This adorable board book has it all: board book quality, gorgeous illustrations, perfect little nature-based haiku poems, lift-the-flaps (always a favorite with the young crowd), hide-and-seek animals. PEEK-BOO-HAIKU is written across the seasons, so add that to its charm and discussion possibilities.
I love to write haiku, and Danna is one of the best haiku writers I’ve had to pleasure to interact with. I’ve admired many of her books. PEEK-A-BOO HAIKU is now one of my mentor texts.
PEEK-A-BOO HAIKU will make a wonderful gift for my almost 11-month-old granddaughter. IF I can give it away. Or maybe she gets her own copy.
Welcome to Book Share! Today I’d like to share about one of my critique partner’s new books, Tinker, Where Are You? by Beverly Love Warren. It’s always thrilling to see a new book come out in the world, but when I was a part of reading and critiquing the book along its journey to publication, that makes it much sweeter!
Beverly has stopped by my blog today to share more about her new book. Hi, Beverly! Let’s hear more about Tinker!
What was the inspiration for your book?
My desire was to write a story with a message that I believed in. When I was little, I wanted a pet, but a family member was allergic to cats and dogs, so I bought a hamster and a turtle. Fast forward to now, and I knew the turtle would be featured in the story and the clever escape of my hamster would figure into the plot.
While revising the story I discovered that too many turtle picture books existed on the market, so Tinker became a lizard. Although it was horrible to have lost my hamster, it would have been a disaster if I had lost my friend’s pet while it was under my care. As the main character, what would I do and how would this effect my relationship with my friend? Of course, I wanted the story to have a good ending, so Tinker is found in the end, but what if the main character concluded she must give up her dream of owning a fish to keep from disappointing her friend?
Initially the inspiration for this tale was my pets, but it also came from Luke 6:38 (found in the Bible) which essentially says, “Give and it will be given back to you.” My heart’s message in writing Tinker is to encourage children to think creatively as they try to solve their problems, but even more importantly, it is that they would see the reward in being a good friend.
Being from the Pacific Northwest, I am unfamiliar with anoles other than as pets, so I enjoyed the warm tropical environment in this book. I must say that Tinker is adorable, and I liked reading about the responsibility Hannah shows while she cares for Tinker and performs her other chores.
Hannah
Tell us about your writing and illustrating process.
Generally, the story comes first. It is written and revised until my critique partners and I agree that it is finished. But while I am in the revising process, I will begin the character sketches and will decide what medium and style I would like to use for the final art. Once I’ve made my choices, I will begin the storyboard or dummy book. Sometimes the text may get altered slightly as I am working on the sketches, so it fits the illustrations better. After I finish the final storyboard, I enlarge those sketches, trace and tweak them, and then get them scanned. From there I will add the color using Procreate in my iPad to complete the illustrations.
Tinker, Where Are You? is a part of a collaborative publishing process with one of my critique groups. We each wrote and illustrated our own books and helped one another with both the refining of the stories and the illustrations. Each of us has different strengths to give to the group to help in the creative and publishing process.
That’s a pretty neat way to create a picture book!
What is your favorite part of the creative process and why?
All of it. I am more of an artist by natural abilities, so I might say that illustrating is my favorite part, but honestly, I really enjoy creative writing—both in coming up with the story idea and the revising as well. Telling a tale is fun, but watching a character come to life under my pencil and paint is the icing on a cake.
You do a fantastic job creating both story and illustrations!
What other projects have you illustrated or written?
Back in the dark ages when I began illustrating (LOL), I created a boat load of art for the secular and faith-based educational markets. During that time, and since then, I’ve also illustrated a few books. Tinker is my eighth book. Among the other books are My Child My Princess by Beth Moore, Fishing with Grandpa and Skye by Candace Spizzirri, and Have You Seen Mouse? by me.
I’ve read several of these. Lots of fun!
What is next for you, Beverly?
When I completed the illustrations for Tinker, I immediately began working on the illustrations for Meet Lottie and Annie written by Joye Smith. Meet Lottie and Annie is a picture book for preschoolers. This book tells the story about two women missionaries from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Lottie served in China and Annie served in the US. This was a fun project because I enjoy doing research on historical characters, and I found the lives of these two women to be inspirational. The book is due to be released on June 1, 2025.
As editor for Meet Lottie and Annie, I can say that I cannot wait to hold a copy in my hands. The history and engaging illustrations are wonderful!
