Contest Winner & Poetry & Perfect Picture Book Friday!

What a morning!  First, it was a 'practice run' for Africa as a snowstorm knocked out power in our neighborhood.  So sorry I'm late to post the winner of my contest!

I must say, I thought all three entries were very creative and well done. Each had originality and were completely different (which is the kind of diversity I was aiming for!).  But, you've chosen your winner, and it is...

RENA J. TRAXEL 

for 

"Totenkinder!"

Congratulations, Rena!  You've won $20 to BarnesAndNoble.com as well as a copy of Tales From China: World Favorite Fables!

And...as promised...there's a second-place prize, too.  With the second-highest total of votes, congratulations goes to Nessa Morris for "Punch-Out!"  Woo hoo!  You've won a copy of Tales From China: World Favorite Fables.

But that's not all, folks (I sound like an infomercial...) - Damon Dean's "As It Really Was" is going in the record books as an honorable mention.  And, for that, you're also getting a copy of Tales from China: World Favorite Fables!

Congratulations, winners - and remember to contact me with your address so I can mail out prizes.  Hope you all - and many others - will enter my next contest...details coming in late March.

Now, in the interest of time...two birds with one stone today:

Poetry Friday & Perfect Picture Books

(please visit Susanna Hill's Website for more info about Perfect Picture Book Friday)

And, surprise – they have to do with Africa.

Today's Perfect Picture Book is:

OFF TO THE SWEET SHORES OF AFRICA

(And Other Talking Drum Rhymes)

by Uzo Unobagha

Illustrated by Julia Cairns

Author: Uzo Unobagha

Illustrator: Julia Cairns

Publisher:  Chronicle Books, 2000

Genre:  Poetry, Multicultural

 Ages:  2-8

Topics: Nursery Rhymes, Songs, Kids, Play, Africa

About the book:  Off to the Sweet Shores of Africa is a colorful collection of original, African-inspired rhymes is accompanied by exquisitely detailed illustrations.

 Why I chose it:  Well, I'm heading to the Sweet Shores of Africa (The Gambia) very soon.  But I also LOVE the original rhymes that bring in cultural and natural references in a totally whimsical and sing-song way.  This book is really a "bridge" linking many shores.  The illustrations are beautiful as well.

Resources:  I didn't find any for the book...but if you've never heard the sound of a talking drum, check out this YouTube video to see one of the most amazing players I've seen.  There's a glossary in the back of the book, too, and you may want to Google other terms such as baobab, calabash, etc.

Bon Voyage!

CONTEST FINALISTS AND VOTING!

 FINALLY! 

I'm announcing the finalists for my Mix-it-Up Contest. Since the entries were few (but lovely) I'm letting all three be finalists!  This is so exciting - my first ever contest winners will be announced soon!

Please read them and vote below. 
Voting closes on FRIDAY, FEB. 10th. 

Remember, the winner gets actual prizes! $20 in B&aN gift cards and a copy of Tales from China: World Favorite Fables. Runner up will get a book copy, too! 

Voting and commenting is OPEN below.  I hope you enjoy reading these as much as I did!!

 "Punch-Out!!"

By Nessa Morris

Instructions
For the Beginning Player
On Nintendo Wii

First, turn on the Wii.
Press Wii-mote power button.
Attach the nunchuk.

Next, aim the Wii-mote.
Hover on Punch-Out! icon.
Push the "A" button.

Hold up your Wii-mote.
Pretend to hit your brother,
while punching Glass Joe.

Continue to fight.
Soon you will face King Hippo.
Punch his big belly.

You will fight many.
Punch high. Punch low. You will win.
Donkey Kong is last.

If you can beat him,
you've played too long. Turn it off.
Go read a good book.

"AS IT REALLY WAS"
A Mix-It-Up Tale by Damon Dean

Red-Hood took Granny a sack of food,
walking down a dark lane in the wood
till she came to the ledge
of a wide river’s edge
and she wondered, “What next?” as she stood.

As she stood there a fox of some guile
licking gingerbread crumbs from his smile,
said “Don’t fret…take your sack,
climb right up on my back,
and I’ll swim you across in grand style.”

In grand style they stepped into the river,
but a Troll (whose breath smelled like goat liver)
boating by screamed “Who splashed?”
as his sharp teeth he gnashed,
and his hungry green eyes made them shiver.

As they shivered their fear turned them round
and they swam back to dry and high ground.
As they climbed up the bank
they heard “clink” and then “clank”
and they wondered what made the odd sound.

The odd sound was Troll clanging two sabres.
which inspired the friends get-away labors.
And with grime in his grin
and green stains on his chin
Troll cried, “Don’t go off now, my good neighbors!”

