Author Spotlight: Anna Kang

Our youngest, Miss L, has been having an awfully hard time lately with an immovable fact: There are many kids who are bigger and older than she is.

She’s not quite four and a half. And admittedly, she is a peanut…

Things came to a head last week, when Miss L was gearing up to attend her friend’s slime-making birthday party. We were just about to leave the house when it hit her.

“Wait, is Juliana going to be FIVE?!”

We talked for almost an hour about all of Miss L’s thoughts and concerns on the matter. And oh my. The sadness ran DEEP. While her reasons for being upset made a lot of sense, there wasn’t anything she could do about it. The reality was simple: She is small, and many are big. But there was an upside: She is bigger than some.

This dilemma and its underlying glimmer of hope were illuminated brilliantly by author Anna Kang and illustrator Christopher Weyant in the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winning picture book YOU ARE (NOT) SMALL (Two Lions, 2014).

Since writing this big hit, Kang and Weyant have gone on to create three additional titles that take on topics of major concern to young children far and wide. Each story centers on two creatures (one orange and big, one purple and small) working their way through a problem. THAT’S (NOT) MINE is about the conflict that arises when the fuzzy friends want to sit in the same chair. I AM (NOT) SCARED is about the things that do, and don’t, scare the pair.

Last week, Kang and Weyant released WE ARE (NOT) FRIENDS. You’ll notice in the cover art that this famous duo has become a trio, and that there are mixed feelings about the addition of a third wheel…

WE ARE (NOT) FRIENDS continues the successful storytelling style of the “(Not)” books: In sparse text, the characters express key differences of opinion that build and build, then result in a very emotional response. The core problem at the center of this tale is jumpstarted by a seemingly simple question. Can I play with you?

Through Weyant’s artwork, we instantly see that the idea is welcomed by one fuzzy friend, but not the other, thus establishing the conflict. As the adage goes, two’s company but three’s a crowd. And true to form, the beloved fuzzy characters experience all the emotional bumps and bruises that come with being left out.

At first, the big creature is in on the fun, tap dancing with the new blue friend in a vaudeville duet, as the small one steams on the sidelines. But in quick order, the big friend is relegated to the margins, as the other two play dinosaur hunters. When they ask the big one to be a scary dinosaur, the assignment is taken begrudgingly.

Sadness grows, then releases in a feverish breaking point. Kang’s text and Weyant’s art explode on the page, showing the declaration, which speaks volumes…. at a very high volume indeed.

In WE ARE (NOT) FRIENDS, readers feel all the friendship feels - expectation, disappointment, frustration, sadness and fury - then are safely and tenderly led to the realization that the addition of one doesn’t supplant an original friend. It expands the group and creates opportunity for even more fun.

When it comes to understanding the nuances of friendship, there is no way to learn except through. With concision and focus, Kang steers us into hardships and on to the finish line, where laughter and joy await. How does she do it? Let’s meet Anna Kang, and find out!

3 Questions with Anna Kang

The (Not) series takes on broad concepts in a way that's so distilled and direct. How do you weed away the many possibilities and arrive at this clear, punchy style?  

The distilled and direct style started with You Are (Not) Small, our first picture book. I didn't consciously choose the style -- I was focused on the concept of perspective and subjectivity, and the tone and style came out naturally from there. When the book grew into a series, I sat down and thought about the many situations that have varying interpretations and points of view, but I wanted to keep the same pared-down style to be consistent and to engage beginning readers. 

Your books have such fun twists at the end. What is the key to a great ending, and how do you know when you've found it?

I think humor or a bit of a surprise, as long as it is consistent with the tone or theme, helps achieve a good ending. I usually go with my gut to tell me if I've found it. 

What advice would you give to writers who aspire to create a picture book series? What needs to be in "book 2" and beyond, to keep the fun and momentum going?

My advice is always the same: read as many picture books as you can and be aware of what you like or don't like about them; try to write every day; join SCBWI or another organization that supports writers and illustrators and provides networking opportunities; polish your manuscript until it is the best that it can be; research publishers and/or agents who feel like a good fit and respect their submission guidelines. SCBWI posted a useful set of tips and information on their site regarding this question.

