Today I would like to introduce you to a talented author - Loretta Ellsworth. She is celebrating the release of her latest novel IN A HEARTBEAT!
In a Heartbeat has a strong plot line - a star ice-skater is killed suddenly in a freak fall and her heart is donated to a sick teen who has needed a transplant for years and was running out of time. But when her heart is transferred into the new girl's body - some things from the past life linger... here's the trailer:
Q. Loretta, WHAT was the inspiration for this story??
A. As is often the case, the inspiration for my book came from a personal experience. My nephew died in a motorcycle accident, and although they weren't able to save his heart for transplantation, many of his other organs went to people waiting for transplants. We were surprised to learn that Jason had signed up to be a donor - he hadn't told anyone of his decision. Shortly after that, my mother died of heart failure. Writing this book was therapy for me, a way to work through my feelings and to give voice to Jason as a donor. I purposefully made the donor a girl so that she could develop her own characteristics and there would be no comparison to my nephew.
Q. You talk about ice-skating like an insider (this coming from an outsider - ha!). Are you a part of that world? How did you get it right?
A. I'm not an insider, although in Minnesota I guess pretty much everybody knows how to skate. I spent time at the St. Paul Figure Skating Club and visited with coaches and skaters and parents. I attended skating competitions and I had a competitive skater and her mom both read my manuscript to make sure I had the skating lingo right, and to check my skating terms and descriptions.
Q. The ideas of what happens to us when we die were distinct and new to me. Can you summarize how you described it, and do you hold those opinions yourself?
A. I didn't want to attempt to describe Eagan's version of heaven - that seemed an impossible task to me, so I put her in a sort of limbo, an in-between place. Since she dies in the first chapter, the challenge for me as a writer was to give her some obstacles and her own conflict to resolve. Her relationship with her mother makes it difficult for her to leave her life behind and move on.
Q. You've written many other books I'd like my readers to know about - can you share?
A. I've published two other books - one called THE SHROUDING WOMAN, which is historical fiction about a girl whose aunt is a shrouding woman, an occupation few people know existed before funeral homes and undertakers were around - they were special women in the community who prepared bodies for burial. This book is now being published in Japan as well as the U.S. My other book is called IN SEARCH OF MOCKINGBIRD and it's a story of a girl named Erin whose only connection to her dead mother is through the pages of a worn book her mother adored. Erin decides to take an unannounced and unescorted bus trip from her home in Minnesota to Alabama in search of her literary idol, Harper Lee, the author of her mother's favorite book (and mine).
Q. Tell us a bit about your writer's life. What was your path to become an author and how has it shaped your life?
A. Even though I always enjoyed writing when I was young, I didn't start writing seriously until I had four children of my own. It took many years of hard work, classes, writing workshops and critique groups, and hundreds of rejections and revisions before my work saw publication. It taught me that nothing is easy, least of all getting published, but if you're dedicated to learning the craft and have a lot of perseverance (and I mean a lot!), you will get published.
Q. Anything else you would like to share?
A. Despite the difficulties of publication that most authors face when starting out, it's still a blessing to be able to do what you love. I enjoy the journey that writing each book takes me through and spending time every day with my characters.
Thanks for the interview, E, and best of luck to you and your wonderful books.
And here is Loretta, R.A. Nelson, Me, Jennifer Echols, and Jay Asher at the Alabama Book Festival in Montgomery back in April 2008. She's a blast to hang out with!
For my first interview in the new year, I am pleased to introduce you to Irene Latham, author of the new release LEAVING GEE'S BEND. The story's backdrop is non-fiction. Gee's Bend is a little town in the heart of Alabama cut off from the outside world from a river which wraps around it on three sides. You may have heard about the amazing quilts that came out of there during the last century - they've been declared some of the best modern art to ever come out of the US. (I've included two below.) But they come from a complicated history, which is shared through the eyes of Ludelphia Bennett, "Lu." I loved this story and asked Irene about it....
Q. How did you first learn about the quilts of Gee's Bend?
A. My husband and I were on a plane to New York City poring over New York Magazine, planning our days of sightseeing when I spied the ad for The Quilts of Gee's Bend -- it was the closing day of the exhibit at the Whitney Museum. So we braved the line that wrapped around the block, and what we saw changed my life. Q. You describe fabric and colors like magic - what was your inspiration?
