Color Me a Kidlit Writer
  • About Me
  • Mama's Chicken & Dumplings
  • Reviews
  • Other Books & Stuff
  • Magazine Work
  • Work-For-Hire Books
  • School Visits
  • Events
  • Interviews, Blog Parties & More

BLOG PARTY! Meet Kelly's KidLit Crew Member

10/11/2021

0 Comments

 

C. M. Surrisi 


Picture

Kidlit Member 
of 
Kelly's Crew


Greetings, C.M.! Big WOOT! for stopping by, despite your crazy editing schedule right now.

No problem. No raven left behind, right?

Exactly! So, how'd you get interested in writing for kids?

I was a born mimic. From the first time a picture book was put in my hands I wanted to copy the drawings. As soon as I learned to read, I wanted to write my own stories. In third grade, I filled spiral notebooks with stories of two sisters who solved mysteries of missing crayons and cookies. I see, I read, and I want to make. I particularly dug in to middle grade and identified with the outsider-girls. I do not connect with the term "popular." So, making stories for the rest of us has been my joy. And I love a good pager turner, so mystery is a fun challenge. I love introducing kids to a genre that they can continue to enjoy as an adult.

A well-spun mystery makes for a great read. What subject excites the author in you?

I am one of those people who'd test smack dab in the middle of the left-brain/right-brain function scale. That probably explains why, when I practiced law, I wanted to sing and dance my opening statements in trials. That also translates into wildly diverse interests as a writer. At the moment I am working on two books that will be published in ’22 and ’23. One is a YA non-fiction on a female Viking warrior, and the other is MG fiction on fangirls and influencers. I have written picture books, a MG mystery series, YA non-fiction, and an adult mystery! If there is a rule about having a groove, it's not for me. 

I think more trial lawyers should dance and sing! Sounds like the workings of a whole-brain kind of gal!  Do tell, how did you find Kelly Dyksterhouse as an agent, and what do you love about working with her?

Kelly and I were in the same MFA class at Vermont College of Fine Arts. We ate too many carbs together at Dewey Hall, laughed in the wine pit, cried on laundry day, and experienced all the joy that is that program. We became great friends and I met her family and watched her children grow up. I know her to be a lovely, principled person, a great mom, and community member. She’s a superb writer and fabulous editor. When she told me she was considering becoming an agent, I immediately knew my work was a good fit for her, and she would be a great addition to the agenting side of the kidlit community. I love that she is committed to transparency, nurturing, and finding great matches.  We make a great team!

You've got the inside scoop on all things Kelly, sounds like. Well, thanks again for hopping on over during my blog party. So glad you made it!

Glad to be here.

Picture
C. M. Surrisi is the author of THE BEST MOTHER, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard picture book selection, and of The Quinnie Boyd Mysteries, an Agatha-nominated series for middle grade readers. C. M. practiced law for many years before pursing an MFA at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Since her graduation, she has taught writing in UNC’s Great Smokies Writing Program, as well as many SCBWI and librarian conferences. She is a member of the Author’s Guild, Mystery Writers of America, and The National League of American Pen Women, and is the current president of the Minnesota chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives on five acres in Minnesota with her husband, loveable Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Sunny, and two incorrigible cats, Cosmo and Casper. C. M. is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse. 
Watch for her two new books, BONE QUAKE: AWAKENING A FEMALE VIKING WARRIOR from Chicago Review Press in 2022, and  THE UNOFFICIAL LOLA BAY FAN CLUB from Putnam in 2023. 
C. M. is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse of The Tobias Literary Agency.

0 Comments

BLOG PARTY! Meet Kelly's KidLit Crew Member

10/10/2021

0 Comments

 

Tom Birdseye


Picture

Kidlit Member
of
Kelly's Crew


Hi, Tom! Delighted you could make it to Day Ten of our Blog Party!

Glad to have made it!

So how did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?

Unlike many writers who were born with a book in their hands and always love to read, I had trouble learning to decode text on a page, and was not drawn to books as a kid. Reading was hard enough, but writing? It was my least favorite subject—all of that spelling and grammar and punctuation stuff. The best way to spend time at school, as far as I was concerned, was on the playground at recess. It wasn't until I was in my early 20's that I got bitten by the reading bug, and early 30's when the writing bug struck. I've been scratching those itches ever since.
 
It's a scratch that must be itched (or is it the other way around?) Do share! What project of the heart have you been scratching out recently?

I've just started a new YA, tentatively titled Blowup. It's about 17-year-old Riley Lowe, a sensitive, good-hearted kid who, in a moment of teen brainlessness, throws an M-80 off the bridge into Salvation Creek Canyon, and starts a wildfire that blows up and threatens everything he loves. As you can see, it's a comedy . . . 

Kidding. Although not completely. I find that life, even when it's hard and is pushing us to the point of breaking, inevitably has funny moments in it. To leave those out of a story would paint only a partial picture of the human struggle to overcome adversity. It's not just about me, the author, providing a bit of comic relief, giving the reader a break from the intensity of conflict; it's about depicting characters living life fully, in all of its nuances, including humor. 

A tragicomedy for teens? Sounds like something teens will really enjoy reading. What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?

After 30+ years with another agency, the culture there shifted and I realized it was time to go. I wanted a smaller, more intimate, hands-on agency, and an agent that was aligned with my sense of literary aesthetics. Kelly fit the bill perfectly. She has fantastic editorial chops, and is diplomatically relentless in her expectations, guiding every step of the way. She brings out the best in me. Working with her has been everything I hoped for. I could not be more happy with the change. 

Change can often be good for the soul! Well, thanks again for hopping on over! I've enjoyed having you!

Happy to acquiesce! 

Picture
​Tom Birdseye was decidedly uninterested in writing as a kid – or any academic aspect of school, for that matter – never imagining that he would eventually become a published author.  And yet nineteen titles later – novels, picture books, and nonfiction – that is exactly what has happened. His work has been recognized for its excellence by the International Reading Association, Children’s Book Council, National Council of Social Studies, Society of School Librarians International, Oregon Library Association, and Oregon Reading Association, among others. Combined, his books have either won or been a finalist for state children’s choice awards 43 times. Life, it seems, is full of who’d-a-thought-its. He lives and writes in Corvallis, Oregon, but launches mountaineering expeditions to his beloved Cascades on a regular basis. Tom is represented by Kelly Dyksterhouse of The Tobias Literary Agency. Visit him online at tombirdseye.com.

0 Comments

BLOG PARTY! Meet Kelly's KidLit Crew Member

10/8/2021

0 Comments

 

Deborah Diner


Picture

Kidlit Member
of
Kelly's Crew


Hi, Deborah! Thanks for coming!

Hi, Dionna! Thanks for throwing this party for us! 

Do tell, please, how did you find your way to becoming a kidlit author? 

To be honest, I'm not completely sure what drove me to become a writer. It has always felt so natural to me, I've never seriously questioned why I'm willing to wake up early every morning to scratch out stories before work! But, I know exactly why I have chosen to write for children. They are the dream audience--open-minded, enthusiastic, curious, and brutally honest. As a teacher, my favorite part of the day is when I read out loud to my students and see the pure delight of their reactions to a well-crafted story. My dream is to one day write the book that makes students ask, "Is it read-aloud time, yet?"

Do you have a project of the heart you're working on?

The manuscript I have currently on submission was definitely a work of the heart--a middle grade fantasy story based on Jewish mythology and folklore. When I was a kid, Jewish characters in children's literature were confined almost entirely to historical fiction, in stories of pogroms, immigration, and the Holocaust. While those stories are incredibly important, I was aching for Jewish characters in the fantasy and science fiction books I loved best. Today there's a growing movement of Jewish fantasy, and diverse Jewish characters across all genres, that I would be so honored to be part of.

Sounds exciting! So, what do you love about being represented by Kelly Dyksterhouse?

What don't I love about working with Kelly? From the beginning, she has been so supportive of me and my strange little manuscript. She's given me the feedback I needed to elevate my book to the next level, but she's never made me feel like I have to change in order to be successful. Because this is my debut manuscript, I'm still learning the ropes of the publishing process, and she has been so patient in answering my questions and making sure I feel comfortable about the decisions we're making. I really couldn't imagine a better experience!

Thanks for stopping by, and do let us know when your manuscript is being released!

Will do, and thanks for having me! 

Picture
Deborah Diner was born into a military family, and grew up moving all over the country. She has always loved books and words, and wanted to be a writer even before she could read. Some of her earliest memories are of dictating stories to her mother, who typed them up and bound them into her first published books. In college, Deborah continued developing her writing as she studied English, astronomy, and elementary education at the University of Virginia. She currently teaches fourth grade in Winchester, Virginia. When she is not working on her writing, she enjoys embroidery, playing the violin, and indoor rock climbing. Represented by Kelly Dyksterhouse of The Tobias Literary Agency, you'll find Deborah online at  deborahdiner.com. 