As for "Book 2" and beyond, I try to find ways to explore the same concept of conflicting perspectives without repeating myself. With our latest book, WE ARE (NOT) FRIENDS, or Book 4, we broadened their friendship a bit to include a third creature, and in future books we will continue to have fun with their world and hopefully explore different dynamics. 

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Thank you, Anna!

WE ARE (NOT) FRIENDS is by Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant, the author/illustrator team behind You are (Not) Small, That’s (Not) Mine, I Am (Not) Scared and Eraser (Two Lions), and Will You Help Me Fall Asleep? and Can I Tell You a Secret? (HarperCollins).

One lucky reader will win WE ARE (NOT) FRIENDS, signed by Anna Kang! Here's how to enter:

*** Win WE ARE (NOT) FRIENDS ***

Simply...

1. "Like" this post (click the heart below)

2. Follow me (@anitraschulte) on Twitter

3. Retweet my pinned contest tweet by 5/10/19 

(Submit a blog comment below and get a BONUS ENTRY!)

GOOD LUCK!

Part of the Crew

There’s something so special about a childhood crew. Friends that are so close to you, in every moment of discovery, that they’re essentially family. After school, on the weekends, all summer long - the lives of these friends are intertwined. You’re always just a quick bicycle ride away from the next grand adventure…

I grew up with a go-to group like this. (That’s me above, with the huge pant cuff and giddy shoulder shrug.) Most evenings, we ran around the grade school playground until the streetlights came on. In the summer, the pool was our meeting place. These wonderful people are bonded to me and my sisters in a forever-sort-of-way. So many of our memories were made in their company – playing kickball, playing pretend.

Just playing.

Our girls have been blessed with a similar neighborhood ensemble. The text chain of plan-making is never ending:

Wanna hit the park in 10 mins? Warning, we’re bringing sand toys…

We have zero plans this weekend. Grill and chill Saturday night?

What time are we trick-or-treating?

It warms my heart through-and-through that our family is so warmly embraced by these awesome families and that our daughter with limited mobility is growing up as part of a great group. And I’m also thrilled that more and more often, this same diversity of life experience is being reflected in movies, television and books. 

We are presently obsessed with Julie Andrews’ new Netflix show Julie’s Greenroom. The cast of characters learning about the performing arts includes Hank, a boy who uses a wheelchair for mobility. Hank’s unique life perspective is incorporated so thoughtfully into the show. For instance, when Hank wonders if dancing is something he can do (Episode 105: Barre None), the “Greenies” get a virtual visit from Infinity Dance Theater, a dance troupe comprised of adults with disabilities.

Hank isn’t in the background of the show, but instead gets equal time on screen and has his own textural storyline. His gifts and challenges are celebrated and explored, just like all of the other characters.

Limited mobility and disability are being represented more and more in kidlit, too. New counting picture book TEN CLEVER NINJAS by Sarah Floyd, illustrated by Marcin Bruchnalski (Clear Fork) features a diverse cast of characters, including a boy who uses a wheelchair.

Not only is the boy prominently seen as part of the crew, but he also contributes to the narrative, rolling to the rescue as ninja number eight. There are quite a few picture books in which you can spot a kiddo in a wheelchair. But it’s extra refreshing to see a child with mobility challenges as an active part of the core story, as in Floyd’s book. (PS: I love these illustrations, which have a retro feel that reminds me of books I read as a kid.)

Being accepted and included as part of a crew means so much to all children. I’m very grateful to creators out there who have made representation of disability a priority and are crafting narratives with care, enthusiasm and heart.

TEN CLEVER NINJAS author Sarah Floyd is giving one lucky blog reader a signed copy of her book! Simply comment below to enter to win! (US only) Gotta share that my youngest (age 4) LOVES this book. If you have a new reader, who is also learning to count, it would be a good addition to your home library!

*** Win TEN CLEVER NINJAS ***

Simply...

1. "Like" this post (click the heart below)

2. Comment below by EOD 5/15!

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Kidlit Craft: When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree

Our kitchen is presently overrun with pots. That’s because this summer, after years of hemming and hawing, we are finally giving raised vegetable beds a go. And we are kickin’ it old school – from the seeds, up.

