Picture This

Favorite Read Alouds

2012-03-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

Hi all!

In case you missed it, the wonderful Jules featured me on Seven Impossible Things yesterday. I'm so honored!!

And speaking of being honored . . . the fabulous folks at Lafayette Lower Elementary invited me to read to their students as part of Dr. Seuss week last Tuesday. Since my book isn't out yet, I wasn't allowed to read it, but I talked about it a little and showed some illustrations. We had a bit of technical difficulty which was kinda terrifying in front of 300+ little people, but everyone rolled with it and it turned out just fine. Good practice for future school visits where I've heard it's best to go in assuming that nothing technical will actually work.

But the best part of the visit was that I got to read two of my very favorite read-alouds:

Mo Willems's EDWINA THE DINOSAUR WHO DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS EXTINCT.

I mean, one of the characters is named Reginald Von Hoobie Doobie, and that name ALWAYS gets a laugh (especially if you can say it in a menacing-sounding voice). Plus, the story is just so darn great.

And Dr. Seuss's WHAT WAS I SCARED OF.

I'm always amazed that people haven't heard this story. You can find it in the same book as the THE SNEETCHES, and it's been one of my favorites since I was little. It's delightfully creepy and contains one of the best lines from children's literature ever written:

I said and said and said those words
I said them but I lied them

Chilling, yes?

Hope y'all have a great week. Down here in Mississippi, we're counting down the days until spring break!
sf

Guest Post!

2012-03-04T04:52:00.002-08:00

I'm guest posting this morning at Seven Impossible Things. Thanks Jules!!!

sf

Sketchbook Friday!

2012-03-02T12:19:00.000-08:00

Here's today's sketch . . .

I'm just having such a good time revisiting the stars of my upcoming release.

Happy Dr. Seuss Day, y'all!!

Sketchbook Friday!!

2012-02-24T04:52:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm in a bit of a mood today . . . a really good one. I'm heading to SCBWI Springmingle in Atlanta, and I've just realized that it's been over a year since I've been to a writing conference. I need my fix!

Happy weekend y'all!

sf

Happy (late) Fat Tuesday

2012-02-22T12:36:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm emerging from the cloud of the dreaded stomach bug, so I'm late with this post, but I just had to show you these fabulous Mardi Gras masks that I made with my beloved art teacher Jacki Kellum many, many moons ago. Seriously, I was, like, thirteen.

I'm proud to say that they are holding up beautifully except for a few floating feathers and less-than-sparkly rhinestones. I hope you all had a wonderful celebration last night (and aren't paying too dearly for it this morning!).

Peace,
Sarah Frances

Sketchbook Friday Fail!

2012-02-17T11:30:00.000-08:00

Hi all!

I didn't get my Sketchbook Friday post up today because I'm here:

At the Hampton Inn in Clinton, Mississippi, while my daughter rehearses for the Mississippi Girls Choir. I've got a blissfully long block of time to work on things (mostly PR for Puzzled by Pink but also a bit of revising on another project).

Ignore the In Style magazine underneath the lap desk. I'm not sure how that got there . . .

So does this make me a hoarder?

2012-02-13T08:23:00.000-08:00

Recently my daughter said, "Hey mom . . . what's the deal with all the glass jars?"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well, you kinda have jars everywhere."
"But I use them for painting. I put water in them to clean out my brushes and stuff like that," I said.
"Uh, mom. You have ONE jar that you keep on your desk and you wash it out and reuse it."
"Okay, I know. But everything is going to plastic--I mean peanut butter and mayonnaise and baby food jars? All plastic. One day they're going to quit making glass jars altogether and then where will we be? Besides, you can't recycle jars anywhere around here and I hate throwing them away." As I said this, I actually felt myself becoming panicky about the prospect of a world without glass jars.

Then my daughter gave me that look (the one that says "whatever . . . but I think you're a nutcase") and she walked away.

But I started thinking. Was my obsession with jars becoming pathological? Was I going to be the next intervention featured on the show Hoarders?

I've always liked to think of my decorating style as "trying to look like the Anthropologie store" with a healthy mix of coolness and clutter.

This is the Anthropologie Store (not my house--sigh).

However, I do have a really hard time throwing anything away, so I started looking around my house for stashes of jars.

My utility room--not so bad, right?

A cabinet in my studio.

Medicine cabinet (yikes--I actually put this up a few months ago so that I would have a place to put jars).

So, now it's getting scary. This is a piece of furniture that is out on my screen porch.

Hmmm. I'm realizing that it just might be time to stop saving jars. I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that there are other stashes that I haven't even shown you (eek). So starting today, the next jar of pickles or salsa that we finish, is going in the trash can.

Unless I can find someone else who needs some glass jars. Any takers??

sf

Sketchbook Friday!

2012-02-10T07:24:00.000-08:00

This morning, I'm returning to my favorite fictional siblings--Izzy and Rose--who are the stars of my upcoming picture book release PUZZLED BY PINK (Viking Children's Books). You can pretty much figure out their personalities from this sketch!

Happy weekend, y'all!

Liebster

2012-02-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

The lovely Carol A. Bender (aka children's author extraordinaire) was kind enough to bestow this award upon me:

The word Liebster is German, in English it means beloved, dear, dearest, or love. Awww, to be loved and appreciated, isn't that what we all want?

Today I am a winner. Carol loved my blog and passed the award to me.

The Liebster Award is given to lovable blogs with less than 200 followers to recognize worthiness and drive more readers to them.... and hopefully generate higher Follower numbers. I am thankful for all the followers I have and for future followers as well.

As a recipient I am supposed to list 5 tidbits about myself that others may not know:

1. I saw Elvis in concert when I was in first grade (the real Elvis)

2. On a good day, I can do a killer handstand.

3. I graduated from high school with Kathryn Stockett and Tate Taylor (The Help).

4. I freaked out last month and dyed my hair red. I'm waiting for it to fade away . . .

5. I absolutely adore the super-supportive children's lit community.

Okay, so now, I'm supposed to tag 5 other blogs as award recipients. I've found all of these through the 12 x 12 in '12 Challenge. Go and pay everyone a visit and be sure to follow their blogs!

Happy Monday!

Sketchbook Friday!

2012-02-03T05:22:00.000-08:00

I don't normally sketch from start to finish on my Wacom tablet, but I thought I'd try it out this week.

Sketchbook Friday!

2012-01-27T09:37:00.000-08:00

Today's sketch is a quickie. My daughter has a massive life-sized penguin sculpture that she has to make for school, so we've had penguins on the brain around here.

Have a great weekend, y'all!

sf

Congrats to the ALA Winners!!

2012-01-23T09:09:00.000-08:00

The American Library Association announced their winners this morning. Congratulations to all of the winners. Good stuff!!

You can watch the announcement here:

http://www.webcastinc.com/client/ala-webcast/

Support kid-lit by buying these books!

sf

Sketchbook Friday

2012-01-20T06:45:00.000-08:00

I tried out my new (well, not new--just Renewed) FASTER computer this week, so I did my sketch mostly on my Wacom tablet.

I'm pleased to report that there were no photoshop crashes, spinning pinwheels forcing me to wait, or time-ticking loading delays. Yay!

And next week, I promise to break out of my "little girl" box and come up with a different subject. I think I need to try some animals . . .

Happy Friday y'all!
sf

My Computer Now Goes to Eleven!

2012-01-16T10:20:00.000-08:00

When I bought my MacBook Pro in 2007, I wasn't doing any sketching on my computer. I scanned in my pencil and paper sketches and added words to them to create book dummies. So when I bought my computer, I purchased the one with the smaller RAM (I'm thinking "RAM" is the right term to use here--I'm not much of a techie). In retrospect, not the smartest move.

But this worked fine for me until my husband bought me a WACOM tablet for Christmas and everything changed. Suddenly I was able to create drawings that looked like real pencil sketches right onto my computer screen.

I haven't given up my pencil and paper entirely, though. I still scan my original pencil sketches into my computer, using these as a jumping off point, but after that I use a combination of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to revise, draw, and layout my book dummies. This has been a HUGE timesaver. I no longer have to redraw every spread using pencils and erasers OR have to wad up drawings and start over from scratch.

But I ran into a problem. My computer was a snail and often crashed mid-revision. Tres frustrating! I'd been thinking about biting the bullet and getting a new computer, but I wasn't dying to spend the $$$. So I emailed my go-to illustrator friend Elizabeth Dulemba whose husband is a tech-god, and he sent me to a website where I could purchase memory cards that would DOUBLE my RAM for around $60. Sounds a whole lot better than paying thousands for a new computer, yes?