0 Comments

BLOG PARTY! Meet Kelly's KidLit Crew Member

10/7/2021

0 Comments

 

Leslie Stall Widener


Picture

Kidlit Member
of
Kelly's Crew


Salutations! Leslie, and welcome!

Happy to stop by!

How did you find your way to becoming a kidlit author, and what do you love about it?

I started out as an illustrator, something I'd wanted to do since I was very young, but along the way I became interested in writing, too. Illustration is very time consuming and I've always had a day job. The work was every evening and weekend until the job was finished. What I love about writing is it's a creative endeavor that I can pursue anytime, anywhere.

I've always wished I could illustrate! So what project of the heart are you working on?

I started working on a historical novel about 8 years ago. It's centering around the experiences of Choctaw people during the time of removal and resettlement in the 1830's

I was just researching a little about that time period. History is fraught with injustice, isn't it.

Yes, it is. 

What do you love about working with Kelly?

I can tell that Kelly loves what she does, and that she believes in me. I can't imagine having anyone else as my agent!

Thanks, Leslie, for participating in my blog party!

No problem, Dionna. Glad to do it! 

Picture
Leslie Stall Widener, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, grew up in Tulsa and was a regular at her neighborhood library and the summertime bookmobile, although she had a problem with the limited number of books she was allowed to take home. Having an artistic mother meant that art was a big part of her childhood and she decided early in life that she wanted to be a children’s book illustrator. Only in the last decade did she start writing seriously and begin to learn as much as possible about the craft of writing. Leslie and her husband have three grown children and live in a 110-year-old farmhouse in North Texas. They frequently make getaway trips to her family’s Oklahoma homeplace, her maternal grandmother’s original Choctaw land allotment. Leslie, online at lesliestallwidener.com, is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse of The Tobias Literary Agency.

0 Comments

BLOG PARTY! Kelly's KidLit Crew Member

10/6/2021

0 Comments

 

Ashley Walker


Picture

Kidlit Member
of
Kelly's Crew


Salutations, Ashley! So happy to feature you here during Day Six of my Blog Party!

Excited to he here!

Please, tell. How did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?

I'm a kidlit author with a confession: I didn't read much as a child. Instead, I climbed trees and tracked butterflies and dreamed about flying to the moon. By age five, I'd set my sights on becoming an astronaut, and I pursued that goal all the way through college. But as I squinted up at my engineering degree, I saw that I'd become too near-sighted to pilot a ship to far-off places. So, I flew (coach) to grad school and started work in robotics, determined to launch something, if not myself. Oddly enough, that's where my interest in writing began.

Interesting! Tell more!

Science requires a lot of reading and reporting, and I was slow at those tasks due to what I later learned was dyslexia, but I eventually found my way into the world of academic literature. Eventually, paper writing became a source of joy and pride. Though I never built a robot to visit mysterious other worlds, I used machines to model mysteries of this terrestrial one, including honeybee navigation, bat sonar, and whale songs. My interest in these topics didn't stop when I left academia to nurse a sick kid back to health. That's when I started thinking about exploring science and technology in kidlit.

Fast forward many years (and manuscript drafts), and I'm a Raven Quill Literary Agency author! What I love about writing for young people is that I can approach topics in many different ways—inside a novel with a beating heart, as creative nonfiction, across picture book spreads and comic book panels. And I'm always thinking about ways to engage young people (like my kid-self) who are reluctant to read.

What project of the heart are you working on?
 
This year, I've divided my time between two totally different projects of the heart. One is an MG novel about loyalty and loss and ligers (captive big cats). The idea came to me nearly ten years ago, and figuring out how to make the story catch fire has required patience and vulnerability. But the book is now on submission! My other project is a YA biography collection that I proposed to a publisher just ten months ago. It has required action and organization (to make connections with pioneering women in the music industry). I'm writing with a friend and fellow music lover, Maureen Charles, and we're excited to share these inspiring bios with young readers next year. Music Mavens will be published by Chicago Review Press in fall 2022. 

CONGRATS! What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?

In an interview on this very blog, Kelly said, "I think that a true writer is someone who is always growing their craft." One of the many things I love about working with Kelly is her commitment to career development. Kelly shares craft resources and book recommendations with her "mini flock." She offers imaginative insight about new work and detailed feedback on finished drafts. I lost count of how many times Kelly read my MG novel during a recent revision, but her comments were always supportive and spot-on!

I also have to highlight Kelly's community spirit. When I arrived (virtually) at the agency in the long winter of 2020, the birds-of-a-feather culture I found there was such a surprise and delight. The agents host Zoom hangouts. The authors meet in Slack and FB groups. And everyone’s deals, awards, and book birthdays are celebrated. Participation in RQLA's many group activities is optional, of course, but for me, this connection has become an essential piece of support in my writing life. And I'm so grateful to Kelly and the other agents for making the "nest" such a warm and friendly place. 

A nurturing place to land, to be sure! Well, thanks for participating in my blog party.

Absolutely! Thanks for having me!

Picture
Ashley Walker has been a primary school librarian, grad school lecturer, pilot, programmer, and foster parent to a litter of opossums. But her favorite job is the one she's doing now—writing. Ashley is a recent graduate of the MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts, where she was a three-time award winner. She also holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering from U.C. Berkeley (BS) and Artificial Intelligence from the University of Edinburgh (MSc and PhD). Passionate about children's literature, art, and science, Ashley supports youth projects in Girl Scouts of America, the San Francisco Zoo, and the Young Inklings Society. Ashley, on Twitter at @vashleywalker, is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse of The Tobias Literary Agency.

0 Comments

BLOG PARTY! Meet Kelly's KidLit Crew Member

10/5/2021

0 Comments

 

Kellye Crocker 


Picture
Laura Carson Photography

Kidlit Member 
of 
Kelly's Crew


Welcome, Kellye, to Day Five of my blog party! Thanks so much for coming!

Hi Dionna! It’s so great to be here. Thank you for all you do to support kidlit authors and illustrators! 

Your turn to tell. How did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?

I grew up reading and loving kidlit and never stopped! For a few decades now, I believe some of the best, most ground-breaking writing has come from picture books, middle grade and YA novels and non-fiction.

After working 14 years as a newspaper reporter, I quit to become a full-time, self-employed freelancer. My first year went surprisingly well, and my boss (me!) rewarded her only employee (me!) with a trip to Los Angeles for SCBWI’s annual conference. That was in 2000, and I’ve been a member ever since. Both the Iowa and Rocky Mountain chapters have been so important in helping me learn about the industry and connect with a creative community, which I think is critical. At the national conference, I heard a woman speak about her experience as a student in Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program. It sounded amazing, and I wanted to do it. But with a job, a spouse, and our young son, I didn’t have much time and even less money.

Four years later, I took out student loans and entered the program! I graduated in 2006 and have been writing fiction for young people seriously since then. 

SCBWI and MFA programs like VCFA are true-blue learning opportunities for anyone in this industry, to be sure! Do tell more!

I signed with Kelly in May 2020 (my birthday week and during a pandemic!). Fourteen years is a loooooong time to write seriously, dream of being published, and not be! One issue: I was a reluctant querier. After writing six novels, the one I sent Kelly was only the second I’d queried. I also experienced a serious illness during that time. Anyway, Kelly sold my middle grade novel about a year after I signed with her.

Awesome sauce!

It was awesome!

The answer to your second question—why do you love it?—is why I kept writing. I love how writing allows me to constantly learn, experiment, and improve. The “kidlit years” offer such rich material, and I very much still feel like a kid inside! When I was young, books were a lifeline, and it is my biggest dream to pay it forward and create work that inspires young readers, makes them think, and gives them hope.

Hope is so important in these uncertain times. I heard one of your projects of the heart was acquired recently. Do tell, what's it about?
 
I  just turned in a revision for Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxieties, a contemporary middle grade novel and my debut, which is scheduled to be published in the fall of 2022 by Albert Whitman and Co. The story was inspired by my move to Denver in early 2015. After living in Iowa for about 100 years, the only thing I knew about Denver was that my spouse had a job there. (That “young son” of ours had just graduated from high school!) I was in a bit of a funk about my writing, and my dear friend, Sarah Aronson, suggested I take a playful approach. I took her words to heart! Colorado was so different, and I knew I’d never again see it with new eyes. Everyone loves Colorado, including me, and it was fun to write my protagonist’s contrarian view.

Here’s the book's blurb that ran in Publisher’s Weekly: "When her father takes her to Colorado to meet his girlfriend for the first time, 12-year-old Ava must come to grips with both her newly diagnosed anxiety disorder and her rapidly changing family. But she learns from the mountains that it's okay to want two opposite things at once, and that the bravest people are the ones who are scared but do what's right anyway."

