Mama's Love Language: Sometimes Love Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice- Author Interview and Giveaway4/15/2024
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Elisa Stad. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
Mama’s Love Language: Sometimes Love Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice
Written by Elisa Stad Illustrated by Ry Menson Ages 5-10 | 31 Pages Publisher: Ginger Lotus Press | ISBN-13: 9798988378518 Publisher’s Book Summary: Jade is a girl who lives in two worlds and, coming from a multicultural family, she’s on a quest to understand her identity and where she truly belongs. She is trying to find her place in the world but feels different from the other kids at school. Back home, Jade’s parents have their unique approach to love and care. Sometimes Jade is embarrassed by Mama’s accent and she can’t understand why she is not just like any other mother she knows. The real adventure unfolds when Jade starts rebelling against her mother’s traditional ways of showing love, especially through food. It’s a struggle that takes her on a path of discovery, as she learns about her family’s rich heritage and her mother’s challenging past in Vietnam and as an immigrant. Jade then discovers that even though Mama doesn’t hug or say I love you, the healing aroma of ginger, green onions, and chicken broth does. “Mama’s Love Language” is a heartwarming children’s book that addresses the universal theme of belonging and the beauty of cultural diversity. Through Jade’s story, children will learn that being different is not only okay but something to be celebrated, and that love can come in many shapes and forms. Author Interview
I'm excited to share my interview with Elisa. She spent the majority of her career, as a brand and international business executive for luxury goods and consumer product companies. After experiencing working in over 40 countries, she acquired a passion for globalization and the sharing of cultures based on her experiences. Elisa is also focused on inspiring the youth through her efforts in healthcare inequities through Stad Center of Pain, Palliative, and Integrative Medicine and serves on college boards at USC, UCSF and Harvard.Elisa grew up in a mixed-race household, as a daughter of a Vietnamese refugee mother and American father. She grew up in a multicultural home, searching for identity. She also moved homes often in her childhood including to Asia and within the US to Idaho and California.
She always wanted to share with other young children the beauty of humanity and how we can celebrate our unique gifts. You can find her enjoying ballet, visiting local Asian street markets, practicing yoga, and focusing on her spiritual practice. Elisa lives in Southern California with her husband, 3 children and a bernedoodle. For more information, visit https://www.elisastad.com/ Where did you get the inspiration for Mama's Love Language: Sometimes Love Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice? I grew up in a mixed-race household as a daughter of a Vietnamese refugee mother and an Scottish-Irish American father. My search for identity has been a constant question- having been raised in a multicultural home and never feeling I fit in. With my Chinese family, I was white. With my white family I was Chinese. When I lived in HK I was very American. When I lived in Idaho I felt like my Chinese traits stood out. It was my lifelong dream to write a book to share with young children that everyone has a place and should be celebrated just as they are. What was your writing process like for this book? I started writing this book on a returning flight from Hong Kong. I felt compelled to share my story with other young children who could identify with feeling out of place with the mix of cultures and race. I went back to this piece during the start of the pandemic and then put it down. I finally had the courage to get this piece published when my children started to ask about when the book could be in a library. What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? I love hearing the conversations the children are raising with Mama’s Love Language. All children can relate to Jade in different ways: emotions she feels, wanting to fit in, and trying to understand herself. I'm very passionate about spreading diversity and this book gave me the opportunity to show children from multicultural and multiracial homes that being different makes us unique. What are you working on now? I’m focused on getting Mama’s Love Language to different communities, libraries, bookstores and schools. In the coming months we will see what Jade evolves into. I’m also working on the launch of a Pediatric Integrative medicine center at UCSF. At the end of the year I will start writing my next book. What is your favorite book? As mother of three elementary school kids the Roald Dahl series are a must read, such as Matilda or BFG. I was an addict of Roald Dahl from 2nd grade on. As an avid adult reader my favorite authors are Amy Tan and Lisa See. I just finished Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See which connects Eastern medicine modalities and is a historical fiction piece. I keep exploring a piece of my heritage and history through the lenses of authors like Tan and See. Giveaway
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a copy of Mama’s Love Language: Sometimes Love Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice, signed by Elisa Stad, and a $50 Amazon gift card!
