Writer and Dreamer at work

“Perfect Picture Book” – Friday

Posted on 05/10/2012 by Diane Tulloch

The magical Garden of Claude Monet

Written and Illustrated by: Laurence Anholt

Published by: Frances Lincoln Ltd in 2003

Age: 6 and over

Theme: magical, wonder, friendship, art.

Opening Sentence: “I wish I had a garden,” said Julie. She looked down at the grey river, which ran through the city.

Synopsis: Julie’s mother decides to take Julie to visit a beautiful country garden. But while they are out Julie’s dog runs away from her, and crawling through a gate after him, she finds herself in a garden of wonder. A gentle old gardener whom she befriends, turns out to be Claude Monet, and he helps Julie find her dog. He takes her on a journey through his vast garden, rowing out on a pond, giving her a lily, a present from the water garden, and back at the house he shows Julie his finest idea yet, before she returns home. This is based on a true story of a friend of Claude Monet’s, daughter.

Why I like it: The wispy painted and drawn illustrations are inspired by Claude Monet with Laurence Anholt adding his own touches. One of the special pieces is the foldout centrepiece which depicts Claude Monet’s Waterlilies with Laurence adding the rowboat with Julie and the painter inside. The illustrations are simple, yet busy, cleverly allowing the reader or admirer the feeling that they too could create a masterpiece like his. One example is a full-page illustration showing the painter and Julie heading deeper into the magical garden. At first glance the page is full of squiggles and strokes by paintbrush in every colour imaginable, and yet if you look again you can see a pathway and overhanging vines. This is a great introduction to art to kids, and introducing through his series, some of the world’s greatest artists and the real children who knew them. Other books of his are Leonardo and the Flying Boy, Picasso and the Girl with the Ponytail, Degas and the Little Dancer, and Camille and the Sunflowers.

Resources/Findings: I am amazed what I find when I start searching the net looking for resources for kids. I came across this really neat website…. You have got to check it out, but please don’t blame me if you don’t come up for air for a few hours…lol http://smartmuseum.uchicago.edu/smartkids/home.html

Another great website introducing kids to Monet’s Art…. http://www.leapfrog.com/en/leapfrog_parents/grades_1-2/learning_for_life/activity__in_monet.html

Another website teaching kids Monet’s Art and How to….. http://www.kinderart.com/arthistory/monetandimp.shtml

A great tool website for teachers on art for kids….. http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/elem/Pam-monet.htm

Oh boy I could go on and on….. trouble is I stop to read, or play, and on pieces of paper I would start using some coloured pencils and have a go myself, ….lol.

For more books with resources please visit the lovely author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with the books reviewed by many authors.

Posted in Picture Book Review | Tagged Claude Monet | 34 Comments

“SEPTEMBER 12X12 CHECK IN”

Posted on 02/10/2012 by Diane Tulloch

Wow! I haven’t done one of these for awhile, so I thought I would as September for me this year (unlike the previous two years), has been a wonderfully happy month. Not only is it that lovely spring time of year down here and my birthday month, but I have felt I have achieved something worth celebrating.

Attending our local SCBWI meeting with my new 12×12 writing buddies Allie and Kim, was fun, and we had a very informative guest speaker.

I managed to write my September manuscript in plenty of time, with the idea springing up while at work.

I finally joined a critique group, a lovely bunch of ladies from the 12x12in12, you could ever wish to have, who are generous with their wisdom, are patient and gentle, and nothing seems too much trouble. They are extremely encouraging and I am already learning so much from them.

Yes, it has also been a month of overcoming fears and taking the offered hand of help from a couple of other dear 12x12in12 friends, sharing my work and revelling in the feedback.

To top this off I found out my shop has made it as a finalist in the Sustainability Section of the “Top Shop Awards” in our city. I was also asked if I would put my shop forward for the National Award, how cool is that?

So October is sure to bring more delights for me to enjoy both in my work and in my writing with much revision to do. Right now though I am off to look for something to wear for the black tie awards evening. Oh and I have started walking after work each day, as I seriously need to lose some weight….

Posted in Blogs, What moves me | 16 Comments

Perfect Book for a Birthday!

