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KidLitTakeaways

Bite-size bits of wisdom & inspiration for writers on the go!

Wonder of Wonders

1/15/2017

53 Comments

 
New for 2017: Takeaway Tuesdays! (And a Surprise Giveaway!)
Picture
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.
 

 


a Rafflecopter giveaway
53 Comments
Kim Pfennigwerth
1/17/2017 05:36:00 am

Happy First Year Anniversary! And many congratulations! Thank you for your generous giveaway!

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Chana link
1/17/2017 09:41:33 am

Thanks so much Kim!

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Ann Kelley link
1/17/2017 06:08:06 am

Happy Birthday!! I had just re-read Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. It's one of my favorites. Thanks for the inspiration!

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Chana link
1/17/2017 09:42:11 am

Thanks Ann! Such a great book. They don't write them like that anymore.

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Amanda Sincavage link
1/17/2017 06:35:37 am

Love that the speech was included in the book and quite inspiring indeed! Happy 1st Birthday - congrats!

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Chana link
1/17/2017 09:42:33 am

Thanks Amanda!

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Manju Howard
1/17/2017 06:56:57 am

Cheers for a year of great posts!

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Chana link
1/17/2017 09:42:59 am

Thank you Manju!

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Lisa Billa
1/17/2017 07:14:44 am

Lovely speech, and one of my favorite stories. Happy birthday!

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Chana link
1/17/2017 09:43:21 am

Thank you Lisa!

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Lori Alexander
1/17/2017 07:24:51 am

Happy Birthday! Thanks for the year of insightful posts. Keep up the great work! :)

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Chana link
1/17/2017 09:43:43 am

Thank you Lori!

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Lynne Marie link
1/17/2017 08:29:12 am

Happy Birthday, KitLitTakeAways and thank you for your helpful and generous posts!

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Chana link
1/17/2017 09:44:07 am

Thanks Lynne Marie!

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Sue Heavenrich link
1/17/2017 08:39:03 am

Happy Birthday! Has it really been a whole year already? I LOVE Shrek! So glad you found that bit of Steig's Caldecott speech to share with us

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chana link
1/17/2017 09:44:35 am

Yes, it was quite a surprise. Thanks Sue!

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Jennifer Ali
1/17/2017 08:51:07 am

Congratulations and best wishes for a writerly future!

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Chana link
1/17/2017 09:44:59 am

Thanks Jennifer.

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Sharon Coffey link
1/17/2017 09:38:43 am

Thank you for reminding me about one of my favorite books. I didn't know Steig was 61 when he started writing children's books. Since I'm 59 and have only been writing for about two years, my hope is renewed as well as my magical spirit of wonder thanks to this post.

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Chana link
1/17/2017 09:45:38 am

Yes, Sharon. Never too late to start your craft and follow your passion! Good luck!

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Ariel Bernstein link
1/17/2017 10:04:11 am

Congratulations on your wonderful site!! Here's to many more years of kidlit takeaways posts!!

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Chana Stiefel link
1/17/2017 04:28:23 pm

Thanks, dear Ariel. Hoping to feature I HAVE A BALLOON soon!

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Susan Schade
1/17/2017 10:30:35 am

Happy 1st! Thanks for the inspiration!

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Chana Stiefel link
1/17/2017 04:29:07 pm

Thank YOU Susan!

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Rachel Hamby link
1/17/2017 10:34:31 am

Happy Birthday! A great book! Thanks for sharing some of the speech, what a great find!

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Chana Stiefel link
1/17/2017 04:29:44 pm

Thanks Rachel. I love finding little gems like that. :)

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Debra Shumaker
1/17/2017 11:17:43 am

Pete's a Pizza. I haven't thought about that book for a long time, but my sons LOVED that book! Happy 1st Anniversary!

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Chana Stiefel link
1/17/2017 04:30:29 pm

Right, Debra?! Books like Pete's a Pizza made we want to write picture books.

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Michele
1/17/2017 12:04:34 pm

I loved that book. When I read Shrek I didn't put two and two together to realize it was the same author. I've just requested Pete's a Pizza at the library.

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Chana Stiefel link
1/17/2017 04:32:00 pm

Hi Michele, I have to re-read Shrek! I don't think the book and movies are close, but I hope William Steig reaped major royalties. Pete's a Pizza is a giggle maker.

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Martin Segal
1/17/2017 12:52:39 pm

Happy 1st birthday and thank you for your generosity! Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is the first book report I remember doing. I've been meaning to reread it!

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Chana Stiefel link
1/17/2017 04:32:43 pm

So cool, Martin! Enjoy!

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JEN Garrett link
1/17/2017 05:47:45 pm

Happy blog B-Day! What a fun prize to celebrate.

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Chana Stiefel link
1/18/2017 07:27:45 pm

Thanks so much Jen!

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Jena Benton link
1/17/2017 06:05:18 pm

Happy birthday!

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Chana Stiefel link
1/18/2017 07:28:22 pm

Thank you Jena!

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Tracey Brown
1/17/2017 07:06:48 pm

Happy 1st Birthday! I loved Sylvester and the Magic Pebble - thanks for the reminder.

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Chana Stiefel link
1/18/2017 07:28:56 pm

Thanks Tracey!

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Vicky Wirkkala
1/17/2017 07:36:39 pm

Congrats one 1 year!! That's so exciting!!

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Chana Stiefel link
1/18/2017 07:29:33 pm

Thank you Vicky. It's been a year of discovery!

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Cindy Williams Schrauben
1/17/2017 08:32:32 pm

Happy Birthday! Sylvester is one of my all-time favorites.

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Chana Stiefel link
1/18/2017 07:30:09 pm

Thank you Cindy! Mine too.

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Rajani LaRocca link
1/18/2017 04:51:44 am

What a wonderful book! Yes, stories really do transport us. Happy 1st birthday! Congrats!

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Chana Stiefel link
1/18/2017 07:30:48 pm

Thank you Rajani!

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Robin Currie link
1/18/2017 06:02:32 am

The classic Caldecotts are a hugs gift to be re gifted to each generation!

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Chana Stiefel link
1/18/2017 07:31:36 pm

Thank you Robin. Yes, it helps to go back to the classics!

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darlene koppel
1/18/2017 09:52:24 am

Happy Anniversary! Thank you for the inspiration.

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kidlittakeaways.com link
1/18/2017 07:32:11 pm

Thank so much Darlene!

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Gabrielle Schoeffield
1/19/2017 03:11:02 am

Very insightful recommendation! I will be checking my library to see if the book is available!

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Emily Johnsen
1/19/2017 08:01:38 pm

Great post! And Happy Birthday!

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Heather Eagar link
1/21/2017 11:40:38 am

Thank you so much for the opportunity!

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Mary Worley
1/23/2017 06:28:29 am

I wasn't aware of that he did Shrek! as well. Adding Pete's a Pizza to my list. Thanks! Happy Birthday.

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Donna Rossman
1/23/2017 03:26:52 pm

Happy Birthday! Very insightful post! I didn't know that William Steig didn't start writing until he was 61. :)

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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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