The Cow Who Climbed a Tree AND Other Ways to Kick Doubt Out

**As seen on EasternPennPoints Blog (Eastern PA Chapter of SCBWI)**

I’ll be in the middle of writing and I’ll get this unwelcome visitor called Doubt. *sigh* And this visitor asks all kinds of annoying questions. Can you write? I mean really write? Will you ever be published? What are you doing? Are you wasting your time? Should you keep plugging away?

And so if you’ve ever experienced a Doubt visit, you’ve got to read The Cow Who Climbed a Tree by Gemma Merino. To discover Impossible! Ridiculous! Nonsense! is absolutely possible. Even when there’s a ton of naysaying from your herd or in your own head.

Matt de la Peña is proof. He received the 2016 Newbery Award for Last Stop on Market Street. His acceptance speech mentions Doubt. Here's an excerpt:

This job can be a lonely, lonely ride. And there are moments when it’s nearly impossible to maintain a belief in yourself. Ninety-nine percent of the time the words don’t seem quite good enough. Or the characters don’t seem quite real enough. Or, worst of all, you don’t feel quite talented enough.

 
So how can we kick Doubt out? These are the branches I climb:

·         I’m open to learning. I read, read, read. I attend workshops. I'm a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writersand Illustrators (SCBWI). And I'll be chairing/co-chairing a new SCBWI picture book critique group in Mechanicsburg, PA (interested? contact me at: jeannecurtin@yahoo.com).

·         I surround myself with positive people. I can’t imagine life without my loved ones and friends cheering me along the way.

·         I have reminders in my environment. Like these words on my wall:

    Make your Magic = write.

    Be Grateful = I take a moment of each day to acknowledge people/things in my world for which I’m genuinely thankful.

    Believe = that my goals of publication will happen.
 

    ·         I keep healthy. I walk. Run stairs. Take time to enjoy life. Adventure. And eat right as much as possible.

   ·         I practice, practice, practice.

Have you used these Doubt busters? Do you use other ways to kick Doubt out? Please share in the comments below!

#SCBWI #NewberyAward #MattdelaPena #GemmaMerino #amwriting #kidlit #doubt  #picturebooks #GetBrave #LiveLife

Max the Brave Review

by Ed Vere

The cover of Max the Brave worked like a magnet, pulling me in. And then I opened the book and learned that sweet-looking Max doesn't like bows, and I was totally hooked.

This fearless kitten chases mice, but since he's never seen the rodent, Max is on a quest to find one. He asks every critter he encounters --from a fly to an elephant-- if they are a mouse. Each time Max is told no, but that a mouse just passed by. So Max continues on his quest, always seemingly one step behind his prey.

There are some twists and turns in this cute and fearlessly brave story where sometimes mice are monsters.







#MaxTheBrave #EdVere #BookReviews #KidLit #PictureBooks

2016 Highlights Foundation Workshop: Picture Books & All That Jazz (PB&J)

Leslie Helakoski, Darcy Pattison, Kelly Bennett

INSTRUCTORS & AUTHORS:

DarcyPattison & Leslie Helakoski

SPECIAL GUESTS:

• Author Kelly Bennett
• Balzer& Bray Editorial Assistant Kelsey Murphy
• Highlights Art Director Tim Gillner

JAZZED. That would be me after attending the PB&J Workshop.

Our group of about twenty writers toured Highlights Magazine which is celebrating its 70^th year! We learned how to make submissions, and were encouraged to do so. Then we walked across the parking lot to Boyds Mills Press. There, Cherie Matthews, Assistant Editor, gave us priceless information about their inner workings.

I became teary-eyed grateful for this opportunity as we weaved through the Pennsylvania countryside towards the Highlights Foundation’s campus. When we pulled into the driveway, I felt as though this was where I was meant to be.


The Barn.

Darcy and Leslie made us feel welcomed. We ate dinner. And then we dove right into writing lessons. A mere two hours later, I sat down in my comfy, cozy room, took out my manuscripts and eww, eww, ewwed all the way through. Which did not feel so comfy and cozy, but made me realize that this was exactly where I needed to be.

Over the next few days we learned how to generate valid story ideas. We learned how to harvest words and place them properly into stories. To create pitches for agents or editors, and keep our focus while writing. We learned about structure, voice, rhythm, and editing. And so much more.

My brain operated at full speed. Learning and writing was all I wanted to do. I hardly slept. And I LOVE my sleep. One morning I awoke with a jolt at 4:17 with an idea bred from a newly learned technique. I grabbed paper and pen, and feverishly wrote.

I treasured being immersed in writing, elbow to elbow with peers sharing the same passion. We celebrated accomplishments. We supported each other through the joys and pains of becoming better writers.

Back at home, I missed that camaraderie. But not for long. Lindsey, one of the other attendees, started a private Facebook group where we continue to share in one another’s journey.

Jazzed Jeanne

 

Thanks to PB&J, I am equipped with valuable knowledge, an even stronger desire to write, and have a support group. JAZZED. My only regret is not taking this workshop sooner!