My memory cards arrived in the mail on Thursday, and following instructions on the Apple site, I nervously took my computer apart. Have I mentioned that I'm NOT a techie? This was one of the scariest things that I have ever done, but the entire operation took all of fifteen minutes. When I restarted my computer, I held my breath as it took it's sweet time coming back to me.

My computer, post-op, resting comfortably on a towel.

But come back she did--and she flies! I even removed the lime green hard shell case that I've had for years, and this baby's looking sleek and silver. It's like I have a brand new computer--or at least one that's been botoxed, pinned up and whipped into shape by a Hollywood fitness guru.

Yeah--watch out 2012!! I'm ready for you.

Sketchbook Friday

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Another one of my New Year's Resolutions is to start a weekly "Sketchbook Friday" feature.

I'm bad about drawing and painting only when I have to--like when I'm on deadline or creating something for a contest or other specific reason. I've got to get back to sketching daily and keeping those wheels greased, and since I'm a deadline kinda girl, I'm making myself post something from my sketchbook each week.

I know. Sounds tough, right. You must DRAW.

Anyway, last week I was volunteering at my daughter's school. I was griping about it a bit because it was taking me away from my creative time. But when I got there, I saw this precious girl:

I'm not sure what the magic age is when it ceases to be cute to show your belly, but I'm here to tell you that at age seven, it's adorbs!

And I learned a good lesson. We all need to get OUT of our head-down, nose to the paper (or computer) world and see what's out there. You never know where some wonderful inspiration will be.

Happy Friday, y'all!
sf

New Year!

2012-01-11T05:41:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'm a little late with New Year's resolutions, but since it's still January (and one of them is to get back to blogging regularly, dangit!), here's one I thought you should know about . . .

What is 12 x 12 in '12, you ask? Well here's all the information that you need, but sign up quick if you want to be eligible for prizes. Basically, it's a group of picture book writers and illustrators who are banding together and pledging to complete one picture book draft per month in 2012.

This is way more my speed than PiBoWriMo which requires a picture book idea per day in the month of November. I always kind of fizzle out during that one (although, I'll try it again this year, I'm sure . . . you never know what your brain will do when you FORCE it, right?).

So head over and join the party!

Thanks Irene Latham for the heads up!!

You Will be my Friend

2011-10-06T04:41:00.000-07:00

In Peter Brown's latest book YOU WILL BE MY FRIEND, a lovable tutu-wearing bear named Lucy decides that she is going to find a new friend. Today. No matter what.

She has big plans as she goes through the forest and tries to play with all kinds of different critters, but things just don't work out. And they don't work out. And they don't work out.

So Lucy gets angry, and she tries to force everyone she sees to be her friend (well, everyone except for the humans). In the end, she does finally find the perfect friend.

Peter Brown is brilliant. He has a knack for conjuring up those little episodes from childhood and making them hilarious with lovable, well-meaning characters. Whenever I read his books, I find myself saying things like "Oh, I totally used to do that!" or "I remember how that made me feel" and then "WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THIS BOOK??!!".

This is going to be one of my go-to books for birthday gifts this year. I absolutely love it!

sf

Check out what the other Bookanistas are up to . . .

Elana Johnson is obsessed with Possess

Christine Fonseca twirls for Audition

Shannon Whitney Messenger is wowed by The White Assassin – with giveaway

Shelli Johannes-Wells applauds The Pledge

Beth Revis interviews The Girl of Fire & Thorns author Rae Carson

Carolina Valdez Miller delves into The Future of Us – with signed book giveaway

Shana Silver shouts out about Shut Out

New York bound!

2011-10-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

Hi all!!

I'm heading to my favorite city in the world on Thursday, and I'm taking my soon-to-be-a-teenager daughter with me. We are both crazy thrilled, and I'm so glad to be able to take Anne with me. She's not a toddler . . . she's not eight . . . she's the perfect age to be thrilled by and to appreciate the magic of New York.

We've got a balanced mix planned of touristy things, bookish things, yummy things.

And of course, shopping.

I get a little sad as I watch my girls get older, but each phase we enter is a whole new set of wonderful (and, okay, I'll admit it--sometimes it's a whole new set of emotional land mines . . . ).

I'll blow the universe a kiss from the Staten Island Ferry. See you soon!

sf

Circle of Secrets

2011-09-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

I really loved Kimberley Griffith Little's book THE HEALING SPELL. In this book, the main character Livie travels through the Louisiana swamps to visit a traiteur (or healer), for a healing spell that she hopes will bring her mother out of a coma.

In CIRCLE OF SECRETS, Kimberley tells us the story of the traiteur from THE HEALING SPELL and her daughter.

Kimberley's writing is beautiful and lush, and in CIRCLE OF SECRETS, she was able to do something that I rarely see in literary books--she created suspense. I was on the edge of my seat, flipping pages like a madwoman--I HAD to know what was going to happen.

And then she threw a ghost story into the spicy brew of cajun magic, a mysterious deserted island, and spirit-catching bottles. This book is wonderful: full of suspense, melancholy and magic. Find a middle grade reader and put this book in his or her hands.

Check out what the other Bookanistas are reading:

Elana Johnson shivers over Shifting

Christine Fonseca is definitely Falling for Hamlet

Shelli Johannes-Wells contemplates The Future of Us

Shana Silver finds Fateful Fabulous

Corrine Jackson delights in a Hex Hall & Demonglass double feature

Stasia Ward Kehoe shares her passion for Possess

Birdie's Back!

2011-09-15T05:04:00.000-07:00

Sujean Rim is one of my favorite illustrators. She is well-known for her super-fashionista-fabulous illustrations for the Daily Candy website.

She also wrote and illustrated BIRDIE'S BIG GIRL SHOES, and in that book, Birdie, a budding fashionista, gets to have a blast in her mom's rah-ther impressive shoe closet.

In her newest book, BIRDIE'S BIG GIRL DRESS, Birdie faces a dilemma that I know all too well--pulling her favorite dress from her closet only to find that it no longer fits (okay--Birdie's dress doesn't fit because she's a little girl and growing, my clothes don't fit because of a little too much goat cheese and crostini).

What in the world will Birdie wear to her own birthday party??

Well, Birdie solves her problem with creativity and panache and a trip to the attic.

I can look at this book a hundred times and never get tired of it. The illustrations are so effortlessly chic--just like true style should be--I really, really want to jump inside this book. And maybe play dress-up with Birdie. My daughter and I absolutely love this one!

And go see what the other Bookanistas are up to this week:

Elana Johnson is in a tizzy over Texas Gothic

LiLa Roecker celebrates Something Like Hope

Christine Fonseca is transformed by Shifting

Shannon Whitney Messenger takes a shine to So Silver Bright – with giveaway

Scott Tracey is on board for Starship Academy

Beth Revis shouts about The Name of the Star

Shana Silver loves Lola and the Boy Next Door

Rosemary Clement Moore is distracted by Alien Invasion & Other Inconveniences

Sarah Frances Hardy adores Birdie’s Big Girl Dress

Stasia Ward Kehoe takes a fancy to Fracture

Carolina Valdez Miller goes gaga for Glow and Shifting – with giveaway

Missoni Madness

2011-09-13T11:11:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

I'd just like to say that, yes. I'm one of those people. I've had the Missoni Target launch on my calendar for weeks, scrolling through the previews on an almost daily basis.

Why? you ask. Do you really need some knock off knits that will pick and stretch . . . sweater dresses that you will throw away after season. Is all of that really worth it?

My precious readers. THIS is why:

How incredibly fabulous is this luggage?

Anyway, here was my Plan A. Wake up at the crack of dawn (this is not hard because I do that anyway). Immediately log on to Target.com and buy the suitcase. No browsing. Just buy it. It's free shipping, so I figured I'd have the rest of the day to leisurely browse the sight for socks, makeup bags, cute melamine trays . . .

I went to sleep with my iPad next to my bed, and I woke up bleary eyed and headed straight for my precious suitcase.

It was ALREADY SOLD OUT. I couldn't believe it. So I started searching around. At least, I could get a couple of Christmas and birthday presents.

Then the Target site CRASHED. (Okay, I've just realized I'm using my Caps Lock button, ALOT--evidence of my insanity).

So, I had to do what any sane person would do and move to Plan B, which was to drop my kids off at school and high-tail it to the nearest target (an hour away). I got to the store, expecting crazy women fighting over knitwear and running through the store full throttle with their baskets. But what I saw was a normal slow Tuesday morning at Target. I could hear Muzak playing softly over the PA system (or I may have imagined that).

