Book Giveaway: WAY PAST MAD by Hallee Adelman

Writing and Illustrating

Author Hallee Adelman’s picture book, WAY PAST MAD, launches March 1^st! Illustrated by Sandra de la Prada. Hallee has agreed to share a giveaway for one lucky winner: a signed copy of the book with some special swag. All you have to do to get in the running is leave a comment. If you Re-blog, Tweet, Post on Instagram, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and the hashtag #waypastmad, you will get additional chances to win.  Just let me know the other things you do to share the good news, so I can put in the right amount of tickets in my basket for you.

Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reblogging really helps spread the word for a new book. Thanks for helping to support children’s books and kind authors like Hallee!

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Keya is way past mad. Her little brother Nate messed up…

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The Official Blog Tour Schedule For WISHES, DARES, AND HOW TO STAND UP TO A BULLY.

The official release of my new MG historical fiction novel in verse, WISHES, DARES, AND HOW TO STAND UP TO A BULLY (Creston) is APRIL 7.Here are some early reviews:

“Uniquely original and with an important underlying social message for children ages 8-12, “Wishes, Dares, and How to Stand Up to a Bully” is especially and unreservedly recommended for elementary school, middle school, and community library General Fiction collections.   

http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/dec_19.htm

“Although it’s set in the 1960s, the story reflects timeless issues that will resonate with modern readers. A fresh, inspiring exploration of a daunting issue.” (Historical verse fiction. 9-12) KIRKUS

In anticipation and celebration of this book birthday, I am having a tour of several blogs in March and April. At these spots you can learn more about how the book came to be, why it’s in verse, how I determined the 1960’s setting and more.  PLUS there will be TWO opportunities to win a signed copy of the book.

Here is the schedule of blog stops, beginning on March 9. I hope you will visit some of these blogs and learn more about the book  as well as the awesome authors who are hosting me.

Laura Sassi: March 9 post on 5 fun facts about the book.  http://www.laurasassitales.wordpress.com

 Josh Bellin: Q & A on March 12https://joshuadavidbellin.blogspot.com/p/my-blog.html

 Yvonne Ventresca  on March 18:  3 things readers should know about the book and 3 things I wish for the book.  

https://yvonneventresca.com/blog.html

Roseanne Kurstedt: March 24 post on 3 ways to stand up to a bully without using fists.  https://rlkurstedt.wordpress.com/

Robin Newman: March 30 A post with some books with WISHING in the title plus a few poems from the book.

http://www.robinnewmanbooks.wordpress.com

Holly Schindler:  APRIL 2:  post on how WISHES was plotted https://hollyschindler.wordpress.com/

Vivian Kirkfield: a book birthday post on April 7  a short review from Vivian, a poem from the book and a giveaway. (There will be cake!)

https://viviankirkfield.com/

Holly Schindler: Q&A for Smack Dab In The Middle on April 14  

http://smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com/

Kathy Temean: April 21: The book’s journey and a giveaway. http://www.kathytemean.wordpress.com     

 

Interview with Brooke Van Sickle and her debut picture book, Pirates Stuck at ‘C’.

In Brooke Van Sickle’s debut picture book, Pirates Stuck at ‘C’, the pirates are on the hunt for treasure…but they’re not so great at finding any. Instead, Eric’s chasing eels, Killian’s tangled in Kelp, and Marty’s splashing with mermaids. (And that’s just to name a few!)

I had Brooke talk a little bit more about her kid’s book writing experience and new picture book. Read more about her below.

Congratulations on your upcoming picture book! Tell us a little about Pirates Stuck at ‘C’.

Thank you! Pirates Stuck at ‘C’ is about a crew of pirates that have landed on the perfect island for a treasure hunt — or so they think. Instead, they end up in antics for every letter of the alphabet!

Where did the inspiration come from for this book?

I was reading the jokes in a copy of Highlights and thought that the punch line would make a great title. From there, I began drafting an idea for an alphabet picture book about pirates.

Pirates Stuck at ‘C’ went through about 30 drafts before it was ready to publish. And from the point it was signed with the publisher, it still needed over 10 more rounds of edits. Including a full rework about halfway through the illustration process!

Your book is published by BiblioKid Publishing, which is your own company. Explain to us why you decided to go this route and the mission behind it.

Yes – I decided to create a publishing company, actually after having a coaching session with best-selling author, Ruth Soukup. We were talking about Journey to KidLit, my blog where I help other aspiring kid’s book authors, but it turned to my own books and my passion to want to start a company. To which she simply asked, “why not now?”

And that’s how we got here. I wanted a way to give back to education, particularly through reading initiatives, and this was the best way to do that. With a traditional publisher, my royalties would be too minuscule to have that opportunity. 

That’s an interesting approach. What makes you passionate about education and reading?

