The Book Collection I Left Behind

A post shared by Frances Atkinson (@frantatkinson) on Sep 17, 2016 at 11:56pm PDT

We went on our annual family vacation to Hilton Head Island, S.C. at the end of July, and I like to do a day trip to nearby Savannah, Ga. whenever we are there. While we were in the visitors’ center a brochure for a used bookstore caught my eye, so we checked it out. As you can imagine, I was entranced the second I walked in, especially when I walked into the back of the shop. One entire wall contained used copies of the Trixie Belden mystery series. My jaw dropped and then my heart sank.

I had a history with the series that came rushing back to me in that instant. When I was 12, I was sent to stay with my grandmother in Louisiana for a few weeks. I was lonely and missed my friends and I’m sure my grandmother sensed it. One night she handed me a large bag full of paperback books (to this day I’m not sure where they came from. Her attic, I guess.) with the words “Trixie Belden” across the covers. Because I loved to read and had already exhausted my reading material, I gratefully dove into the first one, a mystery. I lost myself in the world of Trixie, who lived with her family on the fictional Crabapple Farm, located near the Hudson River Family. She formed a sort of club christened "The Bob-Whites" with her best friend Honey Wheeler, and their brothers and cousins. They basically gallivanted all over upstate New York solving a new mystery in each book. Trixie was everything I wasn’t—bold, adventurous, headstrong, and curious. I read the books over and over, and when my visit with my grandmother ended, she happily packed the books with my things.

When I walked into the used bookstore in Georgia, and saw all the Trixie Belden editions lined up lovingly on the shelves, a wave of sadness hit me. During one of my many moves as a teenager, I lost track of my collection of Trixie Belden books. And my collection of Lois Duncan and Christopher Pike books. The owner walked over to me and said, “Are you a Trixie girl?” and then showed me a framed first edition cover she had hanging on her wall. I told her how I was sad because I used to have at least 30 of the books (there were two different authors and many different book cover reproductions over the years--I had versions published in the late 1970s) and they are actually now worth quite a bit of money. She suggested I check into some of the fan groups on Facebook to learn more about the editions and see if I can track down any of my old copies. I probably wrote my name in them and didn’t even think about it at the time.

After visiting that bookstore, I had so many questions about this book collection that remains tied to my past. Why did my grandmother have all of them? Did they originally belong to one of my aunt or cousins and she was holding on to them for safekeeping? Did I ever thank her for giving me such a gift? She passed away several years ago so it’s too late for that now. I wonder if my grandmother knew I would grow up to be a writer and wanted to encourage me. I also wonder how many authors have similar collections of books that they hold near and dear to their hearts. Maybe one day I’ll see if I can track down some of my old copies, if they are out there somewhere.

Do you have any collections of books or a series of books by one author? Why are they special to you? What was your favorite series that you read growing up?

Renee Roberson is an award-winning freelance writer and editor who still loves re-reading the books she loved as a teenager. She may have to revisit Trixie Belden soon. 

Read More »

6 comments book collections, Children's Literature, Renee Roberson, Trixie Belden mystery series, YA books

How What My Children Are Reading Affects My Own Book Selections

My daughter engaging in her favorite pastime . . . reading.

I discovered a fun new reading discussion website in the past few weeks with book suggestions for children’s literature. Author Allison Winn Scotch got the idea to start up Parents Reads Best while she was searching for new reading material for her two children, ages 7 and 9. As an aspiring children’s writer, I love browsing through the forums not only to get ideas for my two kids, but to see what books are getting buzz in the genres I enjoy reading.

Yes, I read children’s books, and a lot of them. I rediscovered my love for children’s literature around the time my daughter (almost 11) started reading longer middle-grade books. First, I introduced her to some of my old favorites, such as The Babysitter’s Club series, Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown. From there, she branched out to Roald Dahl and more stories with magical realism and fantasy. But there have been several instances where I’ve heard great reviews about a middle-grade book and suggested she read it first, such as Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me. When she finished it she couldn’t stop raving about it so I read it, too.

