Tag: Ryan G. Van Cleave

Author Interview: Laurie Keller

On By Only Picture BooksIn Author Interviews1 Comment

I’ve been posting weekly at OPB for more than two years now, and throughout that time, my kids have been kind of “whatEVER!” about the whole thing. But when they heard that “The Arnie the Doughnut Lady” was swinging by? Wow, they got interested. Over the year, we ruined two copies of Arnie the Doughnut with all our rereading, book-​snuggling, etc., so for them, this is the best OPB offering of the century.

I admit it—my dad stock has inched a bit higher as a result of this one. I’ll take it!

It helps that I’ve already shared the advance reading copy of Hello, Arnie! with my kids–it’s book five in the series, and it’s a fun fourth-​wall breaker. The Kirkus review for it says: “Donut expect this to pass young audiences without causing a sprinkle of giggles.”

If you’d like to know a bit more pre-​interview info about author-​illustrator Laurie Keller (a.k.a. “The Arnie the Doughnut Lady”), I offer these seven facts:

  • has a degree from Kendall College of Art and Design
  • lives along the shores of Lake Michigan
  • LOVES the movie Waiting for Guffman
  • prefers acrylic paint (“It dries fast and covers up mistakes!”)
  • perfect day includes roasting vegetarian hot dogs over a campfire on the beach
  • searches store bargain bins for ideas (“Well, just because!”)
  • trying hard to learn how to play the banjo

Now that we have a clearer sense of how much fun Laurie is, let’s get to the interview and see it all firsthand!

Want to e‑find Laurie? Here are some terrific options:

RVC: As much as my kids want me to ask Arnie-​only questions, let’s go back to the start of your career for a bit. You weren’t planning to be a writer or an artist, right? Weren’t you studying dance first?

LK: I was in a repertory dance tour company with the local community college and though I considered dance as a major for a while, it was mostly just for fun. I didn’t study ballet (the foundation of most styles of dance) as a kid so I didn’t think I really stood a chance at making it as a professional dancer so, as much as I loved it, I decided not to pursue it.

RVC: You also come from an educator background. Why didn’t you go that route?

LK: I almost did! After my first two years at Kendall College of Art and Design, I left and enrolled at a college that had a great education program, planning on becoming an elementary teacher. I think I would’ve loved that but I was really missing art school and a professor from Kendall talked me into coming back and giving an illustration career a shot.

Since making books involves doing lots of school visits, I feel like I get the best of both worlds.

RVC: That desire to have a career in illustration led you to a job at Hallmark. What did your seven years as a greeting card artist teach you about character and story that would later prove useful in the kidlit world?

LK: I know that a lot of people have the idea that Hallmark artists only paint cute bunnies and flowers—and don’t get me wrong, I love cute bunnies and flowers—but the talent and skills of the creative staff there was through the roof. I learned so much from them—it really was like going to graduate school. When I started making cards for kids a year after I started there, my characters were pretty crude looking but I learned a lot about refining them and making them more appealing.

Then, during my sixth year there, I was in a 4‑month creative workshop where I got to write and illustrate all my own cards. I LOVED being able to create cards from wacky ideas that popped into my head or things that crossed my path (they encouraged us to be as zany as we wanted). It really brought out my sense of humor and it definitely gave me more confidence as far as “putting myself out there” with my writing.

RVC: What was the turning point that got you “putting yourself out there” in terms of picture books? 

LK: When I got interested in making cards for kids, I started spending lunch hours at a nearby children’s bookstore (The Reading Reptile) looking for inspiration. I was only interested in the illustrations at first but became so enchanted with the stories I read that I started collecting kid’s books and knew that one day I’d love to try writing my own. I was especially inspired by Lane Smith and Jon Scieszka, Maira Kalman, William Steig and Petra Mathers. They all had very different styles of writing—some more dry and irreverent, others more sweet and charming—but they were all funny and engaging in their own right. It helped me to see that there was room for pretty much any style of writing and humor in the children’s book world.

It was years later, when I finished that creative workshop and had to go back to illustrating cards but not writing them, that I got very frustrated and bored, and I’m sure that’s what lead to me writing my first story, The Scrambled States of America.

RVC: Publisher’s Weekly loved that book–your first picture book!–as did many critics and reader (including me). How did the idea for that come about?

LK: It sounds so silly but one night, while falling asleep, some little states with arms and legs and faces popped into my head. The next morning I remembered that and thought “Hey, maybe I could make a book using states as characters to help kids learn about U.S. geography in a fun way.” I didn’t know if I’d seen that in a book somewhere so I asked some of my fellow book collector friends if they’d seen that and none had so I dove into writing it. I would work at Hallmark all day then come home and write into the wee hours every night until I finished it—I was obsessed!

RVC: How much input did you have when Gamewright made a game of your scrambled states book (which is an odd but very cool thing to happen to a picture book)?

LK: Gamewright contacted Henry Holt expressing interest in turning Scrambled States into a game and wondered if I had any ideas for how it could work. I didn’t AT ALL and was so surprised that they even saw potential for a game. They came up with the entire idea and it’s so much fun to play, very fast-​paced and educational. They ended up making a puzzle version of it, too.

RVC: The Scrambled States of America was purchased by Christy Ottaviano (here’s her 2020 interview with us), and I see that her imprint’s doing Hello, Arnie!, the new Arnie book which comes out in a few weeks (September 2020). What do you like most about working with Christy and her team?