Plants are among the summer dreams we’ve gripped tightly in our hearts since last winter’s start, and now growing season is finally here. New sprouts are popping up in our pots and seed starter bin every day - kale, tomatoes, onions, radishes, snap peas. It’s a delight watching my youngest tend to them and cheer when a green friend arrives.

Gardening, as we are learning, is about patience and care. The reward? Shepherding something fruitful into existence, and getting to see the wonders of the natural world up close and personal - a message fitting for the week that holds Earth Day (April 22). This joy is at the heart of the new picture book WHEN GRANDMA GIVES YOU A LEMON TREE by Jamie L. B. Deenihan, illustrated by Lorraine Rocha (Sterling Publishing, 2019).

At the start of this story, a little girl is making a birthday wish list. She asks for a drone, a phone, a remote control car. All technology. ‘Tis the way of the modern world, right? Not in Grandma’s eyes. She goes off script and brings something her granddaughter doesn’t expect…

Upon this page turn, the story launches into a hilarious presentation of what to do and NOT to do when Grandma gives you a lemon tree. Do make an excited face. Don’t drop it off a bridge.  

In time, the girl finds herself quite connected to the tree. While her friends are playing with their tech toys, she dutifully and happily provides what her tree needs: sun, water and attentiveness. The relationship between the girl and the tree yields fruit indeed…

WHEN GRANDMA GIVES YOU A LEMON TREE completely charms, from cover to cover. It’s full of gorgeous color, contagious energy and spirited voice, and it delivers the message that time spent unplugged and close to Mother Nature leads to new discoveries and brings people together.

Anyone who attended our wedding knows my affinity for yellow and lemons. So when my youngest (who happens to share the same name as the tree in this fabulous book!) asked to make fresh-squeezed lemonade, like the characters in the story, no arm twisting was required.

Our recipe:

10 lemons

8 cups of water

1 1/2 cups of sugar (Ouch! But oh so tasty…)

Miss L’s job was rolling the lemons on the table with her palm, to get them ready for juicing. We found ourselves doing addition and subtraction as we removed each lemon from the bowl and added lemon halves to the juicer… impromptu math fun!

It took a lot more muscle (and a lot more time) than my chef companion imagined it might, but we sure were proud to serve it to daddy and sisters as an afternoon treat. Isn’t that the beauty of gardening and growing, in a nutshell?

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WHEN GRANDMA GIVES YOU A LEMON TREE is available at or through your local bookstore, or via the online bookseller of your choice. It is the debut picture book of Jamie L. B. Deenihan (@jlbdeenihan). Pictures are by Lorraine Rocha, illustrator of ZEBRA ON THE GO (Peachtree).

One lucky reader will win WHEN GRANDMA GIVES YOU A LEMON TREE, signed by Jamie L. B. Deenihan! Here's how to enter:

*** Win WHEN GRANDMA GIVES YOU A LEMON TREE ***

Simply...

1. "Like" this post (click the heart below)

2. Follow me (@anitraschulte) on Twitter

3. Retweet my pinned contest tweet by 4/26/19 

(Submit a blog comment below and get a BONUS ENTRY!)

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Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome Awareness Day 2019

People around the globe recognize April 16 as Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome Awareness Day. This rare chromosome disorder is a deletion on the short arm (p-) of the 4th chromosome. In shorthand, it’s often called WHS or “Four P Minus.”

April… the fourth month of the year.

P… the 16th letter of the alphabet.

Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome impacts 1 in 50,000. So, yep. Pretty rare. It was a term we had never heard of until our oldest was born. For the first seven days of Elsa’s life, we knew that doctors suspected she had a chromosomal abnormality. They just didn’t know what it was.

On day eight, we heard the diagnosis. I pulled out my old reporter hat and took notes through chest pains and bleary eyes. Focus on the details. Get it right.

Wolf, like the animal?

Yes.

Hirschhorn? Is that all one word?

Yes, it’s hyphenated.

OK. Okay. Breathe.

Collapse.

