Interview with Author Hayley Rose of Fifo "50 States"

 

About Hayley Rose

Award winning author, Hayley Rose, grew up in the beach side town of Pacific Palisades, California, to a family of visual artists. In the early 1990's she traveled the U.S. with her band Crush Violet. In 1994, after a family reunion, she was inspired to write a children's book. Looking for a cute and catchy name for a main character, she kept hearing "first in, first out". Hence, the name Fifo was born. Hayley's mother would often ask her what she wanted to be when she grew up, so Hayley decided to start her series of "Fifo" books with that very question. Her first book, Fifo "When I Grow Up" was published in 2002. Her love of travel inspired her second book in the Fifo series, Fifo "50 States", published in 2010.

Along with writing children's books, Hayley has been working in entertainment business management for the past 15 years, specializing in concert touring. She has worked with many "A list" musicians including Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart and Candlebox just to name a few. Hayley hopes to one day soon release an album of children's songs. She is a currently member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and resides dually in Los Angeles, CA and Scottsdale, AZ.

Tell us 3 words that describe you?

Witty, spontaneous, loyal.

What inspired you to write Fifo 50 States?

Fifo “50 States” came from my love to travel. I wanted kids to get out and explore this great country of ours. And since kids usually have to learn the facts by 5^th grade, I thought I’d have Fifo jump in and be the tour guide. After reading Fifo “50 States” you will know each state’s capital, bird, tree, flower, motto and much, much more. So far I have personally been to 42 states. Each state is unique and has something special to offer, and one day I hope to visit all 50 states. Of course, the book is all written in rhyme and Fifo is always educational. I am sure you will want to visit all 50 as well.

What are your favorite children's authors/books?

“Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Suess, and “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein.

What advice would you give other aspiring writers?

Write, write and rewrite; there is always room for improvement.  Also, believe in yourself and what you’re writing.

What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview?

What’s your favorite M&M?  Plain or peanut?

How would you answer that question?

Plain, although, the new pretzel M&Ms aren’t bad either.

How old were you when you began to write stories?

I began writing stories as age six after a trip to a farm. I still have that story.

What do you do in your spare time when you’re not writing?

In my spare time I work in entertainment business management specializing in concert touring. I have been lucky enough to work on some great tours over the years including, Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart and Candlebox, just to name a few.  I also love to travel, hang out with friends and sing karaoke.

Do you have any other books you are working on? If so give us a sneak peek.

Yes. Right now I am working on a new etiquette book outside the Fifo series called, “Do’s and Don’ts”  Lessons in Etiquette, which should be out by November 2012. The book is about a brother and sister who team up to teach an adorable little, green monster a better way to behave. Here are a few lines from the book:

Don’t just rush into an elevator.

Do let everyone out of the elevator first before you enter. “What floor would you like?”

Don’t be rude and cut in line.

Do be patient and wait your turn.  “This was definitely worth the wait.”

What do you hope children learn from your book?

I hope that book inspires children to get out and explore this great country of ours.  I also hope that it helps them to ace all their tests on the state capitols.

What has been an obstacle in your writing career?

I think sometimes I have been my own biggest obstacle.  Anytime you start with the words, “I can’t” then you can’t.  For whatever reason you put up your own road blocks.  You have to realize you “can” and that anything is possible.  If someone says “no” to you, that doesn’t mean that your project isn’t a good one, that just means that they aren’t the right person that can help you.  Keep asking and find that person who says “yes” and believe in your own work. There is always a way to achieve your goals as long as you don’t give up. 

Fifo 50 States Book Review

Visit Hayley's website:  Fifo the Bear and FaceBook

"I Love You Better Than Chocolate Chip Cookies" by Donalisa Helsley Sneak Peek

So my next book is for the little ones.  "I Love You Better Than Chocolate Chip Cookies " is very close to being done. We are shooting for February publication. Here is a sneak peek at two of the new characters in the story. For more diversity I decided to go with animal characters. What do you think?

Teaser:
How much do you love chocolate chip cookies? I love them a lot, but there is something I love even  better! I Love You Better Than Chocolate Chip Cookies is an entertaining book that teaches what should really take first place in our hearts.