As the neighbors ran, Troll made a plan,
to hide ‘neath his wide old bridge’s span,
where he’d jump from a rafter
to grab Fox and Red after
they crossed to escape to Red’s Gran.

Red’s Gran taught her a wise thing or two:
one was–never trust Trolls, green OR blue!
So with Fox she devised
a quite clever disguise
using goat skins they found, and some glue.

With the glue they put on the gray furs,
Fox put his on and then Red put hers.
Then they tripped and  they trapped
and Troll’s nerves nearly snapped
as he screamed, “Goats are bothersome curs!”

As the curs on his bridge began nearing,
with his old eyes Troll squinted, and sneering
he saw Fox and saw Red
as gray blurs, and he said,
“I think more dinner now is appearing.”

Appearing first Red-Hood said “Don’t mind me,
there’s a much fatter goat just behind me.”
So the Troll let her flee;
his old eyes could not see
as he stared at the next goat so blindly.

On the bridge, Fox came on, getting near him,
so the old Troll’s poor ears could best hear him.
Fox cried “We’ve got your goat!”
as he flung off his coat.
Enraged Troll drew his sword so to spear him.

The spear missing, Fox dodged and Troll stumbled,
which made Troll spit and growl, then he grumbled.
Fox, with no more words said,
cast the coat on Troll’s head,
and then into the river Troll tumbled.

The tale tumbled too, down through the ages,
told to children by authors and sages,
but the story, oft told,
changed much as it got old,
and became more tales on many pages.

"Totenkinder"

by Rena J. Traxel

Totenkinder: sweet old lady or cold hearted murder? 

Totenkinder, once thought a harmless old lady, took the stand today in her own defense. She claims that the two German kids, she is accused of trying to kill, came to her in rags. “I was busy baking a batch of gingerbread when I heard an awful crunching sound outside my kitchen window. Two children, covered in head to toe filth, were busy munching on my candy cane railing. I had to take them in. I had too!” She cried. She went on explain that soon after taking the kids in they took advantage of her. They ate up everything in her house including her gingerbread door. “But still I let them stay. They had nowhere else to go.” She shook her head explaining how the kids’ parents had abandoned them in the forest in hopes they would be eaten up by The Wolf. “I tried to assign them chores, but all that did was enrage them.” The old lady sobbed then held up her scarred hands for the court to see. “And...they...they shoved me into a oven.” Gasps could be heard all around the court.

Closing remarks are set for tomorrow.

Totkenkinder was arrested last fall, on charges of attempted murder, after Detective Boss received a tip from Totkenkinder’s neighbor The Wolf. 

If you liked this post please let others know. To read about Totenkinder’s arrest click here. Come back next Tuesday to find out the verdict.

Last Call for Contest Entries! Enter by Midnight

Just a reminder that you've got until midnight tonight under my extended deadline for the Mix-it-Up contest.  Basically, take any two styles/genres of writing and make a story or poem (500 words or less).

Good luck!

And, because I'm exhausted today, and home with a sick child, I'm taking it easy and only posting photos from my wonderful School Visit on Friday.  What a joy!

Students had fun learning about storytelling in West Africa and playing the Djembe

Students wrote letters to kids in The Gambia (which I will deliver soon!)

And everyone got in on some traditional African dancing fun!

Focus Friday: Packing (and Perfect Picture Books)

One week from now, I'll begin packing. 

And don't worry, I'll announce contest finalists before then, and winners before I go!  In fact, I extended the deadline so you can still submit until Monday.  I hope you do, three entries is embarrassing and I will look so mean having to award two people and not the other.  That's just not fair.  So enter.

Anyway, back to packing for my trip - which I will begin next week.

Some people hate packing, but I love it.  (It's unpacking I loathe).  There's something about the preparation, getting ready, and the feeling that your life is about to get exciting when you fill a suitcase–even if you're filling it with toilet paper, mosquito repellent, and hand sanitizer.  

For me, the idea of packing is akin to the idea of polishing up a manuscript and writing a query letter, then sliding it in a brown envelope and and sealing the clasp.  As much as each process is a tedious task, it's also exhilarating, right?

And, another parallel between the submission process and the place to which I'll be traveling–The Gambia–is that the pace is pretty much the same: as slow as it gets.  While the world whizzes by in 140-character tweets and a bazillion Facebook conversations every second, the Gambia's most famous phrase (in Wolof) is: 

Ndanka, Ndanka.

Slowly, Slowly.

