 Fall is a great time for picking pumpkins, apples,. . . . and picture books! Here are some of our favorite fall picks with Kidlit Takeaways for writers & illustrators: Donna's Picks: SAM THE MOST SCAREDY-CAT KID IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD Written & Illustrated by your pal (and mine) Mo Willems Published by Disney Hyperion Books, NY, 2017 Sam is scared of anything and everything, except Leonardo the monster. Kerry is afraid of anything and everything, except Frankenthaler, the other monster. When Sam and Kerry discover each other, a frightfully funny adventure unfolds! Why I love this book: This story is filled with fun, surprises, and a satisfying ending. The words are few and every one contributes to making this a humorous, page-turning story. Mo uses a unique story to address a universal theme. The characters are adorable and relatable. The illustrations are hysterical. And the story has a heart-felt message--there's a friend for everyone! Kidlit Takeaways: Creating stories about characters with exaggerated problems or personalities infuses humor, engages readers and makes their struggle relatable. It also allows the writer to send a message in a fun, light-hearted way.  PRINCE AND PIRATE Written by Charlotte Gunnufson & Illustrated by Mike Lowery Published by GP Putnam, NY, 2017 Prince, a prim goldfish, ruled a small round kingdom, admiring his majestic castle and riding his regal carriage. "Simply squiddy!" Pirate, a rowdy sort of fish, ruled a small round sea, sailing a schooner and guarding his treasure chest. "Yo, ho ho!" But when Prince and Pirate are scooped out of their domains and plopped into shared waters (a large fish tank) rough seas lie ahead. That is, until a little surprise in the form of an adorable dogfish helps them find a way to get along. Why I love this book: This story is filled with prince-like lexicon and piratey expressions, which gives the characters big personalities and makes it fun to read aloud. The writing and illustrations are lively and the fish tank setting makes the story unique. It's humorous, charming, and has a timely messages--to share and respect differences. Kidlit Takeaways:
 Chana's picks: FOUND DOGS Written & illustrated by Erica Sirotich Dial Books for Young Readers, 2017 In this adorable new counting book, readers count all kinds of rescue dogs: “1 dog long and low, 2 dogs, silver and slow…” The puppy fun builds until… “10 dogs, slobbering hounds, Wait, dogs, a little longer...Soon, dogs, you’ll be found!” A long line forms outside the City Shelter with a sign that reads: Adoptions today. The joy continues as readers count down from 10 as each dog is lovingly adopted. Why I love this book: Sirotich’s playful rhyme and charming illustrations are sure to draw kids in and keep them reading & counting again and again. (The only drawback for me is that my son has been begging for a dog and this book might be too persuasive.) Kidlit Takeaways:
 WHOBERT WHOVER, OWL DETECTIVE Written by Jason Gallaher, illustrated by Jess Pauwels Simon & Schuster, 2017 Whobert Hoover always tries to keep his neck of the woods safe. Then he discovers Perry the possum lying awfully still. Whobert chases down witnesses, each one passing the blame. “Not guilty. You see it was…” Who, Who, Whodunnit? Why we love this book: Jason Gallaher had me laughing at the title and the giggles never stopped. Jess Pauwels’ hilarious illustrations add even more character to Whobert and his forest friends. (The bulging eyeballs alone give off every expression from surprise to accusation to eye-rolling embarrassment to...death!) Readers will have a blast trying to sort out this wacky mystery. Kidlit Takeaways:
What are your favorite fall picks?
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Interview with author Chana Stiefel by co-blogger Donna Cangelosi
DC: Back in 2013 when I registered for my fifth NJSCBWI conference, I signed up to be part of a critique group. Several weeks before the conference, I received five manuscripts from the writers who would be participating in the group. One of them was DADDY DEPOT, written by Chana Stiefel. I remember the first time I read DADDY DEPOT like it was yesterday. BING! My eyes shot open! "How do people write like this?" I wondered. I fell in love with spunky Lizzie who tries to exchange her less-than-perfect (but totally lovable) dad at the Daddy Depot. Little did I know that Chana would become one of my critique partners, my co-blogger, and one of my closest friends. DADDY DEPOT (illustrated by Andy Snair) debuted May 16 from Feiwel & Friends. Here's Chana’s story, plus a chance to win a signed copy of DADDY DEPOT below!
