Have you ever said or done something that you felt ashamed of doing? Oh, boy. I sure have. Kids have some of the same experiences but often don’t know what to do about it, what to say, or even what it is that they are feeling.
Enter Hallee Adelman, author of several social emotional learning (SEL) picture books. Hallee’s books are just right for helping young readers (and listeners) identify their feelings, give name to those feelings, talk about the feelings, and consider things they can do about the situations they find themselves in.
Hooper feels so much shame for something he did that he wants to hide. He is not happy with what he did. But he doesn’t know what to do.
With a compelling story and colorful illustrations, Way Past Shame lets readers experience Hooper’s feelings and discover what he does about those feelings as he finds a way past shame.
Hallee has an entire series of Way Past Books (see the sticker above, I’ve Got Great Big Feelings, for a list of all 10). She provides lesson plans for each on her website. Check out the great resources and ideas she sent me with a copy of Way Past Shame. Stickers, magnet words for a magnetic dry erase board, button, stickers, Any Way You Slice It game with actions to do with those feelings, and a lesson plan.
I’ve read several of Hallee’s books, and I wish I had them when I was a teacher. They would make great resources for families, teachers, and counselors. Each topic is an open door to begin discussing different situations and feelings.
Thank you, Hallee, for sending me a copy of this just right book and all the special tools to use with it! I love the personalized notes too!
I have featured Hallee a couple of times on the blog. Read more:
Hooper and Bax are the final two competitors in the school spelling bee. Bax didn’t spell his word correctly, and now it’s Hooper’s turn. He’s sure he knows how to spell the word he’s given, but the pressure of all those eyes on him makes him second guess his answer. Hooper looks around the room and spots the word on a poster. Now he has a decision to make: will he tell someone about what he’s seen, or take the easy win?
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.
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.
It’s pretty amazing to walk into a bookstore and find just the right book. Actually, that’s one of my favorite things! I digress. But did you know how much work an author does BEFORE a book hits the shelves (or virtual cart)?
Today I’ve invited author Kim A. Larson to share what she is doing to prepare for the book launch of her debut picture book, Goat’s Boat Won’t Float. I love learning from authors. This post is chock full of great ideas. Be sure to read to the end to learn about 2 opportunities for a chance to win (one deadline is tomorrow). Let’s go!
Welcome, Kim!
Hi, Angie!
When Angie asked me to talk about what I’ve been doing to prepare for my book launch, I was reminded of the importance of being part of a writing community—and the KidLit community is the best! So it is with gratitude that I acknowledge that most, if not all, of what I’m about to share I learned from others.
When I received my book contract, the first thing I did was update my website. I had self-published a devotional-style Bible study prior, so I wanted my website to look like that of a children’s author.
Next, I tried to find a co-marketing group. The ones I approached wisely told me I couldn’t join until my publisher had hired the illustrator and announced my book in Publisher’s Weekly. The reason was for my benefit. If my book got bumped into the next year, the group may no longer be active.
Once my book was announced, I couldn’t find a co-marketing group with an opening. So, I started one with two other authors (seventeen months before our release dates). As our guide, we used the PDF booklet Starting a Book Co-Marketing Group in 5 Easy(ish) Steps by Kirsten W. Larson. It’s free when you sign up for the Soaring ’20s Flying High Picture Book Debuts newsletter.
My experience with a co-marketing group wasn’t stellar. Not everyone participated and I spent a lot of time organizing it. But I made many new friends. Some groups work out well, like the “Soaring ’20s,” which is still going strong.
Self-promotion is hard for most authors, so after I shared the sale of my book on social media, I didn’t post anything more about my book for another year. By then, the illustrator had finished the book’s cover, and I was within six months of its release date. Some publishers do a cover unveiling post. If yours doesn’t, you’ll want to do one yourself.
Ten months before my release date, I emailed the KidLit bloggers I follow and asked to be on their blogs. They joyfully said, “Yes!” Some even offered an extra post, like Angie. I also subscribe to authors’ newsletters. Here I learned of podcasts and radio opportunities. My spreadsheet of scheduled blog and podcast dates filled up quickly.
I would say that organization is an important part of this process!
