BASSIST: I’ve found four books that address the “sitting in a chair” obstacle: Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, Annie Dillard’s The Writing Life, Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones, and Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art. In Pressfield’s book, every page can be reduced to: “Shut up and write.”

From How to Write Like a Mother#^@%*&

Elissa Bassist & Cheryl Strayed

From Creative Nonfiction’s magazine of issue 47 out this April.

Bassist read four books to shut up and write. I got those and others. If you read my last post you’ve got an idea of where I’m heading with this one.  

I plan on writing, writing and more writing starting next week for at least 90 days as I focus on my memoir.

Yes, I’m warning you now that I’ll stop Perfect Picture Book Friday’s and my Tuesday posts next week. My goal is to get up early with the birds, when I do my best writing and write. Then after two or three hours I can live my life. But I don’t want to blog while I’m doing this. I don’t want to have to think about putting posts together. I’m going to be too busy. I’m planning on shutting up and writing.

I plan on writing, writing and more writing with a break on June 15^th for my son’s wedding. The whole weekend will be family. I am looking forward to this writing marathon but am a little nervous, too. Will I be able sit in chair and write like a Mother #^@%*&? (Yes, I know, I don’t usually talk like this. However my intention needs this kind of language.)

Because that is what I’m planning but we all know our intentions don’t always fall where they intend to go.  I’ve clued in husb. He is supportive but things will happen. Like what will happen when grandson visits? Will I stop writing? He claims to be afraid of sleeping in his room but that’s whole other story. My life will be about writing not visiting. Or at least not until after the writing is done for the day.

Right now that’s my goal. Right now I want to finish Susanna Hill’s course on Making Picture Book Magic and writing that draft. And also in those afternoons after I’ve finished working on my memoir I plan on submitting last January’s and February’s manuscript to publishing houses. It’s all revised and rewritten a thousand times till it’s as perfect as can be. In fact I’m waiting for Christie Wild’s contest to see if it won the nonfiction selection and if I’ll get a critique.

My current WIP will also get revised and critiqued during summer and IF I have time in the afternoon I’ll work on my picture book biography.

That’s about it for now folks. Enough? Are you bored?

1950/ That’s me with the half Nelson on my big brother with my other brother sitting by.

Please leave a comment. Make me Smile.

Cover of Writing down the Bones

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• Books I’m Reading In Preparation (clarbojahn.wordpress.com)

• 

  Cover via Amazon

I  have a Perfect Picture Book Friday but no gifts this week. My computer got sick and it was only yesterday that I got it back from the doctors.

Only  kidding. Yes my computer was at the doctors but I have a file on favorite web sites with two left. Here they are. Enjoy!   

I laughed at this one : http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/open-michelle-haimoff-gc-student-body-president-funny. As some of us writers know if we’ve published our first book it CAN be like running for class president.

This one I just can’t delete from my tabs without sharing. I want to be a read aloud black belt NINJA and this post says how: http://www.readalouddad.com/2011/01/4-steps-to-become-read-aloud-master.html  . It’s perfect to stay the course of me reading aloud to kindergarten kids from “Annie’s Special Day.” When you first start to read this post you are drawn in by the humor but as you continue you realize there is a whole lot to that read aloud NINJA stuff and you keep reading. It’s just brilliant!  

Perfect Picture Book Friday/ Crazy Horse’s Vision

Title: Crazy Horse’s Vision

Author/ Illustrator: Joseph Bruchac and S.D.Nelson

Published by: Lee & Low Books Inc. Nonfiction, biography, 2000 and 2005

Appropriate for ages : seven to eleven

Awards: The Parents Choice Gold Award

Themes: ACCEPTANCE/TOLERANCE, ADVENTURE, BIOGRAPHY/AUTOBIOGRAPHY, BOOKS FOR BOYS, BRAVERY/COURAGE, CULTURE, EDUCATIONAL, HISTORY, NON-FICTION,
STANDING UP FOR ONESELF, Selflessness, Bravery/Courage, Leadership, Native American History  

First Three lines: Crazy Horse, they say, was always different. Many children cry when they are born, but not Crazy Horse. He studied the world with serious eyes.

