Although Luli passes the time in the classroom next door with other children her age, she can’t speak English and neither can they. “All around the room, children played alone.”
It’s easy to see how this story will resonate with many families who, like Luli’s, are in a new place, learning to speak a language that is not their own. This is about Luli’s particular experience in that classroom, but there are touch points for all of us. Haven’t we all been in situations where we felt alone or shy, quiet or out of our comfort zone?
But that’s not all this story has to offer. This is also a story about how, despite our differences, we can find and share those things we have in common. In Luli’s story, that commonality is tea. Though none of the kids speak the same language, the word, tea, and the experience of drinking it is something they are all very familiar with.
And so, Luli plans a tea party for all her classmates:
Hands curled around warm cups.
Mouths curved into shy smiles.
In those words, we feel the shift in the relationship of the children. Then, Luli has one more surprise for her friends:
She held up a box and spoke
her new favorite word.
In English.
“Cookie?”
The playroom is no longer quiet… The last line of text brings the story full circle: “Luli’s teapot was empty, but her heart was full.”
Not only is LULI AND THE LANGUAGE OF TEA a beautifully written picture book, but the illustrations, charmingly rendered in colored pencil, make this a book for every classroom, library, and home.
I love when a picture book makes me slow down and savor each and every word, each and every illustration and, in the case of SEE YOU SOMEDAY SOON, by Pat Zietlow Miller and Suzy Lee, each and every diecut. That’s right. This book is an experience, a joy to read, and a wonderful example of a picture book that is the marriage of a stunning, heart-felt text, with equally surprising and brilliant illustrations. And diecuts. All put together in a lovely lovely picture book.
Have I convinced you to rush out and get a copy? I hope so.
The story, told in first person, is about a grandchild who is missing a grandmother. But, really, this is a book for anyone who is missing someone. It has the wonderful quality of specificity, while also including those universal elements that we can all relate to:
“… I want to
see you now
of course.
Right this minute.
I want to
hop on a rocket…
…So I can
fly
through
the sky,
land in your yard, and knock on your door.
Would you
be surprised?”
Pure and simple. It’s poetry. In both words and art.
**
For those who are interested, you will find a fascinating peek into Pat’s revision process on this blog post on Picture Book Builders.
On the third week of school, something surprising happens. The principal introduces a new boy. He sits in the only open seat, at the back of the class.
Throughout the day, the students sneak glances. Most of the time the new boy keeps his head down. Who is he? Where is he from?
At lunch, Josie, Tom, Michael, and the main character – whose name we don’t learn until the end of the book – look the new boy, hoping to show him the playground, help him learn his way around. Was he having lunch with the lower grades by mistake?
In the classroom, Mrs. Khan, the teacher, spends more time with Ahmet than any of the others.
“Maybe he’s deaf,” someone whispered.
“Maybe he can’t speak English?” muttered someone.
“There’s definitely something wrong with him!” whispered everyone.
Over time, the children begin to learn more: Ahmet is a refugee from Syria who’s become separated from his mother and father.
When the main character comes up with “The Greatest Idea in the World,” the friends join together to carry out the “Emergency Plan.” It’s exactly the kind of plan that only children would be bold enough to dream up and brave enough to try.
This timely debut sensitively introduces young readers to the plight of refugees, while also empowering them with hope, courage, and the knowledge that they, too, can make a difference.
With humor and heart, author Onjali Q. Raúf reminds readers that “a little kindess goes a long way.”
**
Enjoy this exceptional Ted Talk by the author on the 8 words that inspired her to write The Boy at the Back of the Class
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | 978-0316541169
At one time or another, we’ve all experienced what it’s like to be a beginner. Some people have no problem trying something new. Others, not so much. Often, it depends on the context. Is it something we feel like we *should* be good at? Something maybe the others around us seem to be experts at? How much time will it take to be an “expert,” anyway? And, is good enough *really* enough?
Whatever the reason, it’s easy to start something and decide to give up far too soon, as Mira does in Faith Pray‘s newest picture book, PERFECTLY IMPERFECT MIRA.
“Every time Mira started a new thing, she gave up.
Mira never got to the second of anything.
Not the second day.
Not the second lesson.
Not the second try.”
When no one is watching, Mira gives it a try. Wobble. Flop. Trying again and again isn’t so terrible after all!
Sweetly illustrated with various pencils and watercolor ink, this heart-warming ode to believing in yourself and try-try-trying again is another beauty by Faith Pray!
Don’t miss this fabulous interview with Faith on Let’s Talk Picture Books, including lots of in-progress images, a peek under the dust jacket, and more!
Check out this LBBYR :Book Chat” video with Faith, as she shares the process from color decisions to sketches, images, to the final art for MIRA.
Enjoy this inspiring interview with Faith about her journey as an author/illustrator and the inspiration for PERFECTLY IMPERFECT MIRA.
