Tag: Ryan G. Van Cleave

Educational Activities: The Path by Bob Staake

On By Only Picture BooksIn Educational Activities

The Path: A Picture Book About Finding Your Own True Way
Author: Bob Staake
Illustrator: Bob Staake
5 April 2022
minedition US
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “From New Yorker cover artist Bob Staake, this inspirational guide to finding your authentic self through life’s challenges is a hip new take on the graduation book.

Award-​winning author and New Yorker cover artist Bob Staake’s lyrical words and stunning illustrations will lead children and adults alike to discover the encouraging truth that our path through life is not only challenging and beautiful—it is all our own to discover and invent. With a bonus The Path poster from Bob Staake inside the jacket!

“You will walk. You will walk along a well-​worn path that many people have taken—and long before you.” So begins this inspirational journey over gentle, grassy hills, through fields of wildflowers, over raging rivers, up steep mountains, and even through a dark, chilly cave. When it splits in two, you will have to decide what to do next—and you’ll create a path that’s unique to you.”

Need some reviews on The Path?

As a bonus, here’s the book trailer for The Path.

Educational Activities inspired by The Path:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What’s happening on the cover?
    • What do you think of when you think of paths?
    • Where and when do you think this story takes place?
    • What differences do you notice between the front and back cover?
    • What questions would you like to ask the author before you read the book?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Which part of the journey was most surprising?
    • Which picture did you like the most? Why?
    • What did you think of the book’s ending?
    • Did you like this book? Why/​why not?
  • Writing–When have you created your own path in life? If you have, write down the story of what happened. If you haven’t, imagine what you might have done differently in the past and write that story. Use colored pencils, crayons, or markers to create your own art, if you want. Consider sharing your work with a friend or family member.
  • Crafting–A lot of what happens in The Path happens in the woods, so here are some crafts related to that environment: 
  • Further Reading–Learn more about finding your own path and overcoming challenges by reading these related books. Which of these have you already read? Which of the others would you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)

Author Interview: Linda Elovitz Marshall

On By Only Picture BooksIn Author Interviews

This month’s Author Interview is with Linda Elovitz Marshall, who’s a “writer of books for young children and other cool stuff.” I know her from a previous critique group and from Jane Yolen’s Picture Book Boot Camp. With all the success Linda’s having lately, it seems the right time to find out why.

Let’s head right to the interview!

RVC: Let’s start with the Big News. You’ve got a new picture book coming out in a few days—Measuring a Year: A Rosh Hashanah Story. What’s the elevator pitch?

LM: No matter what you celebrate or how you count, every year has a beginning and an ending. Considering that the Jewish New Year–Rosh Hashanah–is a time of introspection, of looking inward, I wondered…How could anyone measure a year? Specifically, how could a CHILD measure a year?

RVC: How did that story come about?

LM: I was sitting in the synagogue with my son and his family during a High Holiday service. When it was time for the sermon, the sanctuary became solemn, hushed. Cantor Jodi Schectman–who had only recently taken her position at Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany, New York–came to the bimah (the pulpit). She hummed a melody. I recognized the tune but couldn’t quite place it. She stopped humming and talked about changes in her life–selling her house in New Jersey, sending her youngest off to college, taking a new job in Albany. She hummed a few more bars. Then asked, rhetorically, “So, how DO you measure a year?” She described more changes in her life. Then she shared with the congregation that she’d been diagnosed with a Stage IV cancer. Once more, she asked, “How DO you measure a year?”

RVC: Wow.

LM: How DO you? I wondered. How does anyone? How does a child? What are the good things? The not-​so-​good? I wanted to take the lessons of Cantor Schectman’s powerful sermon…and share them with the world. And so I did. Measuring a Year: A Rosh Hashanah Story is dedicated to the memory of Cantor Jodi Schectman.

RVC: Measuring a Year is illustrated by Zara González Hoang. What did she bring to this powerful story? 

LM: Zara’s beautiful illustrations brought much humor and warmth to the story. She also beautifully tied the text into the annual cycle of Jewish holidays.

RVC: Let’s circle back to the beginning. Rumor has it that you were speaking in full sentences before you were a year old. Reality or myth? 

LM: It must be true. Why would I ever dispel such a myth? Truth is, I didn’t walk until I was almost two years old. Meanwhile, I listened and absorbed a lot. When I started talking, I had a lot to say.

RVC: When did you first discover you had a gift for writing?

LM: In fifth grade, I wrote a story about my new baby sister. My teacher suggested I might become a writer. But it wasn’t until decades later that I actually began writing professionally. In the interim, I had numerous careers, from owning a bookstore to capturing oral histories to raising sheep.

RVC: What kind of formal training did you have as a writer?

