Kidlit Spotlight: The Scarecrow

It’s hard to believe that just one week ago, we were swimming in the neighborhood pool. Summer slipped out the back door, and now we’re back to school and back in the swing of things. Our goggles and beach towels are packed away and in their place are bike helmets and bedazzled backpacks. We’re off! And this year, in lace-up shoes. A giant step forward for kid-kind…

Though autumn isn’t quite here, she sure is thinking about it. Her voice whispers in the cool morning breeze. Her sunny face winks from the pyramid of mums by the grocery store door. She’s in the just-beyond, singing that old familiar song. You know the one. Beautiful, bittersweet, and over before you’re ready for it to be.

A reader who picks up a picture book that wears its autumn on its sleeve is quietly hoping for this - something cozy, something wistful, something dreamy. THE SCARECROW (HARPER, released September 3, 2019) perfectly hits and holds that yearned for note, turning an expected goodbye into a surprising hello. Here’s the pitch-perfect cover…

As a fan of Beth Ferry’s creative titles and the art of sibling illustrating duo The Fan Brothers (Terry Fan and Eric Fan), I have long anticipated what this picture book collaboration might bring. It delivers just what I was seeking: Poetry that’s smooth and melodic. Artwork that’s gentle and sincere. And a heartfelt story about taking a chance on friendship, despite the cost. Here are three things that I love about THE SCARECROW…

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A Sense of Place

Just as a scarecrow is anchored to a very particular place, so is this book. The vast emptiness of rural farmland acts a quiet-yet-loud character and costar. Ferry wraps Scarecrow in setting and rich rhyme: Autumn sunshine. Haystacks rolled. Scarecrow guards the fields of gold. The Fan Brothers take Ferry’s active imagery and run with it, far into the distant plains. The art glows. When the sun is shining, its light is felt on every surface, from the waving grain to the shifting clouds above. When it hides, snow and moonlight act as luminary. The result is both gorgeous and sentimental, underscoring the immovable fact that Scarecrow, for better or worse, is fixed to this spot… forever.

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A Chance Taken

The text of THE SCARECROW sings a sweet yet melancholy song of Scarecrow’s lonely role in the landscape, and this emotion extends into every illustration. Sometimes we are far from Scarecrow, acutely feeling the distance between him and the creatures of the field. Other times we are up close, reading the emotion on his warm, woven face. Just when readers have accepted the reality of Scarecrow’s limiting position, the immovable… moves. An unlikely friend falls from a tree, prompting Scarecrow to lean into his first-ever chance at friendship. He embraces the moment, and the moment is a sheer delight…

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A Character to Root For

Readers will love Scarecrow, who - as you’ve likely gleaned - is not at all scary. His flannel is tidy and carefully stuffed. His round face, bound in golden burlap, bears a tender smile. His eyes are blue and bright. Who could be afraid of such a sweet fellow? Yet his position in the field sends a clear message to the surrounding animals. (No one enters. No one dares.) When one bird breaks the rules, Scarecrow at last becomes known. The hazy filter upon the art gives way to vibrant precision and his face fills the frame, bringing us deeply into his sadness when he realizes that his one-and-only friend must go. From a place so low, the reader must know: Will Scarecrow’s heart soar again?

The story comes to an ending so satisfying that you’ll want to take the journey again, making THE SCARECROW a timeless tale that will surely endure on bookshelves - to be revisited on autumn days when you’re searching to share a snuggled-up feeling with someone you love. Here’s a look inside, set to music… Enjoy! (And see below for a chance to win a signed copy.)

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THE SCARECROW is by Beth Ferry, author of STICK AND STONE (HMH), LAND SHARK (Chronicle), PIRATE’S PERFECT PET (Candlewick), A SMALL BLUE WHALE (Knopf), SEALED WITH A KISS (HarperCollins), TEN RULES OF THE BIRTHDAY WISH (G.P. Putnam's Sons), and SQUIRREL’S FAMILY TREE (Scholastic). THE SCARECROW is illustrated by The Fan Brothers, creators of THE NIGHT GARDENER (S&S), THE DARKEST HOUR (Tundra), THE ANTLERED SHIP (S&S), and OCEAN MEETS SKY (S&S).

