Author Names: Tama Fortner & Michelle Nietert, illustrator Nomar Perez

Author Website: www.TamaFortner.com & YourMentalHealthCoach.com 

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TamaFortnerBooks/ 
https://www.facebook.com/mrs2003

Author Twitter: https://x.com/tamafortner

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamafortnerbooks/
https://www.instagram.com/michellenietert/

Author Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tamafortnerbooks/

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Brock: What was your inspiration for writing this book?

​Valerie: When my oldest was about three, my husband and I had a discussion if we would have the Easter bunny as part of our Easter celebrations. I grew up with the Easter Bunny, but as we discussed it, we didn’t see any connection between the rabbit and the gospel. The more I thought about it the more I struggled with the overwhelming presence of the Easter bunny. Then a question popped into my mind, what if the Easter bunny could point people to Christ instead of candy. From that question this little story grew into a book I couldn’t keep to myself any longer.

Brock: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they, and what makes them unique? 

Valerie:  The main characters are a little grey rabbit and Jesus. I think we can all agree that Jesus is pretty unique since he did miracles and was the Son of God. While the little gray rabbit is pretty ordinary, except for the heart-shaped fur on his chest. Be sure to watch this little feature as you read through the book.

Brock: Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows.

Valerie:  Jesus: He’s coming back. Bunny- in the original version of the book he was brown. Beta readers are very important.

Brock: In three sentences (or you can choose three words) what is this book about? 

Valerie: Easter changes everything.

Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story?

Valerie: Since An Easter Bunny’s Tale follows the events of Easter, that provided the basic outline for the story. Then I just had to figure out how a rabbit could fit into all the events leading up to the resurrection of Christ. 


Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers?

Valerie: In the story, as the little bunny follows Jesus, he finds himself getting dirty. When Jesus comes back to life, the little bunny doesn’t think Jesus would want to see him because he is so dirty. But my favorite line in the book is, ‘His nail-torn hands scooped me up. He didn’t fear the mud and the muck.’ I think we all feel inadequate and unworthy whether we’ve been a Christian for a long time or have yet to claim Jesus as our savior. But it’s because of what Jesus did on the cross that we can be with him and be washed clean. It is a truth we all need reminding of from time to time.

Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for?

Valerie: I think Rebekah Lyons said it once, “where your burden and your passion collide is where you find your purpose.” I love writing for kids because my boys are my joy and burden. And my passion is for stories that move people. Writing for children is such a challenge and a joy. When you do it right, the story will speak to the child inside all of us.

Brock: How do you hope parents will use this book with their kids?

Valerie:  It’s my prayer that parents will use this book and the discussion questions in the back, to have conversations about what Jesus did at Easter and what that means for our salvation.

Brock: What do you hope kids take away from this book or series?

Valerie:  My hope and prayer is that kids can watch the changes in the little gray bunny and see how what Jesus did on the cross can change their hearts. That they will want to know more about Jesus and his death and resurrection, so they can come to a saving faith early in life.


Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer?

Valerie: I am a part-time writer. My other titles include Taxi-driver, Line Chef, Housekeeper, Laundry service, and walker, abbreviated as Mom.
 
Brock: What is your "how I got published" story?

Valerie: I started writing seriously back in 2006, but when my son was born in 2008 plus several other circumstances, depression became too big of a stumbling block to ignore. So for ten-years I worked through my depression and focused on raising my family. When the 2020 quarantine came around I had worked through a lot of my depression and insequrities, writing mostly for fun in this time period. But during the stay-at-home mandate, I found myself drawing pictures for this story. As it all came together, I decided to put the book together as an Easter gift for the kids in my extended family. After giving those books out, God pressed on my heart that this story wasn’t just for my family. With a lot more prayer and encouragement from my family, I moved forward to self-publish An Easter Bunny’s Tale in 2021. There was a strong learning curve and illustrator issues that made me postpone the release to 2022. God knew what he was doing, and I’m so thankful I said yes to his leading.


Brock: What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

Valerie: Harold and the Purple Crayon and the Velveteen Rabbit are my favorite children’s books. They are the books that introduced me to the magic of words and stories. Favorite books as a teen were the Narnia Chronicles by CS Lewis and This Present Darkness by Frank Perretti.


Brock: In what ways does your faith impact how you approach writing?

Valerie:  My faith is the ultimate inspiration. Most of my stories come from faith struggles or faith questions that I or my kids have had. There is no greater storyteller than God and I am humbled to join in his efforts to communicate truths about him to anyone who would read.

Brock: Favorite place to vacation?

Valerie: Red River, New Mexico in the summer. My family has traveled there for five generations. It even was a honeymoon spot for several members of my family. The quiet beauty of it all plus the memories make it one of my favorite vacation spots.

Brock: Favorite season?

Valerie:  Spring. I love the burst of color after winter, and it means Easter is coming 

Brock: Do you have a particular drink or food you consume when you write?

Valerie: I usually have a large cup of water and some trail mix. If I’m feeling healthy the mix is almonds, cashews, and cranberries. If my sweet tooth gets the best of me, it might be peanuts, M&M’s, and chocolate chips.

Brock: What’s your favorite holiday memory?

Valerie: We were having Christmas at my grandmother’s house with all my cousins. My youngest cousin at the time was six and it was her turn to open a gift. She ripped through the paper and exclaimed “It’s a Box!” She was so excited about this brown cardboard box, that my aunt and uncle were confused. They thought they forgot to put the gift in, but no, the give was there. My sweet little cousin was so excited to open gifts that it didn’t matter what was inside. 

Brock: Did you always want to be a children’s author? 

Valerie:  Truthfully no. I started out wanting to write Historical fiction for adults, but as I started having children I fell in love with children’s books. And as my kids enjoyed the books we brought home, I began to write stories for my kids, and I love it.

Brock: What are you reading right now?

Valerie: ​ Right now, I’m halfway through Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, while also reading The Awesome Super Fantastic Forever Party by Joni Eareckson Tada and Fart Proudly by Benjamin Franklin (follow me on social media to find out why)

Brock: How did you come up with the idea for this book?
Valerie: Surprisingly I was scrolling through social media and came across a picture of a little girl placing a crown on her head with the words: ‘On the darkest days when I feel inadequate, unloved, and unworthy, I remember whose daughter I am and I straighten my crown.’ As I went to bed that night, I couldn’t get that quote out of my head. The words of the quote spoke to a deep place in my heart, and part of me wished I had heard it as a kid. And from that bit of insomnia came the idea to retell the story of Red Riding Hood from a Christian perspective.

Brock: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they, and what makes them unique?
Valerie: In any retelling of Red Riding Hood, there is Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. But in this story Little Red isn’t going to Grandma’s house because Grandma is sick, Little Red is going because the King has asked her to deliver something. Little Red is like many Christians. We’re given the task by the King of Kings to use the gifts he has given us to glorify Him. The Wolf in this story isn’t physical but represents the doubts and insecurities people of any age often struggle with. 