LM: None. However, I always read a lot. I’m also fortunate to have a good ear for language. Most importantly (and probably most under-​rated), I had teachers who taught grammar. I highly recommend reading (and re-​reading) The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. It’s a great handbook for writers.

RVC: Since you’re a lover of words, it’s no surprise you ran your own bookshop. How did that happen?

LM: An opportunity came–and I grabbed it! That was shortly after I’d left my Ph.D. program in Anthropology. I still had children home and I was doing oral histories and writing articles for magazines (freelance). My bookstore began as a spinoff of my father’s bargain business (the late, great Building #19, Inc whose story is told in my self-​published biography of my father, Good Stuff Cheap: The Story of Jerry Ellis and Building #19.)

I soon transformed it into my own store–BOOKS FOR BEANS, INC. With a background in early childhood education, I specialized in books for teachers and children. And with my background in the bargain business, I made sure to sell good stuff, cheap!

RVC: What’s the story behind your first picture book sale?

LM: I was ringing the register in my bookstore when a customer said something that sparked an idea. That idea led to another idea…which led to another idea…and the idea of a story was born.

Eventually, I attended a conference for children’s book writers where I presented two manuscripts to an editor for critiques. She didn’t like either. I asked what she didn’t like about them. She told me. I listened. I revised, then sent the stories back to her with a note saying something like, “Thank you for helping me with these stories.” About a week later, that editor acquired both of my stories!

RVC: You’re well known for being a big-​time reviser. What does your process look like?

LM: I try to listen…and learn. I want my words to flow, to sound beautiful. But more importantly, the story has to work. Sometimes, I share my works-​in-​progress with my critique groups. Sometimes, I don’t. I often show my work to my husband. He’s usually my very first reader…and he’s a very good one!

RVC: What’s your relationship with critique groups?

LM: I LOVE my critique groups. Right now, I’m in three, each with a different focus and style. I also enjoy critiquing privately. I served as Picture Book Mentor for my SCBWI chapter. In addition, I’m one of the Rate Your Story judges. I’m always delighted to work with new writers!

RVC: What can you tell us about the importance of community in a writer’s life?

LM: Community is so important, especially for writers. We give each other strength and buoy each other up when things are down. There are many times when things don’t go smoothly–when there’s rejection after rejection after rejection. Having a community of writers is a great balm. Sometimes, it’s even better than ice cream!

RVC: Complete the following sentence. “Linda Marshall is a writer who…”

LM: Linda Marshall is a writer who cares. She cares about accuracy, about kindness, about children, and about making the world a better place…in whatever way she can.

RVC: You have some clear throughlines in your picture books. What are those, and how important are they to you?

LM: My throughlines focus on things that are important to me–for example, the earth (see Saving the Countryside: The Story of Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit), public health (see The Polio Pioneer: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine), and nature (see Good Night, Wind).

I put my heart into my writing…and try to make the world better.

RVC: Who sets the standard for nonfiction picture book writing?

LM: I learned about writing non-​fiction picture books from the great editor Carolyn Yoder. She taught me to apply Ph.D.-quality research to my work for children. I love research–and I love her lesson! Thank you, again, Carolyn Yoder!

RVC: In all your experience as a picture book author, what has most surprised you?

LM: The children’s writing community is wonderfully kind and open. To my surprise, it’s made me kinder, too. I’m very grateful for that.

RVC: What’s your best tip for aspiring picture book writers?

LM: Read, read, read. Read GOOD stuff, stuff that makes you feel. Pay attention to the flow of words. Pay attention to your emotions. Pay attention to the world around. Feel. Be aware. And never lose your sense of wonder. Or your sense of possible. Or, of course, your sense of humor.

RVC: One last question for this part of the interview. It’s brag time! What cool new things should we expect from you in the future?

LM: In addition to Measuring a Year, I have several other books in the works. My forthcoming books include: Sisters in Science: Marie Curie, Bronia Dluska, and the Atomic Power of Sisterhood (Knopf, 2023), Bob Marshall: Defender of the Wilderness (South Dakota Historical Society, 2023), and Mexican Dreidel (KarBen/​Lerner, 2023).

There’s one more but (shhh….) as of today, it’s not yet been announced.

RVC: Alright, Linda. It’s time for the SPEED ROUND. Fast questions followed by fast answers. Are you ready?

LM: Yes!

RVC: What is your biggest time waster?

LM: I check my email far too often. Hey, you never know when something good might pop in!

RVC: What animal or plant should be renamed?

LM: Shrub. What a yucky name! Like someone who can’t keep his pants up. You know, what a shrub that guy is…

RVC: You’re having a literary brunch. Which three writers (dead or alive) would you invite?

LM: Mark Twain, Sappho, and (of course) Jane Yolen.