I’ve always been a proponent of education because I believe it’s the axis that leads us to chase our dreams and become successful. However, it wasn’t until I was substitute teaching for inner-city schools that I realized the great need for kids to have access to books and feel empowered to want to read.

And with education being the first thing that tends to be cut from government budgets, it takes people giving to these places to help keep them funded. BiblioKid Publishing will start by donating 50% of its profits to 2 major charities, Pencils of Promise https://pencilsofpromise.org/  and First Book https://firstbook.org/ but will eventually venture into more local and individual school fundraising opportunities.

Does BiblioKid Publishing accept submissions from other authors?

BiblioKid will open up to other authors in 2021. You can find our submission guidelines when that happens on our website. And the best place to stay informed on when they open up is to join the email list. You can do that here: https://my.journeytokidlit.com/how-to-write-a-childrens-book-template and I’ll give you a free copy of my Children’s Book Template just for signing up.

If you had one tip for anyone wanting to publish their own kid’s book, what would you tell them?

You need to study the industry! The best place to start is by reading books that have been published recently and to be writing consistently in the genre you hope to write. Without being disciplined and having continual practice, it’s impossible to get better. (And you can read the other article I wrote here to get even more tips!)

If you would like to learn more about Brooke Van Sickle, visit her website at brookevansickle.com. Pirates Stuck at ‘C’ sets sail February 25th, but you can pre-order your copy here. (And 50% of the profits will be donated back to low-income schools!)

Brooke Van Sickle is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) and  Regional Webmaster for the Iowa-SCBWI region. She’s also a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and Midwest Independent Publishers Association (MiPa).

PIRATES STUCK AT “C”, published by BiblioKid Publishing, is Brooke Van Sickle’s debut picture book. She also has 2 more books expected in 2020. When not writing her own books, Brooke teaches other aspiring writers how to write and publish kids’ books at www.journeytokidlit.com. 

Learn more about her on her website www.brookevansickle.com and connect with her on social @authorbrookevs.

Brooke has also agreed to give away one signed copy to a lucky reader! Leave a comment below and share this post to enter. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on this blog. Good luck!

Darlene’s Review of PIRATES STUCK AT “C”:

Hop aboard Captain Scallywag’s ship for a fun-filled adventure in this pirate-themed alphabet book. Young readers will learn about life in the sea, and the life of a pirate with whimsical and colorful illustrations to add to the fun.

A Signed Copy of Roosevelt Banks Goes To…

Janet Smart is the lucky winner of a signed copy of Laurie Calkhoven’s new novel ROOSEVELT BANKS, GOOD-KID-IN-TRAINING. Congratulations. Please forward your address so I can let Laurie know.

 

You Choose Nachos

I don’t know about you, but this time of year, when skies are more grey than any other color, I tend to want to eat comfort food. Each of us has his own favorites, and one of mine is NACHOS.

But I’m way beyond the chips and cheese version. I add whatever I have handy and this recent version was a winner.

If you’d like to replicate the recipe, here it is:  black beans, chopped black olives, avocado chunks, tomatoes, chopped kale, shredded Asiago and cheddar cheeses.

You can add whatever you like to make a snack into a meal.  Very satisfying, and filled with vitamins, so even a comfort food snack can be good for you.  Just don’t overdo the cheese.

Author Laurie Calkhoven has the Lowdown on Roosevelt Banks,Good-Kid-In-Training + How to Enter to Win a Signed Copy!

I’m delighted to pop onto your blog to talk about my new novel ROOSEVELT BANKS, GOOD-KID-IN-TRAINING, published in January by Red Chair Press (distributed by Lerner).

When ten-year-old Roosevelt Banks discovers that his two best friends are planning a bike and camping trip, he wants more than anything to go along. There’s just one problem―he doesn’t have a bike. Roosevelt’s parents agree to buy him a bike if he can manage to be good for two whole weeks. How can Roosevelt be good and be the same fun guy his friends want on the camping trip? Trying to be good leads to more trouble than expected―and to the discovery that being a good friend is more important than any bicycle.

THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ROOSEVELT

1.His parents are American history professors, which explains the family’s penchant for presidential names. Roosevelt’s full name is Roosevelt Theodore Banks. His younger sister is Kennedy Johanna Banks, and their dog is named Millard Fillmore.

2. He writes and illustrates his own stories to express his emotions. When he finds out that his two best friends are going off on a bike/camping trip without him, his reaction is to write a story in which the two boys are almost eaten by a bear – that is until Roosevelt comes to the rescue.

3. Roosevelt is a big-hearted prankster. He wreaks havoc wherever he goes, but that comes from a desire to please his friends and make them laugh.

THREE THINGS ROOSEVELT HATES

1.Most of the fun things there are to do in the world are exactly the same things that will get a kid into trouble. Not fair!

2. His desk chair isn’t on wheels and doesn’t swivel. It would be a lot more fun if it did. Just saying.

3. Lima beans, especially when paired with turkey meatloaf. Even Millard Fillmore won’t eat lima beans, and he eats socks (the dog, not the president).

