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).
Spying on Spies, How Elizebeth Smith Friedman Broke the Nazis’ Secret Codes
Written and illustrated by Marissa Moss
Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2024
I usually feature picture books on my blog, but after receiving and reading a copy of this book from Darlene Beck Jacobson, I thought there might be others who would be fascinated by the tenacity and brilliance of code breakers!
Secret codes are a thing! Decoder rings, special clues, ciphers, and so on are intriguing. I love watching movies where puzzles and special codes are solved on the journey to success (whatever that goal might be). But being clever enough to solve intentionally secretive and difficult secret codes-eek!
Spying on Spies was an amazing chapter book to read. The strategies, machines, and secrecy kept me captivated. I loved that this book focused on a woman code breaker. Go girls! Each chapter begins with a short cartoon/graphic novel type illustration, and then jumps into the chapter. The back matter is glorious! There is not just a glossary, but also photos, additional information and explanations about ciphers and codes, notes, timeline, and bibliography, all of which provide more opportunities to dive deep into the world of code breaking.
You can read more about this book in Darlene’s post here.
Two thumbs up for this fascinating historical book! Perfect for the code breakers in your life!
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!
I’m excited to have my friend and fellow critique partner, Kim Larson, interview me today. Her debut picture book, Goat’s Boat Won’t Float, will be released Oct. 1 (The Little Press). You can learn more about her at KimALarson.com.
And here’s my guest host, Kim!
Congratulations on your beautiful book, Angie! It has such an important message. I’m thrilled to interview you today so your blog readers can learn more about this amazing book. Please tell me where you got the idea for it?
In January 2023, I was at a WMU (Woman’s Missionary Union) preschool affinity group meeting—a group of leaders who love and teach preschoolers. We discussed what resources the leaders wanted or needed, what they would like to have for their classrooms. The idea of a picture book about friends and kindness came up. The topic of kindness and friendship is evergreen for everyone, especially preschoolers who focus on practicing kindness and skills for making friends every single day. Be Kind, Make Friends came out of that discussion and sharing of ideas.
I should back up a bit and share that the name of the WMU preschool-aged missions discipleship program is called Mission Friends. More on that later.
That is such a fun backstory! I love that you found a need and filled it. Was this always the title for the project?
Be Kind, Make Friends has been the title from early on in the process, with a few tiny variations. I LOVE how Gayle West, our illustrator, turned the comma into a paper heart!
I agree! Gayle did an amazing job on the illustrations. I bet you were thrilled when you saw them. Tell me more about the writing process. Did you go through many revisions of the text?
So. Many. Revisions. From large picture down to tiny word changes. I think as authors, we are pretty hard on ourselves, aiming for the very best manuscript we can write, but also we are so close to the work, we need fresh eyes that haven’t spent nearly every waking minute writing, revising, thinking, and rearranging our manuscripts. It was an important part of my process to involve feedback from others. I had feedback from the preschool team at WMU, critiques from my critique partners, critiques from the 12×12 Picture Book Writing Challenge community—and all of that was to get it as close to perfect as possible.
And THEN we sent the Be Kind, Make Friends manuscript out to preschool leaders (who would potentially be using the book with preschoolers) and others in the WMU audience, a group of readers who regularly read preschool materials for feedback, preschool writers, and even higher education experts.
Getting fresh eyes on my manuscript was so important and helped me see words and ideas that might not be as clear to others as they were in my mind. Be Kind, Make Friends is nonfiction, so accuracy is vital. I am so thankful to ALL the readers. Writing something like Be Kind, Make Friends really is a team effort. Thank you, team!
For new (or any) writers, sending out our work can make us feel nervous. EEK! But when we have others read and critique our manuscripts and then we carefully choose how to implement the comments, this only makes our work better. But we need to remember that we are the creators of the work, so we do not have to use all of the suggestions, only those that fit with our vision for the work. I did find that if several readers mentioned the same section of the manuscript, then I knew that there was a problem I needed to work on, something to fix so the idea was clear.