RVC: What’s your favorite Jane Yolen picture book?

LM: No fair! That’s like asking which of my children is my favorite. I love Mrs. Noah’s Doves. It’s beautiful the way Jane Yolen spins a story–kind and sensitive and a bit magical. And, oh, her language! Pure poetry!

RVC: Five things you can’t do your job without?

LM: I need my computer (or a pen and paper), empty space to stare into, quiet, enthusiasm for my topic, and a bit of dark chocolate.

RVC: Best compliment a kid ever gave you (or your books)?

LM: The best–the absolute best–was when my husband overheard our grandson talking to his friends. One friend said his grandmother is a doctor, the other said his grandfather is a doctor. Our grandson proudly announced that his grandmother is a “writer…and she’s coming to our school!”

RVC: Thanks so much, Linda!

Picture Book Review: Library Girl: How Nancy Pearl Became America’s Most Celebrated Librarian, by Karen Henry Clark

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Owner/​Operator of Only Picture Books) and longtime OPB friend, Austin McKinley.

—Ryan’s Review of the Writing—

Karen Henry Clark’s new picture book, Library Girl, shares the story of how Detroit native Nancy Pearl transformed her childhood love for books into a lifelong mission. From the start, Nancy was able to ignore how her peers teased her because her best friends were in books (“all those characters tucked into pages”). Clark cleverly uses bookish language throughout the text, such as how when the school librarian told Pearl about a nearby public library that was open on Saturdays, “Hope fluttered like pages turning in Nancy’s heart.”

Two sweet librarians at the public library encouraged Nancy’s imagination and her love for horses (Nancy had toy horses in her bedroom and she even imagined her bicycle was a horse named Charger). Though she hid her new library books to avoid more teasing, Nancy “read through rows of fantasies, trilogies, diaries, anthologies, dictionaries, histories, biographies, and mysteries.” And as so often happens to voracious young readers, all those stories led to this powerful realization–“I can be anything when I grow up.”

Nancy didn’t remain a solitary bookworm. When her librarian friends asked her to give a talk about horse books to the other kids, she couldn’t say no. Their belief in her was that strong, though she was understandably nervous. Even a spill on her bike en route to the library to give the talk didn’t spoil things. The other kids were “spellbound,” and when she was done, they clapped and the librarians “glowed.” I’ll let Austin talk about the art but I’ll add that many of the spreads have a magical glow to them, even when Nancy’s imagination isn’t being depicted in action.

After Nancy’s successful talk, the book fast-​forwards to where she has found her future as an adult librarian who helps other kids discover their own magic in books. An Author’s Note explains some of Nancy’s successes as a champion for books, reading, and libraries, though one of the most memorable moments is Nancy’s response to being challenged to write a six-​word memoir: “Girl discovers books, then discovers life.” The back matter also briefly lists awards Nancy won, books she wrote, and recognition she received.

While Nancy Pearl isn’t a household name, her sweet, empowering story will resonate with many readers. Book lovers, teachers, and librarians in specific will surely see some part of themselves in Library Girl.

4.5 out of 5 pencils

 

—Austin’s Review of the Illustrations—

It may seem obvious to say the work of an illustrator is to supply the “show” in “show and tell;” to provide tone and context beyond the reach of words alone. That’s exactly what Sheryl Murray’s depictions of the world of librarian Nancy Pearl’s childhood in the early 1950s accomplish.

Of the five books Murray has illustrated to date, Library Girl is the only one with a non-​fiction, biographical subject, but Murray’s fanciful sensibilities serve her well here, infusing Nancy’s experience with constant companions in sparkling azure shades, especially horses. Each scene is suffused with a magical pastel glow, a consistent palette perfectly suited to the romanticism of Nancy’s imagination. We would be remiss, however, if we failed to appreciate the subtle clues that set the mise en scene firmly in its historical context–the rolled-​up jeans, the milkman, and who could fail to be inspired by the palatial renderings of Detroit’s Parkman Branch Library?

An author herself as well as an illustrator, Murray’s firm grasp of visual storytelling are on dramatic display here. Beyond the warmth and approachability of Murray’s style, her framing and inclusion of evocative elements of the narrative add a textural richness to the reading experience: the dotted line of the map to the library, the bird landing nearby when the text mentions fluttering pages. The pulled back pictures that underscore Nancy’s emotional state when she feels small and insecure, the shots over her shoulder that put us in her black and white saddle shoes, which is especially appropriate in the story of a librarian who famously encouraged everyone in Seattle to read the same book at the same time. Murray’s illustrations allow us to see through Nancy’s eyes without telling us exactly how to feel. They give us permission to ask ourselves–as Nancy’s librarian mentors do–what helps us feel brave?

