Librarian to the rescue! Christine McDonnell, Jeanette Bradley and 'When the Babies Came to Stay'

If you had any doubts that librarians are heroes, author Christine McDonnell and illustrator Jeanette Bradley dispel that in When the Babies Came to Stay, a new picture book about four babies that appear mysteriously on an island. Nobody knows what to do when one is discovered in the mail bag, two are left on the ferry and one is found sleeping on the fish pier on a pile of nets. knows what to do. Well, not quite nobody. There’s one person who takes charge in this lovely book, published by Viking in March.

Christine, a onetime children’s librarian (and hero!) at the New York Public Library, is the author of ten books for children:, including picture books, chapter books, middle grade and young adult novels. A graduate of Barnard College and the Columbia University School of Library Service, she received an MFA from Hamline University. We’re so happy Christine took time to hang out with us on THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE. Welcome, Christine!

Christine McDonnell

What was your inspiration for When the Babies Came to Stay?

I wrote the early drafts of When the Babies Came to Stay in the summer of 2017, staring out at Vermont cows and the Lowell Mountains, taking a break from working on a chapter book. I love mysteries and islands. I used to drag my family to islands off the coast of Maine and I always imagined it would be neat to live on one. The babies are named for mystery writers: Agatha Christie, Bram Stocker, Charles Dickens, Dorothy Sayers.

As to where the babies came from, the librarian in the book has the best response: some questions don’t have answers; some mysteries are never solved.

When the Babies Came to Stay by Christine McDonnell, illustrated by Jeanette Bradley (Viking)

Can you tell us about your journey with this book, from idea to finished manuscript?

Originally I was thinking of the story as a launch for an early chapter book series, with a book for each of the children. I shared a draft in my MFA program in writing for children and young adults at Hamline University and was urged to try it as a picture book first. I trimmed it and read it to my editor at Viking.

How much time did it take?

It’s came out in March of 2020, which will be a little over two and a half years from first draft to publication.

When the Babies Came to Stay by Christine McDonnell, illustrated by Jeanette Bradley (Viking)

Will there ever be a prequel where we find out where the babies came from or a sequel where we find out what happens to them when they grow up?

It’s possible that I’ll return to these children and the island, maybe as a chapter book but I have no definite plans. I’m sure I won’t write a prequel. Where did the babies come from is a mystery to me and I like to keep it open ended. They need a safe harbor and that’s enough for me.

Did you always know the librarian would be the heroine?

The heroine is a librarian. That didn’t surprise me when it popped up. I’m a librarian as are many of my friends. Librarians are some of the smartest, funniest people I know. I saw the librarian in the story in contrast to the ferryman, the fisherman, the harbor master and the mayor, all of whom have no idea what to do with four crying babies. The librarian takes charge. The Little Red Hen is her favorite book. (Sadly that line was cut.)

Did you have any role in choosing your illustrator, Jeanette Bradley?

I looked at many illustrators’ websites with my editor and gave my opinion. The final choice, however, is made by the editor and the art director. I’m thrilled with Jeanette Bradley’s illustrations. The soft lines and palate create a sense of safe harbor. It’s beautiful! This is the third picture book I have published at Viking. Each has had a unique look, so well suited to the story. I have been so lucky to work with my editor, Regina Hayes, and the art director, Denise Cronin on these books.

You were trained by librarians Augusta Baker and Pura Belpre. What was that like?

While I was in library school at Columbia University in the 1970s I was hired by Augusta Baker as a children’s librarian at The New York Public Library. I worked at the Central Children’s Room, and in the South Bronx, and Spanish Harlem, branch libraries crammed with children. I can’t imagine better training. Augusta Baker and Pura Belpre both had pioneered a demand for books with minority children and books about other cultures and both were famous storytellers. Augusta Baker told Haitian stories and Pura Belpre told stories from Puerto Rico. They were elegant and powerful women, role models and generous mentors. I was so lucky to have known them.

Christine McDonell’s first book was Don’t Be Mad, illustrated by Diane DeGroat (Dial Books)

Who influenced you most as an author?

I started writing children’s books in the 1980s after I heard Uri Shulevitz and Arnold Lobel answer the question, what makes the best text to illustrate? Their response was emphatic— no description. That comment freed me up. My first texts became a chapter book, Don’t Be Mad, Ivy, which was followed by Toad Food and Measle Soup, and other books about the same group of children and then two novels and a middle grade book.

Christine McDonnell’s second book was Toad Food & Measle Soup, illustrated by Diane DeGroat (Dial Books)

My first picture book, Dog Wants to Play, was based on four things: rhyme, repetition, pattern, and predictability, which I learned while doing an author study of Mem Fox with first graders. These make Mem Fox’s books so excellent for early readers. Dog Wants to Play had a second life as a board book and was selected to be part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library which sends a book each month to each child under six in the participating communities. I still have the letter from Dollywood on my bulletin board.

Christine McDonnell’s first picture book was Dog Wants to Play, illustrated by Jeff Mack (Viking Books)

Currently I write picture books, chapter books and middle grade fiction. Each requires a different type of story and language. I let the story guide me towards the best audience and form. Revision is the key and I keep a lookout for what my teacher at Hamline, the poet Ron Koertge, calls missed opportunities.

What’s up next for you?

Candlewick is publishing my picture book biography, Stubborn Hope, the story of a Boston activist, Kip Tiernan, and the founding of Rosie’s Place, the first shelter for women in the country. It’s scheduled for publication in 2022. I currently work on picture books and a chapter book. I try to write every day. If I haven’t gotten any writing done by mid afternoon, I head for one of many cafes in my neighborhood where I find it easy to hunker down and focus. Maybe it’s the background hum and the people working on either side of me, or maybe it’s the caffeine and the music.

Thank you, Christine, for visiting us on THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE!

You can connect with Christine:

On her website: christinemcdonnell.com

On Facebook: Christine McDonnell Author

On Twitter: @cmcdonnellbooks

On Instagram: @cmcdonnellbooks

Jeanette Bradley

About Jeanette Bradley, the illustrator for When the Babies Came to Stay

Jeanette Bradley has been an urban planner, an apprentice pastry chef, and the artist-in-residence for a traveling art museum on a train. Her debut picture book was Love, Mama (Roaring Brook Press, 2018).

Love, Mama, which Jeanette Bradley wrote and illustrated, was her picture book debut in 2018 (Roaring Brook Press)

Jeanette’s upcoming nonfiction poetry anthology, No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making Change, which she illustrated, is co-written with Lindsay H. Metcalf and Keila V. Dawson (Charlesbridge, September 2020). Jeanette lives in Rhode Island with her wife and kids, where they love to take walks on the beach and watch the fishing boats come into harbor. You can connect with Jeannette:

On her website: www.jeanettebradley.com

On Facebook: Jeanette Bradley

On Twitter: @JeanetteBradley

On Instagram: @jea_bradley

On Pinterest: @jeanettebradley

Watch for Jeanette Bradley’s nonfiction poetry anthology, No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making Change, which she illustrated and co-wrote with Lindsay H. Metcalf and Keila V. Dawson (Charlesbridge, September 2020).

Women Writing Women: Focus on Beth Anderson & ‘Lizzie Demands a Seat!’

Too often, women have been left out of history books. This year, I’ve joined with three other female authors to celebrate our books that put a spotlight on the different, powerful ways women have used their voice to make a positive difference. Vivian Kirkfield’s Making Their Voices Heard (illustrated by Alleanna Harris, little bee press) shares the little known story of how film icon Marilyn Monroe and singing star Ella Fitzgerald helped each other achieve their goals. You can read my interview with Vivian here.

Rita Lorraine Hubbard’s The Oldest Student (illustrated by Oge Mora, Schwartz & Wade), introduces us to Mary Walker, who learned to read at 116, showing it’s never too late to make dreams come true . My Beautiful Shades of Brown (illustrated by Felicia Marshall, Creston Books/Lerner Books) illuminates how Laura Wheeler Waring used her paintbrush to fight for civil rights.

And now, in the THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE, I’m turning the column over to Beth Anderson, whose Lizzie Demands a Seat! (illustrated by E.B. Lewis, Boyds, Mills & Kane), tells the story of an African American woman who fought back when ejected from a streetcar because of her race, a century before Rosa Parks became famous for refusing to give up her seat to a white man.

You can read more about how Vivian, Rita, Beth and I are supporting each other’s books in this Here Wee Read column. But for now, I want to turn your attention to Beth, who loves digging into history and culture for undiscovered gems, exploring points of view, and playing with words. The author of An Inconvenient Alphabet (illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley, Simon & Schuster, 2018), Beth is a former English as a Second Language teacher who has always marveled at the power of books, she is drawn to stories that open minds, touch hearts, and inspire questions. Born and raised in Illinois, she now lives in Loveland, Colorado.

Welcome, Beth to THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE!

What inspired you to write this book?

When I first encountered Elizabeth Jennings’ story of how, after being ejected from a streetcar in 1854 in New York City, she climbed back on, I was in awe of her courage and tenacity. Her statement describing the incident revealed an extraordinary woman in a time and place I knew very little about. I wanted to know more – about how she became who she was, about the traditions and laws surrounding race, about how this event related to where we are today. When we think of the Civil Rights Movement, we think of the 1950s and 60s, but this piece of history shed a whole new light on it and showed people fighting for the right to ride for more than a century. And when I learned about how kids, inspired by her story, persevered to honor her legacy with a street named for her, I was all in! She clearly inspired kids. And since we all learn about Rosa Parks, that also serves as a great connection point for Lizzie’s story. Elizabeth Jennings’ story just had so much potential to explore.

What was the biggest challenge and what kept you going when the journey seemed uncertain?

This was one of my early manuscripts, so everything was a challenge, and it was a huge learning experience. In the midst of revisions, I began to understand that a biography needs a “so what?” (Thank you, Barb Rosenstock!) and every story needs a “vital idea” (Thank you, Candy Fleming!). So my biggest challenge became finding my unique way of telling Elizabeth Jennings’ story. To me, it was more than a story of one woman’s fight for rights, there was a connection through time and to others. While I had a vague “vital idea” in my gut, I struggled with weaving it through the story. Through a healthy number of rejections, I kept revising, encouraged by my critique partners who kept pushing me forward, encouraged by family and friends who believed this was an important story, and later, encouraged by my agent who believed in the manuscript’s potential through more rejections. Also, all the learning I was experiencing, about both history and writing, as I revised and researched deeper and wider exposed new ideas and deepened my commitment and connection to this person from the past. Seeing her grit and perseverance, how could I give up on her story? (Indeed, our manuscripts are always teaching us so much more than writing skills!)

What’s the most important thing you hope children will learn from your book?

My deepest hope is that children will understand that we are all connected and all have a role to play in eliminating racism and establishing social justice. As I struggled to focus my “vital idea,” I found an article about the “hero narrative.” It talked about how kids are not well-served by the typical hero narrative which leaves them believing that we can wait for these extraordinary people to come along and fix our society for us. We definitely need these heroes, but they also need the rest of us. They inspire, teach, and embolden us as they lead the way. History shows us that change is a process. It’s work, demands courage, and would happen oh-so-much-faster with fuller participation. I hope kids will notice all the people that stood in the background and didn’t speak up for Lizzie. I hope they’ll see how she was inspired by those who came before her and how she inspired those who carried on the fight to ride. And with the example of how kids fought to recognize Elizabeth Jennings, I hope they will see that you can be a changemaker no matter how old you are.

You can visit Beth’s website for a free downloadable Educator’s Guide here and her Classroom Activity: A Path of Inspiration here.

On Kid Lit TV here

IndieBound Barnes & Noble Books-A-Million Amazon

Beth’s website: bethandersonwriter.com

On Twitter: @BAndersonWriter

On Instagram: @BAndersonWriter

On Pinterest: @BAndersonWriter

Facebook: Beth Anderson

Beth Anderson: Lizzie Demands a Seat! 

Lizzie Demands a Seat! by Beth Anderson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Boyds, Mills & Kane)

Rita Lorraine Hubbard: The Oldest Student How Mary Walker Learned to Read 

Rita is a former special education teacher and the author of THE OLDEST STUDENT (illustrated by Oge Mora, Schwartz & Wade, 2020), HAMMERING FOR FREEDOM (illustrated by John Holyfield, Lee and Low, 2018), and AFRICAN AMERICANS OF CHATTANOOGA (The History Press, 2008). A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, she has made the celebration of unsung heroes her passion, and her work appears in The Tennessee Women Project and Salem Press’ Great American Lives: African American.  

Vivian Kirkfield: Making Their Voices Heard: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe. . 

Vivian Kirkfield loves bringing history alive for young readers. A former kindergarten teacher with a masters in Early Childhood Education, her non-fiction picture books include SWEET DREAMS, SARAH: FROM SLAVERY TO INVENTOR (illustrated by Chris Ewald, Creston Books, 2019) and MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD: THE INSPIRING FRIENDSHIP OF ELLA FITZGERALD AND MARILYN MONROE (illustrated by Alleanna Harris, Little Bee Books, 2020). Born and raised in New York City, Vivian has lived in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut, the wide open spaces of Colorado, and now resides in the quaint little village of Amherst, New Hampshire, where the old stone library is her favorite hangout and her grandson is her favorite board game partner.

Nancy Churnin: Beautiful Shades of Brown: The Art of Laura Wheeler Waring

Nancy Churnin’s eight picture book biographies have won the Sydney Taylor Notable, South Asia Book Award, Anne Izard Storytellers Choice Award and Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, been honored on numerous state reading lists and been translated into Japanese, Korean, Braille and multiple languages in India, Sri Lanka and South Africa. A former theater critic for The Dallas Morning News, Nancy is an alumna of Harvard, with a masters from Columbia. She lives in North Texas.  

Beautiful Shades of PAFA: Laura Wheeler Waring's work comes home to her school

Timing is often out of our control which can be a good thing. I began work on Beautiful Shades of Brown, the Art of Laura Wheeler Waring in 2016, not knowing how long it would take me to get her story right, how long it would take to find her a publishing home, how long it would take the illustrator to complete her work. Beautiful Shades of Brown released Feb. 4, 2020 from Creston Books/Lerner Books with illustrations by Felicia Marshall.

And it turns out that the timing , which I had absolutely no control over, could not be more perfect. This year, the Kinsey Collection of African American Art, featuring works by African American artists from the 19th through 21st centuries, including Laura Wheeler Waring, is on tour, at the African American Museum in Fair Park in Dallas through Feb. 29. And thanks to a generous gift of art from Dr. Constance E. Clayton, two of Laura Wheeler Waring’s paintings are being displayed Feb. 21-July 21 as part of a new exhibition, “Awakened in You: The Collection of Dr. Constance E. Clayton” at Waring’s alma mater, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, PA.

I talked with Sarah Spencer, assistant to PAFA’s museum director about what Laura Wheeler Waring’s work and this exhibit mean to her. Welcome, Sarah Spencer, to THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE!

Sarah Spencer

What were your feelings on seeing Dr. Constance E. Clayton’s collection of art and knowing that it was a gift that would be part of your permanent collection?

When I first saw Dr. Clayton’s collection of art, I was amazed at the quantity of artworks included but also at the breadth of artwork that Dr. Clayton had acquired. Most of the work spans from the early 19th century into the early 21st century and there is a wide variety of depth as well. When Dr. Clayton decided to gift the collection to PAFA it was very exciting to know that we would have an opportunity to add such a strong body of work to the permanent collection.

Can you tell us about Dr. Clayton and how the works of art reflect her own vision, mission and dedication to the community?

Dr. Clayton is living history of Philadelphia, she was the first African American and woman to be Superintendent of Philadelphia Public Schools and served her community for a tenure of 11 years. She was and remains dedicated to the children of Philadelphia and emphasized throughout her career the importance of art and education. Her collection is a reflection of that commitment including a variety of artists who were also educators and students of each other at some point in time.

Laura Wheeler Waring

Are there any works of art in particular that you had never seen before, that surprised or moved you in a way you didn’t expect?

Of the works in the collection one that moved me in particular was a work by Laura Wheeler Waring titled, Four Friends. It’s one of the most touching depictions of children that I’ve seen Waring do, it’s sensitive and intimate to the point that it feels nurturing as well. Waring’s portraiture of prominent figures captures the essence of their character, but in this group portrait I think we see more of the artist’s emotions than that of the sitters’.

Can you tell us about the scope of the exhibition you are planning? How many works of art by how many artists? How many artists are represented whose works you did not previously have in your collection or on display?

The exhibition we are planning is a celebration of community, education, and the arts. All of which embody the values of the woman who made this possible, Dr. Clayton. There are 76 artworks in the collection by 42 different artists, and there is a small handful of artist in the collection who will be new to PAFA’s permanent collection.

In my research for my book, Beautiful Shades of Brown, the Art of Laura Wheeler Waring, I was surprised and honored to realize I would be writing the first picture book biography about her for children. Why do you think Ms. Waring and many of the artists represented in the exhibition are not as well-known as they should be?

I think that the concept of “well-known” is complicated. In my opinion, these artist were well-known to the communities that they worked with and represented. Their legacies remain a crucial part of our understanding of African American artists, their networks, and the influence of their talents. Today, I think that most institutions, especially American art museums, are reflecting on the lack of institutional recognition that Black artists rightly deserved but did not receive because of systematic racism. Exhibitions like this place Black artists in a position for their work to be observed and admired and placed on par with their white contemporaries.

Ms. Waring attended the Philadelphia Academy for the Fine Arts at a time when very few African American artists thought of the school as an option. How do you feel about her being an alumna? How do you think her time at the school shaped her as an artist?

It is a huge honor that Ms. Waring is an alumna of PAFA. During her time here she excelled as a student, she was the first African American woman to receive the Cresson Scholarship which is one of PAFA’s most prestigious travel awards. I do think that her time at PAFA shaped her as an artist, specifically because of her focus on portraiture and figural representations.

Do you have any particular favorites among her works that are being displayed in the exhibition? Please tell us what makes them special to you and what details you would like to draw to the attention of those attending the exhibit.

There are two artworks by Laura Wheeler Waring that are displayed in the exhibition, Four Friends and The Study of a Student. It’s hard to pick just one of these paintings because they are both so gorgeous, I do think that it is interesting to compare the two because her style is different in each of them. It’s very easy to tell which one was created earlier than the other as well, so you get to see her progression as an artist. That’s definitely something to look out for when viewing her paintings.

What is your mission for this exhibition?

We want to celebrate Dr. Clayton and her legacy, bringing together the importance of art and education and it impact of the lives of not only children but all of us.

One of the things I talk about in the book is Ms. Waring’s desire to see representation and inclusion on museum walls. At the time she was painting, America was segregated, and it was unusual to see African American faces as subjects in portraits. She felt that if people saw inclusion in art, it would open hearts and minds to the importance of inclusion in all aspects of life. Do you think the choice of what is on museum walls can have that kind of impact?

Absolutely. As a woman of color, I know from my own experiences how impactful it is to see yourself represented in artwork. In many ways I believe that art influences our understanding of self-worth and identity. More importantly, when we display artwork that’s inclusive and diverse it definitely reaches our audiences differently. It creates a space where everyone’s life story and experiences are important, but also validated.

This painting by Laura Wheeler Waring is part of the Kinsey Collection, currently touring at the African American Museum in Fair Park, Dallas through Feb. 29, 2020

How do you think museums are doing today in terms of being inclusive in the art they display? How can they do better? Why is it important that they do so?

I believe that there is an initiative from museums to become more inclusive in their display. I feel as though PAFA is at the forefront of that in our collecting and exhibiting artists of color and woman. There is always room for improvement but that means a step of introspection by each institution regarding whether or not they have done due diligence in creating a collection that is representative of a multifaceted story.

Marian Anderson by Laura Wheeler Waring, courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., reproduced in the book Beautiful Shades of Brown (Creston Books/Lerner Books)

Please tell us how people can get tickets to view the exhibit along with details on where the work will be on display and where to park. For people who cannot get there in person, will there be any way to view some of the work online?

Tickets can be found online (www.pafa.org) and at the museum. The artwork is on display in the Historic Landmark Building on PAFA’s campus at 118-128 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Parking is located on North Broad Street as well as North 15th Street. The collection can be searched on PAFA’s website as well under the “Collection” tab.

Thank you, Sarah Spencer for spending time with us on THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE! You can also check out the Kinsey Collection of African American Art at the African American Museum website and in person at 3536 Grand Ave, Dallas, TX 75210. You will also find seven reproductions of Waring paintings from the National Portrait Gallery and the Museum of American Art at the Smithsonian Institution in the book, Beautiful Shades of Brown.