A. It's hard for me to describe what happened to me when I walked through those rooms -- it was a combination of hearing the women's voices (a DVD of interviews was playing), seeing the bold colors and geometric shapes that defy traditional quilt patterns, and discovering the history of this unique, isolated community. Every quilt tells a story of love, family, survival -- and when you add all that to the fact that I'm the daughter of a seamstress who went to bed many nights to the hum of the sewing machine only to wake the next morning to some amazing creation hanging from the doorframe -- well, there you have it: living, breathing inspiration.
Q. Your book, "Leaving Gee's Bend," overlaps a real event - can you tell us more?
A. Of all the incredible things that happened in Gee's Bend, there were two that really captured my attention. The first was the 1932 raid on Gee's Bend. At the time, Gee's Bend was populated by sharecroppers, and the price of cotton was lower than it had ever been. So the landowner was stockpiling the cotton -- waiting to sell until priced came up. Which left the sharecroppers in debt to the landowner. When the landowner died that year, the widow decided she would go to Gee's Bend and collect on all the debts. She brought mem and wagons into Gee's Bend, and took everything: food, tools, animals -- basically leaving the people to starve. First hand accounts report that the residents survived on berries that winter. And yet, the women made quilts! It's just such a vivid example of how the human spirit can triumph over adversity. Then, in early 1933, the Red Cross came in with a rescue drop -- things like sugar, flour, seed, shoes, socks. Q. Have you been to Gee's Bend - what was it like today and what were your impressions?
A. I have made quite a few trips to Gee's Bend and Camden, where the Wilcox County Library is located and the town closest to Gee's Bend, thanks to the ferry. (Otherwise, it's forty miles to anyplace.) It's like stepping back in time --quiet, rural, with many red-dirt roads. And the people are so friendly and welcoming.
Q. Where can readers see a good example of them now?
A. The quilts are still are tour. In fact, I will be presenting programs later this month during opening weekend of the exhibit at Flint Institute of Arts, January 22-24. http://www.flintarts.org/geesbend.html#geesbend To see images of the quilts and find out more about upcoming exhibitions, check out Tinwood Alliance. http://www.tinwoodmedia.com/ To find out more about the women and donate to the Gee's Bend Foundation, click here http://www.quiltsofgeesbend.com/. Q. How will you celebrate the release of your book?
A. I'm really excited that two of the quilters (and a quilt!) will be joining me for the official Book Launch Party, Sunday, January 10, 2 pm at North Shelby Library http://www.northshelbylibrary.org/ (Birmingham, AL). Then, on Saturday, January 16, 2 pm It's a Book Birthday Party! at Hoover Library http://www.hooverlibrary.org/ (Birmingham, AL), where I will present a powerpoint about my research, read some passages, and sign books. Thanks Irene!
Kirby Larson's NUBS (THE TRUE STORY OF A MUTT, A MARINE, AND A MIRACLE)
Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery have created a story about a wonderful dog who finds the perfect human, but goes through some serious trials to stay with him (Major Brian Dennis). I dare you to keep a dry eye as you read NUBS (THE TRUE STORY OF A MUTT, A MARINE, AND A MIRACLE). Today, I ask Kirby about her latest picture book (which is already getting RAVE reviews).
Q. You've done it again Kirby - you've written a story that brought me to tears. How did you first hear about Nubs?
A. It was all thanks to Mary. We loved collaborating together on Two Bobbies and were looking for another project. She was convinced that we could find a story similar to the Bobs, but this time set in Iraq and, five minutes after she made herself a note to that effect, her husband walked out of his home office with a newspaper article about Nubs and Major Brian Dennis. He said, "I think this is a story you and Kirby would like." She called me and we got on it immediately. Since Brian was still deployed in Iraq, it took us a few months to make contact with him. But in June 2008, after he had returned home, we flew to San Diego to talk with him about the possibility of writing the book. Nubs fell in love with us -- partly in thanks to the Bow-Wow-Wonie Mary brought him -- and that sealed the deal as far as Brian was concerned.
Q. This is an unconventional picture book with all the photography and military geography. Did it present any interesting obstacles to create?
