It has been really fun and has made me realise all sorts of subconscious things about the story writing process in general and my adventures with Julia, Zebra and Annie in particular. --Lou about this lovely interview
Karla Valenti has created an exciting and innovative way of reading about important people in STEM. Kids and teachers are going to eat this up for its inventive analogy and entertaining storytelling. And BONUS, they'll be enjoying learning! --Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez
Hi Spring Fling Kidlit Participants, In true kidlit fashion, Ciara and I have a last-minute surprise for you! Our deliberations have been intense, and we just couldn’t stop at 19 prizes. Lucky for us, the amazingly generous Ellen Leventhal stepped up and is offering a picture book critique. Please make sure to show her all … Continue reading Spring Fling Kidlit SURPRISE!
My mom simply said, “You’ve done hard things before.” That really hit home with me. I thought, “I have done hard things.” So now, when I start feeling like something won’t happen, I remember what my mom said and dig back in to the work.
I was struggling to find the real story--and to streamline it. Then my critique group called for an intervention and encouraged me to write it in rhyme, mainly just to boil the story down to its essence, and go from there. Fortunately, when I did this, it became my story!
Hi Spring Fling Kidlit Participants, Ciara and I are really enjoying all your phenomenal stories, thank you so much for sharing them with us and connecting with each other! If you want some extra fun while we read through the entries, we're having Craft Chats, Writing Exercises, and Prize Donor Trivia on Twitter under the … Continue reading Spring Fling Kidlit Update Twitter Chats
Hey Math is Everywhere readers, It’s Autism Awareness Month, and we’re lucky to have debut author Jen Malia here today to share her new book, Too Sticky! that was inspired by her and her daughter’s experience with autism. Kaitlyn: Welcome, Jen, thanks so much for joining us today! Jen: Thanks for inviting me, Kaitlyn! Kaitlyn: … Continue reading Debut Author Interview and GIVEAWAY for Autism Awareness with Jen Malia
Hi Math is Everwhere Readers and Spring Fling Kidlit Contest Hopefuls, To check out where you’re submitting your gif-inspired kidlit story of 150 words or less, go here: https://ciaraoneal.weebly.com/spring-fling-kidlit-contest Just when you thought we were done, we have a surprise for you! We have one extra prize donor!!! To find out about the other prize … Continue reading Prize Donor Feature, Karly Caserza, Spring Fling Kidlit 2020
Hi Math is Everwhere Readers and Spring Fling Kidlit Contest Hopefuls, To check out where you’re submitting your gif-inspired kidlit story of 150 words or less, go here: https://ciaraoneal.weebly.com/spring-fling-kidlit-contest Today we have our eigthteenth prize donor in our Prize Donor Feature Series. She's a rockin', new Literary Associate at Olswanger Liteary and one of my … Continue reading Prize Donor Feature, Andrea Walker, Spring Fling Kidlit 2020
Well… (tapping chin to finger) there are some hilarious scenes involving Joker- he’s quite the character, complicating things for Alex (the main character) and being just…annoying. Then there’s this high-energy chase scene that always has me wringing my hands. But I think the heartfelt moments where Alex’s father shares a few of his mind-blowing magic tricks with his son are probably my favorite. 😉
Tara is offering a picture book critique.
Charlene is donating a picture book or first chapter of a graphic novel dummy critique.
Renee is donating a Lyrical Language Lab Intensive Rhyme & Meter Self-Study Course This self-paced course helps you build a strong foundation in the mechanics of rhyming picture books and poetry.
Hey Friends, Can you believe Spring Fling Kidlit is almost here?!? Hop on over to Ciara's Blog to see where you'll be submitting your story! (the rules are there too): https://ciaraoneal.weebly.com/spring-fling-kidlit-contest/spring-fling-entries Check out all the Prize Donor Features (still more to come): https://mathiseverywhere439319476.wordpress.com/category/prize-donor-feature-series-spring-fling-kidlit-2020/ Join us tomorrow (April 1st at 6pm PST/ 8 pm CST/ 9 … Continue reading Spring Fling Kidlit is ONE WEEK away!
Hi Math is Everywhere Readers and Spring Fling Kidlit Contest Hopefuls, If you haven't heard of Spring Fling Kidlit, or need a refresher on the contest is, check out all the info here: https://sites.google.com/view/springflingwritingcontest/main Today we have our fourteenth prize donor in our Prize Donor Feature Series. She is one of the most passionate, generous, … Continue reading Prize Donor Feature, Amanda Jackson, Spring Fling Kidlit 2020
Diana Murray is the author of over a dozen books for children, including GOODNIGHT VEGGIES (HMH, March 2020), a Jr. Library Guild Selection; FIVE FUZZY CHICKS (Imprint/Macmillan, February 2020), an Amazon Book of the Month; and UNICORN DAY (Sourcebooks, 2019), a National Indiebound Bestseller.