Brock: I love this take on the story! Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows.
Valerie: Little Red- She doesn’t know what in the basket she is delivering
The Wolf- There’s more than one in my book….

Brock: In three sentences what is this book about? 
Valerie: Remember who you are. You’re a child of God. You are never out of his reach.

Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers?
Valerie: I believe that we all relate to the Red Riding Hood character because fear of the unknown is such a universal response in the world. Both Little Red and Grandmother in Beneath the Hood had to remember that they are a child of the King. I believe anyone who picks up this book needs reminding of who they are and whose they are from time to time.

Brock: What is the biblical background or basis for the series?
Valerie: James 1:12 is the inspiration verse for this book. It says, ‘ Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.’ We will face our wolves in this life but when we remember we are heirs to the kingdom of God (Titus 3:7), and that he will never leave us or forsake us (Matthew 28:20) we can walk through the forest with confidence.

Brock: What great verses to draw from! How does it feel to have your work published? 
Valerie: I am amazed at what God has done. I’ve felt the nudge to write a book for a long time, but insecurity and fear held me back for a long time. When I, with God, broke down those barriers. He has been faithful to leading and encouraging me in this journey. This book is such an act of worship and faith that I am so humbled by what He has done.


Brock: How do you hope parents will use this book with their kids?
Valerie: It’s my prayer that parents will use this book and the discussion questions in the back, to have conversations about our identity in Christ. To help the quiet insecure kiddo -like me- grow in confidence and acceptance of who they are because they are a child of God.

Brock: Wow! It's the hope of many parents! What do you hope kids take away from this book?
Valerie: My hope for kids is that they have a stronger grasp of their value, identity, and the love of God as they walk through the dark forests that we all encounter in life.

Brock: For such a time as this! What is your favorite genre to write for?
Valerie: I think Rebekah Lyons said it once. “ where your burden and your passion collide is where you find your purpose.” I love writing for kids because my boys are my joy and burden. And my passion is for stories that move people. Writing for children is such a challenge and a joy. When you do it right, the story will speak to the child inside all of us.

Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story?
Valerie: For novels, I typically do a skeleton outline and as I’m writing see what the characters reveal to me. But for Children’s books, I do a lot of sketching and storyboarding, since picture books rely on the pictures to tell a portion of the story.

Brock: Where do you like to write?
Valerie: Either at the formal dining table in my home or the local library with headphones in place. (Earbuds hurt)

Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer?
Valerie: I am a part-time writer. My other titles include Taxi-driver, Line Chef, Housekeeper, Laundry service, and dog walker, abbreviated as Mom.

Brock: The most important role of all Mom (or Dad)! How long does it usually take you to write a single book?
Valerie: For a children’s book anywhere from thirty minutes to months, depending if I get distracted by another idea. For a novel, between 30 days ( NANOWRIMO) to six months. The editing process takes A LOT longer.


Brock: Indeed it does! What is the one author, living or dead, whom you would co-write a book with and why?
Valerie: Hands down C.S. Lewis. I would love to sit with him and bring the amazing truths he gave in his books to adults and boil them down to the wonder and power that is found in Narnia. 

Brock: What are your hopes for your future as an author?
Valerie: I hope to continue writing simple stories with biblical truth, as long as God asks that of me. I self-published my first two books and would love to be traditionally published. It’s my job to be obedient with the ‘talents’ God has given me, and he’ll do the rest.

Brock: Now for some rather interesting questions in lighting round form! Coke or Pepsi?
Valerie: Dr. Pepper :)

Brock: Favorite season?
Valerie: Christmas, I know you wanted one of the four seasons, but you can’t deny Christmas is a season all to itself. :) In my heart, I’m still a kid.


Brock: Favorite color?
Valerie: Teal

Brock: Do you listen to music while you write? If so what are some examples?
Valerie: I usually create a playlist for whatever I’m working on and listen to that as I’m writing. I’m working on a medieval middle-grade series, so there’s a lot of Celtic music on that list. If I’m working on a longer piece of fiction, I hope over to Michael Hyatt’s Writer’s Playlist on Spotify. It has a lot of great soundtrack instrumental pieces, that will keep me from singing in the library.

Brock: Great suggestions! What is your favorite book?
Valerie: You know I can’t pick just one. That would be cruel.
Children’s book, I’d have to say Harold and the Purple Crayon. I love creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Middle grade- I bet you can guess, The Narnia Series by CS Lewis Adult book- The Circle Series by Ted Dekker- I love how the gospel is woven within these books.

Brock: What do your kids think of your writing?
Valerie: Truthfully they are my first beta audience, so they get to watch the story unfold differently. But they have seen my struggle with confidence. They have encouraged me and inspired me in many ways. I hope they see how I am working toward a goal, making mistakes, and trying again. I know they are excited as I am about the journey God is taking my books on. They are watching me live out the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, and I pray it inspires them to work hard for their dreams also.​

Bedtime with Mommy:
    It’s bedtime all around THE WORLD,
    And Mommies are tucking little ones into bed.
    From the elephants on the grasslands to
    The camels in the desert to the polar bears in the Arctic,
    It’s time for snuggles, prayers, and bedtime kisses.

Bedtime with Daddy:
    All around THE WORLD, it’s bedtime,
    And Daddies are tucking little ones into bed.
    From the Emperor penguins in Antarctica
    To the peacocks in the bushland
    To seahorses in the ocean,
    It’s time for snuggles, prayers, and bedtime stories.

This adorable bedtime book, featuring mommy and baby animals from all over the world, is a sweet and comforting way to tuck your own little one into bed. Written in lyrical text, Nancy I. Sanders beautifully weaves in gentle prayers and reminders of God’s love. Bedtime With Mommy will be one of those books that kids ask for again and again.
--Crystal Bowman, bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 books for children

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Brock: How did you come up with the idea for this book or series?

Nancy: Ever since our granddaughter was born two years ago, I wanted to write a baby board book to read to her. She’s the first girl in 2 generations! I read a lot of other baby board books but didn’t see any bedtime books with animal habitats around the world. So I thought this idea would make fun new bedtime books.

Brock: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they, and what makes them unique? 

Nancy: Each animal's mommy or daddy lives in a unique habitat around the world. Putting their little one to bed in this habitat has its own special memories and situations. I also wanted children from all around the world to identify with the mommies and daddies and little ones in these stories!

Brock: Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows.

Nancy:For Bedtime with Mommy, I tried to include animal mommies that were special such as a kangaroo mommy puts her baby to bed inside her pouch! And a mommy sea otter carries her baby on her tummy as she floats on her back.

For Bedtime with Daddy, I especially wanted to include animal daddies who are known for taking special care of their little ones. The Emperor Daddy and seahorse Daddy topped the list!

Brock: In three sentences (or you can choose three words) what is this book about?

Nancy:Bedtime snuggles, kisses, and hugs! Going to bed with a Bible verse, a praise song, and a prayer. Creating a nighttime routine that tells little ones they are loved.

Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story?