Resources: For a classroom guide look here.

From the Jacket:Crazy Horse is among the best-known Native American Heroes. Yet many people do not know his boyhood name was Curly, a name inspired by his head of curly hair. Even as a young boy, Curly was a leader, taming wild horses and hunting powerful buffalo. But his bravery did not prepare  him for the trouble the Lakota Indians would face from the white settlers.After a fierce battle that mortally wounded Chief Conquering Bear, Curly felt compelled to help his people. He defied traditional custom and ran away, up to the hills , to seek a vision to guide him. What Curly experienced changed  him forever. renowned Abenaki author Joseph Bruchac recounts the gripping story of the remarkable young boy, Curly, and his transformation into the brave warrior,  Crazy Horse. Sioux artist S.D. Nelson, painted in the traditional ledger book style of the Plains Indians, brings to life the dedication and humanity of this important figure in American History.

Why I love it: The art done in pencil , pens and watercolor with indistinct facial features is gripping. Crazy Horse is done in blue in all the illustrations. There is back matter on the illustrations and an authors note. I found these to be most compelling and a good reservoir for the books material. The story itself is very dramatic and bold. Told in clear and imaginative ways.

This is what Erik, the kid who reviews books says every Friday ,

Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people.

Have  a GREAT weekend Everyone!

Xoxo!

Alleged photo of Crazy Horse of the Black Hills Oglala Sioux. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Three Couples, My husb and I are flanked by my sons and their partners. My all time favorite photo. Circa summer 2010.

HI Friends!

I’ve gone over board in ordering books to read before I settle down and work hard on my memoir. I planned on reading these before my marathon writing streak starts in May.

Here is a partial list. I’m embarrassed by a whole one.

Writing the Nonfiction Book by Eva Shaw

Crafting the Personal Essay by Dinty W. Moore

The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi

The Writer’s Journey, Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler

Write Your Book in 20 Minutes by Eva Shaw, PhD

The 90 Day Novel by Alan Watts

And

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

I’ve finished “Writing Down the Bones.” It was just as easy to read and just as inspiring as Stephen King’s “On Writing.” I’m on Day six of “The 90 Day Novel” and am loving it. Maybe I’ll just use this to jump-start my memoir each day in May, June and July. I found each days writing takes about two hours and then I’ll reward myself with a break.

I plan on finishing the CD of the “Write Your Book in 20 Minutes” as soon as I get time by myself with my husband gone. With him doing taxes in the same room as our TV and CD player I can’t very well watch it until he’s gone for an hour or two.

And I must admit, he left me alone this past Sunday and I didn’t do it. I read. My computer broke down. I got three black screens of death in a row on Friday so I’ve been using his Linux computer. It’s real different and I don’t like how I have to learn everything new. It takes so long and I can’t wait till my own computer comes back from the doctor.

And as for the other books? They’ll be research ones for the most part or used to skim through in the afternoons after I’ve done my butt in chair for two hours.

What books are you reading? Are you getting ready for special projects this summer?

Please leave a comment. Make me Smile.

Here are my gifts to  you! I’m being brief because I still have two classes to go in Susanna’s Making Picture Book Magic before I start on todays. And since I’m behind already, I don’t want to get more behind.

The first link could easily refer to me.

You’re not lazy, but you might be scared.   http://www.freelancersunion.org/blog/2013/01/15/five-tips-preventing-procrastination/, I pinched this from my facebook and Blogger friend, Susan Carter Payne, or Suzicate, the Water Witches Daughter, as some of you may know her. She is a gifted blogger and from her face book entries I see she is every bit as warm and caring as her blog suggests.

http://www.writersonthemove.com/2012/12/fun-words-to-think-about.html        Words that are descriptive in writing and help move it along. Words that use words to describe themselves in writing. It’s true, they’re fun!! 