Posted on 28/09/2012 by Diane Tulloch

A beautiful Book full of Pictures that teaches us much about love, life and Joy has to be the ultimate Perfect Picture Book….. in my book! (Pun included..)

Julie Andrews’ Treasury for all Seasons – Poems and Songs to Celebrate the Year.

Selected by: Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton

Authors: Various

Paintings by: Marjorie Priceman

Published by: Little Brown Books for Young Readers October 2012

Age: 5 – 8 years and beyond

Themes: Poetic, Lyrical, Seasons, Celebrations, Giving and Receiving, Thoughts and Memories, Laughter and tears, young and old, around the world.

Opening Lines: The Day is Done Come, read to me some poem, some simple and heartfelt lay. That shall soothe this restless feeling. And banish the thoughts of day.

Synopsis: From the Jacket Flap…. Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton, share their most treasured holiday memories through a diverse, hand-selected array of poems and songs that celebrate each special moment of the year, brought to vibrant life with paintings by two-time Caldecott Honouree Marjorie Priceman. Featuring selections from poets and musicians including Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, Cole Porter, and kid favourites jack Prelutsky and Dr. Seuss, plus poems by the authors themselves, this collection is the perfect treasury for families to enjoy.

Andrews opens each section with a personal letter to readers sharing memories of her own holiday celebrations with her children and grandchildren, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the moments she holds most dear. This keepsake collection will encourage an early love of poetry and is bound to become a classic for families to read together and revisit throughout the seasons.

Why I like it: This wonderful book arrived today, on my Birthday. A gift to myself. What struck me right away were the beautiful colourful paintings within. Bright, comical, whimsical, with splashes of vibrant colour, they alone tell us a multitude of stories. From beach and sport scenes to animals, gardens and insects. From bicycles, boats, to half eaten watermelon, roller skates, and umbrellas’. A feast for the eyes of young and old. The book is cleverly set out with the months of the year grouped together in the four seasons followed by other celebrations and special occasions such as Birthdays, new babies, coming of age as well as the usual holiday celebrations. When I opened the book the pages fell open to a Valentine by Julie and a poem by Emma of her nine year old son, this was followed by a poem called “In Fancy Dress”, preparing for the Mardi Gras, by Emma’s dad, Tony Walton. Some poems are a page long and some are only five rows. All poems and lyrics within the book convey some meaning, a thought a moment in time. I loved Julie’s poem called “Flag.” Instead of saluting a flag, why not celebrate the globe, become a flag of many colours, and while honouring one small place, declare ourselves one, as a human race. Many are hilarious, joyful and playful such as a letter from Fly to Bee called “Bee, I’m expecting you!” by Emily Dickinson, or “First Day of School” by Barbara Juster Esbensen, “Half Birthday” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and the first lines of “Homework” by Russell Hoban are….”Homework sits on top of Sunday, squashing Sunday flat. Homework has the smell of Monday, homework’s very fat….” What about Emma’s “How Do You Get to Be Santa?” an enchanting poem spouting obvious credentials needed, not to mention being hip with the trendiest toys and no matter the weather, or if you have a cold, you would still be expected to work on Christmas Eve, oh, and don’t expect to be paid by the hour. Beautiful lyrics such as “Irish Eyes are Smiling” to “Mama, A Rainbow”, this book is indeed a treasure for the whole family. There are even poems about Grandparents and even one about how to get through a Memorial service, yes there is something for everyone.

Each section is lovingly introduced by a few words from Julie, about what the seasons mean to her and her family, how they celebrate them and the different holidays from New Year, Easter, Halloween and Christmas. I loved the way how Julie summed up this volume of poems. Here are some of her words from the final section…. There’s something to celebrate every week of the year – even if it’s just the arrival of the weekend. (like us, she celebrates the best breakfast of the year on the weekend)

Poetry becomes a cherished gift when used to mark an important transition or commemorate a rite of passage………

Opportunities for celebration abound throughout our lives, and the miracle is that poets use the power of words to touch the very core of our being and make us weep or laugh in recognition.

Resources/Findings: There is so much in this beautiful book. I know it’s bigger than the usual picture book, but the lessons, and what we could pass on to our young readers is insurmountable. A great classroom read aloud, to promote discussion and activities for seasons. This book could be used as an accompaniment in dealing with situations as they present themselves both at home and at school. A great read aloud round a roaring fire, or snuggled up in bed, or with a grandparent.