Around this time, I applied for a grant through my regional arts council. I proposed that I would read my book and present at area schools, with the grant paying for my mileage and time. The application required confirmation from the schools, and this was much harder to get than expected. Before the deadline, I had seven schools confirmed—and I got the grant!
Kim, can I just say, “Wow!” You really hit this with tons of hard work. I love that you applied for a grant!!
From their examples, I created a book order form, a school contract, a sell sheet for librarians and retailers, and an online Google form for teachers to evaluate my performance. In addition, I designed bookmarks and thank-you cards. Some publishers provide book swag, but mine didn’t. They created a teacher’s guide, and I made activity sheets for kids. I also watched several SCBWI webinars on school visits and learned what to include in my PowerPoint presentation.
I also hired DerbyMonsterQuilts on Etsy to make adorable plushies of my book’s characters to bring along on my school visits.
I LOVE the plushies! Perfect!
Once my book was available for pre-order, I changed my name on Twitter/X to include this fact. By then, I had a PDF ARC (advanced reader’s copy) of my book. I contacted other authors who had soon-to-be-released books and asked if they’d like to exchange ARCs and post reviews on Goodreads and Barnes & Noble. (Amazon doesn’t allow reviews until a book is released.) You’ll want to set up Goodreads and Amazon author pages if you don’t have them.
A few months before the release date, I scheduled book signings at my local and hometown indie bookstores. I also asked my local library to buy my book—and they did. Later, I contacted newspapers and magazines and shared my press release. As the questions for my blog tour rolled in, I prepared my answers.
Finally, I put together a social media campaign and created social media giveaway posts that would begin two months before the book’s release. This pushed me to tackle MailChimp and finally send a newsletter. Here I shared my first giveaway opportunity: one newsletter subscriber will win a signed copy of my book (US only) on August 21, World Goat Day! (I plan to do future promotions around other holidays, like National Turkey Lovers Day.)
A week before my campaign started, I posted that I was looking for people to join my Launch Team. Many friends and family members signed up, agreeing to review my book and boost my social media posts. (One team member will also win a signed copy of my book.) If you want to hear about the other four giveaways—and for more chances to win—follow me here:
Again, I want to express my appreciation to the KidLit community—and especially to Angie! She is a wonderful writer, encourager, and critique partner. Thank you, everyone!
I am blessed to be one of your critique partners, Kim. I learn SO much from you! Thank you for sharing your journey and process. And wow, you’ve given us so much great information!
Friends, you still have one more day (until 8-21, TOMORROW) to subscribe to Kim’s newsletter to get in on her first giveaway.
In addition, Kim is offering a free critique of a non-rhyming picture book manuscript under 700 words or a 30-minute AMA Zoom meeting to one lucky winner.
*To enter, please comment below.
*For extra entries, share this on social media and let me know in the comments.
*Please leave your email so I can contact the winner after the drawing.
Thanks for stopping by friends. Best wishes on the giveaway!
Today I’m blessed to have author Laura Sassi stopping by for a visit! She’s going to share about her new book, My Tender Heart Devotions, which is coming out on October 1 from Paraclete Press. Be sure to read to the bottom to learn about your opportunity to win a copy of My Tender Heart Devotions!
Now, let’s get right to it!
Welcome, Laura! I’m so excited to have you visit today. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a former teacher and children’s ministry director who is now blessed to be able to spend my days writing books, poems, and other pieces that offer messages of hope, faith and joy for little ones and the grown-ups who love them. My books include Goodnight, Ark, Love is Kind, Little Ewe, Bunny Finds Easter, Happy Birthday Christmas Child and the My Tender Heart series. I live in New Jersey with my husband, two young adult kids and a sweet little cockapoo named Sophie. And, every day, rain or shine, in my living room or on my porch, I write! I also love visiting schools, churches and more with a variety of book-themed programs.
It’s so nice to meet you and learn more about your life.
I did a Book Share on my blog about your last book, My Tender Heart Prayer Book, back in January. Tell us about your newest book, My Tender Heart Devotions. It is gorgeous!