LK: Besides Christy’s minty-​fresh breath, do you mean?

RVC: Yep. That’s a total given!

LK: Well, from day one, she was so warm and friendly and we became fast friends. I thank my lucky stars all the time for being able to work with Christy. And as smart and business-​savvy as she is, she’s also very creative and understands how everyone’s writing process is completely different. She doesn’t get annoyed as I constantly make changes to my stories until the last possible second. And to top it all off, she’s got a goofy sense of humor and is just a whole lot of fun!

RVC: From the interview I did with her here, I totally agree. So much fun!

And speaking of fun, your books feature a lot of wordplay. What’s your process for creating and honing that level of pun fun?

LK: Sometimes I have a few ideas for jokes and silly asides when I start writing. Some of it comes as the story develops and I get to know the characters’ personalities better. But when I get to the illustration part, that’s when most of the jokes pop into my head (especially when it’s late and I’m tired and punchy).

I used to think those ideas were completely random, though I now think my brain is working things out unconsciously and shoots them on over when they’re ready. I’m sure it’s a nightmare for Christy and her team because, like I said, I’m constantly rewriting and making changes until they finally take it away from me. As far as the puns, I’m a punster by nature, probably to the annoying point if you asked my remaining friends–the ones who haven’t left because they’re sick of my dumb puns, that is!

RVC: You illustrate books for others (such as the Marty Frye, Private Eye books and Pluto Gets the Call). How different is the process of working with another’s text versus handling all story aspects on your own?

LK: It takes me longer to loosen up when I’m illustrating someone else’s book; I get so nervous because I want the author to like what I do and I don’t want to blow it! The illustrating process (once I get over my nervousness) is more streamlined because I’m not going back and forth editing my story while I illustrate like I do with my own. Most times, the publisher and author have asked me to add little jokes and asides like I do in my books, and as strange as it feels at first to add words to someone’s story, I always have fun doing that.

RVC: You’re ranged far and wide with your topics. Manners. Doughnuts. Smiling. Geography. Teeth. Numbers. What’s next for you?

LK: I illustrated a book for Joan Holub called I Am the Shark. It’s about sharks. I’ll soon start illustrating a companion book called I Am the Bear. Oddly enough, it’s also about sharks. No wait, it’s about bears.

RVC: I’m sure the marketing folks at the press are super-​happy that’s the case!

LK: I’m also in the idea-​generating process for whatever it is I’ll be writing next. I have picture books in mind, of course, but I’m considering writing books for other age groups as well.

RVC: We loved having you with us, Laurie, but we’ve never had the chance to feature a doughnut here before. Are you open to letting us wrap up this interview with a Q&A from your pastry-bestie?

LK: Thanks for chatting, Ryan! And thank you for asking to interview Arnie–he’s been interrupting me the entire time wanting to get in on it!

RVC: Arnie, it’s time for THE LIGHTNING CHALLENGE! Sprinkle-​sweet questions and sugary-​good answers, please! Are you ready?

Arnie: I was MADE ready, Ryan!

RVC: Top three items on your bucket doughnut-​box list?

Arnie:

1) to set a Guinness World Record for ROLLING around the world
2) to audition for Cirque du Soleil’s show, “O” (I haven’t seen it yet but since it has a doughnut for the title, I figure I’m a shoo-​in. And I’m very bendy.)
3) to win “BEST IN DOUGH” at the Westminster Dog Show (I’m a doughnut-​dog now, you know)

RVC: A secret talent you have that no one would expect?

Arnie: Charming the ladies.

Arnie: I’m also great at hot do-​ga. Your probably know it as hot “yoga.”

RVC: If you weren’t a full-​time picture book star, you’d be…

Arnie: I’m a song and dance doughnut, Ryan. I’d love to be the star in a big show with lots of sprinkles! I’ll tell you what I WON’T be doing and that’s being a picture frame, pincushion, or air freshener like Mr. Bing suggested!

RVC: Favorite non-​doughnut picture book of 2019?

Arnie: Who Wet My Pants? by Bob Shea and Zachariah OHora. I laughed so hard my sprinkles were popping off! (I read Laurie Keller’s copy—don’t tell her, she gets all, “Stop getting frosting and sprinkles on the pages, Arnie!”)

RVC: True or false: you have the same number of sprinkles in every book.

Arnie: TRUE! 135 of them to be exact! Laurie Keller counts them to make sure she does it right. The only time she doesn’t count them is if I’m really small on a page or if only part of me is showing or on the RARE OCCASION that I flip my lid and my sprinkles start flying around. Poor Laurie gets tired of painting sprinkles though and I heard her say once that she wishes she’d made me a plain doughnut.

A PLAIN DOUGHNUT, RYAN! Can you imagine?

I get nauseous just thinking about it.

RVC: How did you first meet Laurie?

Arnie: I was visiting a friend in NYC who lived next door to her and we met on the elevator. She gave me her card and asked if she could make a book about me. I knew it was only a matter of time before someone approached me about it.

RVC: Why is Laurie the best person to help you tell your story?

Arnie: She really gets all of us “inanimate objects,” I guess. She knows that we have feelings, hopes, and dreams just like anyone else does. Plus she likes my corny jokes. I’m a pun-​bun at heart.