I couldn’t agree with you more about the importance of feedback. As one of your critique partners, I’ve appreciated your honest, helpful suggestions and the encouragement you always provide. When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?
I knew Be Kind, Make Friends was ready after I went through all of the above steps. Revisions. Critiques. Addressing comments. Rereading. Allowing time for the manuscript to rest. And then a final round of reading by our preschool team. I did not have to submit at that point since the project was already approved. In the kidlit world, Be Kind, Make Friends is called a work-for-hire project, so the process was a bit different. Gayle West was working on the illustrations right along with me as I worked on revisions. After I paginated (this is SO helpful) and made a thumbprint board of what text went on which page, she was ready to go. We came roaring down the finish line together! Ready to go to the printer.
You laid out the steps beautifully, whether it’s a work-for-hire project or otherwise, it takes a team to get a book into print.It sounds like one of your first steps was to find a publisher.How did you connect with the publisher of Be Kind, Make Friends?
About 30 years ago, my husband and I were attending First Baptist Church in Wapato, the church my husband grew up in and we were married in. Our family had grown by two babies, both preschoolers at the time. Wednesday night meetings were great for youth and adults, but there was nothing offered for preschoolers. Our pastor at the time suggested I try Mission Friends, a preschool missions discipleship curriculum. From the get-go I was in love with Mission Friends and the curriculum! Missionaries around the world, international excitement, fun activities, engaging stories, loads of hands-on learning. It was exactly right for us.
I loved the curriculum so much, I cold-queried them! LOL That’s what I’d call it now. Back then, in the dark ages of technology, I sent a typewriter-typed letter introducing myself and asking if I could write for them. I was soon invited to a writer’s conference in Birmingham, Alabama, and I was on my way. I’ve been writing preschool curriculum (stories, activities, session plans), picture books, articles, and other resources since then. I’ve been blessed to have a connection with WMU for many years. When this project came up, I was still (and still am) writing and editing preschool resources for WMU. I was very excited to write Be Kind, Make Friends!
I loved learning about your connection with the Mission Friends organization! I hope that continues. Tell me, what’s next for you?
I will continue writing and editing for WMU. I also write picture books and submit them to publishers and editors. I enjoy penning haiku poems and sharing them on my blog. There are always ideas swirling around in my head. I will have to see what happens next!
You are very creative, Angie, and I look forward to reading your future work. Please let your readers know where they can buy a copy of this beautiful book!
I would love to share where to find Be Kind, Make Friends!
Kim, thank you so much for hosting me today on my blog! You are a truly gifted writer and a special friend and critique partner! I appreciate you. I look forward to interviewing YOU soon about your upcoming debut picture book, Goat’s Boat Won’t Float!
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!
That’s what I keep calling this delightful picture book about a young girl who must find her own kind of courage to ride the BIG one like her older brother and friends.
There are so many reasons I enjoy this book. The message is wonderful for young children. The setting is fun, the characters are just right, and the problem-being brave enough to do something scary-is perfect for ages 3-5 who face an amusement park full of new experiences (in life and at actual amusement parks). And let’s not overlook the fact that Wanda is adorable!
Congratulations, Janet and Eunji!
Why I LOVE this book:
~adorable Wanda
~the amusement park setting is fun and facing BIG rides is a common fear and experience of most children
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!
“A rumination on our interconnection with others” (Hunter Liguore)
The Whole World Inside Nan’s Soup
Written by Hunter Liguore
Illustrated by Vikki Zhang
Yeehoo Press, 2021
It’s World Read Aloud Day! Here’s one picture book that will make your read aloud time scrumptious.
