Read, Write, Repeat.

I love to see my daughter reading. Fortunately for me, she does it a lot. Here are just a few of the poses I’ve caught her in.

1. Reading with our cat, Vince. In case you’re wondering, the book she’s so focused on is The Case of the Mixed-Up Mutts, the second in Dori Hillestad Butler’s series The Buddy Files. (For a review of the first book in the series from Cora, read this post.)

2. Reading in the laundry basket. Why? I have no idea. It doesn’t look very comfortable to me. This is a book of scary stories one of her school classmates lent her. In general, I am not a fan of scary stories, so I don’t remember the title. My apologies to the author.

3. Reading in the bathtub. I have to admit it. She gets this habit from me. I’ve cropped the photo judiciously, so she doesn’t hate me when she’s older. Here, she’s hanging out with Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans.

I’ve also walked in on her sound asleep on the floor of her room hands still holding whatever book she’s been reading. I’ll have to remember to take a photo next time.

Where’s the most unusual place you’ve ever read a book or seen a child reading a book?

I’ve always enjoyed watching and listening to thunderstorms. I even like walking in them when I can.

Maybe that’s why I’m drawn to books like Waiting Out the Storm by Joanne Early Macken and today’s featured book Thunder-Boomer (Clarion Books, 2009) written by Shutta Crum and illustrated by Carol Thompson.

This picture book tells the story of a farm family suffering through a hot, sticky day when an unexpected thunderstorm drives them inside. But as they’re slamming the windows and watching the raindrops, they see some strange things.

• Dad’s underwear flying off the line and through the air.
• Hail hitting their roof and their corn crops.
• And their favorite chicken, Maizey, stuck outside.

Funny thing is, Maizey isn’t keen on being rescued, but no one finds out why until after the storm. I’ll let Max, today’s guest reviewer, take it from here:

Guest reviewer: Max

Age: 8

I like: Playing basketball. Playing with my brother, Will. Playing baseball.

This book was about: A family who knew a storm was coming. They called it a thunder-boomer. And the little girl’s chicken, Maizey, is behaving crazy, but she’s really trying to protect a little kitten.

The best part was when: The thunderstorm seemed like a tornado. And when the farmer didn’t get right inside and was soaked.

I was worried when: The storm got really bad. I thought the house might blow down.

I was surprised when: The dad’s underwear went flying into the sky.

This book taught me: Why Maizey stayed out in the rain.

Three words that best describe this book: “Thunder-boomer.” “Underwear.” “Storm.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Dad’s underwear!”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Why Maizey behaves so strangely.

By the way, when Max encounters a storm, he gets in his bed and hides under the covers. Unless, as he says, it’s a tornado. “Then,” he says. “I go to the basement.”

Thanks, Max!

To learn more about author Shutta Crum and her other wonderful books, visit her website.

Ahoy, there!

Piper Reed Navy Brat (Scholastic, 2008) is the first in a series of chapter books by Kimberly Willis Holt. It tells the story of Piper Reed, a middle child who is moving — again — thanks to her father’s job in the Navy.

When the family arrives in Pensacola, Florida, Piper has to start a new school, make friends, deal with her dad’s being away on duty and handle the regular ups and downs of her family as they all cope with the changes in their own way.

Piper’s method involves starting a club to make friends and trying to teach kids in her new school her favorite expression, “Get off the bus!”

Here’s what our guest reviewer, Clare, had to say:

Today’s reviewer: Clare

Age: 7

I like: Spaghetti, going to school, doing math, soccer and rock climbing.

This book was about: A girl named Piper Reed who moves a lot of different places because her dad is in the Navy. She has a club called “The Gypsy Club.”

The best part was when: They visited her grandpa and grandma and cousins. Also when she started a new Gypsy Club when she moved.

I laughed when: Piper, Tori and Sam were running in the sprinkler singing songs, because they didn’t have swimsuits on and they were running in the sprinkler with their clothes on eating Popsicles.

I was worried when: Piper got on a horse that was her grandpa’s, and she was running toward the electric wires and fell upside-down still sitting on the saddle on the belly of the horse.

I was surprised that: They all got the same kind of Popsicle that was grape and that hadn’t happened before.

This book taught me: That being a middle child is hard because you have to help with your younger sister and be yelled at by your older sister.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Tori, Piper’s older sister, helping Piper be a fortune teller for the Gypsy Club.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Moving.” “Family.” “Puppies.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Jeepers! I have to do the dishes just because I’m not a big crybaby?”

You should read this book because: It is a really exciting and fun book.

Thanks, Clare!