While I'm away, I won't have access to Internet for the vast majority of my trip.  I'll be forced to slow down.  In fact, my last blog post will be next week Friday, and it's a special farewell one, so I really hope you all will visit next week too to wish me goodbye while I go and build school libraries in The Gambia.  And, thank you everyone who has made sure to pile a lot of last-minute submissions for me to dole out at Rate Your Story (which will also be closed to submissions while I'm away).

So you can see I'm inviting the spirit of Ndanka, Ndanka.  I can't wait to hurry up and slow down.

So, here's my writing advice for this week.

Pick a time of day each day where you unplug.  Slow down, write, don't check Facebook or Twitter.  Yes, I said every day.  And during that time, look up at the sun - or the moon - or the clouds - and know that somewhere, in a tiny village in West Africa, there's a writer who is being inspired by the very same sky (yes, me).  I promise to send as much inspiration as I can, and I'll be taking a lot from that sky, which looks completely different in a place where there is no electricity at all.  Breathtaking.

So look to the sky when you unplug and remember, the best stories aren't things that were invented by people.  They were all there before we got here.

Now, in the spirit of packing - and the fast flurry we're all in to "get there," I've chosen a quiet, slow picture book.  It's a reminder to us, as writers, to stop worrying about where we're going and enjoy exactly where are lives (or careers) are at.  Enjoy the excited thoughts of your dreams coming true as a published writer, but also take joy in your life, here and now, as it is today.  Publishers will be there tomorrow.  So, even more often than not, remember to live here. 

Then look at the sky and ask big, fat questions.

Just Like:

THERE by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Title:  There

Author/Illustrator:  Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press, 2009

Genre: Poetry, Picture Book, Art

Ages: 4-7 (Preschool through Grade 1)

Themes: Philosophy, Journey, Leaving Home, Questions, Dreams

First Page: When will I get there?

More: (From the McMillan site)  A little girl ponders what the future holds, steadfast in her determination to find out for herself. Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick's gorgeous landscapes and the briefest of text speak to the power of imagination. Readers of all ages will find reassurance in this simple, beautiful book of ruminations about a lifelong journey toward tomorrow.

Why I chose it:  It's about as slow and quiet as picture books get.  And I think there are a lot of households that can do with a bit more slow and a bit more quiet.  It's a great bedtime book, or an early morning book :)  It's a snuggle book.

Resources:  View this page for interiors of the book, View this page for more about Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, and view this page called Philosophy for Kids for some nuggets and story starters to begin discussing big ideas with little people.

What is Perfect Picture Book Friday?  Read more at Susanna Hill's Blog.

 Comments Welcome: What is great about Here?  What do you dream is There?

Contest Extended!

Sorry for Missing Worldly Wednesday yesterday, guys, but I've been a bit under the weather.  When I logged on to check the contest entries I saw three lovely ones...but how am I supposed to choose two winners out of three?  That would be horribly unfair, cruel, and I just won't do it.

So...for all those of you who have been lingering but didn't enter on time...here's your second chance!  

MIRANDA'S MIX IT UP CONTEST ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL MONDAY, FEB 6th at Midnight.  I'll probably extend voting, too - check back for updates.

So, how do you enter?  

Write anything that mixes at least 2 styles or genres.  Then post on your blog/website and link back here.  Comment to let me know and add your blog link to the original post in the form. 

 

All the contest details are here.  (Ignore the due date.)

Questions?  Email me at mirandapaulbooks at gmail dot com.

Now write!

(And if you feel stupid for not getting your entry in on time...give your spirits a lift by visiting BANANA PEEL THURSDAYS.  That's where published authors and illustrators share their oops! moments with the world.  Brave, brave souls.  Go check it out!)

Artwork by: heathernewman.net

Meet Kate Coombs - Folk Tale and Children's Author

If you haven't discovered my love for folk tales and their many adaptations yet...you've not been following my blog long enough!  After today's post, though, you'll not only discover some amazing folk tales...you'll meet a 'folksy' author and probably become a folk tale fan yourself!  

Then...who knows?  Maybe you'll enter my Mix-it-Up contest (reminder: entries due by Wednesday!)

And without further ado, I introduce today's amazing guest:  

Children's Author Kate Coombs!

Kate Coombs went to school and became an editor, then a teacher, but along the way she always knew she would be a children's book author. For example, while she was in college, she used to study in the children's section of the campus library. That way she could take breaks from her homework to read children's books. Kate spent most of her life in Southern California—until last summer, when she moved to Utah. After teaching school for nearly 15 years, she is now working at a small publisher writing teachers' guides for state history books. (She says this is far more entertaining than it sounds!) Kate has a green thumb, so when she's not reading or writing, she's probably planting something. Kate grew up as one of seven adopted children from various ethnic backgrounds. She writes picture books, poetry, and middle grade fantasy. Hans My Hedgehog is her fourth book. Her fifth book, Water Sings Blue, is a collection of ocean poems due out in March. Whenever she gets a minute, Kate blogs about children's books at Book Aunt.