Thank you, Angie. My Tender Heart Devotions is the third in the My Tender Heart series. Clocking in at 112 pages (my longest book yet!), it’s a collection of 52 age-appropriate devotions for little ones. Each fully illustrated devotion includes an opening poem about a fun, kid-friendly topic followed by a short message that includes a Bible passage, a “Heart Moment” activity, and a prayer. It’s the kind of devotional I wish I’d had to read with my own kids when they were small — so I decided to write one!
So amazing! I’m saving My Tender Heart Prayer Book for my new grandbaby, and I think he/she will need My Tender Heart Devotions as well!
My Tender Heart Devotions is published by Paraclete Press. Tell us more about your book series with them and how you connected with Paraclete Press.
The My Tender Heart Series consists of three books. The first to release was My Tender Heart Bible, a collection of 12 rhyming Bible stories that all point to God’s redemptive love. Each is paired with a Scripture citation and a Heart Moment of response. My Tender Heart Prayer Bookserves as a companion but with a focus on prayer. It contains 23 prayers to take a young child through the day and foster conversations with God. Like the Bible each prayer concludes with a Heart Moment of connection and response. That Heart Moment carries through to the Devotions as well because when we encounter God’s love and God’s truth we can’t help but respond with our whole heart!
As for Paraclete Press, I had seen and admired their books for children. And when I read their mission statement, I knew that we shared the same heart for God. It reads:
“In all times, in different branches of the Christian family, there are people who have written or sung or spoken things that encouraged us to give our lives to God and to listen to His voice. At Paraclete Press, we gather and share these treasures.”
I LOVE this! What a beautiful connection!
Laura, I love how My Tender Heart Devotions is going to be the perfect gift for little ones! I have a new grandbaby coming in December, and I know this baby and the parents need a copy! (I’m trying really hard not to say he or she, since the reveal party is AFTER this blog post!) The 52-week schedule is exactly right. Share more about how you decided on this format and what you include in each devotional spread.
Actually, when I started the project, it was for forty devotions, but then as I got rolling, I realized I had enough for fifty. But, then I thought, don’t stop there! Make it fifty-two so that there can be one for each week of the year. But even though there are fifty-two, they are not dated and they can be read and enjoyed in any order. In fact, the book includes a handy topical index at the end so the devotions can be paired with a particular theme or situation in a child’s life.
As for the format for each spread, I thought about what I, as a parent of young children, would want the components to be and went from there. Thus, each devotional spread includes a title, a Bible citation (so children can practice digging directly into Scripture), a fun poem that serves as the spark for the devotion, an anchor verse (so tired parents don’t necessarily have to look up the verse right then and there), a short kid-friendly message that links it all together with God’s Word in an applicable way, and a Heart Moment of response.
Here are two examples from the book:
I really like all you have included with each devotion. Every family should be able to choose and adjust to what their young ones need and can handle at any given time.
Your author voice is just right for this book. And Sandra’s illustrations are a perfect match. How did the two of you hook up? How much feedback do you give Sandra? Did you send art notes? I must say, you make a great team!
Thank you so much. I totally agree about Sandra’s darling illustrations and think they are a lovely match to the text. She is amazing! The team at Paraclete Press paired us together.
In terms of art notes, editors really discourage including art notes in a manuscript unless absolutely necessary. That being said, for the Devotions I did send my editor a couple of photos in the hopes that Sandra might use them for inspiration as she illustrated. The first, to pair with the devotion “Toy Sailboat”, was a photo of me and my sister as children pushing toy sail boats in a city fountain. The second to go with “Clock Trust” was a picture of the lovely nineteenth century steeple clock we have on the mantel in our living room. And she did!
More great connections! You work well together!
My Tender Heart Devotions will be released on October 1. Happy book birthday! Do you have any special plans for your book release day?
I don’t have anything planned yet for the exact release day, but here’s an event that’s almost on release day! If any of y’all live in the Oklahoma City area, please join me for a pajama story time with the Devotions on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 6pm at Best of Books in Edmond, OK.
And please do check my website in the next few weeks for other fall events because I’m building a little book tour as we speak. It will include visits to bookstores, schools and churches.
A pajama party! How fun! If only Oklahoma was not so far from Washington state, I would be there with my jammies on!
What’s next for you, Laura? Any new projects in the works or anything else you want to share?
I’m delighted to share that I have a new picture book releasing in early January. It’s called FAITHFUL FEET. Learn all about it here.