Nancy: Yes, I usually create an outline before I start. I feel it makes the book stronger in the end. I picked the animal moms and dads and habitats I wanted to include as well as the order they would be in before I wrote these books.

Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers?

Nancy: These stories show animal babies getting ready for bed by taking a bath, brushing their teeth, picking up their toys, and getting their jammies on. Just like real kids do! And this also shows them adding a Bible story, prayers, praise songs, and lots of snuggles into their bedtime routine.

Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for?

Nancy:I think Christian baby board books tops the list!


Brock: What is the biblical background or basis for the series?

Nancy: I wanted to teach mommies and daddies how to take the opportunity every night to build a foundation of faith in the hearts and lives of their little ones.

Brock: How many books are planned for this series?

Nancy: Two right now. I’d love to see more!

Brock: Any certain research required for the book, or is it all from your imagination?

Nancy: Lots of research went into these books. I researched each animal and its habitat and the relationship between the parents and babies. It was so much fun!!!!

Brock: How do you hope parents will use this book with their kids?

Nancy: My prayer is that parents will read these books with their children as part of their bedtime routine and that parents will also be inspired to read a Bible verse, sing a worship song, and pray with their children before tucking them into bed.

Brock: What do you hope kids take away from this book or series?

Nancy: I want little ones to feel wrapped in love…both their parents’ love and the love of their heavenly Father.

Brock: Where do you like to write?

Nancy: I like to write a first draft sitting in a comfy chair in the living room watching the birds outside our front window. Sometimes I go outside in our back yard on our patio swing and write a first draft there while watching the birds back there.

Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer?

Nancy: As a career writer with over 100 books published, I tell people I write full-time part of the time! When my kids were home over summer vacation, growing up, I’d take a break from writing. When they were in school, I’d write from dawn to dusk! Now that my husband is retired and we live near our four grandchildren, when my day is free I write the hours away. When we go camping or have the grandkids over, my writing is put on pause.

Brock: How long does it usually take you to write a single book?

Nancy: It can take anywhere from 1 week to 1 month to 1 year. The longest book I wrote took me 2 ½ years to write. It was a middle grade nonfiction title, JANE AUSTEN FOR KIDS.

Brock: What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

Nancy: Charlotte’s Web. I still read it practically every year.

Brock: Soft shell or Hard Shell tacos?

Nancy: Soft. Vegetarian with beans.

Brock: Favorite place to vacation?

Nancy: We live in southern CA so we have our choice…the mountains or the beach!

Brock: Favorite season?

Nancy: I love Fall through Spring!

Brock: Favorite color?

Nancy: Teal

Brock: What’s your favorite holiday memory?

Nancy: Sledding at Christmas and chopping down a Christmas tree on our family farm with my fiance (and now husband) Jeff.

Brock: Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

Nancy: I always pick a favorite Bible verse for each new book I write. For these two books, it’s Psalm 149:5, “Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds.”

Brock: Favorite pasta dish?

Nancy: Spaghetti Pie. It’s a baked spaghetti casserole with cream cheese. Yum!

Brock: Do you listen to music while you write? If so what are some examples?

Nancy: Yes! I always listen to music while I write. If I’m concentrating, it’s instrumental such as Celtic worship music. I just finished a book deadline writing content for a new Bible. For that project I listened ON REPEAT to “My Worth Is Not in What I Own,” by Krysten Getty and Fernando Ortega.

Brock: Favorite Bird?

Nancy: Oh, there are so many! In our front yard right now we have a small flock of bluebirds who come every evening. In our back yard right now we have a spotted towhee. He looks almost like a robin but with brighter colors. We love birds and enjoy a variety year round. So many migrate here to spend the winter. It’s a joy!

Brock: What hobbies do you enjoy?

Nancy: Hiking local trails with my husband, quilting, birdwatching, and raising monarch caterpillars in our back yard. And of course…grandkids! Wait…is that a hobby or an extra special blessing??!!

Book Title: 
Bedtime with Mommy
Bedtime with Daddy
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Publisher: End Game Press

Audience: Baby-4 years old

Genre: Baby board books/bedtime books

Release Date: 
Bedtime with Mommy: August 24, 2021
Bedtime with Daddy: September 6, 2022

Author Name: Nancy I. Sanders

Author Website: http://nancyisanders.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancyisanders
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancyisanders    
Facebook Author’s Page: https://www.facebook.com/NancyI.SandersAuthorPage/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyISanders
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyisanders/
Amazon Author’s Page: www.amazon.com/author/nancysanders
Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teacher-Plus-Writer
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/95924.Nancy_I_Sanders
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyisanders/
Blogzone (for writers): https://nancyisanders.wordpress.com   
Christian Children’s Authors: https://christianchildrensauthors.com/
Write2Ignite Blog: https://write2ignite.com/blog/

​#Coffee and a #Book and some #ReadAloud time together! Grab your copy of #DaddysFavoriteSoundfrom LifeWay, Christianbook.com, Target,Amazon.com, Books-A-Million, Harvest House Publishers or find more locations atDaddysFavoriteSound.com. Preorder by 3/31 and get #FREE stuff!

I am excited to announce that I have signed a 2 book deal with Harvest Kids (Harvest House Publishers in Eugene, OR.) The first Daddy's Favorite Sound is co-written by my eldest daughter, Kinley. The firs book will release in hardback in March 2019! The second book is still to be determined, but is currently scheduled for March 2020! 

I look forward to sharing more with you about this book and the progress as we take it from idea to storytime in your home.

Read more about the book HERE

Where Bear? by Sophy Henn is a fun imaginative book that takes readers on a journey from one place to the next to find Bear a new home. My kids enjoyed the sometimes silly and sometimes practical places where Bear could live, yet he always said "No.". The little boy and Bear finally try a snowy location and discover it's exactly where Bear belongs. My kids were pleased to learn that Bear and the little boy stayed friends and were even headed off on another adventure together.
Elsie says, "The toy shop is so silly. I like the cave the most." Then she makes her voice into an echo, "No, no, no, no, no." You'll have to read the book to understand that last part.
An interview with Sophy Henn:
Brock: Sophy thanks for joining us for this interview. We're always excited to talk to authors and illustrators of the books we love.
Sophy: I am so pleased your kids enjoyed Where bear?, that really is the best thing to hear!
Brock: How did you come up with the idea for Where Bear?
 
Sophy: I was playing around with some acrylic paint and absentmindedly painted a white bear in a forest. He looked a little lost and confused, "Where was this bear supposed to be?" Then I scrabbled around in a note book where, among a lot of other nonsense, I had written down 'Where Bear' as it sounded nice. Bingo! The story started from there.
 
Brock: Are bears your favorite animal? If not what is?
 
Sophy: I love all animals, I really couldn't pick a favourite, though as my next book is about a Panda you could be forgiven for thinking I had a thing about bears. I have a dog called Buster and a huge soft spot for guinea pigs!
 
Brock: Will there be a second Where Bear book?
 
