surreal bubbles
pause in peril, waiting to
plummet, soak the earth
plummet by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
Haiku Moment: plummet
Category Archives: The Writing LIfe
Happy Fall! And the winner is . . .
Happy fall, y’all! My favorite season has arrived! Bring on the pumpkins, fall colors, cool nights, and hot tea!
Thank you, Kim A. Larson, for visiting my blog last week and sharing about your new picture book. Congratulations!
Clavis Publishing Inc. has agreed to send a copy of Doll Trouble to one lucky person who commented on this blog post. Thank you, Clavis Publishing!
Drum roll please . . . And the winner is:
. . . (Monet wanted her minute in the spotlight) . . .
KIM BUSHO!
Congratulations, Kim! You have won of copy of Kim’s new book, Doll Trouble!
Kim, I will email you at the email associated with your comment and connect you and Kim! I know you will enjoy reading this picture book!
Happy Fall! Have a beautiful day!
Apple Time!
Fall is my favorite season. Apple harvest is here! Fresh-from-the-tree apples are so yummy! I wanted to take advantage of the new crops to dehydrate some apples for tasty treats later this winter.
I purchased two boxes of apples (Honeycrisp and Golden) from a friend who is also a farmer. They were harvested the night before I met her to get them. Very fresh!
Wash. Slice. Spread out.
Add to the dehydrator and plug it in. I don’t add anything to keep them from browning. They do great without that step. I keep the peel on as well.
My tiny dehydrator has four small circle trays, but the results are just fine. I don’t have to slice apples for hours to fill it. I get a break, then repeat the next day. (And the next and the next . . . because I have two boxes.)
Cash (left) and Cowboy LOVE apple harvest season! They get the cores. I am currently a favorite person.
Here is batch one. Not all of them, but a pretty bowl full to show you. I store them in gallon zip bags or gallon lidded jars. And later, when I need a snack and taste of summer during the cold dreary days of winter, all I have to do is pop open a container and munch away.
I am so thankful for apples! Happy harvest!
Happy Book Birthday, Doll Trouble! Written by Kim A. Larson, Illustrated by Natasa Vertelj (PLUS Giveaway!)
Happy book birthday, Doll Trouble! Congratulations, Kim and Natasa, on your new picture book! I can’t wait to see this book in person!
NOTE: Clavis Publishing Inc. has agreed to send a copy of Doll Trouble (US & Canada only) to one reader who comments on this blog post by September 22 (one week from today)! Be sure to read to the end and comment to get your name in the hat. You will also find other ways to get bonus entries!! Be sure to let us know what you do so we can get the correct number of entries for you.
More importantly, Kim Larson is joining us today to celebrate this special book release. Welcome, Kim!
Tell us about your writing journey.
I wrote as a hobby for many years. Then in 2010, I was laid off after a 23-year career in mortgage lending. It had always been my secret dream to write full-time, and with our two sons almost grown, my husband gave me his blessing to pursue it. I took three creative writing classes at the same college my son attended, then started a critique group that met in my home for many years. I went on to publish twelve short stories and poems in regional anthologies and penned a few picture books along the way. However, it wasn’t until I stumbled onto a local SCBWI writing group in 2018 that I switched to writing for children exclusively.
You really put in the work and effort, Kim! Writing for children takes a lot of work.
What was your inspiration for Doll Trouble?
I fondly remember my favorite childhood doll named Teresa, and I often wish I still had her. Being the oldest of five siblings, my toys rarely “lived” to see old age. Between a house full of kids and a particularly destructive brother, I spent a lot of my childhood figuring out how to keep loving my dolls after they ended up with missing limbs or shaved heads. Those early lessons in empathy—learning to love something even when it isn’t “perfect”—became the emotional heart of this story.
But the specific spark for Doll Trouble really ignited when I watched the kids next door playing while their dad mowed the lawn. It took me back to a childhood memory of my cousin, who tragically lost several toes in a lawnmower accident. I wanted to weave those two worlds together: creating a narrative that celebrates the resilience of a well-loved toy, while gently alerting children to the very real dangers of lawnmowers.
This is a great story spark! Lawnmowers are helpful, but also dangerous for small children (and toys).
Tell me about your publishing experience with Clavis. Were you involved with the illustrator at all?
I submitted this story to Clavis Publishing on December 3, and just seventeen days later, I received an email stating they wanted to publish it! Working with Clavis has been a uniquely international experience. Because they are based in Belgium, the book actually made its debut in Dutch first under the title Mijn pop voor altijd (My Doll Forever), which was a fun collaborative process working alongside a translator and editor.
When it came to the artwork, it immediately reminded me of the movie James and the Giant Peach, an absolute favorite of mine during my boys’ younger years. When the publisher asked me to comment on the initial sketches, my only minor note was that the doll needed to look a bit more physically damaged—she had been run over by a lawnmower, after all! Natasa took that feedback and did a wonderful job balancing the humor and emotion of Emma’s worn-out doll. The final illustrations are just beautiful and perfectly capture the soul of the book.