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Alysson Foti Bourque. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
Alycat and the Sunday Scaries
Written by Alysson Foti Bourque Illustrated by Chiara Civati Ages 4+ | 32 Pages Publisher: Pelican Publishing | ISBN-13: 9781455627790 Publisher’s Book Summary: It’s Sunday, the day before the school week begins, and Alycat is nervous. She just knows that Monday is going to be the Mondayest Monday ever! On the playground, Alycat realizes she isn’t the only one suffering from the Sunday Scaries. It’s hard to ride a bike. What if Kit falls? The treehouse is so high. Will Spotty make it safely back down? The kittens band together to overcome their fears, but can they turn the Sunday Scaries into a Sunday Funday? The themes of the books in the Alycat Series all reflect a reliance on friendships, imagination, and creativity toward problem-solving. Fans of Alycat and her friends will enjoy spotting references to the kittens’ daily adventures within these pages. Tips for a successful lemonade stand are included! Author Interview
I'm excited to share my interview with Alysson. She began her career as a teacher after graduating from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in Elementary Education and went on to earn a law degree from Southern University Law Center in 2007.After practicing law for nearly eight years, it was time to trade in writing trial briefs for writing children’s books and collaborating with non-profits to support philanthropic initiatives such as Foster the Love with First Lady Donna Edwards, Lafayette Walk to Defeat ALS, The Family Tree, Operation Shower, Wild Cat Foundation, and Hayley’s Bracelet fundraiser to benefit Lurie Children’s Hospital.
Her series has won over 23 awards and has received glowing reviews. Find Alyson and Alycat online at www.alycatseries.com. Where did you get the inspiration for Alycat and the Sunday Scaries? Writing the last book in the week-based series made me scared that the series would end. I channeled this feeling into the context and lessons of the book, which helped give me tools to fight through the fear. This fear and the ways to deal with them inspired this story. What was your writing process like for this book? I wrote down a list of worries that I had in this world and a list of worries a child might have in this world. It became apparent that the way to deal with worries are the same no matter how old you are. Coping techniques and healthy lifestyles are important in conquering fears and worry. I used these worries and techniques to create a problem-solving manuscript that could help readers young and old. What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? My favorite part is when a reader tells me that they started to like reading after reading The Alycat Series. Author visits are also my favorite! I love meeting the Alycat fans! What are you working on now? I am working on the storyboard illustrations for Alycat and the Copycat and soon to start illustration descriptions for another top secret Alycat book. What is your favorite book? My favorite book is Happy Birthday, Moon. Bear discovers that he and the moon share the same birthday and he wants to give his nighttime friend a present. But what do you buy the moon? It’s a heartwarming story of generosity, imagination, and friendship. Giveaway
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of the book and three adorable Alycat plush toys!
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Kat Chen. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
Play with Me
Written by Kat Chen Illustrated by Lorraine Nam Ages 1+ | 24 Pages Publisher: Rise x Penguin Workshop | ISBN-13: 9780593659717 Publisher’s Book Summary: This board book series invites young readers to take part in a playdate activity of their choice, thereby empowering them with autonomy and validation. The picnic playdate models balanced and shared play, creating a positive experience that will provide readers with a reference for what caring and considered friendship looks like. Many toddlers and preschoolers consistently ask for someone to play with them, and this book provides just that for the quieter moments of the day. Simple language and gentle questions will help children develop their social skills by practicing conversations, all while engaging them in fun and familiar topics. Author Interview
I'm excited to share my interview with Kat Chen, author of Play With Me. Kat serves on the advisory board for Books for Newborns. After becoming a grandmother and spending most of her free time helping with “the fun stuff”—conversations, crayons, and crawling—she was inspired to delve into children’s books and help kids master the art of simple conversation through shared play. Learn more about Kat and her work atkat-chen.com.