Sophy: I am not sure, never say never! But I wouldn't want to do one for the sake of it and the right story just hasn't popped into my head. Yet!
 
Brock: My kids loved your illustrations. What artistic technique did you use for Where Bear?Sophy: Your kids have excellent taste!!!! I hand draw everything using plain old pencils, then I scan it in and put it all together on my Mac. But whenever I get the chance I love to play around with inks, printmaking, paints, you never know what might come out of it!
Brock: If you'd like to learn about one of Sophy's techniques you can see an illustrated guide on The Guardian about drawing expressions, and it features a bear.


Brock: Thanks Sophy for all the great answers.
Sophy: Thanks again Brock, I really appreciate your interest in Where Bear? and look forward to reading your review!
Order Where Bear? Here
From the Publisher:
This beautifully illustrated, fun read-aloud picture book will have kids everywhere asking the same question: “Where, bear?”Once there was a bear cub who lived with a little boy. But over time the bear cub grew . . . and grew . . . and GREW! And did things that bears do . . . and do . . . and DO! One day the boy looked at the bear and realized he was just too big and bearish to be living in a house. “I think it’s time we found you a new place to live where you can be bearish and big,” said the boy. “But where, bear?”So begins a delightful journey that reminds us that even when best friends are apart, they always stay together.
Praise for WHERE BEAR?:
* “[N]othing short of magnificent. Each page is absolutely charming and begs to be looked at again and again.”–Library Media Connection, starred review“[A] winsome debut . . . The catchy refrain, ‘Then where, bear?,’and Henn’s sophisticated matte-toned illustrations make for a zippy take on the ‘finding your place’ genre.”–New York Times Book Review“This gentle tale about friendship and home will give early readers and their grown-ups plenty of food for discussion.”–Kirkus Reviews“Simple illustrations in bold colors allow the bear’s repertoire of expressions — chagrin, boredom, and terror — to take center stage.”–Boston Globe“[C]hildren will gravitate to the rhythmic repetition and the graphic design. A notable debut.”–Booklist

Henry Finds His Word by Lindsay Ward was a fun read for my littlest one and as a parent it was ridiculously relatable; especially in the moment Henry finds his last word. With fun vibrant illustrations and a quick easy to read story, it makes a great read for your youngest listeners in the family. In our house Waverly is doing exactly what Henry does on the final page of the book. It's all about "MAMA!"
When I asked Waverly what she thought of the book, she simply said, "Mama! Mama! Mama!." I think that says it all.
From the Publisher:
New moms and their babies will love watching Henry say his first word
Baby Henry is under a lot of pressure to say his first word.  His parents are all excited about what it will be, but Henry doesn’t see what the big deal is.  He says things all the time like “bbbghsh” and “boop,” but no one seems to understand what he means.  So, Henry decides that he better start searching for a word.  Luckily, just when he needs it most, his first word comes looking for him.This picture book about learning to talk is the perfect gift for new parents and big brothers and sisters. Watching Henry hit this developmental milestone is a treat, and new moms will melt when they find out what Henry’s first word is.Order Here

In his retelling of the classic story Chicken Little, Robert Byrd gives a new triumphant twist to the story. Brave Chicken Little stays true to the story's characters and beginning, but takes us to a happier resolution that children will appreciate. In this richly illustrated version, the villain; Foxy Loxy, is defeated and our heroes (albeit not the wisest at first) escape to the tell the King the sky is falling. Your kids will enjoy hearing the story and meeting the large cast of characters along Chicken Little's way. They'll wonder what will happen when Chicken Little, Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky, Turkey Lurkey, Piggy Wiggy, Rabbit Babbit, Natty Ratty, Froggy Woggy, and Roly and Poly Moley are trapped by Foxy Loxy, but will celebrate when the family of foxes is outfoxed by brave Chicken Little. It's nice to read an optimistic outcome to your kids that still teaches a great lesson.
Brock: It's my pleasure to have Robert Byrd here to answer a few questions about Brave Chicken Little. Robert, why did you decide to retell the story of Chicken Little?
Robert: I always liked the story of Chicken Little, and the sky falling, and how foolish all the animals seemed, but I felt the traditional telling of the tale didn't really go anywhere.
 
Brock: Is that why you added a more positive hopeful ending to the story?
 
Robert: In some versions the fox eats everybody and in others the king's dogs chase the fox away, and in others nothing really happens at the end. I thought the story could be told with Chicken Little - a very small animal - out-foxing the fox. Chicken Little is sort of a hero while all of the others are rather useless in a bad situation. I also liked the idea of introducing new characters into the story.
 
Brock: My kids loved your illustrations. What artistic techniques did you use for Brave Chicken Little?
 
Robert: I work with ink line drawn over pencil line, and then washes and layers of watercolor, on Arches water color paper. Thanks so much for your interest in my work. You can see more of what I do at Robert Byrd Art
​Brock: Thanks Robert for answering our questions.
Order Here
From the Publisher:
Whack!
What’s that?
Could it be? A piece of the sky!
Oh my!
Chicken Little and his friends run, run, run to tell the king. Nothing stands in the way except…the sly Foxy Loxy. Surely they have time to stop for lunch with Foxy and his kits. But what happens when Chicken Little and company find themselves on the menu?
What this classic story needs is a new ending and a brave hero.  And maybe this time, it’s Chicken Little!
Cleverly retold and exquisitely illustrated by Robert Byrd, Brave Chicken Little transforms a cautionary fable into a tale of triumph.

Praise for BRAVE CHICKEN LITTLE:
“Byrd’s rewrite of the Chicken Little story is a distinct improvement on traditional versions…pen-and-ink spreads drawn with a sense of lyricism [are] pleasantly at odds with the slapstick prose.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review“So much attention and detail has been lavished on each flora and fauna enhanced spread that children will want repeat viewings. That will give them more time to catch the humor that can be broad (CL cellar escape) or subtle (the range of expressions on the animals’ faces).” – Booklist, starred review“This is the most fun version of Chicken Little since Paul Galdone’s Henny Penny (Seabury Press, 1968).” --Library Media Connection“A handsome, most welcome addition to the…literature of folk and fairy tales.”  --Kirkus
“Byrd upends both the classic tale’s conventions and its cautionary message; still, his revision works as an underdog-makes-good story, much abetted by his elegantly detailed illustrations.” --Horn Book“Alliteration, occasional rhyming, and poetic language add richness to the storytelling and strengthen the readaloud potential.” --BCCB

An adventure that rhymes along the way. The style and free flow of the wispy illustrations match the rhyming flowing poem of this book perfectly. A fun and beautifully illustrated edition to anyone's library for their kids, When the Wind Blows by Linda Booth Sweeney and Jana Christy will take you to a seaside village on an early spring day. The adventure of the little boy and his grandma, reminded me of my childhood outings with my Grandma Swigart and while we did not live by the sea, we did find ourselves at the lake feeding ducks and flying kites in our hometown park.

Brock: And now an interview with Linda Booth Sweeney. How did you come up with the idea for the poem When the Wind Blows?