Felicia Marshall’s illustration of a young Laura Wheeler Waring painting her brother in ‘Beautiful Shades of Brown’ by Nancy Churnin (Creston Books/Lerner Books)

Wesli Spencer on the Honor of Playing Dr. King IN ‘Letters’

(from l-r) Alexandra Gellner as Anne Frank and Wesli Spencer as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in ‘Letters From Anne and Martin,” at a performance in Idaho of the play created from the words of Anne Frank and Dr. King and presented by the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect in New York City. Photo courtesy of the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights in Boise, Idaho.

I was shook up and brought to tears by Wesli Spencer’s powerful performance as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Letters from Anne and Martin, a two-person play, presented by the Anne Frank Center of Mutual Respect at the New York City School Librarians’ Conference in November. I had the honor of being on a panel with Wesli and Alexandra Gellner, who played Anne, after the show, where they talked about the show and I talked about my book, Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank.

Not only was it incredible to compare notes on what inspired each of us to work on the play and the book, both of which were developed independently — each unaware of the connections that the others had discovered between these two great spirits, something I wrote about for Religion News Service here and for THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE here. But I also had the joy of interviewing Alexandra and now Wesli, a remarkable, classically trained actor who has performed on stage, television and film, who, like his co-star, is a kind, caring and all around wonderful person. I am thrilled to welcome Wesli to THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank. Photos via Creative Commons.

Please tell us how your journey with Letters from Anne and Martin began. How did you hear about the show?

Nancy, thanks for the invitation to do the interview. It is an honor to share the work and process with you and your audience on The Kids Are All Write. Also, congrats on your children’s book Martin and Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Anne Frank. It is a beautiful piece and a pleasure to read.

So, I initially heard about the “Letters” piece through an audition notice posted by the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect a few years ago in New York City. Although he is awesome and this audition would have normally come by the desk of my incredible agent U-Shin Kim at UGA, it was one that I personally came across through searching online. The post stated that they were looking for someone to play Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and I thought, “Wow! What an honor it would be to play someone who’s had such an indelible impact on this society, the world, and consequently my life.”

A page from Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank, by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg (Creston Books/Lerner Books)

What made you want to audition for it?

It seemed like a huge undertaking, but I jumped at the chance. It wasn’t until the audition that all of the parallels between Anne Frank and MLK Jr. became apparent. Hannah Vaughn, the initial creator of the the piece explained the motivation behind the concept. It hadn’t occurred to me that both MLK Jr. and Anne Frank were born in the year 1929. Then it all started to make sense! Of course they should be in a play together! Although they were both dealing with incomparable suffering, and it would not be appropriate to compare the Holocaust to the Apartheid American South (with its history of oppression as well as the extreme human rights violations that occurred during slavery), the voices of MLK Jr. and Anne Frank are so utopian that they both point to a possibility that transcends the suffering to a universally humane place.

It felt like it would be a unique exploration of a specific time period in American and German life, as well as an exploration of specific themes surrounding the huge societal, philosophical, political, and spiritual questions they were asking themselves as well as the people around them.

Wesli Spencer

What was the audition process like?

The audition required memorizing pieces of “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and coming into the Center a few times to share my interpretation of MLK Jr. with Hannah Vaughn. Each time she would give notes, adjustments, and pose questions that would inspire me to try taking certain parts of the piece to different psychological spaces.

Every “run” of the text, I felt as though there was so much to discover about the time period, within his message and vision, and about him as a person. If you combine that with the newfound parallel to Anne Frank’s message surrounding the Holocaust, you can easily see how the audition opened up an entirely new world of possibilities.

How many years and in how many places have you performed the part?

I have been performing the part for 3, almost 4, years now. We have done the show in too many states and cities to remember at this point, lol!

Alexandra Gellner and Wesli Spencer performing Letters From Anne and Martin for the librarians at the New York City School Librarians’ Conference at CitiField in Queens, New York City. The show travels easily. All you need is a stage, enough amplification so that your audience can hear the two actors and hearts ready to be transformed. Photo by Nancy Churnin.

You were incredible as Dr. King. There were so many parts that pulled at my heart and made me cry, so many parts where you went to quiet places in the soul and then, suddenly, you brought the thunder. I’m still shook up and moved by your performance and by the work of Alexandra Gellner as the vulnerable, sensitive, fierce Anne Frank by your side.

Wow. You are so kind! Thank you for your humbling words. Honestly, it’s Dr. King who did all of the work through his brilliant writing! Every time we share the piece I think, “What an incredible individual! This writing is so rich and full of power, purpose, and vision!” Big shoes to fill every time, but he left a clear map to follow. Plus, there is so much material out there on MLK, that the abundance in research material made the job easier to do. I’m simply there to express his words to as close to the truth that I imagine he intended.

Alexandra Gellner and Wesli Spencer in 'Letters from Anne and Martin. Photo courtesy of the Clinton Foundation in Little Rock, Ark

You trained in classical drama at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, a conservatory in which 4,000 applicants apply for 25 spots each year. Their alumni include many of the UK's top actors (Ewan McGregor, Daniel Craig, Orlando Bloom, Lilly James). How did your training help you prepare for this role?

Yes, I trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. It was, and still is, an excellent place. The training is rigorous, the instructors are dynamic and skilled, and the relationships you build among classmates can last a life time. The training helped me to develop a personal toolbox of methods to approach the material based on my skill set (every actor has their own skill set). For this piece, finding an entry-point into Martin Luther King, Jr.’s psyche was important. I wanted to be able to communicate his thoughts so clearly that an audience member would walk away understanding how pressing his perspective on the world was at the time, as well as inspired to find thoughts in their own experience of life.

His accent and public personae were a key ingredient to communicating him effectively because people have had so much direct access to footage and teachings of him (hopefully it worked….seems as though in your case, it came through for you). The accent training, voice, and speech training at Guildhall allowed me to apply a specific scientific approach to MLK’s cadence and speech. Obviously MLK left so much material to actively listen to, it made the job easier….but repetition, repetition, repetition help move the performance to a closer match.

At Guildhall I learned that if your goal is to reach the audience in a meaningful, authentic way through the story, there is no limit to the amount of work you can do to be more effective at communicating the person’s truth. In this case, the work continues. I continue to explore and add to the work of portraying MLK by always learning a new fact, finding another recording, discovering a new video, or reading about new detail of his life.

You grew up in Texas — where, exactly? Was there anything about Texas that prepared you for this role as well?

Although I am sure that would have been an awesome experience and I love Texas and Texans, I didn’t actually grow up there. We left Texas when I was very young, so my memories of Texas go through the beginning of elementary school, but I was born in a very small town about 30 miles outside of Dallas. I always share that I am American by birth, American and Global by blood, and British by training. There may be a few things going on inside my make up, but deep down I am a pure Texan cowboy in my heart.

With that being said, I do have some early memories of Texas that helped inform me of the social vestiges left over after the Civil Rights Movement in some ways. I would say that, growing up, my mother’s insistence on providing us with a lens through which we could see ourselves and others beyond our physical make-up as well as the mosaic of people we encountered through travel and moving with my father’s military work, I was prepared to understand sentiments of the South present in MLK’s writing and to see his vision of a world beyond those superficial traps.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks at an interfaith civil rights rally at the Cow Palace in San Francisco on June 30, 1964. Photo by George Conklin/Creative Commons

Has the play changed your conception of Dr. King in any way and if so, how so? Was there anything about the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and sharing the stage with an actress playing Anne Frank that has surprised you?

Before the play I’d always thought of MLK Jr. as an iconic, motivating orator. This play really opened an opportunity to explore his introspective side. The process of rehearsing with the idea of being alone in jail, writing the “Letter,” encouraged that kind of deep, introspective thinking.

What surprised me most about sharing the stage with Alex (Alexandra) as Anne Frank was the amount of questioning present in Anne Frank’s mind. Hearing Anne’s words aloud, the mentality of a young person comes through so clearly…. “This is happening, but why? Why are people doing these things? When will it end? What’s the point?” etc. That experience reminds me that questions are so important.

Alexandra Gellner and Wesli Spencer, who have gotten to be good friends, in a relaxed moment, before changing into costume and getting into character for Letters From Anne and Martin at CitiField in Queens, where they performed for the New York City School Librarians’ Conference. (Photo by Nancy Churnin)

Also, sharing the stage and finding the moments to “connect” as MLK and Anne Frank was surprising in the way that every time it happens, I am somehow reminded that although they never actually physically met in person, they shared something in their curiosity, intelligence, empathy, and perspective that was electrifying.

I am also surprised that no matter how many times we have performed this piece, it constantly feels fresh and alive. Alexandra and I have performed so many times, yet every rehearsal we discover a new layer of each of the figures. It’s a pleasure to share the stage with an actor who is interested in that kind of exploration.

An entry in the diary of Anne Frank from Sept. 28, 1942. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

Has the play changed your conception of Anne Frank in any way and if so, how so? Was there anything about hearing words from Anne Frank’s diary spoken on the same stage as your Dr. King speaks that has affected your perception of her?

Being a part of the play encouraged research into the Holocaust beyond what I’d learned in school and through various media outlets and films over the years. That in-depth research as an adult led to some truly eye-awakening moments of the horrific nature of genocide. This changed my concept of Anne Frank because it brought to light how uniquely brave and mature she was. To be questioning the war as “not normal” in the face of war at that age was anomalous. She was at an age during which most teenagers are still blindly accepting the environment around them as “the way things are supposed to be” (because they have no other reference point) speaks to her incredible personal insight.

I became much more impressed and in awe of her legacy. Hearing words from Anne Frank’s diary spoken on the same stage while playing Dr. King leads me to believe that there are some natural laws of humanity that even a young person can understand. Dr. King had the luxury of an excellent education, years of personal experience, and a huge social following that probably cemented and confirmed many of the beliefs he grew to develop at an early age.

Anne Frank came to these understandings essentially on her own within the private moments of her own mind, with none of the same external support to strengthen these views beyond her personal intuition about life. I have a newfound respect for her. If even a child can understand when human rights laws are being egregiously violated and envision a world without those horrors, then there is no excuse for adults; her curiosity about how her society came to be in the situation she experienced is fascinating. Yet, she was also somehow able to maintain some sense of normalcy through her abnormal circumstance without succumbing to despondency. Wow.

A letter from a young fan after seeing the show. Photo courtesy of Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect

Has the play had a different resonance with audiences of different ages and in different parts of the country? Can you give examples?

Yes, adults and teenagers seem to make so many parallels between the play and their current experiences in America. In many of the cities across the country outside of New York City, the audiences are very interested in figuring out how to apply the lessons of Anne Frank and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to their everyday life right now. It’s extremely salient. Particularly in places that have seen a rise in hate crimes and anti-Semitism, they are interested in finding a way to heal their communities; they also are dedicated to send the message that their communities are “no place” for that kind of illness. For example, in Boise, Idaho the community responded to the hateful anti-Semitic vandalization of their Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial at the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights by bringing our play to the community for multiple showings, busing thousands of students to see the show from around the state, and by expanding their Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial with a huge construction expansion campaign.

The Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial in Boise, Idaho

That message says “We will grow through this and expand. The hate doesn’t destroy us, it makes us stronger and expands us.” In Florida, our play was used to foster community relations discussions about how to combat destructive forces and mindsets. When we perform for elementary school children they are usually more interested in the minute details of what life was like inside of an attic for Anne Frank and her family, or the details of Martin Luther King Jr.’s personal experiences while protesting. Their responses typically indicate children who are at a stage of development in which they are simply trying to envision the exact world in which Anne Frank and MLK Jr. lived through an exercise of their imaginations.

Why do you think it’s important for the stories of these two remarkable people to share a stage?

It is important for these stories to be shared on the same stage not only because of the parallels that existed within their respective communities, but because it also sends a message of combined unity. The combined story-telling gives people hope in a way. Their messages of a society that focuses on universal humanity bring forth a light that acts as catalysts for one another. It’s like two Superheroes teaming up at a time when their lessons are greatly needed. Their stories remind us that even in the worst of scenarios (their experiences were under much harsher conditions) we can still be resilient.

I was honored to be on a panel with you and Alexandra Gellner at the NYC School Librarians Conference in November, talking about your play and my book, Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank. I am grateful to you both for your kind words about the book. Can you share your thoughts about how the play and book can work together — what they have in common and how they are different in complementary ways?

Your book is incredible. Yes, they can definitely work in tandem and it was an honor to be on a panel with you! I think it would be great to be able to do a combined project, perhaps at museums, theaters, schools and universities , and in communities in which we feature your book as an introduction to the play while including a similar combined panel at the end. For example if it’s for a school, perhaps we could one day include your book as a part of our “From Bystander to Ally” workshop in which students learn how to become active members in their society against oppression. MLK was clearly the opposite of a bystander and the Frank family relied on allies to assist them. I can totally envision your book being included in that workshop as a way for young people to make the connection between the two figures’ lives.

I could also see your book being a lead-up read when “Letters” makes its way to a city theater. Perhaps it could be offered for purchase before and after the performance so that people can take the message home with them in a tangible way. In that sense our projects complement one another. They differ in that while your book offers imagery through illustration of each of Anne and Martin’s stories, through a play’s performance we have the opportunity to bring their narratives to life in the flesh, with their own words.

There is something special about hearing words spoken live that creates a unique symbiotic relationship with an audience. Forgive me if I have trouble explaining this because the dynamic of the interplay between an audience of a play and the actors is an experience that can be challenging to write about because it is so visceral it only be felt in the moment. Everyone who has seen live theater understands this communicative relationship.

A page from Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg (Creston Books/Lerner Books)

My theory is that if we (the actors) communicate the truths in the right way, the audience walks away with an understanding of the people in the play that resonates on multiple levels; they walk away with an experience they feel so deeply that it will continue to “be” with them in intangible ways. An illustrated book provides a different function. While a play provides the audience with an understanding of real, living people, a book can bring a clarity to the narrative of their lives that is sometimes lost in live theater. With your book, they can follow the series of events that shifted the trajectory of Anne Frank and Dr. King’s lives in easy to understand ways. That is what I enjoy about your book. The images stay with me. I can “see” their lives. With a play, the feelings can stay with you. You can “feel” their lives.

What made you want to be an actor? How does this play fit in with your mission for yourself?

There are so many things that factored into the happenstance of me becoming an actor. I kind of fell into it in a way. In undergrad, I was pre-law and had planned to be a lawyer. Growing up, I was always athletic and active. I was also a bit of a “nerd”, being a part of a Magnet program called the International Baccalaureate which encouraged heavy involvement in school activities outside of the rigorous curriculum. One day, a theater teacher who kind of knew me around campus through my various school activities and sports suggested that I audition for a play she and her students were putting on. After that experience, she said, “Hey, you can really do this, you should give this some thought as a real profession. I believe you will have a career.” Something about my “vessel” she said...still trying to fully understand what she meant, lol.

That “nudge” was always there through undergrad. Long story short, I ended up landing an agent, getting a classical training, and making choices that moved me in that direction. However, I am still involved in the many activities of filling my mind with new knowledge and remaining athletic (distance runner here, lol); those activities actually help with my work as an actor on multiple levels. This play allows me to apply my “story telling” tools. By sharing this play over the years with such diverse audiences, I have learned how to become a more effective actor on stage. There is a “listening” that happens while performing. This play fits into that mission to be ever-learning, ever-listening, ever-present, and ever-growing in ways that allows people to see themselves through the characters; it’s about you (as an audience member) after all, and it’s for you as a person living your own life with your own story.

I believe playing such a well-known, iconic figure, who’s life has continued to echo through society has also helped me to become a better person...simply by default. Reading MLK Jr’s words over and over, speaking them repetitively over the years kind of does something to you! Lol. Try it, I think you have will know if you discover it for yourself. I believe that actors have to have a large capacity for understanding the scope of the human experience. What better way to expand that capacity than to “get into the minds” of two people who have helped move our world into a more universally humane space?

What is the most important thing you want people to know about Dr. King and Anne Frank?

I want people to know that as much as we deify them in our minds because of their contributions to society, they were everyday people who simply made the choices they thought would make the world a better place. Making these kinds of choices is easy to do. These positive choices are also our responsibility as the benefactors of a wonderful society. It is our personal responsibility to participate in society by continuing their traditions through action; they are counting on us to follow the map their legacies left.

Director and Lead Actor in short film, "Brian Mickler," grants us an exclusive interview for the Carmel International Film Festival's "Behind The Screen Series," volunteer-produced by House of 8 Media's Michael and Brittney Buffo and the students of the HARA Motion Picture Conservatory, Dive into Harlemites at http://harlemites.com/ Learn more about the producers of this video at http://houseof8media.com/ Inspire the next generation of Carmel filmmakers at http://www.haramotionpictures.com/ Discover more films at http://carmelfilmfest.com/

Is there any other work you are particularly proud of that you would like to share with us that you have done or are looking forward to doing?

Currently I am in a project that’s been on rotation on USA Channel ShortsTV through Direct TV and AT&T U-Verse called Brian Mickler, directed by an excellent young director, Michael Jackson.  It’s a short film about a young man living in Harlem who’s working through symptoms of mental illness; I play Brian Mickler. I share that piece with you right now because it highlights a subject that is usually associated with shame….mental health. By reflecting someone’s life who’s experiencing mental health issues through this short film, perhaps we can deconstruct the negative taboos of the subject while bringing light to a community issue; hopefully the film encourages positive steps as people affected by those issues see their stories told on screen.

If people miss it on TV, they can catch that film, which is part of a larger online web-series called “Harlemites” at www.harlemites.com that delves into five different lives of Harlem residents whose lives interconnect and overlap in subtle ways. I always look forward to whatever story life brings my way; it has a funny way of bringing interesting pieces to delve into.

Thank you so much, Wes, for your incredible performance, your supportive words for my book and for hanging out with us on THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE. Is there anything you would like to add?

Just a huge “thank you” for the opportunity to share. And a “thank you” for your work, Nancy.  I have no doubt that your book is currently changing lives for the better. It is an honor to be doing this kind of work with you. I hope your book’s message spreads to as many minds as possible! Wishing you the best! Thank you, readers of The Kids Are All Write for taking the time to read this interview!

Want to see Wes in Letters From Anne and Martin? You can find a schedule of shows or book this touring show through the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect here.

Amalia Hoffman's Brave Story, 'The Brave Cyclist'

Amalia Hoffman is a double threat in the kidlit world: an author and illustrator. On top of that, she’s a kind and generous friend and one of the forces that makes the Book Meshuggenahs, the group we both belong to, thrive. While many know her fanciful and whimsical board books, including the popular PJ Library selection, Dreidel Day (Lerner Publishing), she shows serious nonfiction chops in her new book, The Brave Cyclist: The True Story of a Holocaust Hero (illustrated by Chiara Fedele, Capstone Publishing), which was chosen as a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection and received rapturous reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, the Association of Jewish Libraries, and the Jewish Book Council.

Amalia earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with honors from the Pratt Institute and a masters degree in art and education from New York University, both in New York City. While she now lives in Larchmont, New York, she’s a native of Jerusalem, which is where she discovered the story of Gino Bartali. More on that in her interview in THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE!

Amalia Hoffman at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, pointing at the inscribed name of Gino Bartali at the promenade of the Righteous Among the Nations

Welcome, Amalia. How did you hear about Gino Bartali? What inspired you to write about him?

Each time I go to Israel, I visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem where I spiritually connect with my parents’ families who perished during the Holocaust.

During one of my visits, I walked through the promenade of the Righteous Among the Nations, which honors non-Jewish individuals who saved Jews during the Holocaust. I noticed that a new name was added—Gino Bartali.

At that time I didn’t know anything about him except that he was Italian. So began my journey, which led me to writing The Brave Cyclist: The True Story of a Holocaust Hero. I have always been intrigued by “un-sung” heroes; people who did courageous things but never talked about what they have done and never asked for an award. Gino proved to be such a person. He also proved that one individual could indeed contribute to making the world a better place.

I Googled Gino Bartali’s name and was amazed by what I have found. The more I read about him, the more intrigued I was. I think I fell in love with him… I knew that I wanted to write his story for young readers because I felt that he will inspire them with his heroic acts.

The Brave Cyclist by Amalia Hoffman, illustrated by Chiara Fedele

I was struck by what an unlikely hero he was. You make a point about him being small and weakly, an unlikely candidate to be a champion biker. And then, more subtly, you get the reader thinking about how unlikely it is that a champion biker would risk everything to help people he didn’t know — Jewish people threatened by Mussolini and Hitler. Why do you think he did it?

Gino’s father opposed the Mussolini’s regime and was involved with the Italian Socialist Party. When Gino was 11, his father asked Gino to hide Socialist papers and books for fear that the authorities might discover them.