Where did you get the inspiration for Play with Me? Do you want the official answer or the truth? Official answer: I saw a TED talk about how kids learn to talk with questions. Someone asks, what’s your name? They answer. Someone asks, What color do you like? They think about it and answer. It’s how most conversations begin—a question and an answer. So that’s what I wrote. (That’s all true, it’s just not the full truth. For that…see below.) The secret, unofficial answer is that I watched a relative reading to my granddaughter and was surprised that he just read the words. There was no pausing, no interacting, no questions with the child. That’s when I realized many people don’t know how to read with a toddler. They need help learning how to engage the child with the book. So, I wrote the questions and the interactions to help the adults engage with their child and the book together. What was your writing process like for this book? Once I had the idea, it was all about putting together activities and art with simple questions. This is a board book, not a picture book, so it’s meant for very young children. Simple questions, simple colorful art. That was my idea, but I only wrote the words. Once I started working with the brilliant editor Nicole Fox at RISE, we shaped the activities and the questions together. It was a true collaboration. What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? It’s the best and the worst part. It’s all about the idea. Once I have the right idea, it’s so fast to write. At least that’s how it feels. I can write the manuscript in an hour (as opposed to my adult novels that take months.) However, I end up spending hours then refining one word here, one word there. The detail to every word can be exhausting. So the short answer is: my favorite part about writing books for kids is that the idea is everything, the writing is fast, and picture books are short and quick. Which means if the idea is crap, no amount of time will fix it. And the short amount of words means every single one has to be perfect. What are you working on now? Right now I’m focused on adult novels as Jade Lee, but I’m always writing new picture books. That’s the joy of having two grandbabies. Every time I’m with them, I get a new picture book idea. What is your favorite book? My favorite kids books is The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Audrey and Don Wood. That’s quite a long title, isn’t it? I love everything about this book. The artwork is amazing, the story is delightful, and it is the pinnacle of picture books for me. Giveaway
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of Play with Me and a $25 Amazon gift card.
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and P. J. Davis. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time
Written by P. J. Davis Illustrated by Thomas Peacock Ages: 8+ | 234 Pages Publisher: Philaments | ISBN-13: 979-8990031616 Book Summary: “…it’s hard to prove the world’s most important substance is missing when no one knows it’s gone.” “Substance? What substance?” asks thirteen-year-old Max Kellerman. “Why time itself!” exclaims the strange professor who Max meets in the back of his uncle’s bookstore. In fact, he says, time is being sucked out of every living person by invisible thieves and stored away in a deep, dark netherworld. Could the professor possibly be right… or just plain crazy? It depends on whether Max can unravel the mysterious clues in the tattered manuscript the professor leaves behind. With the help of his best friends Derek and Samantha, Max begins a quest to find this dark realm and to discover its hidden secrets. But with the time clock ticking and the professor gone missing, Max uncovers a truth he never thought possible. Max must unravel the mysteries of Nemesis to save not just his world, but the very fabric of time itself. Author Interview
GI am excited to share my interview with PJ Davis. He lives in the tiny mountain town of Brevard, North Carolina overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. He lives there with his wife, youngest son, three sleepy cats and three noisy ducks. For his day job, he names things, such as companies, products and services. he even named the town’s annual White Squirrel Festival.
