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Before you click the back button, thinking you’ve arrived at the wrong blog, let me assure you…I DO NOT hate picture books.
And neither does Timothy Young, author-illustrator of the new picture book I HATE PICTURE BOOKS! It’s his main character with the picture book problemo.
I will let him explain…
In November I was a guest blogger for PiBoIdMo and I told a brief version of how I had the idea for I HATE PICTURE BOOKS!. I was at the NJSCBWI 2011 summer conference where I was on the faculty. I taught a seminar about creating pop-up books and sat on a panel with some of the other authors in the KidLit Authors Club. I attended a couple of the other seminars while there, including “Finding The Funny Stuff” with Audrey Vernick and Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich. They were talking about parody (I love good parody) in children’s books and Olugbemisola made a very funny comment about Paddington Bear’s immigration status.
That’s where things got rolling. I’ve always loved good parody but I hadn’t really thought of doing a parody book. There have been some really good ones lately like Michael Rex’s THE RUNAWAY MUMMY and GOODNIGHT GOON. So sitting there I started thinking, if I were going to do a parody what would it be? Images of classic books started running through my head and I thought, there are too many to choose from. Could I do something that used a bunch of books instead of just one? Somewhere in my thoughts appeared this kid, this boy who misinterpreted what he was reading. He was angry about it and he yelled “I hate picture books!”.
I have to say I really liked that title. It had a great hook and I thought “there’s a title readers will notice”. It has to be a good story with a title like that. I thought of all of the books this boy would be angry at. I thought of the kind of trouble he would get into based on what he read. I was really enjoying the process.
I had the beginning of the book really fleshed out, I was even designing spreads in my head. Having the boy (he was eventually named Max) appear in the books he was talking about, and illustrating him in the style of classic illustrators really excited me.
I then came up with the idea of having lots and lots of books lying on the floor and I couldn’t wait to get home and start drawing some of the scenes I was working out in my head.
So this story pushed it’s way out of my head. Once I got home from the conference I began furiously drawing. I designed my boy and started drawing him onto the scenes I was developing. I went to my local library and checked out dozens of books. (I’ve dedicated this book to my mom and to Rosemary Morris, the children’s librarian at the Talbot County Library). I’ve had an ability to mimic other peoples styles which I’ve developed working in the toy industry with licensed product from Disney, Henson and other famous character brands. I knew I had to go the New York in August for 2 weeks so I gave myself a deadline to have a rough dummy ready for then.
I made my deadline and set up some meetings. I got a very good reaction from a number of people who’s opinion I really respect. I HATE PICTURE BOOKS! was sent out to a number of publishers by my then agent, and was turned down (nicely) by all of them. In November I was introduced to the good people at Schiffer Publishing. I submitted it along with SHADOWS ON MY WALL, THEY’RE COMING! and another book. They came back to me quickly saying they wanted all four. Since SHADOWS ON MY WALL and THEY’RE COMING! were almost ready to go they were put into the schedule right away. I then had 6 months to finish all of the illustrations for I HATE PICTURE BOOKS! and here it is coming out in a couple of weeks!
I’m having a book launch event at Books of Wonder in NYC on March 2nd (Dr. Seuss’ Birthday!) from 1 – 3 pm. If you can’t make it and want to get a signed copy, you can order one from my Kickstarter campaign until Sunday, February 17th when the campaign ends. You can see a video there of me reading the first few pages of the book.
I’m also having a contest on my website, www.ihatepicturebooks.com. If you can recognize and name 40 books from the over 250 classic and modern picture books referenced in it you can enter to win over a dozen signed books that appear in my book. They are by authors and illustrators you’ve actually heard of.
Thanks, Timothy!
I definitely cannot wait to get my hands on this one.
How about you?
Sorry if I tricked you.
This is not a post about breaking picture-book-writing rules. (Although I will DEFINITELY get on that idea lickety-split!)
This post’s about the book BREAK THESE RULES!