I walked to the suitcase area (okay, I power walked/jogged), and there it was. ONE. I grabbed it and threw it in my basket, covering it with my jacket so that no one would be tempted to steal it from me. Because people do that, you know. Um, did I mention that there was virtually NO ONE in the store?

Once the suitcase was secured, I strolled leisurely through the displays, grabbing a couple of tote bags to give as gifts. But, to my horror, many of the coolest things on the website (trays, drink ware, poufs) were not in the store, and there were little notes everywhere saying that there were "even more items available on the website!!" Dangit.

Anyway, I had my precious suitcase. So I checked out thinking, I'd just come home and get my stocking stuffers from the comfort of my couch. But guess what??? The Target site was down and is STILL down.

This, my precious unborn fawns, is insanity in its highest form. Who knew the world was this desperate for a bunch of cheap Missoni stuff? WHO KNEW????

Well, Target did. Obviously.

sf

Lottie Paris Lives Here

2011-09-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'm always fascinated by "day in the life" picture books because in books like these (think Eloise and Olivia), the author is able to present a slice of a child's life to the reader--often without a plot. And when these kinds of books are done right, children want to read them over and over and over again.

LOTTIE PARIS LIVES HERE written by Angela Johnson and illustrated by Scott M. Fischer, is one of those books. In fact, I dare you not to fall in love with this little girl. Just look at her!

The illustrations in this book are absolutely incredible. Scott Fischer said that he used "gouache, applied with rollers, stencils, sponges, brushes, and I even used a bit of sandpaper here and there! It is a very tactile feeling book, and my most inventive to date for sure!" I love the way he shifted perspective and used patterns and a soft palette throughout the book, paying attention to every little detail in Lottie's life.

And what a wonderful little life she has! Lottie has just the right mixture of fun and sass (with just a tiny bit of naughty), but she remains grounded by her house, her front porch, and her Papa Pete. It's a sweet little book, and my daughter and I have read it so many times, just so we can end up sitting with Lottie on her porch swing as the sun sets.

Charming.

Check out what the other Bookanistas are reading these days . . .

Elana Johnson shares some book love for Random Acts of Publicity Week

LiLa Roecker is wild about a double giveaway of Witch Eyes and Wildefire

Christine Fonseca thinks you should Write Your Book Now!

Shannon Whitney Messenger loves Legend – with signed arc giveaway

Scott Tracey: Today is Witch Eyes release day – wowza!

Jessi Kirby gets inside Sean Griswold’s Head

Sarah Frances Hardy applauds Lottie Paris Lives Here

Stasia Ward Kehoe marvels at The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Giving back

2011-08-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone!

First of all--HOW AWESOME WAS WRITE ON CON!!??!

What a wonderful thing it is to be part of a community that bands together to offer a free writing conference. A huge thank you to all of the conference organizers as well as all of the presenters. I am now fully inspired and ready to tackle my WIP that's been dragging me down.

And speaking of giving back.

When I sold my book, I made a decision: I was going to tithe all of the money the that I made from the sale of my books. That's 10% right off the top. I'm not going to tie myself to any one charity or group, but for now, I've donated most of my 10% to Leap Frog.

Leap Frog is an after school tutoring program here in Oxford, Mississippi. The school counselors and teachers for first and second graders select children who need a little extra help in school, and they come to our church and another church in town for two days a weeks after school (it's not a religious organization--the churches have just donated their facilities). The children in the program get one-on-one tutoring and homework help (yes!! there are an equal number of tutors and children--and most of the tutors are college students at Ole Miss). Then, the kids get a healthy snack and free time to play and hang out with their friends and tutors for the rest of the afternoon.

I chose Leap Frog for a few of reasons. The first was that their budget is small enough that my contribution actually makes a difference.The second was that, based on grades and testing, the Leap Frog kids actually improve--those reading and math scores go up significantly! And lastly, because my children go to public school, there is no "us" and "them". The kids in the program are our friends--we go to each others' houses and birthday parties--and we want everyone in our town to have a chance to succeed.

If everyone does a little bit (or a lot in some people's case), we can make a difference.

So, again. Thank you Jamie, Elana, Lisa, Laura, Casey and Shannon for giving back to our writing community. I hope that you're treating yourself to something caffeinated or sweet (or both) this morning.

sf

Puzzled by Picture Books

2011-08-18T08:16:00.000-07:00

If you missed it on Tuesday, here's a link to my video about creating a picture book manuscript and book dummy.

And while you're there, check out the rest of the conference. It's beyond awesome!!!

sf

Write On Con

2011-08-16T04:53:00.000-07:00

What are you doing here????? Head on over to Write On Con. I'll be back on Friday!! Promise.

sf

Hellloooo out there!!!!

2011-07-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

Is anyone still there??

Hi. I'm Sarah Frances Hardy and it's been over a month since my last post . . . I'm going to blame it on the summer schedule (or lack of one).

But even though you haven't seen me here, a couple of really fun things have happened with my book.

Exhibit A:

My first proofs of P by P arrived. It's on real paper and the title is written in pink glitter. I know ebooks are the wave of the future, but there's nothing like seeing your book printed out on paper.

Exhibit B: I don't have a visual for this one so it's really a link and not an exhibit, but I was randomly searching for my name on Amazon (hmm, maybe I shouldn't admit that I do that . . . ), and my book is available for pre-order! Plus, I have my release date--April 12, 2012.

It's starting to feel real, people. Eeeek!!!!

sf

Todd Parr

2011-06-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it is about Todd Parr's sweet, simple, funny books, but my family and I love them.

My daughter received THE FEEL GOOD BOOK as a gift several years ago, and it has remained one of our favorites--so much so that the binding is cracked, the pages torn . . . we all have a few of those books on our shelves, the ones bearing the scars of affection.

Most recently, we got our hands on THE GRANDMA BOOK, and once again Todd has done it again. His illustrations are colorful, childlike and fun in a Keith Haring kind of way. His message is clear--there are lots of cool grandmas in the world and they are all awesome. You can't help smiling and giggling throughout the story. Check out his website--I dare you not to smile!

If you need a little "happy" in your day, pick up a copy of THE GRANDMA BOOK (or any other book by Todd Parr--we like THE PEACE BOOK, too).

Check out what the other Bookanistas are up to today, and for those of you at ALA in New Orleans, have a blast!!

Elana Johnson adores Hourglass

Beth Revis has cover love for Incarnate

Shana Silver swoons over Supernaturally

Rosemary Clement-Moore jumps for Jinx

Stasia Ward Kehoe praises Possession

Gretchen McNeil is giddy about Moonglass

CONGRATS Veronica Roth!!!!!

2011-06-09T08:52:00.000-07:00

OKAY FOR NOW

2011-06-01T19:47:00.000-07:00

Have you ever read a book that was so good that you simultaneously couldn't wait to finish but didn't want the book to ever end? A book so good that when you finished it, you wanted to start reading it all over again? A book so well-written that you couldn't believe an adult could nail a kid's voice so perfectly? A book that made you laugh and cry (even if crying makes you a chump)?

A book that you wish you had written?

OKAY FOR NOW by Gary Schmidt was that book for me.

I read about this book first on Irene Latham's blog and then later on Elizabeth Bird's blog where she revealed her early picks for the Newbery Award, and after reading this book, I have a hard time believing that anyone will be able to beat it.

In OKAY FOR NOW, a young baseball-obsessed boy with a bad dad, a brother in Vietnam, another brother who's a jerk, and a mom with a beautiful smile, finds his own way as he delivers groceries in a small New York town. Best of all, the boy finds redemption and a means to express himself through artwork--inspired by a folio of Audobon's paintings--that is on display at the town's library.

OKAY FOR NOW is actually a sequel to Newbury Honor book THE WEDNESDAY WARS but don't worry if you haven't read that book--I haven't read it, and OKAY FOR NOW stands alone . . . but you can bet I'm on my way to pick up THE WEDNESDAY WARS in the next few days.

Check out what the other Bookanistas are reading:

Elana Johnson gushes over Blood Magic

LiLa Roecker adores Hourglass

Christine Fonseca sings high praises for Possess – with giveaway

Shannon Messenger applauds A Need So Beautiful – with giveaway

Megan Miranda has a passion for Possession

Carolina Valdez Miller sees beauty in Between Shades of Gray

Bethany Wiggins finds Bad Taste in Boys delicious

Shana Silver celebrates A Need So Beautiful

Stasia Ward Kehoe delights in Delirium

Carrie Harris thinks Wrapped simply rocks

Rosemary Clement-Moore is giddy about Hourglass

Myra McEntire welcomes Blood Magic author Tessa Gratton into the Fort

I Heart Indies!