Nancy Pearl’s accomplished career as a librarian focused on outreach has been about understanding through shared experiences in books, and Murray’s charming compositions help enrich just such an experience for us–the readers of Nancy’s story.

4.5 out of 5 crayons

 

Austin McKinley makes comic books, cartoons, movies, video games, screenplays, novels and novellas through his company, Flying Car. He shot and appeared in the award-​winning feature documentary The New 8‑Bit Heroes alongside director Joe Granato. His comic illustrations have also been published by Image Shadowline, Devil’s Due/​1st Comics, Alias/​Blue Water Press, Avatar, Boom!, Blue King Studios, and FC9. He wrote and illustrated Squareasota, a weekly cartoon in the Sarasota Herald-​Tribune for seven years.
Most recently, he illustrated Tales of Mr. Rhee vol. 5: Rockstar Paranoia, a graphic novel for Source Point Press.

Editor Interview: Catherine Laudone (Paula Wiseman Books)

On By Only Picture BooksIn Editor Interviews

This month’s Industry Insider Interview is with Catherine Laudone, a children’s book editor at Paula Wiseman Books. Prior to joining Simon & Schuster in 2013, she graduated with a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College and completed several internships at children’s publishing houses and literary agencies, including HarperCollins and Sourcebooks. She is also currently pursuing her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Over the last nine years, she’s edited picture books, middle grade, and young adult novels in a wide range of genres. Her authors’ titles have been New York Times bestsellers, Junior Library Guild selections, Indies New Voices and Indies Kids’ Next Pick selections. They have also been chosen for state reading and award longlists, and received starred reviews.

When Catherine isn’t editing, writing, or reading, she likes to throw pottery, crochet, bake, play tennis, and watch Gilmore Girls reruns. And, quite reasonably, she’s a devout fan of all things chocolate.

Let’s get to the interview so we can learn more!

RVC: What aspect/​part of you today gives away where you’re from and how you were raised?

CL: Growing up on Long Island, I was very close to my extended family—especially my Nana and cousins. My immediate family moved to New Jersey when I was in seventh grade, but we maintained those close relationships over the years. So, my love of stories centered on family and intergenerational relationships reflects my upbringing.

RVC: What influence did your family have on your love for stories?

CL: Growing up, every week my mom took my brothers and I to the library. We even had a designated “library bag” that we would load up with books. And both my parents would read to us every night before bed, fostering a love of stories and books that continues today.

RVC: That’s such a familiar story with agents and editors–I love it. Now, when you chose to attend Emerson College’s BFA program, were you planning to become a full-​time writer and editor?

CL: Yes, going into college I knew I wanted to write and edit children’s books. So, I chose Emerson’s program because it had the best of both worlds—writing and publishing within one degree.

RVC: What lesson from your time at Emerson do you find most useful today?

CL: Emerson College is where I learned to “speed read” and read multiple books at a time. These skills have been helpful, as I often have to multitask and work on many different projects daily as an editor.

RVC: Care to share a tip on how to speed read?

CL:  Speed reading is a fancy word for skimming. Sometimes when another colleague shares a longer novel for second reads, I skim or “speed read” several chapters to get a sense of voice and the story’s overall direction. Practice is the best tip I can give for learning to speed read or skim.

RVC: How did you land internships in publishing? And how valuable were those in terms of getting a full-​time job as an editor?

CL: I looked up internships online on my own, applied, and interviewed for them. I was fortunate that my parents lived about an hour outside of New York City, so I was able to live at home and intern in the city during the summers, between college semesters. I did a few internships in Boston during my semesters as well. Those internships gave me real-​world experience in the children’s publishing industry and helped when it came time for me to apply for entry level editorial jobs in children’s publishing.

RVC: I’m always interested in imprints named after someone because they feel so specific and distinct. Now, I have my own answer here, but I’m curious—in your mind, what makes a Paula Wiseman book a Paula Wiseman book?

CL: A Paula Wiseman book celebrates the joy of being a child—the excitement and magic of new experiences, learning, and building relationships. And a Paula Wiseman book reflects the wonderfully diverse world that we all live in.

RVC: What’s the story behind the first picture book you acquired?

CL: Some graduating seniors from RISD [Rhode Island School of Design] came into the office one day for a portfolio review. I stopped to flip through the portfolio of a talented young woman named Hanna Cha. There was a stunning color sketch of a girl riding on a huge tiger’s back. I asked “Is there a story that goes with this art?” Hanna explained that she had a partial rough dummy that she’d done for school but the story itself was unfinished. I asked her to send it to me and from there we worked on the story together until it was ready to share at my editorial staff meeting. I was given the greenlight to acquire it and that story became Tiny Feet Between the Mountains.