Title: The Important Book

Author/ Illustrator: Margaret Wise Brown/ Leonard Weisgard

Published by: Harpers Collins Publishers 1949/ renewed in 1977 – nonfiction, informational,

For ages: four to eight

Themes: Books for boys, CHALLENGING ASSUMPTIONS, COMMON CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, CONCEPTS , CONFIDENCE, nonfiction, EDUCATIONAL, IMPORTANCE, NON-FICTION, Early Learning, Opposites and Contrasts, Understanding Self and Others,

Resources: this teacher uses this book to boost self-esteem in students : http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/important-book-lesson-plan by having students write important things about each other.

http://www.brighthubeducation.com/high-school-english-lessons/49430-the-important-book-lesson-plan-on-character-analysis/   To use the book in writing a character analysis in middle school.

You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNcxQFn_7uc

From the Jacket: “Written by Margaret Wise Brown, the beloved author of GOODNIGHT MOON, and illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Leonard Weisgard, THE IMPORTANT BOOK, was hailed as “a perfect book” by Kirkus Reviews. Spirited and inventive, it examines the world of the everyday with the fresh, open  perspective of a child. It is as innovative today as it was in 1949 when it was first published. Share this special 50^th anniversary edition with a new generation of readers, and find out why THE IMPORTANT BOOK continues to go on long after the book is closed.

Why I loved it: The articles chosen for their importance are simple and important in their simplicity. The thing that is important about them is it’s very obvious trait. Like apple is round and glass is that you can see through it and grass is green. I can just see kids wondering about these things and the questions start or ease up. I wish I had a three-year old I was reading this to. Although I put the ages appropriate as four to eight it might be closer to two or three when questions start. I love the marriage of art and text in this book. Margaret Wise Brown has a proclivity of saying profound things in  a simple way.

This is what , Erik, the kid who reviews books, says every Friday ,

Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people.

Have you heard of The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown or only Good Night Moon? Do you think you will want to read it? yes or no?

Have a safe and lovely weekend, y’all. Xoxo”

Cover of Goodnight Moon

Another treat! This just in from fellow eTreasures http://www.etreasurespublishing.com/  author Cher Green. I’ve actually known her quite a while since I first signed my contract with eTp because she does her question and answer posts on her blog where I’m a regular interviewee. I’m sure you’ve noticed the links on my posts when I get a shout out from her on her blog. The last one was “Can creativity be taught?” Check it out.

http://chergreen.blogspot.com/2013/03/voices-of-fiction-can-creativity-be_19.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FFootsteps+%28Footsteps+of+a+Writer+-+Cher+Green%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail#.UVrWcEnkvnj

I honestly don’t know why the links are so long.

So grab your coffee and read. It’s a short one and easy for this beautiful spring weather. Can you believe I had a piece of Turtle Pie this morning for breakfast? One of these days I’m going to eat better.

This is part of my series on promoting my publishing house http://www.etreasurespublishing.com/ with interviews of our authors and editors. Please enjoy.

Escape to Love by Cher Green

 Cher? What genre do you normally write? 

Dark fiction is my main genre, but my writings range from romance to horror with a touch of paranormal. I shall soon venture into the world of children picture books with my story, The Sacrifice. This short story, in fairy tale form, was picked up last year by eTreasures Publishing  for their new children section. Release date has not yet been revealed.

What got you interested in writing, and what inspired you to write your first book? 

Reading is what got me interested in writing. I found escape within the pages of books by great writers and knew one day I wanted to provide the same for others. My first book, which sits in my closet waiting to be resurrected, began when I woke up and discovered time was passing by. It was time to do what I’d always wanted to do – become an author.

Who has influenced your writing and how?

Stephen King has been a major role in my writing and writing goals. His stories and characters draw you in and don’t let go until the end. His book, On Writing, is a great source to fall back upon when losing faith.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Reading would be the most obvious answer, but I also explore spiritual matters. Tarot cards offer a great tool for spiritual development and personal issues. I share my insights, readings, and other related issues at my blog: www.tarotbycher.blogspot.com.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

Don’t give up on your writing because it gets rejected, keep submitting, and keep writing. The journey is long, but with enough work you will open the right door

Where can people learn more about you and your work?

www.chergreen.com, www.chergreen.blogspot.com

Cher Green’s photo

Bio: Cher Green, born in Tennessee, lives in South Carolina with her significant other and her two feline companions. She writes in many genres, spanning from horror to romance, usually with a touch of paranormal. Her recent publications include short stories featured at Spinetinglers and Untied Shoelaces of the Mind, and two paranormal romance novellas at eTreasures Publishing.