CS: Thanks Donna! I just want everyone to know that I couldn’t have done this without YOU! I still have your critique from that conference where we met. You invited me that same day to join your critique group, which has been a huge support for me. And I continue to cherish your wise advice and encouragement. Every writer should have a Donna!  Donna & Chana
DC: Thanks Chana! Ditto! What inspired you to write DADDY DEPOT?
CS: DADDY DEPOT was inspired by a bedtime story. My daughter, who was seven at the time, was mad at her dad, so we spun a tale about a girl who returns her father to the Daddy store. We laughed a lot. Afterward, I ran downstairs and wrote the first draft of DADDY DEPOT. That was eight years ago! DC: How much of the book is autobiographical? CS: The dad in the book is nothing like my own father, but very similar to my husband. He loves football, tells goofy jokes on a daily basis (as a pediatrician) and often falls asleep (and snores) during snuggle time. Nevertheless, I doubt my kids would ever return him to the DADDY DEPOT. The Mommy Market is another story. (Hint, hint to Feiwel & Friends.) DC: Describe your writing journey. CS: I’ve been writing books for kids for more than 20 years. I’ve written 20+ non-fiction books for the educational market, mostly about science and history. DADDY DEPOT is my first picture book and my first work of fiction. DC: How did your experience as a non-fiction writer help you write picture books? CS: It’s a very different process. You use a different part of your brain to write fiction. What did help was the habit of TIC (tush in chair) and the fact that I had a portfolio of previously published books when I met my agent. When I started writing picture books, I had to learn the process from scratch—through webinars, workshops, and SCBWI conferences. DC: Tell us a bit about the publishing process for DADDY DEPOT. CS: It’s been a long but exciting journey. I wrote my first draft in 2009. After taking it to a NJ-SCBWI craft workshop, where it was skewered (rightfully so because it had over 1,000 words, no character development and it rhymed terribly), I thought I would never write again. A few months later, I decided to watch a Writer’s Digest webinar on picture book writing by author Mary Kole. It inspired me to apply what I learned to DADDY DEPOT and my story began to take shape. After meeting you and joining our critique group in 2013, I was able to polish my manuscript and get it ready for submission. 
DC: How did you find your agent?
CS: I met my agent, John Cusick of Folio Literary, at a four-minute pitch during my first NJ-SCBWI conference (the same conference where I met you!). It was incredible because I was a total newbie. But John must have liked my DADDY DEPOT pitch because he said, “Send it to me!” It was one of the happiest moments of my career. I remember telling you about it, and we were jumping up and down together. A few months later, I signed with John and DADDY DEPOT sold to Feiwel & Friends soon afterward. DC: Were you involved with the illustrations? CS: My publisher did ask for my illustrator wish list when the process began. Ultimately they chose the illustrator, Andy Snair. I couldn’t be happier with the way the book turned out. I did have some input in terms of looking at initial sketches. But the publisher felt strongly that the artist should have creative license and I can see why that works. Other authors have described “birthing a book together” with their illustrators. I would like to try that as well. DC: How and where do you get your ideas for picture books? CS: Anywhere and everywhere. In the pool, on walks, while I sleep, at the supermarket, reading the newspaper, hanging out with my family…. Ideas are everywhere. You just have to grab them and jot them down when they pop into your head. DC: Do you have advice for unpublished writers about the publishing process? CS: Of course you should read a ton of other picture books to study the craft. TIC is essential too. These books do not write themselves. Also I’ve become a firm believer that having a good literary agent is essential in this market. While you might have some success publishing a book on your own, agents help build careers. They understand the business aspects of publishing, open doors to editors, provide much needed editorial advice, negotiate contracts, boost your spirits when the rejections get you down, and so much more. In addition to polishing your writing, I would say putting your efforts into finding a good agent should be your top priority. DC: What’s one take away from your journey? CS: My writing instructors in college used to always say, “Write what you know,” meaning write from personal experience. I would extend that to “Write from your heart.” Write what you’re most passionate about. Heart-warming stories tend to strike a chord and are usually the most interesting and relatable. DC: Great tips, Chana! What’s coming up next? CS: I am in the process of editing a “monstrous” book about creepy critters that I wrote for National Geographic Kids, which comes out in 2018. My second picture book, WAKAWAKALOCH, about a cave girl who wants to change her hard-to-pronounce name (ahem!) will be coming out from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2019. And I have some super exciting news to share soon! Enter to win a signed copy of DADDY DEPOT before Father’s Day! (U.S. only.) Details below! 