A. I doubt there is a book written that doesn't require wrestling with obstacles! ;-) The biggest challenge was that, if we had only known what Nubs had up his sleeve, we would have fitted him with a camera so that we'd know what he saw and experienced during his 70 mile trek across the desert! We had photos of every aspect of the story except the journey. The second biggest challenge was for the Little Brown art director, Patti Ann Harris, who had to work her magic to convert all of those amateur snapshots to resolutions/quality levels that could be printed in the book. We have no idea how she accomplished this huge task but we're certain it has earned her sainthood. For Mary and I, the biggest challenge was gathering both photos and the permissions to use them from Brian's team, which was dispersed after their mission.
Q. Have you met Nubs? Tell me about it!
A. We have met Nubs who is much smaller in person than you would think. He looks like a German Shepherd but he is much more petite. He's not all that much bigger than my neighbor's beagle (and certainly slimmer). Mary and I drove up to Brian's house and Nubs greeted us at the door. As I mentioned above, Mary charmed him with the doggy brownie and from that moment on, he was our buddy. He is very sweet and smart and oh-so handsome.
Q. This is a wonderful companion book to your last one, Two Bobbies. Do you plan to do more books about rescued animals?
A. We do plan on writing other books together and we know they will continue in the nonfiction vein and feature animals in some way, but perhaps not necessarily rescued animals (though, to be accurate, Nubs was as much rescuer as he was rescued!). Right now, however, I have a book deadline looming so we've put our joint work on hold for a bit.
Q. How have these stories affected you?
A. They have affected me in countless ways, but I'll share three. First, I gained a new appreciation for how animals can help us be the best we can be. Second, we receive emails every single day from people impacted by these stories -- most of them adults. I have been amazed by the way these books created with children in mind have touched readers of all ages. Third. . .well, I'll attach a photo to answer that. After 34 years of married life without a dog, we now are owned by one.
I want to thank Little Brown for making a generous donation to the ASPCA as part of their participation in this book, and Mary Nethery for being the Charlotte to my Wilbur. And I want to thank you for this chance to chat!
Kirby
Thanks so much and I can't wait to tell everybody about Nubs!
Thanks again to Kirby Larson for appearing, courtesy of Provato Marketing, for other stops on the tour please check www.provatoevents.com.
Roar!!!! Today I get to introduce a great new picture book to all you monster-lovers out there. You know who you are - you love scales and slime and all things that spook and scare.... I NEED MY MONSTER, written by Amanda Noll and illustrated by Howard McWilliam, is the book for you!
Ethan loved the monster that lived under his bed. But when Gabe goes fishing, Ethan needs to find a replacement. Turns out that's not so easy to do...
I asked Amanda about the creation of this fun book:
Q. How did this story come to you?
A. By wishing my three year old daughter would be too afraid to get out of bed. In my defense, my fourth child was still an infant. All I wanted was a solid night of sleep! It’s not my finest parenting moment. I’m a much better parent when I’ve had enough rest.
Q. Did you do a lot of revising?
A. Yes. Picture books are deceptive. They seem very simple and easy to write. I estimate (because I lost track!) that the book was revised about 11 times.
Q. What was your path to publication?
A. Long, but typical. I wrote the story mid 2005 and started submitting it to publishing houses (including Flashlight Press). Flashlight made on offer to publish the book in 2007. It wasn’t released until April of 2009.
Q. How are you celebrating the release of I NEED MY MONSTER?
A. Halloween is the perfect time to celebrate! I’ve been doing quite a few author visits and bookstore events. There is a monster page you can download at http://flashlightpress.com/Make_a_Monster.html to make your very own monster. Not to mention that I love to make toe cakes. They’re gruesome and tasty at the same time.
Q. It's a perfect Halloween book, but it's also a great night-time book for kids who want to 'embrace their monster' rather than fear it. Do you have any funny stories or anecdotes on how the book can be/is being used?
A. I did hear that after a reading one little girl said “There are monsters under my bed!?!” Mostly, it’s been well received. I’ve also heard one classroom is using the monster page to figure the number of variations that can be made with the monster bits. I just love to hear that kids are reading and enjoying the book!
Q. Thanks Amanda! Hope the book has a grizzly future!
Of all the alphabet stories out there, S is for Story written by Esther Hershenhorn, has to be the most inventive. It's a picture book for writers, young and old. And while still a picture book, it offers some downright good advice. Add to that, it's visually stunning and it's a must read. Today I have the pleasure of interviewing the illustrator of S is for Story, Zachary Pullen...