How are you liking my series on my fellow authors in my publishing house? Later this summer there will be more from children’s authors and others from fantasy to romance. One author does all three! I think you will be surprised with the diversity here. And remember, I was the only children’s book for a while All have since been added as new releases.

Here are the blurbs.

Escape to Love - Constance Spenser is no ordinary woman and neither are her problems.
Unhappy in her life, she seeks knowledge of the spiritual side of life,
but what she finds is another world, a world where she has no place. She
must gain the council’s trust and discover a way home, but in her
attempt she finds herself falling for the enemy. Can she survive long
enough to discover her destiny?

Lawrence Wilder, a member of an evil council, wants to break free, but
one doesn’t walk away from the council alive. When a witch falls
from the sky, hope returns to his life, and to his surprise love. In his
world, together they cannot survive. Can he save them both, or will one
have to be sacrificed for the other to live?

Seduced by Darkness - Geneva Chilton, warned against human contact, betrays her family in order to be close to the world she longs to join. Intrigued by an artist’s work and his ability to capture life on canvas, Geneva steps too close to the boundaries and discovers love, but what price will she have to pay?
Lewis Hunt, intrigued by Geneva’s beauty and determined to capture it on canvas, discovers he needs more. Lewis needs the real woman behind the beauty. His course leads him to her, but also to danger. How hard is he willing to fight for a woman of darkness, a vampire?

The Sacrifice by Cher Green a children’s book

The Sacrifice -

Angelina sets out on a quest to save her sister, but the journey quickly turns into an adventure and a race against time when she meets an odd troll who insists on helping her. Can she arrive at the castle by twilight; can she save her sister from being sacrificed? This is Cher’s children’s book coming out soon from etreasurespublishing.

Related articles

• Clarbojahn Presents! Interview with Promotional Editor, Patricia Bates! Part One. (clarbojahn.wordpress.com)
• Clarbojahn Presents! Interview with Marketing Director, Patricia Bates! Part Two. (clarbojahn.wordpress.com)
• Clarbojahn Presents! Interview with Marketing Director, Patricia Bates! Part One. (clarbojahn.wordpress.com)
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This week hasn’t been as crazy as the last couple ones but I haven’t written any more than usual. Guess I’ve been catching up on sleep. Yesterday I did a reading at another elementary school. Actually it was two small ones who shared a librarian. I woke up sick and throwing up. It was hard being enthusiastic about “Annie’s Special Day” and telling time but the kids seemed to enjoy it. I was faking it, however. It didn’t occur to me to reschedule. I was almost out the door when I lost my breakfast. In the years of hospital nursing and even with home health one just “toughs it out” because substitutes are so hard to find and if you call in sick, you must do so before three hours of showing up, so management can make other arrangements. And in this case, there is no management. The only thing binding is a commitment to a contract between me and the librarian.

As usual I have two gifts for you.

Want to know why most authors don’t talk about the money they make when they have a book out? It’s embarrassing. That’s why. http://www.salon.com/2013/03/15/hey_amazon_wheres_my_money/

And on a memoir piece by one of my favorite bloggers, Suzicate “Cheering for life” http://heartandcraft.blogspot.com/2013/03/guest-post-cheering-for-life.html with her usual optimism for the good in people. Also lets you link up to her new book. “Stepping into the Wilderness”.

Now for more of the good stuff:

Perfect Picture Book Friday/ Fancy Nancy

Title: Fancy Nancy

Author and Illustrator: Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser

Publisher: Harper Collins, fiction, 2006,

Age for: four to eight

Themes: Costume and dress, Manners and customs, Family life,

Resources: coloring pages: For paper dolls and more activities including a spelling bee go here : 

From the Jacket: Meet Nancy, who believes that more is always better when it comes to being fancy. From the top of her tiara down to her sparkly studded shoes, Nancy is determined to teach her family a thing or two about being fancy. How Nancy transforms her parents and little sister for one enchanted evening makes for a story that is funny and warm – with or without frills.