For more information, visit http://www.PJDavisAuthor.com Where did you get the inspiration for Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time? It started with a feeling of empathy for the main character Max, who’s this kid that’s sort of lost in his own thought bubble. I could relate to how that internal world can lead to isolation and misunderstanding at school and in life in general. So I started to write about him, explore the character and let it play itself out with all of his ruminations and imaginations. Then I just followed the threads of his thoughts to see where it took him, and it took him to some pretty interesting places. What was your writing process like for this book? I would describe my process as inspired fits and spurts. When the ideas flow, they really flow. It’s almost like I’m a witness to the writing and there’s an internal dictation going on that I can barely keep pace with. But then the story will suddenly turn cold and just sit there for a while. So I typically let it do just that… sit. And then I come back and tinker a bit and see if I can pick up the trail again. Sometimes I ask the story what it wants to say, as if the story itself is a person. My goal is to get out of the way as much as possible and let the story tell itself. So it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Then there’s the more tedious process of synthesizing it, reviewing it, sending it to my editor for input, and doing the revisions and fine tuning. So it’s both inspiration and dedication, there’s no cutting corners. What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? My favorite part of writing middle grade fiction is the anticipation that comes with knowing who I’m writing for – those bright, bubbly, and unbridled young minds. In fact, I write with a very specific mental image of my intended audience. For this book, I pictured a ten or eleven- year-old boy coming up to my table at a future book signing alongside his mother. He asks questions about my book that even I don’t have adequate answers to. Why? Because he’s so fully invested in the story that he’s made this new world his very own. And when that moment arrives, I’ll know that my goal in writing this book was absolutely accomplished. What are you working on now? I have a strong suspicion that Max, Derek and Samantha will be back. There is some unfinished business they’ll need to attend to, and the forces at work are still very much at work. For a clue, look at the last illustration in the book at the very end… and stay tuned! What is your favorite book? Tough question as probably most would agree. But in terms of impact, I would say The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois. I have a soft spot for fantastical adventures and this book about a man’s globetrotting visit to a remote island of millionaires really captured my imagination. I was in fifth grade at the time and it helped spur a love of reading and misadventure. Giveaway
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a copy of Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time autographed by P.J. Davis, a Galaxy Flying Orb Ball, and a $100 Amazon Gift Card!
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Kirthana J. Fanning. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
The Girl and Her Noble Steed
Written by Kirthana J. Fanning Illustrated by Travis J. Hill Age Range: 8+ | 100 Pages Publisher: Kirthana J. Fanning LLC (2023) | ISBN-13: 9798988194125 Publisher’s Book Summary: Embark on a remarkable journey with an orphan girl determined to conquer a thrilling race. Overcoming obstacles with the power of prayer, she’s joined by a cantankerous farmer and his singing, dancing miniature donkey. Together, they defy the odds, showcasing the strength of faith, courage, and friendship. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure that will leave you inspired and wanting more in… ‘The Girl and Her Noble Steed’, the first book in this series. A tale of resilience, hope, triumph, and answered prayers. Author Interview
I am excited to share my interview with Kirthana J. Fanning. She is a children’s book author who is passionate about empowering young readers with God’s word and inspiring them to live boldly in Christ. Her stories are full of adventure and lessons that will help young minds grow and flourish. She believes that sharing God’s love and miracles through her writing will leave an indelible mark on the world, one heart at a time. With two decades of experience as a television producer and writer in Southeast Asia, Kirthana uses her expertise to craft stories that will help young people navigate through life’s challenges with faith and grace. When she’s not writing, Kirthana volunteers as a remote youth fellowship leader and lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two huskies.
For more information, visit https://www.kirthanajfanning.com.
Where did you get the inspiration for The Girl and Her Noble Steed?