Gino was also a very spiritual man and a devoted Catholic. His mission to save Jews began when he was contacted by the archbishop of Florence and recruited to join Delasem, an organization committed to saving Jews, which included priests and clergymen.

But I think that the main reason Gino risked his life was because of his personality and commitment to what he felt was just and right. As a weak and sickly child, he had to always struggle to compete against stronger boys. As a champion, he risked his career when he refused to praise Mussolini in his victory speech after he won the Tour de France in 1938. When his Jewish friend, Giacomo Goldenberg faced danger, Gino hid the Goldenberg family in one of his apartments. And so, when he was recruited to smuggle false identification papers for Jewish people that he never met, he followed his devotion and beliefs even though he knew that his life was in danger.

Italian Giro D'Italia champion Gino Bartali not only excelled in professional cycling, but also in benevolence, having helped Jews oppressed in fascist Italy. Our Erica Jackson has the story.

The other fascinating thing about Gino Bartali is that most people didn’t know what he did because he didn’t talk about it. Why do you think he was so private about his heroism?

Gino refused to be interviewed by newspapers and television reporters because he believed that being a famous athlete would overshadow the contributions of the many other people who risked their lives to help those in need. He said, “I don’t want to appear to be a hero. Heroes are those who died, who were injured, who spent months in jail.”

What was your writing journey like? When did you start? How long did it take you to figure out how to tell your story? Did it change and if so how did it change along the way?

I started working on the story in 2015, after one of my visits to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. I ordered every book I could find and kept reading about bicycles, racing competitions, World War II in Italy and Gino Bartali. A documentary film, My Italian Secret (Jacoby Oren, PBS Distribution, 2015) inspired me to research further. I went on to reading numerous articles. Alas, many were in Italian but luckily, I am fluent in Hebrew and I found a lot of valuable information in Israeli papers and publications. I also contacted the committee of the Righteous Among the Nations at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum who selected Gino Bartali for this major honor.

Uploaded by Storyville Films on 2015-03-03.

I wrote draft after draft (I think I have over 50 on my computer.) In the beginning, I just wrote everything down that I felt was important to tell. Later, I had to figure out how to condense the story into the word count of a nonfiction picture book. I worked on the story for a couple of months before I felt that I could share it and send it out. After I sold the story to Capstone, I was lucky to be assigned to two incredible editors, Michelle Bisson and Nick Healy who opted for a longer book (40 pages) so as to allow for more illustrations and a longer text. We revised the story, going through several drafts together and making more changes.

You are an illustrator yourself. How did you feel seeing another illustrator’s images appear alongside your words? How do you feel about Chiara Fedele’s illustrations? What is your favorite spread and why?

When I wrote the story, I made a decision not to illustrate it, even though I am an illustrator, because I felt that my style wasn’t right for this particular project. I am absolutely delighted with Capstone’s choice! When I saw Chiara Fedele’s powerful, colorful and sophisticated illustrations, I was smitten by her expressive style. Chiara lives in Italy. She really captured the Italian landscapes and architecture. She also did a fantastic job on the facial expressions so that the reader gets to see the fear, anxiety and struggles in Gino’s face.

The Brave Cyclist by Amalia Hoffman, illustrated by Chiara Fedele

In one illustration, Chiara portrayed Gino, surrounded by reporters after winning the Tour de France. One can see the dilemma in his face, knowing that he would have to stick to his decision not to praise Mussolini and suffer the consequences. While I love all the spreads, my favorites are the ones when Gino, the boy, climbs up the hill and views Florence with its cathedrals, palazzos and the grand synagogue.

Another marvelous spread depicts the jubilant celebration in the streets of Florence after the liberation. Chiara painted a couple hugging one another by a doorway. This detail isn’t mentioned in the book. It was her sensitive touch, adding another layer to the story. Chiara chose to feature the Tour de France race scene from a “bird’s eye” view, as if looking at the competition from above, which allows for an unusual and powerful perspective.

The Brave Cyclist by Amalia Hoffman, illustrated by Chiara Fedele

You write in a wide variety of genres, from fanciful board books, like Astro Pea and Dreidel Day, to this very serious biography of a man who risked death to do the right thing. What draws you to very different subjects and styles of writing?

Maybe that has something to do with my personality. I think that I never totally grew up… Sometimes, I’m really silly, especially when I’m around little kids and I can be very embarrassing. Other times, I’m moody and super serious. I don’t prefer any particular style. I like to experiment and create books in different genres. I like putting myself in different modes, painting baby anthropomorphic animals and, at the same time, researching and writing nonfiction for older kids.

For me, as long as I’m passionate about the project, I prefer not to limit myself and to dip into just about everything. I also spend time working on projects that have no chance at all of turning into any type of a book, like making puppets, doing arts & crafts and writing what I remember from my dreams.

Tell us about some of your other favorite works.

Right now, I am experimenting with collage and mixed media. I am re discovering the joys of working with tissue papers, something we used to do in first grade. I am discovering the possibilities of creating collage and then, working on it in Photoshop. I am also looking at the possibility of creating a picture book series.

Like me, you are a member of the Book Meshuggenahs, a group of Jewish women writing books with Jewish characters and themes. Please share why you became a Book Meshuggenah and what you’d like folks to know about our group.

Our group is totally amazing because we all share the passion of creating Jewish-themed children books, and, as writers, we all feel the need to support each other. We are award winning Jewish children’s book authors, residing in different cities in the US and Israel. I decided to join the group because I realized that it truly “takes a village” to grow as a writer. I love the fact that I am now part of a group where each author goes through her own exciting writing journey but, at the same time, shares her experiences, good and not-so-good, with the group. One of our goals is to help each other spread the word about writing Jewish-themed books. We achieve this goal by establishing our presence on social media and posting flyers where we list our books annually. Each member contributes her expertise, as some of us are very capable of creating flyers while others are better at making contacts.

Can you share what you’re working on next?

I am working on the biographies of two other “un-sung” heroes, this time, amazing women who were never duly recognized for their achievements. At the same time, I just completed a concept board book and am working on another. I am also at the very early stage of developing a picture book.

Written by Amalia Hoffman, illustrated by Chiara Fedele Publisher:Capstone Editions, 2019 Once a skinny and weak child, Gino Bartali rose to become a Tour de France champion and one of cycling's greatest stars. But all that seemed unimportant when his country came under the grip of a brutal dictator and entered World War II on the side of Nazi Germany.

Thanks, Amalia, for hanging out with us on THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE! To connect with Amalia, visit her:

On her website: amaliahoffman.com

On Facebook: Amalia Hoffman

On Twitter: @AmaliaHoffman

On Instagram: hoffman.amalia

And of course wherever the Book Meshuggenahs are found:

On Facebook: Book Meshuggenahs

On Twitter: @TMeshuggenahs

On Instagram: @bookmeshugs

At Interabang Books

And by email: thebookmeshuggenahs@gmail.com

How Sweet It Is: Talking 'Sweet Tamales for Purim' with Barbara Bietz

I met Barbara Bietz, who lives in Oak Park, Ca., at the Association for Jewish Libraries in 2019 where this year’s Sydney Taylor Book Award winners were honored (and I was thrilled to get a Notable for Irving Berlin, the Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing). Barbara is the winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable for the terrific The Sundown Kid- A Southwestern Shabbat (illustrated by John Kanzler, August House, 2017), a PJ Library selection and an AJL pick for its Love Your Neighbor list.

Our paths, to my delight, kept crossing, with Barbara hosting me on her wonderful blog, Jewish Books for Kids, then joining me as one of the Book Meshuggenahs, a group of Jewish women writers creating books with Jewish characters and themes. And now I’m delighted to welcome Barbara with her terrific new Sweet Tamales for Purim, another PJ Library selection, also illustrated by Kanzler, coming out in February from August House.

So sit back, enjoy, and be rewarded, at the end, by Barbara’s amazing hamentaschen recipe that didn’t make the book, but did, happily, make The Kids Are All Write! Welcome, Barbara!

What was your inspiration for Sweet Tamales for Purim? I was born in California and went to college in Arizona. So many Jewish stories take place in New York and other eastern cities where many Jews settled. I was longing for Jewish stories that reflected my “hometown.” I came upon Harriet and Fred Rochlin’s book, Pioneer Jews, and it cracked my world open. I began researching Jewish history, specifically in California and Arizona, and was filled with inspiration.

Please tell us about your book journey. How long did it take from idea to sold manuscript? Were there a lot of changes along the way and, if so, what were the most significant?

It is so hard for me to establish defined timelines for book journeys. If we include the years of research that informed Sweet Tamales it would be decades! The writing, editing, and rewriting probably a couple of years. I am not a fast writer, I belabor each word. I was very lucky with Sweet Tamales. I submitted it in manuscript form to PJ Library. After some revisions, they accepted it. August House, the publisher of my previous book, The Sundown Kid, was interested in publishing Sweet Tamales, which made the whole process really lovely.

In your Author’s Note, you say this fictional book was inspired by a real 1886 event when the Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Society of Tucson, Arizona put on a Purim Ball for the community. How did you find out about the event? How much research was involved in getting the details right?

Sweet Tamales is a work of fiction, but as I mentioned earlier, many years of research came before I was ready to write the story. Many details were pulled from photos and other resource materials. For example, I found old photos of Tucson, Arizona including one of a goat with a cart, another with a shady fig tree – these details are included in the story. Also, the illustrator, John Kanzler, was very meticulous in his research for the illustrations of the setting.

A Purim Association Fancy Dress Ball put on by the Hebrew Benevolent Society in the 1880s.

In your acknowledgements, you thank Chris Barash, an author and educator who is also the chair of the PJ Library Book Selection Committee. Can you tell us about the role Chris played in the creation of Sweet Tamales for Purim? Will this be a PJ Library book? When did you get the news? How do you feel about it?

Chris Barash let me know that PJ Library had accepted Sweet Tamales. As fate would have it, I was attending TENT at the Yiddish Book Center, sponsored by PJ Library. I was able to meet Chris in person and she delivered the good news. It was a very exciting moment. I should mention that before they accepted the manuscript PJ Library requested revisions. The revisions improved the story greatly and I was very appreciative of the feedback. Chris is such a tremendous supporter of authors. I am very grateful to her, and to PJ Library. I am honored to be connected to PJ Library.

Were the illustrations by John Kanzler why you envisioned or did they surprise you? Do you have a favorite spread?

The folks are August House publishing are terrific. They view book creation as a collaborative effort. I was able to see John’s work every step of the way and my input was welcomed. It was a truly magical experience. My favorite spread is near the end. Rebecca and Luis are on their way to the Purim party with Kitzel, the goat, carrying tamales. The colors are lovely and truly evoke the desert at dusk. Also, I just adore Kitzel.

You have Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education. How has that helped in your writing?

I think my education gives me a certain confidence to take on challenges. More practically, the research skills I used in graduate school have helped me along the way. I also believe there are many paths to education, especially now. I am a big believer in education for education’s sake, even if it is not in pursuit of a degree. The very first writing class I took was from Alexis O’Neill, author of The Recess Queen. The class was part of an adult education program, open to all. Alexis is the best teacher I have ever known. She became my mentor, and now a very dear friend. I would not be a published writer without her.

You are deeply involved in the Jewish book community. You’ve been the chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee, you created and run the website Jewish Books for Kids and you are one of the Book Meshuggenahs with me. What has drawn you to the world of writing and sharing about Jewish books for kids? Why do you work so hard on your own books and supporting others?

Oh, my – this is everything to me! The creative life is best when it’s shared with others. Connecting with other writers (and illustrators), librarians, editors, teachers, parents, and readers is the greatest gift of all. Sometimes I pinch myself when I think about the incredible people in my world. (Like you!) I love learning about creative people and their journeys through my blog interviews. It’s such an inspiration! Most recently, I have become the Assistant Regional Advisor for the Cen-Cal chapter of SCBWI. I am very excited for the adventures ahead!

In your bio on your website, barbarabietz.com, you say you have two naughty (but nice) dogs. What are their names, what are some of the naughty and nice things they do and can we see pictures?

I have two little rescue dogs named Fancy Pants and Ida. They are a little shy and barkity but make up for it with lots of snuggles and general cuteness. I am a dog person and can’t imagine my life without them!

You’re also the author of The Sundown Kid and Like a Maccabee. Can you tell us what inspired those?

The Sundown Kid was inspired by my research about Jewish families in the Southwest who gave up everything to start over with virtually nothing. Many of these families established Jewish communities in small towns that are still vibrant today. The Sundown Kid is my way of honoring them. Like a Maccabee was inspired by my own kids and their Jewish education. It’s about a boy who is facing a big soccer game and also dealing with the changes at home when his grandfather moves in. My goal was to show young readers what I wanted to impart to my own kids – that being Jewish is as important on the soccer field, at school, wherever you are - as it in in your home or at Hebrew school.

Do you have any books, projects or goals to share with us for 2020 and beyond?

I am currently working on a middle grade novel, a picture book re-telling o f a Jewish folktale, and a nonfiction biography picture book.

Thank you, Barbara, for spending time with us on THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE.

Thank you so much, Nancy. It’s truly a pleasure!

And since I’m now hungry for hamentashen, do you, by any chance, have a favorite recipe to share?

Here is the recipe that almost made it into the book:

*Caution: Baking and cooking activities should be supervised by an adult.

Rebecca’s Hamentashen

4 eggs

1 ¼ cup of butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoon vanilla

3 teaspoon baking powder (Not baking soda!)

5 cups flour

Fruit jam or preserves

Combine flour and baking powder. Combine eggs, butter, sugar, and vanilla. Once thoroughly mixed, add flour and baking powder mixture to the egg mixture. Knead dough until all the lumps are gone. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough. You do not have to use the whole batch at one time. You can divide the dough in sections, especially if you are working with a friend! Once the dough is rolled out to ¼ inch or less, use a round cookie cutter to make circle shapes.

Drop in a bit of fruit filling and pinch three corners to make a triangle shape.

Place on greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

You can catch up with Barbara on her blog:

barbarabietz.com

On Twitter: @barbarabietz

On Facebook: Barbara Foster Bietz

On Instagram: @barbarabietz

On Pinterest: @barbarabietz

Michele McAvoy on ‘CookIe & Milk,’ her Messy Muse & More

One of the cool things about being part of book launch groups is all the amazing book creators you meet. Michele McAvoy, who hails from New Jersey, was part of my #SeenIn19 group with her book, Cookie & Milk (illustrated by Jessica Gibson, Cardinal Rule Press). Her book is about friendship and, sure enough, Michele proved to be a great friend to everyone, offering support and cheer, and opportunities for many of us to talk books on her My Messy Muse podcast. I’m so happy to welcome Michele to THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE!

What was your inspiration for Cookie & Milk?

Cookie & Milk is inspired by two important relationships in my life. First, it's inspired by me and my best friend, Wose, who is Ethiopian American. After the Trump election, everyone was so angry at each other across race lines, and I thought how crazy that was. Wose is my best friend; she's like my sister. When we were in college, Wose and I were spending our summer at the Jersey shore. She was scheduled for an interview at a nearby food store. When she arrived, they wouldn't give her the interview. When she returned to my shore house, my dad asked her how it went. She told him that the guy never came out to interview her. He stormed down to the food store, Wose in tow, and demanded that his "daughter" be interviewed as was scheduled. She got the job. It's just easier to love and to get along. There's a twist at the end the book. Some folks pick up on it and some folks don't. Are Cookie and Milk really sisters? When I asked Wose if she got the twist at the end, she said, “I didn't think they were sisters, just that they called each other's moms, ‘Mom,’ like we do.”

In the end, some friendships are as close to family as family can get.

The second relationship that inspired Cookie & Milk is that of my brother and I. We are only a year apart and couldn't be more different. He was always getting into trouble and doing things that would get him hurt, like Milk. And I, on the other hand, was studious and quiet, much like Cookie.

Can you tell us about how this story evolved? Did it change along the way?

Oh, yes. This story changed a bunch! Originally, I had Milk being a motor-mouth and Cookie a more silent character, simply because that was how my brother and I were. He was always going a mile a minute and I would be doing my quiet thing. But I did a critique with the publishers at Just Us Books, who gave me great comments, one being that Cookie needed to have just as much of an active role in the book as Milk. It was not my intention to put Cookie secondary, but the fact that she was reserved and Milk outgoing made her secondary on the page. So that is when the "jinx" concept creeped in and Cookie's character evolved to become just as physically dynamic on the page as Milk. Also, the twist at the end was added in the very last revision with my editor. I love hints and mysteries in books and I just loved when that ending came to me. I like when a book allows you to continue to ask questions and continue a conversation.

What was your book journey like? How long did it take to find your editor?

I would say that this book took about eight months to find a home, with Cardinal Rule Press, once going on submission with my agent. Cardinal Rule Press is a smaller, independent publisher and I have been blessed to work with them.

Michele signing Cookie & Milk at Barnes & Noble

I’m wondering how many picture books are out there that include friendships with kids that are diverse in the way they look and also in their personalities. Are you aware of others? Did they influence you in any way?

I know of many friendship picture books that pin opposites to each other. At a book event recently, a librarian told me that my book paired well with When Pencil Met Eraser, and she was right! There are many books about friendships with opposite personalities but I don't know of any that specifically point out relationships between different races/ethnicities. This relationship was authentic to me, so I guess that's why it was my story to write. I was not influenced by any of the other friendship stories, because this story is taken from my real life. It was pretty easy to write.

Were you surprised by Jessica Gibson’s illustrations? Do you have any favorite spreads?

I was not surprised by Jessica's illustrations because I knew she was amazingly talented. A perk of publishing with a smaller publisher is that you have input into your illustrator. It was extremely important to me to have a woman of color illustrate my book. Cookie & Milk's relationship is real to me and my personal life, but I also wanted that same relationship for the creation of my Cookie & Milk characters. Having a white girl and a brown girl bring this wonderful story to life for children was very important to me. I am blessed to have found Jessica and to have her as my illustrator. I have a lot of favorite illustrations in the book, but two are my "favorite" favorites. The spread with the rainbow and unicorn and Cookie with her big encyclopedia is one of my favorites. It's so colorful and fun and I just love the body language of both Cookie and Milk in that spread. The go-cart spread is also one of my favorites. It's just such a beautiful scene, taking it all in with the city in the background and I LOVE that Jessica put a cookie and milk symbol on the go-cart flag. So special and fun.

What do you hope kids will take away from Cookie & Milk?

At my first bookstore event a little white girl yelled, “Cookie looks like my best friend!” She was so excited. And when her best friend arrived, who was a little brown girl, and they sat together listening to my story, they saw themselves in my book and it made my heart happy. That is what I want kids to take away from Cookie & Milk. I want kids to see themselves in Cookie and Milk's characters, whether it's because of the color of their skin or because they are adventurous like Milk or studious like Cookie or both! Cookie & Milk is about diversity in friendship but it's also about breaking social norms. Girls can do and be anything they want, just like boys, including extreme sports and math and science. I want kids to take that away from this book, too. So essentially, I have high expectations for Cookie & Milk. lol! Change the world? Why not?

Thanks so much for joining us on THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE, Michele! Is there anything you would like to add?

I want to say thank you for having me. And for anyone who loves kidlit, whether a writer or a teacher, published or unpublished, I want to welcome you into the My Messy Muse community. It's a place I created for all of us to collaborate and help each other create through the messiness (and craziness) that is life. Because life is messy for everyone. Hope to see you all there!

Looking for more places to connect with Michele? You’ll find her

On her website: michelemcavoy.com

On Twitter: michele_mcavoy

On Facebook: Michele McAvoy Author

On Instagram: michelemcavoy

Shmoozing with Karen Rostoker-Gruber about Mitzvahs, Matches and Meshuggenahs

Author Karen Rostoker-Gruber is also a ventriloquist. Maria (pictured here) and Frog are always surprising the kids — and her.

Karen Rostoker-Gruber is not only one of the funniest people I’ve ever met, she’s also one of the nicest. Karen has been publishing award-winning children’s books since 2003. It’s been my special pleasure to team up with her to form the Book Meshuggenahs, which you’ll find more about in the interview below along with some perfect picks for Hanukkah, including her Maddie the Mitzvah Clown and Farmer Kobi’s Hanukkah Match. Welcome, Karen!

What was your inspiration for Maddie the Mitzvah Clown?

My editor, Dena Neusner, at Apples and Honey Press, asked me to write about Bikur Cholim, the mitzvah of visiting the sick. The only thing that I knew about that was that there were some mitzvah clowns visiting hospitals and old age homes. I did a lot of research and called a few mitzvah clowns. When the research was done, I had to think of a problem that the main character had to overcome. What if a shy mouse wanted to become a mitzvah clown? How would that work? And what would the mouse have to go through--emotionally--in order for her to be able to become the mitzvah clown that she wanted to be.