Why I loved it: Nancy tries so hard to be fancy and in the end just turns out to be human with mistakes. The ending is stupendous (a fancy word for wonderful.) and I don’t want to ruin the surprise. Her family is one of the kinds that deserve to go out for saint hood and her wise parents just end up loving her all the more for her desire to be fancy. This Picture book is named one of the 100 top best picture books to read and I was surprised it wasn’t in the Susanna Leonard Hill’s list yet. Lucky me!

This is what , Erik, the kid who reviews books says every Friday ,

Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people.  

Have you heard of Fancy Nancy and/or read any of her related books?

Have a safe and lovely weekend, y’all. Xoxo”

Do you think you will like this book? Why or why not?

//////

Nancy gets really Fancy doesn’t she? lol

Images for Fancy Nancy

Here’s a treat for you! A picture book author that I introduced to you last year as Clarbojahn Presents…. Author Joanna Marple!  There she gave her story behind the story of Snow Games her picture book at uTales. It was part of her blog tour then. Now I’d like to interview her for my “Interview Series of Authors”. I am truly honored for Joanna to have spent time with me answering these questions about her book and writer journey..

1—Joanna? You wrote a children’s picture book called Snow Games. Could you tell us a little about it?

It’s a winter tale in rhyme about four woodland friends who decide on a bit of friendly competition over some snowy games. The woodland winter games get underway, but faced with Bear’s strength, Squirrel’s speed and Owl’s self-confidence, what is a wee mouse to do? Fortunately for Mouse, his creativity and his friends’ team spirit mean an enjoyable end to the midwinter’s day escapade.

2—You ended up getting it published by utales a digital publishing company. Can you tell us a little bit about your decision? Did you try querying and sending it out to traditional publishers, too?

This book I wrote very specifically with uTales in mind. I am on the point of starting to submit to agents, and am more than aware that this process is uncertain and long. So meanwhile, I wanted to pursue a publishing opportunity on an eBook platform in order to have this experience as well as the opportunity to collaborate with an illustrator and have some promotional experience. I go into detail about why I chose uTales here, but the main reason is that there is some quality control.

3—Can you tell us a little about the process of submitting to uTales?

I have written a lengthy post about it here. In short, once you have a very well revised manuscript, you find your own illustrator, and on completion, you download your illustrated manuscript onto the uTales website, where it is submitted first to the uTales Quality Editorial Panel. This panel can and do suggest improvements before the story is accepted (or not) for publication on the platform. My collaboration with WINTER GAMES’ illustrator, Maja Sereda was a real highlight of this experience for me. Not only do I adore her artwork, but she has become a good friend.

4- How did you get the idea for the picture book?

I was out snowshoeing in the mountains above Nice last winter and saw two different sized animal tracks in the snow. I pictured a bear and a mouse playing winter games together. As the idea was incubating, I decided that it should be a foursome friendship group, and added Owl and Squirrel.

5 How long from idea to actual book did it take? Did you do many revisions?

Six months. And I certainly undertook many, many revisions, working especially on rhythm, rhyme and meter, before the final version.

6–Did you take classes?

I began writing children’s books two years ago and prepared myself by doing the online Picture Book writing course, Just Write for Kids, by Emma Walton Hamilton. This gives a tremendous grounding in the basics of this genre and I believe I saved myself months and months of elementary mistakes by doing this course. I highly recommend it.

7–Do you belong to a critique group?

I am looking for an in-person group right now, but do belong to an online group. Over this past year I have been working with several critique partners, which is an essential part of my writing process. I have also worked on several manuscripts professionally with my mentor, editor Emma D Dryden of drydenbks.

8–You have another book as well don’t you? Could you tell us a little about that?

I have no other books published yet, but I have just finished the sequel to SNOW GAMES, called MIDSUMMER MISCHIEF. This time around Bear, Owl, Squirrel and Mouse sneak off for some summer fun, only to stumble upon a forbidden, hidden location and a friend in need. I am work on many picture book manuscripts at the moment, as well as a contemporary YA.