Miranda: Hi Kate!  Let's begin at the beginning -  on your website, you've got the photo of you as a kid and a lot about you as a child.  What was your childhood "world" like?


Kate:  Although I was born in Washington state, from first grade to high school graduation I lived in Camarillo, a town about an hour's drive north of Los Angeles. When I was small, Camarillo still had patches of orange orchards, but they were replaced by houses over the years. My sister and I rode our bikes to the library every Saturday and checked out as many books as we could—the limit was ten each. We read them voraciously for three or four days and then waited for the next Saturday to come around. I wrote a lot of poems, plays, and stories as a child. I was the proverbial bookworm, much more interested in books than things like handball, which was the big sport at my grade school. I collected seashells and trinkets and read a lot of fantasy, though I was very big on Harriet the Spy and the Nancy Drew books, too.
 

Miranda: Great favorites!  But what about folk tales? Which were your favorites as a child?

Kate:  At night, when we were supposed to be asleep in our bunk beds, my sister would ask me to tell her stories, and I would recount the fairy tales I had been reading. It used to bother me when she fell asleep in the middle! The stories I most remember telling her were from a book of tales from the Arabian Nights that my grandma gave me. At the time, my favorite was "The Three Sisters," in which cucumbers stuffed with pearls finally convince a sultan that he has terribly misjudged his wife. The story also boasts a wise talking bird, brothers who get turned into rocks, and a heroic young girl. "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" was another favorite. I still have the book, a 1921 edition that boasts "four illustrations in color."

Today, I'd have to say my favorite fairy tales are probably the Norwegian "Beauty and the Beast" variation, "East of the Sun, West of the Moon," and a Russian story retold by Marianna Mayer, "Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave." I especially like the character of Baba Yaga, a terrifying cannibal witch with iron teeth who flies around in a mortar, steering with her pestle.


Miranda: Let's stay on the topic of today.   Since you've "grown up," you've every single grade, right?  What's your take on the age-old "moral at the end of the story" adage?"  Should stories have lessons?  Are they teaching tools?


Kate: I am largely averse to children's books that set out to teach a lesson. Didactic picture books, unless they are tongue in cheek, bore me. What about plot? What about whimsy? The ironic secret, of course, is that almost all stories teach lessons, but they teach lessons because of who the authors are and how the characters interact. There are lessons in Where the Wild Things Are, Millions of Cats, and Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, to name just a few marvelous classics, but these lessons emerge naturally from the stories being told, and therefore they do not overpower plot. There's something terribly condescending about an author who sets out to teach a lesson rather than to tell a story. That's lecturing, like an elderly college professor who has used the same notes for years to speechify in stultifying tones. For those writers really determined to preach in a children's book, I would say, 1) good luck selling it and 2) the kid who needs your message won't recognize it. (In fact, if someone points it out, he will probably roll his eyes and walk away.)

As a teacher, when I wanted to impart some kind of moral lesson I used roll-playing, usually after lunch recess, which was when most of the social conflicts took place. It was very effective because the kids were enchanted by the idea of acting things out. We'd do the "plays" twice, once for what happened and again for how the situation should have been handled. Slow-motion punches were a favorite, of course.

Miranda:  Well said! Now, tell us more about your new books!


Kate: Hans My Hedgehog is one of the Brothers Grimm's less well-known stories, and there's a reason for that. When illustrator John Nickle said he wanted to retell the tale, the editor took a look at the original and shuddered. After some discussion with other editors, she found out I had a nice folktale voice (thanks to my first picture book, The Secret-Keeper). Susan contacted me, explaining that the Hans story was "violent and meandering." Would I please retell it?

Hans My Hedgehog is about a boy who is born human from the waist down and hedgehog from the waist up. Naturally, he hangs out with his herd of pigs, riding around on a rather large rooster. He also plays the fiddle. In the Grimms' story Hans played the bagpipes, but the illustrator wanted to use a fiddle, and it turned out really well, especially in the climactic scene. I love that John made the fiddle red!

I had a very good time giving this story a makeover while (I hope) retaining the strength of the original plot. I think the best thing I did was to use Hans's pigs as a humorous plot device. I basically saved them from being slaughtered, which was what happened in the original. Instead I made the pigs into Hans's loyal followers, as well as the instrument of his revenge against a promise-breaking king. Thanks to the illustrator, the pigs even dance at Hans's wedding!