Interview with Sonya Kimble-Ellis, author of The Sandcastle Kids: A Mayan Adventure

Tell us a bit about you?
I have been a magazine writer and editor for quite some time. I have also freelanced quite a bit for the Web. I've written five books, all for young people, and plan on starting work again on an adult novel I began a few years ago. I enjoy traveling, interior design, and have other hobbies as well.

What inspired you to write The Sandcastle Kids?

I actually wrote the initial version about ten years ago and got turned down by several publishers. So I decided to publish it myself. I wanted to write a book that allowed kids to learn about other cultures in a fun way.

What do you hope children learn from your book?

I want them to know the importance of history as well as the contributions that people of various cultures have made to the world.

Are you planning to write any new books in the future? Can you give us a sneak peek?

There will be more Sandcastle Kids books in the future. So keep an eye out for those.

What do you do in your spare time when you're not writing?

I'm trying to find more spare time. I'd like to get back to my love of photography and writing songs.

Who was your favorite author when you were young?

James Baldwin.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Read as often as you can and write as often as you can. Be persistent when working with editors and publishers. But keep in mind that there's a fine line between being persistent and annoying. You just have to find it.

Describe yourself with 5 words.

Kind; focused; versatile; reliable; somewhat adventurous.

How did you get interested in writing children's books?

I've always wanted to write a picture book. I've written children's activity books and biographies for teens. So picture books were a natural progression. But breaking into that area of publishing is not all that easy.

Where can people buy your books?

Right now, people can purchase the book on my site http://www.thesandcastlekids.com/. It's also available at select book stores in New Jersey. Hopefully it will be available on the Barnes & Noble and/or Amazon web sites within the next few months.

Do you have a web page or fan page?

My Facebook page is: The Sandcastle Kids

Anything else you would like to share?

Thanks for all your support and please visit our page and hit "Like."

Interview With Tiana Washington, author of Shanna's Lost Ribbon

Tell us a bit about you? Well I'm a single mother or two. I have a 12 year old son named Tylon and a 4 year old daughter named Thijs. I speak french, spanish, some chinese and japanese. I play the viola and the piano. I'm studying medical office management at Kaplan and I am a tomboy at heart!

What inspired you to write Shanna's Lost Ribbon? I wasn't really inspired to write Shanna's Lost Ribbon at all actually. I was a senior in high school and on my lunch break instead of catching up on some homework, I wrote the book. The other four books in my Shanna series are Shanna Goes To Camp, Shanna and the Whip-o-Whirl, Shanna and the Tag-a-Long Pup, and Shanna and the Big Race.

Are you planning to write any new books in the future? Can you give us a sneak peek? I am currently working on Crescent Sun: Sons of Blood and my suspense thriller, What She Knows. If you would like a sneak peak then my website is the place to go.

What do you do in your spare time when you’re not writing? When I'm not writing, I am usually just being a mom, cooking, watching tv, hanging out with my friends and family, or snuggling with my cats.

Who was your favorite author when you were young? When I was young, I loved to read Judy Blume and Shel Silverstein.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? The only advice I have for aspiring authors is love what you do. If you don't feel it then your readers won't either.

Describe yourself with 5 words. To describe myself in 5 words I would have to say: funny, carefree, imaginative, creative, tomboy.

How did you get interested in writing children's books? I wasn't really interested in just writing childrens books. I write my dreams. I usually have very weird and vivid dreams and I turn them into stories. The other four kid books that are in my series are about me as a girl so it only took me two days to write them 

Do you have a web page or fan page?
I do have a web page and fan page. tianacwashington.com is my webpage and I have three fan pages on Facebook where my books can also be purchased. Author Tiana Washington will take readers to Shanna's Lost Ribbon, Vampires will take readers to Crescent Sun, and  Camden will take readers toRomance novel Camden.

Where can people buy your books?
I have actually written 9 books. Five childrens books and four novels. My novel Crescent Sun, which is a paranormal romance novel is available actually through my website tianacwashington.com, amazon.com, B&N.com,  powellbooks.com, goodreads.com, anythingtoread.com and of course, through contacting me on Facebook. My historical romance novel Camden, is available on my website only.