I love this! The illustrations do have the feel of James and the Giant Peach. And how fun to have it publish in Belgium!
I’ve seen that you’ve been busy promoting Doll Trouble at elementary schools. Tell me about that experience. Do you have any plans to do more visits?
I was incredibly blessed to receive a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, which supported me financially as I embarked on a presentation tour across the state. I visited 15 public schools and delivered 47 interactive, 30-minute PowerPoint presentations to elementary students.
During these workshops, I used a practical “5 Ws and How” framework to teach kids the foundational building blocks of storytelling. We examined snippets from various picture books as mentor texts to show examples of each. It was an absolute joy to watch the students’ eyes light up as they identified these elements and at the end we created a story together. (You can check out photos from these amazing school visits on my website!)
Because I was able to share Doll Trouble early with so many students during the spring tour, I don’t have additional elementary visits scheduled for this fall. Right now, I’m focusing my energy on book launch events and finishing a first draft of my middle grade novel!
This is amazing! How cool that you were supported by a state grant!
Do you have any tips you would give to a new picture book author or illustrator?
Never stop learning. Never give up. And never lose your joy in writing. Staying actively connected with other creators in the KidLit community is the absolute best way to accomplish all three. The children’s writing community is uniquely encouraging, helpful, and supportive of one another. Connecting with fellow writers truly makes the creative journey so much more fun.
All true! This is a good reminder for me.
Surprise us! What else would you like to share?
On a more serious note related to the theme of the book, here’s a sobering safety fact from Mercyone.org:
“Each year, nearly 10,000 children are injured by lawn mowers, with 9,000 of those children needing to go to the emergency department. These injuries are one of the most common causes of amputations in children. Despite increased mower safety specifications and requirements, lawn mower injury incidence rates have remained essentially unchanged for the past 40 years.”
My hope is that Doll Trouble can open the door for parents and educators to have a lighthearted but important conversation about outdoor safety. Families can find great, practical lawnmower safety tips on their website.
This is a good reminder and warning about lawnmower safety. Thank you!
Thank you for visiting today, Kim! Congratulations on the book birthday of Doll Trouble! Hooray!!
Author Bio
Kim A. Larson is the children’s book author of Doll Trouble (Clavis Publishing, 2026) and Goat’s Boat Won’t Float (The Little Press, 2024). She’s a recipient of the SCBWI Ann Whitford Paul Award and multiple grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Lake Region Arts Council. She writes to entertain, educate, and foster a lifelong love of reading in children through stories that are warm, humorous, and full of heart. Kim lives in Minnesota, and when she’s not writing, you may find her working in her garden or playing Sequence with her husband.
You can reach Kim on her website at KimALarson.com and on Facebook, X, BlueSky, and Instagram.
Giveaway Details
Clavis Publishing is offering a copy of Doll Trouble (US & Canada only) to one lucky winner! Comment below for a chance to win. Please let us know if you share this post on social media and I’ll enter your name for an extra chance to win. This opportunity is open until Tuesday, September 22!
Here’s my social media handles to tag me, if you would please. (And publisher.)
https://twitter.com/KimALarson7 https://x.com/clavisbooks
https://www.instagram.com/kimalarson/ https://www.instagram.com/clavis_publishing/
Fairy Houses by Autumn
One of the grands loves creating and spending time outside dinking around. This summer she asked permission to make a fairy house and garden in my potted lavender. I like fairy gardens, seeing kids use their imaginations, and watching them be involved outside, plus this is right where we would benefit from some nice garden decor! Yes, please, create away!
This is fairy house location number 1. Sadly, the lavender did not want a fairy house and/or garden in the pot. So, the grand had to relocate to a more fairy house friendly neighborhood.
Below is the artist at work at fairy house and garden location number 2. Sunflowers don’t care. They make excellent tall trees for fairy houses and gardens. And shade for the construction workers. Plus. Big leaves and strong stalks for walls and a roof!
Garden shears in hand, additional permission was granted to gather leaves and thick stems. Add rocks, water, dirt, and shells, and utilize existing cement blocks and nature protection from sunflowers and potted plants. Excellent ideas.
Et voila!
We were instructed to water carefully to avoid damaging the new location. We followed the instructions very well. But the leaves dried up, the wind blew, and the stalks fell over.
Never fear though. Miss Architect visited regularly to repair and rearrange the fairy house and garden.
She even established a bathing pool across the brick patio in the cement bird bath/waterer. I missed grabbing a photo of this when it was otherwise occupied by one of the fairy residents.
Imagination. Nature. Plenty of loose parts. Equals the best childhood!
I’m afraid to say that the fairy house might have to migrate south for the winter to escape snow and ice. But we shall see how mild or tough the winter is. Until then, we might consider charging a tiny bit of rent. ;0
Haiku Moment: stars
not all bright stars live
sprinkled high above, many
dip their toes in earth
stars by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
Haiku Moment: wonder
feathered lace wings pose
delicate friend uncamouflaged
wonder in plain sight
wonder by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley, WA
Author Interview: Finley: A Moose in Chartreuse by Candace Spizzirri
Oh, I love me some picture books, especially when a trip to Paris is in order! With a friendly moose, no less! I’m excited to welcome back picture book author Candace Spizzirri! Candace is here to share about her newest picture book, FINLEY: A MOOSE IN CHARTREUSE!