Q. I'm completely intrigued by your style. Do you use photo reference?
A. I do use photos to achieve my paintings. I try to not rely on them too much though. Just as a reference to draw from and then I put them away to start the paintings with fresh eyes. Q. How do you end up with your wonderful angles, proportions and faces?
A. I like to think of pictures as writers think of characters. Three Dimensional and full of life. I want to see every scene from every angle before I decide on one. Sometimes this gets me in trouble though when it comes to shooting and trying to achieve the angle.
Q. What is your medium?
A. I work in acrylic to start, just to achieve my color scheme. I then overwork every painting with oil. None of the acrylic shows through. This is why I question even using acrylic to start although it is comfortable for me. Q. How did you break into illustrating picture books?
A. I did a few covers for the NYTimes Book Review. One that caught a lot of eyes was a portrait of Teddy Roosevelt. The characterization of him, made an editor at Simon and Schuster take notice of my work. He then researched my work a little further and offered me a picture book within a few weeks of that cover printing.
Q. Do you do illustration work in other genres/areas?
A. I have always done a fair share of editorial work. I love the political realm of illustration. It seems as though my book work has taken me away from that for quite a while. I usually do a few magazine or newspaper jobs a year now though. I also have quite a few paintings just waiting for attention in all corners of the studio. Q. S IS FOR STORY is a story about writing - do you do that too?
A. I have written and illustrated a title called 'Friday my Radio Flyer Flew'. I have about six manuscripts in a flat file waiting to be finished and accepted into the publishing world. As for 'S is for Story', I learned a lot. Every time I went to read it, I gleaned some more information to help me with projects. I see all sorts of similarities in processes. I think the best advice and tip if you want to be a writer is to read all the time. Likewise, I tell anyone wanting to do art to constantly look at art. It always amazes me the number of people that have written or want to write a picture book, but never have taken the time to read any for themselves.
Q. What's a perfect illustration day like for you?
A. I love my job. I get paid to draw and paint for a living. It's pretty sweet. Everyday painting is a great day. I usually work very late hours while involved in a book though. I usually close up the studio around 3 a.m. and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Q. Do you have any plans to promote S IS FOR STORY and what's in the pipeline?
A. I have done a few signings here and there. I am receiving visit requests from around the country and I am scheduled to speak at several fund-raisers. I always love talking directly to the audience. I love that my audience is full of hope, dreams, and energy. I'll always enjoy painting for that crowd.
While you may not have heard of the Artist Walter Anderson, before long you are sure to hear about the book about him: THE SECRET WORLD OF WALTER ANDERSON. Written by Hester Bass and illustrated by E. B. Lewis, this one will give you chills. The words and images are both so beautifully done, it's a good thing there's lots of water on the cover - perfect space for the stickers this book will receive. It's already been named a SIBA Okra Pick. Truly, it's a unique and outstanding work. And the story behind the book is just as fascinating. Today I interview the author, Hester Bass.
Q. I had the pleasure of hearing the whole story of how you came to know the Anderson family and Walter Anderson, but can you share with my readers?
A. In 1982, my family was living in Georgia, and a friend in Mississippi sent us a copy of Horizon magazine with an article about Walter Anderson. I’d never heard of him yet I was instantly captivated. Anderson’s work is so vibrant and lively, his life so full of adventures that sound like mythology. I wanted to know everything about him. Fast forward ten years and we visit the newly-opened Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. I was charmed by this gracious place at the edge of the Gulf, surrounded by the art of the extended Anderson family who has lived there since the 1920s. Four years later, through a series of serendipitous events, we moved to Ocean Springs when my husband became the director of the museum. For the next seven years, we enjoyed getting to know the Andersons, trips to Horn Island, and being immersed in the culture of the coast that so inspired Walter Anderson and countless other artists. He died in 1965 so I never got to meet him, but I would have loved to have that opportunity. Anderson has been called the “Van Gogh of the South” and as the “Islander” compared to the “Inlander” Charles Burchfield as the documenter of a particular region but, to me, he stands alone. I can’t think of another American artist quite as diverse and prolific as Walter Anderson. Q. Not only did you write about an amazing artist - but you got to work with an amazing artist on this book, E.B. Lewis. (He also illustrated another of my faves, My Best Friend by Mary Ann Rodman - a Charlotte Zolotow winner.) Can you share some stories?