Anything else you would like to share? I am very excited about my work and I hope that parents will find Shanna's Lost Ribbon a true treat for their young girls and I also hope that women who love a fantastic story line will fall in love with my characters in my novels...they are truly a must read!

Interview with Nickie Storey- author of Grimsley Hollow-The Chosen One

Tell us a bit about you:

My name is Nicole Storey and I live in a small town in Georgia with my husband, two amazing kids, a cat that thinks she’s a tiger, and a bunch of goldfish. When I’m not in Grimsley Hollow planning adventures for my characters, I enjoy gardening, reading, blogging, cooking, and dreaming of my favorite holiday all year long; Halloween!

What inspired you to write Grimsley Hollow-The Chosen One?

This book was a mixture of many different inspirations. My love for Halloween and all things magical was the backdrop and setting for the book. My son, who has autism, is who the main character is fashioned from. My daughter is also in the book. I just took what I love and what I knew and threw them together. The book pretty much wrote itself! LOL!




What do you hope your books will impart to children?

I hope that after children read my book, they will see similarities between themselves and Gage, the main character, and realize that special-needs children are not very different from them at all. I hope that they will open their hearts and lives to special-needs kids, make friends with them, and include them.

What are you working on now?

I am working on the next book in the Grimsley Hollow series! It is called “Grimsley Hollow-The Search for Siren”.

What do you do in your spare time when you are not writing?

Is there a such thing as ‘spare time’? LOL! When I do have a few spare moments, I like to watch movies with my kids or read to them. My daughter and I love to go to stores and look at Halloween decorations this time of year. I also love to cook and bake. There’s just something about fall (my favorite season) that brings out the “Betty Crocker” in me!

Who was your favorite author when you were young?

Wow, I had so many! I have always been an avid reader and I read my first really long book (Jaws) when I was about seven years old. I would have to say that C.S. Lewis has always been a favorite of mine. I have read his book “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” at least 100 times! I used to go around our house and open the closet doors all the time, looking for Narnia.

Do you have an advice for aspiring authors?

Never give up. If you want to write, then write. I would suggest joining a good book club or creative writing group and read as much as you can. Lastly, take chances and be bold! 

Describe yourself in 5 words.

Mother, Daughter, Wife, Hopeful, Happy

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?

I wanted to be a marine biologist or a writer for as long as I can remember. If I didn’t write, I would still want to do something in the writing business, or maybe I could combine the two; a literary agent that works with ocean animals in her free time! LOL!

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Tough one! I think I would choose one of my favorite authors, Kim Harrison. She is so personable and I would love to ask her why it is that as popular as she is, she is still so down-to-earth and approachable when so many other authors aren’t.

Where can people buy your books?

My book is available in e-reader format and paper back. You can get it on Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, CreateSpace, Abebooks, and many other places.

Do you have a webpage or a fan page?

I have both, plus a blog.

Web: nicolestorey.webs.com

Blog: nicolestorey.wordpress.com

Fanpage: www.facebook.com/nicolestoreyfans

Anything else you would like to share?

I would just like to say that writing this book has changed my life in so many positive ways. I have met such amazing people and made new friends. I feel like I am doing something now that belongs to me and makes me feel good about myself. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and I love being a mom, but everyone needs something that is uniquely their own. It feels good to be able to contribute a little to my family’s financial needs and to know that my book might bring some joy to others.

Interview with Lisa Bullard- author of Trick-or-Treat on Milton Street

 Tell us a bit about you?

I wanted to be a writer from the time I first put the letters of the alphabet together to create real words. Then in 5^th grade, a letter I wrote to the editor of our local newspaper was published, and I knew my dream was coming true! I practiced signing my autograph for a week. After college, I worked in the book publishing industry for many years. In 1999, while I was still a publishing employee, I finally got my first picture book published—a Christmas alphabet book called NOT ENOUGH BEDS! After a couple of years of working on both sides of the publishing equation, I decided to try freelancing, and I’ve been working as a full-time writer ever since. Along with picture books, I’ve also had lots of nonfiction titles published, including a book called YOU CAN WRITE A STORY: A STORY-WRITING RECIPE FOR KIDS.

