Book Birthday: BACKYARD STEW

Posted on September 1, 2026 by viviankirkfield

Hurray! Thank you for stopping by. It’s an exciting day because we are celebrating an early Book Birthday for a fabulous new picture book, BACKYARD STEW, written by the talented Heather C. Morris and brilliantly illustrated by Deborah Schreiber and lovingly published by Gnome Road Press.

It’s always so much fun to celebrate new books…and it’s especially fun when we get to chat with the author…and Heather was kind enough to stop by to visit. I actually met Heather in person last November in Denver at NCTE – and, when I heard she had a book coming out, I knew I’d want to share it with you all and have her tell you all about it.

ME: Welcome, Heather! Thank you for coming to Picture Books Help Kids Soar. Can you tell us a little bit about BACKYARD STEW and how it came to be?

HEATHER:
Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog, Vivian. It’s a joy to be here to tell folks about the book and how it came to be.
Short summary of the story

From the author of the award-winning book TRUNK GOES THUNK! A WOODLAND TALE OF OPPOSITES comes another exploration of the wonder and fun that can be found just outside your back door.

This fun, interactive picture book adventure encourages kids to explore the natural world and exercise their imaginations as they mix up their very own Backyard Stew. As they tap the tops of wild strawberries, wiggle wild onions out of the ground, and rub every dandelion, young readers will delight in making this tried and true “recipe” over and over again. Especially when they discover the secret ingredient!

And here is what inspired me to write this story:

The story behind Backyard Stew just goes to show that inspiration can strike anywhere…and that sometimes you need to be a little bit bored.

One day, I was walking my dog…trying not to be bored. And I passed a gorgeous ginkgo tree. It was Fall, so the leaves were a perfect gold. It made me think, “Hmmm…ginkgo. I think you can make tea out of ginkgo leaves. I wonder what else I could eat around here!” Then I remember – in my neighborhood alone – wild strawberries, honeysuckle vines, wild onions, and more. I thought, “what if some kids got together and made a ‘stew’ that included many of these things?” You know, like making mud pies. BUT THEY DIDN’T EAT IT!!! Then I added interactive elements like tapping, turning the book upside-down, shaking the pages, and more, and the story really sparkled.

ME: That’s wonderful, Heather! And I truly love the interactive elements in the book!

And here’s a little bit about the author:

Heather C. Morris is the author of multiple books for kids, including the picture books, Trunk Goes Thunk! A Woodland Tale of Opposites and Backyard Stew, a ghost story in the Haunted States of America Anthology, and the upcoming picture book, Dribble, Shoot, Swish (2027). She lives in a house with a large backyard, which is perfect for stirring up pots of boredom-busting stew. Visit her online at heathercmorris.com.

As well as a little bit about the illustrator:

Deborah Schreiber is an illustrator from Munich, Germany. She can always be found dreaming of new adventures in life and on paper. Her travels brought her to many different countries and finally to the seaside town of Falmouth, England, which she now calls home.

Inspired by nature, wildlife, and personal experiences, Deborah creates atmospheric and playful illustrations that seek to spark wonder and curiosity amongst children and adults alike. While primarily working with traditional media such as watercolor, gouache and colored pencils, she also embraces digital tools to maintain a flexible creative process.

Outside of illustration, Deborah enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring the outdoors and sharing a meal together.

This is such a fabulous book…I am sure many of you would like to snag your own copy. Here are a few preferred pre-order or order links

Backyard Stew will be released on September 15, 2026! But you can pre-order a copy through any local independent bookstore, on Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold.

However, if you’d like a SIGNED copy, you can pre-order through her local indie bookstore, Snail on the Wall, in Huntsville, AL. They ship anywhere within the continental U.S.

https://snailonthewall.com/backyardstew

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!

Cover Reveal: THE OCEAN’S HEART: The Tiny Creatures Essential to Life

Posted on September 15, 2025 by viviankirkfield

Hip hip hooray!!! Time to lift the curtain and REVEAL a beautiful new picture book COVER!

And this one is for a dear friend, author Jilanne Hoffman who has a new book launching March 3, 2026 from Millbrook Press, illustrated by the amazing Khoa Le.

TA-DA!!!

There is so much we don’t know about the oceans…and just look at this cover!!!! It hints at the mysteries that still are yet to be explored.
And we are so lucky because Jilanne stopped by to share a little bit about the book and why she wrote it.
ME: Welcome, Jilanne! Thank you so much for stopping by. Can you tell us a little bit about the book…and the story behind the story?