My move to Colorado was the shakeup I didn’t know I needed, and it also triggered a lot of anxiety. I was diagnosed with anxiety in the late ’90s, as an adult, but I believe it’s something I probably was born with and always have had. I finished the first draft of this story in late 2016 and, even then, anxiety in young people was a growing concern. Obviously, the pandemic has made it so much worse, creating serious mental health challenges for many young people. I’m glad that mental health is being discussed more openly now, and I hope my story can serve as a mirror or window and sliding glass door—to use literary scholar Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop’s iconic metaphors—for middle grade readers.

Dad's Girlfriend and Other Anxieties sounds like a great MG read! What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?

I love everything about working with Kelly! She’s scary-smart! She’s also kind, funny, responsive, and grounded. She’s very insightful and an excellent editor. She has solid industry experience and, at the same time, as a relatively new agent, she’s highly motivated to build and deepen relationships with editors. I also appreciate how genuinely positive she is. It’s about keeping the focus on what’s important—the joy of creating and making a difference in young people’s lives. I love how Kelly is helping her clients create our mini-flock community, too!

I also feel incredibly grateful to be part of the bigger flock! Shout out to founder and agent Jacqui Lipton, the other agents Kortney Price and Lori Steel, and assistant Lindsay Flanagan, who are really working hard to create something special at Raven Quill Literary Agency.

I agree! Raven Quill is an amazing kidlit place to be planted! Thanks for stopping by Kellye, and do let us know when your book releases so we can throw it a launch party!

Thanks for having me, Dionna, and will do!

Picture
Kellye Crocker is the author of Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxieties, a contemporary middle grade novel coming in the Fall of 2022 from Albert Whitman & Co. She’s a former newspaper reporter and freelance journalist who has written for Better Homes and Gardens, Parents, and Glamour. She’s also worked in library youth services and has taught writing at two Iowa universities. Now, she’s encouraging the next generation of writers as part of the Young Writers Program faculty at Lighthouse Writers Workshop, the largest literary nonprofit in the Mountain West. Kellye, who lives in Denver, holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a bachelor’s degree in news-editorial from the Missouri School of Journalism. Like her protagonist, Kellye lives with anxiety and is always up for some belly breathing. She also loves to read, make art from the recycling bin, and explore the mountains with her husband and their naughty black lab. You can connect with her at kellyecrocker.com, on Twitter @kelcrocker and on Instagram: @kellyecrocker. Kellye is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse of The Tobias Literary Agency.

0 Comments

BLOG PARTY! Meet Kelly's KidLit Crew Member

10/4/2021

0 Comments

 

Jess Brallier


Picture

Kidlit Member
​of
Kelly's Crew


Hi there, Jess! Thanks for stopping by during Day Three of my blog party!

Wouldn't have missed it!

Tell us, please. How did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?

 
I was a creative writing major in college. I weirdly enjoyed reading what my fellow students wrote more than I enjoyed reading what I wrote. And they sure could write better than me. About 20 of us graduated from the program each year. There were about 200 such programs around the country, which meant that every year there were 4,000 better writers than me entering the market. I was so screwed. So instead, I thought, maybe I could continue to do that joyful discovery of what others wrote. I’d be a book publisher!

I did exactly that.  Sometimes as a publisher when I thought there should be a book and it was of a sort that even I could write—like a collection of quotes or a quiz book or a hot dog cookbook—I’d do that.  And holy smokes, I ended up being the author of quite a few adult books.

At one point, I saw a market opportunity for “stealth learning” books—classroom content that didn’t smell or look like classroom content that could be published in a way to be kid-driven versus teacher-driven.  I started an imprint (Planet Dexter) at Penguin to publish those.  When I couldn’t find somebody to write the type of books I wanted, I just wrote them myself.  It was easier, quicker, cheaper.  Soon I ended up being the author of quite a few children’s books.

Thereafter, if I had an idea for a children’s book, publishers and co-conspirators (illustrators) were open to the possibility.  So I ended up having random picture books and nonfiction books published.

(I hesitate to use the word “love” as I think you expected me to.  I’m the odd one out.  Maybe I don’t belong in this wonderful Raven club.  I often feel like an undercover Philistine.)

Being completely honest, I'd say that the publisher part of me loves spotting an opportunity and creating something that nails a response more that the writer part of me loves writing. 

Sounds like stealthy kidlit shenanigans to me! What projects of the heart are you working on or have you acquired?
 
Picking up from where I exited the previous question, I get jazzed by spotting an untapped slot on the bookshelf. So I've got two projects right now.  

One, I was lucky enough to first publish Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which was a matter of shaking up things with a journal format for a middle school audience. It had never been done before (I love doing stuff like that). And ever since I’ve been waiting for somebody to do a journal format for the market under Wimpy Kid, for younger kids.  Nobody has. Finally, I found an illustrator to work with me as the author on that notion. Fingers crossed.
 
Second, I’ve always wanted to write a mystery.  I’ve got over 25 years of failed starts.  I could never get a comfortable voice. Then I wrote a blog this past year for 134 straight days. I was incredibly comfortable with that voice. Winder of wonders! Why not write a mystery in blog format?

I’ve always loved pushing content and narrative to unexpected places. I first published Wimpy on a computer screen at a time when everybody told me kids would never read it.  Kinney and I then created Poptropica, my notion to publish stories via a gaming literacy.  I published a book for sick kids printed on tissues in a box. And I’m working on a collection of inspirational quotations printed on rolling papers. I’ve tried as a publisher for decades, to fight the urge to confine narrative and content to stacks of paper bound on the left. So this storytelling via a blog thing has my interest right now.


Cool stuff, Jess! What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?

Kelly puts up with my weirdness and madness. She’s honest. She doesn’t give up. And most of all, she just doesn’t take my stuff and hand it off to publishers. Writing is a lonely thing to do.  I often get a manuscript to 85% of what it could and should be. And then I’m stuck. Whereas at the office or with a staff, a full team working together got the work to 100%. But I don’t have that with the loneliness of writing. I’ve found many agents hand off that 85% to editors. But Kelly puts the brakes on and is very talented at helping and guiding me to closing that 15% gap.

Wow, Jess! Thanks for sharing your exciting kidlit journey during our blog party!

Enjoyed it, Dionna!  

Picture
Jess Brallier, a native of Ligonier, PA, has served on the executive teams at Harcourt, Little Brown, and Abrams. Jess at Funbrain, was the first to publish Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid two years before it was published in print. With Kinney, Jess launched Poptropica, a gaming literacy program that quickly became the world's largest virtual world for kids.  Jess has authored many books for kids, including Tess’s Tree, Whaddaya Doin’ in There?, Bouncing Science, Thumbs Up Science, Y2Kids, Instant Creature, and others. His series title with Penguin, Who Was Albert Einstein, has sold 400,000+ units. Jess and his wife, Sally Chabert, reside in New York City, They share  two grown children who are the greatest. Learn more about Jess at jessbrallier.com. Jess is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse of The Tobias Literary Agency.

0 Comments

BLOG PARTY! Meet Kelly's KidLit Crew Member

10/3/2021

0 Comments

 

Dolores Andral


Picture

Kidlit Member
of
Kelly's Crew



Howdy, Dolores! Thanks for coming by on Day Four of my Raven Quill Blog Party!

Thanks for inviting me, Dionna!

Do tell. How did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?


I started off writing adult books, and never thought I would be a kidlit author. It was such a foreign concept to me. But then I had my own children and became immersed in children's picture books and literature and my love for it grew exponentially. I was also a preschool teacher and got to see the joy on the students' faces when I read books that they identified with. 

When I first started writing, I had my own kids in mind, and knew they needed to see positive images of characters that looked like them represented in books.

What project of the heart are you working on?

My middle grade story centers a contemporary, Black female warrior, and is my absolute heart. The protagonist a pretty good cyclist, and whenever I ride my bike, I'm always thinking about scenes with her. I've also been teaching myself animation and had a blast animating a picture book that I self-published a few years ago with my husband who illustrated it. You can check that out HERE. 

What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?

​When I first received an offer from Kelly, I had another offer on the table as well. But I remember thinking that even if I didn't sign with Kelly, I planned on using the critique she gave on my work, and that sealed it for me and let me know she was the one. She's very honest and upfront. One of my questions was: "When do you plan on sending out my work?" And her reply was "When it's ready." It's wonderful when an agent wants to make sure your work is in the best light. 

Picture
Dolores Andral was born in Brooklyn, New York to Haitian parents. She loves reading, writing and creating. She has a book in every room, so she’s never without a story on hand. Her hobbies include making clay dolls, teaching herself animation, and writing screenplays (for her clay dolls and cartoon characters, of course!). She earned an MFA from Queens University in Charlotte, NC. After working on three adult novels, she never thought she’d write for children until she realized the need for her children to see themselves represented in books. The countless books she read during her 10 years as a preschool teacher contributed as well. Dolores is online at doloresandral.com and on Instagram @andral_dolores. She is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse of The Tobias Literary Agency.

