Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. Today’s featured book grabbed my heart…both the words and the art! And you are all in for a huge treat because author Patricia Toht, a long-time kid-lit friend of mine, stopped by to share her path to publication. I know how helpful it is for aspiring authors and multi-published ones to hear about other writing journeys. Plus, Patricia is generously offering a signed copy of TOGETHER WITH YOU to one lucky winner!
Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I totally needed this book when I was a kid. I loved to draw…I had a big round cookie tin that was filled with broken crayons. I remember the day I got a new box of Crayola crayons…the big 64 color box with the SHARPENER…it was 1958 (that was the first year Crayola released the 64-crayon box with the sharpener) and I was 11 years old – and I felt like I had just gotten the best gift ever! But I didn’t have much confidence in my art – and most of the time, I colored in coloring books…allowing my creativity to be confined within the boundaries of the lines on the page. Danielle Dufayet’s newest book, BENFORD DRAWS A BLANK, is all about creativity and imagination and believing in oneself…and something many of us writers experience – not knowing where to begin! And before you begin reading this post, I want to let you know that the lovely Danielle is offering a fabulous giveaway: winner’s choice of either a signed copy of the book OR a Picture Book Critique! WOW!
Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! This is the FIRST Perfect Picture Book Friday of 2023 – and it’s special for another reason. I love lifting up new books…and it’s always a thrill when the book is written by a friend…and even more exciting when it’s a friend I’ve met in person! In 2019, I attended the NESCBWI conference in Springfield, Massachusetts – presenting at three workshops with my debut picture books…and also attending that conference was Kim Chaffee with her debut picture book, HER FEARLESS RUN: Kathrine Switzer’s Historic Boston Marathon. And now this talented author has another fabulous book: COURAGE IN HER CLEATS: The Story of Soccer Star Abby Wambach! If you leave a comment and share on social media, you might be the lucky winner of a copy!
COURAGE IN HER CLEATS: The Story of Soccer Star Abby Wambach
Written by Kim Chaffee
Illustrated by Alexandra Badiu
Published by Page Street Kids
Ages: 4-8
Themes: Gender equality, sports, mighty girls
Synopsis: From Amazon:
As a child, Abby Wambach was loud and clear about what she wanted and what she didn’t, and she didn’t want to be left out of any competition―especially soccer.
In this powerful biography, readers will dance and dart down fields with Abby as she slingshots–balls thwump… whiz… whoosh–straight into goals, sweating and scoring her way from school league leader to U.S. Women’s National Team star.
The story follows Abby through both success and setbacks because while even pro athletes miss goals, face losses, and can get injured, determined Abby has always been tougher than her toughest challenge.
Readers will cheer on this talented fan favorite as she kicks the legendary U.S. Women’s team toward Olympic fame, while also being reminded that there’s just as much inspiration in Abby’s struggles as in her victories.
Why I Love This Book:
1. I love stories that show that nothing is impossible if you can imagine it – stories that can inspire young readers to follow their dreams – books with heroes who prove that one person can make a difference.
2. I love the flow and pacing of the story – and the text is filled with heart and humor.
3. The illustrations are fabulous – and they engage the reader and keep you turning the pages.
And we are so very lucky because Kim stopped by to share a little bit about her path to publication for this book:
KIM: Unlike Her Fearless Run, Courage in Her Cleats was difficult to draft. It was challenging to find the through line, the heart of the story. Abby was such an incredible athlete, but a book about how awesome someone is isn’t a very compelling angle. I had to dig deeper to present Abby’s soccer story as one kids could connect with. I’m excited for readers to experience Abby’s story, to learn that even Olympic and World Cup Champions suffer setbacks, and to be reminded that they can accomplish anything once they uncover the courage to try.
ME: I love this, Kim! As writers in this business, we often deal with rejection and set-backs – it’s so important to remember that if we don’t give up, we can reach our goals!
RELATED ACTIVITIES:
SOCCER AND FOOTBALL CRAFTS
Photo courtesy: https://www.muminthemadhouse.com/football-crafts-soccer-crafts/
Here you go, my friends! More than a dozen awesome craft activities with a soccer/football theme for kids. And I love the website: https://www.muminthemadhouse.com/football-crafts-soccer-crafts/
I’m so excited about Kim’s book – I hope you will be, too! It launches on January 10th and you can order it at your Indie bookstore as well as on Amazon where you can also leave a review. Reviews are so very important for the success of a book – and they only take a few minutes to post. If a book hasn’t launched yet, you can leave a review on Goodreads. And you can also help your favorite authors and illustrators by requesting their books at your local library!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Please be safe.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 