PPBF: The Camping Trip That Changed America + a prize!

Posted on January 29, 2016 by viviankirkfield

I’ve been writing a picture book story about a camping trip one of our Presidents took with several special friends. And then one of my critique buddies suggested I read a particular book as a mentor text: The Camping Trip That Changed America, written by Barb Rosenstock.

Barb Rosenstock? Oh my goodness! She’s going to be at the WOW Retreat in July. I will get to meet this amazing nonfiction picture book writer. Better than that, I will get writing advice from her!

So I immediately got a copy of the book and, since this is Perfect Picture Book Friday, I decided to share it with all of you.

The Camping Trip That Changed America

Written by Barb Rosenstock

Illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein

Publisher: Dial Books for Young Reader (2012)

Ages: 5-9

Themes: Conservation, National Parks

Opening Lines:

“Teedie and Johnnie didn’t have much in common—but they shared a love of the outdoors. They both loved a good story, too. And that was enough to change America.” Continue reading →

Motivation Mondays: I Have A Dream – #MLKDay

Posted on January 18, 2016 by viviankirkfield

I couldn’t let this special day go by without posting something as a tribute to the great Dr. King.

Photo courtesy: http://adayinourshoes.com

A dear blogging friend said it all right here:

Source: Motivation Mondays: I Have A Dream – #MLKDay

For parents and teachers looking for appropriate picture books:

Martin and Mahalia by Andrea Davis Pinkney

The Cart that Carried Martin by Eve Bunting

My First Biography of Martin Luther King Jr. by Marion Dane Bauer

Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. by David Adler

And here is a website that provides many meaningful activities for kids.

And here is another.

And don’t forget, dear friends, keep on dreaming…because one day your dreams will be your reality.

Laurie Wallmark – Will Write for Cookies

Posted on January 16, 2016 by viviankirkfield

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION

FOR WRITERS

TODAY’S GUEST

LAURIE WALLMARK

I discovered nonfiction picture books when I took Kristen Fulton’s Nonfiction Archaeology class in June of 2014. From that moment on, I wanted to write my own…and I read every single one I could get my hands on. When I saw the cover of Laurie’s debut picture book, Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine, it was love at first sight.

Laurie Wallmark writes exclusively for children. She can’t imagine having to restrict herself to only one type of book, so she writes picture books, middle-grade novels, poetry, and nonfiction. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. When not writing or studying, Laurie teaches computer science at a local community college, both on campus and in prison.

I was thrilled when Laurie and I connected. Back in November, I did a Perfect Picture Book Friday post and she made a guest appearance with about fascinating information about women in history.

Welcome, Laurie! It is a pleasure having you here.

ME: Who were your favorite authors/illustrators when you were a child?

LAURIE:

As a child, I didn’t actually read a lot of children’s books. Instead, my shelves were filled mostly with science fiction. My favorite authors were the big three from the Golden Age of Science Fiction—Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert Heinlein. I read and reread their novels and short stories over and over again. Much of my early scientific knowledge came from the factual underpinnings of their work. Continue reading →