She got hooked on author Wendy Mass not long after that and encouraged me to read A Mango-Shaped Space, where I learned all about a really unique neurological condition called synesthesia. The main character, Mia (also my daughter’s name, by the way) can actually see sounds and letters of the alphabet in color. I haven’t cried that much after reading a children’s book in years. I am so thankful that she loves to read and discuss books with me, and I feel like the books I’m exposed to through my daughter are just as valuable as what I would find in any contemporary children’s literature class.

The books I learn about from my son, an 8-year-old who loves typical boy humor, are much different. He likes borrowing my daughter’s Sonic the Hedgehog graphic novels and snickering over the scrapes Greg Heffley from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series gets into. They make for a good laugh, but I usually find myself trying to explain a teachable moment from Greg’s escapades. His teacher noticed he loves books with very mischievous main characters, which is funny because he is very much the rule follower in class. Thankfully, he does appreciate more serious literature, too, as he gave me a full summary of Kate Di Camillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane the other day when his class finished it in read aloud. It will be interesting to see how his taste in books changes as he grows older, and I look forward to seeing what he’ll read as a teen.

Do you know a voracious young reader? If so, how do his or her book selections affect the books you decide to read?

Renee Roberson is an award-winning writer and editor who also blogs at Renee's Pages.

Read More »

3 comments Allison Winn Scotch, children's authors, Children's Literature, middle-grade novels, Parents Read Best, Renee Roberson, young adult novels

Ruth Kaiser, author of The Smiley Book of Colors, launches her book tour

& book giveaway contest!

If you've ever whiled away a sunny afternoon creating animals out of puffy clouds, wondered at the latest potato a farmer swears is the spitting image of George Washington, or enjoy the hidden picture puzzles made famous by Highlights you'll get a kick out of The Smiley Book of Colors. In it Ruth Kaiser illustrates a children's book about happiness with her own special obsession: Smileys.

What are Smileys? Quite simply they're smiley faces: eyes, nose, mouth, just the usual. But the fun part is finding Smileys in unusual places...in the milk in your coffee, the headlights of a firetruck, the leaf of a tree. They're everywhere! After reading The Smiley Book of Colors you'll find you can't stop searching for the next Smiley.

Hardcover: 32 pages
Age Level: Ages 3 and up
Publisher: Random House, Golden Books
ISBN-10: 0375869832
ISBN-13: 978-0375869839
Twitter Hashtag: SmileyBook

The Smiley Book of Colors, a children's book that adults will love also, is available for purchase in print form at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local neighborhood book store.

Check out the Smiley Song Video below! It will make you smile! :)



Book Giveaway Contest: If you would like to win a copy of The Smiley Book of Colors, please leave a comment at the end of this post to be entered in the random drawing. The giveaway contest closes this Thursday, March 22 at 11:59 PM PST. For an extra entry, link to this post on Twitter with the hashtag #SmileyBook, then come back and leave us a link to your tweet. We will announce the winner the following day--Friday, March 23. Good luck!

About the Author:

Ruth is proud to be a self-proclaimed, happy-go-lucky, cockeyed optimist! She is mom to three of the greatest kids ever who, even though they are all out in the world pretending to be grown-ups, will always be her babies. Ruth owns a chain of preschools called TOT DROP where for 18 years she has been known and loved as "Teacher Ruth." To quote one of her mommies, "Everyone should have a 'Teacher Ruth' in their life!"

Although completely allergic to cats, she is also completely enamored with them. So Philbert, Noodle, Rooster and Mr. Simon have the run of the house and Ruth sits on a plastic chair and washed her hands a hundred times a day.

Ruth studied art at the University of California at Berkeley, but really believes that everyone is an artist. With excitement she proclaims, "How cool is it that the Internet has given us all an avenue to share our art!"

Find the Author Online:

Website: http://www.spontaneoussmiley.com

Blog: http://blog.spontaneoussmiley.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruth.kaiser

Twitter: @SpontaneSmiley

--------Interview by Jodi Webb

WOW: We have heard of many blogs that eventually became books: Julie and Julia, The PostSecret Project, and Bitter Is the New Black to name a few. Tell us why and when you created your Spontaneous Smiley website and what made you decide it would make a great book.