In addition to my vision, Ann Koffsky, the art director on the project, had a brilliant idea! The book starts out in black and white, then, as Maddie gains confidence, color begins to appear. The very last page is full-on color.

Maddie the Mitzvah Clown by Karen Rostoker-Gruber. Illustrated by Christine Grove. (Apples & Honey Press/Behrman House)

Maddie the Mitzvah Clown by Karen Rostoker-Gruber. Illustrated by Christine Grove (Apples & Honey Press/Behrman House)

When and how did you learn it was chosen by PJ Library? How did you feel when you got the news? 

 The PJ Library, at that time, was just beginning to give author incentive awards, and I just missed that deadline.  But, when my editors (Dena Neusner and Ann Koffsky) told me that it got on to the PJ list, I was very excited!  21,000 children received that book in July of 2017 in the US and Canada.  

With PJ Library putting books in the hands of children all over the country and Israel, do you ever hear from surprising places?

 The most surprising place of all, was when my younger cousin in Canada told me that she got a PJ Library copy.  We had no idea!

 What have been your most magical places to present? 

 The most magical place that I've ever presented was at a school in Guleph, Ontario, Canada.  They made a HUGE book for me to do my power point presentation on for their "Cuddle Up and Read" program.  Notice the size of the people near the BIG book.

A school in Guleph, Ontario, Canada made a HUGE book for Karen to do her presentation on for their "Cuddle Up and Read" program.

The BIG book was so large that it came in someone's truck.  

They also had students, dressed up like my characters in my books, Bandit and Bandit's Surprise, announce me!

And, if that wasn't enough, they had teachers act out my book, "Ferret Fun."  When I saw the BIG book, the decorations, the teachers and students dressed up as my characters, all of the sudden, I got a bit freaked out.  For the first time, in a long time, I had stage fright.  Good thing I had Maria, my puppet, to talk to. 

With Hanukkah coming, let’s talk about Farmer Kobi’s Hanukkah Match, which has made many Best Of lists and was recently chosen by Parents magazine as one of the best holiday books. What inspired that story? What gave you and your co-author, Rabbi Ron Isaacs, the idea to collaborate and how did you work together?

Actually, Farmer Kobi's Hanukkah Match was originally written as a sequel for my book, Rooster Can't Cock-a-Doodle-Doo. It was called Farmer Ted's Dinner Date, back in 2005.  But, my editor at Dial Books had left.  And, even though that book sold 250,000 copies (Wowsa!), they didn't like my sequel.   So, I put it away for a while.  Then, for some reason, in and around 2014, I took it out again.  I went to see Ron Isaacs and I asked him to look over some of my stories to see if there were any that had Jewish values, as that was what Behrman House was looking for.  Ron Isaacs told me that there were Jewish values in Farmer Ted's Dinner Date: Compassion for Animals and Welcoming Guests.  So, I went home, rewrote the story to take place during Hanukkah, and set the story on a moshav (because I have cousins that live on the Nahalal Moshav in Israel). 

Here are some Nahal moshav photos taken by my cousin.  The illustrator needed them in order to illustrate the book and make sure that it didn't look like a farm over here in the US:

Farmer Kobi’s Hanukkah Match by Karen Rostoker-Gruber and Rabbi Ron Isaacs. Illustrated by CB Decker (Apples & Honey Press/Behrman House)

I had also changed the animals.  In Rooster Can't Cock-a-Doodle-Doo, Farmer Ted had Rooster, cows, sheep, pigs, and chickens, but since they don't have pigs on moshavs in Israel, Farmer Kobi had Donkey, goats, geese, and sheep.  I had Ron write "A Note for Families" about the two Jewish values that he told me he could include, and we sent it off to Behrman House.  (There's also a whole lot of Hebrew sprinkled into the book--on the barns, around his bedroom, in the kitchen, and on Ruthie's license plate.)   

Rooster Can’t Cock-A-Doodle-Doo by Karen Rostoker-Gruber. Illustrated by Paul Ratz de Tagyos (Dial Books)

Farmer Kobi’s Hanukkah Match by Karen Rostoker-Gruber and Rabbi Ron Isaacs. Illustrated by CB Decker (Apples & Honey Press/Behrman House)

At that time Behrman House was launching Apples and Honey Press!  Who knew!  They launched with three books their first season: Farmer Kobi's Hanukkah Match, a book by David Adler called, Hanukkah Cookies with Sprinkles, and Kayla and Kugel by Ann Koffsky.  Here we are at Book Expo!  I'm the one in the middle!

Authors David Adler, Karen Rostoker-Gruber and author/illustrator/editor Ann Koffsky at Book Expo.

While the animals who help Farmer Kobi prepare meet a woman he likes are at the humorous center of this book, it struck me that this book, subtly, is about much more. Farmer Kobi insists on including his beloved animals, even when his date objects. To me that also represented a single parent making sure his children are included. It also represented someone being honestly and fully himself and making sure any new person in his life is supportive of him as he is. Was that conscious or unconscious? 

This whole concept was conscious.  I had named Farmer Kobi's date Polly Ester (for polyester) on purpose.  It was the joke of the book--especially when I have the sheep say, "Her name was Polly Ester.  She was a faaake."  I don't know if anyone "got that," some did, but I knew it was there.   🤗  Overall, the story is about family; and Farmer Kobi's animals are family.  When Polly Ester rejects the animals, the animals know that she isn't the right match for Farmer Kobi.  But, when Ruthie comes along, the animals know right away that she is the perfect match because of the "family" that she has in her truck.  I'm not going to spoil the surprise.

You’ve written about a wide variety of subjects, including a book that was chosen by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Can you tell us about that experience? 

As I look back, I noticed that I write about animals because of their puns  And animals puns are fun!  I usually sit with a dictionary for days to get the perfect pun that doesn't feel forced.  I write out the dialog first and find a perfect pun for it later.  The dialog can't feel forced or it ruins everything.  In one of my books, Ferret Fun in the Sun, there is a snake.  I had tons of fun with those puns, but my favorite line is this:  "A two-for-one sssuper sssupper ssspecial." 

Ferret Fun in the Sun by Karen Rostoker-Gruber. Illustrated by Paul Rátz de Tagyos (Two Lions)

As for the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, I had no idea what it meant to be on that list two years in a row. In 2007 the Dollywood Foundation bought 73,579 copies and in 2008 it bought 88,996 copies for their program. I also found out that children received my book in a beautiful basket. It was truly amazing!

I’m proud to share that you and I are among the founders of the Book Meshuggenahs, a group of Jewish women writing books with Jewish themes. Can you tell us what made you want to start this group?

When you posted the idea, I thought it was a great one! Jewish women writing Jewish books, as we are a marginalized group. I came up with the name "The Book Meshuggenahs" because I love the word meshuggenahs! Who doesn't! I knew that I could make your great idea a reality because I'm really good at putting things together, organizing, and getting people involved.

How would you describe the mission? How do you feel about how it’s evolved?

I think getting Jewish-themed books into the hands of Jewish children and other children is a great idea--especially in this day and age of diversification. It's even better when those books are written by women, who are also a marginalized group. The Book Meshuggenahs group is evolving into something larger than you, Amy Losak, and I had envisioned. Collectively, we have a total of 57 Jewish-themed picture books and 6 more coming out in 2020--one book for every week--essentially. We even have a bookstore now that has on-hand all of our books--Interabang Books!

How can people follow the Book Meshuggenahs?

We are on FB at Book Meshuggenahs, Twitter @TMeshuggenahs, Linkedin and Instagram @bookmeshugs! People can also contact us through our email at: TheBookMeshuggenahs@gmail.com

You are also a ventriloquist. Can you tell us about some of your special friends — Maria and Frog? How did you connect with them? How would you describe their personalities? You’ve shared that you sometimes don’t know what they’re going to say until they say it. Can you share sometimes when they’ve surprised you?

The thing about being a ventriloquist is that I really don't practice what either Frog or Maria will say at any given time, as each time is new and with a different audience. Sure, I know what I'm going to say to children and adults, but they interact with the audience. They are side-kicks, so it depends on what I say or what Ron says during performances. They are both 5 years old because I think that is the age that I'm most comfortable talking as. They are funny, silly, and interested in things. And, sometimes, like 5-year-olds, they say things to people that I can't believe they say; it just comes out. Recently, when I was taping with Frog for Sukkot, I asked if there was anything that he was sorry for. And, without me thinking about it, he told me about going into my scrapbooking papers and using them for his paper links to design the sukkah. I didn't practice that. It wasn't planned.

Maria is my go-to puppet for public schools. Frog now goes with me to JCCs, etc. Here's Maria.

Karen and Maria

Here is Frog talking what he was sorry:  (We did that video "on the fly.") 

For Yom Kippur they read from the book, "Sam and Charlie (and Sam, too)," by Leslie Kimmelman; For Sukkot they read from the book, "A Very Crowded Sukkah," by Leslie Kimmelman; And, for Simhat Torah, they read from the book, "Creation Colors," by Ann Koffsky!

You have some new books coming out in 2020 as well. Can you tell us about them?

I have a book coming out in October 2020 from Albert Whitman called, A Crowded Farmhouse Folktale.  It's loosely based on the public domain folktale from Poland, It Could Always Be Worse.  Farmer Earl and his wife Marge live in a teeny-tiny house.  Farmer Earl can't take it any longer, so he goes off to see the wise woman in town.  Find out what the wise woman suggests to Earl to make his home feel less crowded in this very silly, cumulative tale.  

The other book, coming out in November of 2020 is from KarBen.  It's a board book called Happy Birthday to the Trees. It's a Tu B’shvat board book.

Thanks, Karen, for hanging out with us on The Kids Are All Write!

Want to know more about Karen? She’s a multi-award-winning author of many picture books with hundreds of thousands of copies sold. Farmer Kobi's Hanukkah Match, was named a National Jewish Book Award Finalist and was awarded the 2016 Outstanding Children's Literature Award from the Church and Synagogue Library Association. Her books Bandit (Marshall Cavendish 2008), Bandit's Surprise (Marshall Cavendish 2010), and Ferret Fun(Marshall Cavendish 2011) all received starred reviews in School Library Journal; Rooster Can't Cock-a-Doodle-Doo (Dial 2004) and Bandit were both International Reading Association Children's Book Council Children's Choices Award recipients. Rooster Can't Cock-a-Doodle-Doo was a Dollywood Foundation selection two years in a row (in 2007 the Dollywood Foundation bought 73,579 copies and in 2008 it bought 88,996 copies). Karen's latest book, Maddie the Mitzvah Clown, published by Apples and Honey Press, a division of Behrman House, was named a PJ Library book selection in July of 2017 and went out to 21,000 4-year-olds in the US and Canada. Her latest book Happy Birthday to the Trees comes out from KarBen in 2020 and is also a PJ Library selection.  She’s an active member of SCBWI, and she has twice co-chaired the Rutgers University Council on Children's Literature's One-on-One Conference.

You can visit her one her website at  karenrostoker-gruber.com

On Facebook: Karen Rostoker-Gruber

On Twitter: @KarenRostokerGr

On Instagram: @RostokerGruber

Making Her voice heard: Vivian Kirkfield, Author & Friend

I’ll never forget when I first met Vivian Kirkfield, a longtime online critique partner, in person. It was at a 2016 writing retreat. Someone got the idea that each of the online critique groups in the room should pose for pictures and guess who was in nearly every group? That’s right — Vivian! Vivian is a true friend. She cheered for years for her buddies who had books published before she did. Now her books are coming out in a beautiful rush and her fans are having a blast cheering her on. While I love all her books, her newest, Making Their Voices Heard, the Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe (illustrated by Alleanna Harris, little bee books), is the most, well, Vivian. Because if there’s anyone who knows how friends can lift each other up, it’s Vivian. I feel lucky to be Vivian’s friend. For fellow friends reading THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE, enjoy. And for the rest of you, I encourage you to reach out to Vivian to say hi because for Vivian, there are no strangers. Only friends she hasn’t met yet.

How did you come up with the idea of writing Making Their Voices Heard?

I came up with the idea of writing Making Their Voices Heard when I found an online photo of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe sitting next to each other in a nightclub. I’m always looking for new story ideas and that photo…of two such different looking ladies who seemed to have such an air of camaraderie – almost as if they were hatching a plan – piqued my curiosity. The caption on the photo referred to how they were friends and how Marilyn had helped Ella get a booking at a top nightclub…hmmm…I had to know more!

What was the writing journey like? How long did you work on it? How much did it change along the way?

 I knew right away that I wanted to tell a story about both of them – and I wanted to discover the story behind the story…why did Marilyn need to help Ella? And had Ella helped Marilyn in some way? I started writing the story late in 2014 and brought it to a July 2015 writing retreat and showed it to an editor who was one of the faculty. She loved it and asked me to finish it (it was pretty rough) and send it to her. I signed with my agent that Fall and she sent it. The editor loved it, but couldn’t get her acquisitions team to take it. They were afraid it might be seen as a ‘white savior’ story. ☹ In the summer of 2016, I took it to another conference and again an editor asked to see it. And again, her sales and marketing team said no…for the same reason. ☹ At the end of 2017, my agent sent it to an editor at Little Bee Books. Courtney Fahy loved it…although she did ask for some revisions to make sure I was presenting a balanced story – one where both Ella and Marilyn contributed to each other’s career…I gladly revised…and they bought the story, hired the amazing Alleanna Harris to illustrate, and the rest is history!

Did you ever have moments where you wondered or worried if it would find a home? How did you feel when it did?

 I definitely wondered if the story would find a home…two editors had fallen in love with it but couldn’t acquire it. This gave me a better appreciation for editors and how they often don’t function independently from their publishing company. It gave me a better understanding of how every book is a collaboration…a team effort. And because it had come so close twice before, when the manuscript made it all the way through acquisitions, I was elated. I wanted to be able to share this incredible story of friendship…especially since it shows us what complex individuals we are. Many people know the name Marilyn Monroe…but most don’t know she was the first female movie star to own her own production company. And lots of people love Ella’s jazzy recordings, but don’t realize that she sued the airline Pan Am for discrimination successfully back in 1954…before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on that bus, before Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his I Have a Dream speech.

This is a story about friendship — a subject that I know is very important to you! You are such a wonderful friend to so many in the children’s book community — including me. Can you share your thoughts on what it means to be a friend, why it is important to be a friend, the most important qualities in a friendship and how you saw those qualities in the friendship between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe?

 Awww…thank you, Nancy. I feel I am so blessed, being surrounded by this incredible kid-lit community. And you are so right, Nancy! Friendship is very important to me. When I think of what friendship means to me, I think of Cori Doerrfeld’s book, The Rabbit Listened. Sometimes that is all you need to do to be a good friend. And other times, you share your troubles…that’s part of being a friend as well. Trust, respect, empathy – those are qualities I treasure in a friend…and the qualities I hope I model. When Marilyn needed to improve her voice, she studied the recordings of her idol, Ella Fitzgerald. And when Ella had a problem getting a booking at a particular nightclub, she confided in Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn often had trouble getting to sleep…and she listened to Ella’s recordings to relax. Marilyn is quoted as saying, “My favorite person in the world is Ella Fitzgerald…and I love her as a person, not only as a singer.” And, Ella saw every one of Marilyn’s movies and respected the depth of Marilyn’s character, saying: “Marilyn Monroe was ahead of her time and she didn’t even know it.”

marilynmonroe #ellafitzgerald #mocambo #jazz #civilrights

Were the illustrations by Alleanna Harris what you envisioned or did they surprise you? Do you have a favorite spread?

 I was THRILLED when I found out that Little Bee was going to ask Alleanna to illustrate…and I jumped for joy when she agreed! As far as a favorite spread, I do love the vignettes she did…but every page is a joy for me. I feel she captured the spirit and personality of both of these icons.

Do you have any favorite Marilyn Monroe movies and Ella Fitzgerald recordings? Did you watch any films or listen to recordings to get in the mood for the writing?

I’ve always loved Some Like it Hot…I think Marilyn Monroe was a wonderful actress…but for me, her comedic talents were best showcased in this movie. And I did listen to YouTube videos of Ella and Marilyn as well as interviews each had done.

Pippa’s Passover Plate by Vivian Kirkfield, illustrated by Jill Weber (Holiday House)

After years of working on your craft, you had a flurry of releases last year and you have a lot coming out next year and going forward. Can you tell us about some of your other books and how Making Their Voices Heard fits in and departs from your other books?

I consider myself a very lucky lady that so many editors have fallen in love with my manuscripts. Although I do write in many different ‘genres’ of picture book (Pippa’s Passover Plate is a rhyming holiday story and Four Otters Toboggan is a lyrical free verse counting book about endangered animals), my favorite is nonfiction pb bios. Earlier this year, my first book debuted…a nonfiction picture book biography about the first African American woman to secure a U.S. patent, Sweet Dreams, Sarah (Creston Books, illustrated by Chris Ewald) which just won a Eureka Honor Award. And in January 2021, I have a compilation book of nine full-length fully illustrated picture book bios launching from HMH, From Here to There: Inventions That Changed the Way the World Moves (HMH, illustrated by Gilbert Ford). And we just sold another picture book biography, so please stay tuned for more details. 😊 

Sweet Dreams, Sarah by Vivian Kirkfield, illustrated by Chris Ewald (Creston Books/Lerner Books)

 What have YOU learned from your journey with this book?

 What have I learned? I’ve learned that if you dig deep, you will uncover great stories. I’ve learned that nothing is impossible if you can imagine it. And, I’ve learned that the only failure is the failure to keep trying.

 Thank you so much for visiting us on THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE, Vivian! Is there anything else you would like to add?

I’d love to encourage everyone to never give up. Surround yourself with positive people who encourage and support you. Join critique groups and cherish their feedback. And most importantly, gather your courage and believe in yourself. Thank you so much, Nancy, for having me on your blog! This has been a lot of fun!

Four Otters Toboggan, An Animal Counting Book by Vivian Kirkfield, illustrated by Mirka Hokkanen (Pomegranate)

When Vivian isn’t looking for ways to fall from the sky or sink under the water, she can be found writing picture books in the quaint village of Amherst, NH where the old stone library is her favorite hangout and her young grandson is her favorite board game partner. A retired kindergarten teacher with a masters in Early Childhood Education, Vivian inspires budding writers during classroom visits and shares insights with aspiring authors at conferences. Watch for her #50PreciousWords International Contest in March and the #50PreciousWordsforKids Challenge in May. You can find her online here:

On her website: viviankirkfield.com

Facebook: Vivian Kirkfield

Twitter: @viviankirkfield

Pinterest: @viviankirkfield

Instagram: @viviankirkfield

Taking a Stand: Ann Koffsky on why she wrote 'Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor'

Is there anything Ann Koffsky doesn’t do? She writes, illustrates and is an editor and art director for Apples & Honey Press, which is part of Behrman House. 

Ann has written and/or illustrated more than 30 books with Jewish characters and themes — some of them PJ Library selections and one, Noah’s Swim-A-Thon, which is both a PJ Library election and a Sydney Taylor Notable. She’s also unafraid to tackle contentious themes. You may associate Hanukkah books with latkes, laughs and gentle little lessons. But Ann’s Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor takes a different, bold approach. Inspired by the Hanukkah story of the warrior, Judah Maccabee who fought to reclaim and restore the Temple for the Jewish people, Ann marches into a contentious area — vaccination — to tell the story of a little boy named Judah who does a brave thing to protect his little sister.

With Hanukkah approaching, I was delighted to have Ann come to talk to us about Judah Maccabbee Goes to the Doctor and more. Welcome, Ann!

What was your inspiration for Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor? 

In my community, there was an incident where a family was refusing to vaccinate their child. They made the argument that it was against their religion—Judaism—to vaccinate, and that struck me as utterly strange and a huge distortion. Judaism so strongly advocates for protecting our health! And that was the inspiration—I thought: I’ll write a kids book that highlights the JEWISH value of protecting our health—shamir et nafshecha.

What was the journey like for this book? Did Judah find a home right away?

Remarkable—and this doesn’t always happen!—yes. Apples and Honey Press loved the story, and chose to publish it. After its publication, it got lots of enthusiastic press from the Washington Post, Tablet Magazine, Kveller, and many others, especially in response to some exciting attacks from the antivax community. (For fun, check out the negative reviews the book it has received on its on the amazon page…it was quite... interesting.)

Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor by Ann Koffsky, illustrated by Talitha Shipman (Apples & Honey Press)

You are an illustrator as well as a writer, but you didn’t illustrate this book. How did it feel to see Talitha Shipman’s images? Were they what you imagined? Did they surprise you?

Talitha did a beautiful job with it. I’m not sure they surprised me, because we carefully chose her style as the perfect, upbeat approach for the book. But they did delight me—especially her depiction of the little sister spitting her cereal at her big brother, Judah!

Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor by Ann Koffsky, illustrated by Talitha Shipman (Apples and Honey Press)

Can you tell us about some of your other popular books, including PJ Library selections Kayla and Kugel’s Almost Perfect Passover, Noah’s Swim-A-Thon and Shabbat Shalom, Hey?

The Kayla and Kugel Series was inspired by the legendary Sammy Spider; I wanted to create a set of stories that introduced the holidays to young kids in warm, friendly way. So Kugel the dog was born! K&K have already celebrated Shabbat and Passover, and I am working on Hanukkah right now, which should be out for Hanukah 2020.

Noah’s Swim-A-Thon is about a boy who shows courage, and overcomes his fear of swimming to be able to participate in the camp swimathon, and Shabbat Shalom Hey is the illustrated version of that classic song.

Noah’s Swim-A-Thon by Ann Koffsky (Apples & Honey Press)

Please tell us about your latest, Creation Colors — another book that you wrote and illustrated.

I am SO proud of this one. It's a retelling of the story of Creation, and I used my paper cut art to illustrate it. I think it includes some of the best art I’ve ever made., plus it has a message of inclusion that I think is both a unique and authentic way to tell the story.

Creation Colors by Ann Koffsky (Apples and Honey Press)

You and I are among the group of women who have founded the Book Meshuggenahs. Please share what made you want to be part of this group. What’s the most important part of the mission to you?

To have other creative friends! To me, that was the most important reason for being a part of the group. Learning from other Creative Jewish women, and sharing our successes, working together is so meaningful.

Kayla and Kugel by Ann Koffsky (Apples and Honey Press)

What are you most looking forward to this Hanukkah? Any special celebrations or treats planned?

Time with family! That’s always the best treat.

Thank you so much for spending time with me on The Kids Are All Write, Ann! Is there anything you’d like to add?

You can let you readers know that I create free Jewish coloring pages for kids, and they can download them from my website at www.annkoffsky.com/ blog, and, if they ask to be placed on my mailing list, they’ll get an email with them as I create new ones. Thank you so much for hosting me here! It was fun.

You can also visit Ann on:

instagram: @JewishArtbyAnn

Pinterest: @JewishArtbyAnn

Twitter: @JewishArtbyAnn

Facebook: Ann Koffsky

'Hanukkah Hiccups' and Broadway shows, Shanna Silva's got it all

Hannah’s Hanukkah Hiccups by Shanna Silva, illustrated by Bob McMahon (Apples & Honey Press)

Kids books and Broadway shows — yep, Shanna Silva does it all. She’s the author of Hannah’s Hanukkah Hiccups (illustrated by Bob McMahon, Apples & Honey Press) and Passover Scavenger Hunt (illustrated by Miki Sakamoto, Kar-Ben Books/Lerner Books). She’s also won a Tony Award for producing the Broadway revival of Once on This Island, and produced many other Broadway and off-Broadway hits. Please welcome Shanna as she shares the inspiration for Hannah’s Hanukkah Hiccups in time for the Festival of Lights.

Shanna Silva

What was your inspiration for Hannah’s Hanukkah Hiccups?

I wanted to write a picture book that portrayed a character dealing with adversity through a humorous bent. All kids face challenges, and have a fear of being laughed at or labeled as different. Sometimes, things are out of our control, and we have to find creative solutions to deal with these issues. I also wanted to show the importance of community, and that when people focus on kindness and caring for one another, it allows others to feel supported and accepted. I chose hiccups because they are universally funny. I have always had ridiculous hiccups that sound like crickets, popping up at inopportune moments. It was the perfect problem for Hannah.

What was the journey like for this book? Did Hannah find a home right away?

Hannah’s Hanukkah Hiccups began as an assignment for a Children’s Writing class I was taking at Hofstra University. It went through many revisions, and then I realized that I was approaching it all wrong. Initially, Hannah was a one-dimensional character that was simply the butt of the joke. It took me a while to understand that I had to raise the stakes for her and write her as a sympathetic character that readers could root for. Additionally, as I revised (and revised), I discovered that this book was a great vehicle to write about a multi-cultural community, since the character lived in an ethnically diverse brownstone in New York City. It is intended to give readers an opportunity to find someone like them in a story, which kids need.

After several years of re-writes, I began to submit. It was initially rejected, and I continued to tweak the manuscript after putting it away for a while. I sent it to Apples & Honey Press, and then moved on to other projects. Just when I thought it was time to move on, I received a call from Apples & Honey Press. Conceptually, they liked the story but not the ending, and asked if I’d be willing to work on a rewrite. I enthusiastically accepted the challenge. I rewrote the manuscript with two alternate endings, and they were both rejected. Still believing that there was something worthy there, I decided to shelf it and return when I had some much needed distance and perspective. Sometimes, when I read something over and over, I am unable to see what’s missing, and how to fix it. Putting the manuscript away turned out to be a valuable choice. When I went back to it, I evaluated what I liked, and what was dead weight. Fresh eyes allowed me to edit it with the new perspective I’d gained in my evolution as a writer. I asked Apples & Honey Press to take another look at the piece, and they graciously agreed. This time, I had found the right balance between humor, compassion, struggle and creativity. Apples & Honey accepted the manuscript, and we proceeded to collaborate in a wonderful process.

As someone who is prone to hiccups myself I found myself taking note of all the remedies. How did you find the cures? Do you have any favorites?

I also get attacks of hiccups. Over the years, I have tried many of the remedies that I wrote about. Usually, time is the only one that works for me.

As I started researching remedies, I realized that many cultures have their own approach to hiccups. It was the necessary tie in to the ethnic diversity of my characters. Many hiccup “cures” are folklore that have passed down through many generations. Hiccups are a universal issue and in Hannah’s Hanukkah Hiccups, they are the backdrop for common ground between diverse people.

Shanna Silva is also the author of Passover Scavenger Hunt, illustrated by Miki Sakamoto (Kar-Ben Publishing/Lerner Books)

You are the only children’s book writer I know who is also a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer! How did you become a Broadway producer? What came first — being a writer or producer? How do those two fit together? And how do you find time for both?

Looking back, I was always a writer, even if I didn’t know it. As a kid, I was a voracious reader and enjoyed creative writing. In every adult job I ever had (in the finance, real estate, legal and health care industries), I wrote, whether it was newsletters, property descriptions, agreements or marketing materials. It only occurred to me to write for myself in my 40’s. There were stories bubbling up, and I wanted to find the right places to tell them. Knowing how important books were to me as a kid, I wanted to write in the children’s genre.

I became a Broadway Producer through a key industry introduction by my dermatologist. But let me back up…The first show I saw as a child, which was a regional production of The Sound of Music, grabbed me right away. From the opening notes, I felt a sense of belonging and enchantment in the theater. It was magic to me, something that I had previously only experienced in the world of books. Both mediums fostered a transformation into a new world that could make me feel things and help to make sense of my own life. That’s the gift that art gives us – a sense of the greater world and our place in it. Later, as an undergraduate student at New York University, I was able to buy $10 student seats to Broadway productions. The seats were in the back row of the mezzanine, but that didn’t matter. I was there.

Later on, after working in several different careers and having my family, I struck up a conversation with my dermatologist, who always had Broadway tunes playing in his theater poster-decorated exam rooms. Not surprisingly, he was a huge Broadway fan and had invested in many shows. He introduced my husband, Steven, and I to a producer, and we began to learn about the business. It happened at a serendipitous time in our lives, because we were looking to start the next chapter of our professional lives together.

Since then, we’ve produced a number of shows; have received four Tony nominations, and one Tony award. We have a deep respect for the work and the art that goes into opening and sustaining a show. Playing even a small part is a privilege.

Based on the Academy Award-winning movie starring Dustin Hoffman, the musical Tootsie tells the story of a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until an audacious, desperate stunt lands him the role of a lifetime.

There are so many similarities between producing theater and writing. Fundamentally, they are both about the power of storytelling and putting your heart into the art. They involve plot, character development, setting and dialogue. They have to capture the attention of the reader/theatergoer, lead them into a new world, and entice them to hang out for a while.

There are not enough hours in the day. Managing both career aspects is a matter of scheduling and prioritizing. With theater, the busy times tend to come in waves. Around the opening of a show and award season, there are many more time commitments. Writing is the kind of thing that can be done anywhere, anytime. I am always writing in my head, and I schedule times to actually sit and write either at home, the library or in between appointments.

Based on the 1997 animated film, Anastasia comes to Broadway with a new score from the Tony-winning team behind Ragtime, Once On This Island and Seussical-Ahrens and Flaherty-along with the film's classic songs, including the Oscar-nominated "Journey to the Past."

Please tell us about some of your favorite shows to produce. What was involved in producing them? Did you get to use any of your writer talents? Or your psychology degree from New York University?

My all time favorite show to produce (so far) was Anastasia. We became involved with the show very early in the process (a couple of years before the Broadway opening). Being a part of the journey so early creates an attachment to the show, as well as the opportunity to help shape its evolution. With Anastasia, we were onboard before the out of town run at Hartford Stage in Connecticut. Out of town runs are a standard with most Broadway shows, because it is an opportunity to see how a live audience reacts to the material. It informs the show’s next steps because in addition to gauging how a show is received, it is the chance for the producers to see what works – and what doesn’t. After this point, the show goes into major revision mode before a Broadway opening. In addition to the business side of production (marketing, ticketing, theater choice, budgeting and fund raising), there is the very crucial task of getting the art right. At this stage, my skills as an author are invaluable because I can evaluate the script the way I would approach a manuscript. With Anastasia, I was able to contribute to the collective artistic process, and offer my thoughts and suggestions. Many of them were incorporated, which I found very gratifying. As in most businesses, it is the people and the relationships formed that also create a sense of satisfaction and community. With Anastasia, I worked with an amazing group of producers, cast, and people behind the scenes.

I think my writing skills help me with everything I do. To be able to objectively critique, and welcome constructive criticism, serves me well in any environment. Writers are accustomed to rejection, and at the other end, perseverance. As for my psych degree, understanding people is a cornerstone of life. I’m still working on that one.

the broadway revival of once on this island perform at the 72nd annual tony awards carousel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JspmndiE6Sw my fair lady https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-k-pbxlwEQ

What was it like to win a Tony Award for Once On This Island?

Winning the Tony Award for Once on this Island (“OOTI”) was a dream. OOTI is such a beautiful, emotional show that we fell in love with. It was staged in the round and at the beach (the stage was literally sand and water). In that season, there were two other more well known revivals up for the award: Carousel and My Fair Lady. I think I’d resigned myself to not winning. As we sat there at the Tony Awards that year, it was nerve-racking and overwhelming. You really just don’t know what is going to happen, and sometimes winning the award dictates the financial health and longevity of a show, so the stakes are high. Actress Christine Baranski was announcing the category. She opened the envelope and I could see the surprise register on her face as she announced OOTI as the winner. There was a burst of adrenaline, and then you have to get up and hustle quickly to the stage because it’s a live broadcast, and there is a time limitation for each category. It was surreal to stand there and revel in the elation. Even more special was the treat I got backstage. I am a huge Bruce Springsteen fan, and that was the year he won a special Tony Award for his Broadway show. His performance happened was right after our award, so I got to watch some of his performance from the wings. I felt so much gratitude in that moment.

On Sunday, Access reports Bruce Springsteen brought down the house at the 72nd Annual Tony Awards. The Boss performed the hit song, "My Hometown," from his one-man show, "Springsteen on Broadway." The 1985 classic reflects on his time growing up in New Jersey.

How does producing a show compare to writing a children’s book?

In some ways, art is art. Without getting the art right in a musical or play, the production will fail. Similarly, weak writing that misses the mark will never make a good children’s book. Both mediums need to engage the audience/reader and give them an experience into the world you are creating, and make them feel something for the characters. Emotion is at the heart of great art, no matter the medium.

With a book, it all starts with me. As the author, the ideas are mine, the language choice is mine, and when it doesn’t work, that’s on me, too. Once my part is finished, I hand it over to the publisher and then other creatives get to continue shaping and polishing. With theater, I am part of a larger collaborative team to help shape something that someone else has created. We have to take the vision of the authors/lyricists/composers into consideration, and help translate it into something that is artistically pleasing and commercially viable. There is a lot of money at stake and the competition is insane. There are also other considerations such as securing a theater and rights, casting, sales and marketing that producers are collectively responsible for.

The biggest similarity between writing books and producing is that in both cases, the author and producer are charged with making it all happen. Writing is a very solitary pursuit, and theater is collaborative. I actually like both.

The Book Meshuggenahs are hosting a Hanukkah giveaway of eight books to eight winners for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, including Shanna Silva’s Hannah’s Hanukkah Hiccups. For a chance to win, go to the Book Meshuggenahs page on Facebook and share the post about the giveway.

You and I are among the group of women who have founded the Book Meshuggenahs. Please share what made you want to be part of this group. What’s the most important part of the mission to you?

The biggest appeal to me is to be involved with a group where women are helping other women. We lift each other up. It’s a great support system, and I’ve learned so much from my fellow Meshuggenahs. Wanting to create quality Jewish literature for children is our common starting point, and making sure that our diverse voices are heard, is very important to all of us. I like to surround myself with talented people as it naturally provides a learning opportunity and a push to elevate my own work.

What are you most looking forward to this Hanukkah? Any special celebrations or treats planned?

I love having the opportunity to read Hannah’s Hanukkah Hiccups to young readers and get their feedback. When I get a laugh or a child inches forward because they are engaged, it is hugely gratifying.

I leave a bowl of dreidels on my counter during Hanukkah, and inevitably, my teenage children and their friends stop for a spin or two. No matter how old they get, I hope they never lose the urge to play and delight in the experience.

Thank you so much for spending time with me on The Kids Are All Write, Shanna! Is there anything you’d like to add?

Thank you, Nancy. It has been my pleasure. If I may be so indulgent, I’d love to share a quote from one of my favorite authors, Stephen King:

“Life isn’t a support system for art, it’s the other way around.”

Hannah’s Hanukkah Hiccups is available at the Book Meshuggenahs’ online bookstore, Interabang Books, here. You can also visit Shanna on her website:

shannasilva.com

On Facebook: Shanna Silva

On Twitter: @ShannaLSilva

On Instagram: @ShannaSilva

From Morticia to 'Moldilocks,' author Lynne Marie LOVES Halloween!

Moldilocks and the Three Scares: a Zombie Tale by Lynne Marie, illustrated by David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Sterling Children’s Books)

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Halloween than with Lynne Marie’s new Halloween book, Moldilocks and the Three Scares: a Zombie Tale (llustrated by David Rodriguez Lorenzo, Sterling Children’s Books). Lynne Marie, as you’ll learn in this interview has a knack for wonderful holiday stories, but Halloween is extra special for her. She explains why on The Kids Are All Write. Thanks, Lynn, for hanging out with us here!

What was your inspiration for Moldilocks and the Three Scares?

Definitely you can see shades of my childhood -- growing up reading fairy tales, as well as watching T.V. shows like The Addams Family and The Munsters, as well as Dark Shadows and Creature Feature.

What was the journey like for this book? Did Moldilocks find a home right away?

The seed for this idea started as a turn of the phrase “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” into “Moldilocks and the Three Scares.” I knew I had to really switch things up to make it new and different, so from there, I started flipping things. I made Moldilocks an answer to the Scares’ nightmares (prayers) instead of an intruder, I gave Papa the role of homemaker/cook, and Mama worked in the lab, etc. It was a really fun book to write and it sold quickly. I was at an SCBWI Conference and had a critique for THE DINOSTORE, but the editor, Meredith Mundy, had too many dinosaur books on her list already, so had asked what else I had, and I pitched her MOLDILOCKS :)

One of the things I like best, without, I hope, giving it away, is the sweet, inclusive twist you give the story. Was that part of it from the beginning? How are kids responding to it?

Yes, that was there from the very beginning. As an adopted child, I had never liked the idea of Goldilocks wandering around alone in the woods without a family, so I fixed all that! I am happy to say that kids are really getting the adoption angle and in a very sweet way. It really makes my heart swell.

Take a sneak peek at THE ADDAMS FAMILY national tour, coming soon to a city near you! For more information about The Addams Family on Tour, please visit: http://www.TheAddamsFamilyMusicalTour.com Also check us out on: FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/theaddamsfamilymusical TWITTER: https://twitter.com/#!/theaddamsfamily

What makes Halloween special for you? Can you share some of your favorite Halloween memories?

I’ve always been *over-the-moon* crazy over Halloween. My mother says this is very common in adopted children. If you can’t tell by that statement, she was a social worker before she retired. Regardless, I LOVE Halloween, dressing up and costumes, decorations, monsters, the orange and black, Halloween movies and Halloween parties -- I love it all. I guess I was the exact right person to write this book as they say.

Favorite Halloween memories. Hmmmm. One that truly stands out was when I met John Astin of The Addams Family in New York. He was starring in Once Upon A Midnight: The Story of Edgar Allen Poe ON Halloween. I called the theatre and asked if people would be wearing costumes and they said, yes, of course! So I dressed in my Morticia Addams costume. My husband and son of course refused to wear costumes. When we showed up at the theatre, I was the only one wearing a costume. Well, I slunk across the lobby with all the grace I could muster, but boy was it funny!

Another is when I got to meet up with Douglas Sills who played Gomez Addams in the touring company for The Addams Family (also on Halloween), again, dressed as Morticia. I knew him from when I lived in New York. I was a Pimpie which meant I had seen The Scarlet Pimpernel on Broadway many, many times and he was the starring role. For those who don’t recognize this play, it’s technically one of the first costumed SuperHero stories, set against the French Revolution and written by Baroness Orzcy. I’ve attached a picture of me with Doug.

Lynne Marie, dressed as Morticia on Halloween, with actor Douglas Sills who played Gomez Addams in the touring company for The Addams Family.

You’ve written a lot of holiday-themed books — not always intentionally, I understand! Can you tell us how you came to write your other holiday books?

Well as you mentioned, it was unintentional. It’s apparent that I am drawn toward cinema, costumes, creatures (all creatures great and small) and celebrations. I think it’s the stuff I’m made of. HEDGEHOG GOES TO KINDERGARTEN focuses on the event of going back-to-school, HEDGEHOG’S 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL focuses the 100th Day of School Celebration (I honestly really LOVE that day), THE STAR IN THE CHRISTMAS PLAY -- Christmas, and of course, MOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE SCARES - Halloween. My fifth book, LET’S EAT! MEALTIME AROUND THE WORLD is not tied to a specific date, but it does celebrate culture and customs and mealtimes -- eating together and sharing.

Hedgehog's 100th Day of School by Lynne Marie, illustrated by Lora Hussey (Scholastic)

This is quite a punderful book. Did you crack yourself up with the wordplay?

I can easily crack myself up with wordplay and go overboard. The truth is that I had to pull back and leave in just enough to not overdo it, or over-decorate LOL

There are a lot of visual jokes in Moldilocks, too. Did you indicate some of them in art notes? Did your illustrator, David Rodriguez Lorenzo surprise you? Do you have any favorite spreads?

Well, I am a self-admitted Queen of the Art Note. I try extremely hard to make sure that they are essential, so I have never been called to task over them, but I am a very visual writer/thinker, so I do often write in a way that depends upon them. I have, in facts, been asked to add more. True Story! For Moldilocks, I did have many art notes, and no, David did not honor my art note to have Papa’s bed be a Bed of Nails. Too much I guess LOL! I do agree a slab was a better choice. And Baby Scare’s Bed was not a coffin, but just an appropriately Scare-y bed. See -- sometimes I get carried away. And I was pleasantly surprised by his contributions.

To be honest, I love the art and the color palette so I adore almost all the spread, but my absolute favorite is the family dinner scene as that has the heart of the story in it.

Let’s Eat!: Mealtime Around the World by Lynne Marie, illustrated by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books)

You have some more new books coming out, too. I was honored that you asked me to write a blurb for Let’s Eat!: Mealtime Around the World. Can you tell us what inspired that book?

Actually my editor asked me to write that book, but a lifelong passion for travel and love of culture inspired it. It comes out November 5, 2019 and I’m so excited about it. I’m crossing my fingers that it sells well so I can write the next book, which I believe will be Let’s Play: Games Around the World.

A spread from ‘Let’s Eat: Mealtime Around the World’ by Lynn Marie. Ilustrated by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books

What else do you have coming out and when?

I have some exciting things in the wings but nothing I can talk about yet.

Have you got anything special planned for Halloween this year?