Linda: When my oldest son Jack was two (he’s now 16!), we went out to run an errand. It was bright and sunny when we left, but as we headed back home, a storm came in and the wind blew, and blew.  His stroller was literally blown off the side walk!  Jack loved the whole thing and kept pointing out to me what he saw — the sign shaking so hard it looked like it would fall off the post, the awnings billowing and snapping, the puddles shimmering…I had my head down trying to get him home safely but his excitement was contagious!  I joined him in his wide-eyed awe of the wind and found myself laughing and skipping home, and loving every minute of it. That’s how the first draft was born. I just wrote down all the things we noticed. And then from there, I began to fill it out and develop the rhyme.
 
I wrote the book, in part, invite children outside, to keenly observe the wind, or the rain and snow for that matter!  My guide here is the poet Mary Oliver. Here are her ““Instructions for living a life”:
 
"Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.”
 
What happens when the winds blows?  The snows flurry?  The rains falls?  I want kids to get out there and get there noses in it, and be amazed and tell about it.
 
Brock: What a great motivation to create this tale. Is spring time your favorite season?
 
Linda: It is definitely one of my favorites. Spring is all about renewal and rejuvenation. It’s about faith too.  Faith that the purplish asparagus crowns will find their way through still icy April earth, and those little green daffodil shoots will once again appear. We had six major snow storms here in New England so it definitely tested our faith that Spring would finally come. Even this week (the first week of April), my iPhone showed snow flakes for this week’s weather forecast!
 
Brock: I'm in Colorado, so I know all about the constant sometimes unpredictable changes in the weather. What is your connection to the ocean?
 
Linda: I do love the ocean and would spend time every summer in Truro, Massachusetts with my family in a tiny, one-room cottage. I have to say though, the beauty of the ocean connection in this book is really Jana’s inspiration. You’ll have to ask her!
 
Brock:  What advice would you give to a future poet?
 
Linda: Quiet down. Be fully present wherever you are. On the soccer field, in the woods, even in the grocery store. See what words emerge and then go home and write them down. Start with four lines and see how it feels. Then, if you get hooked, become a student of poetry. Read as much as you can. My favorite guidebook is by Mary Oliver’s “A Poetry Handbook”. And then read other’s poetry. Two of my favorite poetry picture books right now are “The Forest Has a Song” by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater and “A Rock Can Be” by Laura Purdie Salas.
 
Brock: Thanks Linda for the wonderful answers!Order Here:

From the Publisher:
Spring weather can be exciting!
When wind chimes start singing and clouds race across the sky, one little guy knows just what to do—grab his kite!
But as the kite soars, the wind picks up even more, and soon he and his grandma are chasing the runaway kite into town. As they pass swirling leaves, bobbing boats, and flapping scarves, breezes become gusts and the sky darkens. Rain is on the way! Can they squeeze in one more adventure before the downpour?
Scenes rich with springtime details for little eyes to follow and lyrical verse that captures the changeable mood of the weather make this perfect for spring story times.

Praise for When the Wind Blows:
*“Electric colors evoke the kinetic energy that crackles before a storm and the irrepressible excitement a good squall brings out in young and old. …   The book’s exhilarating verse [is] metronomic and as succinct as the heartbeat throbbing in the cold ears of a child racing back to his dry house… Gale-force gusts of invigorating artwork and imagery will leave readers breathless in windswept wonder.”–Kirkus Reviews, starred review

​“The rhythm of the book seems to mimic the steady blow of the wind on each page. Young readers will enjoy following the story in the supporting gorgeous watercolor images as they watch the winds pick up speed.”–School Library Journal
“The rhymes are fresh and unpredictable, and the narrative maintains a crisp rhythm throughout. Christy’s illustrations align closely with the text, effectively capturing swirling winds, swinging signs, and swaying tree branches.”–Booklist

A quick easy read with rhyming like Dr. Suess. Doreen Cronin and Juana Medina's Smick will make your kids smile as they flip the pages and memorize the easy text of this picture book. "Smick is a quick slick read."
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From the Publisher:
Smick is a BIG dog.
Sit, Smick.
Chick is a little chick.
Stay, Smick!
So what happens when they see a stick?
Written by New York Times bestselling author Doreen Cronin and ingeniously illustrated by newcomer Juana Medina, Smick is a story of unlikely friendship, a sense of adventure, and a lot of wonderful wordplay.

​PRAISE FOR SMICK:
“Maximum fun.” --Booklist, starred review
“Less is definitely more in this fetching, fun-filled mix of dog, chick and stick, guaranteed to tickle all.” --Kirkus Reviews

This dad says, "SnoozeFest will be your next bedtime hit," though we read it before lunch. The imagery in SnoozeFest is fun and engaging, taking you into the town of Snoozeville where we meet Snuggleford Cuddlebun a rather sleepy sloth. Samantha Berger and Krstyna Litten have created a fun little world to visit that your kids will connect to. For example the names of all the blankets 'Knit-Knit and Woobee' (At our house we call blankie Foofie) and the fun animals who visit the NuzzleDome for the SnoozeFest. My girls sat on my lap as I read the fun rhyming prose of SnoozeFest accompanied by engaging beautiful art. They enjoyed looking at the artwork in detail, talking about the silly things they saw. We read the book twice back-to-back because they liked it so much. I recommend SnoozeFest to moms and dads looking for a fun read-aloud story.  When I asked my kiddos what they thought of the book; Kinley said, "Really good. My favorite part was the cats in the pajama parade." Her sister Elsie agrees about the cats in pajamas (we love cats) but adds the book was, "Silly."
A quick and awesome interview with the author and artist:

Brock: Samantha, how did you come up with the idea for Snoozefest?
​Samantha: Snoozefest combines 3 things I absolutely love: sloths, music, and SLEEPING! Once upon a time, I took a trip to Costa Rica and stayed at a sloth sanctuary that helps rescue sloths and baby sloths. I met a sloth named Buttercup and held her in my arms. Here is a photo:
[caption id="attachment_4233" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Samantha and Sloth[/caption]I couldn't believe how slowly sloths moved, and how expressive their faces were (*Just look at that FACE!) and how much they liked to SLEEP! I knew I wanted to write a book starring a sleepy sloth someday. And, I also love music!There are, all over the world, these HUGE music festivals, where tons of bands play, and people gather to listen to music for days. (Some of the famous ones in the United States are Coachella, Lollapalooza, Burning Man, and South by Southwest). That gave me the idea to have a great big music festival for the world's greatest sleepers. What would the audience do at that music festival? They would sleep through the whole thing! And who would love that festival MOST? A sloth! (and ME!) That is how Snoozefest was born.
Brock: That's a fun story. I'm going to have to put, 'holding a sloth,' on my list of things to do before I die. Tell us one thing about Snuggleford Cuddlebun that was not in the book?
Samantha: Snuggleford Cuddlebun has six sloth sisters and brothers. Their names are Yawna, Dozer, Sir Crashington, Snora, Restacio and Droolian. All of them are also too tired to wear pants.
Brock: That makes me laugh. What advice would you give to a kid who wants to become an author?
Samantha:

1. Carry a pen and journal with you everywhere, all the time, and write down everything that comes into your brain. That could include conversations you overhear, a name you like, a joke, a word you think should exist that doesn't yet, lists of different kinds of cookies! All of it is good stuff. Even keep a pen and journal next to your bed at night, so you can write down your dreams. I have dreamed about books I ended up writing. You always think, “Ah, I'll remember this in the morning, I don't need to write it down,” but sometimes you forget and WISH you had written it down. So keep your tools with you (waterproof pen and paper), and write, write, write!