Into my husband’s arms, into my parents’ arms, into my siblings’ arms, into my savior’s arms.

Wolf-Hirschhorn. Such a precise name. No wiggle room. No ambiguity or uncertainty. What had seemed a vague possibility became final, immovable, permanent. With that phone call, a new, mysterious, question-filled life began for two brand new parents, who didn’t know the first thing about babies, let alone parenting a 4 pound 15 ounce miracle. Every preconceived notion we had about parenthood dissolved.

Meanwhile, ELSA.

Her name became my exhale.

Her life became our everything.

This blue-eyed beauty waltzed right into our two-bedroom condo and filled it with love and FIGHT. Fighting to get food into her body and, with equal vigor, to keep it out. Fighting to hold up her gorgeous face with all the strength her frame could muster. Hardly ever crying, be it needles, surgeries or seizures.

The rawness of these early memories and early years defined how I viewed WHS for a long time. I guess they always will, to a degree. But they were merely the starting point. Today, I can see beyond the next checkup and milestone and into the textures and challenges of our normal family life, which in many ways isn’t so different from the lives of our friends.

One reason we are in a strong place today is because of the support of website wolfhirschhorn.org. This month, I’m updating our Family Location Database, so that folks new to WHS can be introduced to others who live near them and build supportive friendships. It’s one of the greatest services our website provides, and it’s truly an honor to make these introductions.

On WHS Awareness Day, many people wear jeans with a hole in them to signify rare genes and the WHS deletion. Feel free to join us! But also know that by simply reading this, you are helping to raise awareness. THANK YOU.

Spring Break Adventures & Discoveries

This Spring Break has been such a good one! My husband was out of town for work for the first half of it, so the girls and I headed south to my parents’ house. The slides in Moultrie County got a good work out…

As did the crayons…

And the furniture… and poor Alexa, who I’m sure is enjoying her respite from four days as a DJ, tirelessly spinning Pancake Robots and It’s Raining Tacos.

Each day held an adventure or two, be it a movie, swimming at an area pool, visiting family or making crafts with grandma…

One of our favorite trips was a visit to the library in a neighboring town. Their children’s section was fabulous. Lots of great places to read and explore, including a dollhouse-style treehouse, a music phone booth, and a small indoor slide. My favorite? The audiobook listening station.

My eldest has a chromosome disorder called Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, and one of the things that can be challenging for her is focusing and sensory processing. The headphones in this library were amazing. First of all, they stayed on! That alone can be difficult - my gal moves a lot. But they also were soft and snug and kept the sound just where it needed to be.

We snuggled in and read a classic book. It was just what we needed that day, at that moment. If you have a child who needs a little extra sensory input, I really recommend audiobooks and oversized headphones like these. My daughter was in the zone and able to hear the words of the story without interruption. I’m looking into getting a pair for home. And, this sweet chapter book, too…

I hope everyone enjoyed their break, whether it was somewhere distant or exotic, or some quality time unplugging at home. I certainly enjoyed taking the girls to spots from my childhood… and coming home with a suitcase filled with clean laundry. THANKS, MOM xoxo

12 Books to Read with a Communication Button

When I read books aloud to my daughters, the younger two are constantly chiming in. If it’s a book we know well, they’ll gush about their favorite parts and recite the text from memory. If it’s a new book, they’ll ask lots of questions and predict what will happen next.

My oldest daughter, Elsa - who has special needs - is quieter in all circumstances. It’s partially her personality, but it’s also due to her motor and speech delays. She has just as many questions at the tip of her tongue and wants to be part of the unison recitation, too.

For children who are primarily non-verbal, like my Elsa, getting involved in the read aloud can be tough. But there is a way in: A communication button or switch. These devices go by a few different names (BIGmack, Big Talk, etc.), but the colorful augmentative communication tools all function in a similar way. About 8 inches in diameter, they are part microphone - part speaker - part switch.

Recording messages on big buttons is super easy, and so is activating the sound. Some switches say a single message. Others allow you to build longer ongoing messages. You can read an entire book into some buttons, building in page turns. Cool, right?