A. Working with E. B. Lewis has been the icing on the cake. Candlewick Press was my first choice as publisher, and when they so kindly asked me who I thought would be a great illustrator, I thought of E. B. Lewis. I felt the book needed a superb watercolorist, someone who would understand this artist’s journey, and I greatly admire E. B.’s treatment of water and changing light conditions, so I was thrilled when he said yes to the project. We’ve enjoyed a rare author-illustrator collaboration and become friends. I met E. B. at a conference in 2007. Then in July 2008 we took a road trip to Mississippi so I could introduce him to everybody and he could see what Anderson had seen. E. B. works in what I consider the classical method of illustration in that he sets up every scene in the book with props and models then photographs them to use as reference. It was our good fortune that two of Walter Anderson’s children agreed to pose as their parents – the resemblance is striking – and the other two helped us gain access to his cottage and took us to Horn Island. And I took pictures of E. B. taking the photographs so it’s a wonderful window into the process of creating the book. Plus, the staff at the museum helped me locate some of the photos of Anderson’s work that illustrate the biographical Author’s Note, and the delightful Candlewickers (as I fondly call them) made every effort to create not just “a” book but the best book possible. It’s a testament to the power of everyone working together toward a common goal, and I could not be happier with the end result. I especially love that painting on the cover. E. B. truly captured the joy that Walter Anderson felt rowing that leaky skiff to Horn Island. Q. Your path to publication on this book was an interesting one, I'm sure my readers would love to read...
A. Oh my. It was like living a fairy tale. I wrote the first draft in 1999, hoping to publish a book in time for Walter Anderson’s centennial exhibition, which opened at the Smithsonian in 2003, but I couldn’t make that happen so I put the manuscript in a drawer. I’m an active volunteer in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and attend a lot of their conferences but I’d never been to the big one every August in California. In 2006, I saw that my favorite writer was going to be there, and felt I had to be there, too. Hmmm. Didn’t see how I was going to make that happen either. Unbeknownst to me, there was a scholarship to the summer conference, I was nominated for it, and was one of two winners that year. (And e, I know you won it this year, so congrats!) I felt like Cinderella going to the ball. Serendipity was my Fairy Godmother, who arranged for this famous Newbery winner and me to be entering the hotel at the same moment. Conversation ensued and he asked me a fateful question: What is the one story you would most like to publish? I had an quick answer: I have this picture book biography of this amazing artist in Mississippi and now a lot of his work has been damaged by Katrina and I have just got to publish this book. Send it to me, he graciously requested, and if it’s good, maybe I can help you get it published. One more thing, he continued, in my workshop tomorrow I may want to share my soon-to-be published manuscript in two voices; would you read it with me? Well, fast forward to that workshop, and we are reading his words on one microphone to a room full of people. It’s an inventive retelling of…wait for it…Cinderella. And I walk off that stage in a daze realizing that I didn’t just read about Cinderella, at that moment I am Cinderella! I went home, reworked the manuscript, filtering it through everything I had just learned in L.A., and hit send. Long story short, the Prince of this tale is Paul Fleischman, whose praise helped me get the agent of my dreams, who helped me get the publisher of my dreams, who helped me publish the story I most wanted to tell. Dreams come true, folks. Never give up.
Q. Reading THE SECRET WORLD OF WALTER ANDERSON is like taking a very deep, satisfying breath of sweet air. How does it feel to have been able to publish such a remarkable book?
A. Wow, that’s an awesome review, e – thank you! It is certainly gratifying to watch this book find its audience. Several people have told me that after reading the book, they want to know simply everything about Walter Anderson – the same effect that magazine article had on me all those years ago – and his work richly deserves such attention. There are many people to thank for helping the book turn out so beautifully. One of the reasons I admire Candlewick so much is their attention to detail. From their choice of font and paper to their dedication to perfecting the art reproduction, I felt this project was in very good hands from the start. Plus, E. B. Lewis did a masterful job and the illustrations are garnering their own praise. So to answer your question, it feels wonderful.