2011-05-31T05:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks Lisa and Laura for organizing this soiree honoring our beloved Indies.

I'm featuring the world famous Square Books Jr. in Oxford, Mississippi, a little slice of heaven located a couple of blocks from my house. It is a spin-off children's store in a separate building from it's parent, the Grand Dame of all bookstores Square Books. (if you click the link, you will see my two youngest girls flanking Kate di Camillo in the last picture ... go look, I'll wait)

In the nearly ten years that I've lived in Oxford, I've met Kate di Camillo, Keven Henkes, Mo Willems, Deborah Wiles, Toni di Terlizzi, Christopher Paul Curtis, Karen Hesse, Laurie Halse Anderson, Trenton Lee Stewart, Ally Condie, Jan Brett, T.A. Barron, Laura Numeroff, Richard Peck . . . (and those are just the ones I thought of off the top of my head) at Square Books, Jr.

My dear friend Jill Moore is the head book buyer, and she runs the store in a way that is relaxed, inviting, and with just a touch of groovy-hippie vibe. My children and I can go to the store and read and linger without feeling pressure to make a purchase and leave (although we make many, many purchases).

John Bemelman Marciano and Jill Moore

The store is located downtown and close to the middle school. It is a local ritual for all of the sixth-eighth graders in town to walk to the Square after school to hang out at the bookstore, coffee shops, the yogurt shop, the candy store ... Square Books Jr. has a huge back room where they allow all of the kids to dump their backpacks so that they can walk around, unencumbered by fifteen pounds of Algebra textbooks on their shoulders. How cool is that?

I could gush on and on about all of the tiny wonderful things that Square Books does for our town, but the main thing I want to say is that it is the BEST thing in the world to have a curated store of hand-picked books with a knowledgable sales staff who know their customers.

Hats off to indies!!! Follow us on Twitter using #iheartindies and check out some more indie love at the links below:

Shana Silver
Elana Johnson
Stasia Kehoe
Shannon Messenger
Carolina Valdez Miller
Mundie Moms
Myra McEntire
Sara Bennett Wealer
Janet Gurtler
Joy Preble
Ty Drago
Kate Walton
Julia Karr
Randy Russell
Adele Griffin
Helen Landalf
Andrea Higgins
Beth Revis
Tess Hilmo
Sheela Chari
Gail Handler
Lisa and Laura Roecker
Crystal Allen
Christine Fonseca

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DIVERGENT

2011-05-26T07:23:00.000-07:00

Veronica Roth's DIVERGENT is the most talked about book of the year . . . and with good reason. It is a brilliant combination of intense suspense and danger paired with a teenage girl's search for her identity in a world that makes you choose exactly where you belong.

I didn't think anyone could come close to Suzanne Collins' amazing storytelling, but my agent-sister Veronica has hit one out of the park.

Here's the blurb from her publisher:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

For fun, take the DIVERGENT quiz on Facebook to find out what faction you are in. I'm a Erudite (I was totally hoping for Dauntless because they are the badasses--but I guess I'm too much of a chicken . . . and a book nerd).

Check out what the other Bookanistas are reading:

Elana Johnson sings praises for SEAN GRISWOLD’S HEAD

Shannon Messenger is wild about WILDFIRE + an ARC giveaway

Carolina Valdez Miller adores A NORTHERN LIGHT

Lisa and Laura Roecker dotes over DIVERGENT

Megan Miranda thinks MOONGLASS is marvelous

Jessi Kirby praises POSSESSION

Carrie Harris reveals the BAD TASTE IN BOYS Book Trailer

Stasia Ward Kehoe delights in BITTER MELLON

Christine Fonseca relishes in the RED GLOVE

GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLS' ROOM

2011-05-18T18:49:00.000-07:00

Picture Junie B. Jones as an all grown-up (or growed-up as she would say) middle schooler. That's how I see Sofia, (named after a "sofa") the star of Rose Cooper's adorable book GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLS' ROOM.

In this book Sofia is a blogtastic middle schooler who tries to use her blog as a way to ease her way up the all-important popularity scale. The middle schooler language is dead-on which is no easy task, let me tell you. And, both my fifth grade daughter and I laughed our way through this charming tale of secrets, deception, and stinky bathroom stalls.

The book is written as if it's a secret journal--the blog behind the blog--where the whole ugly truth can be written. It's full of the most charming illustrations that I've ever seen. And, Rose did the illustrations, too. Take a look:

My daughter and I give GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLS ROOM an enthusiastic double thumbs up.

Check out what the other Bookanistas are reading:

Elana Johnson marvels at Moonglass

Christine Fonseca raves about It’s Raining Cupcakes

Shelli Johannes-Wells chats with Pure and The Summer of Firsts & Lasts author Terra McEvaoy

LiLa Roecker and Carrie Harris have a passion for Possession

Beth Revis admires the audiobook of Anansi Boys

Carolina Valdez Miller is giddy over Moonglass – with giveaway

Megan Miranda swoons over Strings Attached

Shana Silver delves into Divergent

Matt Blackstone is tantalized by Bad Taste in Boys

Stasia Ward Kehoe glories in a guestanista review of The Rendering

I MET KATE DI CAMILLO!!!!

2011-05-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

Yes! It's true. Kate di Camillo came to Oxford!!

Here I am going total fangirl on her.

She read a bit from some of her books and answered great questions from the audience with off-the-cuff cleverness and humor.

And, I was thrilled that I had the chance to tell her that she was my inspirational "Rocky music" during my phase of rejection letter after rejection letter after rejection letter ... Whenever it got to be too much--like cover your head in ashes and hide under the bed for a week "too much"--I would play a a video interview that I found of her on iTunes. In the interview, the interviewer asked Kate what kept her going when SHE kept getting rejections (she told us today that she amassed over 400! so hard to believe!!).

Her response? Here's a copy of the transcript of this part of the interview (you can watch the whole thing on the Reading Rockets website):

Why would somebody bother to keep on sending stuff out after that many rejection letters? I don't have an answer. I'd waited so long to start. You know, a whole decade of my life went by with me saying that this is what I wanted to do, but not doing it. I had reached such a critical level of self-disgust. I didn't want to die saying, "I think I could have done it."

Since I was doing the work of telling stories, it was then an easy enough thing to then send the stories out and to keep on doing it, so I didn't have to say some 50 years hence, "I think I could've done that."

Well you know, I've been in so many writing workshops, writing classes, and to the right of me and to the left of me, there's always somebody much more talented than I am. And what I figured out is they're not willing to go through the rejection, which is enormous, and then the compromise that comes with editing your work. I decided a long time ago that I didn't have to be talented. I just had to be persistent, and that that was something that I could control — the persistence. I've always been kind of persistent.

Persistence. That's the key and it is truly the ONLY thing you can control in this crazy business.

Wow!! What a day!!!!

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There oughta be a warning

2011-05-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

I had something wonderful happen this weekend. I was at a party talking to someone, and I told her that I had a children's book coming out next year.

She said, "Is it ... did you ... um, did you do it yourself, or, you know ...?"

"It's being published by Viking," I replied. Then she hugged me and said congratulations. And, I was pretty much over the moon because that NEVER happens.

Here are the usual responses that I get when I tell people I have a children's book coming out:

"Oh, my best friend/sister/coworker's aunt/ masseuse's three-year-old son wrote a book!" And, it's always something that person has self-published. Always.

Or this:

"Oh, I have a great idea for a children's book. It's a cute story about my cat/my grandmother/a preachy morality lesson ..." Then they stand there and wait for me to react. I'll talk about this comment more next week, but for now, all I can say is "ideas are cheap".

Back to the self-publishing issue.

I know that there are many, many arguments for going that route. It IS hard to get traditionally published. They DO take a huge chunk of your money. You STILL have to self-promote. And, these days you can create a pretty slick-looking book and hire your own editors and PR people.

But, here's the thing.

I have never personally read a self-published book that's any good (with one exception--Cheryl Klein's SECOND SIGHT--a compilation of her conference talks on writing). That's not to say that those books aren't out there (yes, I've read all about Amanda Hocking), but I've never happened across one. Normally, people self-publish because they've gotten a few rejections and see an easier and quicker way to get into print. It's ego driven, and people who are ego driven are usually people who don't like to take editorial advice (or they often seek advice from friends who don't have the dagger-in-the-heart ruthlessness needed to whip a manuscript into shape).