RVC: Your favorite line from any of your books?

Arnie: That’s a dough-​brainer, Ryan…it’s my signature song, ”DOUGHNUT MAKE MY BROWN EYES BLUE”.

RVC: Thanks so much, Arnie (and Laurie, too)! I had a great delicious time!

Arnie: Thanks for having us, Ryan!

Picture Book Review: Hans Christian Andersen: The Journey of His Life by Heinz Janisch

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews
Author: Heinz Janisch
Illustrator: Maja Kastelic
NorthSouth Books
1 September 2020
56 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Frequent Fairytail Fan at Only Picture Books) and Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration Professor John Herzog.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

I’m always a bit leery of picture books that run past the traditional 32 pages. And with this one at 56 pages? This might be the most telling comment of the entire review–it doesn’t feel long. Had I not known in advance that it was 2x as long as most, I wouldn’t have even thought about that fact.

Partially, it’s due to the captivating artwork. Witness how mesmerizingly bright things get when the story leaps into flights of the imagination. But I’ll let John handle that aspect of things, though I’ll simply add that this reader really appreciates the sense of wonder, innocence, and magic the illustrations create at times. Well done, Maja Kastelic!

Austrian author Heinz Janisch’s fresh take on the life of Hans Christian Andersen (translated by David Henry Wilson) is clever in that it allows Hans himself to tell his own story fairy-​tale-​style to a young girl named Elsa as they share a coach ride. That’s so appropriate in that it connects to the oral component of his tales–we likely first heard them read aloud to us, and here’s Hans doing that same thing for yet another young story lover. Like I said–so clever and apt.

Elsa also serves as a stand-​in for the reader, asking the questions we want asked, primarily “What happens next?” But she also asks if he’s the Hans in his many stories, to which he replies:  “I don’t think my stories are all about me. With fairy tales you can sometimes hold a mirror out in front of other people without them realizing it.”

Another way in which this book is clever is how Hans showcases qualities and experiences from his own life through the lens of his stories, such as how his own early years were like “The Ugly Duckling,” which is about a duckling who is teased for being different until one day when it turns into a beautiful swan. “Anyone can turn into something special–that’s what the story tells us. Like a poor cobbler’s son becoming a famous writer,” he says to Elsa and her mom.

Some might argue that the book presents too cheery a take on a life that most realize was fairly grim, lonely, and eccentric (I hesitate to call him weird, but yeah, that’s probably more accurate since he went bonkers over bad reviews, was terrified of being buried alive, and was likely celibate his entire life), but without a doubt, he’s one of the most influential writers of his century and this book captures a bit of that magic in a pleasant mix of biography and a well-​fabricated story frame.

This is a must-​read for any reader, with appropriate Back Matter that likely will offer one or two tidbits adult readers didn’t know about this beloved literary giant.

4.75 out of 5 pencils

 

–John’s Review of the Illustrations–

There’s something truly magical happening in Hans Christian Andersen: The Journey of His Life. It’s not just the context, although there’s plenty of magic to be found there. It’s in everything, really: the story, the illustrations, the colors, the compositions. If there’s a perfect picture book, in my opinion, I’d say this gets damn close to being it.

First, I must point out how much I love the length of this book. It’s much, much longer than your typical picture book today, but I appreciate that here. It’s long, but at no point was I bored and, personally, I don’t think kids will be bored reading this either. Heinz Janisch has made this popular, prominent figure of the establishment feel fresh again with an interesting take on their life story. I found it incredibly clever to couch Andersen’s history in a journey where he talks about his life with Elsa, a child–his main audience then and now. I was pleasantly reminded of how Andersen’s stories don’t talk down to children (and neither does this book), which I feel is something of a problem in the children’s publishing world today.

In terms of the illustrations, this is probably one of the most cinematic picture books I’ve ever read. The compositions, character designs, and expert use of color and mood harken to the work of Wes Anderson and Quentin Tarantino. As someone who has dabbled in filmmaking, it’s fantastic to see the crossover here. Color especially is used in incredibly effective ways that help tell the story. We’re taken through the highs and lows of Andersen’s life through color, and the way illustrator Maja Kastelic has approached it is pitch perfect. The contrast is such that, if you were to remove the words, I dare say that the images would still tell the story. They’re that good.

The character designs are also brimming with watercolorey appeal. I instantly like Andersen as he’s depicted here with his top hat and blue bow tie, his cheeks slightly flushed. The other characters involved are also charming and full of life. Even the environments are full of appeal and character thanks to the watercolor approach here.

The way the compositions are laid out almost resemble a comic book, and also reminded me of how Wes Anderson loves playing around with aspect ratio in his films (see The Grand Budapest Hotel and The French Dispatch). There’s one page in particular that I absolutely love: Andersen is discussing the dark times he endured as a child, and the illustrations are very desaturated and dour. And at the very bottom right-​side of the page, underneath this mountain of black & white images, we see a small Elsa looking sad at what Andersen had to endure. We know exactly how Elsa is feeling because of the way the page is laid out and the way color (or lack of it) is used. This page, in and of itself, is a masterclass of visual storytelling.

I completely and willingly admit that I’m coming at this book with my own personal biases. However, I’m planning to purchase The Journey of His Life when it’s released in September, so that right there should tell you how much I love it. I think you’ll love it, too.

5 out of 5 crayons

John Herzog is an award-​winning illustrator and educator. 