And if you’re curious about the My Tender Heart series, or want to download the free printables that go with each book, head on over to mytenderheartbooks.com.
Congratulations on all of your books and upcoming books! Wow!Thank you, Laura, for stopping by today!
Friends, Laura and Paraclete Press have offered to give a copy of My Tender Heart Devotions to one reader once it is released on October 1. To put your name in the hat, please comment below and give Laura some love! Please make sure to leave your email so I can contact the winner after the drawing.
A winner will be drawn Monday, August 12 (US only).
I have something in common with this lovely picture book by Molly Ruttan. Stage fright!
Thank you, Molly Ruttan, for sending me a copy of your delightful picture book. And thank you, Kathy Temean, for introducing me to Molly and her work. What a great picture book!
Something Wild is the story of a young violin player who loves playing her violin. But she is nervous about her upcoming recital. She desperately wishes for something wild to happen so she won’t have to go. But it doesn’t. She hopes again, but nope, nothing wild. Again. Nothing. When it’s finally her turn to play on the big stage, something does happen! But you’ll have to read the book to find out. Beautiful!
What I Love About This Book:
~ beautiful, emotion-filled illustrations
~ imagination
~ the theme of stage fright
~ the love of playing a musical instrument
~ the common challenge many young performers face when they prepare to share what they’ve learned at a recital
~ overall wonderful book
Thank you, Molly! Best wishes on your future projects!
Oh, sweet delight! Adorableness and humor! Spreckle’s Snack Surprise by Sandra Salsbury is a funny, engaging picture book. I love it!
Thank you, Sandra, for sending a copy of Spreckle’s to me, along with a sheet of cute stickers and a beautiful postcard! I learned about Sandra and her new book from Jena Benton on her blog. Thank you, Jena, for featuring Sandra!
Spreckle’s Snack Surprise is delightful. The front cover alone had me giggling and predicting that perhaps Spreckle would love to have some nice poppy little chicks for snack. But that would be horrible, right? The front and back cover read like a food container, filled with grocery-style information and ad copy. FUNNY and very clever!
But besides that, the story of Spreckle is adorable. Hatched on a farm, raised with chicky siblings, Spreckle needs a snack. Much to the reader’s dismay, obvious snacks peck around at his feet. But hold on, all will be well. We hope!
Why I Love This Book:
~humor
~clever wordplay
~assumptions
~food!
~dragon, chicks, chickens
~perfect illustrations
Thanks again, Sandra and Jena, for introducing me to Spreckle!
Friends, I am so excited to welcome Janet to my blog to help her celebrate a new book birthday! Let’s jump right in to hear more from Janet.
Welcome, Janet! I am so happy to have you back on my blog. Today you are visiting with great news about the book release of your newest picture book, Celebrate! A Happy Book of Firsts (Feiwel & Friends, October 25, 2022). Congratulations! What inspired this story?
Sometimes I have a very specific recollection about what inspired a story, but I don’t for this one. I do remember having a simple idea that it would be fun to write about animals doing something for the first time and imagining how they might celebrate those accomplishments. I thought it could be a unique approach to the celebration of human “firsts.” Once the idea grabbed me, I took off writing about a bunch of different animals. I eventually narrowed my random ponderings to animals that are in a rural setting.
That sounds like a wonderful way to begin and complete a picture book story! Write it all out (brainstorming, one of my favorite things to do), then narrow down the focus…
The illustrations are just right. What was your process of working with illustrator Brittany Baugus? Did you suggest any art notes or have any input about illustrations?
As is the case with most traditionally published picture books, I did not work directly with the illustrator. I had early e-mail and Zoom dialogues with my editor at Feiwel & Friends, Anna Roberto, to discuss approaches to the book’s illustration. She wanted to include illustrations of a child in juxtaposition with the animals and, possibly, have me add text about the human firsts. I felt that adding text would make the rhyming story too long and create issues over what firsts to write about. We ultimately decided on adding the child accomplishments in the art only, expanding the story visually.
Once we’d settled on a vision, Anna shared a couple of illustrator samples, and I fell in love with the warmth and whimsy of Brittany Baugus’s work.