We all know how a grandmother can make the world go round. I’m a Nana, and I join with Nan as she cares for her loved ones by feeding them. Not only is this a delicious story, but The Whole World Inside Nan’s Soup is filled cover to cover with delectable illustrations and tasty tidbits of all of the work involved in providing the ingredients and growing the soup. Lovely! Thanks so much to Kathy Temean, Hunter Liguore, Vikki Zhang, and Yeehoo Press for introducing me to The Whole World Inside Nan’s Soup.
I’m glad you stopped by. Keep reading to meet Hunter Liguore and learn about her picture book, The Whole World Inside Nan’s Soup. See the directions at the bottom of this post to find out how to get your name in the hat to win a copy.
***Coming soon: Swing back by to meet meet illustrator Vikki Zhang!
Now, let’s get to our interview with Hunter!
Welcome, Hunter! Congratulations on your new book! Tell us a little about The Whole World in Nan’s Soup.
The Whole World in Nan’s Soupis a rumination on our ability to recognize our interconnectedness with ‘all’ people. It is wisdom passed down many generations through my own gran, who understood that in order to eat a single meal, it takes the whole world to make it.
Our dinner table doesn’t end at the four corners, but is reciprocal; it extends to all those faceless helpers involved with making sure we’re nourished—and that’s a very beautiful thing! When we take the time—through slow-cooking—to see and talk about ‘all’ people in a bowl of soup, then we can begin to notice it in other areas of our life with the same care and unity.
The more we see our oneness, the more each meal—each bowl of soup—becomes a celebration, and our struggle with each other falls away, and the harmony we experience within will be reflected back.
I love how the interconnectedness plays out in this picture book. I have so many fond memories of eating meals prepared by my grandmothers and mother. Living in an agricultural valley, I see how much work it takes to feed families.
What was your inspiration for The Whole World Inside Nan’s Soup?
The inspiration for The Whole World in Nan’s Soup comes from a careful rumination on reciprocity, or the understanding that the food we eat each day is made possible through the dignity of gentle workers. Reciprocity is more than an intellectual understanding of treating others with the same respect we wish for ourselves. It goes deeper and implies, ‘Who I am on the inside is the same as what is on the inside of others,’—and if that’s true, we can experience and discover for ourselves the delicate thread that connects all people.
When we meet others, we can do so with an awareness that their suffering is our suffering, felt and experienced the same way, and through empathy—through not wanting suffering for ourselves—we will not want it for another; thus, we will seek harmony and peace in all our words, actions, and relationships.
This was the foundation of the story, which can be practiced while making soup! As our understanding of reciprocity grows, so does our empathy. The circle of life expands, as we recognize we’re not able to live without those beautiful helpers, which we can now honor with our thankfulness, our kindness, our understanding, our patience, and most of all, our self-responsibility that discerns: we are the root of others’ suffering when we set aside our interconnection. We can always take time to recognize our interconnection with others. Even in a bowl of soup!
Beautiful!
What was your journey for this book?
A very gentle one.
I love hearing that!
How did you celebrate the book birthday of THE WHOLE WORLD INSIDE NAN’S SOUP when it came out August 2021?
Making soup and sharing it with family and friends.
Perfect!
I love the heart in THE WHOLE WORLD INSIDE NAN’S SOUP. The family relationships and the connections between ingredients and their sources is fascinating. It takes making soup to a deeper level. How do imagination and your childhood experiences impact your creativity as you work on picture books?
For me, writing evolves from our wholeness with our self/others/world, a harmonized unity or intuition. It is a way of life, a practice that is occurring in each delicate moment, a sacred unfolding, one where I’m given an opportunity to bring gentle love, unity, cooperation, and perfection into my craft and art, creating for the sake of creating, while being in tune with the greater whole.
Creativity is such a gift.
What are you working on now?
A vision of our future that includes a human traffic free food chain through a farm-certification program similar to Fair Trade or organic.
That sounds fascinating!
What tip would you give to a new picture book author or illustrator?