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One lucky reader will win THE SCARECROW, signed by Beth Ferry! Here's how to enter:

*** Win THE SCARECROW ***

Simply...

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

2. Follow me (@anitraschulte) on Twitter

3. Retweet my pinned contest tweet by EOD 9/13/19 

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

GOOD LUCK!

Kidlit's Favorite Podcasts: 24 Podcasts that Inspire, Entertain & Inform

I am a BIG podcast consumer. What can I say? Driving, folding laundry and weeding are exceedingly more interesting when I’m learning something new, or being entertained… or better yet, both.

When it comes to picking my listening treat, I definitely have go-to podcasts. Some are like master classes in publishing. Others are like snagging coffee with an writing peer or mentor. In either case, I always walk away with a new nugget of information that helps me in my path as a creative. As an author dedicated to her craft, and an all-around curious kid, I want as much of this kind of info as possible. So recently, I asked writing friends on Twitter (via #pbchat):

What publishing podcasts do you turn to regularly for insights and inspiration?

The responses was fabulous! Some recommendations reiterated standbys in my podcast queue. But others were brand new to me. So, what were those picks? Check out the 24 (TWENTY FOUR!) awesome podcasts below. Don’t see your ‘go-to’? List it in the comments section, so all can benefit from your curatorial expertise! Simply click on the tiles below to learn more about each unique channel.

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Kidlit’s Favorite Podcasts

Just imagine the time and heart that goes into producing this fabulous content… it’s actually kind of crazy. If you enjoy these podcasts, be sure to support the shows and their creators! Share episodes on social media. Review them wherever you get your podcasts. Donate via their Patreon pages, if they have them. Give back to the things that give your ears intangible goodness.

Listen on, friends! And keep taking those steps forward in your creative path!

Kidlit Spotlight: Imagine That

Since childhood, summer has always taken me to the lake. It’s my family’s happy place. So every year around this time, my heart yearns to be next to and on the water.

There’s something magical about a lazy summer boat ride, in particular. The hum of the motor silences chatter and invites the mind to wander. As eyes journey from cloud, to horizon, to crashing wave, life is held at bay… for a little while. I’ve written many poems and songs while sitting in the back of our family boat. It’s so freeing to speak and sing ideas into the loud, rushing wind.

Being surrounded by water in this way gives me a lost-yet-found feeling. A portal into uncharted places. An invitation to explore. The cover of IMAGINE THAT, a gorgeous new picture book by author and illustrator Jonathan D. Voss (Henry Holt and Co.), brilliantly captures this dreamy waterside wonder. Look deeply into that reflection...

IMAGINE THAT, which publishes July 16, is the second “Hoot & Olive Story.” I met Hoot and Olive last summer, when I read Voss’s first title in this series, BRAVE ENOUGH FOR TWO (2018).

I’m awfully glad that these two characters live inside of picture book adventures. Voss handles coming-of-age themes and formative childhood moments with beauty, patience and care. (It’s no wonder that Voss was chosen to illustrate WINNIE, the picture book about the bear that inspired Winnie-The-Pooh.)

BRAVE ENOUGH FOR TWO was a splendid introduction to the forever-friendship of Hoot and Olive, but it’s the follow up that stole my heart. Here are three reasons why IMAGINE THAT struck such a chord with me, and why I think you’ll love it, too.

Classic Characters

IMAGINE THAT is about best friends: Olive, a wildly creative girl, who welcomes adventure with open arms. And Hoot, a timid yet big-hearted owl, who is contemplative and a bit nervous. Everything about their opposites-attract friendship feels comfortable and timeless, especially when set in such a pleasing palette of steely blues, velvety greens and rusty reds.

The story takes place on a rainy day. Olive views the weather as an opportunity to imagine. But Hoot doesn’t share her excitement. He’s just discovered that his imagination is broken. Through creative use of scale, Voss emphasizes the dilemma, giving toys in Hoot’s midst gargantuan proportion. Even sweet summer daisies can’t bear the weight of his worry.