Ruth: From the very first time I attempted to point out a Smiley Face in an object, there were people who struggled to see what I saw. With advent of the digital camera I was suddenly able to snap the photo and crop it so that finding the Smiley was easy. I started posting my Smileys on Facebook and was delighted when others followed suit. Very quickly it became apparent that hunting for Smileys, is habit forming! That led to lots of press and the creation of the website. Smileys uploads came in from all over the world. Writing a book just seemed like the next step in a quest to share the Spontaneous Smiley Project.

WOW: The Smiley Book could have easily been a coffee table book or gift book targeting adults. What made you decide to write a children's picture book instead?

Ruth: Actually, a few years back I did first attempt a coffee table/gift book working with a big agency in NYC. Although we got a lot of interest, gift books were a hard sell in early 2009. When that didn’t work out, I had a real aha moment. Of course! I should write a kids’ book instead!

I’ve been a teacher for over 30 years, writing for kids came so easily! In that moment, I knew just what I wanted to say. The text of A Smiley Book of Colors, A Child’s Book of Optimism was completely written about 5 minutes later! The poem is all about helping children to choose happiness.

WOW: Your debut book is The Smiley Book of Colors. Are you considering other Smiley Books for children...The Smiley Book of Seasons, The Smiley Book of Weather, etc. or a Smiley Book for adults?

Ruth: You bet! I have a draft all finished and ready to show my editor of a Smiley Book of Numbers, A Child’s Book of Gratitude. In this second book, the poem talks about counting reasons to smile and uses the photos to teach counting. I’ve got several other ideas percolating! I know one thing for sure, I’ll never run out of Smileys; they’re everywhere!

People ask for what age group my book is best suited. I honestly think the book’s message is ageless. So I guess I’m saying it already is a book for adults.

WOW: As a preschool teacher for 18 years I suppose we can consider you a children's book expert. Care to share your expertise and tell us, from your observations with your students, what makes a popular children's book?

Ruth: Repetition is always popular. So is rhyming! Lots of vivid illustrations are a must. But, I have found that kids aren’t as interested in picture books where the people or animals look too far from reality or too cartoony. I know that’s a hard one for authors who often don’t get a lot of say as to the illustration used for their book.

WOW: Children's literature is a tough market to break into. How long did it take you to find an agent/publisher?

Ruth: I got the agent for the coffee table book by Googling my little heart out and sending queries all filled with photos to any and all I could find who posted their e-dress. I had read lots of how-tos about what the standard query should look like and decided to ignore it all. I wasn’t being cocky, it’s just that the standard format seemed so disingenuous, so not like me. Getting an agent took a couple of long days sending the query everywhere I could and a couple weeks of waiting for a nibble.

When there were no takers for the coffee table book and my agent said, “No thank you,” to the children’s book, I turned to another source. I am very active in social media so why not ask my Facebook followers if they had any advice for a novice wanting to break into the world of children’s literature. Right away a bunch of people chimed in. One was an introduction to a friend whom he claimed “knew everything about kids’ books.” I followed up. We had a lively back and forth messaging session at the end of which I asked her what she did. She was an editor! I sent her my manuscript the next day. After a couple of months I got the happiest email, an offer!

WOW: Many books have book trailers, videos to promote their books online. You have several Smiley songs and music videos which are such a fabulous idea for a children's book. How did you come up with the idea for songs and who wrote and performed the songs? Any other unusual promotional events or products planned for the future?

Ruth: I grew up surrounded my talented musician friends. The song “Smile. Be Happy” was a joint effort by songwriter Tommy Dunbar and me. We’ve been friends since we were kids and his band the Rubinoos was a big part of my life as a young adult. Asking them if they wanted to be a part of the Smiley Project was a no-brainer (for either side!). The other songs and videos are a reflection of my love to create stuff! I’m always working on at least a few projects.

I will be doing lots of book events at bookstores, but what I’m the most excited about is how many museums are interested!

WOW: What's next? More children's books? Another genre? More photos?

Ruth: Yes!! Yes!! And yes!! I’m eager and enthusiastic to do more of everything!

WOW: Any last words?

Ruth: Remember, every Smiley photo uploaded earns a $1 donation from The Spontaneous Smiley Community for OPERATION SMILE.

I hope everyone begins to see Smileys in their life and reasons to live with a Smiley outlook. It’s the greatest gift you could give your children!

Smile. Be happy!