Due from Chicago Review Press in September, yours truly plus 34 kidlit authors YOU’VE ACTUALLY HEARD OF (unlike me), take on typical life rules adults love to preach (like “Grow Up and Be Serious!”) and offer our experience of why it’s probably a BETTER idea to BREAK those rules.
The subtitle says it all: “35 YA Authors on Speaking Up, Standing Out, and Being Yourself”—and so do the yellow canvas sneakers clashing with the argyle socks.
Behold the brand-spanking-new cover!
My husband asked why my name wasn’t on the cover. Isn’t he adorable? (Seriously, I just wanna pinch his cheeks like a plump polyester-pant-suit-wearing Auntie.) Um, there’s no way anyone’s gonna pick up this book because it says “Tara Lazar”. But look—it says “Matthew Quick” and “The Silver Linings Playbook”. HOLY OSCAR-WORTHY GUACAMOLE, PEOPLE!
So be on the lookout for this extraordinary compilation come September because all proceeds benefit The Children’s Defense Fund. And it’s sure to be a POWERFUL read for adolescents and teens (and the occasional pusillanimous adult).
Yes, can you believe it, there are more prizes to give away!
I began the New Year with a nasty cold and I am finally on the mend…and you finally get the remaining wham-bam assortment of kidlit goodies.
The winner of Julie Hedlund’s Little GOLDen Book 12×12 in 2013 membership is:
CHRISTY PETERSON!
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The winner of a picture book critique by Shari Greenspan, editor at Flashlight Press (arranged by Donna W. Earnhardt) is:
ASHLEY BANKHEAD!
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The winner of Wendy Martin’s ebook HOW TO MAKE A PB DUMMY IN 9 EASY STEPS is:
JENNIFER HAWES!
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If you didn’t win a prize this year, why not treat yourself to a prize? Remember the PiBoIdMo Cafe Press shop is open, with all proceeds benefitting RIF. We’ve got mugs, t-shirts, even pajamas! (And did you know, PJs are the kidlit uniform? I couldn’t write without them!)
Ryan and I would like to say “thank you” for visiting my blog this year. Now go rock the Auld Lang Syne.
When the year winds down, we should all feel obligated to tout our favorite reads (woot! woot!), to show appreciation to the authors and books that kept us wildly entertained through 2012.
How do I keep track of all I read? Easily, with GoodReads. I encourage you to do the same if you haven’t already tried it.
Friend me and/or fan me there!
You can build your own shelves (without wood, allen wrenches or confusing directions from Ikea) to categorize your reads. Mark books you want to read and discover new reads similar to what you’ve already enjoyed. You can also see what your friends are reading and how they’ve rated books.
And while I loved Stephen King’s latest, 11/22/63, and other best-selling titles like Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84 and Laura Moriarty’s THE CHAPERONE this year, it’s especially important to me to share the works of lesser-known indie authors, like Kathleen Kaska.
Kaska’s Sydney Lockhart mystery series from Salvo Press features a plucky 1950’s heroine, an independent woman in an age where her dismissal of the domestic lifestyle makes her a loner. Sydney is a journalist in her 20’s dead-set on building a successful career, and while reporting about the famous Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Sydney finds herself entangled in a murder-mystery and her unconventional ways make her a suspect. Eager to clear her name, Sydney strives to solve the case despite roadblocks from local authorities. Her wealthy, spoiled cousin Ruth becomes her unlikely side-kick, providing ample comedic opportunities. The two ladies do not mesh personality-wise yet somehow they complement each other. There’s also a little romance tossed in with a local detective who deems Sydney clumsy yet irresistibly charming. Moreover, the mystery keeps you guessing until the very end, reminiscent of Agatha Christie. (Kaska is a Christie fan and expert, having penned a Christie trivia book.)
After MURDER AT THE ARLINGTON, I dove right onto MURDER AT THE LUTHER…and now I’m ready for the newly-released MURDER AT THE GALVEZ.
So now I want to hear from you!
What lesser-known books knocked your socks off this year?
Congratulations to BETH SPOTTS CONSUGAR!
Beth, you’re the winner of Melissa Taylor’s BOOK LOVE!