Here’s a great poem from the book that could inspire discussion or colourful pictures by the kids of what they did for Mothers day…..

“Breakfast in Bed for Mother’s Day by Jenny Whitebread

We cooked Mom scrambled eggs (and dropped some on the floor).

We made her buttered toast (and smeared the kitchen door).

We cooked flipped a dozen pancakes (now two are on the ceiling).

We sliced up a banana (I think we lost the peeling).

……. Get the picture… I’ll leave you to imagine the rest.

Here’s a website for teachers showing words for rhyming…. http://www.poetry4kids.com/rhymes

(During my manuscript critique it was suggested I read up on some poems to get an idea of rythem and what makes them work.) This book is a wonderful lesson of poems and lyrics that literally sing off the page. I couldn’t have wished for a more lovely birthday gift, I will certainly treasure.

Posted in Children's literature, Picture book, Picture Book Review, Reading Aloud | Tagged Emma Walton Hamilton, Picture book, Poetry | 20 Comments

Informative afternoon with some 12×12 Buddies

Posted on 23/09/2012 by Diane Tulloch

Yep, I thought I should write up a little on the latest SCWBI meeting I attended a couple of weekends ago. I was meeting again with my new 12×12 writing buddies. Kim came up from down country (a two hour drive) to my place and we took off and met Allie at the library where the meeting was held after a coffee. The quest speaker was Katie Haworth, editor of Publishing house, Penguin New Zealand.

Before our quest arrived Francis had a couple of things to share with us, one being that American writer Marion Dyson was going to be here in New Zealand in late January, giving a talk in Wellington, and on her way home via Auckland, Francis was organising an afternoon get together for us to meet her. Another interesting titbit was an article in the SCBWI’s latest newsletter on preparing for your school visits. Sending an old school photo of yourself and getting the kids interest in trying to guess which one is you, a unique idea.

Katie commissions for Penguin Publishing NZ an imprint under Puffin. Appearing younger than her vast experience and no-nonsense approach to her work, I was very aware that editors do have their preferences, and while it may appear harsh or sad to have to say no to an author’s work, they do have limitations and expectations to adhere to, and there is a very small margin for publishing of new works, both children and adult here in New Zealand. Out of fifteen hundred children’s manuscript submissions per year, roughly five picture books are published per year, maybe two to three junior fiction and one to two YA with somewhere out of this one to two of these authors will be new authors. While I was sure others gulped as I did, Katie ensured us that editors are always on the lookout for writers, with that special story. That special something that grabbed your attention, was fun, had an unexpected twist. “Make your story entertaining, after all this is an entertainment business you are in” was a constant message she brought to this meeting. What surprised me was hearing her mention that a story did not necessarily have to have a moral. If the first sentence does not grab us, let’s face it, with fifteen hundred manuscripts we will not look past the first page. Katie shared with us some tips on the dos and don’ts in attracting an editor’s attention.

– Synopsis- to be edgy, interesting, funny, with no spelling mistakes. Make no mistake it is an art.

– First paragraph – no clichés, and there is more ways to write raven black hair.., must hook.

– Writer – where they want to go in their career, have to emerge from behind book and prepare to sell.

– Be passionate about your book.

– Kiwiana is good. Maori works is popular in German market. So know your market.

– Look to trends –i.e.… kids ten to eleven years have strong moral values, take conflict, don’t be soft, good concept, language over plot. Also watch for topic, remembering by the time the book is out trends change.

– Let publishers know where you want to go. I.e. YA writing or MG etc…

– Like acting you will get typecast. Prepare.

First print is usually two to three thousand copies. They also do approach offshore, such as USA, Australia and English market.

When asked what length of time from submission to publication Katie mentioned with YA it could be as soon as six months otherwise longer. For picture books however, it could be 12 months before approach to an illustrator, then again to final draft ready for publication.

It is a long road but a worthy one if your book is the $50,000 manuscript they are looking for.