I was shown early sketches. Brittany had created a substory with a young child that complemented my text. I encouraged a bit more clarity in the child’s stages of growth and diversity in the family illustrations. My comments, along with feedback from the editorial and art folks at Feiwel & Friends, were addressed in the final art that delightfully depicts a 0–3 child experiencing little milestones, spaced among illustrations of adorable animal firsts.
Wow, the process really worked well for you and Brittany!
How long did it take from your initial idea to publication of this celebratory picture book?
I don’t have an exact date for when I began to work on the manuscript. Early versions predate a revision dated in 2011, so it is likely that I began writing this in 2010. So, a dozen years from idea to publication. Wow!
Amazing! But time (and patience) made this book perfect!
Do you have any special plans to celebrate the book birthday of Celebrate! A Happy Book of Firsts?
I am very happy that this book releases on a Tuesday! My critique group meets on Tuesdays, and we have a tradition of opening a bottle of champagne to celebrate a book sale or publication. Since this book was sold during the pandemic, when we could not raise glasses together in person, I am planning to pop that cork (and one on a nonalcoholic option) with my dear colleagues on October 25th.
I also have planned several indie bookstore story times and a celebratory launch preschool party at my public library. Events can be found on my website.
How exciting! That is a wonderful tradition! Sip a glass for me!
As always, I like to ask authors and illustrators to share a tip for picture book writers who are seeking to get their books published. What is one of your favorite revision tips??
Always, always read your work out loud! And ask someone else to read it out loud while you listen with your eyes closed. Do your words sing? Does a reader stumble? This will highlight problem areas, even issues with pacing and plot. After all, picture books are meant to be read out loud, so this will help you make your text the best it can be for its intended audience.
Excellent advice!
What else are you working on right now?
I am revising a rhyming primer for the youngest bird watchers. It is so important to spend time outside with little ones and foster their curiosity about the natural world. And I love birds!
I am a bird watcher (though much older than “the youngest” bird watchers)! As my husband and I travel, I constantly refer to a bird identification book I keep in the passenger door pocket. A well-loved and falling apart copy. I can’t wait to read your bird primer!
Surprise us! What else would you like to share?
During the darkest days of the pandemic, I worked on an inspirational text for kids. It raised my spirits and kept me hopeful. I am super excited that Farrar, Straus and Giroux will publish There’s No Place Like Hope next fall. It is illustrated by Tamisha Anthony.
Yay for you! That sounds like something we can all read (and need to read). Congratulations!
Janet, thank you so much for visiting with us and sharing about your new book, Celebrate! A Happy Book of Firsts! Thank you for the advice. 😊 Best wishes with all of your books!
Book buddies, be sure to check out Celebrate! A Happy Book of Firsts. Find a copy at your local indie or favorite bookstore and ask for your library to order a copy. Don’t forget to show some author love by leaving a review on Goodreads and/or Amazon. Thank you!
I love spending time at the beach! But a deep sea diver I am not, so I’m very happy to have Janet Lawler here today to talk about her new picture book, OCEANS OF LOVE! This new picture book is perfect for visiting underwater habitats without needing a wet suit and oxygen tank.
Welcome, Janet! You visited my blog back when Kindergarten Hat came out, which was soon to be followed by Good Night, Little Engine. Tell us a little about yourself and what you’ve been up to since then.
Wow! Time flies! Both those books released during the pandemic year 2020, a time that we all would like to put behind us. But I kept busy throughout since that is my way to handle challenging periods. And during the darkest months of the pandemic, I wrote There’s No Place Like Hope, an inspirational text to help kids get through tough spells. Optimism and hope help anyone facing uncertainty and upheaval, don’t you think? That book, illustrated by Tamisha Anthony, will be published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux next year.
Ooh, There’s No Place Like Hope sounds perfect! What a wonderful way to spend that closed-up time!
Congratulations on your new picture book OCEANS OF LOVE (Viking Books for Young Readers, February 1, 2022)! It is beautiful! What inspired this story?
