A Picture Book Pause- to Giveaway ODIN'S PROMISE

Picture book posts are underway for the coming days, but I'll pause briefly here to share the news that my middle grade historical novel, ODIN'S PROMISE, is nearing the first anniversary of its launch. To celebrate, my editor has posted a book giveaway on GOODREADS. If you haven't read it yet, or if you'd like to win a copy and gift it to a reader you know, click on over and enter before the deadline, MAY 17. GOOD LUCK!

Illustration Celebrations: Introspective and Retrospective

Crispin Books, April, 2014

I can't help feeling guilty about neglecting this blog for the past couple of weeks, even though I posted a warning I'd be focusing on my author blog at www.SandyBrehl.com/blog for a month or two in conjunction with the release of my middle grade historical novel, ODIN'S PROMISE.
Click to the blog above later to find links to giveaways from various blog tour hosts.

I've been busy in the best possible ways, but never too busy to feel guilty when it comes to letting my attention to picture books slide. Let me assure you that I have been working on material for this post and for several future ones, and now the calendar demands I procrastinate no longer.

The reason for my return is to extend my own celebration to two worlds of illustration. The first was triggered by the arrival of the March/April Horn Book Magazine in my mailbox, a special issue on illustration. I particularly loved this quotation from Roger Sutton's editorial on the unique value and function of picture books in literacy development:

"To echo another social media meme, Leave the Kindergarteners Alone! It's our job to read to them; it's their job to look at the pictures; it's the pictures' job to join the story with the imaginations of those who read it and those who hear it. As the many examples in this special issue demonstrate, that job continues to be performed admirably."

A quick glance at the titles and authors of the articles in the Table of Contents (here) should convince you to get to a library or bookstore and read it cover to cover. Where else could you enjoy (over and over) the wisdom and insights of so many masters of the art of illustration in a single sitting. That's what I did, even though it meant I had to let a few important to-do items wait.

If you absolutely, positively can't read it now, it will be there waiting for you when you get to it, but GET TO IT, as a favor to yourself. 

The more important reason for getting back to posting here is that some things won't be there waiting for us if we miss them now.This is an event I will miss out on, but you don't have to.

Wendell Minor, “Heartland (Red Barn Flag),” 1989.
Cover illustration for “Heartland” by Diane Siebert,
Thomas Y. Crowell, New York. ©Wendell 

Make it a point to get to the Wendell Minor retrospective exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum, celebrating 25 Years of Children's Book Art. The exhibit began November 9, 2013, but the clock is ticking. May 26 is the final day to see this incredible collection, entitled Wendell Minor's America. No excuses, folks, take a few minutes to click the link above and view the embedded video in which Minor describes his early years, the forces behind his development as an artist and nature lover. and his professional assignments prior to and related to working on picture books. His reflections on the role of illustrations in picture books is in perfect harmony with Sutton's comments.

Norman Rockwell Museum Composite,
Wendell Minor Retrospective

In the video he says: 
"The unique thing about a picture book is that they aren't just 16 or 20 pictures together, they all have to relate together, to flow together.In a good picture book you should be able to not read the words and still get the message through the pictures, and the words add that extra dimension."

I would add that this is true not only for story picture books for the very young, but for the most sophisticated non-fiction subject matter. Even when the text has demanded huge amounts of research and sophisticated knowledge, illustrations such as Minor's reveal nuance, intricacy, and dynamics that text alone can never fully describe.

Harper Collins, April 2014

Minor recently indulged me with a lengthy phone interview. I'll return in a week or two with another post sharing some of the many things he spoke about in that interview, including spotlights on just a few of the many picture books he has created alone and in partnership with remarkable authors. In my last post I reviewed his latest release, GALAPAGOS GEORGE, written by Jean Craighead George. He has several new works scheduled for release in the coming year which will be previewed in that post. 

In the meantime, if you are anywhere in the vicinity of the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, get there before this exhibit ends. Minor's art is impressive enough in the quality pages publishers use to best display his work, but an opportunity to view the original art should not be missed. Sadly, I will not be able to get to the coast during this exhibit. If you've been there, go back and take my virtual eyes. By all means, add comments about your experience there. 

Go ahead, rub it in. At least I have many of his books to console me, and a signed catalogue of the exhibit, which I cherish.

Quick Updates on Picture Books

As I mentioned in the last post, I've shifted this particular blog to the back burner for a few months while I attend to details related to the release of ODIN'S PROMISE this spring. 

And yet… with the ALA Midwinter Conference just a week away, I have to spend a little time here, sharing some love for picture books. Not that I'll be able to attend, but I'll at least view the live presentations for the Youth Media Awards via social media on Monday, January 27. As I explained in a recent post, it's not so much because I'm a fangirl of award-winners and lists. I am, however, a huge fan of anything and everything that shines a spotlight on quality literature for young readers. 

Having one of those shiny silver or gold award seals on the cover assures that these titles will stay in print, and will continually be referenced in recommended lists. This year I again happen to know the creators of several picture books that are undoubtedly under consideration. (They shall remain nameless in order to avoid any possible "jinx" effect.)

But… there are only so many awards to go around. 

Last year is a good example of that, especially in the Caldecott category. Despite awarding a veritable bouquet of honors titles, the amazing Z IS FOR MOOSE, by Kelly Bingham and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky, was not among those honored. In fact, Horn Book gave Moose their own award, the WTF,ALA? award, in recognition of their surprise at this oversight.

Eligibility for Caldecott consideration is limited to illustrators from the USA, so no jinx-factor can come into play by sharing this Nerdy Book Club blog post by Carrie Gelson. In her post, 

she brings to the front of the stage her ten favorite Canadian illustrators and sample titles. Each and every one appeals to me, and the ones I haven't yet read are now on my library hold list.   Check them out. 