0 Comments

BLOG PARTY! Meet Kelly's KidLit Crew Member

10/2/2021

0 Comments

 

Callie C. Miller


Picture

Kidlit Member
​of
Kelly's Crew 


Greetings, Callie! So glad you could join in on Day Two of my kidlit celebration!

I love a good party, Dionna!

Me too! Do tell. How did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?

Even as a kid, I was always writing stories. In college every creative project I did ended up being written for children, and when I realized the Vermont College of Fine Arts offered an MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, I was off to the races! I write picture books through middle grade, and love that kids in those age demographics are still so ready to believe in magic and to embrace the impossible.
 
"Embrace the impossible." Love that! What project of the heart are you working on?

I’m working on a couple of silly picture books, and a new middle grade fantasy (I have a never ending list of upcoming projects). I’m also developing some fun animation projects.
 
What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?

I love everything about working with Kelly! She loves her authors and their work, and LOVES being an agent. She's also so incredibly smart when it comes to editing a manuscript. She's a very editorial agent, and her suggestions always elevate my vision for what I'm writing and make the story stronger. 

Kelly's editorial skills certainly do rock kidlit socks! Thanks so much for participating in my blog party!

Happy to be here!

Picture
​Callie C. Miller is an animation and children's book writer. A lifelong purveyor of words, she delights in the quirky, and is a sucker for black sheep stories. Callie wrote a Star Wars fanfiction novel when she was thirteen, and loves high fives and toast. Callie received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and has twice placed in the Katherine Paterson Prize competition for her middle grade science fiction and fantasy works. Her animation credits include LEGO Monkie Kid, Polly Pocket, and several other shows that are still a secret. Callie, online at calliecmiller.com, is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary.

0 Comments

BLOG PARTY! Meet Kelly's KidLit Crew Member

10/1/2021

0 Comments

 

Amy Harding


Picture

Kidlit Member
of
Kelly's Crew


Salutations, Amy! Thanks for opening up my blog party--Day One of Kidlit Fun!

Happy to be here!

Do tell. How did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?

 
I love the magical power of a well-told story…the power to bring understanding, compassion, growth, and empowerment to little people and big people. As a very visually-inspired person, I fell in love with the picture books story form as a child and still remembered it’s magical powers in college as I studied the intricates of such works as Shakespeare’s tragedies, the Bhagavad Gita, and T.S. Eliot’s, The Waste Land.

While working in the university library cataloging department, thumbing through new pictures books as they came in, I realized that the themes and emotions of humanity portrayed by those complex works I was studying, could be just as effectively portrayed in picture book form, with the added bonus of beautiful illustrations. I love that these literary story gems are accessible to every age of human. So, when I couldn’t find a grad school literature program that emphasized kidlit (since they didn’t’ exist back then), I have instead spent over twenty years reading and studying stories as I have taught middle school, high school, preschool and every other type of school, as well as at home with my seven children. After sharing many magical story moments with children of all ages (along with plenty of adults), I began to dream of writing my own magical stories.
 
Words certainly do have power! So, what project of the heart are you working on?
 

I started out writing the stories I wanted to read to my own children, but could not find. Since my children have grown up in the military with frequent moves and the burden of their dad’s repeated combat deployments to the Middle East, I searched for books that they could connect with their experiences and emotions in even the slightest ways. There were very few. That is what inspired me to start writing my own stories about military families. After years of honing my writing craft and writing many types of stories (some out on submission now), I am currently returning to working on yet another military family story. 
 
Write what you know, right? What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?
 

Kelly is literally the perfect-fit agent for me. She is professional, kind, forthright, patient, responsive, transparent, and takes a long-term vested interest in her clients. It is so much fun to brainstorm with her as a partner! She has the editing capacity to let me know when a story needs work, the creativity to help me get it to the next level, and often puts as much thought into my submission revisions as I do. She is a great partner. She is thoughtful about strategy, proactive in developing relationships with editors, and most importantly, shares my passion for kidlit. I feel very blessed to work with her.

Thanks so much, Amy, for getting my blog party off to a wonderful start!

Delighted, Dionna!

Picture
​Amy Harding grew up in the middle of a great big family with a book in her hand and a love for the power of sharing stories. With a B.A. in English and a professional certification in Writing for Children, she now creates stories celebrating the value and empowerment of the individual. As a military spouse and mother of a great big family of seven kids, Amy has made her home in every corner (and even island) of the U.S. and has fallen in love with all kinds of people, all kinds of places, and all kinds of stories. She currently calls the Olympic Peninsula of Washington home, where she loves hiking in deep dark woods, kayaking in search of orcas, taste-testing all the best chocolates and watching comedy with her teens. Find Amy on Twitter @a_hharding, on Instagram @amyhansenhardingwrites, and at amyhansenharding.com. Amy is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse of The Tobias Literary Agency.

0 Comments

A Blog Party for Kelly's KidLit Crew Begins Tomorrow!

9/30/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Blow up some balloons! Beginning tomorrow, Friday, October 1, 2021, I'll be  hosting a blog party to introduce Kelly Dyksterhouse's Kidlit Crew, of which I am a proud member!​
Every day over the next several days, a different member of Kelly's crew of kidlit creators will join the party. They'll sing about how they found their way into the kidlit industry, what project of the heart their working on, and what they love about Kelly--literary agent extraordinaire with The Tobias Literary Agency, founded by the equally amazing Lane  Heymont.

Stop on by, join in the fun, & say hello to each one by leaving a comment! ​

Picture

0 Comments

Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos! OH MY! Launch Party Day Seven!

8/21/2020

3 Comments

 
Picture
(C) Sleeping Bear Press, 2020

Animal artwork by Lerato from Malawi

OH MY! Kid Interviewer:
Madeline

Picture

Hi, Madeline! So nice of you to join us.

Thank you, Mrs. Mann, for having me! 

The pleasure is all mine! Do tell about the interview you had with Moira Donohue, coauthor of LIONS & CHEETAHS & RHINOS! OH MY!

I did a Zoom interview with Ms. Moira Donohue. I liked being on Zoom with her because she is so friendly and paid attention to me when I talked. It makes me know she’s listening to my question and not taking it lightly. I learned a lot from her about animals, good sources, and about her work. I found out we put some of the same information in both our books!

That's cool! So I heard that Moira's publisher mailed you a review copy of LION, CHEETAHS & RHINOS! OH MY!, and that Moira sent you a signed bookplate. Did you enjoy reading the book?     

LION, CHEETAHS & RHINOS! OH MY!, her newest book, was AWESOME!!! The writing was well said and I wouldn't change anything. But what really caught my eye was the illustrations. Were those really made by kids!?! Those pictures look professionally done. The artwork is so realistic and the illustrations capture the actions and behaviors of the animals.

So would you recommend the book to your classmates?
  
I would recommend the book to my classmates because It tells interesting facts about the animals and the pictures are impressive because they are made by kids, just like us.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Pages from Madeline's book, her third-grade school project


I heard you wrote a book for a school project that is similar in scope to John and Moira's book. Do tell a little about it, why you chose African animals as your research area, and what you enjoyed about the process.
 
This past year at school, I got to make a digital book on any topic as an individual project. I chose to write about African animals because I really like animals and almost all of my favorite animals live in Africa. The research I did about the 11 animals I chose was the hardest part of making my book. It took a long time, but it was neat to find out some facts I didn’t know. As part of my project, I was supposed to illustrate the book because I love art. Since we missed so much school in the spring [because of COVID-19], I ran out of time to do all the artwork for so many animals. I used digital photographs instead. It was still really fun to choose the photos, design the layout of the book and pick lots of different colors. So it was still a big art project and that was my favorite part.
 
Do you think you might like to be a writer or illustrator of books for younger readers when you grow up? If so, why?
 
I might like to become a writer and illustrator of books for young readers when I grow up because I enjoy listening to stories and making up new stories and I love to draw and paint. I also like to research and learn about things that happened in history. That would be fun to write about. 

You're on your way, Madeline! Thanks again for stopping by. It was great having you!

It was fun! 

Picture
Madeline is 9 years old and will be in the fourth grade when school starts in the fall. She enjoys learning about many subjects in school. Madeline loves reading, drawing, painting, making crafts, playing soccer, dancing, making I-Movies, and playing with her friends!

​


Win a chance to receive a signed copy of this book by leaving a comment anytime during the party's duration!

Picture

Ten African animals, including lions, zebras, giraffes, and elephants, are brought to life in colorful artwork, accompanied by fun nature facts. Written by John Platt and Moira Rose Donohue, each animal portrait is painted by a student from the How to Draw a Lion program. Established in 2018 by New York artist John Platt, How to Draw a Lion is a nonprofit art education program that provides art classes for children in sub-Saharan Africa (Sleeping Bear Press, August 15, 2020). ​

"A successful combination of factual prose and appealing artwork."
                                                                                      School Library Journal 

Purchase your copy today!