RVC: If you had to summarize the most important lesson you learned over the start-​to-​finish process of that book getting published, what would it be?

CL: I learned that there is no “formula” for editing picture books. I had shadow-​edited other picture books with my supervisor prior to acquiring this one, but parts of his process didn’t naturally fit into how Hanna and I worked together. So, I adapted his process based on what worked for us and figured out the rest as I went. It was Hanna’s debut picture book as well, so it was nice to experience the learning curve together. That’s what makes editing picture books—or any book for that matter—so much fun. Each story is a unique puzzle waiting to be pieced together.

RVC: Describe a typical workday as an Editor at Paula Wiseman Books.

CL: Things have changed since the pandemic. I used to start my day with a long commute and lots of in-​person interactions, but now I work from home and Zoom with colleagues. But the job has remained the same. On a typical day, I am providing feedback on interiors of a picture book, editing a novel, giving my thoughts on a jacket design and art, writing catalog copy, sending requested materials to our Sales or Publicity teams, answering agents’ and authors’ questions via email, and attending meetings and acquiring books.

It’s a fast-​paced, hands-​in-​every-​cookie-​jar kind of job and that’s what I love about it. I’m never bored.

RVC: How much time do you have these days to read for pleasure?

CL: For a few years I fell behind on reading for pleasure—when you’re reading all day for work, sometimes it’s the last thing you want to do when you’re off the clock. But starting my MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts a year and a half ago made me get back into reading. I read a minimum of 50 children’s books per semester and annotate/​write critical essays on some of them.

RVC: Wow!

CL: Today, I make time to read for pleasure (and for school), and I go to the library once a week to check out picture books and graphic novels. Although I will admit that I consume novels mostly in the audiobook format these days. It’s easier to listen while doing the dishes, making dinner, or driving somewhere than it is to find time to sit down and read a physical copy.

RVC: No shame there–I do the same, which helps me justify having a commute. Please tell me about a time when things didn’t go the way you wanted. 

CL: There have been times when I gave notes and asked an author to do a revision and resubmit, in the hopes that I could bring the revision to my staff meeting and get the greenlight to take it to acquisitions. But sometimes those projects I’ve given notes on just don’t pan out and I have to pass. It’s disappointing in those cases but I always hope that my notes helped the author make the story a little stronger and that they will find the right home for their project, even if it’s not with me.

RVC: What’s one of your favorite success stories as an editor?

CL: That’s easy—Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light, Apryl Stott’s New York Times bestselling debut picture book is one of my favorite success stories. When we used to be in the office, I would sometimes get postcards from illustrators advertising their work. One day I received one from Apryl, showing a little girl and a bear in the wintry woods. The bear wore a Santa Lucia wreath and red scarf. I was so charmed by the art that I cold-​emailed Apryl’s agent and asked if she had a story for these two adorable characters.

From there, Apryl and I spent months working on the story together and I went on to acquire it. Fast-​forward to when the book comes out during the height of the pandemic in 2020, and Barnes & Noble picks it for a holiday promotion! Then the Library of Congress picks the story for their National Holiday Read-​Aloud! With all this love for Apryl, the book hits the New York Times bestseller list for a few consecutive weeks. It was a major milestone for both me and Apryl and a true homegrown author-​illustrator success story.

RVC: What do you think of the state of kidlit right now?

CL: I think the kidlit landscape is in a state of evolution. Sure, there are some growing pains that come with that, but I’m encouraged to see so many new voices emerging and telling the stories of underrepresented groups of children and teens.

RVC: Your debut picture book—She Kept Dancing: The True Story of a Professional Dancer with a Limb Difference—comes out from Macmillan in fall 2023. Congrats on becoming an author!

CL: Thank you so much!

RVC: She Kept Dancing is co-​authored. What’s the story behind how this book and your writing partnership came to be?

CL: I have always loved watching the Radio City Rockettes at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and on TV during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. So, I was intrigued when I saw an online article about Sydney Mesher, the first Radio City Rockette with a visible disability. I instantly read it and was so inspired by Sydney’s story. My first thought was “wow, this would make an incredible picture book.” I cold-​emailed Sydney and her two agencies, asking if she’d be interested in discussing the possibility of a picture book. I was delighted when Sydney herself responded and said she was interested. I started interviewing Sydney and the story of her career and her levels of determination and perseverance were incredible. I assumed I would hire a cowriter to help tell the story and I would be the editor of the book.