9—Can you tell us a little about the marketing you have done for it? Is this something libraries can carry or bookstores? Do you have a horror story for us?

My marketing was three-pronged: using my social media networks mentioned below, but trying not to overwhelm people with too much self-promotion; a blog tour; school visits. I have no horror stories at all, and thoroughly enjoyed the book promotion.

Libraries could take out a monthly subscription and have access to all the uTales books including SNOW GAMES. I hope to have a print version of this book available in the future.

10— When are you most creative and do the most serious writing?

I write best first thing in the morning after the sun has risen, and with a good cup of French coffee.

How can we get in touch with you? Are you on face book, twitter or linked in?

https://www.facebook.com/JoannaMarpleAuthor

http://twitter.com/JoannaMarple

http://www.joannamarple.com

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/joanna-marple/41/854/91a

http://pinterest.com/joannamarple/

What is your favorite social media network that you are on the most?

I use all these networks in different ways, but frequent Face Book the most. I have had some superb interactions, learn much and have made some wonderful friends through Face Book.

Author Joanna Marple

Author Bio:Joanna grew up surrounded by the architecture and awe of the University of Cambridge, UK, immersed in the books and the landscapes of the Brontes, Tolkien and Beatrix Potter. Her tall tales were not always appreciated as a young child, but her passion for storytelling remained unscathed and was fueled by the peoples she encountered during her humanitarian work across the continents. More recently her years as school librarian in Southern France relit the fire for children’s literature. Her stories focus on her love of the natural world and the richness of the cultures she has encountered in her travels. She lives presently in Nice with two quirky cats and a stream of visitors from all over the globe.

READING Annie to first graders at elementary school

A lot has happened since last Friday. Even though it’s Spring Break here. First let me go back a little.

The previous week I did an author visit at Mountain View Elementary School with a wonderful librarian and wonderful kids. Here is a photo of me at my visit. This was my second time at that school. I got hugged and more than one child said they loved my book. They were also quick to tell me they liked the name Annie for my main character.

Earlier in the week I got shouted out at Cher Green’s blog “Footsteps of a Writer” on can creativity be taught? If you’d like to see my answer read mine among three other authors tell what they think here:

http://chergreen.blogspot.com/2013/03/voices-of-fiction-can-creativity-be_19.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FFootsteps+%28Footsteps+of+a+Writer+-+Cher+Green%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail#.UU2hyv7kvnj

Wheew! That is such a long link. I haven’t tried but don’t think it would hyperlink.

Also I have been working hard on my current work in progress. My newest picture book. I’ve been getting up at four and writing for two hours every day. I must say, Critique has risen to a new high in my mind. I love my crit partners. I have received so many ideas and so much help. This story would not be a book without them. I think I’ll be ready to sub it soon. First I’m going to submit to Christie Write Wild for her winter contest and see what I can see through that. http://christiewrightwild.blogspot.com/p/contest.html

 Now for the reason for this meeting:

A Small Tall Tale book cover by Peter Sis

Title: A Small Tall Tale

Author/Illustrator: Peter Sis

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, 1993, fiction

Themes: survival, Eskimos, Arctic Region, Tall tales, Nature, Resilience, Journey, interconnectiveness, Imagination, friendship,

Resources: From Peter Sis’s own web site we have a great teachers guide covering all the core standards. http://www.petersis.com/content/far_far_teachers_guide.html

What the Jacket says: One Hundred years ago a young man named Jan Welzl left his home in Europe and headed for the Far North. He rode off in a horse-drawn cart, traded the cart for a sled pulled by reindeer, and was gone for thirty years. Inspired by the memoirs of this Czech folk hero, Peter Sis has re-created an extraordinary Aortic odyssey. Mixing fact with tall tale, he paints the fascinating story of a little-known explorer and the native people who became his teachers and his friends. With maps, storyboards, panoramas, and even a myth told in pictographs, Peter Sis has concocted a visual feast.