If you want to read more about Piper’s adventures, check out the other books in the series — Piper Reed the Great Gypsy and Piper Reed Gets a Job. And, coming later this year, Piper Reed Into the Wild.

As an added benefit, the series is illustrated by Christine Davenier, a talented author in her own right. (Ms. Davenier also illustrated Dessert First by Hallie Durand, which was previously reviewed on Read, Write, Repeat.)

For more information about Kimberly Willis Holt, visit her website. Or read this lovely interview with her.

In a traditional quinceañera, everyone’s focus is on the girl turning 15 years old. She wears a fancy dress, gets gifts and has a party in her honor. 

And as Lolo, the main character in Caren McNelly McCormack’s debut picture book, The Fiesta Dress, finds out, it’s not much fun being the little sister.

First off, everyone is too busy fussing and planning to play with her. Her sister is primping, her aunties are cooking, her uncles are hanging lights and her cousins are playing video games. Even her dog rushes right by her when she opens the laundry room door. And when her dog runs off with Lolo’s big sister’s sash, Lolo has to save the day.

Helen, today’s guest reviewer, knows all about being the youngest. She has two older brothers, but she knows how to get their attention.

“I just say, ‘Hey, guys! I’m trying to talk to you!” she says.

Here’s what Helen had to say about this Marshall Cavendish book.

Today’s reviewer: Helen.

Age: 7

Things I like to do: Play with my friends, Izzy and Sofia. Play with my scooter at home.

This book was about: A girl who had a fiesta party. People were so busy, they didn’t see that she was doing almost the same thing as they were. She felt lonely. Her dog was in the laundry room to get it out of the way, but she opened the door and it got out and it took her sister’s white sash and it got ripped. She got in trouble and gulped a big gulp. She had to figure out how to fix things.

The best part was when: Everyone started playing with her at the end.

I laughed when: She poofed her face with powder like her sister.

I was worried when: I thought she would get in trouble for letting her dog out of the laundry room.

I was surprised when: She got to be with everyone and not just alone.

This book taught me: To tell the truth instead of not telling people anything.

Three words that best describe this book: “Fiesta.” “Quinceañera.” ”Dresses.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “They never see me slipping one into my pocket …”

You should read this book because: There are some pretty dresses.

Thanks, Helen!

The warm, family story is perfectly complemented by Martha Aviles’ illustrations. Lolo is adorable, the quinceañera dresses are beautiful and there’s a handy glossary in the back that explains what a quinceañera is and defines some Spanish words.

You can learn more abut author Caren McNelly McCormack by visiting her website.

You can learn more about illustrator Martha Aviles by visiting this website.

Wisconsin author JoAnn Early Macken has a lovely, reassuring new picture book out that celebrates the bond between parents and children.

Waiting Out the Storm is described by its publisher, Candlewick, as, “A gentle, joyous tale for children everywhere who seek comfort during a storm and parents who share with them a sense of nature’s wonders.”

One of the best things about this book is that it’s written as a conversation between mother and child. When my I read it to my daughter, we ended up each reading our “part” in the book without ever consciously deciding that that’s how we would approach it. It was a wonderful way to experience the book, although it would be just as lovely if a parent read the whole thing to a child.

Another wonderful thing about the book is how well the illustrations echo the text’s mood and spirit.

JoAnn joined Read, Write, Repeat today to answer questions about how her book came to be.

You began working on this book after the World Trade Center disaster. Did that make creating your initial draft harder or easier?
Like many other writers, I struggled to write anything at all after the terrible events of September 11, 2001. Everything I did seemed trivial or frivolous. I was determined to help somehow, so I focused on trying to give some reassurance to kids who were frightened. Waiting Out the Storm was the result of that hopeful effort.

How did you come up with the idea of using a thunderstorm to represent danger or fear?
I tried to think of a natural event that was scary but not overwhelming — something that could be explained by facts in a logical way. I wanted an adult to be able to say to a child, “Look, I know you’re scared, but we’ll get through this together.”

I heard that you wrote the manuscript, submitted it a few times and were rejected. Then, you revised it after talking with an editor at a writing conference. What was the feedback that helped you take the manuscript to the next level?
The editor suggested I rearrange the stanzas, repeat a refrain, and eliminate some redundant wording at the end. At least as important as her specific feedback was her willingness to look at the manuscript again after I revised it. After Waiting Out the Storm was accepted for publication, we condensed the text even more.

I met this editor at an SCBWI-Wisconsin fall retreat. SCBWI events like these are terrific opportunities to meet editors, network with other writers, and learn about writing for children from experts.

The illustrations are beautiful. How did they compare to what was in your head as you were writing?
They are more gorgeous than anything I could have imagined! I love the expressions on the characters’ faces. I love the soft yet realistic details. I love the animals, the flowers, and the springtime colors. Susan Gaber portrayed the tone of the book perfectly!

You’ve written fiction and nonfiction. Do you have a preference? Do you approach them the same or differently?
I enjoy writing both fiction and nonfiction, and I approach them from opposite directions. When I write fiction, even though I may have to research some aspects of a story, I usually discover the story as I write. For nonfiction, I usually research and organize the facts before I begin to write.

After I wrote many nonfiction beginning reader series for educational publishers, I needed to stretch beyond the strict guidelines they required. When I wrote Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the Move, I made a conscious decision to incorporate creative nonfiction techniques: I paid attention to the rhythm, added internal rhyme, and played with alliteration, onomatopoeia, and repetition. The process was more fun, and the result is a more playful look at the many ways seeds travel. Pam Paparone’s lovely illustrations clearly explain and complement the text.

You have a blog called Teaching Authors. How does teaching make you a better writer?
I blog at www.teachingauthors.com with five other children’s book authors who also teach writing: Esther Hershenhorn, Mary Ann Rodman, April Halprin Wayland, Carmela Martino and Jeanne Marie Grunwell Ford. I teach part time at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and I visit schools to speak about poetry and writing.

Before I started teaching, I relied more on instinct. I was pretty confident about grammar, punctuation, rhythm, and rhyme, but I couldn’t always explain why my instinct told me to write or rhyme or punctuate a certain way. Teaching forces me not only to know how to do something correctly but to be able to explain why it must be done that way. I’ve learned a lot by having to explain my reasoning to students.

What projects are you working on now?
The project closest to my heart is called Write a Poem Step by Step. It describes a logical method of writing a draft of a poem one step at a time. I’ve developed and refined the method over the twelve years I’ve been presenting poetry workshops in schools. Poems written by students in my workshops illustrate each step in the process. The process and the manuscript both grew out of my critical thesis and graduating lecture for my M.F.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. I’m also revising a rhyming picture book, researching a new nonfiction book, and tinkering with a brand-new novel idea.

If you could give beginning writers just three pieces of advice, what would they be?

1. Network with other writers to stay in touch, to offer support and be supported, and to keep learning.
2. Find the method that works best for you, and don’t worry about anyone else’s process.
3. Keep going, keep going, keep going! Never give up!

Thank you, JoAnn!

To learn more about JoAnn’s many, many other books, visit her website. There’s also another interview where JoAnn talks about her creative process here.

To learn more about illustrator Susan Gaber, visit her website.

Every child had gotten the hiccups at least once.

But chances are they’ve never gotten as persistent a case as the purple hippo in Aaron Zenz’s picture book The Hiccupotamus (Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books/Pinwheel Books, 2009).

The hippo’s problem is quickly identified in the first stanza:

There was a hippopotamus
Who hiccupped quite-a-lotamus
And every time he got’emus
He’d fall upon his bottomus.

The other animals try to help. They spin him around, have him breath into a paper bag while tied to a buffalo, scare him, give him vinegar and tickle his chin. But the hics continue. And then, for no apparent reason, they stop.

But that’s not the end of the fun.

Danny, today’s guest reviewer, admits he’s had the hiccups. But they’ve never turned into a big deal. “I just drink a glass of water, and they go away,” he says.

Take it away, Danny!

Today’s reviewer: Danny

Age: 8

I like: Playing baseball and football.

This book was about: A hippo who gets the hiccups.

The best part was when: The animals tied the hippo to the buffalo upside down.

I laughed when: The buffalo hit his head on the ground.

I was worred that: All the other animals would get the hiccups and the hippo would be cured, and that’s what happened.

Three words that describe this book are: “Weird.” “Funny.” “Hysterical.”

My favorite line or phrase is: “She chased him toward the centipede, pouring new cementipede.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: All the “Hics” in the pictures.

Aaron Zenz has illustrated several picture books and easy readers. To learn more about his work, visit his website.

You also should visit his blog, Bookie Wookie. Why? Zenz has a collection of more than 3,000 picture books and he and his three children review them regularly. The reviews are conducted as an interview between Zenz and his kids and, trust me, they’re a delightful bunch. Then, the kids draw artwork inspired by the book which is adorable and admirable.

Got any good hiccup stories? Leave a comment!

Lauren Barnholdt writes for girls.

She has books for teens and books or tweens. And her first chapter book, Hailey Twitch is Not a Snitch (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2010), was released this month.

Little girls everywhere are in for a treat.