This year was a big travel year for me. Since one year ago I’ve been to the Bahamas many times, to Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Belize, St. Maarten, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Holland, Sweden, Russia and I’m sure I’ve forgotten some place. I’ve actually cancelled a few trips so I can catch my breath and I’m just going to stay home and celebrate my dog’s birthday with my family. His name is Anakin, and we’re taking him to Woofgang Bakery in Fort Lauderdale for his 2nd birthday to have a pupcake and pick out a present, as well as Starbucks to get a pupaccino.

Lynn Marie plans to spend this Halloween celebrating the birthday of her dog, Anakin, with an outing to Woofgang Bakery in Fort Lauderdale where he’ll enjoy a pupcake and pick out a present.

Thank you for this boo-tifu interview on The Kids Are All Write, Lynne Marie! You can visit Lynne Marie on her website here:

LiterallyLynneMarie.com

On Facebook: LiterallyLynneMarie

On Twitter: @Literally_Lynne

On Pinterest: @LynneMarie

Kindred Spirits: How a show and book about Dr. King and Anne Frank found each other

Alexandra Gellner and Wesli Spencer play Anne Frank and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in ‘Letters from Anne and Martin,’ developed and produced by the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect in New York City. Photo courtesy of the Clinton Foundation in Little Rock, Ark. Wesli and Alexandra, who is also the Associate Director for Education-Performances at the Anne Frank Center, will perform at the annual conference for NYC School Librarians Nov. 5 at CitiFeld in Queens, followed by a panel where I’ll join them to share Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank (illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg, Creston Books/Lerner Books)

When I talked about my book, Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank, most people are surprised to learn that both Dr. King and Anne Frank were born in the same year — 1929 — and how much these two people of different races, genders, religions and countries had in common. So you can imagine my surprise when I discovered that I wasn’t the only one who picked up on this connection between these two people who met hate with love and left us with words that inspire us today. The Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect in New York City had developed a show called Letters from Anne and Martin that they premiered in 2013 — six years before my book came out!

When we became aware of each other, we realized that we were kindred spirits, too — the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect and I. We have the same aim — to break down walls between people, to show how injustice against any one of us is injustice against us all, how we must love and stand up for each other, with special attention to the vulnerable among us.

I was honored when the Anne Frank Center asked to create a birthday video to honor Anne Frank for what would have been her 90th birthday on June 12. I was delighted to donate books for their celebration. And I was thrilled I was when the extraordinary Patricia Sarles, Library Operations and Instructional Coordinator for Brooklyn and Staten Island for the NYC Department of Education, invited me to not only see the production, Letters from Anne and Martin, at the annual New York City School Librarians Conference in Queens on Nov. 5, but to share a panel with the actors afterwards, including the marvelous Alexandra Gellner, whom I’ve gotten to know in her other role as Associate Director of Education-Performance at the Anne Frank Center.

We’ll be talking to Alexandra in just a bit on The Kids Are All Write, but first I want to share how Patricia is making this magical meeting happen at CitiField — in Patricia’s own words:

Patricia Sarles

“I arranged for the Anne Frank Center to come when I met Alexandra Gellner and Sharon Douglas (CEO) at a presentation on Anne Frank from Menno Metselaar. Menno is from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and he was in NYC to promote his book, All About Anne (By Anne Frank House, illustrated by Huck Scarry, Second Story Press) and to do school presentations. I asked Sharon if the Anne Frank Center in NYC does programming and she said yes and introduced me to Alexandra. I told them about our fall conference for librarians and they gave me their cards. I kept in touch with them. When they told me about the performance of Letters from Anne and Martin, I then said, “What a coincidence! Do you know Nancy Churnin? She just came out with a children’s book about Martin and Anne.” They said they knew the book. After they submitted a proposal for our fall conference in July, I emailed them and asked them if it would be okay with them if you participated on the Q&A since you wrote a book on the subject. Alexandra was very enthusiastic about that idea. I was so happy I could invite you back to our fall conference again this year to participate in that Q&A after their performance and happy we can bring your book to the attention of our librarians.”

All About Anne by Anne Frank House, illustrated by Huck Scarry, Second Story Press

Patricia explained why she thought it was important to present Letters from Anne and Martin.

“I ultimately thought this play was important for librarians in NYC because many people don’t know that there is an Anne Frank Center in NYC and we are all from NYC! I have a personal connection to Anne as well. Well, not totally personal except that I’ve read her diary three times (first time in 7th grade) and it captivated me, inspired me, and resonated with me on a very deep level. I could not wait to visit the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam when I was in college, which I’ve subsequently done twice. Anne Frank is a 20th century hero and everybody ought to have read her diary and know about her so I was really thrilled to have met Alexandra and Sharon and to be able to bring their performance to my NYC librarians!”

 Thank you, Patricia, for bringing us together and giving me a chance to see this amazing production and share my book. And thank you, Alexandra Gellner for taking the time to answer questions below on The Kids Are All Write!

Q and A with Alexandra Gellner

Please tell us about yourself and why and how you came to work with the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect.

I am originally from Northern California and came to New York when I was accepted to The New School for Drama where I got my MFA in Acting. It was three years of rigorous training at a university that seeks to develop civically engaged artists. So it felt like kismet when I joined the Anne Frank Center, an organization that endeavors to combat hatred and prejudice and intolerance in the United States, in the fall of 2016.

AFC had placed an ad on the audition listings for their educational solo show "Conversations with Anne." I was always moved by Anne's story from a young age, I loved reading and watching the play adaptation in high school so I knew I always wanted to play her. I also appreciated that the performance is primary source text and educational - it serves as an introduction to Anne and her diary for students who are meeting her for the first time.

I auditioned, got a callback where I met our CEO Sharon Douglas, and was then offered the role. I started rehearsing for that show and then "Letters from Anne and Martin" to essentially understudy for the actor playing Anne in that cast. Eventually, AFC leadership created the position for me where I would oversee and manage our performance programs as well as direct and act in them. I have since created an acting company and we each take turns performing. There is another actor besides myself who plays Anne and there are two actors who play Martin.

When I was younger, people who often ask "why do you want to be an actor?" Of course my answer has changed and evolved over the years, but in graduate school I realized what it all came down to was that I wanted to be an actor and teacher, because I believe they go hand in hand, and I wanted to find a way to teach empathy. But how does one do that? I am a firm believer in theatre being one avenue where we can practice and develop our empathy. Empathy and emotional intelligence are at the root of all of our programming at Anne Frank Center which makes it the perfect professional home for me at this point in my career.

What was the inspiration for developing Letters from Anne and Martin?

The idea was conceived by the Anne Frank Center education team before I came on board. They developed the performance for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. remembrance events in January 2013 and it rapidly became the AFC's most popular production among high schools and colleges. They continued with a university campus event in February that year and the performances have grown more frequent ever since.

The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks at an interfaith civil rights rally at the Cow Palace in San Francisco on June 30, 1964. Photo by George Conklin/Creative Commons

How does this fit in with the mission of the Anne Frank Center?

When I think of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, I think of courage, hope and perseverance in the face of adversity and intolerance. Combating prejudice and intolerance is central to the Anne Frank Center's mission.

He was a leader and champion for equality and harmony and it is stories like his, in our recent past and in our very real present, that we at the Anne Frank Center would like to bring closer to the forefront of our collective memory and consciousness.

You call it a theatrical presentation rather than a play because you use “found text.” What made you select the particular texts you did? Did you know from the start that you were not going to fictionalize the presentation in any way?

When I joined the team in 2016, the script had already existed so I was not part of the text selection process. The staff who developed the script had since moved on, but I was encouraged to make further developments. Everything that was in the original script is still there, I just moved some selections around, found some ways for their words to overlap so it felt like they were almost finishing each other's sentences across time and space. I also added some segments from his letter and her diary that exemplifies how detrimental segregation is to the mental and emotional health of segregated communities.

I think it was important to the staff then and it continues to be now that we do not take dramatic liberties to the point of fictionalizing any part of their lives. This is meant to open the door, spark the curiosity of students and to share with them these amazing words that already exist and were written within 20 years of each other! If so many similarities can be drawn between these two figures, how many other kindred spirits are out there?

An entry in the diary of Anne Frank from Sept. 28, 1942. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

Was there any challenge in getting the rights from the Anne Frank and the Dr. King estates to use the material?

As advocates for education, dignity, and respect, we take seriously the concepts of intellectual property and fair use. We work closely with our partners to ensure we're abiding by copyrights, including through the Anne Frank Fonds, the organization responsible for publishing the diary and images representing the Frank family. Our exhibits, performances, and other educational workshops all seek to highlight the vision and activism of historical human rights heroes. It's an honor to creatively bring their stories to public audiences and inspire the leaders who will fulfill their dreams for humanity.

Rachel Griesinger and Parish Bradley also play Anne Frank and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Letters from Anne and Martin. Photo courtesy of Embracing Our Differences.

Do you play Anne Frank in some or all of the performances? What is it like for you to play her? Has playing her changed the way you feel about her?

I share the honor of portraying Anne with a colleague of mine and fellow New School graduate, Rachel Griesinger. We split it pretty evenly and whenever one of us has another gig, the other can easily take over.

It's a very humbling experience to play her. I still get nervous, but not as nervous as I was when I first started doing these performances. Leading up to a performance I would get so depressed thinking about how I would have to visit that dark and cramped space and find some hope within it all. I would worry that I wasn't honoring her memory, or I wasn't doing her justice. I still worry, but at the end of the day, I remember there is a little bit of Anne in all of us. She contains multitudes. It's very easy to view her as a victim that had to suffer in silence, so when I first started performing in these shows I think my portrayal of her lived in a very morose place. Yes, she did get depressed, but most of her life, even in the Annex, she was rambunctious and very outspoken. She's helped me discover that side of myself and I have grown to love and lean into that when I portray her.

What for you is the power of having these two great spirits portrayed on stage together?

I think it's magical to think that these two brilliant minds coexisted on different sides of the ocean but were so aligned in their philosophy and dreams for humanity. And then it is devastating to think that they could have met and perhaps become colleagues in their fight for equality and justice, but we were robbed of that possibility because of the blind hatred of others.

Your book and its title illustrate that power perfectly - the power of kindred spirits. We all have them, and maybe when we remember that we are not entirely alone, perhaps we will be less scared, thus less combative and less hateful.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., left, in 1965. Anne Frank in 1940. (King photo via AP Photo; Frank photo via Creative Commons)

What have been some of the most memorable places the play has been performed?

We have performed for students the Clinton Foundation in Little Rock, Arkansas several times. They have in their garden one of the saplings of Anne Frank's beloved chestnut tree which she references in her diary. We've been hosted by the Wassmuth Human Rights Center in Boise, Idaho, which also has a sapling and a stunning Anne Frank statue in their memorial garden. The Sandusky State Theatre in Ohio was one venue I performed at last February that was a gorgeous space and had a wonderful audience.

What have been the most surprising and memorable reactions from audiences?

I am always so moved when students immediately remark on the parallels they notice between Anne and Martin's lives, and then they see how the message of their stories is relevant today: people are still thrown into cells and prisons and cages and their humanity is disregarded.

We received some thank you letters from students that we performed for at an after school program in Brooklyn. One student illustrated two chairs (which is our set) with a dashed line between them to represent the invisible threshold that separated but also connected Anne and Martin's worlds. It's a threshold that we are always playing with in the rehearsal room, so it was very satisfying to know that a 12 year old noticed and illustrated it.

When students start drawing connections (figuratively and literally!) it's incredibly rewarding.

A letter the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect received after a performance of Letters from Anne and Martin

If an organization wants to present the production, what are the first steps?

Anyone who is interested in hosting a production just has to reach out to us by emailing performances@annefrank.com with basic contact information, name and location of the venue and preferred dates and times of the performances and we'll go from there! We can perform in any indoor space with good acoustics or microphones as long as there is room for the audience, room for the actors to prepare and perform, two armless chairs for set, and a sound system so we can deliver the immersive soundscape.

Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg (Creston Books/Lerner Books)

I want to thank you and the Anne Frank Center for the kind words about my picture book, Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank. I was not aware when I wrote this book that you had developed this presentation. I was surprised and happy to know about this presentation and this connection was being made for older audiences. Were you surprised to find out about my picture book? How do you feel about it?

I was surprised and thrilled to hear about your book and I was comforted to know that there are more artists out there sharing Martin and Anne's stories and highlighting the parallels of their lives, especially for younger audiences. We need to be aware of these patterns of oppression in our history and how it robs us of lives and friendships that could have enriched our world today. You and Yevgenia Nayberg have created a beautiful book that honors their legacy. It was actually very helpful to read your book as an actor and director because I am usually so focused on Martin's adult life and experiences in Birmingham that I forget about his boyhood and everything he was going through while Anne was writing her diary. Thank you for building such a clear and touching timeline of their lives!

I cannot wait to meet you in November!

I can’t wait to meet you in November, too, Alexandra! I am thrilled we’ll be sharing the story of these great spirits with the librarians and educators in New York City.

“
@annefrankcenter
June 11 2019 - 16:01

This Wednesday, June 12, 2019 marks what would have been Anne Frank’s 90th birthday. Help us remember by sharing what inspires you most about her. 📹: author Nancy Churnin @nchurnin reveals the kindred spirits of humanitarian leaders, Anne Frank and Martin Luther King Jr, in her children’s book ‘MARTIN & ANNE.’ Dr. King and Anne Frank came from worlds apart yet were born the same year and both shared a dream for a kinder, more peaceful future for humanity. Thank you, Nancy, for all that you do to share the story of peace and compassion! #anne90 #annefrank90 #inspiration #birthday #humanity #happybirthdayannefrank #martinandanne #kindredspirits #legacy #remembereducateact ✍🏿✍🏻📰📖📝”

From Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank by Nancy Churnin. Illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg. Creston Books. Lerner Books.

To learn more about the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect and the great programs it runs, check out their website: annefrank.com

On Twitter: @AnneFrankCenter

On Facebook: Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect

On Instagram: @AnneFrankCenter

For more on the book, check out the Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank page here. You’ll also find our project, Kindred Spirits, where schools are sharing how they are teaming up with other schools so kids can explore all they have in common here.

Preview of the book "Martin & Anne: The Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Anne Frank," by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg . Anne Frank and Martin Luther King Jr. were born the same year a world apart.

Shining a light on kids who love music, Andrea J. Loney talks 'Double Bass Blues'

Double Bass Blues by Andrea Loney, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez

Andrea J. Loney has a heart for kids who feel different. From Bunny Bear (Illustrated by Carmen Saldana, Albert Whitman & Company), the story of a bear who acts like a bunny, to her latest, Double Bass Blues, (illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez, Knopf Books for Young Readers), a book inspired by music-loving students who told her that no one would be interested in a story about them.

She describes herself as “a small, bespectacled chick of African-American, Jamaican and Panamanian descent escaped from her tiny suburban Jersey town to study writing in New York City.” She graduated from New York University, earned an MFA and joined a traveling circus, traveling with clowns, elephants and carnies. She’s written for Hollywood (Chicken Soup for the Soul), 1999-2000), worked as a teacher, written novels, performed comedy and is now an author of middle grade and picture books. And now, get ready, because she’s topping off the excitement by talking about Double Bass Blues on THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE.

Andrea J. Loney

What inspired you to write Double Bass Blues?

I grew up in a family full of musicians. My grandfather studied at Juilliard and during World War 2 he traveled as a piano soloist in Europe with a London orchestra. My mom plays piano too. I played the marching xylophone, the glockenspiel, and the marimba. Many afternoons in my high school days were spent lugging a heavy bell set home after class. And my sister’s kids (who are all named in the dedication) play various musical instruments as well.

But the idea for Nic specifically came from my life as a computer teacher. I was running an after school program for Black and Hispanic boys in LA, and some of my students were frequently late or absent. But when they got to class, we all had a great time and they did amazing work. When I finally asked them what was up, they revealed all the obstacles they’d encountered to make it to my classroom — walking long distances, missing bus connections, bullies, girls teasing them, people making them feel bad for enjoying a computer class, and more.

One day in class, after I asked one teen what kind of stories he’d like to see written about a kid like him, he just cocked his head and replied, “Nobody wants to see who we really are, Ms. Andrea. Nobody cares about us.” Ouch. His words broke my heart into a zillion pieces that day, but they also gave me the drive to write Double Bass Blues.

Double Bass Blues by Andrea J. Loney, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez (Knopf Books for Young Readers)

Tell us about your book journey. How much did the book change from the time you got your idea to when you finished the manuscript? Did it find a home right away?

At first the story for this book was two different stories — the story of a kid listening to the sounds of the world around him and creating a new song from that, and the story of a kid playing an instrument one way in the school orchestra and another way with his jazz-playing grandpa. Eventually I realized that they were the same story. Then one night, I sat down at my kitchen table with a legal pad and wrote the whole thing out. There were maybe nine word changes from the submitted manuscript to the published book.

This book found a home fairly quickly, but not right away. My fantastic agent at the time, Jill Corcoran, was a fierce champion of the story, so she kept submitting it until she found someone who could see the vision. That person was the ever-awesome Erin Clarke of Random House Knopf.

What was your inspiration for the child at the heart of the story?

There were two inspirations for Nic. One was a cheerfully tenacious young student at the after school computer class I’d taught. The other inspiration was my oldest niece, who liked to switch from classical to jazz style when she was learning how to play the cello.

Bunny Bear by Andrea J. Loney, illustrated by Carmen Saldana (Albert Whitman & Company)

Was there anything about the illustrations by Rudy Gutierrez that surprised or particularly delighted you? Do you have a favorite spread in the book?

Rudy Gutierrez’s illustrations just blow me away! I love how he captures the world inside and outside of Nic with color and movement. Even when the book is just sitting there on the table, the whole story seems to pour from the pages in waves of constant motion.

The thing that surprised me the most is that Nic looks like a younger version of the cheerful and tenacious student I’d taught in that after school program! I never described the kid’s hair or his complexion or his sweet countenance, but Rudy somehow managed to capture it all.

What do you hope that kids will take away from Double Bass Blues?

After experiencing Double Bass Blues, I hope that kids will tune into the sounds all around them and notice that there is music everywhere. I hope that it might encourage them to be kind to strangers, because we never know what kind of burden another person is carrying and why. And I hope it might inspire them to take up a musical instrument — I’m a huge fan of music and arts in the schools.

Take a Picture of Me James Van Der Zee! by Andrea J. Loney. Illustrated by Keith Mallett (Lee & Low Books)

You’ve had a pretty extraordinary journey, including working in a circus and on a television show. Can you tell us how that has affected your approach to picture books?

When I was at the Big Apple Circus, they had a special program called “Circus of the Senses” for children who were either hearing-impaired, visually impaired, or both. The performers would put on their regular show, but sign-language interpreters would translate the show for the sighted children and audio interpreters would describe the show in vivid detail to the hearing children. Both sets of kids were equally thrilled by the performances. Experiencing a show I’d seen a zillion times before as just audio or just visuals really informed my approach to picture books. What do the words do? What do the pictures do? When to they overlap? How do these overlapping senses elicit tension and emotion?

As for my script writing experience, it’s probably part of why I spend so much time running each picture book idea through my head from beginning to end, as if it were a movie, before I write any of it down.

Is there anything you’re working on now that you’d like to share about?

Yes! In September 2020, Charlesbridge will publish a picture book anthology called No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History, illustrated by Jeanette Bradley, and edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf and Keila Dawson. It features poetry about 14 different amazing youth activists. I am so thrilled, delighted, and humbled to be a part of it.

Thanks so much for visiting us on The Kids Are All Write, Andrea! Is there anything you would like to add?

Thanks for having me!

Don’t miss Double Bass Blues, which comes out Oct. 22. It has already received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews and Horn Book. Plus, if you leave a comment, you are entered for a chance to win a free autographed copy.

You can visit Andrea on Facebook here: Andrea J Loney, Author

On Twitter: @AndreaJLoney

Instagram: @AndreaJLoney

Pinterest: @AndreaJLoney

And her website: andreajloney.com

Talking to Ann Marie Stephens about how Math + Fun = 'Arithmechicks Add Up'

Arithmechicks Add Up by Ann Marie Stephens, illustrated by Jia Liu (Boyds Mill Press)

One of the great challenges for teachers is finding ways to make math fun — and who should know better about that than a teacher who does that for her students? Ann Marie Stephens is an author and elementary school teacher who transformed one of her own math lessons into Arithmechicks Add Up (illustrated by Jia Liu, Boyds Mill Press). Check out her Q and A on THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE to see how she added her love of math to her love of writing to create a book that your kids will number among their favorites! For a chance to win a copy of Arithmechicks Add Up, tweet or retweet a link to this post and tag Ann Marie @AMStephens_ and me @nchurnin.

Ann Marie Stephens

What was your inspiration for Arithmechicks Add Up?