From the archives! Here's Chana's critique of DADDY DEPOT by Donna from NJSCBWI 2013!
By Donna Cangelosi  The beloved Dr. Seuss (Ted Geisel) believed that the best stories are those that address children's basic needs: love, security, belonging, achievement, knowledge, and change. He urged children's authors to write with these needs in mind. Seuss also noted that kids love fun, play, and nonsense. As a participant in Carrie Charlie Brown's Reading For Research March challenge (ReFoReMo), I recently read dozens of picture books and found that these themes still apply to recently released books. LOVE I Wish You More- Written by Amy Krause Rosenthal, Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld Hug Machine- Written & Illustrated by Scott Campbell SECURITY (Books about emotional security) You Nest Here With Me- Written by Jane Yolen & Heidi Stemple, Illustrated by Melissa Sweet I'd Know You Anywhere- Written & Illustrated by Nancy Tillman BELONGING (Includes books about friendship & fitting in) Mostly Monsterly- Written by Tammi Sauer, Illustrated by Scott Magoon Stick and Stone- Written by Beth Ferry, Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld ACHIEVEMENT (Includes books about perseverance, mastery, & empowerment) Nanette's Baguette- Written & Illustrated by Moe Willems Bunny's Book Club- Written by Annie Silvestro, Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss Eddie the Bully- Written & Illustrated by Henry Cole Charles Darwin's Around-The-World-Adventure- Written & Illustrated by Jenifer Thermes KNOWLEDGE (Includes books about feelings & curiosity) Normal Norman- Written by Tara Lazar, Illustrated by S. Britt What Do You Do With An Idea- Written by Kobi Yamada, Illustrated by Mae Besom Ada Twist Scientist- Written by Andrea Beaty, Illustrated by David Roberts Rosie Rovere Engineer- Written by Andrea Beaty, Illustrated by David Roberts Happy Dreamer- Written & Illustrated by Peter Reynolds CHANGE (Includes books about loss, dreams & being different/going against the current) Heart in the Bottle- Written & Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers Always Ida- Written by Caron Lewes, Illustrated by Charles Santoso I Dissent- Written by Debbie Levy, Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine- Written by Laurie Walmark, Illustrated by April Chu FUN AND PLAY The Book With No Pictures- Written by B.J. Novak Mary Had A Little Glam- Written by Tammi Sauer, Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton Moo!- Written by David LaRochelle, Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka Meet the Dullards- Written by Sara Pennyparker, Illustrated by David Salmieri THE TAKEAWAY- Writing picture books with themes that appeal to children help them feel understood, makes them want to turn the pages, and fosters a love of reading. Please share themes you've found in picture books you've read. By Chana Stiefel  This Monday, April 24, is “Yom HaShoa V’Hagevurah,” the “Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust and the Heroism,” celebrated throughout the world to commemorate the six million Jews and all who perished at the hands of the Nazis. With the addition of the expression of heroism, the Israeli Knesset enacted the full name in 1953 to focus on the bravery of those who stood up to tyranny, Jews and non-Jews alike. Each year (and perhaps this year especially), we are reminded that Holocaust education is essential. The question is: How do we explain the horrors of the Holocaust to young children? Picture books can be an excellent portal to open the door to discussion on this difficult topic. Last month, I taught a class called “Picture Book Portrayals of the Holocaust” to a group of students at Ma’ayanot, the high school where I work. The class was part of a Book Day commemorating the life and legacy of humanitarian, author, professor and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel (1928-2016). Wiesel taught us: “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” Following are beautifully illustrated picture books that highlight this essential message—a message for all ages:  “The Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust,” by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by Stephen Gammell (Harper & Row, 1989) Summary: Animals of the forest are content until The Terrible Things arrive and blot out the sun. First they come for all feathered animals. Little Rabbit wonders what’s wrong with feathers, but the other animals silence him. “Just be glad it wasn’t us they wanted,” says Big Rabbit. Then the Terrible Things return for bushy tailed creatures, followed by every creature who swims, and so on. No one stands up to the Terrible Things until the forest is decimated. The Takeaway: Through the inaction of the forest creatures, children can start to understand this horrible period of history and begin discussions of what each of us can do to prevent it from happening again. Eve Bunting’s allegory of the forest creatures may be less terrifying for children and can be extended to lessons against tyranny in today’s world.  “The Whispering Town,” by Jennifer Elvgren, Illustrated by Fabio Santomauro (Lerner Publishing, 2014) Summary: Based on a true story, this beautiful book shows how one family in Denmark protected Jews from the Nazis by hiding them in their cellar. Worried about their safety, the Danish daughter, Anett, comes up with a clever plan to get the Jewish family safely to the harbor. The Takeaway: This book’s positive message shows how effective resistance can be. Even young children can accomplish amazing things. As we read in the author’s note, Danes bravely hid Jews in warehouses, barns, hotels, and churches. They hired boats to smuggle them safely to Sweden. About 1,700 Jews escaped from the small fishing village of Gilleleje during the war.  “The Cats in Krasinksi Square,” by Karen Hesse, Illustrated by Wendy Watson (Scholastic Press, 2004) Summary: Also based on a true story, this book shows how two sisters outfox the Nazis by using stray cats to distract their vicious dogs. The sisters then smuggle food to their starving friends in the Warsaw Ghetto. The Takeaway: In one word: Resist! Hesse’s beautiful storytelling reminds us that each person has unique gifts and ingenuity to help others.  “Benno and the Night of Broken Glass,” by Meg Wiviott, Illustrated by Jose Bisaillon (Kar-Ben Publishing, 2010)
Summary: With a cat’s-eye view, this book tells the fictional story of several families in one neighborhood in Berlin before, during, and after Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass). An afterward shows photographs and tells about the real events of this horrific pogrom, which marked the beginning of the Holocaust on November 9, 1938. Wiviott’s gripping story and Bisaillon’s stunning illustrations show how normal life unraveled into horrific violence. Germans, who were once friends, lowered their eyes and turned their backs on their Jewish neighbors. The Takeaway: This book poignantly portrays the disastrous results of a community’s inaction. By using a cat as a neutral bystander, children can watch events unfold and gain perspective and compassion for the victims. Nazis are portrayed by their brown shirts and black boots. As Wiviott—and Elie Wiesel— remind us, we cannot afford to remain neutral when our neighbors are being oppressed. Other recommended picture books about the Holocaust: “The Butterfly,” by Patricia Polacco (Philomel, 2000) “Erika’s Story,” by Ruth Vander Zee and Roberto Innoncenti (Creative Editions, 2003) “The Harmonica,” by Tony Johnston, Illustrated by Ron Mazellan (Charlesbridge, 2004) What other picture books do you recommend with the message of not being silent and taking action? How can these lessons be extended for children? Please comment and share.
Q & A with debut author Michelle Schaub, plus a giveaway!
By Chana Stiefel
Snowy outside? It's the perfect day to celebrate Michelle Schaub’s book birthday—her debut picture book Fresh-Picked Poetry: A Day at the Farmers’ Market (illustrator, Amy Huntington, Charlesbridge)! You'll find some wonderful Tuesday Takeaways in here, plus a giveaway! Details below. Welcome to Kidlittakeaways, Michelle! What inspired you to write your book? I’m a huge fan of farmers’ markets and local, seasonal eating. In fact, I often plan family vacations around places that I know have amazing markets. I knew I wanted to write a picture book that captured the wonder of market day, but I wasn’t sure how to go about it. Then one day I was at my favorite market, the Green City Market in Chicago, with my children. We were searching for paw paw, a rare fruit indigenous to North America which is only in season for a few weeks in late summer/early fall. While we scanned the venders, trying to catch a glimpse of this elusive fruit that looks like a bruised and lumpy pear, I thought about how much exploring a farmers’ market is like going on a treasure hunt. The idea of treasure hunts and new discovers is at the heart of all of the poems I wrote for this collection. How does the final draft compare with the first draft? My first draft included 25 poems and scanned an entire year at a market, starting with spring and continuing through winter. The collection focused more on how the market changes from season to season. My editor liked the poems and the topic, but she thought I was trying to “do too much.” She challenged me to set the entire market on one summer day. This meant cutting about half the poems and creating new ones. It felt like a daunting task at the time, but ultimately the collection