Thanks, Angie. I am fascinated by the ocean, and that interest met up with my desire to write another story in my favorite genre—the “love poem.” My first published book, If Kisses Were Colors (Dial, 2003) compares a mother’s love to the vastness and beauty of the natural world. After that, I wrote a few more about how moms and dads show love to their little ones. But I ran out of humans! So I started musing about different animals. OCEANS OF LOVE takes a dive under the waves in an imaginary journey that ponders how sea dwellers might show maternal love.
Lol. You ran out of humans . . . I love the way you moved on to ocean animals.
What writing journey did you follow as you wrote OCEANS OF LOVE? How long did it take from idea to publication?
The journey started over 15 years ago, in 2006. I had already written A Mama Bug’s Love, taking an imaginary love tour with a bunch of bugs. Little Simon acquired and published that story in a pop-up book format. I hoped to have another book to follow and so began working on the text that became OCEANS OF LOVE. But the publisher discontinued that pop-up series and passed on the manuscript.
Over ensuing years, OCEANS OF LOVE spent a lot of time in a drawer as I worked on other stories and projects. I am not sure what caused me to revise and share it with my agent three years ago. After only a few submissions, my editor fell in love with it and acquired it in early 2020.
I’m so glad you decided to revise and share it with your agent!
The text is perfectly enriched by Holly Clifton-Brown’s illustrations. How much input did you have as your book went to Holly to be illustrated?
I was given a chance to comment on illustrators the publisher was considering, and I said yes to Holly! I made small comments on sketches along the way. But for the most part, Holly took her own creative path to where my words inspired her imagination. Her luminous illustrations add depth and detail to my text, in addition to a lovely added story layer.
I totally agree! Holly added lovely layers to your story.
Did you do anything special for the book birthday of OCEANS OF LOVE?
I did my first in-person event in over two years, in conjunction with the wonderful children’s department of my town’s public library. I wore my special fish earrings and my seaweed scarf. I shared the book and its background, and kids joined in a fun fishing activity before going home with fish stickers and a “Love Fish” coloring/craft activity (folks can download that for free off the OCEANS OF LOVE page on my website).
Fun! Thanks for the link!
What tip(s) could you offer to picture book writers who are seeking to get their books published?
I tell beginning picture book writers to focus on the craft of writing, so that the story is the best it can be before trying to find a publisher or agent. Early on in my career, I sometimes rushed to send out what I thought was the “perfect manuscript,” and the next time I looked at it (sometimes, the following morning!), I saw ways to make it better. I also tell new writers to research markets to make thoughtful submissions. There is so much information available now online about what different publishers and editors want for their lists. Target submitting greatly increases one’s chances of finding a home for a story.
Thank you! Excellent advice.
Surprise us! What else would you like to share?
I am a Walrus Detective! The Walrus from Space project (co-led by the World Wildlife Foundation-UK and the British Antarctic Survey) is assisted by lay volunteers who analyze satellite images of the Arctic taken from space to see if there are any walrus visible. Anyone can do this, in spare time and with a little training! I am fascinated by this arctic mammal, which is why I wrote WALRUS SONG (Candlewick, 2021). I hope you and your readers will check out the Walrus from Space project. The information gathered and analyzed will help experts better understand the impact of climate changes on walrus habitats.
That sounds fascinating! I was once using Google Earth, just popping around way up north of Alaska and Canada and spotted a beached whale on a tiny little spit of land! It was amazing!
Thank you so much for visiting, Janet! Congratulations on OCEANS OF LOVE and best wishes on your future projects!
Hello, dear readers! Welcome to a very important blog post featuring a special book birthday for The Vanishing Lake by Paddy Donnelly!
Be sure to read to the bottom to learn how you can get your name in the hat to win a free copy of The Vanishing Lake, compliments of Yeehoo Press (US only). Thank you, Yeehoo Press and Helen Wu, for this opportunity!
Let’s get right to it.
1. Welcome, Paddy! Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a picture book illustrator and author, originally from Ireland and now living in Belgium. I’ve had seven picture books published so far, with my debut author illustrated one, The Vanishing Lake, being my 8th. I also illustrate covers for middle grade novels, as well as a bunch of other things. My background is in web design and I did that for a number of years following university, then I transitioned into doing kids’ apps for the iPhone. That introduced me to illustrating for kids and I really enjoyed it. For the last two or three years I’ve been focusing on children’s publishing and I really love it.
