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!

An Interview with CAP’N REX AND HIS CLEVER CREW and more

Posted on August 8, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Ahoy there, mateys!

I’m so happy you’ve come aboard today because we’ve got a treasure chest of awesomeness in store for you…all thanks to Henry Herz, author of the brand-new pirate picture book, CAP’N REX AND HIS CLEVER CREW. First a book review…then a Q&A with Captain Rex and his clever crew, .and then links where you can find yummy pirate recipes and fun stuff to do

Written by Henry L. Herz

Illustrated by Benjamin Shipper

Published by Sterling Children’s Books (August 2017)

Opening Lines:

Captain Rex and his dinosaur pirates sailed the seven seas.

Synopsis

Captain Rex and his dinosaur pirates sail the seven seas in search of buried treasure. But whenever they hit an obstacle—like a giant shark or pea-soup fog—the crew members are quick to say they can’t overcome. To this, Captain Rex always glares with teeth bared and says, “CAN’T YE?” And, somehow, the crew always comes up with a clever solution. This delightful story highlights the value of one’s creativity and determination in tough situations. It will encourage kids everywhere to think and say, “I can!”

Why I like this book:

Just the right amount of piratey language
Great read aloud
Bold colorful and quirky illustrations that will keep a child turning the pages
Wonderful combination of humor and heart

What others are saying about this book:

“Arrr, if ye be lookin’ for a rollicking read about pirate treasure and persistence, REX marks the spot.”

Molly Idle, Caldecott Honoree author/illustrator of TEA REX

“A darling book about problem solving and utilizing arrr! gifts. And the gorgeous illustrations are a treasure. Pure gold!”

Sherri Duskey Rinker, NY Times bestselling author of MIGHTY, MIGHTY CONSTRUCTION SITE

“This story will certainly thrill the pirate in your house. Through humor and ingenuity we learn that anything is possible!”

Barney Saltzberg, NY Times bestselling author/illustrator of BEAUTIFUL OOPS!

“Pirates, dinosaurs, a voyage to a volcano? Well, shiver me timbers! There be surprise and rollicking adventure within these gorgeous pages. CAP’N REX gives readers a taste of pirate etiquette in this see-worthy treasure.”

Pat Cummings, Coretta Scott King Award winning author/illustrator of MY MAMA NEEDS ME

“Cap’n Rex and his jaunty crew take us on a jolly journey, fraught with perilous adventures. Sticking together and using their wits to overcome obstacles at every treacherous turn, these dino heroes are destined to rake in their fabulous bounty. Gorgeous textures and sumptuous-shaped illustrations help make this book a delight for any young pirate.”

Joe Cepeda, Pura Belpre Honoree author/illustrator of I, FREDDY

“A clever yarn about overcoming obstacles that will have little buccaneers chanting “Can’t ye!” even after the last page has been turned.”

Corey Rosen Schwartz, author of NINJA RED RIDING HOOD

To find out more about author Henry L. Herz:

WEBSITE: www.henryherz.com

FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/henry.herz/

So hold onto your hats, me hardies…now that you’ve got a little background on this story, I know you are anxious to meet my special guests, the four characters from CAP’N REX & HIS CLEVER CREW. We’re sitting in a park, because we cannot all fit inside my house. And really, you don’t want dinosaurs sitting on your furniture.

ME: Hello there! Thank you all for being here (and for not eating me).

Cap’n Rex:

It’s arrr pleasure to be here, lassie. We can spare a few moments before we must resume sailing the seven seas in search of buried booty. Our frigate is double parked at the yacht club.

ME: Can you tell me what it’s like to be characters in a picture book?

Kyle (the ankylosaurus): I like the colors that the illustrator used to draw me. I like how the author shows me as strong and brave. But, as a crewman, I always have to follow the captain’s orders.

Cap’n Rex: Aye, as it should be, laddy! I know what’s best fer ye!

Terry (the pterodactyl): I like that we get to wear clothes – it can get cold out on the high seas. I like that the author lets me fly. Sometimes when there are obstacles, the best way around them is to go over them.

ME: Speaking of obstacles, what is the theme of CAP’N REX & HIS CLEVER CREW?

Pat (the apatosaurus): Hmmm. I couldn’t say.

Cap’n Rex: Can’t ye? (note: Rex is glaring at Pat with teeth bared)

Pat:Oh, well, I guess the lesson of the story is that if you are persistent and think outside the box, you can solve pretty much any problem.

Cap’n Rex: Aye, yer a clever lass. It’s amazin’ what a powerful creativity stimulant the threat of being eaten can be.

Pat:Persistence is a particularly potent property for pirates to possess.

Cap’n Rex: Belay that alliteration!

MR: Let’s move on. How was the book title chosen?

Kyle: The origin of this story was the idea that if kids like pirates and they like dinosaurs (and who could blame ’em), then kids’d REALLY like a story that combined both. Sort of a literary Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. In fact, the author was going to write about dinosaur SPACE pirates. Can you imagine us sailin’ the stars?

Terry:That’s flying too high, even for me. Luckily, the author’s critique partners said that was mashing up too many things. So, we sail a frigate, not a spaceship. And did you notice how our ship is shaped like a giant triceratops head?