Hey Math is Everywhere readers, Today is NATIONAL PUPPY DAY! From National Calendar: Observed each year on March 23rd, National Puppy Day celebrates the unconditional love and affection puppies bring to our lives. Their cuddles and wiggles make us smile and without a doubt, there are squeals of delight when there are puppies around! National … Continue reading Author Interview and GIVEAWAY with Vanessa Keel for National Puppy Day
Hi Math is Everywhere Readers and Spring Fling Kidlit Hopefuls, Today we have our twelfth prize donor in our Prize Donor Feature Series. She flawlessly connects education with fun and has such a beautiful outlook on our world… 🎉Kourtney LaFavre🎉 Kourtney is donating a picture book critique. What is your favorite thing about spring? Where … Continue reading Prize Donor Feature, Kourtney LaFavre, Spring Fling Kidlit 2020
Hi Math is Everywhere Readers and Spring Fling Kidlit Contest hopefuls! Today, for our eleventh Prize Donor Feature, we have one of THE COOLEST author-illustrator teams in kidlit... 🎉The Laceras🎉 Team Lacera is offering WINNER’S CHOICE: picture book critique (manuscript or dummy), first 5 pages of a middle-grade ms, or a query critique We asked … Continue reading Prize Donor Feature, Team Lacera, Spring Fling Kidlit 2020
Hi Math is Everywhere readers, Today we have one of the most wonderful writers I know, June Smalls! She's here today to talk about her next book, a beautiful tribute to elephants through lyrical nonfiction, She Leads: The Elephant Matriarch. Kaitlyn: Thanks so much for joining us today. June: I’m happy to be here. Thank … Continue reading Author Interview and GIVEAWAY with June Smalls about her newest picture book: She Leads
Hi Math is Everywhere Readers and Spring Fling Kidlit Hopefuls, Today we have our tenth prize donor in our Prize Donor Feature Series. She creates gorgeous, award-winning illustrations and is diving into a career as an author-illustrator... 🎉Traci Van Wagoner🎉 Traci is donating a picture book dummy critique. We asked Traci some spring-inspired questions so … Continue reading Prize Donor Feature, Traci Van Wagoner, Spring Fling Kidlit 2020
never forget that "child door in" when you are writing
I hope in this time of quarantine and school closures that people are finding solace in the fun things they can do. We are enjoying cuddles, reading,...
I grew up in the perpetual summer of Miami... 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.
Hi Math is Everywhere Readers and Spring Fling Kidlit Hopefuls, Our seventh donor feature for our 18 prize donors is one of the most devoted, generous writers I know… 🎉Jolene Gutierrez🎉 Jolene is donating winner’s choice: a non-rhyming picture book manuscript critique, 750 words or less or the first five pages of a middle grade … Continue reading Prize Donor Feature, Jolene Gutierrez, Spring Fling Kidlit 2020
Hi Math is Everywhere Readers, Today I’m extra, super excited because our guest shows the line between math and writing is less defined than you think. Dawn Young--engineer turned children’s author--is here to talk about her most recent book that blends math and magic to create chaos: Counting Elephants! Kaitlyn: Hi, Dawn, thank you so … Continue reading Author Interview and GIVEAWAY with Dawn Young about her newest book Counting Elephants
Hi Math is Everywhere Readers and Spring Fling Kidlit Contest hopefuls! Today, for our sixth Prize Donor Feature, we have debut-author illustrator and one of my wonderful critique partners... 🎉Korrie Leer🎉 Korrie is offering a picture book dummy critique We asked Korrie some spring-themed questions so you can get to know her more, and here … Continue reading Prize Donor Feature, Korrie Leer, Spring Fling Kidlit 2020
Margaret Wertheim, who has a quote that I just adore: “Mathematics, in a sense, is logic set loose in a field of imagination.”
What are possible different approaches you can use to pull a child into the story?... You often have to experiment a bit (like a scientist does!) to figure out the correct approach.
I used to be surprised at how generous and open the kidlit community was, but now I’m used to it, and grateful as ever! I try to return the favor when I can, and always respond when someone asks for help. What goes around comes around!