Greenwillow Books, 2012

In the meantime, I'll continue to read picture books, add my reviews on Goodreads, and return here to share titles as often as I can. The beautiful nature of picture books is that they are complete, compact, and compelling, able to communicate stories, emotions, and inspiration in relatively little time. They are bite-sized experiences with literature, often of the highest possible calibre. 

Stay tuned for my intermittent posts here over the next several months. When it comes to picture books sometimes I just can't contain myself! 

Dreams, Imagination, Resolutions: Yo, Vikings!

This post also appears on my website blog.

It's another new year.

Rather than reflect on resolutions, plans, and goal-setting, I'm taking a different tack. This is only one of many (MANY) new years I've welcomed in with well-considered, constructive resolutions. Truth be told, that's worked out well for me over the years.

Writing has always figured prominently among those plans. With resolutions to guide me, I've managed to write more, write in wider genres, learn more about writing, develop professional associations, find writing partners, and share my writing with wider audiences, including social media.

No regrets there. All of the above, and more, have led me to where I stand today, anticipating the release of Odin's Promise in just a few months.

But...

What if I had been bolder, more imaginative, and even a tad foolish in the scope of my earlier intents?

What if I had been more  like a Viking?

Dutton Children's Books, 2002

Or at least like the daring protagonist in Judith Byron Schachner's picture book, YO, VIKINGS!  My previous methodical resolutions led me to become an active member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), including attendance at conferences. At our  October Wisconsin gathering I was privileged to hear Judy speak about her work. In the course of a lively, informative presentation on her process, her inspirations, and the irrepressible SkippyJonJones, she shared the family story behind YO, VIKINGS!

Click here to read about her bold and imaginative daughter Emma, and to view a news video of the real thing- Emma, Judy, and their backyard Viking ship!

This book is a treasure on many levels: compelling characters, vibrant and richly detailed illustrations that extend the text, delightful language, and the most improbably true story you'll ever read.

YO, VIKINGS! nudges me outside the comfort zone of my previous resolutions. Meeting Emma in the pages of this book inspires me to imagine beyond the "reasonable" or even "possible"  and set my sights on the vast unknown. Emma didn't hobble her dreams to methodical steps, nor wait for Star Trek Captain Jean Luc to "make it so".  She spoke her dreams publicly, she recognized the hand of fate when it showed itself, and she took its hand eagerly. The results were beyond even her wildest dreams.

The fact that Emma's imagination happened to land in the realm of Vikings is my signal that fate is offering me opportunities and adventures in 2014 that could lead beyond my annual steady pace. Rather than approaching this new year with plans and objectives, I intend to follow Emma's lead. I'll keep Judy's book propped on my desk as a reminder to sail into this year with true Viking bravado! 

There. I said it publicly. Watch me.

In coming months I may not maintain a weekly posting schedule on this blog, shifting focus to my website blog as the release date approaches. I have no doubt, though, that the amazing picture books releasing in 2014 will be featured here over the course of the year. I hope you'll continue to join  me for the ride!

Anti-Bullying or Pro-Community?

October is Anti-Bullying Month. If you're new to this blog, you may not be aware of my persistent irritation about monthly themes. As much as I value each theme (Anti-Bullying, Black History, Women's History, Hispanic Heritage, even Poetry Month), when I suggest outstanding titles I can't resist the caveat to P-L-E-A-S-E keep these books out and actively shared throughout the year. I cringe at the many times I've seen teachers, even families, "pull out" and "pack away" fantastic titles with intrinsic value as if they are Halloween or Valentine decorations.

Little Brown, Books for Young Readers, 2013

Kids (and plenty of adults, too) benefit from direct instruction in anti-bullying techniques and strategies. Many of the most effective approaches, though, rely on bystander reporting, strength-in-numbers approaches, and others that presume a strong sense of community exists in the setting in which the bullying occurs. That's why it is essential to build and support that sense of trust and safety all year long. What better way to do that than with picture books- compact, complete, compelling, and irresistible, too.

A very recent release is MR. TIGER GOES WILD, written and illustrated by Peter Brown. Seemingly simple, this book opens the door for discussions of conformity, peer pressure, expectations, and self-expression. It's an outstanding choice for anti-bullying month/topics, even though Tiger is not directly bullied for his decisions. Tolerance within his peer group, despite their skepticism of his choices, opens options for others, and for ourselves, too.

Dawn Little added a picture-book post on the Nerdy Book Club blog recently, highlighting ten titles that build strong communities. I particularly agree with her approach to multiple and repeated uses throughout the year for different purposes.You'll likely recognize some of these books, but there are a few less-well-known titles among them. I hope you'll click and consider them as a starting point in a new/growing awareness of the multiple underlying themes in many stories. To only share them during a designated month, to pack them away or ignore potential discussions at other times of the year does the books, the readers, and your community a grave disservice. That applies to classrooms and families. 

This post is a bit on the brief side in part because Dawn's titles give you more than enough to consider for now, and I hope you will do so. Active links to some of my prior posts on the topic are also embedded throughout this post.

The other reason to wrap this up quickly came about due to some recent good news I can now share. My debut novel, a middle-grade historical fiction titled ODIN'S PROMISE, will be released early in 2014. That means I've been actively adding content to the new website, www.SandyBrehl.com, including a blog about my writing journey during this process. So, I'm calling on my community of followers, subscribers, and anyone else who stumbles across this blog with an open invitation to take a look at the site, consider following, chime in with comments and questions, and pass along the news to anyone you think might be interested in checking it out.

I plan to continue my posts on picture books here, at about the same weekly schedule, but this particular week zapped away some of the time I usually devote to preparing posts. I value this platform and the readers who join me here. If you know of titles that build community, foster kindness, and confront/overcome bullying, please share them in the comments.