1

Book Bites for Kids

|

I just finished with my live interview with BlogTalkRadio’s Book Bites for Kids, hosted by Suzanne Lieurance. What a treat it was and how quickly our 30 minutes flew by! I found myself laughing a lot (nerves? or am I really that happy all the time? or is it just that us authors don’t get out enough?). Regardless, if you had a chance to listen, I hope you enjoyed it. In a couple of days, I’ll post a link to the archived interview, for anyone who would like to hear it.

In the meantime, please give the BlogTalkRadio’s Book Bites for Kids website a visit–there are so many terrific things to hear!

Upcoming Interview: BlogTalkRadio Book Bites for Kids

|

I wanted to announce that that I’m going to be interviewed on BlogTalkRadio’s Book Bites for Kids this Thursday, at 12:00 PM (Pacific Time). Host Suzanne Lieurance will do a live 30-minute interview with me. You can even call in and ask questions! If you don’t already listen to Book Bites for Kids, you should! It’s easy to register (and it’s free). And if you can’t listen to it live, they have all their interviews available to download on your computer or as a podcast. So please, join us on Thursday for chat about writing for kids!

3

New Children’s Agent

|

Ugh…I just got over a four-day migraine. The only good thing that came of it was that one day I was so dopey from my migraine meds that while I talking to my husband, I messed up my wording and accidentally said something quite funny that I think will make for a funny children’s book. Sorry, I can’t share exactly what I said (I never talk about story ideas before I write them because when I do, I lose the enthusiasm for the project before I even put pencil to paper), but suffice it to say that since it was born from a semi-medicated state, it’s gotta be on the humorous side ;-).

Okay, onto more relevant things. Last week, my writer friend
Jill Corcoran announced that she has joined the Ronnie Herman Agency, as Ronnie’s new associate agent. CONGRATULATIONS, JILL!!! Jill is the type of person who is a natural at schmoozing, striking up conversations, and totally in her element in professional situations. And she’s downright nice. Yes, she’s a true extrovert and loves it. As an introvert, I’d feel my air flow expire and want to just curl up in the corner and die if I had to do the job of an literary agent, but I DO admire those who can do it–and Jill is one of them. I wish her the best of luck in her new endeavor >^..^<

1

Ten Commandments of Children’s Literature

|

Balzer & Bray editor Ruta Rimas discussed this at the SCBWI Picture Book Retreat in Santa Barbara last January. She gave us some solid advice from former HarperCollins editorial director Michael Stern. Last year, Michael left HarperCollins Children’s Books to become a literary agent at the Firebrand Agency. With 20+ years in the business to base this one, here are his “Ten Commandments of Children’s Literature.”

1. Thou shalt not talk down to your readers.
2. Thou shalt not sermonize to your readers.
3. Thou shalt not strain to rhyme.
4. Thou shalt not create cutsie names.
5. Thou shalt not waste words.
6. Thou shalt not indulge in self-consciously poetic writing.
7. Thou shalt not be afraid to cut your favorite lines.
8. Thou shalt love language.
9. Thou shalt not send editors and agents first drafts.
10.Thou shalt not obey any rule to the detriment of good writing.

For a detailed look at the above commandments, visit Michael Stern’s blog.

1

Advice to Editors & Agents

|

Don’t you love it when a voice rises from the everyday noise of life and speaks to your heart?

Alice Pope hosted a guest post by author Hope Vestergaard this week. Hope has some advice for editors and agents, which I found to be quite refreshing. I’ve often wondered why, in a business that requires a joint effort from editors, agents, authors and illustrators, all too frequently there seems to be an imbalance in the standard operating procedures, particularly in regards to marketing and submissions. Hope has done a nice job of explaining that all parties should be respectful, play nice and remember to use their manners. Click here to read her post.
2

Tricks of the Trade: Fooling Yourself

|

I’m working on a manuscript right now that is getting to the point where I’m losing my objectivity. You know the types—the ones you’ve revised so much that you can recite it word for word in your sleep. I know it needs more work, yet I’m starting to feel stagnant with taking it further. I hate it when this happens. It’s like riding a bike up a hill and you’re almost to the top, but quickly running out of steam. If…I…could…just…pump…my…legs…five…more…times.

What’s a writer to do when this happens? Here is where I dig deep and pull out my “bag o’ tricks” and trick myself into seeing things differently. I know it goes against common sense. If I know I’m trying to fool myself, how can I fool myself? Who knows? Who cares? All that matters is that this works–at least for me. Once I’ve dummied out my story and had it critiqued by my writer’s group until they’re sick of it, I resort to the following.

Pull out the highlighters. I go through my manuscript and highlight the adjectives and adverbs. Once I’m finished, I go back and figure out how I can eliminate them by using stronger nouns and verbs. This not only reduces word count, but it also strengthens the writing.

Pull out the tape recorder. There’s nothing quite listening to your tape-recorded story. The language “glitches” stand out like Mt. Everest. Problems with the flow and your page turns go under the microscope when you listen to them on tape. I’ll find myself saying, “How did I NOT catch that before?” I end up making corrections as I’m recording and when I listen to it play back.

