Hi Math is Everywhere Readers and Spring Fling Kidlit Hopefuls,

Today we have our eighth prize donor in our Prize Donor Feature Series. She is an amazing author-illustrator and a rising star in the kidlit world. The talented, the wonderful…

🎉Heather Bell🎉

Heather is donating a picture book dummy critique.

We asked Heather some spring inspired questions so you can get to know her better. Here are her responses:

• What is your favorite thing about spring?

I grew up in the perpetual summer of Miami (although a blast of 50-degree October weather always had me whimpering for my big puffy coat). But since I moved to Kansas City, seeing tiny pops of bright green shooting up from the frozen ground has made every winter worth it. Spring also reminds me of that time-lapse scene in one of my favorite movies growing up, The Secret Garden. Pure magic.

• Spring is full of surprises bursting forth, what’s something you’ve found surprising about the publishing industry?

How many steps it really takes from the birth of an idea to holding it in your hands (the debut I’m part of is still making its way to shelves). I had done lots of research, and heard this, but until I was working on a project with a team, I hadn’t realized exactly how much was put into each individual book. It’s surprising and pretty amazing. Another awesome surprise is finding out how many caring, giving, and supportive people there are in the writing community to help you along the way.

• Can you tell us a bit about the book you’re illustrating, Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader?

Written by the talented Jolene Gutiérrez, Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader is about a boy who wants to show his classmates that he cares, but struggles with understanding personal space. He sees Mac and Cheese, the class pet guinea pigs, showing friendship with snuggles and cuddles, but perhaps guinea pigs aren’t the best role-models for how to treat human friends. The story is filled with sweetness, humor, and excellent back matter to help young readers answer the question: how close is too close?

Thanks to art director/editor Dr. Mira Reisberg and publisher Callie Metler-Smith at Spork, an imprint of Clear Fork Publishing for helping this story get out into the world.

You can pre-order your copy at https://www.clearforkpublishing.com/store/p149/personalspaceinvader.html

And thank you Kaitlyn and Ciara for inviting me to donate a prize for this springtastic contest!

Heather’s Bio:

Heather Bell whole-heartedly believes that hidden within our everyday lives is a secret realm glimpsed through books, music, and children’s laughter. Holding a BFA in Painting from the Kansas City Art Institute, she is a member of SCBWI, a participant in the 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge, a Children’s Book Academy graduate, and a mommy. When not illustrating and writing, she searches out story ideas as an undercover school bus driver.

Heather’s website: https://heatherbellbooks.com/

Twitter: @Heatherbell37

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather.bell37/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.bell.3344913

Heather is one of the 18 wonderful prize donors for the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest 2020, make sure to follow her on social media, read her books, and review them to show your support! And get gif-searching or creating!

In the comments, tell us what you love about Heather’s art and/or why you’re most looking forward to reading Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader!

Sincerely,

Kaitlyn and Ciara

PS. If you need more info on the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest, check here and make sure to share with all your writing and author-illustrator friends!