And, what is most shocking to me is how much of the general public has NO IDEA that there's a difference between a self-published and traditionally published book. They don't know that there's a difference between beating yourself against the shore for years, reworking and reworking your manuscript, submitting and submitting--until finally you get THE CALL saying that someone believe in your work enough to pay you for it; and in writing a book, getting some people to read it and give you feedback, and sending in a large check.

My wonderful literary book club just finished reading two exceptional books written by local traditionally published authors, Curtis Wilkie and Tom Franklin, and the authors came and spoke to us. Next month, my book club is reading a book by another local author--a self-published one--and most of the group didn't even realize there was a difference. I, of course, enlightened them.

Don't get me wrong. I'm sure that there are some really great self-published books out there that didn't make it in New York because of the market or fickle editors. But, as it gets increasingly easier to flood the market with self-published books, I think a big yellow warning label on the cover makes sense. Just kind of a "read at your own risk" label indicating that this book hasn't been through any kind of jury process and it may or may not have been professionally edited.

So, okay. I'm pretty sure I've offended some of you. What say ye, bloggers?

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Like Mandarin

2011-05-05T06:13:00.000-07:00

So here's proof that you can find a YA book that is NOT about vampires, zombies, werewolves ...

LIKE MANDARIN by Kirsten Hubbard is a delicious read (and not in the blood-sucking, fang kinda way).

Set in small town Wyoming, LIKE MANDARIN is a story about hero-worship, longing and the need to be true to yourself. The main character Grace, a smart girl who longs to leave her small town and her overbearing pageant-obsessed mother, becomes fixated on a wild beautiful girl who is older than she is. Their unlikely friendship allows both girls to grow and soar as they learn who it is they are supposed to be.

Kirsten's writing is beautiful. Because I'm an artist, I love it when writing is done with a paintbrush--the images in the book are so lush and beautifully described, I feel immersed in the landscape of Wyoming.

I highly recommend taking a swim in this book.

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*I normally review picture books and middle grade, and I do think this is best reserved for an older reader. The language and concepts are more suited to teens.

Check out the other Bookanista posts today!

Shelli Johannes-Wells gives us THE ROYAL TREATMENT
Elana Johnson hosts a blog tour stop for 101 SUCCESS SECRETS FOR GIFTED KIDS with a giveaway
Shannon Messenger adores THE DAY BEFORE plus a giveaway
Carolina Valdez Miller is passionate about POSSESSION and gives away an ARC
Beth Revis shares some SOLSTICE cover love
Lisa and Laura Roecker and Stasia Ward Kehoe marvel over MOONGLASS
Megan Miranda and Veronica Rossidelve into DIVERGENT
Shana Silver shows her desire for DEMONGLASS
Carrie Harris is PUTTING MAKEUP ON DEAD PEOPLE
Christine Fonseca is in love with DARK AND HOLLOW PLACES with a giveaway

Me ... Jane

2011-04-21T05:07:00.000-07:00

"Here is the story of a little girl named Jane who dreamed of a life helping animals and grew up to help change the world."

Since tomorrow is Earth Day, I thought I'd review Patrick McDonnell's newest picture book ME ... JANE.

This book tells the story of Jane Goodall as a child--she was a little girl who loved nature and learning about science. She was a little girl who carried around a stuffed monkey. She was a little girl who dreamed of someday going to Africa to live among and study animals.

She was a little girl who's dream came true.

This is an absolutely charming book, and Patrick McDonnell's illustrations are perfect for such a sweet, simple and moving story (if you haven't read his book ART, I highly recommend that one too!).

It's an educational book as well. In addition to telling a beautiful story in an accessible way, this book can open the door to teach children about Dr. Jane Goodall who is a world-renowned primatologist and environmentalist. She is quoted on the back of the book jacket:

There are so many people who have dreamed seemingly unattainable dreams and, because they never gave up, achieved their goals against all the odds, or blazed a path along which others could follow ... They inspire me. They inspire those around them.

Now, step away from your computer and go take a walk!

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Oh, but before you take that walk, check out what the other Bookanistas are reading ...

Elana Johnson visits Dark and Hollow Places

LiLa Roecker gets silly over Spoiled

Christine Fonseca has a passion for Possession – with giveaway

Shannon Messenger marvels at Moonglass – with giveaway

Jamie Harrington adores Invincible Summer

Shelli Johannes-Wells is in the grip of Possession

Scott Tracey bathes in Blood Magic

Carolina Valdez Miller interviews Invicible Summer author Hannah Moskowitz

Jessi Kirby praises Playing Hurt

Bethany Wiggins delves into Divergent

Shana Silver presents a Guestanista gushing over Between Here and Forever

Gretchen McNeil parties over The Anti-Prom

Carrie Harris sings out about Shift

Rosemary Clement-Moore applauds Abandon

Matt Blackstone loves Like Mandarin

Corrine Jackson delights in The Duff

Stasia Ward Kehoe discusses Displacement

Beth Revis goes into Black Hole Sun

THE BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER

2011-04-14T07:24:00.000-07:00

I absolutely adore THE BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER by Jennifer LaRue Huget and LeUyen Pham.

I bought this book for two reasons:
1) I adore LeUyen Pham's illustrations. Always. She's amazing, amazing, amazing.
2) I had a panic attack because my book also has pink balloons on the cover ... and my book is about a birthday party ... yikes. (I'm happy to report that the story is completely different from mine--but dang! I wish I'd thought of this one!!)

The book begins with a girl counting down the days until her birthday party and as she plans her party, it gets bigger and bigger and bigger in her imagination--complete with elephants, ferris wheels and a birthday card from the President. When her real birthday rolls around, her mom and dad prepare a very normal birthday party for her--which is just fine because she has her friends, her cake, and a real live bunny as a gift.

Don't you remember doing this when you were little (or, heck, some of us still do it--daydreaming about that Oprah appearance anyone?)? It's so much fun to plan those bigger-than-life events, and I love how this little girl's birthday party is just fine. Even after all the daydreams of elephants.

Check out what the other Bookanistas are reading today:

LiLa Roecker adores Alice-Miranda at School

Christine Fonseca caws about Scrawl

Shannon Messenger gets passionate about Possession

Shelli Johannes-Wells takes a shine to Shimmer

Scott Tracey raves about Red Glove

Carolina Valdez Miller interviews Invincible Summer author Hannah Moskowitz

Jessi Kirby feels The Pull of Gravity

Shana Silver delights in The Day Before

Carrie Harris takes The Goddess Test - with giveaway

Corrine Jackson swoons for Starcrossed

Stasia Ward Kehoe is outspoken about Addie on the Inside

Kirsten Hubbard fawns over Family - with giveaway

Sending off my babies ...

2011-04-11T07:57:00.000-07:00

I did it.

On Friday morning, I shipped all of my final paintings off to the Penguin offices in New York (this after one more redo late Thursday night).

Whew, right?

Actually ... not just yet.

I packed everything carefully with bubble wrap and double boxes, and I took my babies to the Fed Ex store. The clerk measured and tallied everything up. I gave her the address.

"How much do you want to insure it for in case it gets lost?" she asked, nonchalantly. Like, it was NO BIG DEAL.

I stated a number, her eyebrows went up, and she quoted an amount I couldn't afford.

"Um, okay, let's don't do that. I guess the money doesn't matter anyway. These aren't replaceable ... I mean, if you LOSE them, I'll have to redo 32 paintings that have taken me months to finish."

"Okay," she said, like it was nothing. Then she tossed the box into the stack behind her and gave me a receipt with the tracking number on it.

I wanted to explain to her that my package was really special--that it wasn't like all the other packages in the stack. I wanted her to be, I don't know, wearing a clerical collar and sprinkling my box with holy water. I wanted her to say something like, "Ooooo! Artwork. How cool! And, you're sending it to a publisher? Are you an illustrator? Do you have a book coming out?? We'll be so, so, so careful with these ..."

But, there was nothing like that. Just your basic "have a nice day, ma'am."

Ugh.

Needless to say, I've checked the tracking number all weekend. And, guess what? At 9:15 this morning, my package was delivered.

But, I haven't heard from my art director yet, and now, I'm slightly panicked that I gave the wrong address to the uninterested lady at Fed Ex. I didn't even double check the label before she put my box into the stack ...

Later y'all. I must go refresh my email.

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UPDATE: They made it, safe and sound. Woo hoo!!!

MATCHED by Ally Condie

2011-04-07T04:27:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, Ally Condie came to Oxford as part of the Oxford Conference for the book. The ninth graders in Oxford read MATCHED and heard her speak about her writing process and how she came up with ideas for her book.

