Today I’m posting as part of Tracy Marchini’s #Thankful4forPBs, interviewing picture book author Shelley Kinder about her debut book, NOT SO SCARY JERRY.

You can enter to win JERRY and all twelve participating books by visiting #Thankful4PBs at Tracy’s blog! 

Shelley, tells us a bit about your participating book…

NOT SO SCARY JERRY is a quirky monster story about friendship, individuality, and accepting people as they are. The twists and turns will keep readers on their toes (and giggling too).

What are three things your protagonist is grateful for, and why?

  1. Jerry is grateful for hugs because they make him feel all warm and gushy inside.
  2. He’s also grateful for lasagna because it’s the perfect middle-of-the-night snack.
  3. And Jerry loves his pink watch because it glows in the dark, making nighttime not so scary. Plus, it’s quite a fashion statement!

As the author, what picture book(s) are you thankful for, and why?

There are so many wonderful books, but I do love NO DAVID! by David Shannon for its simplicity and wonderful illustrations. And because my kids love it too.

Please share one person that’s made a big impact on your picture book career, and how?

I can’t narrow it down to just one person. I’d have to say that my mom and also my husband have played big roles in my career as a writer. My mom always believed in me and pushed me to follow my dreams. I always knew I could do what I put my mind to because of her affirming words in my life. My husband has always been supportive, as well, and he’s so good at reading my first drafts and sharing his thoughts on what could make them better.

What are you hopeful for (or looking forward to) in 2018?

I’m looking forward to my second picture book, THE MASTERPIECE, being published in the spring. It’s a faith-based book about God painting the sunrise. My mom is illustrating the book, and the process of working with her on this project has been amazing. It’s going to be beautiful! She doesn’t even realize how talented she is.

Thanks, Shelley…I am thankful you shared your story with us!

Shelley lives in Indiana with her not-so-scary husband and their four little monsters. Some of Shelley’s favorite things are family, photography, music, and sushi. NOT SO SCARY JERRY is her first picture book.

Learn more at ShelleyKinder.com.

Click the image below for the #Thankful4forPBs giveaway entry page!