What inspired you to write Trick-or-Treat on Milton Street?
NOT ENOUGH BEDS! had done well, so I decided to write another book along similar lines—but this time about Halloween. The problem was, I couldn’t make it work! After six months, I finally recognized that I was trying to force the story in a direction it didn’t want to go. I took a deep breath and let the book have its own way—and everything came together. It’s still a Halloween story, and a picture book, but it is much different than I first imagined. One of the things I love about it, though, is that it does contain elements from my own childhood Halloweens, from that same time when I had my letter to the editor published. For instance, we had a dentist in our neighborhood who always gave out toothbrushes for Halloween. He’s in the book, but I renamed him “Dr. Phang” and turned him into a vampire (that part is made up—as far as I know, the real dentist was just a dentist).

What do you hope your books will impart to children?

My hope is that my books will make kids love books and reading and writing as much as I always have—that kids will discover that “word play” is as much fun as other kinds of play.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on yet another revision of a mystery novel. It’s been an exciting challenge, because it’s for readers who are ages 10-14—a new audience for me. I’ve really enjoyed trying this new kind of writing, and I have to admit I crack myself up when I write the funny sections.

What do you do in your spare time when you’re not writing?

Good question—as a freelancer, I don’t have a whole lot of spare time! Some days I may get to work in my jammies, but I still have to work many, many hours. But when I can get away from my computer, I like to take road trips to quirky places, I enjoy photography, and I love to hang out with my nephews and nieces.

Who was your favorite author when you were young?

The answer to that changed almost every week. I did love the Dr. Seuss books, and the Little House on the Prairie books, and Louisa May Alcott’s books, but I loved a whole lot of others, too.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

My best advice is to read all the new children’s (or young adult) books you can—it’s really important to know the books that make up publishers’ current lists, and to immerse yourself in this world that you hope to become a part of.

Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you:

Well, I’m not sure they’re all that interesting, but they may be a little crazy:

1)      My two ears are shaped completely differently. Fortunately they’re fairly small, non-eye-catching ears, so most people don’t really notice that, but once in 9^th grade biology the boy next to me announced it to the entire class and I was embarrassed for weeks!

2)      I live with a tailless, neurotic cat. It took me eighteen months to teach her how to drink water.

3)      I’m super careful around saws, knives, or anything with a sharp edge because I’m convinced that someday I’ll lose one of my fingers—it seems to run in my family (my Dad is the third generation in his family to have lost one or more fingers, so it seems to be a genetic predisposition).

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be? 

People tell me I should have been a counselor because I seem to intuitively know how people are feeling and have good ideas for how they can solve their problems. But I think it sounds like a really hard thing to do as work—I think I’ll stick to doing those same things for my friends (and for the characters in my books—those are really handy skills for a writer, too).

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Jesus—I have LOTS of questions, and he was a great storyteller, too.

Where can people buy your books? 

You can get them online through my favorite local bookstore,  Red Balloon Bookshop , through Amazon.com, and other places online as well.

Do you have a web page or fan page?

Yes, please visit my website at lisabullard.com. I also have a blog that’s called “Writing Road Trip” where I share tips for teachers and parents who want to help kids become better writers. But lots of “grown-up writers” tell me they enjoy my tips, too! It’s carried by Children’s Literature Network at http://www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/magazine/writing-road-trip/

Anything else you would like to share?

Thank you so much, Donalisa, for letting me share this space with your readers. I hope you all enjoy reading TRICK-OR-TREAT ON MILTON STREET—Charley is one of my favorite characters!

From My Bookshelf to Yours: Ode To Icky by Maranda Russell

"Ode to Icky" is cute and funny story about a girl, named Candy, who loves her lazy, smelly cat. Unfortunately he is so stinky that he can't live in the house. Candy is an imaginative girl that loves coming up with different schemes. Unfortunately the newest one is not all its cracked up to be. This story gently shows us that there are consequences for behavior.  You and your children will love this original story and the cool illustrations.

You can purchase "Ode to Icky" at  Amazon and B&N.com
For signed copies visit the author at her Facebook page.