It was a very interesting and informative afternoon and I enjoyed catching up with my 12×12 writing buddies. I had to admire Kim when I asked about her work. She has sent it out to a couple of editors and received rejection letters. “Yes!” she said with such enthusiastic joy and beaming from ear to ear. Her wonderful approach to at least getting her work out and doing something about it was infectious. I must interview her one day so you too can enjoy her positive attitude in this writing journey we are on.

Oh and one more thing. When the three of us were talking to Francis later, she was delighted to hear we were involved in a writing group getting that encouragement, and working together on our manuscripts, critiquing, revising, and perfecting them as best we can, before sending them out. Something that is music to an agent’s ear…..

Posted in 12x12in12, SCBWI | 12 Comments

“Perfect Picture Book”- Friday

Posted on 22/09/2012 by Diane Tulloch

“Stone Soup”

Retold and Illustrated by: Jon J Muth

Published by: Scholastic Press

Age: 4 years and over

Theme: Co-operation, giving, happiness.

Opening Line: Three Monks, Hok, Lok, and Siew, travelled along a mountain road. They talked about cat whiskers, the colour of the sun, and giving.

“What makes one happy, Siew?” asked Hok, the youngest monk. Old Siew, who was the wisest, said, “Let’s find out.”

Synopsis: As mentioned on the flap… The monk’s journey along a mountain road trying to understand what makes one happy. At once they encounter frightened villagers who lock their windows and darken their homes. The villagers have long been ravaged by harsh times, and their hearts have grown hard toward everyone they meet. But when the monks cleverly entice them to make soup from stones, the villagers discover how much they each have to give… and how much more comes back in return. With magnificent watercolours that invite reflection of deeper meaning, Jon J Muth combines his love of Zen Buddhism and Eastern culture with a favourite old trickster tale that celebrates the power of generosity.

The Authors previous picture books have met with widespread acclaim. The Three questions, received two starred reviews, and New York Times Book Review called it “quietly life-changing. Received gold Medal from the society of Illustrators for Come On Rain by Karen Hesse. Has also written and illustrated award-winning comic books published in both Japan and the USA.

Why I like it: There are many versions of this story, from the 1947 picture book by Marcia Brown which featured soldiers and won a Caldercott Medal, to a Canadian writer Aubrey Davis jewish adaption for Hanukkah. Whatever the version it speaks about giving and that generosity, no matter how small, can bring about friendship. I love the cross culture references that Jon makes and the beautiful soft water coloured illustrations.

Findings/Resources: Here are some printable plans and worksheets to use for teaching and discussion. http://printables.scholastic.com/printables/detail/?id=39415

Another printable discussion tool to use with children by Scholastics…. http://printables.scholastic.com/printables/detail/?id=39415

An interesting interview of Jon Muth of his bio…. http://printables.scholastic.com/printables/detail/?id=39415

Amazing what we come across when researching about books we review…. I came across a delightful Stone soup Magazine website by children for children…. http://www.stonesoup.com/

Posted in Picture Book Review | Tagged Jon J Muth | 21 Comments

“International Dot Day” 15 September 2012

Posted on 15/09/2012 by Diane Tulloch

A wonderful opportunity to help kids open their eyes to the world of creativity and self-worth is celebrated around the world today on 15 September 2012. The idea for International Dot Day grew out of a powerful story by Peter H. Reynolds, called “The Dot,” published on 15 September 2003. The book is about a girl who doesn’t think she can draw. My writing friend Patricia Tilton has along with Peter Reynolds and others, challenge all kidlit bloggers to get behind this annual event, which has kids participating each year from around the world. Post a dot, any dot, be creative, make it your own, and past a dot of colour on your blog and celebrate. Visit http://fablevisionlearning.com/dotday/ to learn more. There also is a Facebook page devoted to International Dot Day with frequent updates.

Here is my dot:

International Dot Day 15th September 2012

Posted in Literature | Tagged Dot, International Dot Day, Peter H Reynolds | 20 Comments

“Perfect Picture Book” – Friday

Posted on 15/09/2012 by Diane Tulloch

Clown Child

Author: Amy Littlesugar

Illustrator: Kimberly Bulcken Root

Published by: Philomet Books division of Penquin Young Readers Group NYC

Ages: 6 and up

Theme: Home, family, love, gratitude

Opening Lines: in 1910, when cotton candy was called “fairy floss,” a clown child named Olivia travelled with her father in a small mud circus known across the prairie as the Crystal Caravan.