Immersive Scenes

Olive doesn’t know how to fix Hoot’s broken “imaginator.” But she knows that pretending means seeing things that aren’t really there. So she tries igniting creativity with fresh ideas: “What if… the water gets higher than just a little and the puddles grow really big?”

Turning the page, you enter Olive’s powerful imagination. “Do you feel that?” Olive asks. The question is posed to Hoot, but the reader will feel compelled to answer. (Yes!) Raindrops strike the page. Undulating waves disrupt your equilibrium. The powerful scene is shadowed yet, in pockets, filled with sun. It’s hazy in the distance, but crystal clear and crisp up close. The dualities of the storm seem to point back to Hoot and Olive and their differences throughout the text.

Intimate Moments

Sadly, Hoot doesn’t see what Olive sees. “It’s only a puddle,” he says, then retreats into white-wrapped conversational vignettes. The loss of color and grandeur on the page is palpable. You can feel the magic slip away. But the upswing is that when imagination disappears, something else gets the spotlight: The intimacy shared between Olive and Hoot.

Olive does everything she can to jumpstart Hoot’s imagination. And Hoot really tries to mend it. But nothing works. At last they give up. With honesty, they share their disappointments: “Maybe I can’t be fixed,” Hoot says. “Or maybe you’re not really trying,” Olive returns. The next three spreads just tore me up. Not only has Hoot let himself down, but he’s let his best friend down, too. Every reader, young and old, will be able to relate to the heartbreaking layers of friendship disappointment.

Hoot and Olive’s chat, though difficult, leads to an important discovery that allows Hoot to find his way back. IMAGINE THAT hit my heart like THE POLAR EXPRESS. (I don’t care how many times I experience the Christmastime classic, I always get emotional about the boy’s search for that sound - the ringing of the bell and all that it represents.) When magic is lost, you fear you’ll never find it again.

In IMAGINE THAT, Voss leads readers tenderly through Hoot’s fear and sadness, all the way through to something that’s nothing but magical. You’ll wonder at times if your heart can handle it. It can. And it will grow and glow a bit brighter, as a result.

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IMAGINE THAT is by Jonathan D. Voss, the illustrator of WINNIE: THE TRUE STORY OF THE BEAR WHO INSPIRED WINNIE-THE-POOH by Sally Walker, and author-illustrator of BRAVE ENOUGH FOR TWO (both by Henry Holt and Co.).

One lucky reader will win IMAGINE THAT, signed by Jonathan!

Here's how to enter:

*** Win IMAGINE THAT ***

Simply...

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

2. Follow me (@anitraschulte) on Twitter

3. Retweet my pinned contest tweet by EOD 7/19/19 

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

GOOD LUCK!

My Picture Book Debut: Dancing with Daddy

Before I knew how to hold a pencil, I was writing stories. I dictated them to my mom, then drew pictures in the open spaces. In kindergarten, things got legit. I joined a critique group: My grade school’s Young Authors Club. (See below: diagonal stripes and pigtails.)

Eons later, when I was in third grade, I went to my first writing workshop, representing Bethany Grade School at the Young Authors Conference at Illinois State University. This event, now in its 45th year, is designed to encourage young writers to develop their storytelling skills. I think there’s a reason why I kept this super soft Snoopy T-shirt, all these years…

While I’m no longer young… I am now an author! After three decades of writing and working on my craft, I have news to share! Fall 2020 will bring the publication of my debut picture book, DANCING WITH DADDY. It will be illustrated by Ziyue Chen and published by Two Lions. Here’s the announcement, as it appears in Publishers Weekly.

Publishing a book for children is my oldest, biggest and wildest dream. But my debut is especially meaningful because DANCING WITH DADDY is inspired by my family. The main character, Elsie, has Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome - just like my eldest daughter. I can’t wait to see how illustrator Ziyue Chen breaths life into this story. (Ziyue is incredible! Check out her portfolio here.)

