Tales from the Rushmore Kid

Most Popular Posts 2010 - Elizabeth Dulemba - Illustration Tip of the Day

I met illustrator Elizabeth Dulemba on line through Kidlitosphere. She is remarkable. Not only is she a talented illustrator, she is a cyber force to be reckoned with. Blogging, Twittering, posting on Facebook and learning how to make apps for the Iphone/Ipad, Elizabeth is on the cutting edge of cyber promotion. On Colorbook Tuesdays on her blog, you can download coloring pages. I am so pleased that Elizabeth agreed to give us the Illustrator Tip of the Day.

Illustrators need to develop an objective eye for their work. They can do this by studying the work of other illustrators on search sites such as childrensillustrators.com, picture-book.com, scbwi.org, etc.

Most Popular Posts 2010 - Denise Doyen - Once Upon A Twice

Denise Doyen is one of the many authors in my region whom I have seen but never formally met. I had heard raves about her debut picture book, Once Upon A Twice, before it came out and was not disappointed when I finally got a copy. Denise's lyrical story about a naughty mouse and Barry Moser's gorgeous illustrations transport the reader to a magical and dangerous world. After I read this wonderful story, I immediately contacted Denise to ask for an interview.

When and why did you start writing for children?

When I was seven or so, The Soupy Sales TV show had a monster contest. Kids sent in their drawings of monsters. I sent in a little picture book.  My monster story was called The Book Worm. It started out with a tiny bite hole in the front cover. With each page turn the Book Worm’s comments got bolder and the bite-gap got bigger until finally there was a huge hole in the rear cover and the word “Whoah!” indicating that the freakishly large worm had fallen out of the back of the book.

Most Popular Posts 2010 - Deborah Heiligman - National Book Award Finalist

I am a nut about creative nonfiction. I read it voraciously and cruise one of the most popular group kidlit blogs, INK (Interesting Nonfiction for Kids) to find good reads. This year one of the blog's members was nominated for one of the most prestigious literary awards, the National Book Award, for her book about Charles Darwin and his wife Emma, Charles and Emma: The Darwin's Leap of Faith.  I am so pleased that Deborah Heiligman granted me an interview.

When and why did you start writing for children?

I started writing for children more or less by accident. I wanted to move to New York to be with a young man, and I got a job working at Scholastic News Explorer, a classroom newspaper for fourth graders. I loved it!

Most Popular Posts 2010 - Caryn Wiseman - Andrea Brown Literary Agency

I met agent Caryn Wiseman at the SCBWI summer conference through my good buddy Greg Trine, who is one of her clients.  As we all were dancing around the costume party that Saturday night, I got Caryn to agree to an interview. I give you Caryn Wiseman of Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

When and why did you start representing children’s authors and illustrators? 

I started agenting in early 2003, as a second career. I had always been a voracious and critical reader, and had done a lot of business writing and editing. I knew that agenting would allow me to do the things that I love best - reading and editing - and that, as an agent, I could discover wonderful authors, and help them get their books published. 

Marcus Foster Memorial Reading Award - Alexis O'Neill

This fall, my good buddy Alexis O'Neill, children's author, received the California Reading Association Marcus Foster Memorial Reading Award. This award is given for outstanding contributions to reading advancement in California, and was awarded to Alexis for her long record of achievements and constant dedication to the advancement of literacy for all children throughout the state. Presenting the award at the opening session of the California Reading Association's conference in Riverside, California, was Dr. Armin R. Schultz, Professor of Teacher Education at CSU Stanislaus.

"This honor really took my breath away," says Alexis. "CRA is such a fabulous organization, supporting teachers in their quest to find the best reading strategies and materials to help their students and offering opportunities for networking, sharing practical advice and discussions about the future of reading instruction. I moved to California in 1991 -- and for a state this large, I feel so at home.  My association with CRA has made California one big neighborhood!  I feel so privileged to have been selected for this award."

Congrats to Alexis for a well deserved honor!

Deborah Heiligman - Writing Tip of the Day

 At the summer SCBWI Conference I was fortunate to meet Deborah Heiligman, the National Book Award finalist for her book about Charles Darwin and his wife Emma, Charles and Emma: The Darwin's Leap of Faith. I am so pleased that Deborah agreed to give us a quick Writing Tip of the Day. (Please excuse the background noise--there were hundreds of people in this room!)

My Life with the Lincolns - Gayle Brandeis

Books to review come to me in many ways.  The best way is word of mouth. One of my writing buddies, who is on a prestigious awards committee, called me one day last month to say she had just read the best book and I should buy it. At the time I was leaving town and taking my e-reader with me, and lucky for me the book was available. I haven't read all the books up for the Newbery, but I will say this one should be in contention.
My Life with the Lincolns, by Gayle Brandeis, is a hilarious middle grade novel that should rack up tons of awards.

Told in the first person and set during the civil rights activities of 1966, the book chronicles a year in the life of twelve year old Mina, who believes that her family is the reincarnation of Abraham Lincoln and his family. She is the middle child, Tad. Mina is so convinced that she has her dad name his furniture store Honest Abe's Furniture and she writes a newsletter for the store with little tidbits about Abraham Lincoln. Mina is also a hypochondriac, so sure that she has all sorts of ailments, that she is on a first name basis with the local pharmacist.