Kathryn Starke is an elementary school literacy specialist and knows a thing or two about motivating kids to read. She is also an author of a children’s book called Amy Travels and shared some thoughts about reading previously on this blog; Why Read.
Kathryn shares her insights on picture books for kids and the book publishing industry.
1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Eric Carle is perhaps best known to the world as the writer and illustrator of one of the most beloved children’s books of all time; The Very Hungry Caterpillar. For generations children and parents alike have loved and read the works of this great Renaissance man. Few writers can bridge the generational gap; even fewer can do that while working as both writer and illustrator. But Eric Carle has never let the uncommon slow him down. Read the rest of this entry »
Most of my children’s book author sightings have been online, save the rare occurrence of attending a children’s book festival. I met Gina Anaya online even though she was just about 40 miles from me at the time. The power of Google searches! She is the author of the children’s book; The Quiet Lion and was gracious enough to give robust answers to my interview questions. Read on.
1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
It wasn’t until I did a 12 week course in a book called The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron that I discovered my interest in writing. That was about 8 years ago and I’ve done the process 3 times since. I always come out of it with an interest in a new creative adventure. Read the rest of this entry »
Don and Audrey Wood are a husband and wife children’s book writing and illustrating team. The dynamic duo are well known for great masterpieces such as Quick as a Cricket; The Napping House; The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear. Their books are full of wonder, magic, nature, and spectacular imagery and once you understand their magical and amazing childhoods you will understand how their lives have heavily influenced their works. Read the rest of this entry »
I meet most children’s book authors online these days; on blogs, face book and twitter. I met Renée Hand online through another online friend who probably met her online too. She has authored a series of adventure chapter books for kids that have done well on SlimyBookworm.com and has been in the children’s book writing business for a while and has a lot to share about being an author and making a living from your work.
1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? Read the rest of this entry »
“In the great green room,” begins one of the most memorable books ever written for children. During a time when children’s books centered upon the unrealistic fairy tales that were meant to distract and teach a lesson, Margaret Wise Brown sought to create stories about things important to children, things they could relate to.
Margaret was one of the first writers to go out into the world and ask the readers of children’s literature, children, what they wanted to read about. Read the rest of this entry »
May is Asian Pacific Heritage month here in the United States. I thought it a good time to feature an outstanding American Children’s book author and illustrator of Asian descent. Gyo Fujikawa was a trailblazer in many regards; she broke down the barriers of what I refer to as the “double majors”, she was female and also a minority yet made it to the top of her career as a prolific children’s book author and illustrator. Read the rest of this entry »
My four year old son has a big hard bound book titled Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. My husband got him the book while I was still pregnant with him. Male version of nesting, I say.
My little one would pester his grandma to read the book to him every time she was around. We read other books to him but not this one. He kind of reserved it for grandma. I looked at the book closely the other day while picking it up from the floor and noticed it was written by Iza Trapani! I knew of her because another title of hers; The Itsy Bitsy Spider is available on SlimyBookworm.com and we follow each other on twitter. The rest as they say is history. She was kind enough to do this interview. Read the rest of this entry »
Sandra Boynton was born in New Jersey in 1953.But while her story starts there, it really doesn’t truly begin. After moving with her family to Philadelphia she began attending the Germantown Friends School where her father Bob became an English teacher. With the inspiration and motivation from her parents she continued school and began attending Yale and studying English.
Most children’s book authors and aspiring children’s book authors have day jobs. Some hope their passion becomes their source of livelihood, others write children’s books as a creative outlet. One common issue comes up; finding time to write.
Here is a conversation between mom and son, Joann and Daniel Kairy. Mom and son wrote the children’s book, Sunbelievable. Joann Kairy is an award-winning medical writer with previous experience holding faculty positions in prominent medical schools and now a children’s book author.
Daniel Kairy is a general surgeon and father of 2 young girls who loves to read to his daughters and struggles with finding time to write.
Listen to this insightful conversation between mom and son as they talk about children’s literature, parenting, and reading to kids among other things.
Hello and thanks for visiting. You can say I am all kinds of things to various people.
To my husband, I am his wife and confidant.
To my kids, I am mom and chauffeur.
To friends, I am a buddy, a mompreneur, a book lover, a literacy advocate and much more .
To my patients, I am their doctor and health coach.
Conversations with Slimy Bookworm is a fusion of all of the above.
So stick around, sign-up for email notifications or push the RSS tab and join in the conversation.
Bola Ajumobi
SlimyBookworm.com is an online children’s bookstore with the feel of your neighborhood bookstore. “The Destination for Books Kids Love!”