Things came to a halt when we went into COVID lockdown and the initial proposal wasn’t approved by the Radio City Rockettes. But I couldn’t get Sydney’s story out of my mind—and the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to be the one to help write and tell her story. I reached out again and Sydney and I reconnected. I asked if Sydney would be open to coauthoring the book with me and she agreed. Then we came up with an entirely new angle for her story and that’s the version that wound up finding a home with Emily Settle at Macmillan. I am incredibly grateful to have Sydney as my coauthor and Natelle Quek as our illustrator—it’s been a fantastic collaboration all around.

RVC: How is the process different for an established editor like yourself in terms of submitting a picture book manuscript?

CL: It’s actually not different for me at all! I still have my literary agent submit a picture book manuscript to editors on my behalf. I have to wait for their feedback and receive rejections and requests for revise and resubmits the same as anyone else.

RVC: How has the process (so far!) with She Kept Dancing informed your work as an editor? 

CL: While working on She Kept Dancing, I really had to be sensitive and thoughtful about how I portrayed Sydney as a disabled individual—I had to make sure to capture who she was as a person apart from her disability, while also still make sure that her limb difference and her challenges were portrayed accurately. And I had to put myself in her shoes emotionally and mentally to make sure her character arc was genuine and compelling. As an editor, I look for the same level of care and sensitivity at the craft level when reviewing submissions, especially those featuring disabled characters.

RVC: What’s the most interesting thing about Sydney Mesher that didn’t make it into the book?

CL: I think we managed to get everything in there, actually! So, you’ll have to read the book and decide for yourself what is the most interesting fact about Sydney.

RVC: You’re currently pursuing an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. You’ve already got a successful career in the industry, so do you find it a little weird?

CL: Not really, because they are two separate careers within the same industry. Yes, there is some overlap when it comes to application of craft. But when I’m an editor, I’m helping another author or illustrator tell the best story they can and make their dreams a reality. When I’m an author, I’m telling my own stories and going after my own writing dreams. I chose to pursue my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults to take my own writing to the next level. Being able to apply what I’ve learned to my editor career is an added bonus.

RVC: How many times has a classmate (or a teacher?) pitched you an idea for Paula Wiseman Books?

CL: I’m pleased to say that this has never happened. Sure, sometimes a classmate or advisor might ask my opinion on something publishing-​related if they know I’m an editor. But they never pitch their own books to me. That’s what I love about VCFA—in the program I’m just another fellow writer and student who is there to learn and grow. And people are very respectful of that boundary.

RVC: Editor, author, consultant, freelancer, student. How do your various roles feed each other?

CL: All my roles feed each other in an endless cycle of creativity and critical thinking. I have to be creative in coming up with my own stories and offering feedback on authors’ and illustrators’ stories. And I think critically to find craft-​based solutions and ask the right questions that help both myself and my authors and illustrators best execute those stories.

RVC: You sound busy! What do you do to de-stress?

CL: Going to the gym or for a walk helps a lot. And I like to refill my creative well by learning new things. During the last two years I learned how to throw pottery, but lately I’ve gotten back into crocheting and trying new, harder patterns. Spending time with family and friends is also a great way to de-stress.

RVC: One last question for this part of the interview. What upcoming projects are you most excited about?

CL: As an author, I’m of course excited about She Kept Dancing. And I have a few other works-​in-​progress that I’m excited about but can’t share at the moment. As an editor, I am very excited about some new books that my authors and illustrators have coming out:

RVC: Okay, Catherine. It’s time for the LIGHTNING ROUND. Zippy questions and zoomy answers, please. Are you ready?

CL: Bring it on!

RVC: Gilmore Girls…great TV show or the greatest TV show?

CL: Great TV show—it’s a classic but it does have its flaws.

RVC: Most underappreciated Gilmore Girls character?

CL: That’s a tie between Kirk and Lane! Kirk is great comedic relief, and Lane is the BFF that Rory never deserved or truly appreciated, I think.

RVC: Favorite recipe from (or inspired by) the show?

CL: I own the Gilmore Girls recipe books! So, I have to say Sookie’s blueberry lemon shortcake was delicious!

RVC: What’s your most important good habit/​routine as an editor?

CL: Never answering work emails on the weekend. It’s a good habit, to help keep a healthy balance between my professional and personal life.

RVC: A favorite picture book of 2021 that you didn’t edit?

CL: What Isabella Wanted: Isabella Stewart Gardner Builds a Museum by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Matt Cordell.

RVC: Your picture book philosophy in five words or fewer?

CL: It needs an emotional hook.

RVC: Thanks so much, Catherine.

CL: Thank you for this opportunity!

Educational Activities: K is for Kindness by Rina Horiuchi

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K Is for Kindness
Author: Rina Horiuchi
Illustrator: Risa Horiuchi
26 April 2022
Viking Books for Young Readers
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “From aardvark to zebra, this delightful cast of animal characters illustrates the many ways to show kindness to others, while teaching the youngest readers their ABCs.