A Small Tall Tale from the Far Far North charts unexplored territory in the world of picture books.

Why I love it: Like the other Peter Sis books I have reviewed for PPBF this one doesn’t disappoint. Sis’s art which he does in and around the text is so graphic and detailed it is another story in itself on each page. It’s hard to separate the two they compliment each other so perfectly. He says this arctic tale is about what he always thought were Eskimo as a child, but actually are Inuit. He did not mean anything derogatory by it. As his other books there is a message. This book’s message is that gold diggers soon ruined the villages of the Inuit and asks how can we save them from further exploitation? He points to a fictional gold magnetic rock.

There is an epilogue in which Sis says “the young man who went to the far north looking for adventure will always be real. And as I reread his books, I discover their essence: a curiosity about life, courage, decency, and a love of nature. This is what impressed me as a child and has once again fired my imagination.”

What books have you read recently that impressed you like that and fired up your imagination? Please answer in the comments. You know I live for them.

This is what the kid who reviews books says every Friday, Erik says

http://thiskidreviewsbooks.com/

Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people.

Have a GREAAT weekend Everyone!

XOXO

Other books by Peter Sis and blogs I’ve written about him and his books:

• Perfect Picture Book Friday/ Madlenka (clarbojahn.wordpress.com)
• Perfect Picture Book Friday/Starry Messenger (clarbojahn.wordpress.com)
• Perfect Picture Book Friday/The Three Golden Keys (clarbojahn.wordpress.com)

Purple Day Tuesday March 26

But first I want to answer your questions about the photo on my blog. Shouldn’t it be of my book? What is purple day? What happened? I’m sorry to jar  you from your thoughts but as it happened I was jarred from my thoughts about poor pitiful me and then realized there is nothing I can’t face without friends. Bethany Telles feels the same way. We rallied around her son, Renn and here is the bigger picture.  I am sharing this banner to raise awareness of epilepsy. Here are some quick facts:

Approximately 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime.

At least 1 in every 10 people will have one seizure in their lifetime.

There are approximately 65 million people around the world living with epilepsy.

There are more than 300,000 Canadians living with epilepsy.

There are approximately 2.2 million Americans living with epilepsy.

Epilepsy is NOT contagious.

Epilepsy is NOT a disease.

Epilepsy is NOT a psychological disorder.

Please go to www.purpleday.org and find more facts and info. If you would like to spread the word wear  purple .The web site will share other ways to spread awareness. We recently had a five-year old friend, Renn, hospitalized because of it. As the ring leader, Susanna Leonard Hill, got fifty or so of us bloggers  together to lift his spirits while he was waiting for tests and answers. Please go here for those gift posts: You will see the linky list there.

And now for “Annie’s Special Day” reviews. The ones that made my heart glad I had written it and give me courage to write more.

Lovely book, January 4, 2013 By: lizbethsgarden -

This review is from: Annie’s Special Day (Paperback)

This book is just delightful, and the little girl I read it to wanted it read over and over. A big hit! 5.0 out of 5 stars

A Page Turrner Kids will Love, December 10, 2012 By :Patricia Tilton (Dayton, OH, USA) 

This review is from: Annie’s Special Day (Paperback) “Already awake and excited, Annie heard the alarm go off. The clocked showed 7 o’clock in the morning, and the sun painted her bedroom walls and toys with a golden glow.” It’s Annie’s birthday and she is determined to make the most of each hour. Follow Annie through her day as every hour is filled with a new activity. At four o’ clock her brother plays and sings Happy Birthday to Annie. At 5 o’clock, her mommy is preparing her special birthday meal. At 7 o’clock Annie’s friends arrive for a sleep over and surprise her with presents. At 8 o’clock birthday cake is served. Her birthday celebration goes well into the night and ends with sunrise. Will she manage to mark each hour? What I Like About this book: Clara Bowman-Jahn has written a delightful concept book for children learning to tell time. Each illustration features a clock. This is a book that kids will want to read over and over. The story is written with simplicity, so a child could read it on his/her own. Claudia Wolfe’s illustrations are colorful, lively and expressive. They really are beautiful and capture each hour of Annie’s special day. 5.0 out of 5 stars

Learning time effortlessly, December 6, 2012 By Piquantpoet 

This review is from: Annie’s Special Day (Paperback) What I like the best about this book is that it shows how life goes on all 24 hours of the day. Even when we are “supposed” to be sleeping. In the mean time the illustrations and storyline flow so effortlessly that you forget you are actually learing to tell time. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Annie’s Special Day book cover.