JILANNE: Thank you for having me, Vivian. It’s great to be here on Picture Books Help Kids Soar. I’d love to tell you a little bit about the bookAnd here’s

Plunge far below the ocean’s surface where billions of restless animals called zooplankton (including jellyfish) dwell in the Twilight Zone. Some are tiny, some enormous, and most are exquisitely beautiful. The setting sun cues their journey to surface waters for a midnight feast on trillions of tiny plants (and each other). It’s a daunting, perilous, nightly migration that transforms the dark ocean into a carnival of lights amidst a feeding frenzy in this eat before being eaten world—a journey that’s vital to all life on Earth.

And here’s what inspired me to write the story:

When I was writing A River of Dust, I discovered that NASA’s CALIPSO satellite not only measured the North African dust that flies across the Atlantic, it also recorded the massive nightly migration of zooplankton in the ocean. First, I was astounded that a satellite could do this, but then as I learned more about these delicate, beautiful animals, and that they’re in danger, I knew I had to share what I’d learned with kids. The marine biologist from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) who reviewed THE OCEAN’S HEART at every step, Dr. Steven Haddock, was extraordinarily helpful. He’s taken blackwater photos of many of the creatures shown in the book (some that are so new to scientists, they have not yet been named). In fact, Khoa used MBARI photos and videos extensively to inform her illustrations since the action of the story is based in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. And the luminous illustration used on both end papers is based on a satellite view of the bay. I also want to add that Haddock has a coffee table book (co-authored with Sönke Johnsen), called THE RADIANT SEA: Color and Light in the Underwater World, hot off the presses from Abrams. It features such stunning photography of these creatures, I knew I had to own it, and I plan to use it during school visits.

No path to publication is totally smooth.
The manuscript had been out on submission for some time, and most editors said they liked the story but “didn’t have a vision” for how to turn the manuscript into a picture book, so they had passed. One of my longtime critique partners, Katy Tanis— a terrific illustrator—was getting frustrated with these responses, because, to her, it was obvious. So she put together a “vision board” using a variety of images from other books. It was amazing. When Carol Hinz expressed interest in the book, but said something similar, I asked my agent to send her what Katy had pulled together. Carol liked what she saw, and decided it was doable. So that clinched the deal.

Jilanne’s bio: Jilanne Hoffmann is an industrial engineer turned author with an MFA in creative writing. Her children’s books focus on the environment, natural wonders, and how we’re all connected on this tiny blue planet. In addition to THE OCEAN’S HEART, Jilanne has a middle grade novel in prose and verse, HEARTLAND, forthcoming from Little Brown in July 2026. Her published books include A River of Dust: The Life-giving Link Between North Africa and the Amazon (2023), which received a PW starred review, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection, a Crystal Kite, was named an ALA Notable and Bank Street Best for 2024, and received the Louis J. Battan Author Award (K-12) from the American Meteorological Society. She’s also the author of two nonfiction board books for young explorers, Happy Camper (Amazon editor’s pick) and The Honey Bear Hive. Jilanne lives on the California coast with her husband, son, and rescue dog. For more info check out her linktree.

Khoa’s bio: Khoa Le is the author and illustrator of numerous picture books. Alongside Khoa’s love for reading, art, and music, she draws inspiration from her travels, discovering the beauty of the world—particularly through her deep love for the ocean and all things connected to it. Khoa finds peace in her small studio in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, accompanied by her beloved cats, and she also cherishes the tranquility of nature. See more of Khoa’s work on her website.

PREORDER LINK for signed copies, bookmarks and stickers from my local indie,Noe Valley Bookstore. If you would like it personalized, please put instructions in the note during checkout. Those who order through my local indie will receive bookmarks, stickers, and CALIPSO satellite magnets.

Thank you so much, dear Jilanne, for sharing all of this with us. I’m so excited for this beautiful book! It’s coming out right during #50PreciousWords…that’s so exciting.

And, dear blog readers, we all know how we can help books like this one become a success and get into the hands of the young people who need them. We can:

Ask our local library to purchase copies
Tell friends about the book (Please share this on social media)
Review the book on Amazon, B&N or other review sites

BUY THE BOOK:

Preorder Link for Bookshop.org
Preorder Link for Barnes & Noble
Preorder Link for Amazon

Thank you for spending your precious time with us, dear friends. I hope you all have a wonderful week!