Arithmechicks came from a math lesson I created for my students. They made chicks out of construction paper and put math facts on them. We called them the Arithmetic Chicks. I jotted “arithmetic chicks doing math” in my idea journal and years later ARITHMECHICKS ADD UP hatched.

What was your journey with this story from idea to manuscript? Did you come up with the name, Arithmechicks, right away?

The name came pretty quickly though I was bouncing back and forth between Arithmetic Chicks and Arithmechicks. I asked the opinions of my writer friends and it was unanimous decision for Arithmechicks. The idea itself worked in two parts. I needed a strong storyline while also incorporating math. I came up with the story line first, then snuck in the math problems.

Cy Makes a Friend by Ann Marie Stephens, illustrated by Tracy Subisak (Boyds Mill Press)

I see a theme of unlikely friendships and how to make them in Arithmechicks and your other books, Scuba Dog and Cy Makes a Friend. Is that a coincidence or intentional?

It’s definitely coincidence that the first books I’ve sold have been about friendship, though it is a topic I find important. As a teacher, I see kids struggle with friendships all the time. But because I teach younger kids, I have the benefit of seeing friendships in their innocent and unbiased forms. In other words, the world hasn’t tried to influence their choice of friends. They just like people who like them back. SCUBA DOG proves there are no barriers to making a friend, even if you have to carry heavy scuba equipment! CY MAKES A FRIEND reinforces the bravery it takes to put your true self out there, hoping someone will like you.

Tell us about your love of scuba diving. When and how did that happen? Did your scuba diving inspire Scuba Dog?

I received my scuba certification back in the mid-90s. That previous summer I had been snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. I was having complications, (choking on water due to giggling with my sister), when I looked below me. I saw a group of scuba divers having way more fun than I was. I spit out my snorkel and said to my sister, “That’s what I want to do!” My love for diving absolutely inspired my book, SCUBA DOG. I feel connected to animals in the ocean and oddly enough, they are drawn to me. Animals such as fish, sharks, an eel, and sea turtles have followed me. I like to say I’m friends with them all. I’ve been diving all over the world and I’m not finished yet.

Scuba Dog by Ann Marie Stephens, illustrated by Jess Golden (little bee books)

You’ve been an elementary teacher for more than 28 years. Did you always want to write books or did that come later? How has teaching kids helped you with writing for them?

My love for writing really began in 5th grade with Mrs. Ripol. I remember writing about the passing of my dog. She encouraged us to read our stories aloud. I got choked up and Mrs. Ripol did too. I remember feeling the power of words in that moment. She encouraged writing throughout the year, and that’s when I started planning my future as an author.

Teaching kids has helped me because I’m lucky enough to read hundreds of picture books a year. It exposes me to what’s out there, what entertains kids, and what doesn’t! On the flip side, teaching while being an author is pretty difficult. Elementary teaching takes so much time and energy before, during, and after school that it doesn’t allow me much time to write.

I suspect that elementary school teachers are looking for ways to make math fun. How does Arithmechicks Add Up help them with that?

This is very true. We’ve struggled over the years to find picture books at just the right level for our students. Many are too advanced, others are very long, and some are perfect, such as Corey Rosen Schwartz’s TWINDERELLA (illustrated by Deborah Marcero, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers). Anytime I find a mathy book with a storyline, and a clear mathematical approach, I snatch it up! ARITHMECHICKS ADD UP introduces addition with clear, countable illustrations, as well as eight different approaches to adding. The storyline and the search for Mouse, makes readers want to keep turning the pages.

Twinderella, A Fractioned Fairy Tale by Corey Rosen Schwartz, illustrated by Deborah Marcero (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers)

Please tell us about your upcoming book, Arithmechicks Take Away. Did you sell it at the same time as Arithmechicks Add Up? Will the mouse be back?

I did sell them at the same time. I knew my editor was extremely interested in ARITHMECHICKS ADD UP. She wasn’t necessarily looking for a second book yet. I figured I had nothing to lose by pitching the idea. It paid off because she wanted both! ARITHMECHICKS TAKE AWAY is almost complete. The chicks are subtracting, hiding, and including Mouse in the adventure. He received much love in the first book so there was no way I could leave him out.

Look forward to your comments below! And remember, for a chance to win a copy of Arithmechicks Add Up, tweet or retweet a link to this post and tag Ann Marie @AMStephens_ and me @nchurnin.

Ann Marie Stephens is the author of several picture books including Scuba Dog, Cy Makes a Friend, Arithmechicks Add Up, and the forthcoming, Arithmechicks Take Away. She has been an elementary teacher for over 28 years. She was a contributing writer for Kwame Alexander's The Write Thing, a co-writer for Trait Crate Plus for grades 3 and 5, and has had dozens of original ideas published in Instructor and The Mailbox magazines. Represented by Emily Mitchell at Wernick and Pratt Agency, Ann Marie is a seasoned presenter for both children and adults. When she isn't writing or teaching, she's off scuba diving somewhere tropical.

Visit Ann Marie Stephens:

On Facebook: Ann Marie Stephens

On Twitter: @AMStephens_

On Instagram: @AMStephens_

On the 2 Happy Teachers blog

I See 'I See Sea Food' by Jenna Grodzicki, plus a giveaway!

I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures that Look Like Food by Jenna Grodzicki (Millbrook Press)

I’m always a little in awe of writers who make science thrilling for kids as Jenna Grodzicki does in her delicious new book, I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures That Look Like Food (Millbrook Press). Check out this week’s Q and A on The Kids Are All Write to find out what made Jenna bite on this tasty idea. Leave a comment and you’ll be entered for a chance to win your very own autographed copy!

What inspired you to write I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures that Look Like Food?

Believe it or not, I came across this idea completely by accident. I was researching lemon sharks for what would later become Finn Finds a Friend (Clear Fork Publishing), when I came across an online article about sea animals named after food. I was fascinated because some of these animals looked EXACTLY like the food they were named after! I made a list and continued on with my lemon shark research. A couple of months passed, and I couldn’t get these sea food lookalikes out of my head. I was not a nonfiction writer, but these creatures wouldn’t leave me alone. So, I started researching them and never looked back. I’m so glad I followed my gut.

Tell us about your book journey. How much did the book change from the time you got your idea to when you finished the manuscript?

This manuscript changed a LOT. When I wrote my first draft, I had no idea what I was doing. I was learning more about crafting nonfiction, but my first draft was basically a list of facts about each animal. I went through MANY rounds of revisions before I found the right format and voice. Studying mentor texts was invaluable in this process, as was a critique by the incredible Lisa Amstutz. (Note from Nancy: Lisa Amstutz and I are both members of the Nonfiction Ninjas and I can personally attest that her critiques are incredible!).

What were the hardest and easiest sea creatures to find a food connection for?

Some of the sea creatures I researched look more like food than others. The Australian pineapplefish, the chocolate chip sea star, the lettuce sea slug, and the egg yolk jellyfish look so much like their namesake, the connection was obvious. However, some of the sea animals I started with didn’t look like food at all. For example, I researched a bright red tiny fish called a cherry barb. The only connection to cherries was its color. This little guy, plus a few others, never made it into the manuscript. To keep the wow factor, I only wanted sea creatures that truly looked like food.

Are there any sea creatures you love that didn’t make it into the book? Which ones and why did they miss the cut?

Yes, there were a couple of creatures I loved but ultimately had to cut. In most cases, this was because I couldn’t find enough information about them. One such creature was the orange-peel doris. This is a sea slug that looks exactly like an orange peel. It definitely had the visual wow factor. But scientists have not studied it enough to conclusively know much about it. So, it had to go. Fortunately, I had another amazing nudibranch that could take its place – the pizza crust sea slug.

Finn Finds a Friend by Jenna Grodzicki, illustrations by Alexis St. John (Spork) is the fish that started it all.

Who took the amazing photos? At what point did you know that your book would be using photos rather than illustrations and how did you feel about that decision? Do you have any favorites among the photos?

I was very fortunate because Millbrook Press took care of all the photo research, securing the rights for the photos, and the fees. I always envisioned photographs for this manuscript. Seeing the actual animal really makes its similarity to food stand out. I knew photographs would have a bigger impact on the reader than illustrations. I’m beyond thrilled with how every spread turned out, but I think my favorite is the one with the chocolate chip sea stars. Seeing the ocean floor covered with them is surreal.

What do you hope that kids will take away from I See Sea Food?

I hope young readers will walk away with a renewed sense of wonder about the world’s oceans. I hope my book will spark their curiosity and compel them to learn about more sea creatures they may never have heard of. A handful of sea animals, such as sharks and dolphins, get all the love. I want kids to get excited about what else is out there.

You have a new book coming out in 2020, Harmony Humbolt — Perfect Pets Queen (Clear Fork Publishing). Can you tell us about that?

Sure, I’m glad you asked about this one. It has a special place in my heart because it was inspired by my daughter. This picture book follows Harmony who learns that her special Perfect Pets collection is even more special when it’s shared with friends. To clarify, Perfect Pets are stuffed animals. It’s being illustrated by the insanely talented Mirka Hokkanen. (Note from Nancy: Mira Hokkanen also did the amazing illustrations for Vivian Kirkfield’s lyrical Four Otters Toboggan: An Animal Counting Book, published by Pomegranate).

Mirka Hokkanen, who illustrated Vivian Kirkfield’s Four Otters Toboggan, will illustrate Jenna’s next book, Harmony Humbolt for Clear Fork Publishing.

Thanks so much for having me, Nancy! I greatly admire your writing, so it was an honor to be on your blog!

It was an honor to have you here, Jenna! Thank you for providing an autographed copy of your beautiful book to one lucky person, living in the U.S., who comments on this post. To stay in touch with Jenna and be up to date on her latest book news, visit her on her website here:

www.jennagrodzicki.com

On Facebook: Jenna Grodzicki

Twitter: @jennawritesPB

Instagram: @jennawritespb

Thankawakaloch to Chana Stiefel, author of 'My Name is Wakawakaloch!' for a special gift!

My Name is Wakawakaloch! by Chana Stiefel, illustrations by Mary Sullivan (HMH Books for Young Readers)

What’s in a name? Quite a lot, actually, when you’re a kid and everyone is pronouncing it wrong and it never shows up on a T-shirt. Chana Stiefel taps into those feelings with her funny and affirmative new picture book, My Name is Wakawakaloch! Talking to Chana — always a joy — made me think about the great grandmother I never met and how my grandmother always called me by her name — Nechama. Just as there are magical words — abracadabra!— there is magic in names. And speaking of names, you’ll find in this interview that there’s a lot more to Wakawakaloch than the 12 letters that meet the eye. And there’s a lot more to this interview as you’ll find out in the end— because Chana is giving away a free, autographed copy to one lucky U.S. resident who leaves a comment on this post!

Can you tell us about your journey from idea to finished and acquired manuscript?

Thanks for having me Nancy! I came up with the idea for MY NAME IS WAKAWAKALOCH! in 2014, during Tara Lazar’s PiBoIdMo (now Storystorm). The original draft was called THAT’S NOT MY NAME!, about a girl named Chana (ahem) who wants to change her hard-to-pronounce name to Sue. “Sue’s a nice name,” says her Grandma. “But did you know there was another Chana who came before you?” Grandma then weaves a tale about Chana’s namesake, her great grandmother who arrived in America and despite many challenges was a kind and generous person. (Guess which name Chana keeps?) My critique partners liked that the story came from my life experience, but they thought that Chana needed more agency--she needed to solve her own problem. I agreed, but struggled to find a solution.

Then in the summer of 2015, I read a blog post by my agent John Cusick. “In life, if you’re in a funk, you might need a change of scenery,” John wrote. “Chances are your characters feel the same way. Try switching up the setting.” Around that time, I switched up my own setting and went hiking with my husband in the Canadian Rockies. Surrounded by gorgeous rocky scenery, I thought to myself, “What if Chana wasn’t a suburban soccer player. What if she was a cave girl instead?” and “What if her name wasn’t Chana--but it was...Wakawakaloch?” (The name just popped into my head.) Suddenly, a whole new world opened up! At 5 a.m. the next morning, I started writing and revising with a new setting, a new geologic time period, nutty Neanderthal characters, silly dialogue and a strong, savvy main character who not only solves her own problem but also helps others.

 I shared my polished manuscript at a round table at the NJ-SCBWI Fall Craft Weekend. With a thumbs up from my peers, I sent it off to my agent, who loved it. We submitted to publishers at the start of 2016 and received a small pile of rejections. Then the amazing Kate O’Sullivan at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt said “YES!” She brought the hilarious illustrator Mary Sullivan on board--and it’s been a wild Waka ride ever since!

Do you remember the first time someone pronounced your name wrong? What are some of the ways your name been mangled? And how did it make you feel?

I can’t remember the first time, but someone mangles my name virtually every day. Telemarketers, Starbucks baristas, doctors…you name it! They call me China, Kahana, Chayna. As a kid, I could never find my name on a T-shirt, mug, magnet, or keychain. It’s often frustrating to correct people, and I’m usually ok with Hanna. To hear the correct pronunciation, click here. https://www.teachingbooks.net/pronounce.cgi?aid=15753

Not everyone can say the Ch- sound, but I appreciate it when people try.

Did you, like Wakawakaloch, ever think about changing your name? And did you, like Wakawakaloch, have a revelation where you began to appreciate the beauty and history of it?

 YES! Like many Jewish American children, I was given two names at birth--one English (which was Cheryl Anne) and one Hebrew (Chana). Jewish parents often name their children after relatives whose traits they hope their children will emulate. I was named for my great grandmother Chana Epstein, who emigrated to America in 1920. Because my grandmother started calling me Chana (instead of Cheryl) when I was three years old, Chana stuck. But legally I was still Cheryl Anne Freiman. (Freiman is my maiden name.) By the time I got married and was working as an editor at Scholastic, I had too many names! I was Chana Cheryl Anne Freiman Stiefel, and the IRS didn’t know what to do with me. So in 1996, after the birth of my first child, I went before a judge and legally changed my name to Chana Freiman Stiefel. I think it’s important to maintain family traditions and keep the memory of my namesake alive.

Was there anything about Mary Sullivan’s illustrations that surprised you? Do you have any favorite scenes? Was it your idea or hers to slip a little shirt with the name Chana on it near the end?

I LOVE Mary’s illustrations. It’s amazing to see my characters come to life. Mary added many sweet touches and I continue to find new ones every time I read the book. Some include Wakawakaloch’s puffy pigtails (they have their own personality!) & magnificent facial expressions, hilarious cave details like indoor plumbing, cave drawings, lava cake, stone computers, Elder Mooch’s bone earring, cup of tea...and so many more! It’s hard to choose a favorite scene, but the heart of the story--where Wakawakaloch places her hand on the ancient handprint of her mighty namesake--that really got me! I did include an illustrator’s note to add T-shirts with names on them, including mine! It was a dream come true to see my name on a T-shirt! Also...the case cover has a big surprise!

 Has the book inspired kids to talk to you about their names and the names of their friends?

Yes! Many kids, parents, and teachers are finding the book relatable. Many people are sharing the book on social media and sharing their #namestory. I presented Wakawakaloch at a local public school and asked a group of kindergarteners if anyone ever messes up their name and most of their hands went up. I also love to hear that teachers are using the book in their classrooms. For those who are interested, I created a free Teaching Guide with name-related activities, discussion questions, and writing prompts. https://chanastiefel.com/books/my-name-is-wakawakaloch/

 I understand you have a very supportive husband who has gotten a whole bunch of celebrities to record themselves saying Wakawakaloch. Can you tell us about that?

In publishing, it’s so important to surround yourself with positive people. I’m very blessed to have a super-supportive husband who keeps me laughing through my publishing journey. For the Wakawakaloch launch, he reached out to celebrities through cameo.com and asked them to share videos wishing me congratulations on my book launch. Colin Mochrie of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” wrote me a hoedown! And I LOVED the way Vladimir Furdik, the Night King from Game of Thrones, killed it with his Czech pronunciation of “Vaka-vaka-loch.” Most of the celebrities bungled my name and the title of my book, but they were all hilarious and so much fun! The cameos received over 5,000 views in a few days. In terms of marketing, you can never know what will increase sales but it’s worth trying something fun & fresh. As for my husband, he’s a keeper. You can watch the cameos here: https://chanastiefel.com/news/.

You’ve written more than 25 books for kids and many of them have been non-fiction, including last year’s Animal Zombies…& Other Real-Life Monsters (National Geographic Kids). What do you like about writing both fiction and non-fiction? Do they use different creative muscles?

Yes--and after sitting all day I need to flex many more muscles. I got my start in journalism. I earned a Master’s in Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting at NYU. While in grad school, I interned down the block at Scholastic, which led to a job as an editor of Science World, a bi-weekly magazine for middle schoolers. Once I started writing for kids, I was hooked. I love being able to explain tough science or history topics to kids in a fun and relevant way. I’ve written books about earthquakes, volcanoes, “Ye Yucky Middle Ages,” and more. It’s amazing to see kids’ eyes pop out when they see the internal organs of a translucent ghost frog or a blood-sucking lamprey in ANIMAL ZOMBIES. Enabling kids to learn science and appreciate the wonders of nature is truly rewarding.

I started writing fiction in 2008. My debut picture book, DADDY DEPOT, began with a bedtime story. My daughter Maya, who was seven at the time, was upset with my husband so we spun a tale about a girl who returns her father to the daddy store. I ran downstairs and began writing. DADDY DEPOT was published by Feiwel & Friends in 2017. Along the way, I learned the ropes of writing fiction picture books (of course I’m still learning every day). When you’re accustomed to non-fiction research and fact-finding missions, there’s something very liberating about freeing your mind and using your imagination to create fictional characters and whole new worlds. I like being able to alternate between writing fiction and non-fiction, and see where my heart--and brain--take me.

Your next book, Let Liberty Rise (Scholastic, 2021), is the true story of how children helped build the Statue of Liberty. What inspired that book and how far along is it on its book journey?

It’s a bittersweet story. A dear friend from Scholastic, Jackie Glasthal, shared this amazing story with me--how children mailed in pennies to build the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Jackie had written a middle grade novel about this story called LIBERTY ON 23rd STREET (Silver Moon Press, 2006). I felt that the true story had to be shared as a picture book and asked Jackie if she would collaborate on it. We went on a research trip to visit Lady Liberty. (The Bob Hope Library dedicated to the history of the statue is on Ellis Island.) Sadly, a few months later, Jackie became sick and she handed me the reigns to work on the book. She passed away nearly three years ago. I will be dedicating the story in her memory. I have seen sketches by illustrator Chuck Groenink and they are fabulous. Jackie would have loved it!

 Thank you, Chana, for visiting The Kids are All Write! Is there anything you’d like to add?

Just keep writing! Especially stories from your heart! If you’re passionate about your stories, your writing will shine through.

Wow, wow Wakaloch! Chana has kindly offered to give a FREE, autographed copy of My Name is Wakawakaloch! to one reader of THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE who resides in the U.S. Leave a comment on the post to be entered into the drawing.

Want to stay in touch with Chana?

Visit her on her website: chanastiefel.com

On her blog: kidlittakeaways.com

On Twitter: @chanastiefel

And check out her other recent titles:

ANIMAL ZOMBIES! (National Geographic Kids, 8-28-18)

DADDY DEPOT (Feiwel & Friends, 2017)

In this lighthearted picture book, the intrepid, determined, and savvy Wakawakaloch learns to embrace what makes her special while lifting up her neanderthal community. Perfect for fans of Vera Brosgol and Emily Hughes, MY NAME IS WAKAWAKALOCH! is available August 27 wherever books are sold. Pre-order today at https://hmhbooks.com/shop/books/My-Name-Is-Wakawakaloch/9781328732095

A Prize and a Promise: My Year of Writing Dangerously

Toby surveys multiple translations of Manjhi Moves a Mountain from Room to Read, a non-profit based in San Francisco, dedicated to getting books to kids in literature-deprived communities in the language they speak.

It’s been a big, thrilling year for me. This marks the first year of my taking the plunge into being a full-time children’s book writer. My seventh book, Beautiful Shades of Brown, the Art of Laura Wheeler Waring, is at the printer for a Feb. 2020 release. My eighth book, For Spacious Skies, Katharine Lee Bates and the Inspiration for “America the Beautiful” will be going to the printer this month for an April 2020 release.

On Friday, I fly to New York City to accept the Anne Izard Storytellers’ Choice Award for Manjhi Moves a Mountain — an award that the Westchester Library Association gives out once every two years. My fellow honorees include Jane Yolen, Neil Gaiman, Philip Pullman, Emily Jenkins, Carmen Deedy and Oge Mora! You can be sure I’ll be packing translations that Room to Read did for kids in India, Sri Lanka and the African continent as well as the Braille translation published by the National Braille Press.

Where I’ll be Saturday, Sept. 14!