I am absolutely thrilled to celebrate the debut release of my long-time critique partner, Lynn Becker. Lynn and I have known each other for literally decades, and started meeting to share our work eleven or twelve years ago, back when we both lived in Southern California. Between then and now, we’ve each moved to other states (Lynn to Colorado, me to Arizona), but we’ve managed to keep the critique connection going in spite of the distance. Lynn has a keen ear for poetry and is a wonderful writer, editor and critque partner.
MONSTERS IN THE BRINY, illustrated by Scott Brundage, is a rollicking sea shanty with all manner of mythical sea creatures. Lynn’s flawless rhyme and Scott Brundage’s bright, boldly colored monsters invite readers into a fun nautical adventure as each creature threatens to tip, toss, and topple the ship.
Enjoy today’s short interview with Lynn about her debut and the journey from glimmering idea to published book.
DIANNE: First things first. Congratulations on your absolutely joyful debut, MONSTERS IN THE BRINY! What a fun read-aloud this is – a rollicking, exuberant sea shanty complete with a crew of known and lesser known sea monsters!
You talked eloquently HERE about the process of “walking the rhyme” as you wrote your debut. But what came *before* the rhyme? You mentioned writing a short sea shanty about a kraken that you later expanded into a story. What came first? The poem? The sea shanty? Can you elaborate? I ask, because finding a song (or a poem, for that matter) can be an effective way into exploring a new picture book idea. Did inspiration “drop into your lap?” Or did you have to work to find it?
LYNN:Dianne, thanks for having me on your blog!
Actually, the kraken came first, before poem or sea shanty. At the time I began this project, I already had a handful of manuscripts that I was beginning to query, and I felt like I could take a break and write something just for me, something I myself might have enjoyed as a child. I settled on writing poems—and songs—about different kinds of monsters. Eventually, when I got to the kraken, it seemed like a sea shanty would be a fun and fitting way to handle this underwater beastie. I took the shanty to my critique group and they enjoyed it so much that we all agreed I should expand it into picture book.
Is that dropping into my lap or is that me working to find it? I think it’s both—I did my work and the inspiration flowed.
DIANNE: Scott Brundage’s illustrations are the perfect backdrop for your story. There’s so much energy in the text, and the vibrant illustrations and expressive faces of each creature build on that lively energy.
Readers and newer writers often don’t realize that authors and illustrators rarely communicate. The author turns in her words and then the illustrator picks up and takes things to the next level.
How was the experience of seeing the completed art for the first time? Do have a favorite illustration? Is there a sea creature you were hoping to include that simply didn’t make the cut?
LYNN:The cover was the first finished art I saw. I opened an email from my editor while I was in a supermarket and seriously began crying. It was absolutely perfect. When I saw it, I knew that everything would be fine, so right then and there I stopped worrying about the book and really began to enjoy the journey.
It’s not an easy thing for the author to turn in the words and hope for magic from the illustrator. Seeing the early black and white sketches really helped. But, as soon as I saw the cover, I knew I could trust Scott—and the Sleeping Bear art department—completely. I think Scott did the perfect cover for MONSTERS IN THE BRINY—every time I see it I want to pick up the book and read it again. It always draws me in.
For all of the above reasons, the cover is my favorite, but the interior art is completely wonderful, as well. Perhaps my favorite spread is the last one, which includes the sailors and all the beasties—and prominently features that very personable accordion player!
To answer your other question, these were the only creatures I considered using. The story was originally about the kraken only, so I expanded the cast to fit, rather than cutting it.
DIANNE: What has been the most surprising or fun part of being a debut author? Any tips for newer writers or authors on the cusp of launching their first book?
LYNN:I think the biggest surprise has been how much work there is once the book is sold, and even more so as the release date approaches—social media expectations, blog posts, and in-person events—these are all part of an author’s job to get the word out. The publisher does their part in many other ways, but it helps if creators can build a community of people who are committed to promoting this art form.
I think lots of authors hate the idea of engaging on social media beyond our circle of friends, and I resisted for a very long time, but once I was ready to take the business part of writing seriously I started following people in publishing. I lurked for a long time, then moved on to liking and, for Twitter, retweeting posts about people’s books. Then, when I had news of my own, it wasn’t so odd or intimidating to post it, just like I’d been seeing other people do for months. And I frequently ended up learning something whenever I did have a little time to engage.
As for the most fun part of all this, it’s absolutely watching someone read—and enjoy—the book!
DIANNE: What are you working on now, and what can readers look forward to next?
LYNN:Next spring, my rhyming board book, June Moon, comes out. It’s about a child and the moon enjoying a magical summer evening before bedtime. And I’m working on a number of other projects in various stages of completion, but it’s impossible to know which will be have that special something needed to make it through all of the rewrites and revisions. I’m not sure the job gets easier—I guess we need to keep doing the work, and hope the inspiration will flow?!!
DIANNE: Thanks, Lynn, for taking the time to answer a few questions. Congratulations of a fun and fabulous debut!
“I was born a baby.
I was born a colt.
I was born a piglet.