Cap’n Rex:None of ye arrr answering the lass’s question! The original title was going to be DINOSAUR PIRATES. As the artwork was being finalized, the author discovered that another book was coming out with that very title. So, at my (humble) suggestion, the author changed the name to better reflect the story (and to include me name).

ME: Where can people find out more about you?

Pat: The author’s website at www.henryherz.com be full o’ free fun features…

Cap’n Rex: BELAY THAT ALLITERATION!

Pat: … including a downloadable study guide, a book trailer video…

Cap’n Rex:I cut a fine figure.

Pat: …and chestfuls of information about famous pirates, pirate language, ships, recipes, movies, activities and jokes.

Kyle: There’s also a Goodreads Giveaway right now where readers can enter to win a free copy of the book.

Terry: And in September through December, readers will have a chance to win original signed art from the illustrator!

Cap’n Rex: Well, the tides are shifting. We must take arrr leave.

And

ME Thank you for visiting! And safe journey!!!!!

Oh my gosh! Do you believe that, dear readers? A Q&A with a bunch of pirate dinosaurs…now THAT is a first on Picture Books Help Kids Soar!

And here’s another first…we’ve got to catch up on some giveaways. A week ago,

we interveiwed Moose the dog and Maria Gianferrari offered a copy of HELLO GOODBYE DOG…and the winner is:

JANE HEITMAN HEALY

Then, we had a book review of Susanna Hill’s newest picture book, THE ROAD THAT TRUCKS BUILT…and the winner is…

ANDREA MACK

And then we had a book birthday for Lisa Amstutz’ APPLESAUCE DAY…and the winner is…

MONA PEASE

I’ll be contacting all of you to arrange for ythe shipment of your books!

Thank you so much, dear friends. Your faithful comments really mean a lot to me and to our guests. Plus I’m grateful for all of the social media shares on Facebook and Twitter! Please don’t forget that Amazon and Goodreads reviews are needed by authors…take a few minutes and review this or one of your other favorite books!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and please excuse any typos that I didn’t catch…my vision is still somewhat blurry.

PPBF: If a T-Rex Crashes Your Birthday Party

Posted on August 19, 2016 by viviankirkfield

Has it been a busy summer for all of you? It definitely has been for me! In July, I attended the WOW Retreat in Georgia! Kristen Fulton organized a conference that was chock full of top notch authors, agents, and editors.

Presentations, Round Tables, One-on-One Critiques, and close up and personal attention from the faculty just about 24/7 all combined to provide a fantastic week of writing. And I even got to spend quality time with my very own agent, the incredible Essie White.

Then, earlier this month, I went to Dana Farber/Brigham Women’s in Boston for my surgery. I truly need to speak out about the power of positive thinking and prayer. When I woke up from the operation (a bilateral mastectomy), I felt great and continue to do so, without any pain medication whatsoever. Two days after the surgery, I was discharged from the hospital and stopped off for lunch at one of Boston’s Indian restaurants with my son and daughter.

A bona fide miracle! Thank you to EVERYONE who sent healing thoughts, cards, gifts, and most of all, love. According to my surgeon who is a veritable magician, I am CANCER FREE!!!! So back to writing, back to revising, back to critiquing, and back to blogging.

But before we proceed to our Perfect Picture Book Friday review, we need to announce the winner of a copy of Pat Zeitlow Miller’s brand-new picture book, Sophie’s Squash Goes to School.

AND THE WINNER IS:

JESSICA LAWSON

Congratulations, Jessica…I loved hearing about the dead squirrel you brought to school…and thank you so much to everyone who shared their strangest school show and tell. Jessica, please email me with your address so I can get the book right out to you: viviankirkfield@gmail.com.

And now for today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday pick!

If a T-Rex Crashes Your Birthday Party

Written by Jill Esbaum

Illustrated by Dasha Tolstikova

Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books (August 2016)

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:

Birthdays, dinosaurs

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

You never know what will happen when a T. Rex crashes your birthday party. Sure, you’ll be super excited when he turns up at your door. But then he’ll stomp. He’ll ROAR. He’ll look at you as if he’s wondering how you taste with a little mustard. In the end, though, you just may find yourself asking him to come back next year!

Why I like this book:

So funny…and full of tongue in cheek humor…and I’ve found, from reading hundreds of picture books with my grandson, that kids LOVE funny books!
Great illustrations – bright, simple, and lots of color!
Dinosaurs, birthday parties…need I say more?

RELATED ACTIVITIES

From the author’s website, an activity kit for a birthday party: http://www.jillesbaum.com/assets/t.rex-party-kit.pdf

Other reviews of this book:

https://kid-lit-reviews.com/2016/08/16/938-if-a-t-rex-crashes-your-birthday-party-by-jill-esbaum-and-dasha-tolstikova/

Interview with the illustrator and a giveaway on Jill’s blog:

http://picturebookbuilders.com/2016/08/if-a-t-rex-crashes-your-birthday-party-and-giveaway

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susannah Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, dear friends and readers. And please don’t forget to come back tomorrow for:

Will Write for Cookies

With

JILL ESBAUM

AND A

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!