is more focused and relatable as a result. Describe your writing journey. While I enjoyed writing, reading, and words all through grade school and high school, the idea that I might actually become a writer didn’t occur until the end of college. Up until that time I planned on becoming an architect. . .or a graphic designer. . . or a psychologist. (I was a little indecisive.) In my final semester, I took a creative writing class for fun. During one critique session, a classmate pointed out that my main characters were always kids. When she asked, “Have you ever thought about writing children’s books?” a big lightbulb went on in my brain. I have been teaching writing to children and writing for children ever since. Do you always write in rhyme? What are the challenges of writing a rhyming picture book? I don't always work in rhyme, but most of the poems in FRESH-PICKED do rhyme. When I set out to write a poem, I don't decide ahead of time if it is going to rhyme or not. I let the topic and tone "guide my pen." Rhyme works best for the poems in FRESH-PICKED because I am trying to cultivate a fun, rollicking adventure throughout the collection. One of the potential pitfalls of writing in rhyme is letting "rhyme rule over reason." This happens when you are so focused on finding a rhyme for a particular word that you end up diverging from your intended meaning. For example, let's say I am composing a poem about spring, and I write "I love the caress of a soft April breeze/ especially when I am nibble cheese." Clearly, I have let the rhyme dictate the content, and the result is a little, well... cheesy. Luckily, my poetry group does not let me get away with convenient rhymes that are not true to the content of the poem. Which leads to a lot of rewriting, and A LOT of consultation with my two best poetry tools: thesaurus.com and rhymezone.com. Great tips! Do you have a critique group? How does it work? I have an amazing poetry group, which includes Eileen Meyer, Heidi Roemer, and Patricia Toht, all successfully published poets. We meet once a month at a local coffee shop to critique work, celebrate victories, and commiserate over setbacks. How did you find your agent? I connected with my agent, Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literacy, at an Illinois Prairie Writers’ and Illustrators’ Day. I think Karen might be one of the hardest working and most efficient agents in the business. When it comes to answering emails, I often tell her that she is faster than Jimmy John’s. Did you have any part in choosing your illustrator? Did you include illustration notes in your manuscript? I did not have any say in choosing the illustrator nor did I include illustrator notes, but boy did I luck out. I am thrilled with Amy Huntington’s illustrations. She even created a clever sub-plot about two friends that meet at the market, one the child of a farmer and one the child of a shopper. The friends each have a dog, and these canine companions cause some unexpected adventure. Amy’s illustrations add a surprising layer to the book. What were your favorite picture books growing up? I loved the FRANCIS books by Russell and Lilian Hoban. Francis is such a spunky little badger and she taught me that it’s okay to have a mind of your own as long as your ideas don’t squash those around you. What is one takeaway you’d like to share with aspiring authors? If you are going to be a children’s writer, you have to be in it for the marathon, not the sprint. It took me twenty years of training to finally cross that finish line. And once I did, I realized it that really wasn’t a finish line, but more of a refueling station. So, grab your Gatorade and keep on going, because there are always more stories to tell. Thank you so much, Michelle! Michelle is generously giving away a free signed copy to one lucky reader (U.S. only). Enter the Rafflecopter below! 
Michelle Schaub's poetry also appears in And the Crowd Goes Wild, A Global Gathering of Sports Poems and The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations. She is a middle school language arts teacher who nurtures a love of reading and writing with students. When not teaching and writing, Michelle loves hiking, biking, and exploring local farmers markets.
By Donna Cangelosi  I recently posted a question for published authors:
"If you had one takeaway or bit of advice for a new writer, what would it be? I immediately received over a dozen responses from some of the finest writers I know! And they kept coming!
By Chana Stiefel
Welcome Anna Forrester! Anna's beautiful picture book, BAT COUNT (illustrated by Susan Detweiler, Arbordale), debuted this month. Find out the backstory of Anna's bat story & walk away with some great Tuesday Takeaways. Plus, enter to win a free signed copy of the book below!