All images used with permission from Madeline's mom and Sleeping Bear Press.
3 Comments

Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos! OH MY! Launch Party Day Six!

8/20/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
(C) Sleeping Bear Press, 2020

Animal artwork by Vincenti from Tanzania

OH MY! Kids:
Sub-Saharan Artists

Picture

Picture

Ally
from Tanzania


"​My favorite animal is the lion (Simba in Swahili) because its the king of beasts and it has an awesome mane. In art class, I learned how to paint pictures more realistically by blending colors. I used to draw all the time when I was younger but its knowing how to paint that can make a picture look real. It feels amazing that our work will be in the book and I hope they feel amazed by our talents and that its interesting for them!"

​​Christopher
  from Malawi  

Picture

"My favorite African animal to paint is a lion because it’s so beautiful and easy for me to draw (I love tigers for the same reason!).  In art class, I have learned carefulness and neatness and to take your time. I feel really good and proud to know that our talent will be known across the world and I hope kids who read the book will get more drawing skills and believe in themselves--they can also do it!"

Picture

Lerato
  from Malawi 
 


​"My favorite animal to paint is the horse because of the way it moves. I love to paint the hair moving as it runs, but for African animals my favorite is the elephant. I have learned a lot in art class like how to mix different colors but also how to make sure that the animal is in the same position in the painting as it is in the photo you work from. Maybe its running, or walking or just standing, but you have to make sure you are showing those movements and positions. I feel good about my art being featured in a children’s book so that our art can be known to so many children and they can see and learn from us. I hope American kids will get some knowledge about different animals, what they look like, the way they run and eat and do so many things and also learn to believe in themselves that they can do it and do better!"

Paulo
​  from Tanzania 
 

Picture

​"My favorite animal is the black panther because they have good hunting skills and I love the movie Black Panther. In art class, I leaned that art is part of my talents, its something I hadn’t really tried before. It feels really great that my work is included in the book and I hope kids everywhere will enjoy it. I hope they will be good artists and learn that art is a good talent to have."

Picture
(C) Sleeping Bear Press, 2020


Picture

​Rahim
   from Tanzania
  


"My favorite animal to paint is the cheetah because it is so fast. In art class, I learned how to paint and blend the colors, but I love the idea of being in the book because I could be a famous artist! I hope that kids in America will be proud of our talent and want to paint just like us"

Samuel
  from Kenya 

Picture

​"My favorite animal is the cheetah. This is because from my childhood I used to hear about its speed, where it is the fastest animal in the world. In art class, I have learned how to sketch and make the drawing proportional without using the grid method. I learned painting and also putting very important details. I also learned how to use different kind of brushes, mixing colors and coming up with different colors. It makes me feel very good to know that my art is being featured in a children's book. I am really proud of that! I really hope American kids will get inspired by the book, feeling enjoyment when reading about African wild animals. And for those who are talented in art, I hope they will get inspired."

Picture

​Vicenti
from Tanzania  


"My favorite animal to paint is the cheetah because I love the shape of the body and carefully painting the spots. In art class, I have learned to never give up if the picture looks bad--keep going and it will eventually be all right. I have also learned not to get too excited before you finish your picture because you can mess up the picture. I feel really great that I am in the book and I hope American kids will be excited about it. I hope they will notice that art is a great skill that you can learn."

Yohani
from Tanzania

Picture

"I love to paint elephants on sunsets, impalas and cheetahs. These animals are fun for me to draw and paint. In art class, we worked on doing reflections in the water of animals as they walk along and that was really hard. It feels wonderful to be included in the book and I hope all other kids will like it!"

Picture
The ten young people interviewed here contributed artwork published in LIONS & CHEETAHS & RHINOS! OH MY!, written by Moira Donohue and John Platt, and published by Sleeping Bear Press. When painting the animal portraits found in the book, they were from 10 to 23 years old and lived in Tanzania, Kenya, and Malawi. They learned how to draw, paint and depict African wildlife from professional artists volunteering with How To Draw A Lion, an art-based education program founded by John Platt, an award-winning New York based artist. How to Draw a Lion is a nonprofit with low overhead that raises funds by hosting art shows with the children's art. Some of the young artists in the program, like Samuel, have gone on to become professional art instructors themselves. Find out more at drawalion.com.

"A successful combination of factual prose and appealing artwork." 
                                                                                 School Library Journal 

Purchase your copy today


Win a chance to receive a signed copy of this book by leaving a comment anytime during the party's duration!

All images used with permission of Sleeping Bear Press
0 Comments

Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos! OH MY! Launch Party Day Five!

8/19/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture
(C) Sleeping Bear Press, 2020

Animal artwork by Yahani from Tanzania

OH MY! Kidlit Book Designer:
​Felicia Macheske

Picture

When you first read John and Moira’s manuscript for LIONS & CHEETAHS & RHINOS OH MY!, why did you fall in love with it? 

I have always loved animals, so it was very easy for me to enjoy this book. The text is fun and has both a sense of humor and a sense of adventure while sharing factual valuable information about the animals. 
 
Why did you also fall in love with the idea that the book would be illustrated by children living in the sub-Saharan parts of Africa? 

I thought this book was a wonderful opportunity to be able to give these children some way to be recognized for their accomplishments. The book is also a great way for children in the United States to relate to children in other parts of the world. 
 
Were there any particular challenges during this book’s creation? 

This book was a very different process from most books I work on, so that was an interesting change for me. John gathered all the art, the permissions, and handled getting the art scanned. My biggest challenge was taking paintings by many children and creating a cohesive looking book. A book needs to feel like a single thing. I took hints from where the children live and from the wildlife they depicted. That lead me to choose patterns that echo the animals depicted and the environment of the African countries the children reside in. I also took hints from the children’s paintings and from some of John’s paintings to determine the color palette I worked with. 

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

How did you feel when the kids' artwork started coming in?

I was pleased. The paintings by these children are quite accomplished. I thought they were beautiful and deserved a very special presentation in the book. Once I started putting things together, I had a lot of fun with the design of the book. 
 
What do you love about the final product and why do you hope kids here in the U.S. will read it? 

I am pleased with the cheerfulness of the book. And I love the photographs of the children on the back of the book. I think children in the U.S. will be fascinated that these are paintings done by children like them and will want to try drawing a lion, or they can try drawing the wildlife they see near their homes, or even their own pet. 

Picture
Felicia Macheske is a book designer, art director and fine artist. She has been designing and art directing books at Sleeping Bear Press for twenty years. She also works on series book design for several other imprints for Cherry Lake Publishing. Felicia received her Master of Fine Arts degree from Arizona State University specializing in drawing. She continues to paint, draw, and experiment with mosaics in her free time.   


Win a chance to receive a signed copy of this book by leaving a comment anytime during the party's duration!

Picture

Ten African animals, including lions, zebras, giraffes, and elephants, are brought to life in colorful artwork, accompanied by fun nature facts. Written by John Platt and Moira Rose Donohue, each animal portrait is painted by a student from the How to Draw a Lion program. Established in 2018 by New York artist John Platt, How to Draw a Lion is a nonprofit art education program that provides art classes for children in sub-Saharan Africa (Sleeping Bear Press, August 15, 2020). 

A successful combination of factual prose and appealing artwork." 
                                                                                 School Library Journal 

Purchase your copy today


All art used by permission from Sleeping Bear Press.
1 Comment

Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos! OH MY! Launch Party Day Three!

8/17/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
(C) Sleeping Bear Press

Animal artwork by Rahim from Tanzania

OH MY! Kidlit Agent:
Jennifer Unter

Picture

When Moira and John first spoke to you about their idea of writing LIONS & CHEETAHS & RHINOS OH MY!, why were you excited about it?

I loved the idea of a picture book with art by children, and when I saw the art, I was blown away. The art is so beautiful and life-like and I just fell in love with it. I also love the fact that we would be helping those very kids who drew the animals!

I was blown away, too! When deciding who to submit the project to, why did you send it to Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press?

I sent it to Barb since she does very interesting books that are usually a little serious and a little out-of-the-box. 

That makes sense! What was Barb's initial response after reading the manuscript and was the acquisition process an exciting one?

Barb loved it immediately. It’s always an exciting process when an editor loves and buys the book!

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

How do you feel about the manuscript being illustrated by children, even though this is not the industry norm?

I love the idea. You would never know that children illustrated this book since the art is so sophisticated. It’s almost like the animals are glowing, there’s so much life in them. 

I agree! How do you feel about the final product, and why do you hope kids here in the U.S. will read it?
​

It’s a gorgeous book. I think kids in the US will see this art and realize that these children get to see these magnificent animals all the time, which is such a different experience than what we live here in the States. Whenever you can see how someone else lives, you are hopefully expanding your horizons and learning more than what you knew before you read the book. 