Q. How will you be promoting the book and where can people see/enjoy Walter Anderson's work today?
A. It would be a shorter answer if I tell you what I’m not doing! Candlewick has offered some solid marketing support, and I have been busy booking what I’m calling my Shoestring Tour. That’s a term borrowed from SIBA, the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, and it’s appropriate since I’m challenging myself to do this on as little money as possible. Between now and the end of the year, I’ll be visiting seven states for book signings, conferences, and festivals as well as performing author visits at schools and libraries and doing some television, radio, and blog interviews. My schedule is at my website – www.hesterbass.com - under “Appearances.” The book was chosen to represent Mississippi in the Pavilion of the States at the 2009 National Book Festival in Washington, D. C. which means thousands of people will see it, and it’s one of the inaugural 2009 Fall Okra Picks chosen by SIBA booksellers as a “Great Southern Book” which means it will receive special promotional support from SIBA. Both of these distinctions are fantastic honors for the book and I’m grateful it’s receiving this kind of notice. The best place to experience Walter Anderson’s work is Ocean Springs, Mississippi where you’ll find the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Shearwater Pottery, and the Anderson family’s shop, Realizations, with Walter Anderson designs silk-screened as prints, cards, and onto clothing. There are several museums that collect and exhibit Walter Anderson’s work including the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and more. I vividly recall the first time I saw Anderson’s work in person; it’s worth the drive. Thank you so much, e, for inviting me to your blog. This has been fun!
BLOG TOUR!!!! *sniff*sniff* We wrap up the Blog Book Tour for SOAP, SOAP, SOAP today with another two-fer: first, at Donny Seagrave's Winterville Writer. Donny's new book, Gone From These Woods came out almost the exact same time as SOAP, so you may still remember the interview I did with her the other day. Well hike on over to her blog to read our last interview for SOAP. AND I was a featured guest on THE MULTICULTURAL MINUTE - a one minute video look at multicultural books and happenings in children's literature! Along with being an awesome person, my hostess, Renee Ting of Shen's Books, was the author and publisher of my FIRST illustrated trade picture book, The Prince's Diary! And I LOVE this new feature she's created - so you gotta check it out!
Wowsa - it's been a GREAT Blog Book Tour and Celebratory launch for Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón. I feel like my first book as both author and illustrator has been properly birthed and feted. I even had a surprise book signing last weekend during the SIBA Trade Show and had the longest book signing line I've ever had - ever! (Thank you Wanda!) Hope that means good things for SOAP's future!! And of course I haven't forgotten about the GIVEAWAYS... the winner of the drawing from the comments left on the Kick-off Day for the Blog Book Tour is (drum roll please....)Kristi Valiant!! YAY, WAHOO, AND CONGRATULATIONS!! A signed copy of SOAP will be heading her way soon!
But Wait! There's still one more chance to win! You can still enter the drawing for the SUPER PRIZE PACK. Go back through my blog and leave a comment on every day of the book tour here at Dulemba.com (September 20 - October 2nd) and at least 8 of the blogs I visited (please leave a nice note for my gracious hosts), to have your name go into a drawing. The SUPER PRIZE PACK will include two signed copies of SOAP (one for you and one for a friend or your favorite library), a COLORING PAGE TUESDAY coloring book, SOAPy bookmarks and postcards, and a rubber duckie keychain!!!! But you only have two more days! The deadline to leave comments is October 4th. The winner will be announced as soon as I can tally up the entries and pick a name. (I sure hope you didn't sign anonymously!)
Special note for book reviewers/buyers: SOAP is available in an e-galley format (both the bilingual and all-English versions) if you would like a preview. Just email me at elizabeth at dulemba dot com and I'll send the details. Of course, my publisher will also be happy to send you hard-copy for your review. Just let me know and I'll make sure one heads your way.
And thanks to YOU, my readers! It's always an exciting and scary time when you release a new book into the world - but y'all have embraced SOAP and it means the world to me - THANK YOU!!! And I hope you've enjoyed the party!!! I want to end on a high note, so here is the ORIGINAL broadcast of Rubber Duckie from Sesame Street:
(The last spread from SOAP...) Now back to your regularly scheduled blog....
