Book Awards and Diversity in Children's Books

I’ve been reading the latest issue, July/August 2013, of The Horn Book magazine. This is a special

one focusing on the 2013 Awards (Newbery, Caldecott, Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, Coretta Scott King Award -CSK) and the acceptance speeches given by each winner: Katherine Applegate, (Newbery), Jon Klassen (Caldecott), Katherine Paterson (Wilder), Andrea Davis Pinkney (Author - CSK), and Bryan Collier (Illustrator – CSK). I must tell you that I was extremely moved by the comments and encouraging words of inspiration mentioned by the award winners. 

 

It’s wonderful to read how they got started, their diverse backgrounds, their respect for children, their journey to where they are now, and what the future holds for them. Hooray to all of them for their awesome books that bring joy to young and old alike! Here is a link to these and other awards. Enjoy.

 

And here’s a good article, “10 Great Multicultural Children’s Books,” by Emily Temple posted on the Flavorwire blog that addresses diversity (or lack of it) in children’s books. She compiled a list of “a few great children’s books with diverse characters and stories …” 

 

I’ve enjoyed reading a few of those myself. How about you? Have you read any of them? Those that I have not read, I will add to my list. 

A quote from Madeleine L’Engle from The Horn Book magazine, July/Aug 2013 issue: “You have to write the book that wants to be written… And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”

Writing for middle graders

Mercado

If you’re into writing for middle graders, take a peek at this post, “The Manic Minds of Middle Grade Writers,” on the Project Mayhem blog. Addressed in this post is the topic of romance in middle-grade stories. How does a writer write about that or should they? In this article titled, “Romance in Mg-finding the Balance,” a make-believe kid named Giles writes: “Many writers choose to avoid it.  It’s too tricky in their opinion so they stay far away from it.  But that’s not right.  We middle graders deserve to have romance in our books and it’s up to you writers to create it for us.” Interesting. 

 

And here’s something that’s pretty unbelievable. Ireland just came out with a stamp that features a 224-word short story. Neat!

Middle grade or mid-grade: The general classification of books written for readers approximately ages 9-11. Also called middle readers. – Writer’s Digest Weekly Planner

Book nominated for award

A very nice surprise came via email yesterday. My bilingual picture book, Alicia's Fruity Drinks/Las aguas frescas de Alicia, is a finalist for the 2013 Writer's League of Texas Book Awards Competition. The winner will be announced in September. The other nominees in the picture book category are Jeanette Larson, Hummingbirds:Facts and Folklore from the Americas, Don Tate, It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Taylor Started to Draw, and Kelly Bennett, One Day I Went Rambling. Congratulations to all and best of luck!

“A good picture book begins with delight, ends with wisdom, humor, warmth, or love, and means more than it says.” – Barbara Williams

School Visit Notes

A few days ago, I got a really neat surprise in the mail. A packet full of thank-you letters and stories that the third graders at my last school visit wrote. I read them all. They were so touching and sincere. Here are some of the comments in the letters: 

 

You told us one cool and funny story. I might want to be an author like you… I loved the book you read. Now I know how to start a story... I like how you explained the pictures (illustrations)… I like how you see some things interesting and then you write it … I want to be an author like you. I will remember this day … I love your books because there are surprises that come up … Thanks for showing me the recipe for books. Now I want to be a writer…  
 

The packet also included short stories and illustrations that the students wrote on templates that I provided. Many of the students came up with really great ideas for stories. This is why I write. It is children like these who inspire me. 

 

You might want to look into this blog, Project Mayhem, which has some great links to writers, readers, etc., that you will find interesting and useful. 

Blurb: A testimonial from a book reviewer or a well-known person in a book’s field, usually found on the outside cover or jacket of a book. – Writer’s Digest Weekly Planner

Writing routines

Do you have some sort of routine that you follow when your write? Many writers do and I really admire that. On Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents blog, “Writing routines that work,” Sambuchino lists and encourages us to try some “time-tested writing routines and discover your most productive self.”

 

“Reading for inspiration, keeping a notebook at hand, and writing when you’re hot,” are just a few of

the steps he listed. These are all common sense routines, but how many of us adhere to them? I must confess I only have followed about three on the list. I shall try to do better. It can only improve my productivity. How about you? What is your routine?

 

And here’s something neat to read. An interview on the Flavorwire blog titled, “13 Things We Learned From Judy Blume’s AMA.” By the way, AMA stands for Ask Me Anything. 

“Carve out a space in your day for quiet, uninterrupted thinking. Exercise and feed your creative self.” – Penny Raife Durant

Acts One, Two, and Three of a Story

Here’s a really neat post on Ingrid’s Notes titled, “Classical Design: Breaking it Down with

Toy Story.” She breaks down the major beats of this design into Acts One, Two, and Three using the film Toy Story as an example.

 

Using visuals and narrative, she addresses story hook, emotional core, catalyst, crossing the first threshold that propels the story into Act Two, obstacles, the point of no return, climax, and so on. This is a great article that will help you as a writer. 

 

I’m always curious to see the studios where writers and illustrators work. On the Publishers Weekly BookShelf post, there’s an article by Elizabeth Bluemle titled, “Illustrators Give the Best Studio Tours.” I think writers and illustrators will enjoy this post.

 “Writing is a pleasure, and I feel that if I did not enjoy writing, no one would enjoy reading my books.” – Beverly Cleary

UTSA Writing Presentation

Yesterday my illustrator daughter, Carolyn Dee Flores, and I had the pleasure of conducting a joint presentation to a National Writing Project class hosted by The University of Texas-San Antonio. This program, the San Antonio Writing Project, is “dedicated to the improvement of the teaching of writing in Texas classrooms K-college.” 

 

I presented the writing process from the writer’s perspective while Carolyn presented from the illustrator’s viewpoint. We had fun taking pictures with all the educators in the class and enjoyed a delicious potluck lunch. Go UTSA!

 

We also had a very pleasant surprise. We came upon a Chihuly window in the building we were in. What luck!

Chihuly Window

ARC: Advance reader’s copy. – Writer’s Digest Weekly Planner