1. When you write, let your mind and ideas FLY FREE! Forget about whether you think what you're writing is “good” or “bad” or “interesting.” Forget about anyone else who might read it, and what they might think. Just WRITE! Just ramble, blurt, blather, and get your words down on the page! You can always go back later to edit and improve your work, but the most important thing is for a writer to WRITE!

1. Write about the things you LOVE writing about. Vampire teddy bears, superhero kittens, the boy who traded places with his Grandma. Anything at all! It's ALL good. There is no such thing as wrong, no such thing as mistakes, no bad ideas when it comes to writing. Just write what you love, and become the writer you are!

Brock: That is great advice. I can't tell you how many times I wake up in the middle of the night and quickly tap out a text or email to myself so I won't forget. And I couldn't agree more about your advice to, 'just WRITE', I know I've said it several times to kids who ask me, "WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, get it all down on paper, worry about editing and formulating once the idea is down." Thanks Samantha. Kristyna, you've done an amazing job with this book, my girls love the cats in the Pajama Parade. Did you have fun drawing all the animals? 
Kristyna: Yeah, I love drawing animals so it was great to draw all the animal families that would be going to the Snoozefest. I’m glad they liked the three little kittens. Those mischievous three are actually on a number of the pages, right from the point they are waiting for the bus through to the performances of all the great bands. Where most of the crowd are chilled and mellow, the cats are running wild. One of them is even emptying the contents of an onlooker’s handbag, and another is riding a sheep across the stage.
Brock: My girls loved that (the cats)! My oldest had me flipping pages back and forth, while she was laughing. I wish I had a video of it. She was going on about the silly little kittens. What was your favorite part of the book to illustrate?
Kristyna: I really loved doing the PJ Parade. I love fashion and drawing clothes so that was really my favourite spread to do. And I also love colourful patterns so I block printed and drew lots of patterns that could be used through the book. So they all came in particularly useful when I was colouring all the unique blankets animals would bring to the festival.
Brock:  PJ Parade was certainly the winning spread at our house. What advice would you give to a kid who wants to become an illustrator?
Kristyna: Draw as often as you can and draw what you enjoy drawing, the more you draw for pleasure the more confident you’ll become in drawing new things and develop as an illustrator. I’m still learning every day.
Brock: Great advice Kristyna, I'm no artist, but I do love to doodle. Perhaps there is even hope for me someday. Thanks Samantha and Kristyna for taking the time to answer these questions. We learned a lot and I know my family looks forward to your next books, hopefully we'll meet Snuggleford Cuddlebun again.
From the Publisher:Bedtime story meets Coachella in this adorable book about a sloth who packs up his pajamas to attends an arena festival for nappers, dozers, and the very best sleepyheads. Snuggleford Cuddlebun is a champion sleeper. In fact, she’s such a good sleeper that she decides to go to Snoozefest, an arena festival that celebrates sleep. There, she lounges in her hammock while bands like the Nocturnal Nesters and the Quiet Quartet serenade the audience with lullabies. There’s warm milk and honey to be had, designer pajamas from Diane von Firstinbed, and no one dares be seen without a baby blanket. But before she knows it, the nuzzling, snuggling, and dreaming are over—and Snuggleford has slept through it all. This hilariously endearing bedtime story is perfect for anyone who loves sloths, music festivals, and/or cuddles. Order Here

One of my favorite books to read aloud to my kids, King Jack and the Dragon by Peter Bently and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, takes you right into the imagination of young Jack and his friends. It reminded me of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sandek by delving into a child's imagination on a search for 'monsters' as well as the style of art used in the story. For anyone who loved Where the Wild Things Are this is a must have title for your bookshelf. When I was a little boy I was always exploring my yard looking for dinosaurs or other beasts; armed with toy weapons and equipment for the hunt. Most parents (especially dads) will connect with the fun tale and enjoy reading it while inspiring your own kids imaginations.
Brock: I reached out to author Peter Bently about his story King Jack and the Dragon and asked a few question. I hope you'll enjoy the Q&A. Peter, how did you come up with the idea for the King Jack and the Dragon?
Peter: It began with my son Theo (alias King Jack) building a den in our back garden one summer night when he was about seven. He planned to camp out all night, but once it got truly dark he was soon spooked
by all the unknown noises of the night – rustling branches, roosting birds, scuttling creatures and so on – and staying the night without mum and dad didn't seem such a good plan. But we commended him for
being brave enough to try!
Brock: Our kids often are the best inspiration for our writing. In fact I've got a book under review with a couple of publishers inspired by my oldest daughter. Did you pretend to fight monsters and dragons when you were a little boy?
Peter: I do remember imagining there were monsters under my bed and how I would scare them off if they woke up!
Brock: I doubt many children get through childhood without facing an imaginary monster or two, whether under their bed, in their closet, or as they imagine being a knight or princess. Can you tell us something about King Jack not in the story?
Peter: He likes to be the king but he is also fair to his playmates and happy to let his baby brother Caspar join in too. Jack likes to play at pirates too…you can read all about that when "Captain Jack and the Pirates" comes out later this year.
Brock: We will certainly look forward to that release. What is your favorite part of the story and why?
Peter: I like the part where he imagines the dragons and monsters he is fighting. It's partly to do with Helen Oxenbury's pictures, which portray the creatures so perfectly – not too scary. She told me the monsters were a tribute to the late Maurice Sendak.
Brock: On that last point, prior to doing the interview, that (the likeness to Maurice Sendak's Wild Things) is exactly what I wrote into my review. Good to know I wasn't off base. Thanks again Peter for answering these questions and giving us some insight into this great children's book. One I think all parents should read to their kids.
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From the Publisher:
A lively playtime adventure that becomes a warm and cozy bedtime book—perfect for every little knight-in-training. From the illustrator of the award-winning We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
Night is falling and playtime is nearly over. But brave King Jack and his faithful knights Zak and Caspar are still protecting their castle fort from fierce dragons and terrible beasts. This captivating, joyful make-believe adventure is the perfect bedtime story for brave children everywhere. Fans of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and Dinosaur Roar will especially enjoy this imaginative tale.An ALA Notable Book Bank Street Book Committee Best Children’s Books of the Year Kate Greenaway Award