Today I am working on marketing Tinker. But I am also thinking about my next book. I have four manuscripts with semi-completed storyboards. It is a matter of deciding which one is the best for me to publish currently. A good thing about being a self-publishing author and illustrator is that I can work at my own pace, which leaves room for me to illustrate other projects as they arrive.
Thanks so much, Angie, for featuring Tinker, Where Are You? on your blog.
You are very welcome, Beverly. It’s always a joy to find out what is going on in your world. Congratulations on Tinker!!
Sad Hannah
Friends, you can learn more about Beverly here and find her books:
I’m a tea lover, and I’ve enjoyed my fair share of chai tea. But once I read this picture book, I knew I had to follow the recipe for myself and make homemade chai.
Masala Chai, Fast and Slow
Written by Rajani LaRocca
Illustrated by Neha Rawat
Candlewick Press, 2023
I may have mentioned once or twice that I really enjoy reading picture books about food. Being able to learn about traditions and families and such deliciousness is a treat for my heart. Masala Chai, Fast and Slow plus deep sips from a pretty teacup. Ahhh.
I watched a webinar where Rajani was sharing about her picture book and masala chai. Thanks, 12×12! After I requested my library purchase a copy, I was the first one to check it out (I love that). I kept it out for the maximum of time. Later, I checked it out again. But this time (also nearing the maximum time=number of renewals I can do) I made sure to collect all the ingredients to steep my own masala chai.
The recipe makes quite a bit of chai, so I needed to make it on a weekend when I could share. Which is the point of masala chai. Sharing and connecting with family and friends.
I gathered the ingredients suggested by Rajani in the back matter recipe (I love it when recipes are included in a picture book, and back matter is the bomb): milk, black tea bags, cinnamon sticks, black peppercorns, cardamom pods, whole cloves, fresh ginger, and sugar (or honey).
I decided to actually follow the recipe the first time around. Shocker, I know, since I usually wing it when trying new recipes. The resulting chai tea was delicious! Warm, spicy, fragrant. Ahhh. This recipe is a keeper. Good thing too, because I have a big bag of whole cardamom pods.
Masala Chai, Fast and Slow is delighfully tasty. I can’t wait to brew another batch.
This adorable (and on a scale of adorable, it’s a 12) picture book is a delight to read. With much thanks to Jena Benton and Kim-Hoa Ung, I was gifted a copy of A Gift for Nai Nai. Thank you!
The beautiful illustrations pulled me in, and the special relationship between the little girl and her Nai Nai – which, thanks to the short glossary, I now know means paternal grandmother – added heart and love.
This picture book reminded me of my own mother who loved to crochet. She spent hours, days, and weeks creating gifts and clothing not just for her own family, but so many others in her circle of family and friends. I read this book with a large dose of nostalgia.
I enjoyed not only the crochet connection, but also seeing through the illustrations that Nai Nai uses a wheelchair to get around. My mother-in-law was limited to a wheelchair after breaking her hip. Despite losing some of her mobility, Nai Nai continues to create a beautifully crocheted hat she gives to Lyn Lyn each year. Framed photos on the wall showcase a few of the fun hats.
Nai Nai has a birthday coming up, so Lyn Lyn decides she wants to learn to crochet. The struggle is very real (my own mother tried to teach me to crochet). With an AWW-some ending, A Gift for Nai Nai is a satisfying and warm-hearted read.
I had to share the “undie” from A Gift for Nai Nai. An undie is the cover beneath the paper book jacket. Sometimes illustrators create new scenes on the undies, just like Kim-Hoa Ung did for this picture book. Love it!
Plus! Kim-Hoa Ung included directions for making a simple crocheted hat similar to the one Lyn Lyn made for Nai Nai. This picture book is colorful, engaging, and filled with all the coziness of a warm fire on a snowy day.
This pink Easter egg ducky is a gift my mother crocheted for me many years ago. The egg is resting on blanket squares I crocheted (cough cough) several years ago. They wait for me to connect them. This is about the limit of my crocheting abilities.
A Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024
Oh, this is the one to read today! This picture book is filled with hope and love, beauty and patterns. Beautiful!
Thanks to Kathy Temean and her blog, Writing and Illustrating, I won a copy of Gabi’s gorgeous book. Thank you both!
Each time I’ve read Look, I’ve been filled with the JOY of discovery and delight. There is so much to be found on each page, and the colors and words make the journey effortless and thoroughly engaging. With the detailed cut-paper illustrations, patterns pop from the page.