Change locations. Reading my story in another location helps too. Outside works very well, if the weather cooperates. But even moving into another room, or standing while reading the story aloud helps (walking while reading a rhyming story is essential). Reading the story somewhere new somehow helps me to experience my work in a fresh way.

What do all of these things accomplish? They force you to see things in a different light, which gives you the opportunity to improve your work for the ka-zillionth time and move it one more step closer to being ready for publication. All tedious, but all worth it!

Happy writing!

Book Review: Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig

|

Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig is the fifth easy reader that made it to the 2009 CYBILS Finals.

Elderly sisters Baby and Eugenia Lincoln live next door to the Watsons, owners of the title character, Mercy. The grumpy Eugenia Lincoln decides the sisters need to beautify their yard, planting pansies along the garden edge. Mercy smells something delightful coming from next door and finds the freshly planted treats. Later, when Eugenia decides to take stock of their hard work, she finds her flowers missing except for a few petals left on Mercy’s chin!

The chase is on as Eugenia takes off after Mercy. Baby alerts the Watsons of Mercy’s actions so Mrs. Watson decides to call Mercy in for some hot buttered toast. Eugenia is irate and calls Animal Control. Baby calls the Watsons again and warns them of the “Unmentionable Horror” that is on its way.

In the meantime, Mercy’s other neighbors, kids Stella and Frank, invite her to a tea party. Of course, Mercy can’t resist the offer of cake, cream and other scrumptious goodies, but is later disappointed when she finds that it’s all pretend. While this is happening, Animal Control Officer Francine Poulet makes her way to the Watson home. Her effort to capture Mercy ends when she accidentally falls from a tree onto the imaginary tea party.

Mercy’s clueless owners, the Watsons, hail Officer Poulet a hero for finding their dear Mercy, and treat the entire neighborhood to a hot buttered toast party.

Kate DiCamillo adds another title to her successful Mercy Watson series. Chris VanDusen’s charming and colorful artwork adds to the appeal of this fluent reader. This is a solid story for kids who are still reading easy readers, but are ready to take on multiple chapters and a more complicated plot.

Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig by Kate DiCamillo/Illustrated by Chris VanDusen/ISBN-10: 0763632651/2008/Candlewick.

1

Book Review: Maybelle Goes to Tea

|

Okay, I have to admit that when I realized this story was about a cockroach my toes curled. A cockroach? Are you kiddin’ me? Ugh. Memories of my college housing flooded my mind. But as a CYBILS judge, I had to read what was put before me. So I read on. And to my delight, I loved this story. It was totally hilarious.

Maybelle, the pink-bowed cockroach, lives at 19 Grand Street where everything is JUST SO. The Peabodys are absolutely positive there are no bugs at their house. This is because Maybelle always behaves herself and follows The Rules: When its light, stay out of sight; if you’re spied, better hide; and never meet with human feet. Life is fine and proper for Maybelle until Maurice, a rather large fly, comes into the house. In her attempts to get him out of the house, the bugs are discovered and chaos ensues. Ultimately, Maybelle learns that even if you do behave, life is full of surprises.

Katie Speck uses an unusual subject as a main character to give a unique perspective of what life could be like for those critters that hide from human eyes. The story is full of action and humor that will have kids turning the pages. With its pen drawings and thirteen chapters, this is a fun early chapter book (IMHO, a bit advanced to be classified as a traditional easy reader).

So, pour yourselves a spot of Earl Grey, pull out the scones and settle down for a fun read with your child and join Maybelle as she goes to tea.

Maybelle Goes to Tea by Katie Speck/ISBN-13: 978-0-8050-8093-3/2008/Henry Holt

Book Review: Houndsley and Catina

|

This charming easy reader was another finalist for the 2009 CYBILS Awards.

Houndsley (a dog) and Catina (a cat) are two best friends who see the best in each other. Catina dreams of being a famous author. Houndsley is a wonderful cook. But what happens when each friend is faced with telling the other that things aren’t as good as they think? How does one be honest without hurting feelings?

Catina writes a seventy-four chapter memoir, which Houndsley feels is horrible. Catina convinces Houndsley to enter a cooking contest where his nerves get the best of him and not only does he undercook the rice, but also forgets to put the beans in this Three-Bean Chili. In the end, Houndsley figures out that cooking for the mere pleasure of cooking is enough, and Catina admits that she doesn’t like to write. Houndsley suggests that she could be famous for being something else. Food and fame aside, the friends relish in the quiet joy that comes from true friendship.

James Howe writes a tale of two friends with a charming quality that is sure to please. Marie-Louise Gay’s gentle watercolor illustrations add to the cozy, snuggle-down feeling of the story that took me back to the days of Frog and Toad. This 48-paged story would be a delight for an early reader who is ready to take on smaller text and more words per page than an emergent reader.

Houndsley and Catina by James Howe/Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay/ ISBN-10: 0763624047/2006/Candlewick.