I’m a billy goat…”
I knew from looking at the cover that I WAS BORN A BABY written by Meg Fleming was going to be a fun picture book, but I didn’t know *how* PERFECT it was until I heard Meg read it at one of her virtual launches several days ago.
The combo of a catchy rhyming text with absolutely adorable illustrations by Brandon James Scott (those wide, black on white eyes!) ensure kids will revisit this book again and again. And when they do, they’ll learn the names of baby animals – owlets, porcupettes, joeys, and more – and soon be reciting the entire book by heart. It makes for a wonderful read-aloud experience, the perfect book to introduce to emerging readers, and a terrific launching point to a study of animals, their names, habits, and habitats.
When the stars are out and the moon’s above.
Where do the wee ones go, my love?
Where do the wee ones go?
In WHERE THE WEE ONES GO: ABedtime Wish for Endangered Animals, young ones will travel the world learning about twelve endangered animals as they ready to tuck in for a good night’s sleep. Karen Jameson‘s text sets the stage, immersing readers and listeners in a soothing, lyrical exploration of pandas in China, elephants in Sri Lanka, crocodiles on the Yangtze, and more. Zosienka’s illustrations, in rich, jeweled tones, add just the right touch of nighttime magic to snuggle up and send even the most reluctant night owl to sleep.
I’m excited to welcome back my good friend, Karen Jameson, for a peek behind the scenes of her newest book.
Dianne: Well, you’ve done it again! You’ve written another gorgeous lullaby book – WHERE THE WEE ONES GO: A Bedtime Wish for Endangered Animals – with luminous illustrations by Zozienka. How do you do it?! But more specifically, can you walk readers through the process from the first spark of inspiration to this beautiful “bedtime wish for endangered animals?”
How did you decide which 12 animals to include? Were there any additions or subtractions to your list after the manuscript was acquired?
Karen:Thanks so much, Dianne! The opening lines of WEE ONES were in my head and I was trying to figure out what that story might be about. One day, a critique partner mentioned seeing an endangered animals exhibit at the aquarium and I instantly knew I’d found my “wee ones.” Shortly afterwards, I discovered a global map of endangered animals (on the San Diego Zoo website) and that was my jumping off point. As a lullaby book, I knew it was important to feature animals with a variety of sleeping habits and habitats. A good mix of animal classes – mammals, reptiles, birds, etc,- was needed, too. Through trial and error, I came up with my list and whittled it down to a dozen. Thankfully, my editor loved the animals I’d chosen and no changes were needed.
Dianne: We’ve talked in a previous ReaderKidZ post – HERE – about some of your process as you begin to explore what you imagine will be a rhyming text. You mentioned brainstorming lots of words related to your topic so that you have a good solid word bank to choose from. But I wanted to dig a little more deeply into what that brainstorming looks like. Do you make a general list of “bedtime words” and a more specific list of words for each animal you’re considering? Do you keep one file or separate files with info on each animal? Or maybe you use a special software, such as Scrivener? How do you organize your lists and the corresponding information as you begin to develop your story?
Karen:For WEE ONES, I wanted to zoom in on these beautiful endangered animal babies in their natural habitats. As such, my brainstorming was more specific to each animal and focused on the “where” and “how” of their sleeping habits. I compiled a simple table of information for the book and dropped facts into the boxes as I went along. Of course, I maintained a file to keep track of my resources. I had a growing list of bedtime vocabulary (which proved handy) and kept my thesaurus and rhyming dictionary nearby, as I puzzled out the stanzas.
Dianne: Do you have a favorite animal that you knew from the very beginning you wanted to include? And, with over 7,000 endangered animals how did you decide what the balance of land and sea creatures in various continents and countries would be?
Karen:When my kids were little, we’d take day trips to the zoo and I was always drawn to the orangutans and elephants. Thankfully, they were both a great fit for the story! Sea turtles were another top contender, as only one out of a thousand babies makes it to adulthood. I could go on and on about why each animal was chosen, but suffice it to say that they all “spoke to me” in some way. The world map, mentioned above, was my constant reference point throughout the project, assuring a broad representation of endangered animals.
Dianne: I know you have several cool nonfiction books coming up, as well as some other projects in the works. Can you share what readers can look forward to next?
Karen:Thanks, Dianne! You won’t have to wait long for my next book! TIME TO SHINE: Celebrating the World’s Iridescent Animals, releases May 3rd. Published by Groundwood Books and illustrated by Dave Murray, this nonfiction picture book explores how animals use their iridescence to thrive and survive in nature. Next up, A LLAMA IS NOT AN ALPACA, illustrated by Lorna Scobie (RP Kids, March ‘23) and WAKE UP, WOODLANDS, illustrated by Marc Boutavant (Chronicle, Spring ’24). Stay tuned for more nonfiction news on the horizon!
Dianne: Thanks, again, Karen for hopping on ReaderKidZ to share more about your latest and upcoming projects. 🙂
Readers can learn more about Karen and her books here:
