you tell us a little bit about the book…and how it came to be?

STEPHANIE: Thank you, Vivian! I am so honored to have Story Power! as part of your Perfect Picture Book Friday series!

Synopsis: Twins Flor and Roberto and big brother Luis return for another adventure. What does Luis have up his sleeve this time when the twins are bored? Discovering the thrill of storytelling, the twins craft a tale for their beloved Abuelito. Bonus content includes a road map for creating your own story along with craft activities.

Story Power! is my sixth picture book – the fourth in the Flor, Roberto, and Luis series that started with Treasure Hunt. In Treasure Hunt the twins Flor and Roberto are bored and want to watch TV or play video games. Big brother Luis engages them in a treasure hunt to find objects they can recycle and reuse as puppets. The ideas in this book came out of pandemic lockdown activities, during time I spent with two of my grandsons. The next books in the series also came from a sleepover bedtime routine and another grandson’s questions about loss of a beloved pet. I thought I was done with Flor, Roberto, and Luis after three meaningful books.

I was eager to turn my focus to a middle grade novel I have been working on, and I asked grandson Simon if he would listen to me read the beginning. He was seven at the time. I warned him that there were no pictures and that he should stop me if he was bored. I paused every few pages and he said “go on” each time.

At the end of the chapter, I said, “You didn’t stop me.”

“Well,” he said, “Grandma you need more action!”

“Thank you,” I answered, shuffling to put away my papers. “That’s super helpful.” My mind was already traveling to rewrites.

“But,” he continued, “I have an idea for another Flor, Roberto, and Luis book.”

I looked at him – remember he was seven – and asked what was his idea. Well, I can say it was brilliant, because it wasn’t my idea. Simon told me that in this next book Flor and Roberto would be bored again, but this time they would write a book themselves.

My mind started whirling with the possibilities. Simon himself loved writing. Maybe a picture book could help other children see that they, too, could write stories by watching these characters – Flor and Roberto – write their own book.

Related activities: Write with the young ones in your life! Help them develop the writing habit. Dr. Shawna Della Cerra, educational consultant for Lawley Publishing developed Research-informed Strategies and Activities to Cultivate the Writing Habit, available on my websitehere.

My website also includes coloring pages and worksheets for Story Power!

And watch for Story Power! coming in Spanish in April 2026 as ¡El Poder de los Cuentos!, translated by Cecilia Pópulus-Eudave.

Bios:

Stephanie Wildman, author of six children’s books, became a Professor Emerita after serving as the John A. and Elizabeth H. Sutro Chair at Santa Clara Law School. She is a grandmother, mother, spouse, friend, and good listener, who can sit “criss-cross apple sauce” thanks to her yoga practice. Learn more about Stephanie at: stephaniewildman.com

Simon Wildman Chung is an elementary school student who loves writing stories, reading books, swimming, and playing with his brother.

Estefanía Razo has a Bachelor of Graphic Design degree from the University of Guadalajara. She is passionate about illustration, books, and art in general. During her free time she enjoys reading children’s books with her nieces and watching movies accompanied by her cats. Estefanía can be found on Instagram @estefania.razo.r

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 – anywhere books are sold online or support your favorite indie bookstore!

(I include here the link for bookshop.org, because the book doesn’t show up by searching Stephanie’s name!)
Review the book
Tell friends about the book (PLEASE share this post on social media)
Ask local libraries to purchase copies for their collection