Synopsis: As stated on the jacket flap: What could be better than being a clown child? You can juggle eggs all day and eat dinner every night with the Tallest man East of the Missouri – and you don’t even have to go to school! But to Olivia, a real-life clown child, the glitter and glam of the circus life leave something to be desired. Her dreams are filled with simple things like bathtubs and rocking chairs and homes that don’t bump all over the prairie. She begs her father to settle down. But then a sudden blow down storm roars over the big top, Olivia sees an unexpected glimpse of life outside of the circus. What would it mean to give it up? At once funny and touching, Clown Child offers a colourful glimpse at a wisdom that can’t be learned from books, and reminds us that home is more than the place you live – it’s the people you love.

Why I like it: “Home is where the Heart is.” With the love of travel I find I am happiest in strange new surroundings, different countries, different cultures, learning to understand different ways of life, with my husband. But there is also another side to it to. Understanding that often we are not aware of how lucky we are or value our lives until it is no longer there. I have experienced that to. Although I love to travel, there is also a part of me that is acutely aware of how privileged my life is here, away from war, away from extreme weather temperatures, with the fresh clean green image, and so many other wonderful things we have here that many can only dream of. This book reminds us of all those things, and sometimes having the people around us we care most about, is all we need. It has a touch of humour and it’s whispy painted illustrations give depth. A lovely story that teaches above all, gratitude!

Findings and Resources: There are no real resources for this particular book but teaching children the art of gratitude is something we must encourage and can first be learnt at home, here is a website setting out some ideas, such as keeping a gratitude journal, making gratitude cards, etc….

http://www.wikihow.com/Teach-Gratitude-to-Kids

Ways to teach children gratitude and kindness……

http://www.homelifesimplified.com.au/30-ways-to-teach-children-about-gratitude-and-kindness/

also a website for building children’s creativeness both within the classroom and outside the classroom in creative performing arts….. http://imagineproject.org/index.php

Posted in Literature, Picture Book Review | Tagged Performing arts | 17 Comments

Intensive Picture Book Craft Webinar – with a capital-“I”

Posted on 11/09/2012 by Diane Tulloch

I thought I would post about Mary Kole’s 90 minute –Intensive Picture Book Craft Webinar that I took recently. Wow! No wonder a number of people were interested to know how it went. Mary Kole joined the Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2009, earned her MFA in Creative Writing at University of San Francisco, and runs the East office from Brooklyn New York. My first impression of the Webinar was that Mary certainly knew her craft, was well spoken, and the 90 minutes was jammed packed with information. Worth every cent of what I had paid for. On top of that, there was a visual slide screen for those of us who love visual aids and on ending the webinar there was also a PDF of Questions and Answers which also showed a little of her humours side, but always one is imminently aware of her acute knowledge, and attention to detail.

Although Mary constantly reminded us not to take notes, I couldn’t help myself, there was just so much to take in. I am sure she could sense me writing….lol. From the onset in Picture book Layout/Structure we learn what should be happening in each page or two such as spreads four to eight should be showing at least two attempts to solve the conflict and making it worse before final solving. In Resolution page it must be strong, think funny, reversal, etc… and what final image would look like. Think of transition points also. Avoid clichés. Concept books, cool idea drives the story, but tough to sell, especially for debut writers. Next we went into Tension, Page Turners and Characters. A good point here is to think of how to engineer those page turns… i.e. pause, suspense, interruption etc. With Characters, keep cast small and think composition, make them genuine, each unique. Some other great ideas for thought came out of this area for me. For those into Poetic and Rhyme, it must be sophisticated. Keep it consistent. If you know what the next rhyme is, then it’s boring. The message I got here was, practice read and learn, and practice read and learn. Don’t break a pattern unless a very good reason to, it draws attention. Onto Voice and Language, most of which I had heard before, but was really enforced, such as keeping language simple and sentences short. We also looked at Universal appeal and Multi hooks, keep your characters fresh, and always ask the “so what?” question. Again I hear that life issues, humour, family, education and peer pressure are on the increase. Mary was very thorough, and towards the end we visited “How to Pitch and Query,” being brief, professional and don’t apologise for not having written anything before, we all have to start somewhere. (I felt relief in knowing my bio will be very short, but acceptable). Through each segment there were examples and lists for us to think about. Finishing up with reading a few picture books, and one from our famed New Zealand author, Margaret Mayhe. With each Mary referred to some points we should take notice of, what makes this book sing, and what made that text work. Finally Mary offered a critique.