Writing can be a solitary act, but it isn’t when you have an amazing community alongside you. Here are a few special thank yous:

To Geneva Public Library, for lending me HUNDREDS of picture books over the past few years

To Stephanie Hansen, my literary agent, for believing in my work and in this story

To Kelsey Skea, editor of my debut, for embracing DANCING and helping to make it sing

To my critique partners for their constant support:

Heather, Chaz and Kate of PV Write Club

Rosie and Jen of JARLit

Barb, Danny, Alison, Lauren, Hannah and Clo of West PBCG

Ana, Elizabeth, Dawn, Jenny and Kathleen of YCC Chicago

To Dan, my girls and my family, for supporting my writing - even when I sneak down to the dining room table, or out to the patio, or into the car, or into a closet (you get the picture) to write

To my daughter’s friends and to children with disabilities who might relate to Elsie’s experience

To everyone who has encouraged me along my journey as a writer, and more importantly, as a parent

The next year will bring lots of exciting moments, as DANCING WITH DADDY begins to take shape and as publication day draws near. I’ll be sure to keep you posted along the way!

Until the next update, I’m sending along this message to say that dreams do come true and that prayers are answered, in God’s time and for the good of His name.

xoxo

Anitra

Kidlit Spotlight: Dandy

Is there anything a daddy wouldn’t do for his daughter?

Not much, as far as I can tell. A simple request is often all it takes for my husband, Dan, to shuffle his day around and be there for his girls.

“Daddy, will you take me to school?”

“Will you watch me at swim class, Daddy?”

“When will you be my mystery reader?”

Dan has donned tiaras and wrapped high ponytails. He’s worn burgundy nail polish on his toes for more than a month after an experimental “pedicure.” He even sported this unicorn costume last Halloween, to make our 4 year old’s dreams come true. (He succeeded.)

Dads also have passions and hobbies, preferences and pet peeves. And pretty high up on the priority list, you’ll generally find…

The lawn.

Our yard isn’t pristine or precious, by any means. But Dan keeps it looking its best. Come rain or shine… or snow in May (not cool, Chicago), he’s out back or out front. Walking the grounds. Pulling volunteers. Hacking back bushes. And mowing that grass.

To my daughter’s chagrin, we don’t see many dandelions in our square-o-green. To their delight, some home owners are less scrupulous…

My favorite color is yellow, so I get lots of *dandy* bouquets.

To children EVERYWHERE, dandelions are flowers - beautiful, bright, delightful. They sprinkle the ground like parade candy waiting to be plucked and savored.

To dads EVERYWHERE, dandelions are weeds - invasive, pervasive, menacing. They infect grass like a disease for which there is but one cure. (Scalpel!)

This is the premise of a new and, I would argue, perfect picture book called DANDY by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Little, Brown Young Readers, April 2019). The cover captures the eternal dilemma brilliantly, doncha think?

From the safety of his picture window, Daddy peers out and sees something downright scary. In the midst of his smooth, even, lime green grass is an unwanted guest. A dandelion. To Daddy, it’s a horror! To his daughter, Sweetie, it’s…

CHARLOTTE. Oh yes, this weed has a name. A classy, strong, upstanding name. Deserved? Not in Daddy’s book. Much as he adores his daughter Sweetie, he knows that weed has gotta go. With pressure from his neighbors, Daddy sets out to “take care of” Charlotte. But Sweetie is always there, protecting Charlotte with love.

When Sweetie leaves the house for swim class, Daddy finally gets his chance to put an end to Charlotte, before she releases her seeds into his perfect lawn. He has a last-minute change of heart, but it’s too late. Charlotte is hurt by mistake. Now it’s Daddy that’s destroyed. This spread made me laugh and cry and the same time. (Like I said, perfect picture book.)

You’ve gotta read how it ends. The final moment is so beautiful. Of course, I cried. Again. After all, what wouldn’t a Daddy do for his Sweetie? DANDY has it all. Charming setting. Sunny, funny characters. A tiny problem with massive consequences. And a love that knows no bounds. (Pssst! It could be a perfect gift for a daughter to share with her dad, this Father’s Day weekend!)