My favorite story that she told was about students at a high school where she taught English. At this school, when prom season rolled around, several of the senior boys (football players, student council members ...) didn't ask a date. Then a list circulated around a couple of weeks before prom which listed the names of all the girls who didn't have dates to the prom--and all of the guys who had waited asked those girls to go with them. That way, all of the girls got to go to the prom and nobody stayed home crying in their pillows. Pretty sweet, huh?

This was just one of the stories that sparked Ally's imagination as she was writing MATCHED--what if everyone were paired up, but the stakes were even higher? What if you were matched up with the person you were going to spend the rest of your life with?

If you haven't read MATCHED yet, where have you been??? From the MATCHED website, here's a quick summary:

In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one… until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow — between perfection and passion.

Ally posted about her trip to Mississippi on her blog. Thanks Ally! We loved hanging out with you!!

And, this book's clean. I was happy to pass it along to my twelve-year-old who absolutely couldn't put it down and is begging me to score an ARC for the next book in the series CROSSED which comes out this fall.

Check out the other Bookanista posts this week:

Christine Fonseca Fangirls Cassie Clare

Shannon Messenger Accessorizes with White Cat/Red Glove

Jamie Harrington Praises Posession

Shelli Johannes-Wells Admires Shimmer

Carolina Valdez Miller Wants You To Find Clarity

Megan Miranda Discovers Where She Went

Jessi Kirby Hopefully Doesn't Loath The Liar Society

Shana Silver Seeks Clarity

Rosemary Clement-Moore is Overwhelmed by Wither

Corrine Jackson J'Adores Anna and the French Kiss

Stasia Ward Kehoe Cries Over One of those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies

LiLa Roecker Brags About Bookanistas Giving Back

J & P Voelkel

2011-04-04T07:51:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, we had our book conference here in Oxford. As part of that conference, several groups get together and bring in two childrens' authors--one for fifth graders and one for ninth graders. Every student in those grades is

given a free copy of the author's book (over 500 kids in each grade)
they read the book in school
they are brought to the University of Mississippi campus to hear the author speak
they come after school to the bookstore to have their book signed and meet the author in person

Pretty amazing, yes?

This year's fifth grade author, actually authors ... were Pam and John Voelkel who wrote the Middleworld trilogy. The Oxford students read THE JAGUAR STONE which is a wonderful adventure book filled with ancient Mayan mystery. Check out the Voelkels' amazing website here.

As great as the book is, I have to say that the Voelkels' presentation just as great. They showed wonderful videos and pictures taken from their research trips to Central America. They talked about the ancient Mayan culture.

And, they brought a plate of fried worms and dared the teachers to come on stage and sample them.

John Voelkel, who used to play in a band, finished up the presentation with a guitar jam session.

But my favorite part came towards the end of the presentation when Pamela talked about the power of stories. She noted that during their presentation the kids had taken a journey through the rainforests and ended with a rock concert--and one of the best places to take a journey like that is through books.

Suffice it to say, if your school is looking for wonderfully educational and dynamic speakers, give the Voelkels a call.

On Thursday, Ally Condie ...

Two great contests!

2011-03-28T18:50:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

Sorry for the wimpy post today. I'll be back. Soon ... I'm busy kickin' it to finish up my illustrations on time (deadline next week!!!).

Meanwhile, go and enter Jessi Kirby's contest as she counts down to the release of MOONGLASS. You will be inspired. I promise.

Any prize that has something to do with this place is worth trying to get, right?

AND, Carolina Valdez Miller (one of the nicest people I've never met!) has landed the agent of her dreams and his celebrating BIG!! She's giving away a slew of prizes including a kindle. Check it out here.

Be back next week, y'all!!!

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Deadline looms ...

2011-03-21T05:07:00.000-07:00

I'm back from a fabulous beach trip ... a beach trip on which I did NOT take any "work". Okay, I'll lose the quotes. Work. Because it is. I love what I'm doing and consider myself the luckiest person in the world, but it's still a whole lotta blood, sweat, tears and long hours of WORK. It's been especially time consuming these last few weeks as I really dug in and found my groove.

So, as a favor to my family, I decided that I was in a good enough position to finish my final illustrations on time, and I took a much-needed break to recharge and juice up for the final push.

And, that's where I am--the final juicy push. I've only got a few more pages of my book left to illustrate. I've saved the toughest ones for last (note to self--never do that again ... tackle the tricky ones FIRST), and I do have a consuming couple of weeks ahead, but I can see the end.

Okay, the end isn't an accurate thing to say. I'll still have to work on the cover artwork, and I fully expect to have to do some more tweaking to the illustrations (or even some full-blown redoes after it's all said and done). My wonderful art director has been incredible to work with--pushing me to make this book the best that it can be--and if she says to flip it upside down and paint everything with mustard and ketchup, I'll do it.

But, I'm hoping it doesn't come to that. We'll see ....

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Spring Break Hiatus

2011-03-15T05:58:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all!

I'm taking a spring break blog break this week at the beach. See ya next week ...

The Liar Society--Go PINK!!!

2011-03-09T20:11:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed something that has gone viral among a certain group of people on Facebook and Twitter.

It's this:

Why the pink hair, you ask?

Well, it's to announce to the world that Lisa and Laura Roecker's long awaited book THE LIAR SOCIETY is finally out and on the shelves.

It's a mystery that opens with the main character receiving an email from her dead best friend. Yeah--pretty much the best opening ever. It's fast paced and fun (in a creepy way), and it's a great read for tweens and up. Check out the website.

It's almost spring break, so go and get your copy for the beach!

Here's what the other Bookanistas are up to today:

Elana Johnson devours Demonglass

LiLa Roecker shines a light on Clarity

Christine Fonseca joins The Liar Society - with giveaway

Shelli Johannes-Wells swoons over Possum Summer

Scott Tracey leaps for The Liar Society - with giveaway

Myra McEntire invites Lisa & Laura Roecker into the fort

Beth Revis hosts a blog tour stop for Like Mandarin

Carolina Valdez Miller gushes over Imaginary Girls

Bethany Wiggins falls for A Change of Heart

Shana Silver is mad for Bad Taste in Boys

Carrie Harris drinks in Bloodthirsty

Stasia Ward Kehoe wonders at Where She Went

Veronica Rossi delights in Delirium

Blog fail!

2011-03-07T17:51:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm late getting my Monday post up. I should actually say "post" since this really isn't going to be a post.

I just returned from a fabulous trip to New York where I got to meet my editors at Viking and hang out with my lovely agent Joanna Volpe.

And, I'm just too tired and covered under a laundry mountain to tell you anything else.

So, head over to Lisa and Laura's virtual launch party for THE LIAR SOCIETY and win lots of free books.

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Dr. Seuss Day

2011-02-28T09:15:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday, I dropped my first grader off at school, and all of the teachers and staff were dressed like this:

And then, all the kids were dressed like this:

It was the anniversary of Dr. Seuss's birthday, and the school went all out--from a live performance of Seussical by the middle school to Dr. Seuss birthday parties in every classroom. It was crazy, silly mayhem all day long. You've got to love a huge celebration for a children's book author. Woo hoo!!!

Being the aspiring Martha-mom that I am (key word--aspiring ... I'll never actually be one--you should see some of these people, sheesh), I signed up to make a cake and help with my daughter's party. Since everyone knows that I illustrate children's books, the bar is high for me. People expect me to show up with this:

Or this:

But, after a jolt back into reality and a little bit of hair pulling, I made your basic Betty Crocker sheet cake and drew a picture of the Cat in the Hat in icing. Like this:

It's fine. It won't appear on Cake Wrecks (I hope not, anyway), but it won't win any kind of awards for the most fabulously stupendous Dr. Seuss cake either. And, really, the kids barely even looked at the cake. They just wanted to cut it and eat it (and fight over the pieces with the gloopiest icing). I could have just picked up the generic "Happy Birthday" cake at Kroger, and it would have been just as good.

It would have been better actually because it would have been covered in crisco-icing blobby roses.

Ahhhh. Live and learn.