The inspiration for "The Girl and Her Noble Steed," came from the profound bond of sisterhood, the affection of a special Goddaughter, and the indelible imprints of my own childhood and life, where God’s unwavering hand served as my guiding light. My love for animals has also left a mark on my storytelling. Through this novel, my mission is clear: I want children to discover that they are overcomers and that no dream is impossible for those who believe. What was your writing process like for this book? I began working on "The Girl and Her Noble Steed" in the summer of 2016 while simultaneously working on another book project. Initially, it took the form of a 564-word picture book. Over the years, I went through three different versions of the book. Finally, in July 2023, I completed the chapter book, which is now available on the market. To my surprise, I managed to finish the entire book, from creating the characters to having a complete manuscript, within a single month. My writing process is character-driven, with a focus on the main character, Ofe. I call it the "flower process." It starts with deciding what kind of flower I want to grow, which in this case represents my main character. Everything else in the story revolves around this central character. The process unfolds as follows: 1. Planting the Seed: Generating the Initial Idea 2. Nurturing: building the world, surrounding characters, and scenes 3. Patience: developing the journey within the scenes, ensuring that every chapter has a clear beginning, middle, and end. 4. Blossoming: Deciding on the illustrations I want and finally having the manuscript edited I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have an illustrator named Travis J. Hill, who played a crucial role in bringing my vision to life. The first version of the book featured 25–30 illustrations, and only a couple of them were used in the final version. Travis skillfully reworked and created new illustrations in just three weeks. What truly amazed me was how quickly the scenes for the chapter book flowed in my mind once I realized it needed to be a chapter book. I completed these scenes within 24 hours, even though I didn't have a completed synopsis or outline beforehand. My writing style is organic, so while I had a general idea of where the story was going and what I wanted it to convey, much of it developed as I wrote, and so did the playful and quirky language. Once I had the completed manuscript, I sent it to my editor, and we engaged in three rounds of revisions. What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? The act of constructing the story itself is my favorite element of writing books for children. I enjoy creating strange worlds and bringing various characters, both human and animal, within those pages. Seeing these things come to life in a child's mind is a magical experience. What truly motivates me is the ability to interact with young readers and create stories that raise their confidence and instill in them the belief that they have what it takes to conquer the world. What are you working on now? Promoting The Girl and Her Noble Steed and developing the idea for its sequel. What is your favorite book? I have many favorites, but my ultimate dream is to craft a story that can capture the essence of classics like C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" and John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress." Giveaway
Enter for the chance to win a The Girl and Her Noble Steed swag gift pack, including a signed hardcover copy, bookmark, keychain, themed activity sheets, glitter sticker, and choice of a bowl/bracelet or bag, and a 10 min virtual conversation with the author!
One Grand Prize Winner Receives: The Girl and Her Noble Steed Swag Gift Pack, Including: -One (1) Signed Hardcover Copy of The Girl and Her Noble Steed -One (1) Bookmark -One (1) Keychain -Themed Activity Sheet -One (1) Glitter Sticker -Choice of One (1) Bowl/Bracelet or Bag -One (1) 10-minute Virtual Conversation with the Author Two Winners Receive: -One (1) Digitally signed Ebook Copy of The Girl and Her Noble Steed -One (1) Digital Bookmark Two Winners Receive: -One (1) Signed Paperback Copy of The Girl and Her Noble Steed -One (1) Bookmarks One Winner Receives: -One (1) Signed Hardcover Copy of The Girl and Her Noble Steed
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Kate Searle. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
My Soul Treasure
Written by Kate Searle Illustrated by Alison Mutton Ages 4+ | 28 Pages Publisher: Kate’s Soul Treasure (2022) ISBN-13: 978-0645415421 Publisher’s Book Summary: My Soul Treasure is a beautifully illustrated children’s book designed to teach children how to connect with their inner selves and cultivate self-awareness and self-love. It follows the story of a young girl who goes on a journey beyond her mind, body, and heart to discover her own inner treasures. The story includes positive affirmations and visualization exercises to help children develop mindfulness and self-reflection skills. Author Interview
I am excited to share my interview with Kate Searle. She is a geologist, wife, and mum who lives in the southwest of Australia. Becoming a mother sparked Kate’s love of storytelling. She has an innate passion for instilling in children a sense of personal empowerment. She has woven her love of gemstones into her debut book, My Soul Treasure, to teach children about the incredible powers of their own souls.For more information, visit www.soultreasures.com.au