DANDY has certainly made an impact at our house. Our girls planted and wrapped up maple seed VICTORIA (Oh yes, this tree has a name) in love and an Arsenal soccer scarf. Just like their new friend, Sweetie.

Happy Father’s Day to dads everywhere, especially to my dad, Bill. Cruising with you on the red riding mower is one of my favorite childhood memories… and one I’m so glad my girls now get to share with you!

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DANDY is by Ame Dyckman, the author of many books for children, including BOY + BOT, WOLFIE THE BUNNY, HORRIBLE BEAR!, YOU DON’T WANT A UNICORN, MISUNDERSTOOD SHARK and the WEE BEASTIES series, among others. Find them all HERE! DANDY’s pictures are by Charles Santoso, illustrator of THE SNURTCH, I DON’T LIKE KOALA, IDA, ALWAYS and PEANUT BUTTER & BRAINS. Check them out HERE!

One lucky reader will win DANDY, signed by Ame Dyckman! Visit Ame on Twitter at @AmeDyckman for all of the details!

Kidlit Craft: Be A Maker

School is out in just a few days, and ooooh-em-goodness. I’m ready. Things are getting really lax around here. I’m having standoffs with lunch boxes and the contents therein. The backpacks are playing pile-up in the dining room corner. I’m completely (did I say completely?) done with the morning-time tango.

It’s time for a break.

I’m home with my girls full time. So that means in T-minus-four-days, my daughters and I will embark on an endless summer together. By the time late August rolls around, I know I’ll be ready to send them back to school. But as for right now, in this early June moment, I’m counting down the hours to the final school bell, living for every promise of summer.

Every jeep ride. Every backyard sunset. Every last popsicle.

The park, the zoo and the pool will be playtime destinations, to be sure. But our summer days will always begin and end at home. I reserve screen time for when I’m cooking dinner, so we’ll be otherwise unplugged… for many hours at a time. Knowing my girls’ rhythms and routines, our imaginations will most certainly need a jumpstart from time to time.

Alas, what to do in times such as these?

Ever since reading new picture book BE A MAKER by Katey Howes, illustrated by Elizabet Vukovic (Carllrhoda Books, March 2019), I’ve been keeping its brilliant ideas and philosophies in my back pocket for Summer 2019.

The story is driven by a direct and inspiring question: In a world of possibilities, today, what will you make? Turning the page is an acceptance of the book creators’ challenge - a decision to put passive consumption and inpatient expectancy on the shelf and instead invite your hands to do, to transform and, above all, to MAKE.

Readers journey alongside a young girl as she embarks on a series of independent explorations. Through gentle, stylish illustration, we see our main character’s inventiveness in action. She starts by making things indoors - towers, music, a telescope and blueprints. But makers cannot be confined to inside spaces. Soon she grabs supplies and heads outdoors…

BE A MAKER celebrates the freedom of creating in solitude, cozying up and settling into beautiful, quiet, formative moments of discovery. Then, midway through, the book expands to envelop additional characters, depicting a maker mindset that involves friends and community…

The satisfying rhyme moves at a steady clip, encouraging readers to ponder and predict what the characters might make next. Running concurrent to the active, verb-led text is an adorable, detail-filled world that’s complemented beautifully by soft crayon-style gestures in the background. The layered look subtly reiterates that preliminary design is kinetic and experimental.

BE A MAKER explores astronomy, art, engineering, cooking, and service, providing multiple inroads to creating. In fact, it gave me an idea for my kiddos, who are natural makers. (Just moments before this pic was taken, my 4-year-old said: “Mom, give me the garbage. I’m gonna make something new.”)

My girls do well with a loose framework of what the day will bring. So to give us some direction, together we created a “maker chain” - a link of creative projects to take on all summer long. Over bagels and cream cheese, we brainstormed things that we could make.

Inspired by BE A MAKER, we had four categories: Things we could BUILD (blueprint blue), things we could EAT (yummy minty green), things we could CREATE (craft paper brown), and things we could GIVE (heartbeat red) in service to others. We wrote our ideas on long strips, 10 ideas per color…

The BUILD ideas…

The EAT ideas… (We know. Our sweet tooth is showing.)