My Goodreads review:
This book is absolutely gorgeous! Filled with hope and love and a search for patterns, the poetic words by Gabi and the cut-paper illustrations by Samantha combine to make a beautiful journey for a young reader. A day in the life of a young child who goes out and about with his mother. LOOK helps the reader see the wonder of it all and allows them to take a peek at the grander picture of the whole world, but also at the tiniest of details. Ten thumbs up.
Hippo Park, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers, 2025
Joyce Wan celebrated the book birthday of Be My Yummy ABC just recently on January 14. Congratulations, Joyce!
Thank you, Hippo Park, for sending me a copy of Be My Yummy ABC. I requested a copy through PW Grab a Galley and was happily surprised when my grand brought me a package. I wasn’t expecting any books, but there it was. All bright and shiny and pink and gorgeous. And TASTY. Sorry, but my phone camera did not catch the true vibrant colors.
I may have mentioned a time or two that I love books centered around food. Ahem. Still true. This alphabet book delivers. But let’s talk about layers. The more layers there are in a picture book, the more hooks there are for different readers. A hook is what grabs a reader and keeps them coming back for more reads.
Be My Yummy ABC has numerous layers and hooks:
~food (pretty much everyone I know is invested in food)
~multicultural foods (plus pronunciations, thank you!). I love this connection to the wide world around us
~alphabet, which is always a hit with me and any other preschool or kinder teacher
~alphabet chart included! Yes. This is so clever. Joyce designed the thick book jacket cover to include a vibrant alphabet chart on the back. One just needs to unfold the book jacket and voila, a yummy food-based alphabet chart.
~valentine connection. Be My Yummy sounds just like a valentine greeting, so this book can also be used during the month of pinks, reds, valentines, and love
~rhyming! Wow. I can only imagine the challenge to create a picture book with foods beginning with each letter of the alphabet, adding fun words, and making it all rhyme! But Joyce did a wonderful job and it’s a fun read aloud book.
~wide age range. The brightly colored illustrations will appeal to babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary students. What a nice span!
~great gift-ability, as I can see parents and grandparents giving this alphabet book as a gift
~back matter giving food name pronunciations and information about each food
~I’m sure there are more layers I’ve missed.
Be My Yummy ABC is a tasty treat for my eyes, my mouth, and my mind!
P.S. In case you think I’m going to eat the book, I will clarify: my eyes (looking at the delightful illustrations), my mouth (the words are tasty to read aloud), and my mind (I can learn more about language, the alphabet, and multicultural foods).
Today is World Kindness Day and the perfect time to consider how I can extend kindness to others. Not just today, I hope, but as a growing habit as I journey through this life with the people around me.
Random acts of kindness are always nice, and I’m thinking that going the extra mile to make that personal connection would really make someone’s day. The day is just beginning, so I’ll have to keep my eyes open for ways to show kindness.
Whenever I hear the word “kind,” I think of the days I was a kindergarten teacher at Harrah Community Christian School. One of the Bible verses we learned together was Ephesians 4:32a. I often combined motions and movement as we practiced our verses, and for this one, we marched around the room, urging each other to “Be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32a).” I don’t know about the kindergartners, but every time I see that reference or hear “kind,” our rhythmic rendition pops into my head.
So today, how will you be kind and compassionate to others? I’d love to hear.
Go forth and be kind.
Be Kind, Make Friends is available at WMUstore.com.
It was so cute to watch my honey bring in the mail the other day. He was so excited to show me the cover of Be Kind, Make Friends on the slip sheet of the Mission Friends Winter Leader Kit! I mean, it does look awesome to me as well. But his excitement was super adorable.
With a little help from Enkidu (Enk or Enki for short), I’m here to announce the winner of a copy of Goat’s Boat Won’t Float! Enki is one of my neighbor goats. What a cutie! I must admit, the chickens wanted in on the party, and the turkeys refused to come close . . . it was all about Enki.
Drumroll please . . .
Congratulations, Shaunessy Sinnett (shaunessysinnett), you are the winner of a copy of Goat’s Boat Won’t Float from The Little Press! Author Kim A. Larson will be in touch with you soon. I’m sure you will enjoy this adorable story.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to congratulate Kim and read more about this goat and turkey early reader. So. Much. Fun! Thank you, The Little Press, for bringing this book into the world and sharing copies so others can enjoy it too!
Congratulations, Kim! And thanks so much for visiting this blog and sharing about your new book. All the best wishes to you!
Friends, you can read Kim’s book birthday interview here.
