Dad and Pop is Here! For Father's Day and Everyday!
Welcome Dad and Pop: An Ode to Father's And Stepfathers, fresh, shiny and new from Candlewick Press (April 28, 2010). The brilliant artist, Paul Meisel, has framed the story as a delightful whimsical scrapbook! Dad and Pop is a celebration of loving fathers and father figures--however they happen to come into a child's life. When creating the story, I particularly wanted to honor the men who helped my babies, Max and Lexi, grow into their own: Curtis, Steven and best bud, John; and my brother, Joe, who is an amazing dad to Devin and Grace!
Your Daddy Was Just Like You has arrived!
It's here! It's here! Imagine me blowing one of those long, thin horns from Camelot with banners flying and fireworks bursting because that's how I feel! Happy Birthday to Your Daddy Was Just Like You!
On March 1st, I held my newest baby, a hard copy of Your Daddy Was Just Like You, in my hands for the first time. They shook as I turned the pages. This mother/grandmother love story has been a long time coming--over 7 years. Thanks to Susan Kochan, my editor, who saw its potential, it's born!
The idea for the book came from watching my son Max trying so hard to be a big guy and do all the stuff big guys could do, with his chubby cheeks red from exertion or frustration. It's my way of saying, "don't worry, you'll make it....your daddy wasn't always so strong, or smart or brave. He had to learn and you will, too!"
While the idea and words for a picture book may come from the author, it's the pictures that bring it to life. David Walker is a master at showing emotion..joyful bubbles float up from the bathroom scene; pouty daddy bashes about during his wild days, sad daddy pouts in the corner during Time Out--looking so perfectly adorable you want to laugh and cry at the same time! David generously shared sketches and discussed the illustration process during an interview last year. Check it out!
For me, the great joy in being an author comes from seeing kids and their people enjoy my books. My girlfriend Teri gave me sweet taste of that joy when she brought her nieces, Sofia and Isabella, to a recent book signing in Tulsa. I only had the review copy of Your Daddy then, but they wanted to read it and so we did. At the end of every "Just Like You," Isabella pointed to herself and said, "Just like me!" with a huge smile, "I do that...and that...or that!. The best birthday gift a book could receive:
Happy Birthday! Your Daddy Was Just Like You ...and you and you and you!
Download 'Em Y'all: Teacher's Guide and Activities for Dance, Y'all, Dance!
Dance, Y'all, Dance Teacher's Guides and Activity sheets are now available for your enjoyment on my website. You'll find them by clicking on the Activities Tab. Including!
Dance, Y'all, Dance Texas Teacher's Guide, created by author, teacher, creative goddess, fellow VC grad and hostess of the Simple Saturday Craft Days (which are grand fun for everyone!), Debbie Gonzales!
Dance, Y'all Dance puzzles, mazes, word searches of varying difficulties so children of all ages can enjoy them, created by author, poet and puzzle diva Doris Fisher
Dance, Y'all, Dance Teacher's Guide--Even More To Explore, created by Author and Literary Specialist Tracie Vaughn Zimmer. Tracie has a grand website with interviews for writers, book reviews for readers and Teaching Guides to hundreds of books, from picture books (Including Not Norman, Spider Spins a Story, and Sherlick Hound and the Valentine Mystery) to young adult which are created especially with teachers and book clubs/groups.
I Just finished....listen to me!