BLOG TOUR!!!! Today I visit Tarie Sabado's Into the Wardrobe. Doesn't she have the coolest header ever? (Had to share.) So, go through the door and go visit her blog today. See the rest of my BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE here. Tarie's header just makes me want to curl up with a good book (like SOAP, SOAP, SOAP!) and some cookies. So here's another decadent recipe, this time from Cooks.com.
Mud Pie Cookies INGREDIENTS: • 1 cup sugar • 1/2 cup milk • 1/4 cup butter • 3 cups quick cooking oats • 1/2 cup peanut butter • 1/4 cup cocoa
MICROWAVE: In a 2 quart microwave safe casserole combine sugar, milk and butter. Cook on High for 3-5 minutes or until the mixture boils. Stir in the remaining ingredients and drop by the teaspoonful on wax paper. Refrigerate until firm.
STOVETOP: In a heavy saucepan combine the sugar, milk and butter and cook over a medium heat until the mixture boils. Stir in the remaining ingredients and drop by the teaspoonful on wax paper. Refrigerate until firm.
Speaking of Food - Get a load of this!! The creator of this blog has been tracking food that resembles duckies!!! No kidding! Thanks to Cute Overload for the quacky link! And click to visit "This Peanut Looks Like a Duck." Click the cover to learn more about Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón.
BLOG TOUR!!!! Today I'll be a guest at Jessica Handler's Swimming in the Trees. Remember when I talked about Jessica's new book Invisible Sisters? She writes for adults so had a different and interesting approach with her questions. Prepare to read about learning new languages! See the rest of my BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE here.
I'm still celebrating the release of my first picture book as both author and illustrator, Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón. Today I'm sharing a SOAPy grocery list to help you remember what you need to buy at the store. (Hugo could have used one of these!) Jessica actually suggested this idea - and what a good one it was! Click the image to go to the SOAP ACTIVITY PAGE and download the grocery list! Click the cover to learn more about SOAP, Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón.
Have you been following my Blog Book Tour? There's been lots of cool interviews and activities. Some of this week's SOAPy related subjects were... Teachers Love SOAP! SOAP Bubbles! A Sudsy Bookmark (and Kickin' interview by Debbi Ohi - I'm a cartoon!) Happy Birthday SOAP, SOAP, SOAP! Official release date! SOAPy Dizzy Ducks! Dancing Duckies!!! See the rest of the Blog Book Tour Schedule Here!
Click the cover to learn more about SOAP, Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón.
BLOG TOUR!!!! Today I am honored to be a guest at Teaching Authors. This is a collaborative blog by some of the best authors in the biz: April Halprin Wayland, Carmela Martino, Esther Hershenhorn (I'll be interviewing the Illustrator of her latest book, S is for Story: A Writer's Alphabet, soon.), Jeanne Marie Grunwell Ford, JoAnn Early Macken, and the infamous Mary Ann Rodman. See the rest of my BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE here.
As anybody knows, if you're going to hang out with teachers, it always helps to bring food! (We think so much better with chocolate, don't you think?) Luckily Hugo, the star of SOAP, SOAP, SOAP, is in to making mud pies! Here is an awesome Mud Pie Dessert shared by my publisher, Dawn Jeffers, at Raven Tree Press:
Mud Pie Dessert • 25-36 Sandwich cookies • 1 stick butter Melt butter and crush cookies. Mix together and put in 9 x 13 wax paper lined or greased pan - FREEZE. • 3 sq. unsweetened chocolate • 1 c. sugar • 1 (13 oz.) can evaporated milk Mix next three ingredients and spread on top of above the above mixture and freeze. Once hardened, cut into squares.
A NOTE TO TEACHERS With the swine flu scare there's been a strong focus lately on washing your hands and hygeine, especially in the children's world. SOAP, SOAP, SOAP has a strong get clean element to it. So much so, that Anastasia Suen recently made it one of her Picture Books of the Day and included links to hand-washing activities. Also, the Alliance Theatre's Teaching Artists picked up SOAP for their programming this year, partly for the "getting muddy - getting clean" aspect in the book. Can you use SOAP in your classroom as a kick-off to this topic? Click the cover to learn more about SOAP, Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón.