WOW: Thanks, Ruth! I can't wait to hunt for smileys for a great cause! I'm sure our readers will want to participate too! Readers, here's more info:

Treasure Hunt Time!

Now it's time to start searching for Smileys in your neighborhood! When you find one snap a pic and upload it to Spontaneous Smiley on the "Share Your Smiley" page using "WOW" in your Smiley title.

Just one Smiley makes you a Smiley Captain! Not only will you brighten people's day with your Smiley AND help raise money for Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that helps children with facial deformity receive the surgery they need, but you'll be entered in a contest just for Ruth's WOW friends to win a copy of The Smiley Book of Colors. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 17! Now grab your camera and start searching for Smileys!

--------More for Operation Smile

Ruth is passionate about Operation Smile, so she came up with this great idea for student groups of all sizes and ages! Similar to a Walk-a-Thon, the Smile-a-Thon is a fun and easy way to host a fundraiser. If you want to become more involved with the charity, check out the video below and find more information here: http://spontaneoussmiley.com/smileathon.htm



--------Blog Tour Dates

Tuesday, March 20 @ Pragmatic Mom
Need an extra smile today? Stop by Pragmatic Mom for a review of Ruth Kaiser's children's book The Smiley Book of Colors.
http://PragmaticMom.com

Thursday, March 22 @ Read These Books and Use Them!
Stop by to learn how to teach your child optimism from Ruth Kaiser. And a great way to start would be reading her new picture book The Smiley Book of Colors. Enter to win it today!
http://www.margodill.com/blog/

Saturday, March 24 @ Devourer of Books
Saturday is Kids' Day at Devourer of Books and today she's reviewing The Smiley Book of Colors by Ruth Kaiser. A book for kids of ALL ages!
http://www.devourerofbooks.com

Monday, March 26 @ Cathy C. Hall
Ruth Kaiser gives you tips on how to be a rock star in everything you do! Readers can also win a copy of her debut children's picture book--that will bring a smile to the faces of adults too--The Smiley Book of Colors.
http://www.cathychall.wordpress.com

Wednesday, March 28 @ Books, Books the Magical Fruit
Enter the giveaway for your chance at winning the fun children's book The Smiley Book of Colors and don't miss the surprise guest post by author Ruth Kaiser.
http://www.booksbooksthemagicalfruit.blogspot.com

Thursday, March 29 @ Words by Webb
Jodi's been bit by the Smiley bug. Check out her Smileys and learn more about the book that inspired her: The Smiley Book of Colors.
http://jodiwebb.com

Monday, April 2 @ Classic Children's Books
Don't miss your chance to win The Smiley Book of Colors so all your days can be Smiley Searches!
http://familyliteracy2.blogspot.com

Wednesday, April 11 @ CMash Loves to Read
Don't be an April Fool! Stop by to enter to win The Smiley Book of Colors and enjoy a guest post that will perk up your entire day!
http://cmashlovestoread.blogspot.com

Friday, April 13 at Cindy's Love of Books
Find out what made Ruth Kaiser want to write a children's book about the smileys hiding in plain sight throughout our world!
http://cindysloveofbooks​.blogspot.com/

To view all of our touring authors, check out our Events Calendar here.

Get Involved!

If you have a website or blog and would like to host one of our touring authors or schedule a tour of your own, please email Robyn or Jodi at blogtour@wow-womenonwriting.com.

Book Giveaway Contest:

Enter to win a print copy of The Smiley Book of Colors by Ruth Kaiser! Here's how you enter:

1. For your first entry, just leave a comment on this post! Just leave Ruth a comment or ask a question to be entered in the random drawing.

2. For an extra entry, link to this post on Twitter with the hashtag #SmileyBook then come back and leave us a link to your tweet.

The giveaway contest closes Thursday, March 22 at 11:59 PM PST. We will announce the winner in the comments section of this post the following day--Friday, March 23, and if we have the winner's email from the comments section, we will also notify them via email.

Good luck!

(Also be sure to enter the photo smiley contest for another chance to win Ruth's book. :) Details in the section above under "Treasure Hunt Time!" You'll enjoy capturing smileys. We are addicted!)