If you have a child who is non-verbal in your family or school, switches like these can bring everyone into the same experience. And isn’t that what the read aloud is all about? Here are a few simple steps to setting up a switch-assisted story time:

• Read a picture book. (Fun homework, right?)

• Search for a repetition, refrain and reiteration of concepts in the text.

• Record those words into the button.

• Read the story with a friend who uses switches.

• When you come to the point of the story where the recorded text is to be read, STOP!

• Present the button to your friend.

• Give your friend all the time needed to push the button and read the recorded text.

• Try not to re-say what they just said, through the button. (They already said it!)

• Continue through the story, giving as many opportunities for participation as possible.

Repetition in switch reading is really wonderful because it allows friends to get involved… well… repeatedly! With the help of a WONDERFUL early childhood librarian at Geneva Public Library (thank you Natasha!), I gathered up 12 titles that present a wide range of read-aloud experiences. Below you’ll find the list.

Before you dig in… two quick favors!

PLEASE insert your favorite books with repetition, refrain and reiteration in the COMMENTS section below. (There are thousands of books that use repetition, and I’d love to hear about the ones you love most. This is just a start!)

Authors: A small school visit assignment… ASK TO BORROW a switch from the school’s speech therapist. Your heart will do flip flops when you see a child light up at the chance to participate in your story in this exciting way! Now, the list…

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12 Books to Read with a Communication Button

The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown, Illustrated by Leonard Weisgard (HarperCollins, 1977)

The Button Message: “The important thing about…”

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Hello, Door by Alastair Heim, illustrated by Alisa Coburn (little bee books, 2018)

The Button Message: “Hello…”

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Go Fish! by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Zoe Waring (HARPER, 2018)

The Button Message: “Go Fish!”

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Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney (VIKING, 2005)

The Button Message: ”Llama Llama red pajama…”

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My Heart Fills With Happiness / Ni Miyawaten Niteh Ohcih by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Julie Flett (Orca Book Publishers, 2016)

The Button Message: “My heart fills with happiness when…”

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Let it Shine by Ashley Bryan (Atheneum, 2007)

The Button Messages:

“Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”

“Oh, Lord I want to be in that number.”

“He’s got the whole world in His hands.”

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All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee (Beach Lane Books, 2009)

The Button Message: “All the world…”

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A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin (Little, Brown and Company, 2018)

The Button Message: “Little Star didn’t think so.”

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Rap a Tap Tap by Leo & Diane Dillon (The Blue Sky Press, 2002)

The Button Message: “Rap a tap tap - think of that!”

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Just Because by Rebecca Elliott (Lion Hudson, 2010)

The Button Message: “Just because.”

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Marta! Big and Small by Jen Arena, illustrated by Angela Dominguez (Roaring Brook Press, 2016)

The Button Messages:

“Big, very big.” / “Small, very small.”

“Slow, very slow.” / “Fast, very fast.”

“Quiet, very quiet.” / “Loud, very loud.”

“Tasty, very tasty.” / “Clever, very clever.”

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Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Dial Books, 2017)

The Button Messages:

“Red Rows. Red Rows.” / “White Rows. White Rows.”

“Old Glory. Old Glory.” / “Sea Waves. See Waves.”

“Well Worn. Well Worn.” / “Woven Together. Woven Together.”

“All American. All American.” / “Stand Proud. Stand Proud.”

“Rising Up. Rising Up.” / “Fly High. Fly High.”

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In case you forgot - a friendly reminder! Please add your favorite books with repetition in the COMMENTS section below. The longer the list, the greater resource this post can be for parents, educators and therapists. Thanks in advance for your help!

A Very Special Valentine

Today, with a happy heart, I’m sending out a big Valentine’s Day hug to the dozens and dozens and dozens of authors, editors, publishers and literacy supporters who made the second-annual Holiday Book Drive for Chicago kids possible.

You guys! Friends of #HolidayBookDriveChi donated more than 450 books for the Bronzeville-based non-profit Leading with Literacy. From the bottom of my humbled heart, THANK YOU for contributing to this effort. Pastor Michael Neal of Leading with Literacy shares me in expressing his deepest gratitude for your generosity again this year.