 

My other new book, which is coming out in mid March, is a collection of ocean poems (mostly about ocean animals). The illustrations are just as beautiful as the Hans artwork, though in quite a different way. Meilo So used watercolor, fittingly enough, whereas John Nickle worked in acrylic. I'll share the title poem with you to give you a salt-air taste:

Song of the Boat

Push away from the stillness of the nut-brown land,
from the road that leads to the shore.

Push away from the town with its tight tree roots,
from its closed brown shutters and doors.

Push away—heave-ho—from the heavy brown pier,
from its pilings huddled and dull.

For the water sings blue and the sky does, too,
and the sea lets you fly like a gull.


Miranda:  Lovely selection!  So where does all this writing take place? Tell us more about your office/desk...I'm sure readers are interested in seeing the "writing world" of Kate Coombs!

Kate:  My home is on a hillside in Utah, and my desk faces a set of doors with inset glass panes and a large window flanking a corner. So I look out over a small canyon (or a large ravine). Right now it's snowing, which makes the view of the pines and other trees very picturesque. I like the way colored glass looks in sunlight, so the windowsill to my right is lined with different colored glass bottles and small vases—aqua, pale green, strong turquoise, pink, deep blue, and touches of yellow. I have wind chimes at the top of the door in front of me that are made of an arching school of silver fish with lengths of colored glass and bells underneath like colored rain dropping down from a cloud.

The desk was my great-grandfather's and is made of leather, though my grandmother painted it a sort of mustard color at some point, which is odd. There are two plants on my desk, along with some seashells, including about a dozen small shells lined up in a small Chinese lacquer tray together with polished rocks, a marble, and an acorn. I also have a paper mache hedgehog and a rather pensive-looking frog sitting beside my computer, not to mention a bronze Chinese dragon, a miniature pirate ship, a dragon's eye whose pupil is an old watch, and a green ceramic Inca guy who is my pencil holder. Needless to say, the rest of my office consists primarily of bookshelves—nine of them. There are five more in my sunroom. (Even after I got rid of a lot of books moving here from California!) As you might imagine, I have nearly two bookcases full of folk and fairy tale collections and picture book retellings.


Miranda: And my husband thinks I have too many books!  (We only have five bookshelves in our house...).  So I don't think that's too strange.  But I have to ask something strange, so....

On your website, you've got six fun facts.  I won't reveal them - my readers will have to go over to your site.  But, can you tell us some other fun facts about Kate Coombs?

Kate:

• Most people wouldn't guess by looking at me that I'm fluent in Spanish. I lived in Argentina for eighteen months when I was in my early twenties.
• I taught a writing class at a women's shelter for a time, a very rich and poignant experience. Everyone was worried about their spelling, but I assured them I just wanted to hear what they had to say.
• When I was five and my brother and his friend were seven, they took me to explore a haunted house. They were too scared to go in, so they sent me in as the unwitting advance scout.
• For several years, I drove around Los Angeles teaching sick kids for the school district. (Three of my students died of cancer.)
• There are a lot of deer hanging out in my yard, which makes it difficult to plant the flowers I like. The deer eat them!
• I fell off the top bunk when I was young, managing to bloody my nose and my big toe (the nail came off). My family has some interesting ideas about the dive I must have taken.
• I can cut out a really great snowflake. When I moved to Utah, I was surprised to see how small the actual flakes are!
• I came in second place in our school-wide spelling bee in sixth grade. The word I missed was "kernel."
• I originally studied to be an illustrator, but I kept coming back to my love of words. Some of my paintings are on my website. Now I use my visual imagination to write stories.

Miranda: Thanks for stopping by, Kate!  You're such an amazing person with a real gift for storytelling.  I want to make sure my readers can find your website, etc. and links to where they can buy your books!  Can you share your info?

Kate:

Website:    http://katecoombs.com/index.html
Blog:        http://bookaunt.blogspot.com/
Facebook:    facebook.com/kate.coombs.writer
Twitter:    @katecoombs13
E-mail:        kate@katecoombs.com

Focus Friday: Diction (and Perfect Picture Books)

TGIF!

First, business.  

Then pleasure.  

Oh wait...I'm a writer.  

Same thing.

#1 - The deadline is approaching for my writing contest.  Remember to post your entry to be considered for the great prizes!

#2 - Be sure to stop back on Monday, Jan. 30th for a very special interview with folk tales author Kate Coombs!  Kate's new book, Hans My Hedgehog, was just released this week by Antheneum Books for Young Readers.  You won't want to miss it!

Now, to the "focus" - and today's Perfect Picture Book.

