Don’t give up. I know that’s so cliche, but seriously...just don’t. If you have the drive and the passion, keep to it! Don’t let bad news along the way keep you from moving forward. This journey is filled with rejections and heartache. BUT it’s also filled with so many rewarding moments, too, that overshadow the bad.
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!
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
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, 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
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
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!
Hi Math is Everywhere Readers! Today has been a whirlwind of wonderful! First I found out that Vivian Kirkfield's fantastic 50 Precious Words contest began, and then... I signed my first literary client for Olswanger Literary! Thanks for accepting my offer, Laura K. Zimmermann! I can't wait to see where this partnership leads us! Without … Continue reading #50PreciousWords and Client Announcement
Hi Math is Everywhere readers, Today I’m extra excited because I get to do a champion and author spotlight with Brian Gehrlein! Brian has been working tirelessly to give opportunities to picture book writers with his Picture Book Spotlight and PB Critique Fest all while writing his own wonderful books one of which has officially … Continue reading Author and Champion Spotlight and GIVEAWAY with Brian Gehrlein
Alayne is offering a package of her webinars to learn directly from her!
Charlotte is donating a winner's choice prize of a picture book manuscript or dummy critique or first 5 pages of young adult critique, or a query critique.
Writer for children—reader forever…that’s Vivian Kirkfield in five words.
Tap, twirl, twist, spin! With musical, rhyming text, author Valerie Bolling shines a spotlight on dances from across the globe, while energetic art from Maine Diaz shows off all the moves and the diverse people who do them.
Ciara and I are super excited because we have finalized the prizes for Spring Fling Kidlit 2020!
Hi Math is Everywhere readers, Today we have the wonderful Jodi Moore here visiting to get us all hyped about Valentine's day by talking about her love of writing and her super adorable board book I Love My Dragon. And she’s doing a GIVEAWAY of a SIGNED copy of it! Kaitlyn: Thanks so much for … Continue reading Author Interview & GIVEAWAY: Jodi Moore
Hi Math is Everywhere readers and Spring Fling participants! Ciara and I just adore our author-illustrator friends, so we decided to create a special category for this year's Spring Fling Kidlit Contest just for author-illustrators! Are you ready? Are you excited? Is that a drum roll I hear? Ta-da! The newest … Continue reading Author-Illustrator SURPRISE for the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest
