COOKIE Out and About

Hey, everyone!

Two super nice people have interviewed me for their blogs this week, Laura Sassi and Kathy Temean. You can find the interviews here and here.

Also, if you're in the Kansas City area on Saturday, July 16, I'm doing a book signing (with cookie crafts and actual cookies) at Barnes & Noble/Zona Rosa from 1-3pm. Details here. Hope to see you and your young readers Saturday!

One more thing! My COOKIE giveaway on Goodreads goes until July 21st. Enter to win a signed copy of The Way the Cookie Crumbled here!

Have a great day!

Jody

GOODNIGHT, MANGER by Laura Sassi

Look what the UPS man brought me!

Laura Sassi's darling new picture book, GOODNIGHT, MANGER [Zonderkidz], illustrated by Jane Chapman [The Bear books]! It's all about trying to get a good night's sleep in a really busy stable, and it's darling. The rhyming text is sweet and funny; the illustrations are huggable and witty.

Please go buy yourself a copy when it releases on October 6, 2015. It's the perfect Christmas gift for the baby in your life.

Children's Author Blog Hop

Hey, everyone!

I'm excited to participate in the Children’s Author Blog Hop. What's a blog hop? Authors answer four identical questions and then invite three more kidlit authors to join in. I was delighted to be asked by my friend and fellow children’s author LAURA SASSI. Here's a bit about her:

Laura is a children's writer and former teacher. Her poems, stories, articles and crafts have appeared in many publications including Highlights for Children, Cricket, Ladybug, Spider, Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr., FamilyFun, and Pack-O-Fun. She has a passion for playing with words and rhyming and is delighted to announce that her first picture book, GOODNIGHT, ARK, will be published by Zonderkidz, a Harper Collins Company and is scheduled to debut in August 2014. She is represented by Lara Perkins of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Laura writes from her century-old home in New Jersey where she lives with her awesome husband, two adorable kids, and a black cockapoo named Sophie. She can be found on the web at:  www.laurasassitales.wordpress.com.

Thanks for asking me to participate, Laura! Here are my answers to the four blog hop questions.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?

I'm always thinking of a new story, writing a new story, or thinking of and revising an old one. Lots of times I'm doing all of those things at once. It's good to have several projects percolating! Right now I'm brainstorming an ending to a picture book I thought already had an ending. Turns out, I was wrong! Endings are tough and soooo important! I'll stick with it until it's just right.

HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM OTHER WORKS IN THE GENRE?

The concept of this particular picture book is what sets it apart. And the main character is atypical, some might say quirky.

WHY DO YOU WRITE WHAT YOU DO?

I love writing poetry, and writing picture books is a lot like writing poetry, whether the texts rhyme or not. Picture books are partly about choosing the very best word to propel the story and partly about letting the illustrations do their thing. I love that combination. I write for kids because I still remember what it feels like to be a kid. I had a great childhood. I love the innocence of childhood, all the possibilities and awe that come with being new to the world.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?

Getting the endings right! Also, finding just the right editor/publisher for my work can be challenging. Thank goodness I've got an agent to help me with that! [Shout out to Kathleen Rushall! Woot!]

Without further ado, please join me in celebrating the following three fabulous children’s authors.

NANCY VIAU is the author of two nature-inspired picture books:  Look What I Can Do!, which School Library Journal calls “wonderfully expressive” and “a gently affirming tale perfect for parent-and-child sharing,” and Storm Song, a fun read-aloud filled with rhythmic text thatcaptures the excitement of thunder, lightning, and rain. Viau is also the author of the middle-grade novel Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head. She lives with her family in New Jersey, but loves to travel anywhere her frequent flyer miles take her. You can follow Nancy at http://www.nancyviau.com/.