His clients include Hasbro, Dreamworks TV, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Scholastic, and Highlights for Children. He also teaches illustration classes at Ringling College of Art and Design.

John is a member of the National Cartoonists Society and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, where he received the 2018 SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for his Highlights High Five cover illustration. He lives in Florida with his wife, two kids, a pair of geckos, a South American horned frog, a bearded dragon, and a fish.

He is represented by Shannon Associates.

Agent Interview: Kaitlyn Sanchez (Olswanger Literary LLC)

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This month’s Industry Insider Interview is an interesting one because our interview subject, Kaitlyn Sanchez, can come at picture books from so many angles.

Oh, and she’s an Associate Agent at Olswanger Literary. Clearly with a picture-​book resume like that, we’re in for a treat. Let’s get ready for the interview with five bonus Kaitlyn facts.

  1. Short stories are her jam.
  2. Was a jock and a band nerd.
  3. Adores math and English.
  4. Loves the smell of cement. (She admits: “I know, weird, right?”)
  5. Jamba! not Starbucks.

Now that we have a better sense about our new friend Kaitlyn, let’s have a hearty Q&A session on our shared fave topic—picture books!

RVC: So, you got into agenting the way many do—you started at Olswanger Literary as an intern in 2019. Why did you seek that position, and how did you land it?

KS: My critique partner Andrea Walker was working as an intern at Olswanger and one day it donned on me that she was in Japan and still able to be an intern, so I asked her about it! She told me about Bookjobs.com and how they list if an internship is at a location or online, and of course, Andrea suggested I apply for Olswanger, so I did! I sent Anna [Olswanger] my letter and resume, and she responded the same day!

RVC: Congrats on recently moving up to Associate Agent. Yay! But let me ask—what are some of the often-​undiscussed challenges and obligations of being a literary agent? 

KS: Thank you so much! I can’t explain how exciting that day was. For agenting challenges, funnily enough, it’s the same I’d say for teaching–there’s a ton of research to do as well as spurts of super busy times.

RVC: I hear you there! Now, in terms of what you want to see in submissions, you mention that you appreciate “rocking rhymes.” What does that mean to you?

KS: For rhyme, I want the story to be the focus and the rhyme to support it. The rhythm should be spot-​on (with variations to keep it from being sing-song).

Diana Murray and Josh Funk are great examples of writers who do that.

Ned the Knitting Pirate is one of our favorite books in my house and Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast is another fun example of a great rhyming book!

RVC: We’ve got an interview with Josh Funk coming up in September, so I’ll be sure to ask him about rhyme, too. But from your perspective, what kind of rhyme crimes do you most often see?

KS: Oh, I can’t wait for Josh’s interview, he’s so amazing!

As far as rhyme crimes, the two I often see are lack of rhythm and inversions. Ironically enough, Renée LaTulippe just put out an awesome Peek & Critique Video on rhyme crimes! Make sure to subscribe; she’s amazing.

RVC: You’re currently closed for submissions. When do you expect to throw wide the doors again and invite new work?

KS: I honestly have no idea. I still have hundreds of queries to get to!

RVC: Here’s a question I don’t typically ask agents (for obvious reasons). How does being an agent inform your work as a picture book author? And/​or the other way around?

KS: That’s a great question. The biggest thing is the recognition that, especially for debut PB authors, your idea really has to stand out. I think reading pitches during #PBPitch can give you that same sense, too. When you’re participating, go out and find those pitches that are getting tons of likes.

As for the other way around, being an author, I know what it’s like to be in their shoes, so when I give feedback or communicate with clients, I always first think about how I’d feel.

RVC: Your own picture books are repped by Joyce Sweeney, who is your second agent, I believe. Why is Joyce a great fit for you?

KS: She is my second agent, and I can’t explain how perfect Joyce is for me. We see eye to eye–she’s totally honest and open like I am, and she found my voice. I thought I found my picture book voice before, but once she found this “outrageous” side of me, the stories just started to flow. I can’t thank her enough for that!

RVC: That’s exactly what a great agent can do. 

KS: Yes! It can be a really amazing relationship when you find the right fit.

RVC: What are you working on now? 

KS: I just sent two new stories to Joyce and she loved them (whew!), so I’m trying to start another idea from my Outrageous Ideas document. What’s an Outrageous Ideas document? Well, based on the story I queried her with, she told me those stories were my jam and said to show her more of these. So, I sat down right after that and filled a few pages with outrageous ideas. I’m thinking she was definitely right! The one I’m working on is about magical creatures warring in the kitchen.

RVC: I’ve got some of those creatures in MY kitchen, too. Unicorns, I think. And they’re eating all the strawberry jam. I’ll have to read your book to figure out how to deal with them because bad puns (like “are small unicorns puny-​corns?”) aren’t doing the trick!

KS: LOL! And ironically, you hit on the topic of one of the stories that already has the Joyce seal of approval 😉

RVC: Let’s talk about manuscripts. How do you know when your own story-​in-​progress is ready to be seen by others? 

KS: Lol, I don’t know if I do. My first and longest running critique group, Awesome Ladies, is totally amazing and bears with me at all stages. I’ll often say, “Hey, Awesome Ladies, I have a first draft but I haven’t finished, and I’m not sure where to go, wanna see it?” And they’re ALWAYS on board and give me the confidence and ideas to keep going.