What inspired you to write your book? A colony of bats lives in the barn of my family’s place in central Pennsylvania, and when we heard that scientists were asking people to track summer bat colonies as part of an effort to understand White Nose Syndrome, we decided to get involved. Counting bats turned out to be strangely fun. As the sky changes, you lie there by the fire, watching. It can take an hour for them to come out, and it ends up being an incredibly relaxing way to end a day. Also, my kids – like many kids today – are very aware of the ecological challenges the planet and so many of its species are facing. BAT COUNT is the story of one particular, worried child getting involved in citizen science and trying to make a difference; I hope that it will plant a seed in the minds and hearts of some of its young readers. How does the final draft compare with the first draft? BAT COUNT is long by many of today’s standards – almost 1,000 words – but it is a lot shorter than it used to be! It was one of my first picture book projects, and I put it aside once I started to get a sense of the norms of today’s trade market and realized there probably wasn’t a place for it in there. When I read that Arbordale, an educational publisher, was looking for math- and science-themed picture books, 1,000 words or less, I edited it down and pitched it as a book about bats and citizen science. The structure actually never changed too much – which is SO not the case for anything else I write – but the ending took lots of work. Describe your writing journey. I’ve always loved picture books, and wrote my first one 20+ years ago as my Master's thesis at Bank Street College. I fiddled around with a few more kids writing projects back then, but stopped when I decided to study landscape architecture. Do you have an agent? No agent – yet! Do you have a critique group? How does it work? I have been in a real-time, 8-person, monthly critique group of picture book writers for a couple years here in Philly. Recently our waiting list got so long that we started a second group, and I go to that one once a month now too: it is mostly writer-illustrators, so is different from my first group in interesting ways. I have a few critique partners I met through the 12 x 12 Challenge, and a few other writer friends I’ve met along the way who I share work with, digitally – a couple, even, from our awesome 2017 Picture The Books’ cohort! (Check out Picture the Books, featuring this year's debut picture books, where Anna & I are members!) Did you have any part in choosing your illustrator? Did you include illustration notes in your manuscript? I had no part in choosing BAT COUNT’s illustrator, and the manuscript had no illustration notes (the narrative is pretty traditional). But Arbordale did ask for my thoughts at the beginning of the process: I said that I really wanted the pages to have a lot of sky, and that I didn’t see any reason Jojo’s family needed to be white. What were your favorite picture books growing up? Evaline Ness’s SAM BANGS AND MOONSHINE was a favorite, as was Marie Hall Ets’ PLAY WITH ME. There was a lot of Dr. Seuss and Robert McCloskey and Maurice Sendak floating around our house too. I was the youngest of four, and my (busy) mom read out loud to us a TON. She’d been an English major in college, and she took this course at The Great Books Foundation so she could go in to schools and do read-aloud programs. She is a great reader, and practiced a LOT on us, so I did a ton of listening to all sorts of stories too. What is one takeaway you’d like to share with aspiring authors? Try to understand why you write – your “writer’s purpose.” Whether you come from a marketing place or an artistic place or some other place entirely, try to know why you’re doing what you do. I’ve read a couple pieces about this – (here and here) and, honestly, I’m not sure I’ll ever be done figuring it out for myself. Plus aspects of my purpose will probably keep shifting over time. But the process of trying to sort it out (by writing, of course) is invaluable to me – I absolutely recommend it. Thank you Anna! Anna is generously offering a free signed copy of BAT COUNT to one lucky person (U.S. only). To enter, please check out the Rafflecopter below Anna's bio. 
Anna Forrester has taught kindergarten and second grade, and designs landscapes for play. She writes picture books, chapter books and middle grade novels. Anna’s debut picture book, Bat Count (Arbordale, February 2017), is a ‘ficinformational’ story of bats, citizen science and hope. Anna loves books and she loves exploring – in Philadelphia where she lives, in rural Pennsylvania on her family’s farm, and in all the places her adventures take her. Visit Anna at her website or on Twitter .