To all writers/creatives, trust yourself. Writing will only ever be about how much someone is willing to trust their vision. We are inventor of worlds, with words, it’s an art entrusted to the one who perseveres even in doubt, even when nothing makes sense, in order to realize the creative vision as a reality—and that takes trust! It takes belief that uncertainty isn’t difficulty, but an opportunity to shape the creative fire.
Thank you for the encouragement!
Surprise us! What else would you like to share?
The Whole World in Nan’s Soup is a celebration of our interconnection to our world, so I encourage readers to find ways to celebrate life, food, family/friends, our ancestors and relationships, our Earth and the wild ones dwelling in partnership with us; our meals, our dinner table, gentle cooking without harm; celebrate our farms and the food stores you patron, and the people you meet there, who are caring for you. Plant flowers and watch the cycle of this infinite celebration of love and life. Be attentive and you’ll see how connected we truly are. Even in difficulty, we can find small ways to celebrate and contribute to the joy in the world.
Thank you, Hunter, for sharing from your heart. Thank you for visiting today and for creating this beautiful picture book!
Ready to find out how to get your name in the hat to win a copy of The Whole World Inside Nan’s Soup (US only)? A winner will be randomly chosen in one week on Wednesday, February 9.
1. Like and comment on this blog post. Please make sure I have your email address so I can notify you if you win. Example: bookwinner (at) yahoo (dot) com
2. Follow this blog and tell me how you follow. Please make sure I have your email address so I can notify you if you win.
About me: Hunter Liguore is a gentle advocate for living in harmony with the natural world and with one another. An award-winning author, professor, and historian, her writing has appeared internationally in magazines like Spirituality & Health, Irish Pages, Orion, and more. When not making soup, she is often roaming old ruins, hillsides, and cemeteries. To learn more, visit: hunterliguore.org or @skytale_writer.
Historical fiction for middle grade, here I come! Thanks to Kathy Temean and her blog Writing and Illustrating, I won a copy of Wheels of Change from author Darlene Beck Jacobson. Thank you both for introducing me to this fascinating trip back in time.
Twelve year old Emily loves spending time in the carriage-building shop, even though it is not appropriate for young ladies who should be spending their time inside learning how to sew, bake, clean, and care for a house. With a quick mind, sincere heart, and means-well actions, Emily seeks answers to why people act the way they do, often getting herself into trouble.
Set around the turn of the century (1890s to 1900s), Wheels of Change indeed focuses on the changes of that time period. From the plight of being female to the lingering after-effects of the abolition of slavery to the ever-moving-forward march of replacing horse and buggy with motorized vehicles, Jacobson does not shy away from history. The clash of changes factors is faced head-on, all through the eyes of Emily. A few facts are based on personal family history while the rest of the story springs from her creative mind.
Why I Loved This Book:
~the story is based on history and changes that cause struggles and disagreements for most people
~the time period is one about which I enjoy reading
~great writing and descriptions allowed me to “see” what was going on
~the emotions and the conflict of the story seemed to be what could have really taken place
~it was obvious that plenty of research went into the writing of this book
~LOVED the back matter and learning about the family connections to this story
~the book would be perfect for young readers to read as they learn about history (for both education and pleasure)
Notable Social Studies Trade Book 2015
Mighty Girl Pick 2015
Grateful American Book Prize Honorable Mention 2015
Amazon Blurb:
Racial intolerance, social change, and sweeping progress make 1908 Washington, D.C., a turbulent place to grow up in for 12-year-old Emily Soper. For Emily, life in Papa’s carriage barn is magic, and she’s more at home hearing the symphony of the blacksmith’s hammer than trying to conform to the proper expectations of young ladies. When Papa’s livelihood is threatened by racist neighbors and horsepower of a different sort, Emily faces changes she’d never imagined. Finding courage and resolve she didn’t know she had, Emily strives to save Papa’s business, even if it means going all the way to the White House.
Love, Laughter, and Life 