You can reach Kim on her website at KimALarson.com and on Facebook,Twitter/X,Instagram, and Bluesky. If you sign up for her quarterly newsletter, you’ll receive a PDF copy of her first published book of short stories and poems: Love, Laughter, and few Happily Ever Afters.
Happy book birthday, Kim! Goat’s Boat Won’t Float is finally here! I’m so excited for you! Now Goat and Turkey are out in the world and ready for readers to have a blast!
Friends, Kim is one of my fabulous critique partners. I love reading her manuscripts, and she always has wonderful insights for me when she reads my work. Be sure to read to the end to learn about a special giveaway of Kim’s book by The Little Press.LEAVE a message on this blog post for a chance to win a copy of Goat’s Boat Won’t Float!!!
But enough about me. Kim, welcome to the blog! Thanks for celebrating your book birthday with us!
Tell us about your writing journey.
I wrote as a hobby for many years (but I wrote very poorly). Then in 2010, I was laid off after a 23-year career in mortgage lending. It had always been my dream to write full-time, and with our two sons almost grown, my husband gave me his blessing. I took three creative writing classes at the same college my son attended, then I started a critique group that met in my home for many years. I published twelve short stories and poems in regional anthologies and also wrote a few picture books. However, it wasn’t until I stumbled onto a local SCBWI writing group in 2018 that I switched to writing for children exclusively. Goat’s Boat Won’t Float (The Little Press) is my debut picture book. My second is Doll Trouble (Clavis Publishing) and it will be released in 2025.
I love learning about your journey of becoming a picture book author!
What was your inspiration for Goat’s Boat Won’t Float?
My grandchildren’s fainting goats inspired the main character.
Having grown up on a farm, I’m drawn to stories with anthropomorphic animals. The story itself was inspired after watching an SCBWI webinar by Ann Ingalls in 2020 on how to write early readers. I learned that most early readers use sight words, which are common words kids recognize without sounding them out. On the kindergarten list was the word “goat,” and I knew I had my main character.
That is awesome! Early readers are so important for young readers. What perfect characters! Our neighbor raises goats (but not the fainting variety). They are such unique funny animals. 😊
What special plans do you have to celebrate the October 1 release of Goat’s Boat Won’t Float?
The day will probably be like any other day, Lol. I have my first bookstore signing on October 5, so that will make it feel more real. I’ll be featured on several blogs throughout the month, so I’m sure I’ll be interacting with friends, family, and readers on social media who will help me celebrate the entire month.
A perfect plan!
What are you working on now?
I’m working on my presentation for the schools I will visit this fall. At the same time, I’m also trying to find time to draft a new picture book idea. I highly value receiving feedback on my stories, so I’m determined to share something with my critique group every other week.
Kim also visited the blog in August and shared some of her strategies for promoting Goat’s Boat Won’t Float. You can read more here.
Do you have any tips you would give to a new picture book author or illustrator?
Never stop learning. Never give up. Never lose your joy in writing. These tips are best accomplished by staying connected with other authors—and the KidLit community is the greatest. Everyone shares their knowledge and encourages and supports one another. It’s truly a community that makes a writer’s life more fun.
This is absolutely true!
Surprise us! What else would you like to share?
Here’s a fun fact: goats don’t really faint. Certain breeds of goats have a genetic disorder called myotonia congenita. This makes their muscles seize when startled, causing them to topple over.
Animal facts are amazing!
Congratulations, Kim! I have my own copy to read and reread! Such a fun read!
Kim A. Larson grew up surrounded by every imaginable farm animal—except fainting goats. Her grandchildren introduced her to these skittish creatures, and she knew she had to write about them. Goat’s Boat Won’t Float is her debut picture book, the first in the Goat & Turkey series. Her second book, Doll Trouble, will be released in 2025 (Clavis Publishing). In 2021, Kim won the Ann Whitford Paul Award for most promising picture book manuscript. She was a #PBParty finalist in 2022 and 2023. When she’s not reading or writing, you may find Kim gardening or playing her favorite game Sequence. She and her husband live in Moorhead, Minnesota.
You can reach Kim on her website at KimALarson.com and on Facebook,Twitter/X,Instagram, and Bluesky. If you sign up for her quarterly newsletter, you’ll receive a PDF copy of her first published book of short stories and poems: Love, Laughter, and few Happily Ever Afters.
*GIVEAWAY ALERT
The Little Press is offering a copy of Goat’s Boat Won’t Float (US only) to one winner. All you have to do is leave a copy on this blog post! Ta-da!
Love, Laughter, and Life 