“Sure to be read aloud again and again, this testament to imaginative play exudes warmth.”--Kirkus Reviews

Praise for King Jack and the Dragon:
“At once contemporary and classic.” — The New York Times

“Though the characters are wholly modern, there is a timelessness to the cycle of excitement, apprehension and parental comfort that should give this lovely book a long stay on the nursery shelf.” — The Wall Street Journal*

“It’s an enchanting tribute to both full-throttle pretend play and the reassurance of a parent’s embrace.” --Publishers Weekly, starred review*

“A tale of make-believe that children will delight in hearing again and again.” — School Library Journal, starred review

“The rhyming verse, large trim size, and detailed illustrations…make this a suitable story for group sharing, while the sweet, intimate tone will make it a family favorite.” — Booklist

“From this simple premise of imaginative play, Bently and Oxenbury create a classically sweet picture book.” — Horn Book

“This one is sure to become a full-on family favorite at bedtime.” — The Washington Post
“Altogether, ‘King Jack’ is just about perfect.” — The Sacramento Bee

Meet me at the Moon by Gianna Marino is full of beautiful and captivating illustrations. The scenes of the animals on the African savvanah will steal your child's imagination and get them dreaming of traveling there one day. My girls enjoyed reading this book and looking at the colorful illustrations of animals. There might be a few moments where your children are concerned for Little One while his MaMa is gone, but be assured that they are reunited under the moon as promised. Wrap your own arm (like an elephant's trunk) around your child in an elephant hug as MaMa and Little One reunite.

​From the Publisher:
A heartwarming love story between mother and child. When Mama Elephant must leave Little One to ask the skies for rain, the young elephant is worried. Who will care for Little One? Who will sing Mama’s special songs? When will she return? Mama is very reassuring – Little One will hear her song on the wind and feel her love in the warmth of the sun, and, after the rains come, they will meet where the moon sets. Exquisitely illustrated and supremely comforting, Meet Me at the Moon is a mother and child love story to be enjoyed again and again.
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PRAISE FOR MEET ME AT THE MOON:
“Marino’s breathtaking panoramas make an already powerful story sing.” --Publishers Weekly, starred review
“The textured mixed-media art paired with the flowing text elevates this title above most missing-mama fare … Radiating warmth and comfort, this distinguished title strikes home.” --Kirkus, starred review
“Heartfelt and sincere, yet never cloying, this will work well one on one or in story hours.” --Booklist

Frog and Fly by Jeff Mack is a silly book that will have your kids ROTFL (Rolling on the floor laughing) or at the very least make them LOL (if you don't know that one then...) Frog and Fly's. A set of simple comics between Fly and Frog that end with Fly getting slurped, however kids will not be sad for fly because he returns in each story. I especially enjoyed Story 3 of the book.

An Interview with Jeff Mack:

Brock: Jeff thanks again for joining us for an interview about your books. How many Frog and Fly comics are there?

Jeff: There are six stories. I originally wrote them as two books with three comics in each. Then I combined them to make a single hardcover book with six chapters. Later, when Frog and Fly was re-published as a shorter board book, two of the stories had to be edited out.

Brock: Is the Fly the same fly each time?

Jeff: Yes. Frog and Fly live in a parallel cartoon universe where animals speak and instantly recover from any nasty injuries. It's like the old Road Runner cartoons where the coyote falls off a cliff over and over again. It's totally impossible. I guess that's one of the reasons I find those cartoons so funny.

Brock: That's what I was imagining. What is your favorite Frog and Fly story?
 
Jeff: My personal favorite is the one where Frog and Fly have a contest to see who is faster. Frog keeps losing and crashing into stuff. Then he tricks Fly into saying that he's yummier. Fly wins again. And, at the same time, he loses. It has a nice logic to it, but it's still totally absurd.
 
I also like the final story in the hardcover version. It features a bear, and it has a very twisted ending.
 
Brock: What advice would you give to a kid who wants to create short comics?
 
Jeff: While you're writing the comics, don't worry about making them short.  Just write what you love. Make the story as long as you want. Then put it away in a drawer, and do something else for a few days. Later, when you read it again, you'll have an easier time identifying which parts make the comic fun and interesting and which parts just make it long. Then you can cut out the less interesting parts and make it shorter.
 
Also, with comics, it helps to figure out if you are someone who naturally thinks about the words first or someone who thinks about the pictures. When I write a story, I usually have ideas for the pictures before I know what the words will be. So I start my comics by sketching the characters in different scenes. Then I go back and write the dialogue afterward. For other people, their ideas may take the form of words, so they write lines of speech first. Then they draw pictures to illustrate the dialogue. There are many ways to make comics. My advice is to experiment and discover which way works most naturally for you.

Brock: Thanks Jeff for taking the time to gives us more insight into Frog and Fly.

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From the Publisher:

Silly comic-strip style stories and two comical combatants make for one laugh-out-loud board book!
Frog and Fly are constant companions. There is only one problem . . . Frog thinks Fly is delicious! This leads to a never-ending battle of wits with laugh-out- loud consequences. Told in short comic-strip style chapters, Frog and Fly will delight kids and leave them begging for yet another slurpy story.

Praise for Frog and Fly:
“Mack’s winning combination of simple text, uncluttered multimedia art, and comic-book-style panels make for a great beginning-reader format as well as a good choice for. . . read-alouds. Many children are going to find this hilarious; it’s reminiscent of both joke books and old Saturday-morning cartoons, when coyotes fell off cliffs and bounced right back, and it never, ever got old.” --Booklist

“This expressive and personable duo provides a spot-on brand of joke book-style humor that children will find plenty entertaining.” --Publishers Weekly

One of the most wonderfully illustrated books I've read to my kids. Three Bears in a Boat is a fantastic story with a great message set amid the gorgeous backdrop of the sea. The story and images will capture your kids' attention and imaginations as you read to them. They'll want to explore the island and rise along the boat with Dash, Theo, and Charlie. When the three bears break their mom's favorite blue sea shell they try to cover their tracks, but at the end of their journey, though they find a shell, the bears decide to tell their mama the truth. The forgiveness of their mama brings the story to a wonderful ending, but adds the simplest of consequences when the three bears get no desert. This consequence though is one many children will understand.


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From the publisher:
From the co-creator of the New York Times bestselling Ladybug Girl series comes a high seas adventure inspired by the classic picture books Little Bear and Where the Wild Things Are. Three bear siblings break their mother’s favorite blue seashell, and rather than tell her, they decide to set out in their sailboat to find her a new one. On their quest they encounter salty sailors, strange new islands, huge whales, and vast seas but no blue seashells. When a treacherous storm suddenly blows in, the three bears find themselves tossed about in their little boat, far from Mama. What will become of their search, and what will it take to bring them safely home?This read aloud shares its best qualities with classic picture books: breath-taking illustrations, epic adventure, and a subtle message about taking responsibility for your actions.