I enjoyed this webinar very much; it was intensive, thorough, and full of information. Because it came through my real player I was able to stop and start, even replay little segments as it went along if I wished. The books she read were on view also. Best of all we are able to keep the replay and PDF file.

Next up on the 25^th October is an MG and YA Intensive Webinar….. count me in! I hope you will join me, it will be very worthwhile.

Posted in Children's literature, ideas for writing, Picture book | Tagged Web conferencing | 16 Comments

“PERFECT PICTURE BOOK” – FRIDAY

Posted on 08/09/2012 by Diane Tulloch

Its Back, its Back , YAY, YAY…. she says jumping around her living room…. LOL yes “Perfect Picture Book Friday” is back and we can enjoy once again, spending many hours blog hopping from Susanna’s blog enjoying reading from a wonderful selection of book reviews, books PERFECT for schools, at home, in librarys, for not only kids but teachers, parents, grandparents… everyone! Many with resources and crafts, ideal for in school, in homes, on holiday, for the long car ride, or simply to while away a rainy day for those young creative minds eager to absorb all that a writer or illustrator has to offer.

Here is a very special book to kick start my season on PPBF…..

“A Present from the Past”

Author: Jennifer Beck

Illustrator: Lindy Fisher

Published: 2006 by Scholastic New Zealand Ltd

Dedicated in memory of women in wartime.

Ages: 6 and up

Theme: Wartime, history, giving, positivity, compassion, understanding, values.

Opening Lines: It was Christmas Eve. Emily was thinking about the beautiful Christmas tree that she had just finished decorating at home. How she wished she were there. Instead, Emily and her parents were standing in the airport terminal, waiting for someone they’d never met before.

Synopsis: Emily is a young girl eagerly looking forward to Christmas day and the opening of presents. A relative, her father’s Aunt Mary, whom neither she nor her family had seen before arrives with a special gift. Why had she travelled so far and what was so special about a small damaged box that was placed under the Christmas tree? When Emily opened the present on Christmas morning Aunt Mary tells her of a young Princess Mary of the King and Queen of England and about the war during 1914. The young Princess wanted to give all the soldiers and nurses who had travelled from far away a special gift to cheer them up she said. Aunt Mary told Emily that her own mother was one of those nurses working alongside the soldiers on the front line, and her box carried chocolates. One day a bullet hit her small box which she kept in her pocket, saving her life, while tending a wounded soldier. Hence the bullet hole in the top of the box. Emily learned that the young nurse married the soldier is her Great Grandmother and that Princess Mary’s birthday is the 25^th April, which is New Zealand’s Anzac Day. Aunt Mary had thought Emily would value such a special gift.

What I liked: just a few pages we learn a great deal about history, compassion of a young Princess Mary, only seventeen years at the time, during the outbreak of the First World War In the back of the book is a lovely factual piece about the “Princess Mary Gift Boxes” that were commissioned and paid for by donations. Each small box had the image of the princess on the lid were given to allied troops from Commonwealth countries, and inside were either gifts of tobacco, cigarettes for the soldiers, or sweets or chocolates for the nurses. These have become treasured keepsakes for families all over the world, even today. This book would be a great resource in History classes enticing conversations about war, troops overseas, and families dealing with loved ones during war time in the past.

It seemed particularly fitting to showcase such a beautiful and gratifying book at a time when here in New Zealand we have in the past two weeks lost five young soldiers, one a woman while in the line of duty assisting other soldiers in Afghanistan.

