EMU’s Debuts continues its celebration of the launch of THE YOUNGEST MARCHER by Cynthia Levinson with inspirational songs, chants and slogans. Click HERE!
From 176 pages to 32 in Five Years Flat
Here’s an interesting blog post by Cynthia Levinson on how she used the research from her middle-grade nonfiction book, WE’VE GOT A JOB, for her latest picture book, THE YOUNGEST MARCHER. I always find it fascinating to see how writers can distill a vast amount of research into a picture book. Check it out HERE.
THE YOUNGEST MARCHER
Today on EMU’s Debuts, Darcey Rosenblatt talks about the amazingly talented Cynthia Levinson’s latest book, THE YOUNGEST MARCHER. Click HERE to read about it! The timing of this release is extraordinary as we prepare for a week of marches around the country, people hitting the streets to speak their minds and exercise their first amendment rights.
March on, regardless of your age!
GOODREADS GIVEAWAY!
Today begins my Goodreads Giveaway where I’ll be giving away a signed copy of MY BUSY GREEN GARDEN. Click HERE for entry info.
Midwest Book Review on My Busy Green Garden (Hint: They Like It!)
This is what the Midwest Book Review has to say about my upcoming book with illustrator Carol Schwartz!
“My Busy Green Garden is a rhyming children’s picturebook about the bustle of insect and natural life in a lush green garden. Charming illustrations perfectly complement the singsong rhyme, and a final page of fascinating animal facts round out this delightful storybook. My Busy Green Garden is just plain fun to read aloud, and highly recommended.”
You can preorder it on Amazon by clicking HERE.
Book Two Ups and Downs
Today on EMU’s Debuts, author Katie Slivensky talks about writing the second book of a 2-book deal. I’ve always been TERRIFIED at the thought of writing a second book (especially a novel!) and the pressure that would come with it. But Katie points out that usually the second book is not in fact the second book you’ve written. Check it out here!
When an Editor Roots for You
Common sense advice from Mentors for Rent…
I’m about to read a manuscript from a client, and I have my fingers crossed. This is a revision of a manuscript Lisa and I, as Mentors for Rent, have critiqued before. The writer is talented, and she’s a super nice person. So as I prepare to open the manuscript, I’m thinking to myself, “Please, let it be good!” It struck me that this is what building relationships with editors is about, too. When you get to meet editors and build relationships with them, if you are a good writer and a nice person, they are rooting for you. When they see your name in the Sender field or on a return address label, they are hoping your work is good–that it’s a perfect fit for them. Will they acquire a manuscript that’s NOT just right for them, just because they know you’re a good writer and a nice person?…
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Great Blogs to Peruse
It’s hard to find time to read all the great blogs that are out there. Really? Who has the time to read them all? Of course, EMU’s Debuts is fabulous! (ahem, yeah…it’s composed of my literary agency-mates). And I enjoy Picture Book Builders, as well. And another terrific one is BookMom: Picks from a Publishing Parent.
But perhaps what I feel is the blog to end all blogs is Betsy Bird’s Fuse #8 “31 Days, 31 Lists” where for each day of December, she posts a list of the year’s best books (by category). I mean it! You want “funny” then go to Dec. 7. You want a list of alphabet picture books, it’s there! Board books, bilingual books, fairy tales, nursery rhymes, chapter books, poetry, nature, the list goes on and on until the last day of December. I have a feeling if December had 6o days, Betsy could find enough books for that too!
So, while you’re standing in line to buy that reindeer sweater for your Uncle George or taking a break from the holiday shopping at your local coffeehouse, give some of these blogs a look.
Enjoy the holidays and happy reading!
Book Resources for The Nian Monster
Andrea Want shares some terrific book-related activities for librarians and educators here. As a former Montessori teacher, I just LOVE this! Thanks, Andrea!
Xingling, the main character in THE NIAN MONSTER, is a resourceful girl. When confronted by a ravenous monster, she keeps her wits about her in order to fend Nian off. She’s not afraid to ask for help, either. Over the past year, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to get THE NIAN MONSTER into the hands of readers. I heard over and over how everybody loves freebies. So in addition to swag like bookmarks and magnets, I decided to offer additional book-related resources. And, like Xingling, I reached out and asked for help from my community — the wonderful kidlit community.
Here are a few of the resources that were created for my book:
A Teacher’s Guide: Arguably, not every picture book needs a teacher’s guide, especially if it’s fiction. But I felt that there were enough cultural and geographical aspects to my book that a teacher, librarian, or parent might…
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What would You Do If You Encountered THE NIAN MONSTER???
Having created my own book trailer in the past, I’ve come to appreciate great children’s book trailers. Take a look at Andrea Wang’s trailer for THE NIAN MONSTER.
Today we continue our celebration of the release of Andrea Wang’s picture book, The Nian Monster.
I found so many things I loved about this book that it’s hard to focus on just one. Alina Chau’s illustrations are delightful (such a scary yet adorable Nian monster!). The notion of societal complacency requiring a sharp mind to resolve a problem it created gives a message of hope. But the writing is what struck me the most.
Andrea did a fabulous job of seamlessly weaving Chinese New Year traditions into a fiction story. It’s a lovely read, as we follow Xingling’s story of how she outsmarts the Nian monster, but along the way we’re enriched with culture. We hear the words and sounds, taste the foods, see the colors and of course, get to know that rascally Nian monster himself!
For a bit of fun, watch The Nian Monster book…
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Terry Pierce 
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