---

Read More »

12 comments author blog tour, book giveaway, Children's Literature, photography, picture book, Ruth Kaiser, The Smiley Book of Colors

The $#*%! Language in Children's Books

I recently discussed It's a Book by Lane Smith on my blog. If you haven't seen this book and you are a writer and lover of books, you are going to want to rush out to your nearest bookstore and check it out. In a nutshell, there's a donkey (a.k.a. jackass) and a monkey who are discussing a book. The monkey is reading a good, old-fashioned book with pages to turn, a cover to open, and a story to enjoy. The donkey can't quite get over this thing called a book that you don't have to charge or scroll down to read.

The controversy lies in the last word of this book, which is jackass, and whether or not this is a book for kids. In general, people don't think kids will understand the satire of the book the way adults will--many adults who are worried books will be obsolete some day. Adults will love It's a Book and get it; many picture book audience kids will not. But the big controversy and the reason why some parents would not buy it for their kids (and they said so on Amazon.com) is the last word.

This got me thinking. Why are there cuss words in children's books? Every time there is one, someone has to complain about it or even try to ban the book. Do we think kids aren't exposed to these words in their everyday lives? Of course, we know they are. But I guess there's something about reading them that just really gets people going.

I'm not sure what my position is, as to me, it depends on the book. I think that if the book calls for cussing, then there should be cussing. If authors are just doing it for shock value, I think they can search for another way to get readers' attention. I probably wouldn't put a cuss word in a picture book, but I tell you, I think Lane Smith's book is GENIUS. It is laugh out loud funny.

What's your take on it? If you are a children's author, have you used inappropriate words in your manuscripts? Do you let your children read these books with cuss words? If you are a teacher, do you share a book with cuss words in it with your class?

Let us know!

post by Margo L. Dill, http://margodill.com/blog/

Read More »

5 comments children's books, Children's Literature, children's writers, Margo L. Dill, Writing Picture Books

Explore the Wonderous World of Children's Literature

A few months ago when I was choosing my courses for my Spring/Summer session at University, I came across a full-year course called, “Children’s Literature”. My first thoughts were, “Man, this will be a breeze! After all, how difficult can it be to study children’s literature?”

The following week when the postman brought a box - heavier than my oldest child - filled to the brim with children and youth books, I knew how wrong my initial statement had been. First, this course was not going to be “a breeze”. Second, children’s literature has many colorful layers within it the same as other genres. Third, and a point I’d forgotten when registering for the course, children’s books are filled with fantasy – a genre I hadn’t ventured into much.

With an open mind, I dove head first into the deep pools of this wonderful area of writing I hadn’t explored before and was pleasantly surprised. So far, I’ve been taken on adventures in alternative worlds [The Princess and the Goblin (George MacDonald), The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis), The Tombs of Atuan (Ursula K. Le Guin)]; brought along on quests [The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien), Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, (J.K. Rowling)]; had my eyes opened in Realistic Fiction [The Great Gilly Hopkins (Katherine Paterson), The Hatchet (Gary Paulsen)]; taken back in time [Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)]; and reminded of the preciousness of life [Tuck Everlasting (Natalie Babbit)].

Even though each of these books are very different in terms of characterization, voice, setting and plot, all share a common theme: they explore different parts of a child’s vivid imagination. Fantasy isn’t all “Star Wars-like”, as I mistakenly thought. It’s being taken away to a different place, a different time or being able to see the world through another person’s eyes. Isn’t that what reading is all about? And isn’t that what we, as writers, try to achieve in our work – no matter what the genre we represent?

This has been the most difficult course I’ve ever taken (which says a lot considering I’m majoring in Psychology). Not because the work is hard but more because the readings challenge me to do what we sadly forget to as we get older: explore the world through a child’s eyes.
My course took me back to younger days when I was a gangly freckle-faced girl who would go to the library every week and take out as many books as my scrawny arms could carry home. It reminded me of why I fell in love with books in the first place and why I wanted to become a writer. Why not take a trip to your local library or bookstore and delve into the glorious world of Children’s Literature and Fantasy? Go on an adventure, follow a quest or just get comfy and allow yourself to be absorbed between the pages.

OH! And don’t forget to check out WOW’s October issue where the ladies will be exploring the world of Children/YA Literature. Maybe I’ll have a book review or two to check out. =o)

Read More »

5 comments Children's Literature, Chynna, fantasy