RVC: It sure sounds like you’ve made the most of critique groups over the years. What are some best-​practice tips for those thinking about creating or joining one?

KS: Thanks so much! I absolutely love critiquing and reading stories. For CGs, just remember, every group is different. The most important thing–in my opinion–is to click with the group, so if you’re just starting one, it’s good to have check-​ins and time frames for determining if it’s a good fit.

RVC: I often point people to Jane Friedman’s fine post on that subject, too, for guidance on critique groups. 

KS: Oh, yeah. She’s got a lot of good info there!

RVC: Care to share a bit about the kidlit contests you’re part of?

KS: Oh, man. I can talk about these fun contests for hours! The main things for all of them is to connect people in the writing community in a fun, positive way! (And having awesome prizes!) Check them all out here.

RVC: You just completed Kidlit Zombie Week. Tell us more!

KS: For those that don’t know about Kidlit Zombie Week, it’s a week filled with inspiration and discussion to help and encourage people bring back their zombie manuscripts (the ones that they set aside, thinking they’d never again see the light of day) and of course there’s tons of prizes from generous kidlit donors! We were hoping it would be a fun event but could not have predicted how amazing it would end up being; we’re over-​the-​moon with how it turned out.

This was Jolene Gutiérrez’s brainchild. She brought up Brian Gerhlein’s blog post, and we were like “So cool, right?” And she already had the wheels turning and asked if we could do something to help others revise their dead manuscripts. Brian was stoked to hear what he had inspired, and he and this agent (the ones who inspired the event) were our first-​prize donors. Find out more about Kidlit Zombie Week here.

RVC: From all you’ve just shared plus your wide-​ranging bio—which is only part of the story!—it’s clear you have a full plate. How do you juggle it all?

KS: I don’t always, but balance is always my goal. At one point, my husband had to sit me down and talk to me about balance. When I was offered my internship, we had a discussion, and I decided to give up a few critique groups (I may have had like…8?) to have time for agenting. Overall, though, I think you make time for things you’re passionate about, and I’m incredibly passionate about kidlit!

RVC: One last question for this part of the interview, and FYI—this one might tickle your high-​school math teacher heart. Which of the following jokes would work best as the jumping-​off point for a picture book?

  • Are monsters good at math?
      • Not unless you Count Dracula!
  • Why does nobody talk to circles?
      • Because there is no point.
  • How do you count cows?
      • With a cowculator!

KS: Ha! As a math teacher the second one made me go “Oh no!” because the definition of a circle is the set of all points equidistant from a single point so not that one, LOL. But, I have definitely been into the whole monsters in picture books concept since reading and falling in love with Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies, so I adore the Count Dracula one!

Did you come up with these, Ryan? If so, you should write some math pbs!

RVC: I just might do that. Who knows what’s next for me in the long term! But in the short term, I know what’s next. It’s the SPEED ROUND where we pair Zoomy Qs with Zippy As in fashion fast-tastic.

Audiences, beware. Participants, be ready. Passersby, stop where you are. We’re ready to GO GO GO!

Kaitlyn, are YOU prepared?

KS: Hold on, let me stop gawking at your awesome intro to this, limber up, annnd, wait for it.…

Okay–GO!

RVC: The answer’s algebra. What’s the question?

KS: What type of reasoning do you use every day and don’t realize it?

RVC: Craziest rhyme you ever tried to make work?

KS: Ha, I wish I knew. I’d have to go back through my manuscripts.

RVC: Best late-​night reading snack?

KS: Cheez-​Its. No, chocolate. NO!! CHEEZ-​ITS ANNND CHOCOLATE! 😋

RVC: Favorite math picture book?

KS: Tie between Zero by Kathryn Otoshi and One Family by George Shannon.

RVC: Dream picture book submission?

KS: One that I can’t stop reading and the world falls away until I’m done, and I’m totally satisfied, but also want to read more from this author because it just swept me off my feet. (Btw, I have had these, and luckily, I get to rep some of them.)

RVC: What’s your picture book motto—as a writer and/​or agent?

KS: Almost anything can be a picture book as long as you can approach it from the kid angle (and please don’t quote me on this because I’m definitely not the first to say it😃) And, if I can add a bit more, there are no steadfast rules. Many books break the mold, so trust yourself and have a reason for your approach.

RVC: Thanks so much, Kaitlyn! From one kidlit zombie fan to another, it’s a no-​brainer having someone like you stop in for an interview with us. Much appreciated!

KS: Thanks for having me, Ryan. This was SO fun, and I’m so glad you loved Zombie week! Sadly, I didn’t revise one myself, but thanks to a funny gif from Clare Helen Welsh, I wrote a new story that my agent loves!

Educational Activities: Feast of Peas by Kashmira Sheth

On By Only Picture BooksIn Educational Activities

Feast of Peas
Author: Kashmira Sheth
Illustrator: Jeffrey Ebbeler
Peachtree Publishing Company
1 March 2020
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Hard-​working Jiva might not be the only one anticipating a delicious feast of peas from his garden. Every morning, Jiva works in his garden until the sun turns as red as a bride’s sari. He plants peas and beans, potatoes and tomatoes, eggplants and okra in his vegetable patch. When his friend Ruvji admires his plants, Jiva sings,

Plump peas, sweet peas,
Lined- up-​in-​the-​shell peas.
Peas to munch, peas to crunch
A feast of peas for lunch.