And so, here’s a very special valentine for everyone who played a role in the 2018 #HolidayBookDriveChi event. Your hearts are absolutely enormous, and the joy you shared can be seen in the faces of every child in this video…

Happy Valentine’s Day to each of you! I hope you’ll join hearts with us again in Holiday 2019, as we continue working to put new books in the hands of kids!

xoxo

Anitra

Kidlit Craft: Dress Like a Girl

When it comes to the iPad and Netflix, we have a rule in our house… No Barbie. My husband and I just don’t love it. I’m sure we’re being a little hard on Barbie. It seems the story lines are predominately about friendship. But there’s also a presentation of perfection in every image, which seems to double down on what it means to be a girl and look like a girl. And I don’t want these impressions to disproportionately shape how my girls see themselves or girls and women.

So what does it mean to DRESS LIKE A GIRL? A new picture book by Patricia Toht, illustrated by Lorian Tu-Dean (HarperCollins, January 2019), takes a fun look at this very idea. Here’s the darling, colorful cover - oooo, I love this palette:

DRESS LIKE A GIRL takes long-standing traditions and ideas about fashion, then gives them a fun flip, showing that the ensembles we wear are so much more than a pretty picture. They offer function, express our personalities and equip us for grand adventures.

The “rules” found on each spread will be familiar to grown-ups: white is worn in summer, black is for evening events, be subtle with patterns. It’s fun to see where Toht takes the reader in each rhyme, knowing that a fashion adage will soon be enlivened with new possibilities.

The slumber party setting of the story is perfect for frequent costume changes. As the colors and rules are presented, we see little girls giving each look a go. The ensembles that they try on aren’t fairy wings or princess dresses, but judge gowns, police uniforms, chef hats, jungle camouflage and doctor whites, showing girls in professions that are often labeled male.

Girls who read this book will see themselves and their friends within the pages. We found ourselves casting the slumber party with the names of my daughters’ pals. I sincerely hope little boys read this book, too. An idea of where a woman fits in the professional world is established quite young. This book’s perspective is one of open doors and open opportunities for women in all career fields. It also shows that girls don’t sit on the sidelines, but instead jump into adventure with both boots.

Our girls were home from school two days last week, due to the Polar Vortex’s negative 50 degree windchill. So our arctic adventure needed to be indoors. We took an idea presented in the book and ran with it: If you don’t find a look that works for you, design something new.

We sketched out an idea…

Finalized the design…

Pieced it together…

And went all in on stripes, our pattern of choice…

We also created a scarf for big sis…

It was a fun way to spend the day - engaging creatively, working within the constraints of material options, and navigating a few design malfunctions. The result was a pretty crunchy and really cute outfit that is awesome because we imagined it and made it together. Indoor arctic adventure: Complete!

DRESS LIKE A GIRL is available at or through your local bookstore, or via the online bookseller of your choice. Patricia Toht (@PatriciaToht) is the author of PICK A PINE TREE and ALL ABOARD THE LONDON BUS. Lorian Tu-Dean (@LorianTuBooks) is the illustrator of STAY THROUGH THE STORM and MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU.

One lucky reader will win DRESS LIKE A GIRL, signed by Patricia Toht! Here's how to enter:

*** Win DRESS LIKE A GIRL ***

Simply...

1. "Like" this post (click the heart below)

2. Follow me (@anitraschulte) on Twitter

3. Retweet my pinned contest tweet by 2/8/19 

(Submit a blog comment below and get a BONUS ENTRY!)

GOOD LUCK!

Kidlit Spotlight: Picture books by Marla Frazee

“Mom, isn’t this SO beautiful?”

My four-year-old’s assessment of this illustration, near the beginning of the picture book ALL THE WORLD, was spot on. The color, movement, breadth and grandeur just overwhelmed her - and me, too...

We lingered on this spread of ALL THE WORLD (Beach Lane Books, 2009), by Liz Garton Scanton, illustrated by Marla Frazee, for a long time. Our eyes scanned the rich landscape until we found them: Characters like us, so very, very small, searching for their place in the enormity of the world.