I just finished being interviewed by Naomi Giroux for her podcast "Coffee with An Author" which will air at 10:00 am central time February 15th, 2010. It was an hour-long interview during which I discuss writing, my books and read Dance, Y'all, Dance. Those of you who know me may not be surprised to know how easy it was for me to blabber on for an hour....there are lots of "ummmmms" in there, and mid-way through we lost the connection between Bryan, Texas and Jakarta, Indonesia--go figure! So there are a few fun moments of "are you there????? Kelly??? Hello, Kelly???" All in all, Naomi made it easier than I ever expected. The best part is that mid-way through I read Dance, Y'all, Dance--so if you like to hear an author read her/his stories, forward to the middle, open the book to scene one and read along as I read aloud! "Coffee with an Author" is an interactive, live Internet talk-radio show that focuses on authors and writers of all genres and mediums, and a feature on Ijustfinished.com. Host Naomi Giroux explores the careers, advice, writing style and personality of each guest. Callers are encouraged to call (646) 716-9724 to listen or ask questions. The stream and archives are available at http://blogtalkradio.com/i- just-finished . "Coffee with an Author" is live every Monday at 10am (CST). The show is hosted on BlogTalkRadio, by Ijustfinished.com, and available on iTunes as well.
Two Stepper Unite--Time to Fight for our Dance Halls
Texas Dance Halls are facing extinction as more and more of them are closing due to "decay and disuse" says Patrick Sparks, president of Texas Dance Hall Preservation, Inc. The best way to save our dance halls is to "Dance in them" Patrick says. But some Texans are doing more--and you can too. Read/hear about it in this January 4th NPR report by John Burnett:
Saving Texas Dance Halls, One Two-Step At A Time
If the link to NPR doesn't work go here: www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122009049
If you haven't made your 2o10 resolution yet, now is the time: come on y'all help save our dance halls--fight for your right to two-step! Dance on!
Dance, Y'all, Dance coming to Texas this Fall!
My new picture book, Dance, Y'all, Dance is on its way! It's official launch date–Birthday–is November 1st, 2009 at the Texas Book Festival in Austin, TX. All sort of events are planned including Book Signing, School Visits, and Story Times. I hope you'll come out to see me and to help welcome Dance into the world! Dance, Y'all, Dance Kick-off Schedule:
Oct. 24, 1:30-3:30: Book Signing at Katy Budget Books in Katy
Oct. 27: Visiting schools in the Sugarland: Cornerstone Elementary, Brazos Bend Elementary, Walker Station Elementary
Oct. 28, 10:00 am: SCBWI-BV Schmooze, Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators, Barnes and Noble, College Station, TX
Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Texas Book Festival, Austin, Texas
Happy Birthday Dance, Y'all, Dance!
Nov. 1, 11:00-1:00: Book Signing at Texas Book Festival, Writer's League Booth
Nov. 2, 7:00-9:00 pm: SCBWI-Houston Meeting, Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators, Tracy Gee Community Center, Houston
Workshop: "Picture Books -It's What You Don't See That Counts"
Nov. 3:
Hastings Elementary School in Duncanville, Texas
Nov. 5, 10:00-11:00:Children's Story time at Blue Willow Books, Houston
Nov. 5, 1:00 pm: Visit Calvary Episcopal School
Nov.; 6: 8:00-1:00 pm: Visit the Kinkaid School
Nov. 7: Sam Houston Book Festival, Huntsville, Texas
Workshop: "Picture Books are Like Icebergs: Harvesting Crystals"
Nov. 9, 5:00-9:00 pm: Family Book Night at the Kincaid School
Dance, Y'all, Dance Postcards, Bookmarks, Activity Sheets and Teacher's Guides are available! If you'd like to have any of these materials, visit the "contact me" link on my website and send me your mailing information.
Come on! Dance y'all! Whoop it up! I sure am!
Dance Y'all, Dance is On Its Way!
"Some one gave me a wonderful present... " I felt like singing when I opened my e-mail Saturday morning. The Galley's for Dance Y'all Dance, my soon to be released picture book from Bright Sky Press had arrived. It is a lively, two-steppin', swingin' and twirlin' dance hall romp. Illustrator Terri Murphy created lively art with fun characters, every page dances. She did a wonderful job of bring the story to life. Dance Y'all, Dance will be released this fall. Here is a peek at the cover.
WEBSITE UPDATE
Please click over to my website--it is refreshed and reloaded with new stuff including news about my forthcoming picture books, Dance Y'all Dance, Dad and Pop, and Your Daddy was Just Like You!