I chose to write today's focus post about diction.  Last week, we had a flood of submissions at Rate Your Story.  There were more great stories (rated with a 1, 2, and 3) than any other week since the free critique site began in October.  Now, I don't always read every submission, but with 20 coming in in the space of 5 days, I did my fair share.  What impressed me about several manuscripts was how many authors paid attention to word choice:

Removing unnecessary dialogue tags

I think diction can also apply to words you don't say.

Using "skinny words," not "fat words"

These phrases are straight from seven-time PB author Nancy Sweetland, who explains:  dog is a fat word.  Scottish Terrier is skinnier.  "Went" is a fat word.  "Ran" is skinnier, but still a little chunky.  Raced is a skinny word.  Or darted.  Or dashed.  Get the point?

Words sound great when read aloud together

Last week, I posted about rhyme and the importance of reading it aloud.  But prose writers have to consider the same thing!  If something is a tongue-twister, is it supposed to be?  Is that a funny scene?  Is it OK if the reader pauses and re-reads?

Words are fresh, sparse, and not redundant

Once you've written a draft, print it out and circle the verbs.  Can you freshen them?  Then, be sparse to help avoid redundancy–"Then he lay down in bed and closed his eyes and went to sleep" could easily be "He lay in bed...Goodnight!" Lastly, do a find/replace to see if you've got repeated words!

The word choice matches the tone of the scene

This week, I got a critique back from my wonderful SCBWI mentor Lisa Moser, and in it she pointed out a word/phrase that didn't quite fit in a lovely scene I'd written between a boy and his Grandpa .  It was too contemporary, too casual, and didn't have enough depth.  Now, it's perfect.

Do you have diction tips?  Be sure to share!

Now, on to this week's PERFECT PICTURE BOOK.  It's one that...you've guessed it...has perfect diction.  The author is actually a former critique buddy of mine, and I saw it go through several overhauls as she very diligently made sure every word was the right word.

And I'm proud to say...it's perfect!

Title:  Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten

Author:  Lynne Marie

Illustrator:  Anne Kennedy

Publisher:  Scholastic, May 2011

Age: 4-6

Category: Kindergarten/First Day of School, Making Friends, Self-Esteem and Confidence

First Line:  "Spike stared out the window toward the bus stop and quivered." (LOVE the pun!)

Why I Like This Book: Well, first of all it's a great story for kids about being yourself, making friends, and finding confidence.  Sentences like "Spike spiked," and the repetition of the bus going "Clink, Clank, Clunk! Bing, Bang, THUMP!" keep kids actively listening.

But this book is more than a great story.  Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten is a SHINING MODEL for all pre-pubbed picture book writers who want to break into the market.  Study it - every word is perfect.  The pacing is perfect.  The dialogue is good, and there aren't unnecessary tags. 

Furthermore, it's a breakout PB for Lynne Marie.  Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten is a great example where aspiring writers can see what kind of discipline it takes for a new writer to land a contract - and have hope that it's not impossible!  Lynne Marie wasn't relying on celeb. status, a portfolio of credits, or a serious "in" to get this considered and eventually published.  Her fantastic, disciplined writing and REVISING SKILLS did that...and she worked very hard for years to get the manuscript right!

Additional Resources:  Lynne Marie has a Facebook page dedicated to this book!  Check it out here.

Did you love this book? Want to read it now?  Got ideas for making every word count?  Comments are open below.

Worldly Wednesday: Witness Poetry

I'm a little late in posting today's Worldly Wednesday article.  We had a milestone in our house last night (I will post more on Friday), and I've been called in as a substitute teacher at my FAVORITE high school all week :)  

Oh - and I landed a new freelance contract today, which will keep me very busy writing new stories for little ones both before and after my trip to Gambia.  Yipeeee!!

So, anyway...my apologies and let's hope I make up for my tardiness with solid content.

Last Wednesday, I announced my first ever writing contest - Miranda's Mix-It-Up Contest.  But I didn't provide a sample, as the kind and thoughtful Susanna Leonard Hill does when she hosts a writing contest on her blog.

So, that in mind, here's mine.  Since the contest was to mix styles and genres, I've mixed poetry with reporting, and crafted nonfiction and memoir into a short, literary snapshot.  (I have an actual picture of the place somewhere...but didn't get to scan it in for today's post).

Guilt
    Soufriere, May 14, 2002

If only I’d paid attention
to the directions I’d been given.

A thief on his knees, handcuffed, pleading.
A cop, broomstick raised, grip tightened.
Me, only looking for the station’s bathroom.

The image will not melt.

It is frozen,
Just before the stick breaks over the man’s back,
Silent as the moment after,
When no one said anything.