So there you have it. Some of the reviews that find their way to me if I but look. And I am so glad I did look. Believe it or not they make or break an author’s day. If you are interested in reading more please click over to my Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007FF6TMQ and check it out. Maybe you’ll be happy to *like* my page. Or if you’ve read Annie put a review up. I’d be honored to have you included. Thanks so much! Did you enjoy this post? Do you think I’ll get more likes or reviews from posting this? Know your opinion is valued and that I just LOVE comments! Will you go to the Purple day site? Thanks so much for reading! Have a Greaat day! xoxo

Dear Friends!

There is some wonderful news! My friend and critique partner, Sharon Solomon has a new book out. It’s newer than new and I had the privilege of reviewing it just earlier this week, actually sending it off the publishing company, Pelican Publishing.

www.pelicanpub.com 

You may remember an interview I did with Sharon Solomon here. And her other biographical picture book on Cathy, Buffalo Soldier, here.

But first let me give you a gift of a site about getting ideas for Picture books and then the process of writing about them:

http://donasdays.blogspot.com/2013/03/writerly-wisdom_13.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FWtayf+%28New+Beginnings%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail

It’s long but necessary to get you to the exact post on writing from your picture book ideas.

And for one more because it’s brilliant:

As a writer I’ve been wondering when to call finished with a manuscript I’m writing. This post says it all http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/calling-your-manuscript-finished//  It’s by Rachell Gardner one of the blogs I follow and read when I  have time. In the same vein here is a webinar she’s giving on how to find your mentor at a conference. It’s only $15 and so worth it. http://www.authormedia.com/how-to-win-agents-and-influence-editors-at-a-writers-conference-webinar/.

And now, since I can’t wait to share my perfect picture book with you, here goes. 

Title: Christopher Newport

Author: Sharon K. Solomon

Illustrator: Dan Bridy

Themes: nonfiction, historical, biography, adventure, explorers, pirates, Jamestown, Captain John Smith, autobiography, United States, State and local history,

Resources: How to teach America’s history: http://blog.richmond.edu/openwidelookinside/archives/2925 

From the Jacket: “Set sail with Christopher Newport, a young lad from Harwich, England, who changed history! This biography takes readers on the exciting adventures of the high seas, full of sword fights, exotic foods, and shipwrecks on the journey to America and beyond.

Discover how the boy who spent his childhood by the sea on his father’s ship became a privateer under the orders of Sir Frances Drake. When Drake hired Newport in 1857 to capture Spanish ships and bring treasure back to England, the expedition cost Newport his right hand. After ten years as a privateer, he was chosen by King James to command three ships owned by the Virginia Company. On his voyage, Newport and his crew changed the world by founding Jamestown, the first successful English speaking colony in America.

Find out how this explorer searched for the elusive Northwest Passage to China, survived a shipwreck in Bermuda, and hunted for spices and riches in India. Through his travels and adventures, Newport’s navigational skills indeed made history.”

Why I love it and what I sent Pelican: This biographical picture book will especially be popular with boys aged five through eleven. The drama of pirates, privateers, swords and treasure will draw them in. As our hero, Christopher Newport, changes from someone who runs down treasure to someone who successfully begins the first colony in America, boys will follow Newport with awe. The life like illustrations complement the story,

As an adult I found this book fascinating for all the same reasons.

The timeline and glossary in the back of the book clarified details and I highly recommend this book to anyone who thought Captain John Smith was the sole person responsible for the start of Jamestown.

This is what the kid who reviews books says every Friday , Erik says

Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people.

Have a Picture Book Perfect Weekend! Friends!

xoxo

Statue of Sir Christopher Newport (Photo credit: Wikipedia)