Debut author/​illustrator and sister duo Rina Horiuchi and Risa Horiuchi have crafted a warm and tender gift that affirms kindness can be found anywhere.”

Need some reviews on K Is for Kindness?

As a bonus, here’s a Storytime Read-​a-​loud of K Is for Kindness.

Educational Activities inspired by K Is for Kindness:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What’s happening on the cover?
    • What does “kindness” mean to you?
    • What does “empathy” mean to you?
    • What questions would you like to ask the author before you read the book?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Which of the animals were you most surprised to see in this book?
    • Which rhyme was your favorite? Why?
    • Which picture did you like the most? Why?
    • The book asks “What’s something nice that you might do today?” What’s your answer?
    • What did you think of the book’s ending?
    • Did you like this book? Why/​why not?
  • Writing–What other acts of kindness might have been included in this story? Write your own scene with animal characters doing their own kind actions. See if you can match the rhyme pattern found in the book. Use colored pencils, crayons, or markers to create your own art, if you want. Consider sharing your work with a friend or family member.
  • Crafting–This book includes a lot of animal characters. Let’s stick with that theme and make crafts that feature some of the animals from K Is for Kindness.
  • Further Reading–Learn more about kindness by reading these related books. Which of these have you already read? Which of the others would you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)

Author Interview: Jocelyn Watkinson

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This month’s Author Interview is with Jocelyn Watkinson. The idea for her debut picture book–The Three Canadian Pigs: A Hockey Story, which releases in August 2022–didn’t come out of nowhere. She’s from Canada, after all! Plus, she attended a lot of hockey games to see her little brother play goalie for the local rep hockey team. (Yeah, she brought along books and read in the stands the whole time, she admits!)

Today, Jocelyn lives in California, where she:

  • plays soccer
  • enjoys board games
  • sips hot tea
  • refurbishes old furniture

To find out more about her and her debut picture book, let’s get to the interview!

RVC: We have to start things off with the #1 question that everyone has. On a scale of 5 to 5,000, how much do you miss Tim Horton’s double double?

JW: Haha–great lead question! Can I answer infinity??

For those that don’t know, a “double double” is a coffee with two creams and two sugars–known to be the most popular order at Timmies! But since I am a non-​coffee drinker (crazy, eh?), I only drink tea. But there is no comparison to Tim Horton’s Steeped Tea, which I miss dearly!

RVC: Since I’m a fellow non-​coffee-​drinker, I fully appreciate your answer. But let’s circle back to the beginning. What’s the story of how you got interested in writing?

JW: The short version of the story is that my husband got hired at a California university as a professor so we would be moving to the United States. Because of visa reasons and employment restrictions at the time, I was ineligible to work, so I found writing to keep me busy! Right before we made our move south of the border, our dog George got sick and we had to put him down. With all the hectic moving plans, the grief didn’t sink in until I was sitting alone in my new California apartment. For some reason, the idea of a kids book to help deal with the loss of a dog came to me, and for some reason, in rhyme! (Bad rhyme, I’ll admit!) That book is now firmly on the shelf but it got me into the kidlit world, so it definitely will always have a special place in my heart.

RVC: By “on the shelf,” you mean something like “tucked away in a drawer, never to be seen again,” right? To me, “on the shelf” means available in book form at Amazon or my local indie (which for me is Bookstore1Sarasota).

JW: Exactly.

RVC: Gotcha. At what point did you decide you were going to get serious about publishing kidlit?

JW: I decided to finally go to a SCBWI conference. I arrived and thought “yes…this is where I’m meant to be!” I also won a raffle for a one-​on-​one with an agent and felt like that was a big sign of encouragement from the universe. 😊

RV: Congrats on that!

JW: The advice I gained from the conference helped guide me to a few critique groups and ultimately to Renée LaTulippe’s Rhyme and Meter course (which is an absolute MUST if you are going to write in rhyme) where I learned meter (the real trick to writing in rhyme) and the proper way to rhyme. Once I felt confident in these craft skills was when I felt like I was getting pretty serious about it.

RVC: What’s the story of how The Three Canadian Pigs: A Hockey Story came about?

JW: I love fractured fairytales. I find them to be so fun and creative. I happened to be working on a different idea and was bouncing the idea off my mom. Then she just blurted out, “You should re-​write the three little pigs, but make them Canadian!” So, I have to completely owe the idea to her (thanks Mom!).

As soon as I figured out that the wolf would want to eat their Canadian bacon, the puns just started flowing.

RVC: What are you most proud of regarding this book?

JW: I think just the perseverance of how many edits it took to get it to where it is now and not stopping until it was just right. I think I had 47 versions of this story. When writing in rhyme, you’re constantly tweaking to make sure your readers don’t trip over your words.