But each time Jiva is ready to pick the peas for his feast, they’re already gone. What has happened?”

Need some reviews of Feast of Peas?

Educational Activities inspired by Kashmira Sheth’s Feast of Peas:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where does this story seem to take place?
    • What do you think this book will be about?
    • Why are they having a feast?
    • What feast foods do you recognize?
    • What do you think of when you think of peas?
    • If you could ask the author any question before you read the book, what would it be?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the book: 
    • Who was the ghost? Who was the scarecrow? At what point in the story did you figure those things out?
    • Why do you think Ruvji took the peas?
    • How much did you enjoy the repeating song lyrics?
    • Which of the pictures did you appreciate the most? Why?
    • What other story does Feast of Peas remind you of?
  • Writing–The main story of Feast of Peas is the mystery of Jiva’s disappearing peas. Has anything of yours ever disappeared under mysterious circumstances? Write a story about it that offers an explanation–silly, serious, or something else entirely. (If you’ve never had something disappear in this way, make up that part of the story, as well.) Perhaps, too: 
    • Add your own artwork by using crayons, markers, or colored pencils? Or clipping images from a newspaper/​magazine, and gluing those to a printed-​out copy of your story?
    • Enlist friends or family members to act out the events in your story, with each person taking on a single role. Costumes and funny voices might be worth trying, too!
  • Recipes–With an adult’s help, try the following fun-​to-​make and fun-​to-​eat recipes: 
  • Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about food have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

Author Interview: Kristen Schroeder

On By Only Picture BooksIn Author Interviews, Picture Book Debuts2 Comments

It’s always a treat to be able to showcase the work of a debut picture book author, and with this month’s Author Interview, that’s what we’re doing. Minnesota author Kristen Schroeder’s first book, Alien Tomato, comes out…TOMORROW!

Like any serious writer, she’s already hard at work on creating others, with Freddy the Not-​Teddy coming out in April 2022 with EK Books, and a third picture book entitled So Much Snow hitting shelves in late 2022 from Random House Studios.

Let’s fire up the interview and hear how yet another worthy author broke into the business!

RVC: First things first. Should one pronounce your last name like Charlie Brown’s piano-​playing, Beethoven-​loving pal (which I think rhymes with “grow fur”)? Or are you working more with a gray/​day/​hay sound there (which all sound very Minnesotan)?

KS: I love the Peanuts reference! It’s Schroeder pronounced like it looks, with a long “o”.

RVC: Thanks for that. Now, the next thing we need to get “Out There” is a disclaimer. We know each other. Want to share how?

KS: We met in November 2019 (Wow, doesn’t that feel like a lifetime ago?!) at Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple’s Picture Book Boot Camp held at the Highlights Foundation. I was able to check off two bucket list items in one long weekend as I had always hoped to participate in PBBC and soak up some of JY and Heidi’s wisdom. Staying at the famed Highlights campus was also a dream come true. I highly recommend!

RVC: Just to prove I was there, I’ll include a photo of all the participants holding champagne to toast the opening of the Jane Yolen “Phoenix Farm Annex” cabin. Considering that there’s 25 womenfolk and 1 dude (me!) in this image, it’s a pretty weak Where’s Waldo? challenge. (spoiler #1—I’m in the back, four from the left, squinting like bonkers thanks to that oh-​so-​bright Pennsylvania sun!) (spoiler #2—that’s Kristen in the white coat in the front!)

KS: JY even has a nickname for Ryan: Big Guy.

RVC: That’s true, though to be fair, Jane’s on the diminutive size, so it’s not like I’m Big Bird or something. Just saying. 🙂

What was the most important lesson you learned while there?

KS: I can’t distill the experience into one lesson, however, being surrounded by such a talented group was inspiring. In addition to the writing tips and reviews I received from Jane and Heidi and the group, listening to everyone’s stories of working with their agents and editors was invaluable. It felt like I had entered a new stage of my career as an author.

RVC: That Highlights event was also where I first encountered your debut picture book, Alien Tomato. Many of the participants brought copies of recent or forthcoming books and displayed them atop a grand piano (if memory serves). Your book was there in a F&G (folded and gathered) state. How real did the debut book situation feel at that point?

KS: I received my F&Gs the day before I left for Highlights. I watched nervously as several authors read Alien Tomato, including Jane Yolen herself! What does that facial expression mean? Are they smiling, laughing? Oh my gosh, what if no one “gets it”?

RVC: For what it’s worth, I got it, too. Those are some fun veggies!

KS: I’m happy to report I received kind feedback from several fellow boot campers which calmed my nerves.

RVC: Doesn’t surprise me in the least, both that you felt supported and that your book was well-​received. But let’s talk more about your book.

Let’s say you bump into a stranger in an elevator. You get to talking, and they find out you’re a writer. “Tell me about your next book?” they ask. What’s the elevator pitch you’d give them for Alien Tomato?

KS: A round red object lands in a veggie garden, and the veggies think it’s an alien tomato, but a cantankerous gopher thinks it’s just a red ball.

Hilarity ensures.

RVC: What’s the story of how Alien Tomato came to be? Was it anything like the old Reese’s Peanut Butter cups commercial, where someone’s like, “Hey, I’ve got peanut butter. Yum! And I’ve got chocolate. Yum! Hmm. Maybe I should put them together….”? 