By Miranda Paul

What did you think?  Now, I can't tell you that writing poetry will or won't improve your chances with my contest.  My example is just that - an example.  The possibilities with my contest of mixed genres and styles allows so much room for creativity that I can't say with any certainty that anything is better than another.  But make it have a beginning, middle, and end.  And unlike this one, you'll get a bonus as I judge if it seems appropriate or engaging for kids (we're mostly kidlit writers, after all, right?)

Now, I hope you all consider entering the Mix-it-Up Contest.  Feel free to comment below or visit the original post page to begin reading entries as they are posted.  Voting is only a week away!

Happy New Year! (Again)

Over the weekend, this Mommy had a lot of fun celebrating Chinese New Year!  Our host son / exchange student (from China) led the festivities to reign in the Year of the Dragon.  What a blast!

Our host son is cooking his special Chinese Pork

"Happy Spring Festival" - the technical translation

No one went home hungry

We played about eight rounds of Mah Jong - but not for money!!

Paper Lanterns, of course (and everyone wore red to match)

Nothing better than a snowy firework show

It was surely a great time...but now it's going to be all work this week!  And, as I get writing (with plenty to write about) - so should you!  Need an idea?  Don't forget that I'm hosting a writing contest with real prizes!  Check out the original post to the contest details here.

Happy New Year! Again!

Focus Friday: RHYME (and perfect picture books)

It scares some writers.  

Others can't write without it.  

If it's good, it's brilliant.  

Anything less than perfect, the whole story's shot.

What is it?

Rhyme.

I edit and critique a lot of rhyming stories and picture books as a freelancer and a judge at Rate Your Story (which aren't always the greatest).  BUT...as a mom and rhyme-lover I read a lot of excellent rhyming books, too.  

I've worked on the craft of rhyming for years, and thus wanted to share with you a Perfect Picture Book written in rhyme and some of the most common weaknesses I see when freelance editing rhyme.

1) The rhyming words are too simple and/or uncreative, or too predictable.

Stop rhyming me and bee.  Rhyme trout and stout, or pickle and fickle.  

2) The second line (or fourth line) of a stanza is just a means to get a rhyme and doesn't add to the story.

Stop forcing your rhyme. If you can't find a good rhyme, "kill your darling" and write a new first line that ends with a different word.  Put the tough-to-rhyme words in the middle if you have to.

3) The syntax is inverted to force a rhyme.

See above.  What writers could publish 50 years ago probably won't land you a contract today.   Which brings me to number #4.

4) The author doesn't read many recently-published rhyming picture books.

Pick up a book by Karma Wilson, Jill Esbaum, Marsha Wilson Chall, Lisa Wheeler, Lori Degman, or ask your librarian to recommend some great books in rhyme published in the last 5-10 years.

5) The author doesn't know how to scan their own poetry.

Do you know what meter is? A foot?  An iamb? (I could go on).  A stanza where the first line is 21 syllables and the second is 8, the third is 17 and the last is 11 won't work (this is an actual example of something I once edited).

6) In their head, the rhythm is perfect.  But no one else has read it ALOUD.

Have others read it aloud to you.  Don't interrupt.  Don't read it to them first.  Don't let them read it on paper before the read-aloud.  Repeat process many times with many readers.

7) The author doesn't listen to the reason of their critique group/editor/etc. regarding rhyme.

Critique group members may seem too nit-picky sometimes.  So can editors (trust me, I'm my own pickiest editor).  But remember - they're all trying to help you!  They're on your side.  Whether free or hired, they're trying to hold you back from submitting or self-publishing rhymes that are not brilliant.  You want brilliant.

More tips here and here and here.

Now, on to Perfect Picture Book Friday.

You've guessed it...a rhyming picture book!

Title:  Animal Strike at the Zoo (It's True!)

Author:  Karma Wilson

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2006

Illustrator:  Margaret Spengler

Genre: Fiction, Rhyme

Ages: 2-8

Themes: Labor, Strike, Animals, Humor, Zoo, Duty

First Page (though every page gets better): There’s an animal strike at the zoo, it’s true!  / The headlines are telling it all.  / The animals quit, “That’s it! We’re through.” / Say all critters from biggest to small.

Why I chose it:  The rhyme is perfect, the story is funny and thoughtful and it actually introduces a topic that a teacher or mother can use as a segue to nonfiction (labor strikes have been a big issue in my home state of Wisconsin for the past year).

Resources:  Karma Wilson's Webpage about this book, Karma's "Write Your Own Silly Poem" activity, free zoo coloring pages for kids, Labor Union resources for teachers

What is Perfect Picture Book Friday?  Read more at Susanna Hill's Blog.

 Comments Welcome: Are you a rhyme-writer?  A rhyme-reader?  Did you love this book? Got rhyming tips to share?  Comments are open below.