By Chana Stiefel
It’s Takeaway Tuesday—with a great Giveaway! BUNNY’S BOOK CLUB, an adorable picture book by Annie Silvestro (illus. by Tatjana Mai-Wyss), debuts TODAY! It features a book-loving bunny who sneaks into the town library to borrow books for his forest friends. Annie shared some Kidlittakeaways with us, plus she’s offering a giveaway: A free signed copy of BUNNY’S BOOK CLUB to one lucky winner (U.S. only)! See details below. How did you come up with idea for Bunny’s Book Club? It’s a really fun memory. I participated in the parent show for my son’s preschool and my character was a bunny. I had some time “backstage” in my bunny costume and that’s where the idea began brewing for BUNNY’S BOOK CLUB. What was the writing process like? How many drafts did you go through? How does the final version compare with the first? I went through quite a few drafts of this story. Believe it or not, the original version had a real western flair. Ultimately my wonderful editor, Frances Gilbert, asked me to take it in a different direction. More animals were also added and involved over the course of the revision process. Is the Bunny character based on a particular book lover? How much of your book is autobiographical? That is such a great question! Libraries are so vitally important and special to me and have been for as long as I can remember. I really wanted to share that passion. That said, I definitely think my oldest son would resort to something drastic if he couldn’t get his hands on books for some reason. He cannot live without them. The book is filled with lots of clever bunny references (Bunny wriggles his cottontail through the book slot; the library was “better than a field full of fresh, crunchy carrots!” Bunny’s whiskers twitch with excitement.). Did you spend a lot of time observing bunnies (and other animals)? Not so much time observing bunnies, but lots of time trying to think like one! My favorite picture books have new details that I notice each time I read and re-read. Tatjana Mai-Wyss’s illustrations accomplish that in a big way. Did your submission include illustrator notes? What was your reaction when you saw the illustrations? I had a few illustration notes, yes, and our editor added a few more during the revision process. Otherwise I was not involved with that aspect of the book. Tatjana posted some sneak-peeks on Instagram that were like special little presents each time they appeared. I was overjoyed when I saw the illustrations in full. I absolutely love them! Each animal has such a personality! I love the details of the endpapers and the library card in the front. I feel very lucky and grateful. What were some of your favorite picture books as a child? I was a big reader as a child and loved so many – ones that stand out are SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE, the BABAR books, STREGA NONA, the GEORGE AND MARTHA books, MADELINE, any and all Golden Books, and anything by Richard Scarry. I could go on and on… Do you have a critique group? What’s your process for sharing stories? Yes! I’m in two, actually—one online and one face-to-face. The support and feedback from fellow writers has been invaluable to me. It’s impossible to see something with fresh eyes after a while. Critique partners can offer vital perspective on what works and doesn’t work in a manuscript. I try to wait until a story is as polished as I can make it before sharing it with others. What’s your takeaway for aspiring picture book authors? (Let me guess…spend a lot of time in the library?) Ha! Definitely lots of time in the library! Read as much as you can and as many different types of picture books as you can. Read them aloud. What makes you like one more than another? What books don’t you like and why? What books do you love so much you feel compelled to buy them? It’s helpful to think about the answers to those questions as you approach your own manuscript. 
About the author: Annie Silvestro is a lover of books who reads and writes as much as possible and can often be found shuffling piles of them around so she has a place to sit or someplace to put her teacup. Her debut picture book, BUNNY’S BOOK CLUB, illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss (Doubleday), will be released on February 7, 2017, followed by MICE SKATING, illustrated by Teagan White (Sterling). Annie lives by the beach in NJ with her husband and two boys who also love to read, and a cat who does not. Visit Annie online at: www.anniesilvestro.com and on Twitter and Instagram: @anniesilvestro.
New for 2017: Takeaway Tuesdays! (And a Surprise Giveaway!)
By Chana Stiefel
Not long ago, my son pulled a book off the shelf at our local library and said, “You gotta read this, Mom.” The book, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig, is a cherished classic that won a Caldecott Award in 1970. My son’s teacher had read the book in class. It's about a donkey who turns himself into a rock by wishing on a magic pebble. The story left my son—and countless others—with a sense of wonder. Interestingly, at the back of the book, I found something truly wonder-ful. It was William Steig’s Caldecott acceptance speech, in which he says: “Art, including juvenile literature, has the power to make any spot on earth the living center of the universe; . . . it helps us to know life in a way that still keeps before us the mystery of things. It enhances the sense of wonder. And wonder is respect for life. Art also stimulates the adventurousness and the playfulness that keep us moving in a lively way that lead to useful discovery.” Inspiring words from the man who also wrote Shrek!, on which the blockbuster movies are based, as well as Abel's Island and Doctor De Soto, which both won Newbery Honors, as well as dozens of other children's books. (My favorite is still Pete's a Pizza.) And did you know Steig started writing children's books when he was 61? His words reminded me that maintaining and sharing a sense of wonder are the reasons we write for children. The Takeaway: As we begin a new year of writing, let’s try to keep that magical spirit of wonder before us and see where it leads! Wishing everyone a wonder-filled 2017! SURPRISE! Happy 1st Birthday to Us! To celebrate our 1st Birthday, enter to win one of two picture book critiques, one each by Donna Cangelosi and Chana Stiefel (500 words max.)! To enter, click on the Rafflecopter below. Good luck and thanks for reading Kidlittakeaways.com. By Donna Cangelosi  'Tis the season of endings and new beginnings. As picture book writers, we know that there is nothing as elating as writing the opening sentence for a picture book. Except, of course, wrapping the book up with the perfect last line. Whenever I start a new story, I re-read my favorite picture books to get ideas for starting up and ending. Here's a few of my all time favorite opening and closing lines. If you haven't read them, treat yourself!