OTHER WORKSHOP BONUSES:

·         FOUR priceless critiques!

·        Getting to know our intelligent, patient, and kind instructors.

·        Meeting and listening to Kelly Bennett, Kelsey Murphy, and Tim Gillner.

·         Distractions were at a minimum.

·         The gracious and generous staff.

·        And oh, the food! I’m still savoring the apple chutney pork chops and that wild rice dish, and the specially made gluten-free peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies! Mmmm . . .

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Everyone interested in writing picture books. All levels.

HOW TO PREPARE? Read, read, read classics and newly published picture books.
WHAT TO BRING? A laptop, one or two of your favorite picture books, imagination, and your passion for writing. Of course clothing and toiletries are helpful, too.

 

#Workshop #Highlights #PictureBooks #WritersLife #Author #GetBrave #LiveLife

Little BIG

by Jonathan Bentley

 

So glad I ignored my first assumptions about this book. The title Little BIG made me think that the pages inside would be filled with dull comparisons of littles versus BIGS. BUT . . .

Little BIG is really a heart-warming story about a younger sibling who longs to be big like his older brother. And yet he realizes the privileges of littlehood. It's that lifelong pull of wanting to grow up, and yet longing to be forever young.

Love the way the story weaves back and forth between little and big, and ties itself up with the perfectly little ending.

And have I mentioned yet that the illustrations are wonderfully adorable? They're part of the magic that brings me back to turn the pages again and again.

The only thing I'd change about the book is its title. How does If I was BIG Like a Monster sound?





#JonathanBentley #KidLit #PictureBooks #Books #LitteBIG #BookReview #Review

The Last Chocolate Chip Cookie

by Jamie Rix
Illustrated by Clare Elsom

Every time there's the last one of anything, I experience this twinge of guilt as though I should offer this last whatever to everyone and anyone before I devour it. And now I may understand why. . .

Just as Jack is about to grab the last chocolate chip cookie, his mom snags him. She makes him offer the cookie to everyone else first because it's the polite thing to do.

So off he goes with the cookie in his pocket and a little resentment in his gut. But he does what he is told and makes his rounds from his brother to the Mexican baker with a mustache on his face to Splagly the alien in outer space.

Well, Splagly looks at Jack and decides he looks like a tasty morsel. But before the alien could woof down poor Jack, Splagly's mom snags her son . . .

In the end, there's a tasteless twist.

The Last Chocolate Chip Cookie is a cute story with colorful, inviting, and fun illustrations.




#KidLit #JamieRix #ClareElsom #PictureBooks #ChocolateChipCookies

The Turnip

Written and Illustrated by Jan Brett

Turnip fan or not, The Turnip is an entertaining story about being in the right place at the right time. 
 

The story begins when Badger Girl discovers an enormous turnip in the garden. However, she nor Badger Boy, nor their parents, or any of the passers-by can pluck that turnip from the ground. That is, until Rooster struts along after narrowly escaping the cooking pot. He gives the over-sized turnip a good heave-ho at the same moment the bears living beneath the vegetable give it a good push to remove it from their bed. Rooster gets the credit as the turnip is finally set free. 

All are happy as Mother Badger declares there will be turnip pancakes browned in butter for all. And as everyone is enjoying the feast, Father Badger declares Rooster, who proved himself useful, has a new home.

 As always, Jan Brett's detailed and darling illustrations add to the magic of her books.

#JanBrett #KidLit #PictureBooks #Turnip #TheTurnip #books #review #bookreview 

Nerdy Birdy Review

Written by AaronReynolds

Illustrated by Matt Davies

Ever felt different? Ever want to belong? Then you’ll enjoy Nerdy Birdy.

Nerdy Birdy has big glasses, extra small wings, a birdseed allergy, and enjoys reading and video games. He feels different and alone, cast aside by the cool birds, until his peeps – a whole flock of nerdy birds just like himself – invite him to be friends. But when he wants to include another loner to the group, the nerdy birds refuse because the new guy is different. Nerdy Birdy is confused, and chooses to leave his flock to keep the new guy company.

This book teaches kids to be inclusive. And that seeing differences is okay, but seeing similarities? Even better. 

#KidLit #PictureBooks #MattDavies #AaronReynolds #Books #Reviews 

That’s (Not) Mine

Written by AnnaKang

Illustrated by Christopher Weyant

 

This is a simple book that depicts the whole “that’s mine!” mentality so spot-on. You can’t help but smile as the two creatures fight for possession of a chair. You’ve either been there, done that, or have witnessed such a dilemma.

The illustrations are simplistic too, creating three cuddly characters, and colorful, inviting scenes.  The emotions of anger, smugness, bewilderment, fright, stubbornness, and joy are well-depicted as the two main characters navigate the worlds of assertiveness, trickery, and friendship.

An enjoyable fast-paced read that opens the door for a discussion about sharing.




#KidLit #AnnaKang #ChristopherWeyant #PictureBooks #GetBrave #LiveLife #books #review #children