Worldly Wednesday: Miranda's Mix-it-Up Writing Contest

Worldly Wednesday is here!  And that means no more waiting for my secret writing contest!

Here's my inspiration:

In our family's household, we're a mixed bunch.  Between my husband and I we represent at least 9 ethnicities on four continents (from what we know).  Add in our exchange student and there's at least 10.

Therefore, we celebrate a lot of holidays 'round these parts. Now, sometimes that causes us to stir up our "melting pot" giggles or bark out a "mutt" joke.  But sometimes, like in February, we look down from the branches of our sturdy family tree and take pride in the powerful roots our ancestors secured for us–a beautiful view.

So as we're geared to celebrate Chinese New Year -- and Black History month -- and Leap Day -- and Saint Lucia's Independence Day -- and President's Day (to name a few upcoming February holidays)...

I got to thinking...

...about mixing-it-up...

...in writing.

What would an Epic Limerick sound like?
Have you ever tried to write an Acrostic Sonnet?
How about a story in prose...with characters who speak only in haiku?
A Textspeak Tale?
A Picture Book Play?
A News Article Fable?

The Mix-it-Up possibilities are endless.  

And that, my friends, is your impetus.

Here are the rules to enter Miranda's Mix-it-Up Writing Contest:

1) You must be a follower of my blog to enter the writing contest.  You can subscribe via email or click follow on the sidebar where you see everyone's teeny faces.

2) Your entry must be 500 words or less.  Not counting the title.

3) You must write an original story, poem, article...whatever...that mixes up at least two genres of storywriting, types of poetry, styles of writing, etc..  Please label which genres/styles/etc. you've "mixed" within your introduction or above your entry.

4) You must post your entry on your blog page or website with a link back to this original contest page by Midnight on FEB 6 **EXTENDED**.

5) Enter the link to your contest entry using the form below (scroll to end).

6) You may not enter more than three different storypoembookhybridwhatevers.



Those are the rules.  Now on to the judging and prizes.

1.  I will choose and announce finalists at my blog on tuesday, Feb. 7th.  The number of finalists will be decided based upon the number of total entries (i.e. 10 entries, about 2 finalists...100 entries, about 20 finalists).

2.  Voting will then take place online (here on my blog) for the finalist entries.  You'll have until Friday morning (Feb. 10) to vote.  I will announce the winner later on Friday, Feb. 10th.

First prize = $20 in Barnes and Noble Gift Cards + a hardcover copy of Tales From China: World Favorite Fables + Bragging Rights

Second Prize = A hardcover copy of Tales From China: World Favorite Fables + Bragging Rights



How will I choose finalists?  Hard to say!  But... 
Follow the rules.
Tell a story with a beginning middle and end, or wow us with your poetry.
Be original.
Bonus points if your contest entry seems appealing to kids or is "friendly" for all ages.
Negative points for explicit language.  I reserve the right to remove a link if I feel it's not in good taste or is offensive.
I love humor and heart - make me laugh or make me cry.  Or both, if you can.

Now, write, write, write and post your link below in the form!  Comments are also open, so contact me if you have questions.  GOOD LUCK!!!

Mommy Monday: Bringing Dr. King's Words Home

Last Thursday when I picked up my five-year-old from school, she had a lot on her mind.  

"Did you know that one time people who had skin like daddy's couldn't drink from the bubbler?  But people with skin like yours could?"

I considered asking her which group she might have been placed into -  but decided to leave that question for the future.  Thus, I let her continue.

"Well, a man named Doctor Martin Luther King Junior told everybody that wasn't fair.  And somebody shot him, Mom! With a gun!"

She continued telling me what she had learned in school until we got home.  I wanted to teach her more – and while her interest was piqued.  Especially since the topic of race has come up several times since our last family visit abroad when my daughter experienced being the only mixed child in an entire school.

Our daughter already knows that treating every single person with respect and honor is right.  But she's just beginning to learn that the outside world hasn't always (and still doesn't) worked the way things do in our household.  Scary territory for a mother...
 

Luckily, I've always got books on hand and a steadfast desire to shape my children into beautiful and strong human beings.  So I pulled out Kadir Nelson's books We are the Ship and Heart And Soul.  I also took out Our Children Can Soar - figuring that now, these and other books would have more meaning to my daughter since she had a context to fit them into. 

Today, my daughter is off celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday at school.  While I know she'll have many more questions to ask for years to come, it is days like these – and books like these – which allow the most important lessons to be learned:  love, peace, justice, freedom and humanity.  

And those lessons are always welcome in my household.

Happy Birthday, Dr. King!