BEEKLE Written & Illustrated by Dan Santat Book jacket description: This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an increadible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and- at long last- is given his special name: Beekle. Beginning: "He was born on an island far away where imaginary friends were created. Here, they lived and played, eagerly waiting to be imagined by a real child." Ending: "And together they did the unimaginable." The opening line establishes the setting, hints at the problem, and raises tension. Will Beekle be chosen? With the help of Santat's beautiful illustrations, the reader falls in love with Beekle. The lyrical language further promises a magial story. The ending provides a happily ever after feeling, uses lexicon to wrap up the story, and extends the theme to leave the reader wondering what Beekle and his friend will do. LEAVES Written & Illustrated by David Ezra Stein Book jacket description: The young bear has neer seen leaves fall off a tree before. Should he try to put them back? Or take a nap in them? He is getting sleepy... Beginning: "It was his first year. Everything was going well until the first leaf fell." Ending: "He felt the sun and saw the little buds on the bare arms of the trees and the tiny leaves that had begun to unfold. "Welcome!" he cried. And, he thought, the leaves welcomed him." The beginning sets the mood. A happy bear explores a new world. Then a leaf falls and the mood changes. The reader is eager to read what will happen. The ending re-establishes the happy go lucky spirit of the bear and brings the story full circle. The bear has grown and now understands the cycle of nature. BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade Written & Illustrated by Melissa Sweet Book jacket description: Every Thanksgiving morning for more than eighty years, mammoth-size balloons have risen to the skies to wobble and sway, sally and shimmy, up and down the canyons of New York City. Just how did this beloved tradition come to Broadway? Who first invented those wondrous "upside-down marionettes? Meet Tony Sarg: the boy who loved to figure out how things moved- the boy who became the puppeteer of Macy's parade! Beginning: "From the time he was a little boy, Tony Sarg loved to figure out how to make things move. He once saide he became a marionette man when he was only six years old." Ending: "Tony Sarg- The puppeteer who loved to figure out how to make things move- had set the stage, with a little rigging, for a puppet to be anything anyone could imagine it to be." The beginning introduces Tony Sarg and informs the reader that the story is about his fascination with making things move. The ending uses repitition to show haw Sarg's fascination helped others to explore the art of puppetry. JIMI SOUNDS LIKE A RAINBOW A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix Written by Gary Golio Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe Book jacket description: Jimi Hendrix was many things: a superstar, a rebel, a hero, an innovator. But first, he wa a boy named Jimmy who loved to draw and paint and listen to records. A boy who played air guitar with a broomstick and longed for a real guitar of his own. A boy who asked himself a question: Could someone paint pictures with sound? Beginning: "Electricity ripped through the air. A flash lit up the room. Thunder rocked the house. Jimi's hand jumped and a rainbow of colored pencils went tumbling to the floor." Ending: "His playing became bold as lightning. Wild as waves. Free as the wind through the trees. Dressed in the colors of the rainbow, he played for audiences far and wide, joining sounds with tender feelings and painting the world with his songs." The beginning introduces Jimi Hendrix, shows that he's an artist, and lets the reader know that the story is about sensory experiences. The ending extends the initial theme and shows how Jimi's music was influenced by sensory experiences and how his music touched the world. The Takeaway: When writing picture books, ask youself: Does the opening introduce the character and setting, build tension and convey a promise to the reader? Does the ending bring the story full circle, extend the them, or launch the reader to explore further? Wishing everyone satisfying endings & new beginnings in 2017! |
AuthorsDonna 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. SubscribeArchives
July 2019
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