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I Have a Balloon!

10/2/2017

18 Comments

 

Q & A with debut author, Ariel Bernstein, plus a giveaway!
​By Donna Cangelosi

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Happy Takeaway Tuesday! We're so excited to welcome Ariel Bernstein! Ariel's debut picture book, I HAVE A BALLOON, illustrated by Scott Magoon, (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books) hit the shelves September 27th and has received starred reviews! Ariel shares her backstory here--plus a chance to win a signed copy of her book! Details below!

In I HAVE A BALLOON, Owl has a shiny, red balloon. Monkey does not. As the jacket copy warns, "This is NOT a book about sharing." But is IS one hilarious book about wanting what other's have.

What was your writing and revision process like?
I had a few notes about the story when I first thought of the idea. I sat down at the computer with them and started writing. I rewrote a number of times after reading the manuscript aloud and trying to figure out if it sounded okay.

Did your illustrator notes suggest Owl and Monkey?
Yes, I called the characters Owl and Monkey in the manuscript when noting who was speaking.

How quickly did it sell?
It took about four months after it went on submission.
​
How did you find your agent?
I actually queried my agent, Mary Cummings, with this story! I followed the instructions on her agency's website and emailed the query.

Were you involved in the illustration process?
I wasn't. It was up to the illustrator, Scott Magoon, the art director and our editor, Sylvie Frank. But I would have been nervous to give any input since I don't usually have a visual image of how my books should look. I'm thrilled with how the illustrations turned out!

What is your favorite spread? Why?
After Monkey offered Owl a teddy bear in exchange for the balloon, there's a spread where Owl says "No" and Monkey falls off the tree. It's so funny! The pictures are obviously static, but Scott Magoon's illustrations convey so much energy and humor that you can practically feel the action jump off the page. It makes me smile every time I see it!

How did the sequel, WHERE IS MY BALLOON? (to be published September, 2019) come about?
It was around the time of our cover reveal on the All The Wonders site when I started to think about Owl and Monkey characters again. I imagined what might happen after the end of I HAVE A BALLOON, and had a suspicion that somehow, Monkey would end up accidentally popping the balloon. The idea of how Monkey would handle the situation led to the actual story.

What's you takeaway for other authors?
​
I'm at my local library about once a week. I first head straight for the newly returned picture books section to see what books people have recently read. I often find a title I hadn't thought to check out and end up taking it home. It's a great way to find new books to read and see what other people are interested in!

Thank you so much, Ariel!
​
Ariel is generously giving away a free signed copy of I HAVE A BALLOON to one lucky reader! Enter the Rafflecopter 
below!

Ariel Bernstein is a children's book author. Her debut picture book, I HAVE A BALLOON illustrated by Scott Magoon (Simon and Schuster/ Paula Wiseman Books) is available now. Her upcoming chapter book series, WARREN AND DRAGON, illustrated by Mike Malbrough (Viking Children's) will be released Summer 2018. You can find more about Ariel at http://www.arielbernsteinbooks.com, and on Twitter and Instagram at @ArielBBooks.


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a Rafflecopter giveaway
18 Comments
Ali Bovis
10/3/2017 09:01:59 am

Congratulations Ariel!! This book is SO amazing! The humor is outstanding. My kids have already been reading it over and over- the way they do with their Elephant and Piggie books. Also the illustrations are incredible. The expressions are just hysterical. We all can't wait for more fun with Owl and Monkey in WHERE IS MY BALLOON?!!!

Reply
Ariel Bernstein
10/8/2017 04:22:54 pm

Thanks, Ali!! I agree - Scott Magoon's illustrations are incredible! And I love the Elephant and Piggie books!! :-)

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Kristin
10/3/2017 09:16:14 am

Ooh, this is a great giveaway! My kids and I adore I HAVE A BALLOON; it cracks us up every time we read it (and we've already read it a lot, even though we just got it a few days ago!). Loved reading about Ariel's process here; can't wait for the next book!

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Ariel Bernstein
10/8/2017 04:23:28 pm

Thank you, Kristin!! So happy to hear you and your kids are enjoying the book!! :)

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Kathryn Howes link
10/3/2017 09:41:11 am

What a great interview, Chana & Ariel. It's such fun to read more about the inspiration behind the book. My kids would love to win this giveaway - they are very good at "not sharing"- just like Monkey and Owl.

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Ariel Bernstein
10/8/2017 04:23:59 pm

Ha! Our kids sound like they have a lot in common! Thank you, Katey!! :)

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Emma Bland Smith
10/3/2017 09:51:00 am

Great interview! I love that you go straight for the recently-returned library books to see what people are reading! Excellent tip for staying current.

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Ariel Bernstein
10/8/2017 04:24:32 pm

Thank you, Emma!! Glad it's a helpful tip! :-)

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Rebecca link
10/3/2017 12:50:25 pm

Looks like a cute book. Congratulations, Ariel!

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Ariel Bernstein
10/8/2017 04:24:52 pm

Thank you so much, Rebecca!!

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:Donna link
10/8/2017 10:49:11 am

Ariel (and Donna), this was SO much fun to read :D I'm also happy to hear about the "newly returned picture books section" because I've never heard of it and don't think my library has one! I MUST suggest it! :D Congrats on ALL this AND the sequel!!! :D oxox

Reply
Ariel Bernstein
10/8/2017 04:25:26 pm

Thank you, Donna! I appreciate it!! :-)

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Lori Alexander
10/8/2017 10:52:04 am

Such a great idea for a PB. Can't wait to read this one!

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Ariel Bernstein
10/8/2017 04:26:08 pm

Thanks, Lori!! And congratulations on your new PB!!

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Manju Howard
10/8/2017 02:06:17 pm

I like the cover art for I HAVE A BALLOON. Did your agent suggest revisions to your ms prior to going on submission to editors?

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Ariel Bernstein
10/8/2017 04:26:51 pm

Hi Manju! I love the cover art too :) Yes, my agent suggested a change to the ending and I really liked how it turned out.

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Angie Quantrell
10/9/2017 07:53:13 am

How fun! This books sounds like it's a blast to read. Thanks for sharing with us! Can't wait to read it!

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MaryWorley
10/9/2017 02:19:57 pm

Your book made me laugh out loud. It's wonderful. Congratulations!

Reply



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    Authors

    Donna Cangelosi and Chana Stiefel are picture book critique partners & friends who are passionate about kids' books & are eager to share tidbits from their writing journey with other aspiring writers. 

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