Praise for Three Bears in a Boat:* “Gorgeous . . . A first purchase for all.”--School Library Journal (starred review)* “Humorous and intelligent—and with watercolor seascapes so luminous that readers will want to jump in—this is a book to be treasured for years to come.”--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)* “Breathtaking . . . Beautiful . . . Gentle”--Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A beautiful journey you’ll want to return to repeatedly. . . . If you’re looking for a gift book, a bedtime book, or just something uniquely attractive to the eye, seek ye just three little bears. Charm incarnate.”—Elizabeth Bird, A Fuse 8 Production, School Library Journal
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2014
A Kirkus Best Book of 2014

In the simplest way with the two words 'Look' and 'Out' Jeff Mack has created a fun story showing the challenge of getting kids away from the TV and into a book. LOOK! was delightful to read as I changed my voice for each character and tone for each emotion. Your kids will be entertained by this lovable Gorilla who tries desperately to steal the boy's attention from the glowing screen. Your kids may start looking for a gorilla to come bouncing through their own door. Speaking of Gorillas, when I was just five my sister (three) woke me in the middle of the night claiming there was a gorilla in our living room. Thanks to our imaginations (fueled by lots of books read to us by our mom) I indeed found and scared off that gorilla. Another really fun touch of this book is the textural looking elements like the library due date and the crinkled and bent looking pages. Read LOOK! to your kids, you won't be disappointed.

​Kinley loves this book because she can read it on her own and because of the fun illustrations. Her favorite page is the very last with the mountain of books, the gorilla, and the little boy.

An Interview with Jeff Mack:
Brock: Jeff thanks for agreeing to answer some questions about Look. How did you come up with the idea for LOOK!?
Jeff: The idea for LOOK! came from real life. I visited a school where I saw a student try to show a teacher  a picture she had drawn. The teacher was busy with another student, but this girl was determined to get her attention. She tried everything she could think of: tugging on her sweater, standing on a chair, jumping up and down, yelling. The teacher was so patient!  In the end, when it was finally the girl's turn, it took just a moment of recognition to satisfy her.
 
After that, I knew I wanted to write a story about a character who wants attention but feels ignored. I wrote dozens of versions, but none of them clicked for me until I added the tv set. That was something the ignoring character could look at instead of paying attention to his friend. It prevented them from making a meaningful connection. It also presented a problem many readers could relate to.Then I added the books as something else they could look at that would bring them together in the end. It also addressed the debate about books vs. screens in a constructive, upbeat way.
Finally, when I figured out how to tell the entire story using just two words, words with meanings that change depending on their context, I felt like I had invented something fun and interesting that both kids and their parents could identify with.
For me, LOOK! is primarily about who or what you pay attention to and the connections or missed connections that result. That's the idea that started it all.

Brock: I love how you indeed delivered such a meaningful message with just two words. And truly you hit on an  issue that exists everywhere. Sadly more often than not this problem occurs between parents and their children. Why did you choose a gorilla?

​Jeff: First I tried a bear. Then a big shaggy dog. But the gorilla just seemed the cutest to me. He's like a big baby. I liked the idea of an ape and a boy learning different things from each other.  And the sketches I made of them sitting together gave me such a positive feeling, I knew the ape was the right choice. Because of the gorilla, some people have read an evolutionary message into this book, but it wasn't intended. It just had to do with sweetness.

Brock: Interesting that someone reading a children's picture book would go to evolution. Animals are a relatively normal touch of children's picture books. Why did you add the textural elements into LOOK!?

Jeff: Many of us spend so much time looking at screens these days, I wanted to remind readers that books are originally physical objects with a range of sizes, shapes, and textures. So I added textures of pages and covers from old books in the background. That way readers could read a real book about characters that live in a world made of virtual books.

Brock: I appreciated that extra addition to the book. There is something about physical books that technology hasn't been able to completely replace, at least yet. I enjoyed the subtle message of books can be as exciting as television. What are your thoughts on Books versus TV?
 
Jeff: I enjoy watching TV now and then. It's fun. But reading books is usually a richer experience for me. Movies and television do a good job of appealing to my emotions. Books do a better job of appealing to my thoughts. Since my emotions are fleeting, TV rarely makes a deep, long-lasting impression on me. On the other hand, there are books that have really stuck with me and changed the way I think about the world. I'm lucky to live in an age when we still have both.

Brock: What technique/media did you use for Look?

Jeff: One of the themes of this story is a battle between new technology (screens) and old technology (books). I wanted the art to reflect that. So I used watercolor (an old technology) to render the boy and the ape, and I used digital collage (a new technology) to render all of the backgrounds. I also used crayons to draw the ape's dialogue, and I cut letters from various magazines for the boy's dialogue.
 
I started exploring collage techniques with a book called "The Things I Can Do". In that book, a five-year-old narrator illustrates his own story with objects he finds around the house. Ironically, it took a lot of technology to make that book look convincingly hand-made. It was so much fun to do, I decided to push those techniques further with LOOK!.

Brock: Jeff thanks for your time and for answering my questions. I hope you had a good time and thanks for LOOK!.

Jeff:  These were really good questions! Fun and thought-provoking.

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From the Publisher:

This hilarious tale of a friendship that develops over a love of books is the perfect picture book for fans of IT’S A BOOK and OFFICER BUCKLE AND GLORIA!Everyone needs a little attention from time to time. Just ask our gorilla who will stop at nothing to be noticed by the boy with his eyes glued to the TV set. But for the gorilla, it’s going to take more than a quiet nudge to steal away the boy’s attention. When his usual antics fail to catch the boy’s eye—LOOK OUT! The gorilla has some other tricks up his sleeve.Using only two words—LOOK and OUT—Jeff Mack relates an adorably hilarious story about an attention-loving gorilla, a television-loving boy, and a friendship that develops over books. Simple in construct yet richly creative, this interactive and colorful tale will leave children laughing and loving books for years to come.Perfect for fans of It’s a Book and Officer Buckle and Gloria. 

Praise for LOOK!:
* “The slapstick action unfolds on linen-textured backgrounds, battered vintage book covers, and the actual pages of a book—hat-tips to the physicality of books that hint at a happy ending for bibliophiles of all ages. Even if audiences miss these winks and nods to the tactile pleasures of reading, they’ll still love that gorilla: hulking, eager-to-please and almost palpably furry, he’ll be welcome in any room.”--Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

“The personalities and emotions of the chunky, fluffy ape and the TV-entranced boy nearly vibrate off the page. Look, indeed! An energetic invitation to the joys of books.”--Kirkus Reviews

“This is a fun read-aloud that will have children wanting to look and look again.”--School Library Journal

“Mack’s gentle, cartoonish illustrations are cleverly drawn on old book covers and endpapers, a subtle detail that emphasizes the joy of reading, and with a playful two-word vocabulary, even the littlest readers will be able to get in on the fun.”--Booklist

“Look! treads familiar metafictive ground in celebrating the pleasures of reading, but it manages to feel fresh nonetheless, with inventive use of controlled text, vibrant mixed-media art, and thoughtful design.”--Horn Book