The books of Marla Frazee, winner of two Caldecott Honor medals - including one for ALL THE WORLD - invite us to do just that: Zoom in, and feel all the feelings that each unique moment brings. Then back way up, to see bigger things in motion and understand where we fit in it all.

Being somewhat new to the PB world, I heard Marla Frazee’s name before I knew her books. I could tell she was beloved by many, but I wasn’t yet familiar with her work. After reading more of her titles over the past few years, I knew that at some point I’d be writing this post. There is something incredibly special about this creator, whose honest characters and sweeping art and imprint themselves in your mind and heart.

If you know Frazee’s character “The Boss Baby” - inspiration for the major motion picture - than you know that wit and humor are key elements of her storytelling. True, and oh so much more. Thanks to my wonderful library, I was able to amass quite a hefty stack of Frazee’s books and do a deep dive...

Frazee’s titles keep working their way into our story times and independent reading (my kindergartener is off and running - be still, my heart!). I hope you, too, find your way to these titles, if you haven’t read them all. Your children and students will feel seen and, at the same time, get a broad view of the people and places that comprise the land we call home. They’ll also meet new people and creatures to love, and visit wildly imaginative settings.

(Pssst, you’ll get to do all this, too.)

So without further ado, here are the things I absolutely, positively love about books by Marla Frazee:

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Emotional Range and Relational Intimacy

To be alive is to love and argue, try and fail. To beg, to pout, to hide, to relent. Within a given day, we experience all of these things, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen an artist capture this range quite as Frazee does. In HARRIET, YOU’LL DRIVE ME WILD! (Harcourt, 2000) by Mem Fox, illustrated by Frazee, the main character (and pesky child) Harriet Harris feels it all…

Frazee brings us close to Harriet, as she does things that we’ve all done. We’ve all made massive kitchen messes. We’ve stood guilty before another and tried not to cry. We’ve fallen into the embrace of a parent and received (and given) grace and forgiveness. The raw everydayness in this book is also on full display in THE SEVEN SILLY EATERS (Harcourt, 2000) by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Frazee.

Lots of picture books capture familiar feelings and experiences, but the very best among them express emotions in ways that delight and surprise with their truth and clarity. Through facial expressions, emotive posture and nimble choreography, Frazee creates indelible scenes worth a thousand words.

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A Sense of Community

Who comprises our society? And how do we relate to one another? Frazee knows people, and her art is generous and hopeful about who we can be. In an illustrative range that is heartening in its inclusivity and dazzling in its specificity, Frazee gives all of us equal time and opportunity to be understood. The aforementioned ALL THE WORLD gives a gorgeous, poetic look at community, environment and humanity…

As the mom of a child with special needs, I feel the need for representation in art acutely. Frazee’s books burst with characters from all walks of life. Babies worn by their mothers. Little boys on big wheels. Little girls climbing trees. Couples on benches and riding bikes for two. Parents guiding children. Seniors walking dogs and feeding birds.

The varied ages, races and family compositions that make up our society are enlivened and celebrated in this book, as well as in Frazee’s ROLLER COASTER (Harcourt, 2003) and IT TAKES A VILLAGE (Simon & Schuster, 2017) by Hillary Rodham Clinton, illustrated by Frazee. Her depictions of everyday life capture the love between us when we share nature, music, adventure and dreams.

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Cinematic and Imaginative Narratives

There are many joys about being a creator, but I think one of the grandest is the open invitation to follow your imagination and bring forth worlds and characters that have never been seen. It’s something that many aspire to, but it’s so much harder to achieve. In the same way that movies establish aesthetics and premises that completely transport, so do Frazee’s books. THE FARMER AND THE CLOWN (Beach Lane Books, 2014) was the first of Frazee’s titles that I encountered, and it just blew me away...

Like a cinematographer, Frazee works the frame. She gives us every vantage point we could hope to see, and active moments that communicate new information about her characters and firmly plant us in their environment.