Where did you get the inspiration for My Soul Treasure? During the covid lockdowns in early 2021 I felt a burst of inspiration from something bigger than me, to let my children know that they were safe, they were powerful and regardless of what happens in the outside world each day, they have a treasure chest of inner strengths within their soul, that they can draw upon to help them overcome anxiety and navigate this wild and woolly world. This burst of inspiration led me to write my books, Find Your Treasure (a middle grade novel), My Soul Treasure and create a mindfulness treasure-hunt game for children. What was your writing process like for this book? What a wonderful question. I could clearly visualize My Soul Treasure being a colorful picture book, with a double-page spread for each of the soul gems, but I didn’t know which order to arrange the gems. The story really came together one weekend when my husband and kids and I took a trip down to the southern forests. As my husband was driving, a lot of the inspiration for the words in My Soul Treasure flowed into my mind and I wrote them down. The movement of the car and being surrounded by nature helped my creativity to flow. As I was drafting the story, I could only write in lead pencil in a large children’s scrapbook! It helped me see which words would best fit on each page. That weekend, whilst exploring a nearby field, my children and I saw a beautiful rainbow right next to the cabin we were staying in! We climbed over a fence and tried to run to the rainbow. It was a magical moment for us, and it was then that the realization came to me that the soul gems in My Soul Treasure should be arranged in the order of the rainbow and chakras colors. It was as if nature itself was contributing to the direction of the story! I stayed up very late, cosy by the fire that weekend, writing what would become My Soul Treasure. What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? I love the creative process of bringing my ideas to life and synthesizing complex or less understood parts of our world and ourselves, into language that children can grasp so that they become aware of how powerful and magical they are. I also love the process of creating inspiring stories that I wish I could have read when I was a child! What are you working on now? I am very excited about launching two new exciting products: ‘Find Your Soul Treasure’ Activity Workbook – which is an interactive workbook that brings the story of My Soul Treasure to life. It has a section for each soul gem and includes hundreds of fun activities and suggested ways children can connect with their soul treasure. Parents, educators and therapists can use the Workbook to help children to heal and empower them. I am about to launch my children’s game called ‘Find Your Treasure’ which is a treasure hunt game that includes clue cards and real gemstones. The game inspires children to find their own soul treasure! I am also dreaming up the sequel to my middle grade novel!! What is your favorite book? That is such a hard question! My favorite book as a child was The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S Lewis for its magic and adventure. As an adult, I’d have to say People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks, for the enchanted way it sweeps across centuries and highlights the value we place on precious texts. There is a part of the story where the sacred text is described as encrusted in turquoise and precious gems which I just adore! Giveaway
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed hardcover copy of My Soul Treasure and a Kindle!
One (1) grand prize winner receives: - A hardcover copy of My Soul Treasure, signed by Kate Searle - A Kindle (2022 release) Four (4) winners receive: - A hardcover copy of My Soul Treasure, signed by Kate Searle
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Sandrine Marlier. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
Odette’s Alphabet
Written by Sandrine Marlier Ages 5+ | 64 Pages Publisher: Belle Isle Books | ISBN-13: 9781953021519 Publisher’s Book Summary: One day, Odette the ant wakes up feeling stressed. After realizing that all she does is work, Odette decides to leave her anthill in search of the freedom to create her own world. Along the way, she meets Marcus, a lost mouse, and together they discover simple ways to feel better. Inspired by her journey and this wonderful new friendship, Odette finds her way back home to the colony with a new sense of being. Odette’s Alphabet is a mindful story that offers a map to handle big emotions with kindness, unity, and courage. Fun and easy activities support each of the chapters, along with letters of the alphabet to provide additional opportunities for learning while encouraging young readers to explore meditation practices. Author Interview
I'm excited to share my interview with Sandrine Marlier. She is a mother, meditation teacher, transformational coach, and Reiki practitioner. She shares free meditations about healing and empowerment onInstagram (@sandrinemarlier). You can connect with her through her website, www.sandrinemarlier.com.