On Sunday, I’ll head over to the Hillcrest Jewish Center in Queens to share Irving Berlin, the Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing and Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank with the students there. Irving Berlin is a 2019 Sydney Taylor Notable and 2019 Social Studies Trade Book for Young People Notable. My amazing year with Martin & Anne, a book that looks at the parallel stories of these great spirits, both born in 1929, kicked off with The Ruby Bridges Reading Festival at the National Civil Rights Museum in May and the Tulisoma South Dallas Book Fair at the African American Museum in Dallas in August and continues with presentations at the Jewish Community Center in Dallas and the National Conference of NYC Public School Librarians at CitiField in Queens in November.

Preview of the new book, "Irving Berlin: The Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing," by Nancy Churnin and illustrated by James Rey Sanchez. Learn more about the book here: http://www.crestonbooks.co/irvingberlin Learn more about IRVING BERLIN here: http://www.IrvingBerlin.com Connect with IRVING BERLIN here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IrvingBerlin Twitter: https://twitter.com/Irving_Berlin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Irving_Berlin

Preview of the book "Martin & Anne: The Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Anne Frank," by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg . Anne Frank and Martin Luther King Jr. were born the same year a world apart.

I’ll return Sunday to a busy schedule of writing, of Skype and in person Author Visits and supporting fellow writers through my work for SCBWI-North Texas, my Non-Fiction Ninjas group and my Book Meshuggenahs group. I’ll also start teaching the first of my two six-week online classes on picture book biographies for The Writing Barn starting Tuesday. I’ve been working hard this week, preparing Power Points for the class, distilling the best of what I have learned on my journey into six cogent lessons. Well, actually, I’ve created five detailed lessons and left the sixth open for critiques and questions aimed at helping my students get their manuscripts where they want them to be.

I’ll be teaching two six-week online picture book biography classes for The Writing Barn in Austin.

So what have I learned? Lots of craft, to be sure, but also courage, passion and love. I’m increasingly aware that as I write about the journeys of those I admire, I am on my own hero quest. Every book is a step into a void where I’m creating something that didn’t exist before. Every book comes with challenges, dangers, moments when it may seem that the goal is beyond my grasp. Every book asks me to persevere, to part doubts like brambles blocking my way and disregard scratches and tears until I find my heart beating in rhythm with that of my subject’s. Only then can I hope to craft a tale that young readers will want to take, with stories that may beat in rhythm with their hearts. I write in the hope that these stories will bring a little light to them in their journeys that I may never see, that I may have but a glimmer of knowing, of sensing.

It’s been a big, wonderful, glorious responsibility, this year of writing dangerously. I am grateful to be on this quest and will strive every day to be worthy of it.

Beautiful Shades of Brown, the Art of Laura Wheeler Waring, illustrated by Felicia Marshall, is at the printers and will be released Feb. 5, 2020.

You will find teacher’s guides, resources, trailers, projects here on nancychurnin.com

Come visit me on Facebook at Nancy Churnin Children’s Books and The Book Meshuggenahs, on the Non-Fiction Ninjas website; on Twitter @nchurnin and Instagram @nchurnin. You can book me for an Author Visit at authorsandmore.com.

Rise! Bethany Hegedus shares what inspires her to inspire others

Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Dr. Maya Angelou by Bethany Hegedus, illustrated by Tonya Engel (Lee & Lowe Books)

Even though my first encounter with Bethany Hegedus was not in person, I was, even then, moved by her kindness. I was meeting up with a group of writers of non-fiction at the Writing Barn. Bethany, the award-winning author of Alabama Spitfire: the Story of Harper Lee and the lavishly reviewed Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Dr. Maya Angelou, founded and runs this mystical, marvelous place where creativity mixes with the intoxicating scent of flowers and the trees on this oasis in Austin, Texas.

While Bethany wasn’t there, her giving spirit was. She made sure each of us had a gift with a message to keep creating. There was definitely something special in the air of her Writing Barn. My group bonded so thoroughly, we became the Nonfiction Ninjas with our own blog, where we share nonfiction writing tips.

I was already grateful to Bethany as the thread that wove the Nonfiction Ninjas together. So you can imagine my joy when I met and got to hug her in person at the Texas Library Association last year. That led to much talking, laughter, her gracious invitation for me to teach at the Writing Barn and to be featured on her Courage to Create podcast. And now, finally, I am proud and delighted to be the one to host Bethany as she joins us on THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE to talk about what inspires her to inspire others.

Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Dr. Maya Angelou by Bethany Hegedus, illustrated by Tonya Engel (Lee & Lowe Books)

What inspired you to write Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Dr. Maya Angelou?

When it comes to picture book biographies I have written about activists and authors. With Dr. Maya Angelou, with her life and her legacy, she is, was, and always will be both. I always write about my own personal heroes and sheroes: Gandhi, Harper Lee, Jimmy Carter--and Maya Angelou is no different. She is a writer whose words changed me as a young girl who moved from the North to the South in middle school. Her work, from poetry to memoirs, to her incredible speeches and interviews have been a long-term literary companion to me for most of my life.

Did you find it difficult to make her story accessible for children? Did anyone try to discourage you?

Early on some writer friends questioned whether or not Maya’s life story was appropriate for kids as it deals with childhood sexual abuse. My agent also asked me when I mentioned Dr. Angelou as my next subject how I would handle her childhood. I said, “with metaphor--just like Maya did.” The image of the caged bird comes not just from Dr. Angelou’s seminal memoir but is a literary allusion from the Paul Laurence Dunbar poem, “Sympathy.” Maya was a poet as well as memoirist so I chose, for the first time, to write a picture book biography in verse. So metaphor worked perfectly.

Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou is meant for readers in 4-8th grades, and even older. A distinction the publisher Lee and Low has made that reviewers have also commented on.

Handling the sexual abuse Maya endured as a child, of course, is a sensitive topic. And through writing this book I have discovered more women, women I know well, coming forward and sharing their #metoo stories with me. Like most topics that I care deeply about, I am working hard to have us all be comfortable with the uncomfortable. It’s the only way we can move forward and as the text of Rise:! says, “There is no safety in silence.” There are resources in the back matter for anyone who has suffered from abuse or who is supporting someone who has, as well.

There’s a one page spread that deals very sensitively, sparingly but clearly with sexual abuse. Can you share with us your thoughts as you not only decided it needed to be in the book but how you would write about it in a way that was honest without being too much for children to process?

Maya Angelou went selectively mute as a girl--not just because of the sexual abuse--but because in her child’s mind the fact that she named her accuser and he was then killed (mob justice after being only held one night in jail) because in her childhood mind she thought her voice wielded that power. Her turning inward seems to have been both a processing of what happened to her as well as an internal protection of herself. She discovered her voice again when Mrs. Flowers, a woman in Stamps, Arkansas asked her to read aloud. Maya had long been a reader, silently letting the words of others move inside her. But the poetry of the spoken word called Maya out of her protective shell. There can be no hiding from the things we have survived. And when we speak them aloud we help others survive what they may be going through as well.

I long believed this--even before I began writing this book--speaking frankly about my mother’s mental illness and how it impacted me as a child. And I think in part I was able to speak my truth because Dr. Angelou spoke her truth in Tell Me Why the Caged Bird Sings, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary of publication in 2019/2020.

I don’t think I could have--or should have--told Dr. Angelou’s life story without addressing the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of Mr. Freeman. The fact that his name, Mr. Freeman, was what it was, also allowed me to be delicate and direct at the same time. The lines read:

“One day, Maya, left alone with Mr. Freeman, is anything but free.”

As far as I know, it is the first picture book biography to deal directly with sexual abuse and the personal aftermath.

How do you feel about the way your illustrator, Tonya Engel, handled that illustration?

Tonya Engel is an incredible creative. A woman of deep and profound talent. She is a fine artist who is a relative newcomer to the field of children’s publishing and she did three pieces as samples before being the chosen illustrator for Rise! This scene was one of the ones Tonya did as a sample. I cried when I saw it then. I get teary-eyed when I see it now. The shadow of the curtains creating bars on the bed. Maya curled up holding her legs. Her body creating an image of a bird. And then Mr. Freeman’s looming shadow as he exits the room. The pain is evident but it is handled gracefully. Tonya talks in a video where we are interviewed about our individual work on the book and she mentions her color choices and purple is oppression. And yellow is hope.

Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Dr. Maya Angelou by Bethany Hegedus, illustrated by Tonya Engel (Lee & Lowe Books)

There is a magical realism to Tonya Engel’s artwork — it feels like the visual equivalent of poetry, non literal but realer than reality. Were you surprised, overall, when you first saw her artwork? Do you have favorite images in the book?

Oh, Nancy, how I love this question. That is exactly what Tonya Engel’s work achieves--a visual realer than reality. Tonya talks about being influenced by folk art and being a self-trained artist. She speaks about her illustrations needing the fluidity of a jazz song. There is nothing I don’t love about her approach to the text and what she brought from her own personal life and lived experience to the page. She is a brilliant creator and is even more luminous when you meet her in person, which I am so honored to have met her and to continue to deepen a friendship as we visit schools and speak together at events and book festivals now that Rise! is out on shelves.

While I love every image in the book, there are two that are my favorite. Maya and her brother Bailey walking to school and the town and the surrounding areas are in their bodies. As well as the image of Maya rising.

What for you, is the heart of what you hope kids will take away from Maya Angelou's story?

That we are all survivors, in our own way. That we can each ‘rise, rise, rise…” even if we must do so--again and again.

You wrote Rise! in a verse that is rich in metaphor and imagery. To what extent did Maya Angelou’s poetry influence the way you chose to write her story? How much revision did it require before you got it where you wanted it to be?

The writers I write about, their words live inside me for many many years. Decades even. With Dr. Angelou’s work, while I was writing the verse, I listened to her read her poetry. As a performer, there is no one as gifted as Maya in performing her own verse. I was on a writing retreat when I wrote the first draft of what became Rise! And I listened to her over and over working to catch the cadence and spirit of the way she strung words together.

The revision process was both a delicate and a deep one and I have my editor, Jessica Echeveria, to thank for knowing when to push and when to pull, on both the verse and the life events we covered.

Learn more about Grandfather Gandhi at http://books.simonandschuster.com/Grandfather-Gandhi/Arun-Gandhi/9781442423657?mcd=vd_youtube_book Authors Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus and illustrator Evan Turk discuss the fascinating and inspiring story behind the creation of their book Grandfather Gandhi.

Your 12-year journey with your first book, Grandfather Gandhi, reminds me so much of my debut with The William Hoy Story — they both took around the same amount of time, too! What kept you pushing past the rejections as you struggled to get the book where you wanted it to be and found an editor who believed in the story as much as you did?

Ah, rejections and learning how to deal with the nos or the not yets...is such a challenging part of the writer’s life. It’s become something I talk about routinely on The Courage to Create podcast and with the writers we serve at The Writing Barn. We all have to face the nos. And in my creative life I work to embrace those nos on the way to the yeses. What keeps me going is different with each book. (I’ve had a book sell in a pre-empt in two weeks and books sell after years of rejections. ) With Grandfather Gandhi, it was my promise to myself after surviving 9/11 to bring something beautiful and healing into the world and the fact that Arun Gandhi, the Mahatma’s grandson, put his trust in me to help share his story that kept me going. But overall, it’s my desire to be heard.

And I am willing to hear those nos on the way to the yes by keeping in mind this Wallace Stephens’ quote: “After the final no, there is a yes, and on that yes the future world depends.” We have to say and keep saying yes to ourselves as creatives. Over and over. It’s the only way to get our work out into the world. To be heard. To offer change.

The Writing Barn, courtesy of Bethany Hegedus

You have devoted yourself to inspiring and helping others through the Writing Barn, which offers many wonderful classes — I am honored to be one of your teachers! You also have your podcast, Courage to Create, and your presentations. Why is it so important to you, as a writer, to encourage other writers, as well as children?

Being the Founder and Creative Director of The Writing Barn is such a privilege. It’s part of our mission to support writers at every stage of their journey, and that includes working artists, such as yourself. And we are so thrilled to have you as part of our well-published teaching artist faculty.

One of the reasons I feel the work we do at the Barn and with this new Courage to Create Community I am forming in 2020 (get an early invite here) is important is because I want writers, all creatives, to lead lives where both they and their art can thrive. And for me a thriving creative life is broken down into a few categories: the writing, submitting and the support we need in both.

It’s so easy to feel publishing is this nameless faceless ogre that just tells us “no” and to engage with the business side in a way that leaves us with no power. My goal with the Courage to Create podcast and the community is to create a more intimate and vulnerable space where we peel back the curtain on what it takes to publish, and publish well, as we do with in-person and online programming at The Writing Barn. We all need encouragement. I know I do and I also find I write better when I am championing other writers, just like I do when I am out in the schools talking to kids. We can all come together in community and get what we need to do our best work and to live our most creative lives.

Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova by Laurel Snyder, Illustrated by Julie Morstad (Chronicle Books) inspired Bethany Hegedus as a mentor text for Rise!

The current trend in picture book biographies is to focus on a slice of a person’s life — a pivotal moment. You give us Maya from the time she is a little girl, going to stay with her aunt and uncle, until her death. Why did you decide to give us as much of her life as you did? How hard did you work to get so much information in the small space allowed by a picture book, all while keeping a melodic flow?

Ah, yes! Slice of life picture book biographies are the rage and I haven’t managed to write one yet. I’ve been lucky enough that the subjects I have written about haven’t been written about before (aside from Gandhi) and therefore portraying someone’s full life has been wanted. When it came to Dr. Angelou, I was inspired early on by Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Julie Morstad (Chronicle Books) and used it as a mentor text. I decided to write about Dr. Angelou after her passing and I just couldn’t help but depict the fact that her words still call us to rise. I also loved the image of a bird flying free, and that Dr. Angelou’s work serves as a resurrection for us all.

What is the most important thing you want young readers to know?

Childhood matters. Their childhood--the one happening right now--matters and whatever their personal challenges are, they have power and agency--and that power and agency can be used for the good of all.

Thank you, Bethany, for spending time with us on The Kids Are All Write!

Thank you for having me on The Kids Are All Write! Thank you for the work you do, Nancy, in your books and your support of fellow creatives.

Hanging out with the wonderful Bethany Hegedus at the Texas Library Association convention in Austin

Visit with Bethany

On her website: bethanyhegedus.com

Facebook: Bethany Hegedus
Twitter: @bethanyhegedus

Instagram: @bethany.hegedus

Bethany Hegedus’ children’s picture books include the award-winning Grandfather Gandhi and Be the Change: A Grandfather Gandhi Story, both co-written with Arun Gandhi (grandson of Mahatma Gandhi) and illustrated by Ethan Turk (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) as well Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird (illustrated by Erin McGuire, Balzer & Bray). Her latest release is the SLJ starred reviewed Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People: Dr. Maya Angelou (illustrated by Tonya Engel, Lee & Lowe Books), and forthcoming is Hard Work But It’s Worth It: The Life of Jimmy Carter (illustrated by Kyung Eun Han, Balzer & Bray). Her books have been included in numerous “best of” lists such as A Mighty Girl’s Best Books of 2018 and Kirkus’ Best Books of the Year. A former educator, Bethany is an in-demand keynote speaker, workshop leader, and mentor who speaks and teaches across the country about writing, creativity, resilience, and privilege. She is also the Founder and Creative Director of The Writing Barn in Austin, Texas and host of The Courage to Create podcast. She graduated from the Vermont College of Fine Arts with an MFA program in Writing for Children & Young Adults.

Bethany Hegedus

Tara Lazar on juggling 'Your First Day of Circus School,' Storystorm & more

Your First Day of Circus School by Tara Lazar, illustrated by Melissa Crowton (Tundra Books)

I had the pleasure of getting to know Tara Lazar through her PiBoIdMo, which evolved into Storystorm — a challenge that encourages participants to come up with picture book ideas, with the help of a different blogger each day for a month. I love participating in this challenge and was thrilled to get the chance to be one of the guest bloggers. Now, it’s my honor to welcome Tara on my new blog, THE KIDS ARE ALL WRITE, to talk about her fun and perfect back to school book, Your First Day of Circus School.

Welcome, Tara! As the creator of Storystorm, the kid lit world’s annual idea generator, can you share with all your fans and friends how you came up with the idea for Your First Day of Circus School? Did you use any tips from your challenge or did it come from somewhere else?

Gosh, I wrote the original manuscript TEN YEARS AGO so I forget exactly what prompted the original idea. I do recall wanting to write a story with visual gags and puns, and this was the result. In the story, an older brother who's BTDT shows his younger sibling all there is to learn at Circus School--at first in a teasing sibling way. By the end of the book, the Big Brother gets his just desserts and the two are friends again.

What was the journey of your idea? At what point did you know it was viable? Was it fully grown when your editor bought it or did the journey continue after that?

The idea was fully formed when Tundra bought it. There was some going back and forth with the illustrations and wording so the jokes shined.

Tara Lazar (courtesy of Tara Lazar)

Congratulations on Melissa Crowton’s work being chosen for the Original Art 2019 featured artists exhibition at the Society of Illustrators museum in NYC! So many of the jokes are visual riffs on your words. Did you provide art notes?

Lots of art notes. I talk about that on my blog.

Was there anything that surprised you about Melissa’s work? What are your favorite spreads and why?

The cafeteria is my favorite spread! So much to discover. Melissa added so many fun details to every page. Did you notice the Little Brother's mouse pal? Or the typing poodle?

The typing poodle! Illustrations by Melissa Crowton for Your First Day of Circus School by Tara Lazar (Tundra Books)

You’ve been making kids laugh for a long time with word play and spunky characters who don’t follow the rules and find unexpected and satisfying ways to solve their problems. Do you see any common themes in your body of work? Why do you think those themes connect with you?

The common theme is laughter. That's all I really try to do with my stories. I want kids to have fun reading, to help instill a lifelong love of books.

In 2009 you created PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month) which you renamed Storystorm in 2017. Since then, you've offered a month-long Storystorm challenge in January, with blog posts by kids lit creators, aimed at inspiring folks to come up with ideas for their own books. I have been honored to be one of your bloggers as well as enjoying being one of the participants. What inspired you to do this and to keep doing this? I am guessing it is a tremendous amount of work!

When I began Storystorm, there was no writing challenge or community for picture book writers. NaNoWriMo challenged novel writers to complete a first draft in one month, but completing a picture book in 30 days was not much of a challenge. Writing one picture book a day for a month was crazy-making! So then I thought one IDEA a day was doable. And fun! I thought maybe a dozen people would want to do it with me. I was shocked when a couple hundred joined. Every year since then, more participants have joined in, so it now hovers around 2,000. And I've hosted the event so many times now that I've streamlined the work required to make it happen.

What are some of your proudest success stories from Storystorm? How does it feel when someone shares that their new book was originally a Storystorm idea?

I am proud of all the writers who take the challenge. Yes, some get published, but everyone who joins Storystorm is serious and working hard toward that goal.

The thing I hated when I was working to become published was people thinking I had a "nice little hobby". It was not a hobby to me; I was working toward a dream job, a career. I think that everyone who joins the Storystorm challenge is likewise trying to get to that place, and that having a structured, free challenge with kindred spirits lifts them up.

The cafeteria zoo in Your First Day of Circus School by Tara Lazar. Illustrations by Melissa Crowton (Tundra Books)

Storystorm is actually just one of the many things you do for the kid lit community. You mentor, you teach, all this while raising two daughters. How do you do it all? And why do you do it all?

Well, I love what I do. When you love something, you don't even have to make the time for it, you just do it. It's in your nature. But honestly, I'm just sitting on a comfy chair all day, so what else am I gonna do???

What’s the most valuable writing advice you’ve ever received — and have you understood it differently or more deeply over time?

Jane Yolen's B.I.C.: butt in chair. (I would change that to butt in COMFY chair.) Stories don't write themselves. So get to work.

If you’d gone to circus school, what would your major have been?

Juggling! I taught myself to juggle when I was 10, but I never went beyond the typical three beanbags. I could juggle two in one hand, and do a couple fancy tricks, but I would have loved to learn something more impressive.

Thanks, Tara for talking with us on The Kids Are All Write!

Tara is the author of many funny picture books, including Your First Day of Circus School (Tundra Books, June 2019) and The Upper Case, Trouble in Capital City (Disney/Hyperion, Oct. 2019). She created and runs PiBoIdMo, now called Storystorm, an annual, free, month-long challenge to brainstorm ideas. She’s co-chair of the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature One-on-One Plus Conference and an SCBWI member. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, two daughters and the world’s cutest hamster, Ozzy. You can visit Tara at the links below:

Website: taralazar.com

Twitter: taralazar

Instagram: taralaser

Pinterest: taralazar