An email with details is coming your way!
And more PiBoIdMo prizes are STILL coming your way, too! Once the holiday craziness settles down here…which at this rate might be next December…
Well, at least we survived the apocalypse!
Many thanks to my Writers Circle friend Michael Pilla for allowing me to share his hilarious holiday ode to the digital age! Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
Twas the Tweet before Christmas…
And all through the ‘net, there were last-minute specials,
And shopping time yet!
Photos were sent to the cloud with great care
So family and friends would be able to share.
The usual gadgets, some small and some large
Were all neatly plugged in for their overnight recharge.
And mom on her iPad and me on my Mac
Were Skype-ing our friends while having a snack
When then our connection was lost to the router
I yanked off my earbuds to see what was the matter.
A tingling I felt, from my head to my toes
Spying a red Mini Cooper festooned with logos!
Flying faster than video on 1080p
The driver called out his sponsors, as clear as can be…
Now ebay, now Apple, now Am’zon and Zappos,
On Google, on Priceline, on Fedex and Fios!
I knew in a moment, without any pause
He was the new and improved Santa, “Cyber Clause”.
Struck speechless was I, much like a mime
But I had to go greet him and grab some face time.
His clothes were Armani, to give him his due
He looked healthy and rested, and much slimmer too.
No more with the sleigh, or toys in the sack
That was old Clause, with the bad back.
“I’m the Mayor of Christmas” he chortled with glee
As he checked in with FourSquare, before speaking to me.
With gadgets, and cards, he briefly explained
My job’s become easier, no need to strain.
I’ve streamlined my workshop, there’s much less to do
Put a factory in China, reindeers in a zoo
I layed off some elves, I now work part time
Since I developed an app to keep kiddies in line
No more written lists of those naughty and nice
I get real-time updates, don’t have to check twice.
He dropped off some gifts that were both pretty and small
And sucked down the Red Bull I left in the hall.
Then quick as a wink he dashed out to his car
It started right up, and was bright as a star
He texted my Droid as he drove out of sight
“Like me on Facebook” and have a good night!
.
Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, Michael Pilla has spent his career as graphic designer, creative director, Internet marketer, and entrepreneur. Since starting his own firm in 2003, he has brought the power of the internet to such diverse industries as arts and entertainment, restaurants, food and beverage and a number of small businesses.A sought-after speaker and writer on Internet Marketing issues, Michael is working on a humorous guide book for start-up entrepreneurs. Reach him at Pilla Creative Marketing or Section 11: The Search for Intelligent Humor.
I know you’ve been patiently waiting! Santa’s Elves have been frantically stuffing his sleigh, so they didn’t have time to help me out with my gifts! If Santa only knew YOU had a list—a list of 30 NICE ideas—then maybe he would have lent me an elf or two. I’d even take Buddy.
If you’re one of the winners below, be on the lookout for an email from me. Check those spam folders, too! If you don’t see an email by Saturday, please email me (see email icon in left column) and I will resend.
And the drumroll please…
The winner of Kate Dopirak’s picture book critique is:
JANET SMART!
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The winner of Emma Ledbetter’s picture book critique is:
LISA OLSON!
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The winner of Tammi Sauer’s PRINCESS IN TRAINING Prize Pack is:
LORI ALEXANDER!
.
The winner of Ame Dyckman’s BOY + BOT signed book and SWAG is:
SUE PODUSKA!
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The winner of Kelly DiPucchio’s signed CRAFTY CHLOE is:
CAROL MUNRO!
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The winner of Kayla Skogh’s signed print is:
THIS KID ERIK!
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The winner of Peter Harren’s signed print is:
YONA WISEMAN!
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The winner of Corey Rosen Schwartz’s rhyming picture book critique is:
MARY LIVINGSTON!
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The winner of Carol Gordon Ekster’s picture book critique is:
GARY MASSKIN!
.
The winner of Melissa Sweet’s Prize Pack is:
DEBRA SHUMAKER!
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Congratulations to all the winners!