Picture
Jennifer Unter of The Unter Agency has worked in many aspects of the publishing industry from editorial at Henry Holt, to a copyright lawyer at an entertainment firm. In addition to placing projects at domestic and foreign publishers, she also sells to audio, film and television. She is a member of Women’s Media Group. You will find her tweeting @JenniferUnter.


Win a chance to receive a signed copy of this book by leaving a comment anytime during the party's duration!

Picture

Ten African animals, including lions, zebras, giraffes, and elephants, are brought to life in colorful artwork, accompanied by fun nature facts. Written by John Platt and Moira Rose Donohue, each animal portrait is painted by a student from the How to Draw a Lion program. Established in 2018 by New York artist John Platt, How to Draw a Lion is a nonprofit art education program that provides art classes for children in sub-Saharan Africa (Sleeping Bear Press, August 15, 2020). 

A successful combination of factual prose and appealing artwork." 
                                                                                 School Library Journal 

Purchase your copy today


Art used by permission of Sleeping Bear Press
0 Comments

Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos! OH MY! Launch Party Day Two!

8/16/2020

3 Comments

 
Picture
(c) Sleeping Bear Press, 2020

Animal artwork by Yohani from Tanzania


OH MY! Kidlit Author:
​Moira Rose Donohue

Picture

When you first met John Platt while visiting Tanzania, Africa, at the Rift Valley Children’s Village where he teaches children art and where you daughter was working, why did you decide to join him in writing LIONS & CHEETAHS & RHINOS! OH MY!

When I first met John, I wanted to sit in on one of his art classes to see how he taught children to draw and paint. I was so impressed. As we began to talk about our work (I think I was working on a book about the rainforest for National Geographic at the time), we found we shared a creative vision and appreciated each other’s processes. And we shared some unusual overlapping interests as well. I discovered that John had a playlist with big band music that I could use to teach the children how to tap dance!

We didn’t know what we might create together, but before we said goodbye, we promised to give some thought to a joint project. As I reflected upon my time with John, I came to appreciate more fully this young, talented man who was donating his talent as an art teacher, as well as his time every summer, to teach painting and drawing to children in east Africa. I knew we had to do something to highlight their art.

When deciding on the format to tell this informational nonfiction picture book, why did you both decide on focusing on using the phrase “if you want to draw a lion…”?

​My recollection is that, like most creative things, the idea to use that phrase just came to both of us from some creative force in the universe. When we started seriously bouncing ideas back and forth, it stuck. Even though I don’t usually write in second person, it seemed like the right approach for this book—I hope readers agree!

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

When you saw the artwork for the book created by children living in sub-Saharan Africa, how did it make you feel?

Not being an artist, I am in awe of anyone who can paint or draw something recognizable! But when I first saw this artwork, I was stunned by its beauty. It fills your eyes with vibrant color and depicts such gorgeous creatures. And it reminds us all that art has no boundaries, geographic, or otherwise--it is for everyone. 

I agree! Why did you decide to donate your portion of the proceeds of this book to John’s nonprofit, How to Draw a Lion?

Actually, we are donating all of our proceeds to the nonprofit. We are both committed to continuing John’s teaching every summer in several African countries because it helps children who would not otherwise be exposed to his art lessons. Naturally, airfare and lodging for three months is expensive and John has been spending his own money to provide this creative outlet. But he can return year after year if some of his expenses are covered through the donations to drawalion.com. Further, the children can continue receiving their art education.

Why do you hope children here in the United States will read LIONS & CHEETAHS & RHINOS! OH MY!?

I hope they will see the incredible artwork that children who live far away from them have created--especially children from different cultures with different lifestyles. And I hope they will be inspired to make art of their own. In addition, as an animal lover who has written a number of books about animals and who has been lucky enough to go on several safaris, I want children here to get learn something about the amazing animals that live on the African continent. 

Picture
Moira Rose Donohue is the award-winning author of over 30 books for children, mostly nonfiction. She began writing for children after her defection from the practice of banking law. She has published several books with National Geographic, including  LITTLE KIDS FIRST BIG BOOK ABOUT THE RAIN FOREST. Her book GREAT WHITE SHARKS is a Junior Library Guild Selection, and her fictional books about punctuation marks, ALFIE AND THE PUNCTUATION BEE and  PENNY AND THE PUNCTUATION BEE, ​are favorites in the classroom. Moira is a co-regional advisor of the Florida SCBWI. She lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with her dog, Petunia. moirarosedonohue.net


Win a chance to receive a signed copy of this book by leaving a comment anytime during the party's duration!

Picture

Ten African animals, including lions, zebras, giraffes, and elephants, are brought to life in colorful artwork, accompanied by fun nature facts. Written by John Platt and Moira Rose Donohue, each animal portrait is painted by a student from the How to Draw a Lion program. Established in 2018 by New York artist John Platt, How to Draw a Lion is a nonprofit art education program that provides art classes for children in sub-Saharan Africa (Sleeping Bear Press, August 15, 2020).

​A successful combination of factual prose and appealing artwork." 
                                                                                 School Library Journal 

Purchase your copy today


All art used by permission of Sleeping Bear Press.
3 Comments

Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos! OH MY! Launch Party Day One!

8/15/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture
(C) Sleeping Bear Press, 2020

Animal artwork by Samuel from Kenya

OH MY! Kidlit Author:
John Platt

Picture

How did the idea come to you of using the beautiful, expressive art of African animals painted by children living in sub-Sharan Africa whose talents are revealed while enrolled in your art-education program, How To Draw A Lion? 

I first had the idea of doing a children’s book back in 2016 and started putting art aside for it then, choosing whichever pieces I thought were really strong that the kids had already done. I didn’t want to make the project about the kids doing something specific for the book, but rather shaping the book around the kids’ creativity. 

Why were you excited about the idea of working together with Moira Donohue on the children's book that includes the children's art, LIONS & CHEETAHS & RHINOS! OH MY!, out today from Sleeping Bear Press? 

Moira and I met in 2017 in Tanzania, which was total serendipity because she was already a well-known author and I really love her work, especially Penny and the Punctuation Bee, which is such a fun read but also so educational for kids. She attended one of the art classes and saw all the wonderful wildlife paintings the kids were doing. As it turned out, her forthcoming book was Little Kids First Big Book of the Rainforest with National Geographic and we bonded over our shared love of the hyacinth macaw. I mentioned to her my idea for a children’s book on African animals with the kids’ art and we ran with it. ​

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

What was your process as you and Moira worked together--going from idea to manuscript from manuscript to book?

I put together a rough outline and Moira and I carefully edited it together. Navigating children’s book writing is really something to do with a professional and Moira’s understanding of prose, structure and editing really shaped the book into what it is today.  Moreover she gave the manuscript to her agent who found us a publisher so it really wouldn’t have happened without her, and I am so grateful!  

Why did you decide to donate your share of the book's profits to How to Draw a Lion?
   
It was easy for us to make the decision that all proceeds should go back to the kids through How to Draw a Lion. The focus of the program is really about creative opportunities for youth and we weren’t interested in taking any of the potential revenue stream for ourselves.
​
That's wonderful, John! How did you feel when you saw the final book?

I was blown away by the book when I first saw it. Felicia, the book's designer, did such an amazing job and I cant wait for others to see it as well!  I hope that kids feel inspired to create their own works of art, not just of animals, but to understand there is a whole world in visual art waiting to be discovered!

Picture
John Platt is a New York-based artist and founder of How to Draw A Lion, a program providing art classes for children, raising money for their education and creating awareness about child welfare and conservation. The program has taken shape around art classes in several sub-Saharan African nations and the U.S. With an extremely low overhead, no offices and no administrative costs, How to Draw A Lion is a sustainable model of art education and fundraising. Additionally, the How to Draw A Lion student-teacher program allows former students to become educators in their own communities year round. To learn more about this nonprofit, visit drawalion.com. To learn more about John, the artist, visit JohnPlattStudio.com.


Win a chance to receive a signed copy of this book by leaving a comment anytime during the party's duration!

Picture

Ten African animals, including lions, zebras, giraffes, and elephants, are brought to life in colorful artwork, accompanied by fun nature facts. Written by John Platt and Moira Rose Donohue, each animal portrait is painted by a student from the How to Draw a Lion program. Established in 2018 by New York artist John Platt, How to Draw a Lion is a nonprofit art education program that provides art classes for children in sub-Saharan Africa (Sleeping Bear Press, August 15, 2020). 

A successful combination of factual prose and appealing artwork." 
                                                                                 School Library Journal 

Purchase your copy today


All art used by permission from Sleeping Bear Press.
1 Comment

Lion & Cheetahs & Rhinos! OH MY! The Book Launch Party Begins!

