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| KALANIOT BOOKS. August, 2023 |
Happy Book Birthday
OUT AND ABOUT: A TALE OF GIVING
It's my pleasure and honor to introduce you to LIZA WIEMER, the author of a wonderful new picture book that released today: OUT AND ABOUT: A Tale of Giving.
As you no doubt noticed, the cover looks like this is a winter/holiday offering, perhaps getting a jump on the season. But don't be fooled. Let the chilly scene wrap itself around you during these hot-weather days, but also cuddle into the underlying story. It is one that will warm your heart and also make clear that the family's spirit and grace are practices suited to every day, every way, every season, every climate.
Last week I offered my review of the book itself, HERE. I was not alone in praising this important story. Kirkius review had this to say about it, in part: (Click to read more.)
"A beautiful and thoughtful message woven into
a brief yet poignant story."
Liza was kind enough to make time on this exciting release day to share some thoughts about this career achievement and her insights about the story.
SB: Liza, your work quality and voice for teen readers (and adults!) has been firmly established. What made you want to write a picture book for younger readers and their families?
LW: Thank you so much, Sandy, for the opportunity to be on your blog and to answer these outstanding questions.
This picture book was inspired by a story my grandfather told me about his childhood and took me over 20 years to get published. The value of giving to others in need is one that is deeply important to me, one that I have shared with my children. When I taught preschool, I used to tell this story to my students, and they loved it. That motivated me to write it.
SB:There is a fine line between writing a book to “teach” a lesson and writing a book that touches hearts to reveal important ideas and values. With the thousands of words available to a novelist, writers have room to finesse that line. In writing picture books, your word count is drastically less. This is not unlike writing poetry, even when not rhyming. Missteps between telling readers what to think or feel and allowing readers to discover or conclude those thoughts and feelings are beyond awkward- actually painful to read for many readers. A real turn-off. How did you manage to negotiate that territory so successfully?
LW: This was something I thought about a lot during the writing process. I knew Daniel had to have his “ah-ha” moment but struggled with how to make that happen. A conversation with a college professor who analyzes picture books spurred on the final idea of how Daniel figures out what his parents are doing. Along the way, however, I wanted Daniel to reflect while also having fun using his imagination. I want kids to use their imaginations and decide what they think Dad and Mom put in the boxes that they gave away to help others.
SB: Was your prior experience in writing poetry/free verse at all helpful in developing text for this picture book? You used repletion of phrases, cycles of awareness, and found a very effective resolve on the last page. Were you conscious of those patterns and other approaches to the text from prior writings, or did that all need to come to you fresh for work in a picture book?
LW: I don’t think I consciously was making that connection between my love for free verse poetry and the writing in this picture book, but now that you mention it, that’s an outstanding observation. I read my picture book out loud multiple times, listening for cadence and readability. The repetition of “out and about” was important because we want the reader to be able to answer the question posed by Daniel’s brother at the end of the book: Where did you go? And, of course, the answer was “Out and about.”
SB: Since this picture book story was on such a longtime journey to reach young readers, is it a “one-and-done” in this format or are there others in the works that you'd be willing to share with us?
LW: I have a few more ideas I would love to see become picture books. But for now, I’m keeping them hush-hush.
SB: That's very understandable. After all, allowing this story-of-your-heart the time it deserved to work its way onto the page has had a beautiful result. I know you’ve spent many hours working directly with young readers regarding your writing and theirs, but that has mainly been with teens. Have you had an opportunity to share this new picture book with younger readers yet? If so, what was memorable about that/those experiences? If not, how do you plan to approach those groups?
LW: Great question! Other than sharing the story with my preschool students and family, I haven’t had the opportunity to read it to kids! I’m excited to do so. I love the illustrations.
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| Interior spread, OUT AND ABOUT. Kalaniot Books, 2023 |
Learn more about Liza Wiemer and her upcoming appearances, projects, contact information, and teaching/discussion resources on her website, HERE.
Twitter: @LizaWiemer
Instagram: LIzaWiemer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liza.wiemer
TikTok: lizamwiemer
I hope you'll explore any of the above sources to learn more about Liza's writing journey, to view interviews and videos, and to check her calendar for appearances near you.
Mostly, as Levar Burton always said on Reading Rainbow,
"Don't take my word for it, read!"
This sounds like a beautiful book to have and hold.
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