You have had a very a fascinating career path!
2. Congratulations on your new book! What was your inspiration for The Vanishing Lake?
Thank you! Well, it’s actually based on a real vanishing lake close to my hometown! It’s called Loughareema and it actually does disappear and reappear every few days. While my book contains a few more magical elements like mermaids, giants and narwhals, Ireland is a place full of mythical stories, so I was always surrounded by that growing up. When I was coming up with a few picture book stories a couple of years ago, the real vanishing lake from back home popped into my head and I thought it’d be an interesting premise for a picture book.
It certainly is interesting! I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Vanishing Lake! It’s such a fun, imaginative story!
3. What was the writing and illustrating journey you took as you wrote this book? As both author-illustrator, how did that impact your creative process?
I started first with the basic idea – a lake that would mysteriously vanish and reappear and vanish and reappear. Then I needed a main character – a child for the reader to identify with. I wanted the character to be searching for the reason for the mystery and ended up with a Grandad character who would tell fantastic stories. Having the main character, Meara, refuse to believe the stories allowed me to keep pushing them to be bigger and more unbelievable. That was the premise and then I started sketching out the roughs, knowing that I had a certain number of pages to work with and that I wanted a few different beats to happen through the book – the lake gone, then flip the page and it was back, then gone again, and then a double page spread for each story, and conclusion. Once I had all of that lined out, I started to write the actual words. Then it was a real back and forth process, with the words informing the illustration and vice versa. This is certainly different to the usual process when I’m illustrating someone else’s story, and I really loved the creative freedom it gave me to have full control over both aspects.
I’m fascinated by the process you used for The Vanishing Lake. How fun to be able to switch back and forth between writing and illustrating, and to have total control over the whole project.
4. Everything is different right now with COVID-19, but how will you celebrate the book birthday of The Vanishing Lake on April 20?
I actually have a few virtual events lined up with bookshops in the book’s birthday week, so that’s going to be lots of fun! I guess one of the silver linings of the pandemic is the emergence of virtual author events, so I’m looking forward to doing a few storytimes, drawalongs and Q&A sessions with bookshops and their customers. I would of course absolutely love to be doing something in-person in a bookshop, so hopefully when the world goes back to normal I’ll get the opportunity to do that for a future book. I have been trying to take the time to celebrate the good moments more and more this past year though, so I may have to raise a glass at home on publication day.
Sounds like the perfect combination of events to make the week very special! We have learned some new tricks and skills in the days of the pandemic, haven’t we?
5. I love the joyful imagination that is such a huge part of The Vanishing Lake. How do imagination and your childhood experiences impact your creativity?
I definitely had (and still do I think) a vivid imagination as a child and used to draw my own stories so much. Growing up with natural wonders like Loughareema and the Giant’s Causeway on my doorstep maybe made me take them for granted, but I think I’ve now got a renewed appreciation for them now. And definitely the rugged cliffs, mountains and magical greens of the Irish landscape have an influence on my illustration style. As imagination is the centre of this story, it allowed me to keep pushing to come up with more extravagant stories for Grandad to tell.
Ooh, perhaps there will be a future picture book about the Giant’s Causeway! 😉 One of my bucket list items is visiting Ireland.
6. What are you working on now?
I’m working on a lot of picture books at the moment. I’ve got a few more coming out later this year and next year. And I’ve got a few middle grade covers on the go too. Lots of different projects happening at once, but that’s the way I like it. I like to hop between projects as it helps keep my imagination going and I don’t get too bogged down in one set of illustrations for months on end. I think I need that variation for my creativity.
So, you also work as a professional project juggler? LOL. I like to juggle writing projects as well. Like you said, it helps keep my imagination and creativity fresh.
7. Surprise us! What else would you like to share?
Perhaps the most exciting project I’m working on is my second author illustrated picture book, Dodos Aren’t Extinct, which I’m illustrating right now. That’ll be coming out in Spring 2022. Very exciting!
Congratulations! That is exciting! It sounds like another captivating story!
Thanks so much for stopping by to visit, Paddy! Best wishes on The Vanishing Lake and all of your other projects.
Readers, you can purchase your own copy of The Vanishing Lake by clicking the following links.
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Love, Laughter, and Life 