8/14/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
(C) Sleeping Bear Press

Animal artwork by Christopher from Malawi


I was beyond delight when my friend of the pen, Moira Donohue, announced that she'd be having a book about African animals published by Sleeping Bear Press, and even more excited when I found out that the book's artwork would be painted by young people who live in sub-Saharan Africa. The children artists have learned to draw, paint and depict lions, cheetahs, elephants and more from professional artists who volunteer with How To Draw A Lion, an art-based education program held in Tanzania, Kenya, and Malawi. How To Draw A Lion was founded by John Platt, an award-winning New York based artist and coauthor of Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos! OH MY!
  
I wanted to join in celebrating the release of this book, and so, beginning tomorrow, August 15, I'll be hosting a week-long Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos! OH MY! Book Launch Party!

During the celebration, I'll be interviewing those involved in the book's creation. On day one of the party, John Platt, the book's coauthor, will be up. On day two, I will interview Moira. On day three, John and Moira's literary agent, Jennifer Unter will be spotlighted. On day four, I will interview Barb McNally, the book's editor. On day five, I will interview Felicia Macheske, the book's designer. And on day six, I am honored to have ten of the children-- artists extraordinaire--as guests. Lastly, on day seven, Madeline, a nine-year-old author of her own book about African animals, will share her thoughts about interviewing Moira, her own writing process, and her thoughts about Moira and John's book. 

Will you join me in celebrating this book--a lovely work of art that celebrates both animals and humans living in sub-Saharan Africa? I hope so! Leave a comment for one of our guests and win a chance to receive a free, signed copy of Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos! OH MY!!

Picture

​Ten African animals, including lions, zebras, giraffes, and elephants, are brought to life in colorful artwork, accompanied by fun nature facts. Written by John Platt and Moira Rose Donohue, each animal portrait is painted by a student from the How to Draw a Lion program. Established in 2018 by New York artist John Platt, How to Draw a Lion is a nonprofit art education program that provides art classes for children in sub-Saharan Africa. (Sleeping Bear Press, August 15, 2020) Purchase your copy today!

0 Comments

TAG YOUR DREAMS

4/3/2020

0 Comments

 

A Review

Picture
Written by award-winning children's book author and poet, Jacqueline Jules,  and illustrated by award-winning illustrator, Iris Deppe, each free-verse poem in Tag Your Dreams: Poems of Play and Persistence  paints a picture of young people persevering while doing what children do best--playing.

​One poem shows a girl and boy wanting to play tennis, but alas, they must wait beneath the lights of night for their turn on the courts. In another poem, a girl is called a name that makes fun of her size. Yet, she swims majestically proud despite it. In another poem, a girl joins her Nana and Pops on a slow pace hike along a trail lined with "sycamore trees wrapped in mottled bark."

No matter the mode of play, no matter the season, no matter the child's gender, every poem in Tag Your Dreams shows a young person learning persistence and patience while perspiring.


"Round and round. Faster and faster.
Sometimes I’m on. Sometimes I’m out.
Who cares as long as
the game keeps moving,
and I still have the chance
to jump back in."


One boy, while confidently riding his bike, swerves to keep hitting a squirrel: "Boom! Blood on my lip. Bent wheel. Broken finger. But no cast. No sling." Soon, he's pedaling again. A girl up to bat recalls how her past indecisiveness about whether or not to swing ended up poorly for her. This time, she decides to keep her eye on the ball and "send fear sailing over the fence."​
​
Parents, physical education instructors, and teachers alike will enjoy having this collection of poems on hand, for each poem highlights the internal voice of a child learning persistence while engaging in play. Young readers will also enjoy Iris Deppe's simple illustrative style. Each image shows all kinds of children playing together--whether one participant is sitting in a wheelchair or leaning on crutches, or another is blond-haired or brown-skinned, or whether the player is female or male. That in itself is tagging a dream.  
​Released by Albert Whitman & Company April 1, 2020. Order your copy HERE.
0 Comments

TAG YOUR DREAMS Blog Party! Day 2

4/2/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

Welcome, Iris Deppe,
illustrator of Tag Your Dreams!


Picture(C) Iris Deppe
So excited to have you here, Iris, and to be celebrating the release of Tag Your Dreams: Poems of Play and Persistence--written by Jacqueline Jules and illustrated by you!

​
The pleasure is all mine, Dionna.

Do tell. What was your process for inspiration once you read Jacqueline Jules's poems in Tag Your Dreams?

First, I tried to remember the feeling I used to get when I did something active as a kid--the fun I had and the friends I made while doing sports. Being active wasn’t just the thrill of learning a new skill, it was also a way of learning to be a team player, plus realizing what your own body is capable of! Besides reminiscing, I also re-watched (parts of) some sports-related movies from the 90s, which I loved as a kid. "The Mighty Ducks", "Sidekicks" and "The Sandlot’"are just a few that came to mind. I would say these movies inspired me visually during the process of this book. 

​Why did you choose such an airy, light color pallet when illustrating this book, and what medium did you use?

Jacqueline’s words seemed very light and sometimes dreamy to me, so I wanted the drawings to translate that atmosphere, almost like a breath of fresh air for the readers. So light, airy colours seemed appropriate, especially since many of the illustrations take place outside. I work with mixed media. I draw all the figures and elements by hand, scan them in and afterwards colour them in and place them in compositions with my computer.

Picture(C) Iris Deppe
​Why did you decided to portray the children in Tag Your Dreams as coming from all walks of life? 

I think it’s important that every kid can relate to the characters in these poems. Playing and being active is a trait all kids in the world possess. It’s a universal thing, so I wanted all these kids to be represented in this book. 

Why did you enjoy illustrating this book?

I really enjoyed diving into my childhood for this project and getting acquainted with sports I’d never heard of before, like flag football, kickball or foursquare. Now I feel very up to date when it comes to sports and less of an old fart--haha. 
​
Why do you hope children read and enjoy the illustrations in this book?

I hope they will feel inspired to pick up sports and just get active and ambitious and most of all, have a lot of fun doing it!


Picture
Iris Deppe was born and raised in the Caribbean, lived in the Netherlands for several years where she studied Illustration at HKU University of the Arts and is currently residing in Copenhagen, Denmark. Iris enjoys working on many different projects, from drawings, collages and album covers to children’s book illustrations and film. She finds inspiration in absurd situations, (human) nature, 60s & 70s music, the dark side of YouTube and has a big love for primary colours and the sea. irisdeppe.com


Picture

Order your copy HERE.


​​Images used with permission from Albert Whitman & Company
0 Comments
<<Previous

    About Me

    I am a children's book author who loves learning about lesser known individuals shining in the margins of African American history. My debut novel for young readers, Mama's Chicken & Dumplings (Margaret Ferguson Books, 2024), received a starred review from Shelf Awareness and is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection. I am 
    represented by Kelly Dyksterhouse of The Tobias Literary Agency.


    Copying, reposting, or otherwise republishing anything on this blog without permission is strictly prohibited.

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Archives

    June 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    February 2015
    May 2014
    March 2014
    September 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013