Where did you get the inspiration for Odette's Alphabet? I had just completed a meditation teacher training, when I drew an ant with a larger speakerphone screaming the sound “A”, which is the original sound in the universe. Odette was self-realized! I showed the drawing to my friend, a film-maker, who thought I was writing a children’s alphabet book. I fell in love with the process of selecting all the concepts I thought were most meaningful and that I’d like to teach my child. What was your writing process like for this book? There were a few layers, over the years. I started writing letters at the same time I was drawing Odette. Sometimes the drawings came first. They always helped me get more specific in my writing. Brainstorming all the different possible words for each letter was a lot of fun. Upon a friend’s suggestion, I weaved in a story to connect the letters. Odette evolved a lot from the very first manuscript. It looked more grown-up at first. As I shifted towards a younger audience, I started writing some activities. What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? Understanding what they need and translating it into a simple and beautiful language, that allows them to dream and make the words theirs. That’s how it creates meaning to them. What are you working on now? I’m working on a course for mums. They need great support. They often feel like their life isn’t theirs anymore; I want to help them place themselves back in the center of their life, where they can choose how they want their life to feel like, instead of going on auto-pilot, doing what they feel they should be doing. What is your favorite book? I AM HUMAN by Susan Verde. It gave my daughter and I such a wonderful tool to help us relax when things were less than perfect. Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for the chance to win a paperback copy of Odette’s Alphabet and a $25 Amazon gift card!
One (1) grand prize winner receives: A copy of Odette's Alphabet A $25 Amazon Gift Card Two (2) winners receive: A copy of Odette's Alphabet
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Dover Publications. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
GiveawayDressing up the stars: the story of movie costume designer edith head- book review and giveaway8/25/2022
This post is in partnership with The Children's Book Review and Jeanne Walker Harvey. All opinions are my own.
Whether you already knew of costume designer Edith Head or are learning of her story for the first time, this inspiring true story is a celebration of fashion, grit and determination.
~Ali Dunn, Me Two Books
Book Information
Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head
Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey Illustrated by Diana Toledano Ages 3-8 | 40 Pages Publisher: Beach Lane Books ISBN-13: 9781534451056 About the Book: Discover the true story of how a shy miner’s daughter became one of the most legendary costume designers in Hollywood in this inspiring nonfiction picture book biography. As a child in the small mining town of Searchlight, Nevada, Edith Head had few friends and spent most of her time dressing up her toys and pets and even wild animals using fabric scraps. She always knew she wanted to move somewhere full of people and excitement. She set her sights on Hollywood and talked her way into a job sketching costumes for a movie studio. Did she know how to draw or sew costumes? No. But that didn’t stop her! Edith taught herself and tirelessly worked her way up until she was dressing some of the biggest stars of the day, from Audrey Hepburn to Grace Kelly to Ginger Rogers. She became the first woman to head a major Hollywood movie studio costume department and went on to win eight Academy Awards for best costume design—and she defined the style of an era.
Jeanne Walker Harvey studied literature and psychology at Stanford University and has worn many job hats, ranging from being a roller coaster ride operator to an attorney, a middle school language arts teacher, and a long-time docent for school groups at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. She is the author of several books for young readers, including the picture book biographies Dressing up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head, Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, and Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines. Jeanne lives in Northern California.
Visit her online at www.jeanneharvey.com. Book Review
Themes: real-life story, careers, determination
How does a young, shy girl living near a mine in Nevada become an Oscar winning costume designer? Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head is a biographical picture book that beautifully answers this question. Edith spent her early life making costumes for her stuffed animals, pets, and friends. After attending college and becoming a teacher, her passion for movies landed her a job in the costume department of a movie studio. She couldn't draw, and her early career was wrought with mistakes and failures. But she never gave up. She became a well-respected, highly sought after designer winning 8 Oscars for her work. Whether you already knew of costume designer Edith Head or are learning of her story for the first time, this inspiring true story is a celebration of fashion, grit and determination. Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a set of five copies of Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head!
Five (5) winners receive: A set of five copies of Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Amy Flanagan. All opinions are my own.
It’s an opportunity to be silly, and carefree, even for just a little while. I wanted to provide that experience for young readers too.