Debbie Palen’s illustrations are a delight, and Kirkus praised the books for its broad humor and nuanced friendships.

Here is Darlene’s review: In order to go on a bike trip with his best friends Tommy and Josh, Roosevelt Banks needs a bike. Soon, or Eddie Spaghetti will take his spot on the trip. His parents agree to get him a bike if he can keep out of trouble for two weeks. No pranks, no horsing around, and no calls from the principal. Trying to be a good-kid-in-training is harder than Roosevelt ever imagined.

Kids will enjoy the fast-paced action and zany mis-adventures of Roosevelt as he tries to live up to his promise and stay out of trouble. They will also enjoy the things he learns along the way.  The delightful pen and ink drawings add another level of humor and fun to the tale. Destined to be a classroom favorite.

 

 Laurie Calkhoven has never swallowed a frog, knocked over a rabbit hutch, or sung too loud in music class, but she is the author of more than 50 books for young readers. Recent titles include the G.I. Dog series, and You Should Meet Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

To enter the give-away for a signed copy of this fun-filled book, leave a comment below. One winner, chosen from random will be announced on this blog.

PB Author Laurie Wallmark Presents Her New Non-fiction Book: NUMBERS IN MOTION.

Today it is my pleasure to feature Award-winning PB author LAURIE WALLMARK with her new non-fiction STEM picture book titled NUMBERS IN MOTION: SOPHIE KOWALEVSKI, QUEEN OF MATHEMATICS (Creston).

I asked Laurie to tell us 3 THINGS readers should know about Sophie, and 3 THINGS she was amazed to discover while conducting research for the book.

1. Sophie solved a problem known as the mathematical mermaid. Just when people were  close to figuring out the solution, it seemed to slip away from them like the mythical mermaid.

2. Sophie was the first woman to receive a doctorate in mathematics that required doing original research.

3. Sophie was the first woman to hold a university chair in mathematics.

1. I was amazed that in the late 1800s, a woman couldn’t leave Russia except in the company of her husband or father.

2. I was amazed that until Sophie, there hadn’t been any woman professional mathematicians since Hypatia in fifth century Egypt.

3. I was amazed to find that the mathematical methods that Sophie discovered have increasing application to physics today.

I’ve had an opportunity to read this fascinating book and here’s my review:

“NUMBERS IN MOTION: SOPHIE KOWALEVSKI, QUEEN OF MATHEMATICS  by Laurie Wallmark (CRESTON)  is an inspiring look at a pioneering woman who never took “no” as the final answer.  Written in a clear and engaging manner, the positive messages of never giving up and having faith in your own abilities are great lessons for the classroom and beyond.” 5 stars.

    Laurie Wallmark

www.lauriewallmark.com

Numbers in Motion (Creston, March 2020)

Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life (Sterling, 2019)

Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code (Sterling, 2017)

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine (Creston, 2015)

 

Fall Full Manuscript Writer’s Retreat a.k.a Avalon Writers Retreat – New Venue

This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to have a FULL MANUSCRIPT critiqued by agents looking for clients.

Writing and Illustrating

Many of you know I run a full manuscript writer’s retreat in Avalon, NJ each year at the end of September. This year I’ve decided to switch things up to make things more convenient and hold the retreat at The Crown Plaza Hotel and Conferenc Center in Princeton, NJ.

Many of you will remember this location, since it is where I held the New Jersey SCBWI Annual Conferences for three years before I stepped down as Regional Advisor. Although renting a house in a lovely ocean side community was a wonderful experience. We were limited by the amount of bedroom available, and for some people it was hard to get to. This is a short train ride from New York City and Newark Airport and the hotel has a shuttle that will pick anyone up attending at the Princeton Junction Train Station.

Flying? Easy access from Newark – short train…

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Celebrating World Read-Aloud Day…All Month Long.

While World Read-Aloud Day (WRAD) is officially Wednesday, 2-5-20, I will be featuring authors who write for children with their current books throughout the month of February. The first post will feature non-fiction PB author LAURIE WALLMARK on 2-6.  Other posts will highlight new MG, YA, and a debut PB. It will end with a SNEAK PEEK at my own MG: WISHES, DARES, AND HOW TO STAND UP TO A BULLY, as I set out on a blog tour to promote the book.

I’ve enjoyed every book featured and have posted reviews for all of them. I hope you’ll be encouraged to read them and post reviews of your own.

And The Winner is…

Thanks to the generosity of my guest blogger Vivian Kirkfield, I am thrilled to announce the winner of her give-away.  Drum roll please…for Charlotte Sheer. Charlotte will choose between a signed copy of MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD or a PB critique compliments of Vivian. Please let Vivian know which prize you choose.

Congratulations, Charlotte and thanks to all who participated.