    Categories

    All
    1935 Labor Day Hurricane
    1935 Vinegar Hill Charlottesville VA
    Abigail Halpin
    A Big Mooncake For Little Star
    Abrams Books For Young Readers
    Adriann Ranta Zurhellen
    African American Business Owners 1930s
    African Art By Children
    Aladdin Pix
    Albert Whitman & Company
    Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs
    Alfred A. Knopf
    Alice Ratterree
    Alvina Ling
    Alyssa Bermudez
    Amanda Vacharat
    Amy Harding
    Amy Lee-Tai
    Andrea Beatriz Arango
    Andrea Brown Literary
    Angela Dominguez
    Angie Arnett
    Angie Miles
    Angie Smibert
    Anna Lapera
    Anna Staniszewski
    Anne Marie Pace
    Anne Moore Armstrong
    Annual Virginia Book Events
    A POEM GROWS INSIDE YOU
    Arrows
    Arthur Levine Books
    Art-Themed Challenges
    Ashley Spires
    Ashley Walker
    Autism Picture Book
    Bagram Ibatoulline
    Balzer + Bray
    Barb McNally
    Barb Rosenstock
    Beach Lane Books
    Ben Franklin's Big Splash
    BIRD NERD
    Blink YA Books
    Blog Hop
    Blog Parties
    Board Books
    BO AT THE BUZZ
    Book Launch
    Book Launch Parties
    Book Trailers
    Boyds Mills And Kane
    Boyds Mills Press
    BRAVE BALLERINA
    Brenda Woods
    Brian Rock
    Bright Literary Agency
    Brown Books For Young Readers
    Busy Eyed Day
    Busy-Eyed Day
    Calkin's Creek
    Callie C. Miller
    Candlewick Press
    Capstone
    Carina Povarchik
    Caroline McPherson
    Cetologist
    Changes In Publishing
    Charlie & Frog
    Charlottesville Illustrator
    Charlotteville
    Chronicle Books
    Clarion Books
    C. M. Surrisi
    Colleen Muske
    Colleen Paeff
    Comic Book Creator
    Confetti Kids
    Content Editor
    Coping Skills School-aged Children
    Copyeditors
    Cover Reveal
    Coyote Moon
    Craft Of Storytelling
    Craft Of Writing
    Crenshaw
    Cricket Magazine Contributor
    Critiquing
    Crossover
    Cyndi Marko
    Cynthia Cliff
    Daniel Bernstrom
    Daniel Nayeri
    Dave Mottram
    Dawn P. Noren
    DC KidLit Events
    Deaf Main Characters
    Deborah Diner
    Deborah Lakritz
    Deborah Prum
    Diana Ma
    Dionna Mann
    Dish Up A Reading Delight
    Disney-Hyperion
    Dolores Andral
    Donna & Libby Farrell
    Don Tate
    Doris Kutschbach
    Ebony Glenn
    Eerdmans Books For Young Readers
    Elliott Smith
    Engaging The Audience
    Erica Perl
    Erin Murphy
    Erin Murphy Literary Agency
    Ethan Suspended
    Eucalyptus Tree
    EVELYN DEL REY IS MOVING AWAY
    Farrar Straus And Giroux
    Fearless Public Speaking
    Feiwel & Friends
    Felicia Macheske
    Fine Art Raven Photographer
    Flashlight Night
    Fort Building Time
    Foundry Literary + Media
    Four Beautiful Picture Book Biographies
    Fran Cannon Slayton
    Frann Preston Gannon
    Frann Preston-Gannon
    Fred Koehler
    From My Notes
    Garvey's Choice
    Getty Publications
    GIFTS OF THE MAGPIE
    Good Illustration Ltd.
    Grace Lin
    Grammar Tip
    Great Nocturnal Book For Kids
    Growing Up Pedro
    Hannah Barnaby
    HarperCollins
    HB Steadham
    Heather Brockman Lee
    Heather Mullaly
    Highlighter SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Newsletter
    Holiday House Books
    Holly Webb
    Holt Books For Young Readers
    Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
    How To Draw A Lion
    I Love My Library
    Interviews
    Iris Deppe
    IVELIZ EXPLAINS IT ALL
    Jacqueline Jules
    Jacques Kaufmann
    Jacqui Lipton
    Jefferson School
    Jen Malia
    Jennifer Ann Richter
    Jennifer Elvgren
    Jennifer Laughran
    Jennifer Unter
    Jen Shulman
    Jess Brailler
    Jessica Sinsheimer
    Jewell Parker Rhodes
    Joanie Stone
    Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
    John Parra
    John-platt
    Joy-jones
    Julia-kuo
    Julie-matysik
    Jump-back-paul
    Jumpy-jack-googily
    June-hunter
    Kara-reynolds
    Kar-Ben Publishing
    Karen-kane
    Karen-nagel
    Kate-testerman
    Katherine-applegate
    Kathleen-kellett
    Kathleen-rushall
    Kathryn-erskine
    Katrin-dreiling
    Kell-andrews
    Kelly Dyksterhouse's Crew
    Kellye-crocker
    Kidlit411
    Kidlit-agent
    Kidlit-agent
    Kidlit-art-director
    Kidlit-artist
    Kidlit Author
    Kidlit-author-illustrator
    Kidlit-author-illustrator
    Kidlit-book-designer
    Kidlit-coauthors
    Kidlit-cville-blog-party
    Kidlit-editors
    Kidlit-editors
    Kidlit-events
    Kidlit-events
    Kidlit Love
    Kidlit-reviews
    Kid-reviewer
    Kids-can-press
    Killer-whales
    Kristenpaige-madonia
    Kwame-alexander
    Kweli-the-color-of-childrens-literature-conference
    Ladybug-magazine
    Laura-lyn-disiena
    Law-and-authors-a-legal-handbook-for-writers
    Leah-henderson
    Leaving-room-for-the-illustrator
    Lee-low-books
    Lerner
    Leslie-stall-widener
    Less-is-more
    Levine-querido
    Lilliput
    Lilys-new-home
    Linda-pratt
    Lindsey McDivitt
    Lion Of The SKy
    Lions-cheetahs-rhinos-oh-my
    Lisa-bronson-mezoff
    Literary-agent-interviews
    Little
    Little-brown-books-for-young-readers
    Little-brown-books-for-young-readers
    Liza-wiemer
    Lois-sepahban
    Lois-sepahban
    London
    Lynne-chapman
    Madeline
    Madelyn-rosenberg
    Making-it-not-too-personal-query-etiquette
    Mama's Chicken And Dumplings
    Mani-semilla-finds-her-quetzal-voice
    Marc-boston
    Marfe-delano
    Margaret-ferguson
    Margaret Ferguson Books
    Maria-gianferrari
    Marvelous-cornelius
    Marvelous-cornelius-blog-party
    Mary-amato
    Mary-jane-penny-candies
    Maryland-kidlit-events
    Mary-rand-hess
    Matt-forest-esenwine
    Maverick-childrens-books
    Megan-wagner-lloyd
    Meg-medina
    Meg-medinas-oneminute-writing-tips
    Melissa-gorzelanczyk
    Melissa-manlove
    Michael F. Stewart
    Michael-j-rosen
    Michelle-meadows
    Middlegrade
    Moira-donohue
    Monica-mancillas
    My-work
    Nancy-carpenter
    Nancy-paulsen-books
    Nedda-lewers
    Nfpost
    Nikki-grimes
    Noaa-scientist
    Olga-m-herrera
    Olivia-hinebaugh
    One-day-in-the-eucalyptus
    One-good-deed
    Only-my-dog-knows-i-pick-my-nose
    Orcas-by-dionna-l-mann
    Orchard-books
    Pam-ehrenberg
    Paper-wishes
    Paper-wishes
    Paper-wishes-blog-party
    Paper-wishes-blog-party
    Paula-yoo
    Peachtree-publishers
    Penguin-workshop
    Personal-rejections
    Phil-bildner
    Picture-book-about-change-and-grief
    Picture-book-biography
    Picture-books
    Pj-books
    Planting-parsley
    Poet-remarkable-story-of-george-moses-horton
    Pottypartybydionnalmann
    Pov
    Preorder Campaign
    Prestel-junior
    Proofreading
    Queries
    Query-kombat
    Query-kombat-2018-grand-champion
    Race-car-dreams-blog-party
    Random-housedelacorte
    Rashin-kheiriyeh
    Raven-quill-literary-agency
    Rejections
    Renee-graef
    Return-to-the-secret-garden
    Ritu-hemnani
    Roberta-pressel
    Rosie-mccormick
    Running-press
    Ryan-hayes
    Saffron-ice-cream
    Sairom-moon
    Sam-gayton
    Sam-hundley
    Sampsons-happy-pals
    Sarah-jane-freymann-literary-agency
    Sara-holmes
    Sarah-whang
    Sase
    Scholastic-press
    School-visits
    Scott-dubar
    Scrap-artist
    Sd-schindler
    Sensory-issues
    Seth-fishman
    Setting
    Sharon-chriscoe
    Shirley-ngbenitez
    Short-pump-bump
    Simon-schuster
    Sing-it-like-celia
    Sleeping-bear-press
    Slush-piles
    Solo
    Sonia-sanchez
    Sourcebooks
    Sparknotes
    Spencer-hill-contemporary
    Spooky-cheetah-press
    Stan-fellows
    Stephanie-fitzgerald
    Susan-bartoletti
    Susan-batori
    Susan-vanhecke
    Susan-wood
    Suzie-townsend
    Swenke-elementary-book-trailer-crew
    Sylvia-liu
    Tag-your-dreams
    Tami-traylor
    Teresa-bonnadio
    Terrible-typhoid-mary
    Terri-fields
    The 24/7s
    The-amazing-age-of-john-roy-lynch
    The-boney-hand
    The-crossover-review
    The-great-stink
    The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music
    The-innovative-press
    The-most-magnificent-thing
    Therese-makes-a-tapestry
    The-tale-of-rescue
    The-unbeatable-lily-hong
    The-wild-garden
    The-word-a-storytelling-sanctuary
    THINGS THAT SHIMMER
    This-little-piggy-an-owner-manual
    This-little-piggy-has-a-blog-party
    Thread-of-love
    Tillmon-county-fire
    Tips-for-book-events
    Tom-angleberger
    Tom-birdseye
    Towers-falling
    Trombone-shorty
    Uwe-stender
    Va
    Vinegar-hill
    Virginia-festival-of-the-book
    Virginia-kidlit-events
    Virginia-kidlit-events
    Virginia-literary-events
    Virginia Readers' Choice Primary Selections 2024-2025
    Want-to-play
    Wendy-shang
    Wordsong
    Work-for-hire
    Writing Advice
    Writing-process
    Writing Quotes
    Yaroslava-apollonova
    Zara González Hoang
    Zoe In Wonderland