Welcome, Candace! We can’t wait to hear more about that adorable moose, Finley!
Thanks so much, Angie, for having me on your blog again!
Hello picture book lovers, young and old! (Because picture books are perfect for ALL ages!)
Do you enjoy stories full of adventure? Ones about following your dreams? Are you partial to adorable animals?
Meet Finley, the friendliest moose!
I mean, how could anyone resist that face?
I know I can’t, thanks to Chantelle & Burgen Thorne, Finley’s fabulous illustrators!
Chantelle & Burgen Thorne did such a fabulous job illustrating Finley and his adventures! So much personality! I can’t resist that face either!
Candace, for those of us who are just hearing about Finley, before we get to the new book, can you tell us about your inspiration for the first book about this amazing moose?
In book 1: FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE…
“Rules are rules” and wild animals aren’t allowed on trains…or so says Conductor Jones.
Young adventurers will fall in love with Finley, a friendly moose with a toothy grin who wants nothing more than to ride the rails across Alaska and beyond. Prepare for giggles when Finley finds a costume shop and tries to pass for anything but wild, only to have Conductor Jones see right through these disguises. Fortunately, Finley has something Conductor Jones doesn’t see coming – heart and determination – showing us all that there are some rules in life that are meant to be changed.
The idea for FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE came to me a number of years ago on a trip to Alaska. I fell in love with the gorgeous scenery and while visiting the town of Talkeetna, a moose wandered about to the delight of tourists, then disappeared by the railroad tracks into the woods. In this quaint town, I happened upon a little shop called Once in a Blue Moose and the spark for Finley, a moose who longs to ride the rails, was born.
Thanks for introducing us to Finley! I love that he is so friendly. Now, on to your new book! Tell us MORE about Finley!!
In book 2: FINLEY: A MOOSE IN CHARTREUSE…
Finley, the beloved “moose on the caboose,” is back in this hilarious and heartfelt sequel full of fun and fashion!
Finley wants nothing more than to attend Fashion Week in Paris. He dreams of the sights, the sounds, the smells, and…the perfect suit. But when Finley arrives in the City of Love, the most famous designers refuse to work with a moose. Although feeling defeated, Finley never forgets who he truly is – a very friendly moose, and a helpful one, too! When Finley sees an accident in the making, he races to the rescue. His kindness and quick thinking help him make a new friend…and find his perfect color!
Shortly after the release of the first Finley book, I started thinking about where my adorable, friendly moose’s dreams might take him next.
A trip to the City of Love ended up sparking the perfect idea. I posted a photo on social media of myself holding FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE in front of the Eiffel Tower, and the incredible award-winning illustrators, Chantelle and Burgen Thorne, commented, “Finley in Paris! A sequel?” At that moment, it clicked. Paris was absolutely the next stop for Finley.
I love hearing how Finley decided to travel to Paris, one of my most favorite cities! I love so much about this book – Finley, chartreuse, the French words sprinkled throughout, Paris, Magnifique!
Candace, what’s next? Do you have anything else in the works?
I have a book entitled AMBER MAE AND HER STRAYS coming out in fall 2027. It is being illustrated by uber-talented Carlos Velez Aguilera. I’m thrilled!
Here is a summary:
Prepare for a rollicking adventure as Amber Mae, a determined little girl with a soft spot for stray animals, brings home one zany pet after another. When her otherwise patient parents panic and are pushed over the edge, they have no choice but to send her pets packing.
Readers will root for clever Amber Mae as she finds the perfect place for each and every one of her beloved animal friends.
We are all dying to know, I mean we’ve met Finley in two books! Will Finley make another appearance?
Finley truly has my heart, and I already have more places and adventures in mind for this friendly, determined, and completely adorable moose (thank you, Chantelle and Burgen, for bringing that cuteness to life!). I can’t share yet but be on the lookout for more from Finley! 😊
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing about FINLEY: A MOOSE IN CHARTREUSE. Congratulations! We look forward to reading more about Finley in all his books!
Friends, be sure to check out Finley in both of Candace’s books! You can catch up with Candace at the following places:
Instagram @CCSpizzirri
Facebook @CandaceSpizzirri
Twitter/X @CCSpizzirri1
Bluesky @candacespizzirri
FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE
FISHING WITH GRANDPA AND SKYE
FINLEY: A MOOSE IN CHARTREUSE (April 28, 2026)
AMBER MAE AND HER STRAYS (Fall 2027)
Haiku Moment: fire
summer fire flames
explode across the landscape
burning with beauty
fire by Angie Quantrell
my summer garden, Yakima Valley
Haiku Moment: river obstacle
river obstacle
slashes expansion landscape
wagon trains must choose-
path to north or south
pioneers brave challenges
settle the frontier
river obstacle by Angie Quantrell
Columbia River, WA side looking into Oregon