Here’s how Lauren describes the book:

“Seven-year-old Hailey Twitch knows three things for sure: Who she’s the boss of, how to throw a tantrum, and above all, how to get exactly what she wants. But all that changes when Hailey gets paired up with annoying Addie Jokobeck on the class project. No matter what Hailey does, she can’t seem to change her teacher’s mind.

“At home, a cranky Hailey is feeling sorry for herself when – poof! — Maybelle, a magic sprite, comes flying out of Hailey’s dollhouse. Maybelle’s on probation with the Department of Magic, and on a special mission to get Hailey to have fun.

“The only problem? The invisible Maybelle starts causing a lot of trouble, and when Hailey’s teacher wants to know who’s to blame, Hailey takes responsibility. After all, Hailey Twitch is not a snitch! Now if only Hailey can convince the Department of Magic that Maybelle has reformed.”

Today’s guest reviewer, Niki, was happy to enter Hailey and Maybelle’s world using an advance reading copy provided by the publisher. Here’s what she had to say:

Reviewer: Niki

Age:    9

I like: Horses, spaghetti, cheer, books, writing, horseback riding, and 4H.

This book was about: Hailey Twitch finds a fairy. The fairy’s name is Maybelle. Maybelle gets Hailey in trouble a lot.

The best part was when: Hailey fell over when she first saw Maybelle pop up. Hailey also hit her head.

I laughed when: Hailey fell over.

I was worried when: She wanted to be partners with Antonio and didn’t want Maybelle to throw away the list. She got in trouble because Maybelle threw away the list of partners the teacher had assigned.

I was surprised that: Hailey only received a warning from her teacher.

This book taught me: Not to judge people because you think they aren’t cool. In the book, someone in Hailey’s class invites all the people in her class to a ghost-hunting party except Hailey.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: What the mean girl, Natalie, says.

Three words that best describe this book are: Funny, hilarious and exciting.

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “I’m … I’m — I can’t find my voice. It feels like I’m talking with a big mouthful of peanut butter sandwich before I’ve had my milk.”

You should read this book because: It is funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To learn more about Lauren Barnholdt and her array of books, visit her website.

To learn more about illustrator Suzanne Beaky, who drew the pictures of Hailey, visit this website.

To my mom, Jean Zietlow, who is wonderful in more ways than I could list here. Case in point. She never told me to stop reading and do something productive and has always believed I can do anything I might attempt.

To my friends’ moms who were especially nice to me while I was growing up. Here’s to you Mrs. Gosz, Mrs. Weber, Mrs. Lajcak, Mrs. Schallhorn, Mrs. Stowe and Mrs. Boushley.

To my friends who are moms and encounter the same joys and struggles I do. I always learn things from you. And, OK, sometimes I laugh, but only because I can relate.

And to my two daughters who help me put life in perspective on good days and bad and who write me things like the poem below:

Mommy
Snuggling, reading, baking.
In our house.
In the library.
In my heart.
Best mommy ever.

Oh, and finally, a song to put the day in perspective from Sweet Honey in the Rock.

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone.

Photo courtesy of Anna Cervova.

I like cats. And that means I like most books about cats. Especially books about cute cats doing cute cat things.

So, Where to Sleep (Sleeping Bear Press, 2009) by Kandy Radzinski made me smile. It’s a sweet, gentle, beautifully illustrated story about a kitten looking for the perfect place to take a nap. 

I’ve seen my cat sleep in some pretty unusual spots (on top of a computer … on a window ledge with his head hanging off … inside a box) so this kitten’s attempts to sleep in a shoe or in the vegetable patch seem perfectly logical.

Today’s reviewer, Gabby, doesn’t have a cat. But her dog, Pickles, sometimes falls asleep in odd spots. Once, she woke up and he was in bed with her … snoring.

Here’s what Gabby had to say about Where to Sleep.

Reviewer: Gabby

Age: 8

I like to: Jump rope, sing, dance and have fun. Oh, and I love to be wild.

This book was about: A kitten who wanted to sleep somewhere. First, it went by the cow. Then it went to the vegetable patch and by the chickens and a lot of other places before finding the perfect spot.

The best part was when: The kitten imagined chasing the bunnies.

I laughed when: The kitten said all the chickens would do is talk, talk, talk. I talk a lot, too.

I was worried when: The porch swing was full. The kitten’s little face looked so sad.

I was surprised when: The kitten tried to fit into the shoe.

Three words that describe this book are: “Sleep.” “Cat.” “Friend.”

My favorite line from this book is: “All curled up at my best friend’s feet.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The rabbits’ ears in the vegetable patch.

