Hello dear friends. Have you caught your breath from #50PreciousWords? While I and my assistant judges are busy reading the 677 fabulous entries, there are more opportunities for kid-lit writers on the horizon. Have you heard of #PB Rising Stars Mentorship Program? If not, please check it out…this is the LAST year and it has helped many writers move forward on their path to publication. And please keep in mind that the deadline is March 13 at 11:59pm EST.
Kailei Pew shares the following: PB Rising Stars is a completely FREE program that pairs up and coming picture book creators with experienced mentors to help across the turbulent publishing ladder. We have a more diverse group of mentors than ever and are looking forward to welcoming a similarly diverse group of mentees. Because this is our LAST year, we want to reach as many creators as possible.
Applications are NOW OPEN for the FREE PB Rising Stars Mentorship Program!
PB Rising Stars pairs up-and-coming picture book creators (text-only authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators) with experienced mentors to provide help and guidance along the turbulent publishing ladder. They are accepting both unagented and agented creators without agent-repped traditional picture book deals. The program runs for four months and is completely FREE.
More than anything, PB Rising Stars fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating a space that publishing should look like!
Finally, be sure to subscribe to the PB Rising Stars newsletter. They will send out reminders and details throughout the application window, so you’ll never miss an opportunity. Remember, 2026 is the FINAL year of PB Rising Stars, so make sure to take the opportunity to apply now! Mentees have gone on to secure agents, book deals, and more!
WOW! This is an incredible opportunity! Good luck to all who participate! I hope you have a wonderful weekend…here in NH we are expecting MORE SNOW…and then weather in the 50s and 60s…which will feel quite balmy compared to the single digits we’ve had recently.
Thank you to everyone who participated…whether you entered with a story, are donating a prize, are helping judge the entries, or just stopped by to read the incredible submissions. Please remember that kind and positive comments are appreciated…and if you want to donate a book for the #50PreciousWords Literacy Initiative, scroll down to find out how you can do that.
Some of you have been participating since the beginning. But others are here for the first time. So, I’d like to share a bit about the back story of this contest.
In 2012 I had a dream. I wanted to write picture books. One of the most important things I did was to participate in writing challenges like Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 and all of Susanna Hill’s contests. Why was that important? Because it got me writing. It got me revising. It got me submitting. Hmmm….writing/revising/submitting. I believe that if we do those three things enough times, our writing improves, and agents and editors get a chance to see our work. And as much as I am thrilled with my own success, nothing makes me happier than to hear about the success of others in our kid-lit community.
When I first got the idea for this contest back in 2016, I thought a few of my friends might take pity on me and submit a story – to my surprise, there were 128 entries.
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 worldand 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-4th 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…
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 