Author of over 400 Books for Children and Adults
If some of you think the basic plot of this graphic novel (my second graphic novel ever—and how I love the form!) sounds familiar, give yourselves an A+. It is based on, expanded from my novella, “Dragonfield” first published in 1985 in my collection of the same name.
To say I am astonished that this book is finally coming out is an understatement. It literally took years to find the right editor and when it did, she (Heidi Kilgras of Random House) became so lovingly invested in the story and in finding the right artist for it, my own investment was returned
More bird poems, all of them written to respond to Jason’s brilliant photographs, and with an introduction/appreciation by the world’s greatest birdsong expert, Don Kroodsma. These books are always a labor of love, mainly because I think the photographs should be seen by everyone.
My daughter Heidi and I wrote this little rhymed book for Little Simon, which is the novelty imprint of S&S. A novelty book has other features than just words and pictures. This is an enlarged board book with a soft cover. We wrote and rewrote it till the two of us were happy enough, sent it to
The publisher says, “Creep, gurgle, crawl, tumble! Meet two young monsters who are far from scary—they’re too busy having fun. They go to school, play outside with their friends, and eat after-school snacks. But they also have a bedtime, whether or not they’re ready for it! Young children and
This is what is called a novelty book, and it has lots of dino-stickers to add to each double page along with one of my silly dino rhymes. Or the dino stickers can go on a child’s shirt. Or a classroom GOOD WORK page, etc.
A follow up, in a way, to our book of ballet stories for the same publisher. Heidi and I worked separately at first–me retelling the stories, she doing the information part. Then we each edited the other’s work. Finally we each read the entire thing for flow, discussed the problems we found, and then
My dear friend and neighbor (well, two towns away) illustrator Ruth Sanderson called me up. We had done a number of books together including SLEEPING BEAUTY and WHERE HAVE THE UNICORNS GONE. She draws gorgeous horses. Owns at least one horse these days. “I want to do a horse lullabye,” she said
I don’t actually remember how this book started. Either the editor suggested it or Andy Fusek Peters did. The only thing I know is that we all wanted a companion book to HERE’S A LITTLE POEM which had gotten sterling reviews, won some awards, and looked to become a minor childhood classic.
After my picture book on Hans Christian Andersen came out (The Perfect Wizard), editor Steve Meltzer and I cast about for a follow-up. I suggested J. M. Barrie, Mark Twain, L. Frank Baum, Beatrix Potter, Rudyard Kipling, Louisa May Alcott. As you can see, we settled on Barrie. I collected about