You should read this book because: It gives you lots of ideas for places to sleep if you’re a kitten. If you’re not, you really should sleep in your bed.

Thanks, Gabby!

Kandy Radzinski has written several other books — many of which also include cats. You can learn more about her by visiting her website.

Paula Yoo has done a lot of cool stuff.

She’s written two picture book biographies, a young adult novel and scripts for TV shows like “The West Wing” and “Tru Calling.” And did I mention she created National Picture Book Writing Week, which is going on now, where authors strive to write seven picture books texts in seven days?

If that weren’t enough, she’s also worked as a full-time journalist at The Seattle Times, The Detroit News and People magazine.

When she’s not writing, she is a professional violinist as well as a violin teacher for underprivileged children.

Paula’s latest picture book is Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story (Lee and Low, 2010). Anna May Wong was the first Chinese-American movie star, but her path there wasn’t easy. There weren’t many roles for Asian Americans in the 1930s and those that did exist were often given to white actors or were very stereotypical or demeaning.

Paula joins Read, Write, Repeat to talk about how this book came to be, and what she learned while creating it.

How did you first hear about Anna May Wong? What made you think she’d be a good subject for a picture book?
I was actually working on another picture book idea and as luck would have it, a link to Anna May Wong appeared. I was curious and read the link and thought to myself… why hasn’t anyone done a biography on Anna May Wong for children? I thought there was a lot there that could be mined for a compelling biography.

So I abandoned the other picture book idea and the rest is history! I think this proves that sometimes the best ideas for books are the ones you aren’t even looking for … they happen by happy accident.

How did you approach the research for this book? Was information easy to find?
Luckily, several biographies and in-depth articles have been published about Anna May Wong. She recently came into favor after being vilified for years as an actress who portrayed stereotypical roles of Asian women in Hollywood.

In recent years, scholars and fans have realized how hard she worked and how she had a lot of discrimination to overcome … her work now is being seen in a much more positive light. So information was not hard to come by — the difficult part was taking all this information and figuring out how to whittle it down to an engaging non-fiction narrative that appealed to children.

You watched several of Anna’s movies. What did you think? Are they still available for the public to see?
I rented many movies starring Anna May Wong. They are available and accessible. Many have been re-mastered with new music, including PICADILLY. I was mesmerized by her beauty and expressive acting. She truly was a talented, gifted actress who approached all her roles — no matter how demeaning or stereotypical – with grace and dignity.

I was actually quite emotionally moved by some of her performances, especially knowing the historical and sociological context behind these performances and the limitations forced upon her in that era. I realized how courageous she was in pursuing her passion for acting and how her courage really paved the way for today’s actors and actresses of color.

What kind of a response have you had to the book so far?
I’m very excited that the book has been received so well! It’s gotten some very strong, positive reports plus some awards, including the 2010 Carter G. Woodson Award from the National Council for the Social Studies in the elementary category for “the most distinguished social science books depicting ethnicity in the United States for young readers.” It also made the 2010 Cooperative Children’s Book Center “Choices” list.

You’ve written for television shows, how does that compare to writing for children? TV is a collaborative process because you’re not just writing a script – you are putting together a show that is interpreted by actors, directors, producers, the art department etc. Writing books is a solitary experience. Obviously writing for TV is very different from writing books for children, but they do share three major things in common. You have to:

1. Create an interesting, engaging storyline filled with conflict.
2. Create compelling characters.
3. Write with an authoritative, unique voice.

What are you working on now?
I am currently co-producer of the drama series “Eureka” on the SyFy network. So I’m working on a script that will air during our season four (we debut Friday, July 9). I also am working on a novel-in-progress plus some other projects, including another picture book biography.

And, of course, I’ll be attempting to write (gulp) seven picture books in seven days this May 1-7 for a fun annual event I created called “National Picture Book Writing Week” (aka “NaPiBoWriWee”). To find out more, here’s my news release:

And, finally, I saw the video of you and editor Arthur Levine from the national SCBWI Conference showing attendees what NOT to do. It was hilarious. How did it come to be?
LOL! It was very off-the-cuff and at the last minute. SCBWI TEAM BLOG member Lee Wind wanted to do a funny video on writing conference “faux pas” mistakes, so he corralled Arthur and I together. We literally agreed to do it on the spot — and we just entered the men’s bathroom (after Lee made sure it was empty) and improvised the entire sketch on the spot with NO rehearsal! It was all done in one take — and you can tell — especially when I gasp in surprise when a toilet flushes out of nowhere!

If you missed the video, you can check it out here.

For more information about Paula, visit her website.