*A free copy of this book was given to me for  a honest review.  No other compensation was provided for this review. 

Interview with Cheri Hallwood- author of "One Wish for Winifred Witch"

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am the proud Mom of three very talented daughters and six wonderfully imaginative grandchildren (all girls) ranging in age from 4 year old twins to an 18 year old. I have had the pleasure of being married for 45 years to a very special man that has always encouraged me to be myself. Without the support of family and friends, I don’t know if I would be living out my dream of writng for children.

Why do you write?Where do I begin? Writing for children has been a dream of mine since my children were quite young. To empower a child with the gift of reading is magical. . . . the world then lies at their fingertips. I want to get children excited about reading.


What else do you love to do, other than write books?I LOVE TO BAKE, just ask my family and friends! I also love reading, horseback riding, and ice skating.
But my greatest pleasure is spending time with my grandchildren.

What were some of your favorite books as a child?As a young child, I was read nursery rhymes, little golden books, and Disney stories. Then my grandma introduced me to children’s classics like Black Beauty (still my favorite) and Tom Sawyer. I was hooked!!

What is the best thing about writing books for children?

It has given me to ability to go back and once again view the world through the eyes of a child.
It seems surreal when a child tells you how much they enjoy your books.

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?


As a matter of fact I do! It was a very short, one paragraph story about a horse named Blackie! (As a young child, I wanted to be a cowgirl)

Describe yourself in five words. That’s difficult! Family-oriented, creative, outgoing, trustworthy, driven. 


What do you love most about your book?

How Winifred discovers that sometimes it takes more than wishing and magic to make her wish come true. Finding a solution to a problem is an important lesson. And I love Patty’s illustrations, absolutely brilliant!

What are you working on now?

My grandchildren have asked me to challenge myself by writing my first Chapter Book.
Inspired by one of my granddaughter’s email names, I decided to meet that challenge and am currently writing a chapter book tentatively entitled “Frogwilla.” In this tale, a little frog discovers the true meaning of friendship, courage and acceptance.

What advice do you have for others on writing for children?

Write whenever and wherever you can. It is important to write something every day. In order to be a good writer, it is also important to be a good reader. Read lots of children’s books, especially the genre that you are interested in writing for. Join writing groups . . . the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators is one of the best.

Do you have a website and/or fan page?

Yes, my website is; www.foreveryoungpubishers.com and you can visit and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/foreveryoungpublishers.

Where can we find your books to buy?

My books are available through Barnes & Noble, amazon.com,, my facebook page and website, and from your favorite bookseller.

Anything else you want to share?

To tell your readers to never give up on their dreams! I was 57 years old before I began this wonderful journey.

Interview with Lee Wardlaw, Author of "101 Ways to Bug Your Friends and Enemies"

Tell us a bit about you…

I’m the author of close to 30 books for young readers, including the multi-award-winning novels  101 Ways to Bug Your Parents and 101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher.  I’m also former teacher…a current mother (I have one son; he’s 15)…I speak fluent ‘Cat’ (I have three)…and I’m in constant pursuit of the perfect chocolate-chip cookie recipe.

What inspired you to write 101 Ways to Bug Your Friends and Enemies?

The short answer: My fans told me to!

The long answer: my all-time favorite play is Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand.  It’s got everything:  War, mystery, humor, heroes, villains, romance, suspense, sword fights, philosophy, poetry, pastries – you name it, it’s in there!  I’d always wanted to write a modern-day version of this story, and This. Is. It.

What is "101 Ways to Bug Your Friends and Enemies" about? 

How first love can change your friendships – and your life.  It’s also about Sneeze Wyatt, a 13-year-old whiz-kid-nerd inventor, who falls head-over-heels in love with his best friend, Hayley, who has fallen head-over-heels for someone else who has not fallen head-over-heels for her. In fact, he doesn’t even know she’s alive.  To save Hayley from the wrenching pain of unrequited love, Sneeze pretends to be the Other Guy, writing her astounding love letters from ‘him’ via email. And yes, humorous and heart-squishing chaos ensues…

What do you hope children learn from your book? 