BLOG TOUR!!!! GADS! Did you SEE the comic strip Debbi Ohi did of me yesterday!? Woosie!! Bernie's even in there - love, love, love it! Today I'll be a guest at Sarah C. Campbell's Blog. Sarah won a Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Honor for her latest book WOLFSNAILS. So slime a trail on over there! See the rest of my BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE here. Per Sarah's very scientific approach to things - today I will share the recipe to make most excellent soap bubbles:
Soap Bubbles • 15 parts water (about 1 cup) to • 1 part dish washing liquid The longer the solution stands open, the better it will work. Try to make it the day before! • Something to use as a ring - this could be a paperclip bent to shape or even a big ring like a hanger bent to shape! Be sure to leave a little length at one end to bend up for a handle.
Pour the solution into a shallow pan and dip the ring into the liquid. Pull out making sure there is a soapy film in the ring. Gently blow through the film or drag the ring through the air. Voila!
BLOG TOUR!!!! Today I'll be a guest at Debbi Ohi's Inkygirl! Do you follow her bookie comic strip? It's hilarious!! See the rest of my BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE here. Today I have a new bookmark to share with you. Click the image to head over to the SOAP ACTIVITY PAGE and download the bookmark. Click the cover to learn more about SOAP, Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón.
And we're giving some books away!!!! Hubbie helped pick the winner from our first drawing way back in August (thanks so much to everybody for all the nice comments!), and the winner of a free, signed copy of SOAP, SOAP, SOAP ~ JABON, JABON, JABON (she asked for bilingual) is . . . Paula Chan!!!! Yip, yip, yahoooooo!!!!! Congratulations Paula! Paula won by watching my SOAP Book Trailer and leaving a comment. Let's give it a celebratory gander, shall we?
There's still more chances to win!! 1. Visit the official kick-off Blog Tour post HERE and leave a comment to enter another drawing for a signed copy of SOAP. Comments deadline is September 30th and the winner will be announced on the last day of the Blog Book Tour - October 2nd. 2. Leave a comment on every day of the book tour at my blog each day (September 20 - October 2nd) and at least 8 of the blogs I visit, to have your name go into a drawing to win a SUPER PRIZE PACK including two signed copies of SOAP (one for you and one for a friend or your favorite library), a COLORING PAGE TUESDAY coloring book, SOAPy bookmarks and postcards, and a rubber duckie keychain!!!! (Deadline to leave comments will be October 4th and the winner will be announced as soon as I figure it all out.) 3. Several of the blogs I will visit will also be doing drawings - so there's lots of opportunities to get some free SOAP in your life!
BLOG TOUR!!!! Today I'll be a guest at Kim Norman's Stone Stoop. Remember when I hosted Kim for her new picture book Crocodaddy? Well, Kim is sharing the love. She'll feature me and SOAP in the November "Dear Author" column of Kidsville Magazine! Woohoo! (She also asked some great questions and focused on slightly different topics than we've covered so far (school visits!), so swim on over to her blog today.) See the rest of my BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE here.
Yup, I'm celebrating the release of my first picture book as both author and illustrator, Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón, all week and the whole way through I'll be sharing some of the fun activities that go with SOAP. Today is a fun Dizzy Duck from the creative mind of Linda Ragsdale. Click the image to go to the SOAP ACTIVITY PAGE, follow the directions and make this Quacky Duck fly!! Click the cover to learn more about SOAP, Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón.
BLOG TOUR!!!! Today I'll be a guest at Wendy Martin's Daily Art Food. And I have to say, illustrator to illustrator, Wendy asked some of the best questions I received. So trot on over to her blog today. Did you listen to my interview on Book Bites for Kids yesterday? It's been archived, so you can go hear it here. See the rest of my BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE here. And don't forget to leave comments to enter the SOAP Giveaways! Click here for more info...
You can't have a party without any dancing!! So, in celebration of the release of my first picture book as both author and illustrator, Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón, let's dance! Click the image to go to the SOAP ACTIVITY PAGE, follow the directions for the Finger Dancing Duck (by the brilliant Linda Ragsdale) and make this Quacky Duck boogie!! Par-TAY!! Click the cover to learn more about SOAP, Soap, soap, soap and Soap, soap, soap ~ Jabón, jabón, jabón.
Today I would like to introduce you to a talented author - Loretta Ellsworth. She is celebrating the release of her latest novel IN A HEARTBEAT!
Q. You've written many other books I'd like my readers to know about - can you share?
While you may not have heard of the Artist 