Findings/Resources: Here are a couple of links to factual pages great for students studying history.

http://www.kinnethmont.co.uk/1914-1918_files/xmas-box-1914.htm

http://www.fusiliermuseum.com/shop/product/princess-marys-gift-box/26/

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?query=Princess%20Mary%27s%20Gift%20Box&items_per_page=10&submit=

I know its early days, but it is never too early to think of craft ideas for kids to do in preparation for Christmas, from Piñatas, advent calendars, to gift boxes to send to love ones overseas. From wreaths and tinsel right down to the potato-stamped wrapping paper, this link has it all.

http://www.kidspot.com.au/Christmas-Christmas-crafts-Christmas-gift-box+1384+117+article.htm

About the Author: http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/Writers/Profiles/Beck,%20Jennifer

Posted in Folklore / multicultural, Literature, Picture Book Review | Tagged Jennifer Beck, Perfect Picture Book - Friday | 32 Comments

A Surprise at a Workshop

Posted on 26/08/2012 by Diane Tulloch

It never ceases to amaze me how things turn out the way they do, or simply happen because it’s meant to be.

Yesterday was no exception.

Due to a minor misadventure at home I nearly passed on attending the Storylines Writing festival Workshop. But hubby insisted I go, and so I left him to deal with it and the visitors who turned up, while I text my friend from 12×12, Allie, and said I would meet her there. Now the Storylines Festival had two Adult workshops, one for Writers followed by one for Illustrators, and Allie was attending both. These workshops were also followed with workshops for children aged from 6 years up in writing and illustrating picture books. I love how encouraging children into using their creative imagination to show their flair at producing works that are just as good as some of our adult authors. NZ Post for whom I work also encourages this, and for the past two years has published through Scholastics, a book for kids written by kids which is now an annual event. I digress.

Getting back to the writing workshop, I was pleased to see Allie swoop in and sit at my table. I am ever grateful to 12x12in12 for introducing me to her and I find attending such events much easier with a friend in tow. Lorraine Orman who was taking the workshop is a retired librarian, and her first book Cross Tides published in 2004, won the NZ Post Best First Book Award. Lorraine has written numerous books ranging from early readers such as” Fish Tale” through intermediate “Land of Promise” to teenagers including “Hideout.” In the rushed two hours we covered such areas as types of genres i.e. mystery, horror, to environmental to dystopian. From a table covered in books ranging from picture to novels we were asked to state what genre it was, why or what was our reason for the decision, was there a “slugline” – and if you don’t know what that was (I admit I had never heard that phrase used before myself) it’s often a tagline or phrase used under the books Title, and finally in one sentence what the book is about. I found this a great exercise. From Lorraine we learn that publishers were interested in such topics as creative/performing arts, sport, environmental and social issues, to be woven into fiction for children are on the increase. Dystopian on the other hand may not have as long a life. We must keep in mind that our books have often to pass through parents, teachers and librarian hands before reaching our young reader, so view your story carefully to appeal to a wide audience. I enjoyed her brief coverage of age categories and would have liked to have heard a more in-depth session on this as knowing my readers age and topics, does flaw me at times. We also covered Elements of a Story and Lorraine stressed that a narrative hook must be present within the first two pages; action – emotion – excitement – conflict – fear – argument, whatever it is, must be present to catch the readers’ attention. If the first two pages have an agent hooked the rest of the story will follow. I was delighted to hear Lorraine’s agent is non-other than our NZ SCBWI leader Frances Plumpton. Finally we covered very briefly in hand outs Todays Market and workshops both on-line and here in NZ to attend or as she put it “The Tough Stuff.” Our hand outs also included definitions and exercises we could use at home to further help our writing style. I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and was disappointed when Lorraine’s reply to Allie’s question of a further workshop was no. I seriously would enjoy attending a couple more in-depth workshops if she would reconsider, and I for one will let her know. Lorraine did finish the session with offering to assess for free, the first three pages of our manuscripts if we had them to her by the end of the week. Lord I have to get my skates on and get writing, as I can’t let an opportunity like this pass.

The surprise? Oh yes, the surprise….. well, half way during the workshop in a five-minute break, a young bubbly woman popped over to our table to introduce herself, and would you believe it was Kim Mounsey. Quiet Kim from 12x12in12 who had come up to Auckland especially for the workshop. I didn’t realise there was another NZ’er in our online group so was gobsmacked, and she is happy to consider joining our small critique group and possibly come back up to Auckland to attend a SCBWI meeting, fingers crossed. We will keep in-touch.

Wonders will never cease…. And I am grateful once again to 12x12in12, thank you Julie!