Because aliens are great. And so are tomatoes, right? 

KS: I do love peanut butter cups, but I won’t let that distract me from telling you the backstory.

My daughter blurted out “alien tomato” after school one day. It was completely out of the blue and we still don’t know why she said it, but I started thinking about the story and it developed pretty quickly from there.

RVC: True or false. The character of Gopher is based on a real person.

KS: False. But Minnesota is known as the gopher state, so I had that inspiration to draw upon.

RVC: Share a bit of the process of writing/​revising Alien Tomato. Did you have a zillion drafts? Did a critique group help? Did you get stuck and finally come across a EUREKA moment?

KS: The biggest challenge I faced when writing Alien Tomato was figuring out how to format the manuscript. I was juggling text, dialogue between the veggies and gopher, and illustration notes. I finally dropped it all into a three-​column table which made it much easier to scan and see what was happening on each page. That was a breakthrough moment for me. And, as usual, my critique partners were invaluable in helping me hone various drafts for sure.

RVC: Thanks for sharing that page from an early draft. That three-​column idea is both awesome and clear. So helpful to see it in all its glory!

KS: I created it for myself initially, and my agent liked it and even submitted to editors this way. I’ve used the format since for other manuscripts, too.

RVC: What was the biggest surprise of the post-​contract but pre-​book-​being-​out part of the Alien Tomato journey?

KS: It was the moment I had been waiting for, selling my first book, and then there was still a lot of waiting.

RVC: There’s a popular saying in the publishing industry—you only get one debut. What specific things have you done to make sure it has all the pop, sizzle, and PR fizz you can create?

KS: Unfortunately, Covid-​19 happened so I had to scrap my plans for a launch party. I’m doing a few virtual story times and promoting Alien Tomato through Instagram tours and blogs (like yours, thank you!). I ordered some swag so I could run a pre-​order giveaway contest and I’m getting some Alien Tomato themed cookies made by a local baker, yum! I’m tentatively thinking of doing a delayed event next year, since I don’t have a book coming out in 2021. Fingers crossed that will be possible.

RVC: You’re part of Perfect 2020 Picture Books. Tell us about that group.

KS: One of my favorite things about having a debut picture book has been traveling the same road with the authors who comprise Perfect 2020 PBs. It’s been great to have their support, to bounce ideas off each other, and promote our books. I look forward to continuing these friendships into 2021 and beyond!

RVC: You sold Alien Tomato via a literary agent, Christa Heschke (who OPB just interviewed a month back). How did you land her as an agent?

KS: I had an offer from another agent on a manuscript and that same manuscript was out to a handful of other agents, including Christa. I followed up with all of them and Christa asked to see more work. Then we had “the call” and it wasn’t a hard decision to sign with her. I got a sense for Christa’s knowledge of the industry and her even-​keeled personality, which have been a big plus.

RVC: What’s Christa’s agenting superpower?

KS: Her responsiveness. She’s available to answer any/​all questions and usually responds to emails the same day. I love that about her.

RVC: Yep. I totally believe that. She was easy-​peasy-​squeasy to work with on the OPB interview, too.

KS: That sounds like Christa!

RVC: If I asked Christa what your writing superpower is, what do you think she’d say?

KS: Gosh, I hope she’d say humor and also that I’ve been willing to try new things and keep improving as a writer.

RVC: Let’s back up a bit. When did you first realize you were a writer? 

KS: I didn’t realize I liked to write or even wanted to write until I was almost 30. I’d always been a huge reader but I didn’t think writing was something I could pursue. It wasn’t until I attended my first SCBWI conference that I felt like a writer.

RVC: What kind of formal writing training did you have?

KS: My degrees are in marketing, so any writing courses I took in college were geared towards business communications. I didn’t start writing creatively until 2000 and I took a few classes when I lived in Melbourne. Then I took a long break to run my own business and start a family. I picked up writing again in 2014 by joining the 12x12 community and taking more courses, joining SCBWI, attending conferences, etc. That was the year I started pursuing writing for children seriously.

RVC: If you had to summarize the most important thing you’ve learned about picture books in your just-​getting-​started-​but-​now-​going-​strong career, what would it be?

KS: Picture books have power, and that power is grossly underestimated. Writing picture books is an art form that takes years to learn but it’s SO worth it.

RVC: Here’s one final request for the “serious” part of the interview. Please describe the exact feeling you’re having, knowing your book will finally, finally, FINALLY be Out In The World in just a few hours.

KS: It still feels a little surreal. I don’t think it will sink in until I spot Alien Tomato in the wild (a.k.a. a bookstore). I also can’t wait to see kids reading my book. That will make it real.

RVC: Okay. It’s time for the patent-​pending, crowd-​pleasing, always-​wowtastic SPEED ROUND. Kristen, are you ready?

KS: I hope so…

RVC: Honeycrisp apples. Great apples, or the greatest apples?

KS: I love them! They were created by the University of Minnesota. I’ve chaperoned my kids’ seventh grade field trips to the Arboretum where we got to taste apple varieties and learn how they breed apple tree to have different qualities. We also got to taste test apples and the Honeycrisp was always my favorite.

RVC: You’re a dual American-​Australian citizen, so what’s the awesomest Australian expression Americans don’t fully appreciate?

