Tales from the Rushmore Kid

Mary Cronk Farrell - Research Tip of the Day.

I love the SCBWI conferences. Not only are the workshops loaded with great information, the published authors attending always have all sorts of tips as well. Today, historical fiction writer Mary Cronk Farrell gives us an invaluable Research Tip of the Day.

 

Perspiration/Inspiration - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the files
of educator and children's author
Barbara Jean Hicks

I ran across two favorite quotes this week that resonate with me as a writer:

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” -- Thomas Edison

 “If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it's not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That's why it's your path.” -- Joseph Campbell

 

Lynn Becker's Book Picks

In my first column for this blog, I posted my Best of 2012 picks. This time around, I have three picture books to talk about, ones that I have recently enjoyed:

I just read A IS FOR MUSK OX, written by Erin Cabatingan, illustrated by Matthew Myers. This book had the distinct disadvantage of being released just a few months after Z is for Moose, written by Kelly Bingham and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. Extremely similar in content, each of these stories features a pushy animal (musk ox/moose) who wants to take over his alphabet book. Each of the stories even manages to feature a long suffering zebra! A is for Musk Ox is very funny, and should be a big hit to read aloud. Talk about bad timing, though--Z is for Moose is not an easy act to follow.

 

 

 

Nancy Castaldo - Nonfiction Writing Tip of the Day

Nonfiction is the hottest commodity in children's publishing these days.  With Common Core standards for 45 states being enacted next year, publishers are looking to purchase more nonfiction.  Nancy Castaldo is ahead of the game. A prolific nonfiction writer, she agreed to give us a handy Nonfiction Tip of the Day!

School Visits: An Author's Perk! (Barbara Jean Hicks)

from the files of
Educator & Children's Book Author
Barbara Jean Hicks

One of the great joys of writing for children is being with children!

I love visiting schools to talk to kids about writing and art, and it was a very special treat for me one day last Spring to go back to Central Elementary School in Ferndale, Washington--the school I attended as a child--as a featured workshop leader for their Young Artist's Fair. I spent all day working with several second grade classrooms, reading from MONSTERS DON'T EAT BROCCOLI and teaching an art lesson on color and pattern.

The great experience doesn't end with the visit. Often, teachers have their students write thank you notes that arrive a week or so later and make me understand anew why I do what a do. It's all about the kids!

Susan Salzman Raab - Promotion Tip of the Day

Susan Salzman Raab is the author of An Author's Guide to Children's Book Promotion. (If you are published or soon to be go buy it!!  It's invaluable!)  She is the marketing advisor for the SCBWI and President of Raab Assoociates Inc., a marketing and public relations agency that works with authors and publishers internationally.  I asked Susan to gives us a quick Promotion Tip of the Day. 

The Stories of Our Lives - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the life and times
of educator and children's author
Barbara Jean Hicks

"Home is where our story begins." So reads the sign on the wall above my computer desk. The sign was a gift, a number of years ago, from one of my sisters. It has held a place of honor in my home ever since, and it holds special meaning now, as I've returned to my hometown to help care for my elderly mother.

Although I never lived in this house my father had built for my mother as they aged--so she wouldn't have to climb stairs to a second story bedroom--I visited them often here, and easily settled in after my dad died and my mom moved into assisted living.

2012 Books of the Year - Lynn Becker's Book Picks

 

It's that time of year again. Awards are coming up, and everyone in the children's book world is talking about their favorites of the past year.

What books did you find the most moving? The most well written? The best-illustrated?

Do you have any predictions for the Newbery, Printz, or Caldecott Awards?

Here is my list of 2012 Favorites:

Picture books:

EXTRA YARN, by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen
I love the old-fashioned feel of this new and original story, and I think the pictures both illustrate and advance the text. I'm giving it my Caldecott vote.

Ann Haywood Leal - Writing Tip of the Day

One of the best things about the SCBWI conferences is that I get to meet all sorts of interesting writiers that I have admired for years.  Ann Haywood Leal is one such writer.  Great at middle grade novels, she also gives us a great writing tip of the day.

Finding Time to Write - Barbara Jean Hicks

I'm lucky to belong to the Northwest Schmooze group that meets between Seattle SCBWI meetings every month. When I'm in town, I try not to miss it. Last week we heard from member Barbara Davis-Pyles, who shared from her own life about bringing balance to the writing life.

Barbara has written numerous books for the educational market and recently finished her first middle grade novel. She also home schools her children, and she has a doctorate in psychology. She knows a little something about balancing life!

Here are her tips for achieving your writing goals--or any goal, for that matter:

1. Identify what's most important to you. We're assuming writing is in there somewhere!

Lynn Becker's Book Picks - New Column for the New Year!!!

I am so pleased to announce a new columnist for the blog to do book reviews. Author/illustrator Lynn Becker has been a friend of mine for many years and her expertise and enthusiasm for children's books will make a valuable contribution to the blog.

Lynn currently contributes children’s book reviews to Shelf Awareness for Readers. She is on the Board of the SCBWI Central/Coastal California region, for which she has run a monthly online Children’s Book Talk for the last ten years. Lynn has worked commercially in animation for film and television, and has produced a number of award-winning, independent animated films of her own.

Her book of the month is featured on her website and What I am Reading.

http://lynnbeckerbooks.com/month.html 

http://lynnbeckerbooks.com/reading.html