~Amy Flanagan, author of Mrs. R Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law
Book Information
Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law
Written by Amy Flanagan Illustrated by Jon Davis Ages 5+ | 90 Pages Publisher: Whitefox ISBN-13: 9781915036094 About the Book: Mrs. R Snugglesworth is 70 pounds of low-to-the-ground PRECIOUS. She is the Best at Finding Slightly-Used Sandwiches and the Best at Loving Ham—and now she’s looking for her next big challenge. To her surprise, she finds it at the local Bark Park, when she discovers a passion for the law. Dog law, that is. In two wags of a tail, she enrolls at Wagsworth Legal Academy, eager to become a lawyer. Turns out, it’s not that easy learning to be the Best at Law School. But when Mrs. R. learns that her friend Pitter-Patter needs help, she can’t wait to take on her first case. Only one small issue: she hasn’t quite finished her law degree. Some dogs might consider this a problem, but not Mrs. R! After all, Pitter-Patter needs a lawyer, and she is ALMOST a lawyer. Which everyone knows is practically as good as being a lawyer, right? She’ll just juggle her law classes, naps, walks, power naps, chasing tennis balls, snacks, naps, and work on Pitter-Patter’s case at the same time! What could possibly go wrong? Author Interview
I'm excited to share my interview with Amy Flanagan. She is an Instructional Designer and children’s author living with her family in the Chicago suburb of Batavia. She began writing Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law in early 2021 to stay busy during the long pandemic winter. She wanted to create something that would make kids (and adults) laugh out loud. She is already working on the second book in the “Mrs. R.” series. Like you, she wonders what the ‘R’ stands for.
Visit her online at https://www.mrsrsnugglesworth.com/. Where did you get the inspiration for the character Mrs. R. Snugglesworth? You will not be surprised to learn that we have a female, yellow English lab. She is delightfully stocky and we have entertained ourselves through the years imagining what she is thinking. Despite her size, she considers herself a lap dog. One morning several years ago, she was snugglier than usual, and my husband remarked “Aren’t you a Mrs. Snugglesworth this morning?” This struck me as funny, and I made a point to share it with our kids so we could add it to the long list of nicknames we had for the dog. (Sweet Pea, Baked Potato. . . etc). When I shared the new nickname with my daughter, who was 8 or 9, she informed me that the dog’s name was actually “Mrs. R. Snugglesworth” and she was also my daughter’s new attorney. (Previously, her fish had been her attorney). Meanwhile, I had been toying with the idea of writing a book for years. I had a few false starts on books for adults before I realized that I was probably better suited to writing something for kids. I had the perfect idea right in front of me. . .and that was that! What was your writing process like for Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law? In my day job, I’m an Instructional Designer for mainframe software products. Prior to that, I was a technical writer in the same space — so I knew how to write. But I certainly didn’t know how to write a children’s book. I started with an online class via one of our local community colleges. While the class was ongoing, I began writing the book — typically between 30-90 minutes most evenings. After about four months, I felt what I had was solid enough to share — I recruited friends and family to review the story. I also had a friend of a friend who had been a children’s book editor at one of the big publishing houses before becoming an agent, and she generously provided feedback too. After collecting all of the feedback, I effectively rewrote the entire book. I used the same methodology — working on it for an hour or so in the evenings. Not surprisingly, 4 months later I had a much stronger story. I originally planned to pursue a traditional publisher, but after doing my research, determined that hybrid publishing was the best route for me. I ultimately decided on Whitefox Publishing in the UK, who connected me with all the other players in the process — structural editing, copy editing, cover design, illustration, proofreading, etc. (All of which I continued doing, an hour at a time, evening after evening.) :) What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? It’s an opportunity to be silly, and carefree, even for just a little while. I wanted to provide that experience for young readers too. That said, it was also very important for me to write something that would be entertaining for adults too. Some of the books my kids loved as children. . .were very tough on mom and dad.:) What are you working on now? I’ve outlined the second “Mrs. R” book and have plot lines for others in the works. I wrote the story so it could become a series, if there’s enough audience interest. What is your favorite book? All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr. Sometimes though, I just need a light read —then I turn to an Agatha Raisin. Giveaway
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