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Mockingbird

2011-02-24T05:07:00.000-08:00

It's Thursday, and here's the Bookanista roundup for today:

Elana Johnson is tickled pink for The Liar Society

LiLa Roecker is blown away by A Touch Mortal

Shannon Messenger can’t lie about her love for The Liar Society

Shelli Johannes-Wells burns for AngelFire

Scott Tracey is more than a touch impressed with A Touch Mortal

Myra McEntire is A Touch Mortal this week

Beth Revis tells the truth about The Liar Society

Christine Fonseca is leveled by Leverage

Carolina Valdez Miller has tons to say about One

Jessi Kirby soars for Across the Universe

Jenn Hayley adores The Liar Society

Shana Silver can’t imagine you not reading Imaginary Girls

Katie Anderson wants to be Like Mandarin

Matt Blackstone loves The Hate List

Stasia Ward Kehoe falls head over heels for Fall for Anything

Veronica Rossi thinks Unearthly is otherworldly

Michelle Hodkin champions A Dog's Way Home

I'm reviewing Kathryn Erskyne's middle grade book MOCKINGBIRD which won last year's National Book Award. I was lucky enough to meet Kathryn when she was here last year for a signing, and she is a lovely person. So .... I admit it. I'm a little late reading this one, but once again, I wasn't sure if I could handle the subject matter of the book (I was reluctant to read last week's book for the same reason).

In MOCKINGBIRD, Caitlin, a young girl who has Asperger's syndrome, struggles to deal with her brother's horrific death at the hands of a school shooter.

So, yes. Heavy stuff, right?

Kathryn Erskyne is a master, though. Her own daughter has Asperger's, and she was able to draw from her view of the world (as well as from hours and hours of research and interviews). The book is written in first person, and we are inside the head of Caitlin who doesn't process the event the way any of the people around her do. She doesn't relate to things on an emotional level--her thought process is very logical, literal and ordered. We see everyone's emotional trauma through Caitlin's eyes. We experience the loss of death through the filter of a girl who doesn't have an emotional grasp of loss.

I think that Caitlyn's point of view is why this book works so well as a children's book. We experience events that might be too horrible to read through Caitlin's filter. The subject matter and emotional depth of the writing is incredibly poignant, but the reader is allowed a little bit of distance through which to process everything.

And, ultimately the story is one of hope, closure, love and loss--with a little humor thrown in.

Madeline

2011-02-21T08:35:00.000-08:00

On Friday, John Bemelmans Marciano visited our bookstore in Oxford to sign his latest Madeline book MADELINE AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

John is the grandson of Ludwig Bemelmans who wrote the original Madeline series, and John has stayed true to both his grandfather's painting and writing styles. The paintings have that wonderful, loose Bemelmans' style, and the prose has a wonderful quirky offbeat rhyme. If you loved the Madeline books as a child, you will love what John has done to give us more beautiful books about the sassy little redhead.

Katie and I are total fangirls. Plus, I loved getting to meet another Viking author/illustrator (and I was in school with John's brother ... I only stalked his brother a little when I found out who his grandfather was).

While in Mississippi, John also paid a visit to Lemuria, another wonderful indie bookstore, in Jackson. On their blog in the weeks preceding John Marciano's visit, readers were asked to share their favorite Madeline stories.

Here's mine:

This is my copy of Madeline which was given to me by my beloved red-headed babysitter Madlyn. She lived down the street from us and introduced me to a world of wonderful children's books--everything from Beatrix Potter and Mother Goose to A Wrinkle in Time. She was also an incredible artist. But, most importantly, she was loving and encouraging and VERY mischievous (we were always covering up for each other). I'm sad to say that Madlyn was killed by a drunk driver when I was nine.

Here's how she signed my book which was my birthday present when I turned three.

Even though she died when I was still youn, she'll always have a place in my heart and I think about her so much, especially now that I have children of my own. It is amazing how much of an influence Madlyn had over me--not just when I was young, but throughout my life.

Here's to Madeline ... and Madlyn.

sf

NINTH WARD by Jewell Parker Rhodes

2011-02-17T04:42:00.000-08:00

When I heard about NINTH WARD by Jewell Parker Rhodes last year, my first thought was "Well, that's one I'll avoid ..." Here in Mississippi, our coast was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, and we live close enough (and just far away enough) to have hosted an influx of hurricane refugees, many of them from New Orleans. And, I, like the rest of the country watched the horrible spectacle of people in New Orleans trapped on bridges, on rooftops, and in the Super Dome where there were tales of human violence and inhumanity. Katrina is still an event I'm trying to make peace with.

But, I kept reading reviews about how wonderful this book was--and how it was a story of hope.

So, I read it. And, I'm glad that I did.

In NINTH WARD, a motherless young girl is being taken care of by her mother's midwife (her mother died in childbirth). Her caretaker's name is Mama Ya-Ya and she is a wonderful, magical healer true to the spirit of New Orleans voo-doo, jazz, and gumbo-style of living. The girl's neighborhood is the poverty stricken Ninth Ward, but the author shows the neighborhood as a communal place full of loving, unconventional families. When Katrina hits, the story turns toward survival, and yes, hope.

The story is beautifully written and doesn't take the young reader into the depths of horror and despair that we adults watched on the news. At its heart it is a story about connection, survival and love. It is a lovely read that I have recommended to all of my middle grade readers.

Take a skip around the blogosphere and visit the other Bookanistas posting today:

LiLa Roecker hosts a sunny tour stop for POSSUM SUMMER

Christine Fonseca shares her Guestanista Post: The Lost Hero

Shannon Messenger spotlights the cover of SO SILVER BRIGHT

Scott Tracey is inspired by ANGELFIRE

Michelle Hodkin toasts DEMONGLASS

Beth Revis finds amazing MAGIC UNDER GLASS

Carolina Valdez Miller uncovers WORDS IN THE DUST

Megan Miranda leaps and shouts for THE LIAR SOCIETY

Bethany Wiggins glows for RUBY RED

Shana Silver gets psyched about WITHER

Jen Hayley raves about RAISED BY WOLVES

Gretchen McNeil gushes over BLOOD AND FLOWERS

Rosemary Clement-Moore revisits HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE

Corrine Jackson delights in DIVERGENT

Stasia Ward Kehoe celebrates THE LIAR SOCIETY

2011-02-14T08:45:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, I paid a visit to my favorite local indie bookstore, Square Books. I usually hang out at their children's branch, but my dad was in town, so we headed to the adult store. And, while I was drifting among the stacks, I spotted this:

Imagine my squeals! Who did this cover??!!

The artist's name is Ruben Toledo, and he is the husband of the super-fabulous fashion designer Isabel Toledo, who designed (among other things) Michelle Obama's yellow dress and coat that she wore for her husband's inauguration. Here is a picture of the two of them (I can practically hear the tango music playing in the background):

And here's a picture of a Nordstrom ad that ran in the 2008 Vanity Fair. Ruben Toledo painted the background.

As you can imagine, since my discovery I've spent mucho time searching for images of Ruben Toledo's work, and I've printed up images and tacked them around my studio for inspiration.

And, I found this inspiration by simply switching gears the tiniest bit. Yes, I spend tons of time in the children's section of libraries and bookstores. I have several children's book illustration sites that I visit often. But the tiniest shift led me to this wonderful artist and new source of inspiration, and it made me realize that we all need to break genres every once in a while--just to find some fresh, new wonderfulness that we might have otherwise missed.

sf

Hail to the Spork and Reply All

2011-02-07T06:38:00.000-08:00

Today's post will be short and sweet. I've got a house full of sick people over here, so I'm going to piggy-back onto my friend Katie's brilliant spork post. She talks about how we should use the spork as our guide when writing--you may think all of the world's stories have been told, but you can always add a new twist.

Like this:

My husband brought this home from a camping trip. If you can't tell from the picture, it is a spork with a serrated handle. A spork-ife? knispork?

And this:

My set of antique sterling silver Tiffany sporks. I know. If that doesn't say "Southern", I don't know what does.

Finally, switching gears here, one of my favorite things about going to SCBWI Conferences is meeting other writers. Check out my friend Bill Cochran's Super Bowl ad for Bridgestone Tires that ran last night.

And, if you have an opportunity to vote for your favorite Super Bowl ad (like here), then vote for him. Yay Bill!!!!

Have a great day. Stay well. Stay warm.

Hail to the spork! Why am I suddenly craving Kentucky Fried Chicken ....

Some of My Favorite Picture Books of 2010

2011-01-31T07:13:00.000-08:00

I, like many of you who live in the children's book subculture, tuned into the Today Show a couple of weeks ago to hear who won the Newbery and Caldecott Awards. Most of you know that the producers of the Today Show shunned the highest awards in children's literature in order to feature the brilliant and talented Snooki. I'm not going to rehash the controversy that ensued over the Today Show decision. You can read about it all over the internet ... but I did want to mention that the award winners are on the NY Times bestseller list. Snooki's book? Nope.

So there.