The CREATE ideas…

And the GIVE ideas…

We linked the strips into a chain, which is now draped across the window in our dining room, where we convene over juice and carbohydrates to discuss what’s in store for the day.

In case you decide to try this at home (and I hope you do!), here’s a little tip: Wrap the links “ideas out,” so Mom and Dad can see what is coming next and make sure the supplies are on hand. The first link in our chain: Make puppets and a show. Note to self: Add brown paper sacks, felt, yarn and googley eyes to the craft store list.

I know that this summer, the girls will make lots of things that aren’t part of this chain. But the 40 ideas colorfully connected ideas are there for us, when we need them. And, if we use them all up, there’s good news! We can add more. That’s another thing to make.

It’s safe to say…

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BE A MAKER is by Katey Howes, the author of GRANDMOTHER THORN (Ripple Grove Press) and MAGNOLIA MUDD AND THE SUPER JUMPTASTIC LAUNCHER DELUXE (Sterling Children’s Books). BE A MAKER’s pictures are by Elizabet Vukovic, illustrator of the JASMINE TOGUCHI books (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) and I WANNA BE A COWGIRL (Beach Lane Books).

One lucky reader will win BE A MAKER, signed by Katey Howes! Here's how to enter:

*** Win BE A MAKER ***

Simply...

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

2. Follow me (@anitraschulte) on Twitter

3. Retweet my pinned contest tweet by 6/7/19 

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

GOOD LUCK!

Celebrating with Friends at Nora Night

Our calendar is filling by the minute with field trips, parties and special ceremonies, and permission slips and final artwork are spilling from the girls’ folders and backpacks. It’s clear… the end of school is near!

Culmination and celebration are what May is all about, and we were thrilled to share in a very special night last week, as our family attended Nora Night – an evening event commemorating our daughter’s first year as a participant in The Nora Project. Here’s a glimpse into the party!

The Nora Project aims to foster friendships among children of all abilities. (Here’s a post about our first play date.) Since the fall, our eldest (who has Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome) has drawn closer in friendship to the student ambassadors at our local elementary school. Through shared stories, games and fun, students have gotten an opportunity to get to know Elsa personally and dynamically.

Nora Night was such a beautiful evening! Students planned every amazing detail. From lovely welcome signage and a red carpet greeting, to activities, creative photo booths, a slideshow and a special song, the students created an atmosphere of love and joy. It was hard for me to see Elsa’s reaction during the event because I was often behind her. This photo warms my heart so much!

To say that The Nora Project has had an impact is an understatement. I vividly remember Elsa’s first trip to the elementary school last year, before The Nora Project began. Elsa was home sick and had to come along for the ride as we dropped off Miss C at kindergarten. There were a lot of stares and dropped jaws when we rolled through the parking lot. They simply didn’t know her… yet.

Now, children come up and say hello to Elsa - all the time. Not only at school, but also at church, at the park, at the grocery store, at the library, and on and on. A number of parents have shared with me that their families talk about The Nora Project around the dinner table. And one of Elsa’s new Nora friends chose to miss the first half of his baseball game to be at Nora Night. The program is making a real difference in our lives and the lives of Elsa’s new friends.

The other day, when I was picking up Miss C from school, I watched as a big kid leaned down to ask: “Hey, is your sister Elsa Schulte?” It was just the cutest and the coolest thing.

Like all parents, I want my daughters to feel special and be seen as special. But I have to be on guard about that. That’s not what kids want. They want to be part of the group. To have friends. To share in the adventures of being a kid. So while I most certainly reveled in my daughter’s moment in the spotlight last week, what I’m really most grateful for is that The Nora Project creates a loving, open place for children to get to know our girl, and for her to get to know them. I can’t wait to see what next year will bring, as these relationships grow and deepen through this initiative.

(PS: A big thanks to Elsa’s grandmas, Zannie and Grammy, for traveling far to be a part of the party! And an enormous thank you to the children who planned Nora Night! You are visionaries, great leaders and great friends!)

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!

GOOD LUCK!

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!)

GOOD LUCK!