PAUL CZAJAK got an ‘F’ with the words “get a tutor” on his college writing paper, and after that he never thought he’d become a writer. But after spending twenty years as a chemist, he knew his creativity could no longer be contained. He his first picture book, Monster Needs A Costume, illustrated by Wendy Grieb was recently released through Scarletta Kids.  This is the first picture book in the Monster & Me series (all of which will be illustrated by Wendy), with the second, Monster Needs His Sleep due April 2014 and then Monster Needs A Christmas Tree set for September 2014.  He has also recently signed a contract for Seaver the Weaver which will be illustrated by Ben Hilts of The Hilts Brothers and is planned for April 2015. Living in Massachusetts with his wife and two little monsters, Paul has rediscovered his passion for writing and looks forward to sharing his stories for years to come. Catch up with Paul at http://paulczajak.com/.

AMY DIXON grew up as one of seven siblings, so the only peace and quiet she ever got was inside a book. Once she had her own kids, she rediscovered her love for picture books at the public library. It was the one place she knew all four of her kids would be happy . . . and quiet. She writes from her home in Clovis, where she lives with her four little inspirations and her marathon-running husband, Rob. MARATHON MOUSE is her first picture book. Her second picture book, SOPHIE'S ANIMAL PARADE, will be out from Sky Pony Press in Fall 2014. Find Amy online at http://www.amydixonbooks.com/.

KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD

I just received notice that the KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD has been given to me by Laura Sassi, children’s writer and poet.  Laura's blog, http://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/, includes writing tips and guest blogs from other children's writers.  Thanks for the nomination, Laura!  I'm delighted to receive this award and to pass it along to others.


The rules for the KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD are simple. First, thank the person who nominated you. Second, write 7 things about yourself that no one knows. Third, nominate several creative bloggers for this award.

SEVEN FUN FACTS ABOUT ME YOU NEVER (I mean ALWAYS) WANTED TO KNOW:

1. I love peanut butter in all shapes and forms.  Crunchy?  Yep.  Smooth?  Of course.  Inside Reese's cups?  Definitely.  On apple slices?  You bet.  In sandwiches?  Duh.  I lurve me some mashed up peanuts.

2. I usually begin new writing projects in a spiral notebook. Then when I know where they're going, I transfer my notes to the computer. I have LOTS of spiral notebooks.


3. I love nature.  Bugs, animals, trees, dirt, wind, birds...I love it all.  (Which is probably why I also love science.)  I have to confess, however, that I'm not that crazy about bodies of water, unless they're fishing ponds where the bass are biting or our local pool.  Guess I'm a landlubber at heart.

4. I adore reading aloud to my kids.  There's nothing like the shared experience of a great book.  When we take driving trips, we stock up on books on CD from the library and let someone else read to all of us!  We've read lots of great books that way.  In fact, I associate many of our vacations with the book/books we listened to on the way there or back.  Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky=The Hound of the Baskervilles.  Salida, Colorado=The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z.  Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota=The Bunnicula books.

5. I walk a lot.  I try to get in five fast miles every day, either outside with my dog or on my treadmill.  I do a lot of pre-writing when I walk.  If I'm afraid I'll forget an idea by the time I get home, I call my house and leave a message on the answering machine.

6. Dogs like me.  The feeling is mutual.

7. I visit my local library at least once a week and usually more than that.  Libraries rock!

TERRIFIC WRITING BLOGS I wholeheartedly nominate for the KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD: (Please check them out.)

Nancy I Sanders' blog: Blogzone--Practical Tips to Help Your Writing Dreams Come True
http://nancyisanders.wordpress.com/

Nancy Kelly Allen's blog:  Writing Workshop
http://www.nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/

Rachel Hamby's blog: Writing and Reading a Picture Book
http://www.rachelwrites4kids.blogspot.com/

Vijaya Bodach's blog: Reading, Writing, & Ruminating
http://www.vijayabodach.blogspot.com/

Angela Ackerman's blog:  The Bookshelf Muse
http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.ca/

My interview with Laura Sassi

Laura Sassi is a very talented picture book writer and poet. We're critique buddies and friends.

Recently Laura interviewed me about writing for children. Please take a look!

http://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/interview-author-jody-jensen-shaffer-chats-about-work-for-hire/

Jody