I'm proud of the big award and honor winners--especially Erin Stead who won for illustrating A Sick Day for Amos McGee--which is a sweet, gorgeously illustrated story. But, I'd like to highlight a few of my favorites from last year that didn't win the big awards ...

Oh, and these aren't in any order, and this is not scientifically done. I simply grabbed books off of our nightstands and bookshelves--the books that we have read over and over and over.

CHILDREN MAKE TERRIBLE PETS written and illustrated by Peter Brown.

Full disclosure--I adore Peter Brown. I went to one of his breakout sessions at the LA SCBWI Conference a few years ago, and not only was he charming, he taught me how to make a picture book dummy. Plus, he has a wicked sense of humor.

Children Make Terrible Pets is one of those fun, silly picture books that leave you giggly all over. In it, a tutu-wearing bear named Lucy happens upon a small child in the woods and decides that he would make the perfect pet. After much begging, Lucy's mother lets her keep him, but Lucy finds out quickly just how much trouble a pet can be (especially a human one). And, the ending is hilarious. No spoilers here, though. Go and get this book!

HENRY IN LOVE written and illustrated by Peter McCarty.

This book is quieter--both the story and illustrations--but it is the sweetest and most perfect little story of adoration and love that I've ever seen. It starts and ends with a blueberry muffin, and the story is infused with subtle anticipation. Love it.

CLEVER JACK TAKES THE CAKE written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by G. Brian Karas.

This book is perfect for someone looking for a picture book that has a little more text. It's beautifully written in the style of an older fairy tale, and it stars a young boy who gives up everything to take the princess a cake for her birthday. He runs into obstacles along the way as his beautiful cake loses its special decorations in ways that are sometimes scary and sometimes silly. This one is truly a story that is best read aloud (and read over and over again). The illustrations are quirky and fun.

BIG RED LOLLIPOP written by Rukhsana Khan and illustrated by Sophie Blackall.

I especially love this book because I have three daughters, and the book shows sisters having to deal with younger siblings. In this book, the oldest girl's mother makes her take her little sister with her to a birthday party--which is NOT okay. The ending is completely unexpected but exactly right. And, oh my goodness, the illustrations are some of the most beautiful that I've ever seen (and, how about that incredible eye-catching cover?). Sophie Blackall is a master.

Hope you have a great week!

sf

From Bookanista to Bestseller

2011-01-28T04:33:00.000-08:00

CONGRATS BETH!!!!

Carpool line writing class

2011-01-24T04:34:00.000-08:00

Finally. The first full week of school for the kiddos since early December.

No. More. Snow.

Really.

It was fun and all, but one good snow in Mississippi every five years is about all we can handle. Even my snow-happy children have cried "Uncle!"

We're ready to get back on a regular schedule of school, carpool lines, piano, guitar, tennis, ballet, choir, gymnastics ... So, yes. I pretty much live in my mini-van after school (yes, I admitted it--I drive a mini-van).

But, I do have a luxurious block of time during the day, and I'm tackling my final illustrations during that time. I've just recently found my groove, and while I still have to redo entire paintings from time to time because of a giant out of control blob of brown paint or a dropped paintbrush right in the middle of my main character's face (argh) or a millions other reasons ... I feel like I finally have the time to really get rolling.

Of course, the weather man has predicted another snowfall for Wednesday.

Nooo!!!!!

How do you people who live up north handle it? Oh. Right. You have snow plows and snow removal equipment. We just don't have all that stuff, and the tiniest dusting of sleet causes our entire town to shut down ... except for the toothless people who find a way to show up at Walmart in their tank tops and house shoes--is THAT what the zombie apocalypse is going to look like?? Yikes.

But, one of the main reasons that I'm hoping for a normal schedule (second only to getting to work on my illustrations) is my latest discovery--The New Yorker Fiction podcasts.

In these free downloads from iTunes, writers choose and read a short story that has been previously published in the New Yorker. The podcasts last anywhere from twenty to forty-five minutes (perfect carpool-line length) and include a discussion between the fiction editor and the writer who is reading the work.

I am learning so much about subtle character building and plot from listening to these readings. I love the sparseness and empty spaces found within short stories--it reminds me of how important it is sometimes to leave things out, things that keep the reader wondering and questioning. Plus, just like in children's writing, word choice is all important because you don't have the luxury of pages and pages of description and character building. The art of "showing not telling" is mastered in the pages of short stories.

And, sometimes the stories are just plain off-the-wall weird. Like crazy, mind-blowing bizarre. Kind of like the people who show up at Walmart in an ice storm.

So, wow. I just realized that whatever the weather, I'll have some good story ideas. I'll either be sitting in carpool line sipping tea and listening to literature ...
or shoveling a path to the Walmart.

Chasing Cats

2011-01-17T07:23:00.000-08:00

I'm working on the final artwork for my picture book with Viking. It's super exciting (and a little scary, I mean--this is IT).

But, before I could begin painting, I had to do some "cat homework". There's a cat in my book who follows one of my main characters (Izzy) throughout the story. The kitty's name is Jinx and she's a pretty important character. Unfortunately, my art director noticed that in my sketches, my cat was kind of looking like a chihuahua. Ooops. Maybe I was channeling this guy:

Or maybe I was channelling my agent's brilliant canine PeeWee who is happy to answer your publishing questions here.

Or maybe it's because the simple truth is that I am NOT a cat person (sorry to offend any cat lovers out there). Dogs? Love them.

But cats?

First of all, I'm horribly allergic to them, so it makes any sort of endearing snuggle impossible. But the main reason that I'll never be one of those elderly cat ladies holing up in her NY apartment is that you can't trust a cat. They've got their own agenda. They could take you or leave you, depending upon their mood. They slink around with a hint of evil in their gait. They're killers (have you ever watched a cat hunt down, kill and torture a bird? shudder).

Even though, a cat would never be the perfect pal for me, all of those things I listed make Jinx a perfect best friend for my mysterious little character Izzy. Her personality practically screams CAT.

The other major character in my book is Izzy's little sister Rose who has a different personality altogether. Basically, Rose is a golden retriever puppy. She is the type of kid who comes bounding into a room and licks everyone's face. NOT a cat person.

But, there is no puppy in my story. Maybe, the sequel ... Anyway, I had to do some serious cat research over the holidays. I bought a book on drawing cats. I found cat reference books at the library. I found zillions of cat pictures on the internet (okay folks--I've gotta say it--some of these cat sites are positively CULTISH). And, I chased my friend's feral cats all over a vacant lot with a catnip stuffed mouse and got some major cat footage.

This shot is moments before Miss Kitty climbed up a tree to get away from me--go figure!

I'm happy to report that I received "cat approval" from my art director when I sent in a couple of new sketches last week. Yay!

Lastly, as we were idiotically chasing cats around Oxford one of my daughters commented, "You know, Mom, this really doesn't seem like work. I mean, we're crawling around meowing at cats. It's kind of fun."

Yep. It is fun.

sf

Welcome!

2011-01-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

Okay. So, yes. It snowed here in Oxford, but my world didn't completely shut down (just the schools, stores, roads...). Looky!!

It's REAL snow this time. Not "snow" which is what we usually get.

And because the Snow-pocalypse was predicted early last week, I went ahead and drafted my first post as a solo-blogger. Here 'tis--

WELCOME TO PICTURE THIS!

Well, hello!! Thank you so much for following me over here. I must admit that I feel a little bit like I'm wandering into a party all alone ...

But, it'll be okay. Katie promises to visit me, and you can find her blog here. Please go and see her. I'll wait ...

Soooo ... let me get you up to date. Katie and I decided to branch off from our PlotThis blog and venture out on our own. Since I'm immersed in the world of picture books and middle grade, and she is rockin' the young adult and adult non-fiction world (yep--she's working on a memoir), we decided that it made sense to split off and start new blogs--each having a different focus.

Since last fall, I have finished up revisions on my picture book and have been given the go-ahead by my wonderful editor and art directors at Viking to start on final illustrations--that's 30 little paintings that I've got to whip out in the next few months!! Plus, I've been working on my middle grade novel, sketching new characters and brainstorming new picture book ideas.

Over the next few months, I'll be blogging about things like:

   *favorite picture books and middle grade novels
   *illustrating for children
   *revising, plotting and creating characters
   *chasing cats, juggling creativity with responsibility,
   carpool lines, and general Southern randomness


I hope you'll come back. Here's to 2011!!!!!

Now I'm off to find our sleds.

sf

Coming soon ...

2011-01-06T17:41:00.001-08:00

Very soon.

Like, Monday (unless it snows here in Mississippi and then my whole world will shut down).

sf