RVC: If you could go back and do one thing differently to get you to that debut book deal faster, what would it be?

JW: I don’t think I could have got this book any faster, to be honest. I am absolutely an outlier when it comes to this. I have been so lucky in this industry so far and have a lot of people to owe my success to.

RVC: Tell me more about what happened.

JW: Once I had the idea mostly flushed out, I reached out to Shannon Stocker who I hired for her professional critique services. I met her the year prior when I didn’t get a PBChat Mentorship that I applied for but was awarded a critique from her. After some very helpful feedback, I applied to the PBChat Mentorship program in 2020 and was selected as a mentee by Lori Degman! She was amazing to work with and whipped my manuscript into shape.


Then as a finale to the mentorship, we had a showcase where agents and editors were invited to shop through our work. I didn’t get any interest until the very last day where Sarah Rockett from Sleeping Bear Press requested to see the manuscript. Then within a month, I was told we had a deal! I think that’s pretty fast compared to industry standards!

RVC: It sounds fast to me, and Sarah Rockett is terrific–we did an interview with her in 2020.

JW: Cool!

RVC: So, you like to write in rhyme (I know this from your social media names such as “Jocelynwritesinrhyme”). I’m a big fan of rhyme—I just wrote an article on that very thing for Writer’s Digest, in fact! What are some of the top tips I should’ve included in that article?

JW: I think any seasoned rhymer will tell you that rhyming isn’t for the faint hearted. Be prepared to work and work and work at it until readers don’t trip over any parts of your story while reading aloud. This takes tons of practice, patience, and wonderful critique partners. Also, another plug to take a rhyme and meter course and learn the craft. Check out Renée LaTulippe’s variety of rhyme and meter courses if you want to learn the right way to rhyme. She also has some great YouTube videos.

RVC: What’s something about your writing process that might surprise people?

JW: When I get an idea for a story, I come up with key words and then make a list of words that rhyme with them and see what kind of lines come to mind, then I start to build out the story from there.

RVC: What special strategies do you use for overcoming writer’s block?

JW: First, to write in rhyme, and goofy rhyme at that, I need to be in a mood that matches. I tend to listen to Adam Sandler, The Lonely Island, or any artist that sings funny songs–their silliness can really start to get the juices flowing.

RVC: You’re not sitting on your laurels—you’ve already got another picture book deal. And a collaboration, no less. 

JW: Oh, yes! I am very excited about that. At the end of my mentorship with Lori Degman, I pitched the idea of a sequel to her Travel Guide for Monsters book which came out with Sleeping Bear Press in April 2020. The book follows a group of monsters across the US visiting all the iconic landmarks. I remember seeing that book when she was promoting it, before we even knew each other and remembering how clever it was and the illustrations were so amazing. So, during our mentorship, I thought it would be great if the monsters could also go through Canada!

I can’t believe that she agreed to take a look at what I had written so far, but she did and then we pitched it back to Sleeping Bear Press (again with Sarah Rockett) and they agreed to publish it! It was quite serendipitous how it all came together; the mentorship, the book deal, and how the previous book lined up with the same editor and sequel, etc.

RVC: That’s an amazing story. Now, one last thing before we get to the final part of the interview. What are you working on these days? 

JW: Building my portfolio so I can be successful in querying an agent. But my current WIP is called The Cantankerous Canker…not quite sure where I’m going with it yet but “cantankerous” is becoming my new favorite word!

RVC: Good luck with the agent search, but now it’s time for the LIGHTNING ROUND! Zippy quick answers and zappy fast answers. Ready?

JW: Oh ya, fer sure!

RVC: #1 Canadian expression that Americans just can’t appreciate.

JW: I gotta go with the classic “Eh!” It is pretty iconic when you think of Canadians but it is so versatile.

  • Want someone to agree with you? Say “Eh?”
  • Need clarification on something? Say “Eh?”
  • Just really excited about something? Work “Eh!” into your sentence.

RVC: What word do you always misspell?

JW: “Convenience.” Did I get it right?? I always have to say “CON-​VEN-​I-​ENCE”

RVC: If you built a themed hotel, what theme would you use?

JW: Probably something sports or board-​game themed. I love board game nights with friends!

RVC: What books are on your nightstand?

JW: Catkwondo, Jack B. Ninja, and The Three Ninja Pigs. My son is big into Taekwondo right now!

RVC: Most underappreciated but awesome picture book?

JW: It’s Only Stanley by Jon Agee. So clever and simple and in rhyme. I hope one day to write something like that.

RVC: Five words that sum up your picture book philosophy.

JW:  Make the grownups laugh, too!

RVC: Thanks so much, Jocelyn. Best of luck with your debut!