First and foremost, I write to entertain – both myself and my readers.  So my greatest hope for my fans is that while reading this book they laugh so hard they squirt milk out their noses!  (Provided, of course, they’re drinking milk at the time; otherwise, milk-out-the-nose might signal a more serious symptom that requires the immediate services of a doctor.  Or a farmer.)

Beneath the obvious humor, however, there is a lot here for my readers to ‘get’, such as:

1.  People aren’t mind readers.  You won’t know if the person you like likes you back unless you tell that person how you feel.

2.  Yes, confessing your feelings does involve risk. The object of your affection might laugh you out of the school or throw up on your shoes.

3.  But this risk is worth it.  Great achievement and great love always are.  (And you can always buy new shoes.)

4.  Just because one person doesn’t love you, does NOT mean you are unlovable. 

Are you planning to write any new books in the future?  Can you give us a sneak peek?

I’m revising a sequel to my picture book Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku (Holt).  I’m also making notes for the fourth and final novel in the 101 Ways series: 101 Ways to Bug Your Brother and Sister. For years, my fans have been sharing with me the creative ways their siblings have bugged them.  A few favorites:

1.  Touch her with bologna.

2.  Sneak icky food off your plate and slip it onto his plate.

3.  On long car trips, fall asleep leaning against her.  Extra points if you’re hot and sweaty.

4.  If you’re a girl, put your underwear in his underwear drawer.  If you’re a boy, do the opposite!

5.  Rip all the heads off her Barbie dolls. (My brothers used to do this to me!)

6.  When his friend come over to your house, follow them around everywhere.

7.  When she and her friends are sunbathing, squirt them with your water cannon.

8.  Poise your finger 1/8 of an inch from her and repeat:  ‘I’m not touching you!  I’m not touching you!’

9.  Hog the TV remote.  Then ‘lose’ it.

 10.    Every time she says: ‘Guess what?’, shout:  ‘Chicken butt!’

What do you do in your spare time when you’re not writing?

I love beach combing for sea glass.  I read.  (A lot!)  I snoop in antique stores for old Hawaiian hula dolls.  (I have a collection; one doll dates back to 1900.)  I read.  I get together with friends.  Then I read.  I play with my cats.  I swim.  Oh, and I read, too!  (And  my most favorite thing to do in my free time is…write!)

Who was your favorite author when you were young?

There were so many authors!  I loved Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  In second grade, I wrote a book report for that title every week for about two months – until my teacher finally demanded I pick a different book.  I also loved Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time.  Oh, and Helen Keller’s Teacher by Margaret Davidson and The Secret Language by Ursula Nordstrom. I read those books over and over and over again. Same with the Winnie-the-Pooh books by A.A. Milne, which I found absolutely hysterical.  Such wry and clever wit!

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? 

Read as much as you can. Write as much as you can. Every day.  Repeat.

Describe yourself with 5 words.

Exuberant.  Secretive.  Storyteller.  Funny.  Calliope. (Okay, okay. I know the last word isn’t a descriptive, but it’s one of my favorite nouns because I adore the sound of it:  kah-LIE-uh-pee, kah-LIE-uh-pee. In ancient Greece, Kalliope was the muse of heroic poetry.)

How did you get interested in writing children's books?    

I don’t really think of myself as a writer of ‘children’s books’.  I have stories to tell, and those stories just happen to be about children and tweens and teens. I got interested in writing, though, as soon as I became a reader. The first book I could read all by myself was P.D. Eastman’s Go, Dog, Go. Wow. I was woozy with pride!  I mean, what an accomplishment to read that book over and over and over read again to my little brother, Scott!  (And he didn’t even like dogs!)  I couldn’t imagine a better feeling than that, except maybe writing a book all by myself.  So, at age seven, I gave it a try. I’ve been writing ever since.  (P.S. The first book my son could read all by himself was also Go, Dog, Go!)

Where can people buy your books? 

First, check your local independent bookstore, either in person or online at: http://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder

If they don’t have my books in stock, ask them to order them! They’ll be glad to!  You may also find my books at http://www.blogger.com/goog_602615756 or http://www.b&n.com/

Do you have a web page or fan page?    

http://www.leewardlaw.com/

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/101-Ways-to-Bug-Your-Friends-and-Enemies/184298651612329

Anything else you would like to share?