In MRS. BIDDLEBOX (HarperCollins, 2002) by Linda Smith, illustrated by Frazee, the artist again pulls us into an unknown place - a home dark, smoky and full of angst. As Mrs. Biddlebox wrestles the fog around her, Frazee’s incredible use of lines sweeps the reader into a kinetic, frenetic swirl. Fog seeps, steams, tangles and folds in wild, beautiful abandon. It’s hard to imagine anyone but Frazee breathing life into this spellbinding book.

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An Honest, Spirited Voice

Frazee’s stories are articulated in a direct, clever voice that children and adults alike adore. The precision and restraint of her prose is perfectly complemented by her illustrations, which take the humor of her text and give the moment yet another layer of laughter. Frazee uses repetition, comparison, silence and space with great impact in BOOT & SHOE (Beach Lane Books, 2012), my children’s favorite…

Frazee introduces sibling puppies by first emphasizing all that they share - a home, a bowl, a tree (to pee on), a bed - only to reveal one key difference in their routine, which creates a rich opportunity for conflict. My girls love the back-and-forth compare and contrast in this book, and tracking the dogs through the narrative. It’s also one of the first books my 5-year-old learned to read by herself, which carries lots of meaning to me, of course.

Frazee gets to the heart of the parent-child power struggle with perfect word choice in the picture book heaven that is THE BOSS BABY (Beach Lane Books, 2010). The premise of an infant running the house like a ruthless corporate suit tickles parents, and children relate with ease to the thing the “boss” wants most of all… control. It’s playful, charming, stylish and smart - all of the things that make you want to read a book again and again.

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This winter in NYC, I’ll attend a Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) workshop led by Frazee, Allyn Johnston and Rubin Pfeffer, who will share their experiences creating “The Picture Book.” As a reader, I can’t wait to hear the stories-behind-the-stories noted above. And as a creator, I eagerly await the chance to grow my craft by learning how they came to be. Thank you, Ms. Frazee, for creating these brilliant tales, which have filled my family’s reading time with hope, understanding and laughter.

The Superhero Photo Book

I’ve been looking back through old pics this week and stumbled upon this one of Elsa and me. I can’t believe we got to bring this teeny angel home with us! She was just a few days old here…

This was taken a few days before we got Elsa’s diagnosis of Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome - an overwhelming bit of information, to say the least. Within a week of the receiving the news, my family started telling me that I needed to check out this great website, which was full of inspiring stories and amazing kids.

In visiting wolfhirschhorn.org, I knew I’d be diving headfirst into the day-to-day lives of other children with WHS. At first, I wasn’t sure I could handle looking down the road… seeing what her life, our lives, might be like in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years.

But after a few weeks, I worked up the courage and went to the site. And it changed my life. Instead of feeling alone on our path, I connected with dozens of other families on the exact same journey. The feeding troubles, the seizures, the heart defects, the developmental delays, the fears, the victories.

It wasn’t long before I started posting about Elsa’s journey on the site, alongside other parents. This probably comes as no surprise to you! Sharing definitely helps me process our journey and allows me to draw others near where we are. Here’s an early post…

When Elsa was age 2, I became more involved in the website, and today, I work alongside a few others to keep the site in motion and run exciting events to support our families.

Once a year, we do a fundraiser that allows us to continue giving away cool prizes to kids with WHS. Recent giveaways have included a supportive outdoor tree swing and an indoor play set, and just last month, we gave away three Amazon Fire HD kids tablets. The tablets went to Washington state, Alaska and Canada! Sending out those special packages was a highlight of my holiday season. Here’s a vid of Elsa and I announcing the winners…

Today, Jan. 11, we launched our latest fundraiser: The Superhero Story Book, which features 36 superheroes with WHS. All photo books ordered by Jan. 25 will arrive before Valentine’s Day… fitting because our kiddos’ superpower is their amazing LOVE! My collaborator Janet pulled the fabulous book together, and I’m helping get it into the hands of our families and their friends. It’s a soft-cover book that sells for $25 (shipping is included in the cost). Here’s an inside spread… (Do you spy Elsa?)

If you’d be interested in having a Superhero Photo Book, or supporting the website’s giving initiatives, you’ll find all the info HERE. Thank you for continuing to follow along and share your words of support and encouragement. We have never felt alone on this journey, which is truly remarkable and one of our lives’ great blessings.