KS: Crikey! There are so many. It truly was like learning a foreign language when I first moved to Australia. There are some expressions I’ve hung onto because there isn’t a suitable American substitute. I like “spit the dummy” which means a sudden display of anger or frustration. I’ll use it in a sentence: “Ryan spit the dummy when I turned in my interview questions late.” Dummy is Australian for pacifier, so if you imagine a baby spitting out his dummy, that’s where the expression comes from.

(Just kidding — Ryan didn’t really spit the dummy.)

RVC: What’s your literary motto?

KS: I have this quote by Samuel Johnson on my website: “A writer only begins a book. A reader finishes it.” Keeping the audience in mind is especially important when writing for kids.

RVC: Most influential picture book you encountered as a child?

KS: I was obsessed with the Little Nutshell Library by Maurice Sendak. Some of the stories like Pierre, where a boy gets eaten by a lion, had a subversive edge to them and they stuck with me.

RVC: Best picture book of 2019?

KS: My critique partner, Jamie LB Deenihan’s When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree. I love this book, and its sequel, and am so proud of Jamie!

RVC: Three words that encapsulate the spirit of Alien Tomato.

KS: Kindness, curiosity, unexpected.

RVC: Thanks so much, Kristen! It was terrific, you betcha! (I’m from Wisconsin, so I have the ability to sort of speak Minnesotan, dontcha know.)

Picture Book Review: Hello, Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers, by Matthew Cordell

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews

Hello, Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers
Author: Matthew Cordell
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Neal Porter Books
6 April 2020
40 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Biggest Mister Rogers Fan at Only Picture Books) and Florida author-​illustrator Loreen Leedy, a friend of the OPB family.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

Hello, Neighbor, an authorized biography, takes a direct chronological approach to the life of Fred McFeely Rogers (1928–2003). A lot of care is given to establishing the motivation for Fred’s later commitment to creating quality educational TV programming, starting from being bullied as a child to his growing faith to his sincere interest in becoming a minister.

Then came this: In those days, television was new and just beginning to become popular. And Fred didn’t like what he saw.

Fred decided he could do better. So, what he did was learn the industry from the inside out, then he brought his love for puppetry and music to bear with the première of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood in February 1968. Fred’s interest in welcoming and accepting others was key to all he did–it’s why “Police Office Clemmons was the first African American character to appear in a recurring role on a children’s television series.” Through the many guests to The Neighborhood, viewers also encountered artists, musicians, and people from all walks of life.

One noteworthy linguistic technique is the shift to first-​person plural–we–once Fred’s own show is underway. That might be a choice that represents Fred’s inclusivity or the lasting impact of his work, though many young readers of today won’t be as familiar with The Neighborhood as their adult reading companions will surely be, so they’re not exactly part of the aforementioned “we.” But no doubt, they’d like to be after reading/​hearing so many good things about Fred.

The nonfiction element of Fred’s story doesn’t quite allow for the richness of language and the poetry of sound to emerge within the lines themselves, though perhaps that sense of beauty instead is found in the accompanying artwork done in Cordell’s sketchy-​scratchy style. Cordell is a skilled artist and his soft imagery has a leisurely sensibility that fits the mood of Fred’s life.

The back matter–archival images, a robust About page, visual glossary, and more–is necessary to give a deeper sense of all that Fred did to earn his lasting legacy. And inspirational quotes that get to the heart of who he was and what he believed in are prominently displayed on endpapers.

There are few adults I can think of who are more universally beloved and respected than Fred Rogers. This book serves as a welcome tribute to this admirable, kind-​hearted man.

4 out of 5 pencils

– Loreen’s Review of the Illustrations–

Scrapbook pages from Fred’s childhood reveal his early interests in music, puppetry, and storytelling. As a young man, he questions the frivolous content of children’s television programming. Instead of endless pies in the face and rude behavior, he is inspired to create something gentle, empathetic, and educational. On his show, Mr. Rogers would speak directly to young viewers, engaging with their questions, joys, and fears as well as their imaginations. Author-​illustrator Matthew Cordell takes readers behind the scenes to visit the set with its familiar front door, bench, trolley to the Neighborhood of Make Believe, plus the lights, cameras, and crew.

The illustrations recall a variety of moments from the over 900+ episodes. Fred sings the show’s Won’t You Be My Neighbor theme song in a sequence of TV-​shaped spots, accompanied by delightfully wonky, rainbow-​hued hand lettering. Framed portraits of recurring cast members, scenes from field trips, and famous visitors like Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West enliven the pages. The back matter showcases several photographs of Mr. Rogers in action. The familiar fish tank is one of the notable elements included in a handy visual glossary.

Both young and old will enjoy a tour of Mr. Rogers’ friendly neighborhood with the help of this picture book biography.

Disclosure: Many of Loreen’s picture books have been published by Holiday House.

4 out of 5 crayons

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Loreen Leedy is the author-​illustrator of more than 40 popular picture books that have received many rave reviews and honors. Her titles such as Measuring Penny, Amazing Plant Powers, and Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile Story often include math, science, and language arts content. Her most recent book, Step by Step, features footprints made by baby animals including a puppy, duckling, and fawn in a page-​turning question and answer format. It makes an appealing nonfiction choice for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade age levels.

To see Loreen’s work and download free book activity printables, please visit www.LoreenLeedy.com.