1. I like iced tea with lemon and mint and Splenda.

2. When I do school visits, there is always one fan who comes up to me and says:  “Hey, you’re a girl!  I thought you were a guy!”  (Because my first name is Lee.)

3.  Dr. Maria Montessori is one of my heroes.

4.  I went back to college at the age of 53 to get my master’s degree in Education.

5.  If you want to learn 101 Ways to Bug an Author (aka ME!), visit:

     http://www.leewardlaw.com/bug.htm

6.  The first person to email me at author@leewardlaw.com and tell me that I do NOT look like a woman in her 50’s, will receive a free, autographed, paperback copy of 101 Ways to Bug Your Friends and Enemies.

7.  Oh, and thanks for interviewing me!


Visit Wild About Reading for a chance to win a copy.

Interview with Nina Crittenden Illustrator of "Cedric and the Dragon"

Tell us a bit about you.                     

I like to drink hot tea with half & half and plenty of sugar.

What is your favorite style of illustration/animation?

I don't think I could choose a favorite style. Simple artwork has an undeniable charm, and incredibly intricate art is marvelous. I love it all.

What made you decide to be a children's book illustrator?

Illustrating books was always a dream of mine, but I never really thought it would happen. I have to credit my dear friend, Jennifer Dewing, with talking me into joining the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators with her. Jen has become an award winning author of books for kids, and she helped me find courage I never knew I had.

If you couldn't draw what would you do instead?

Care for animals. Before I became and at-home mom/illustrator, I used to work as a certified veterinary technician in small animal surgery at the University of Minnesota.

If you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead who would it be?

My parents (and I'd talk my Mom into making bread pudding for dessert).

What are your favorite children's books?

Owl at Home, Frog and Toad, The Story of Ferdinand, The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes, George and Martha, The Tales of Two Bad Mice and Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs. Armitage Queen of the Road, Chicken Soup with Rice, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Pippi Longstocking, Dotty, Piggy and Dad Go Fishing, The King Who Rained, The Marvelous Mud Washing Machine, Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa, Swimmy, and Pickle, Pickle, Pickle Juice.

How did you get started in the illustration field?

I didn't have any formal training in art, so I just started drawing in hopes that I'd eventually be able to piece together a portfolio. Attending SCBWI conferences and workshops helped a ton, and I was also lucky to have the very kind and talented illustrator, Christina Rodriguez, mentor me for a year. After my website was up and running, I started sending out promotional postcards to publishing houses. Visiting websites and blogs of other illustrators has also been incredibly helpful, it is so inspiring to see what other artists can do. Being a part of the kidlit community has been one of the coolest things ever, in my book...

What has been inspiring you lately?

My kids, random conversation, all things vintage and retro, and music. I love, love, love to draw and listen to music (current faves: Jeremy Messersmith, Vampire Weekend, The Cars, Jackie Wilson, OK Go, and Artie Shaw).

What advice would you give other aspiring illustrators/animators?

Let others inspire you, but always be yourself.

What do you do for fun/when you’re not working?

I love to watch movies, read books, go for bike rides with the fam, and knit scarves.

What is the best part about what you do?

Seeing what the things I imagine turn into when I put them on paper.

Give us 5 words that describe you.

Sensitive. Quiet. Mom. Artist. Nerd.

What was your inspiration for Cedric and the Dragon?

I spent my childhood drawing horses and princesses, and absolutely fell in love with the story Elizabeth wrote. IllustratingCedric and the Dragon was really a wish come true.

What other books have you illustrated?

I just finished illustrating the first book in a series of piano music books for kids, which I am super excited about. Also working on illustrating a book that I have written and hope to submit to publishers someday (fingers crossed!).

Anything else you would like to share?

Love Dr. Pepper,

hula hoops, frogs, silly puns,

and writing haikus.

Where can people buy books that you have illustrated?

Amazon

Do you have a web page or fan page?

http://www.ninacrittenden.com

http://ninacrittenden.blogspot.com

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