I have to search the bottom of my stockings when I return from vacation—I might have a few more goodies to give away! I know, PiBoIdMo never ends!
by Melissa Taylor
Reading is everything. Reading = learning. Most of us would do anything to get our kids loving to read.
Most of us just don’t know what to do.
I wrote BOOK LOVE: HELP YOUR CHILD GROW FROM RELUCTANT TO ENTHUSIASTIC READER because I had to. Parents like us need an easy-to-read guide of ideas for what to do for their child’s specific needs. Because not only did I teach reluctant readers for over a decade, my daughters were reluctant readers.
My first daughter arrived in this world with the wiggles. She didn’t want to cuddle while mommy read her a picture book. Once she was strapped into her high chair, eating, she was a finally the captive audience for books.
In BOOK LOVE, I explain that there are four big reasons kids dislike reading:
- too boring
- too sitty (my eldest daughter)
- too blurry
- too tricky
For each reason, I provide lots of ideas for games, activities, crafts, and products that just might get your child loving to read.
The important thing is to discover why your child doesn’t like to read. Then, you can address it with more success.
When my second daughter came along, loving books, I assumed that her love would last forever. (Ha. You know what they say about assumptions.)
At Kindergarten, the school’s worksheet-palooza killed all passion for learning and books.
For this daughter, books were boring. She needed good books—books rich in story and imagination. Not dull worksheets photocopied and stapled together.
So, BOOK LOVE was born.
For those of you whose kids find reading too tricky, I elaborate on specific skills (alphabet, phonics, rhyming, fluency, comprehension) providing activities and games for each. Plus, you’ll find tons of book lists interest.
Book Love give parents just what we need—easy-to-access information and ideas raising a reader, and for reluctant readers.
Reading is everything after all. We must do everything possible to get our kids to love to read.
Melissa Taylor is an educator with a Master’s in Education, a freelance writer, a blogger at Imagination Soup, and a mom of two. BOOK LOVE is available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon.com.
One lucky blog reader will win their choice—either a paperback or Kindle version—of BOOK LOVE. To enter the random drawing, ask Melissa a question about reluctant readers or how to encourage a love of reading. A winner will be selected on December 27th. Good luck and happy reading!
Well, there sure are a ton of prizes to give out. My arms are dog-tired from holding all this stuff, so let’s begin the giveaways!
All winners will be contacted me via email for your postal address, so please scour your inbox for my message. If you don’t see a message by Wednesday, please let me know and I will resend.
Congratulations to all the winners! And remember, there’s more prizes to come…so stay tuned, picture book fans! Same book time, same book blog.
The winner of Leeza Hernandez’s DOG GONE! Prize Pack is:
TIM MCCANNA!
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The winner of James Burks’ digital witch print is:
DEBRA FELDMAN!
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The winner of Deborah Freedman’s signed BLUE CHICKEN is:
JULIET CLARE BELL!
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The winner of Kelly Light’s “Louise” sketch is:
SALLY PHILLIPS!
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The winner of Carter Higgins’ picture book critique is:
LYNDA COWLES!
.
The winners of Charise Mericle Harper’s signed JUST GRACE books are:
CAT JONES, ASHLEY BOHMER & LYNN ANNE CAROL!
.
The winner of Aaron Reynolds’ signed CREEPY CARROTS is:
LAURA THIEMAN!
.
The winner of Diane Kredensor’s OLLIE & MOON signed book is:
MARIA GIANFERRARI!
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The winners of Mr. Schu’s book giveaways are:
ANISSA JONES & JANE JEFFRIES!
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The winners of Deb Lund’s signed books are:
QUINN COLE & DIANA DELOSH!
.
The winners of Ward Jenkins’ signed books are:
WESTLEY YOUNG & CINDY CORNWALL!
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The winner of Tiffany Strelitz Haber’s signed THE MONSTER WHO LOST HIS MEAN is:
GENEVIEVE PETRILLO!
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The winner of Timothy Young’s signed book of choice and pencil sketch is:
LAURA HAMOR!
Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) 