Get to Know… Gina Perry!

October 4, 2018October 3, 2018 ~ Jarrett Lerner ~ 1 Comment

My name is… Gina Perry. And also Gina Carey. And sometimes Mrs. Carey or, my favorite from my daughter’s friend, Ms. Gina. I am one of three girls so I use my maiden name to keep the Perry name going. I also grew up on Perry Street and still deeply miss the days when everyone would ask, “Is it named after you, or is it just a coincidence?”

I am a… children’s book writer and illustrator, mom to two kids, lifelong New Englander, and potato chip tester (unofficially, but I’m still very committed).

As a kid… I loved books, drawing, and video games pretty equally. I filled my sketchbook with characters for game ideas that I had. And NERDS (like the candy). Food was inspiring even back then. Adventure and mystery games were my favorite, but I was a loyal Super Mario Bros. fan as well.

Writing is… a surprise career. I have always kept journals and loved creative writing classes but I honestly did not imagine it would be part of my career until I was in my thirties. I went to art school and always worked in that field, so while I love illustration and find it really challenging, it’s the career that I planned. Writing for work is so unexpected and enjoyable. It’s a totally different process from creating visual art, but I absolutely love letting my imagination run wild, then attempting to wrangle it into a good story.

Illustrating is… endlessly challenging — in a great way! Can you picture all the different objects and people and animals and places in this big world? That’s actually my job! From drawing something new and simple (a jar of bowtie pasta!) to researching and interpreting in my own way (squirrel monkeys!), illustration is my ticket to the world.

Reading is… for everyone. Not every book is, however. And that is totally OK! I love seeing what my kids and other kids choose to dive into.

Books are… so hard to make! It is really hard to trust that your idea can grow and be shaped into a real book, but you just have to keep working away.

Did you know… even though I love my quiet work time and am generally shy, I love reading my books to groups of kids AND drawing with them.

You can even find lots of free printable drawing sheets on my website at: www.ginaperry.com/printables/.

You can find me… staring out the window, thinking about potato chips and new stories in New Hampshire. Or online at www.ginaperry.com, @ginamarieperry on Twitter, and @ginapineapple on Instagram.

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Gina Perry is an author and illustrator working under the tall pines in New Hampshire. She grew up in Massachusetts, drawing, playing with yarn, and burning through all the books in the library. Gina went to Syracuse University and worked in animation and as an art director before realizing that children’s books were her true calling. Her picture book debut as author/illustrator, Small (little bee books, 2017), is an empowering story about a small girl in the city, who shows us what happens if you take one big and brave step. Her other books include Too Much Not Enough (Tundra, 2018) and a yet untitled picture book (Tundra, Summer 2019). Visit her at ginaperry.com or on Twitter @ginamarieperry or Instagram @ginapineapple.

Get to Know… Kat Shepherd!

September 26, 2018September 25, 2018 ~ Jarrett Lerner ~ Leave a comment

My name is… Kat Shepherd.

I am… a middle grade author, and I love writing fast-paced mysteries and spooky adventures. I have lots of ideas for other books and series, so that description may change! I am also a former teacher, and education still courses through my blood like oxygen.

As a kid, I was… kind of bossy, and I liked doing my own thing. I was always coming up with new ideas for games, trying to get everyone to be in a play I wrote, or telling friends what costume to wear for Halloween. Other kids got pretty tired of that, so I often had dramatic screaming fights with friends where we’d both storm home to cool off. I did eventually learn to compromise, and now people would consider me a good friend.

When I was in elementary school my parents used to sign me up for things I didn’t really want to do, like swim team and golf lessons. I remember hating how cold the water was in the early mornings, and how the Japanese beetles in the pool would always get tangled in my hair. I was terrible at golf and utterly uninterested besides. So they’d drop me off in the mornings and I would ditch both to hide behind a tree and read horror books and mysteries. I guess it paid off!

Writing is… complicated for me, because I’ve always loved telling stories, but throughout my life I heard a lot of people tell me that real writers all had to be a certain way. They would say things like, “Writers write because they have to,” and “Real writers write every day.” Writing was fulfilling, but I didn’t feel like I had to do it; in fact, there were about a million other things I would rather do instead. And I certainly didn’t write every day. I thought that meant I could never be a writer. I also didn’t feel like a real writer because the stories I wanted to tell weren’t beautifully crafted, award-winners that made people cry. I wanted to tell stories that were silly and scary and fun, the kinds of stories I still love to read.

How amazing it was for me to meet other authors and hear that every person approaches writing in a different way. There are lots of authors who struggle to get the words on the page. In fact, I think most of them do! Some people write daily, and some people write only once every few months. Some writers publish their work, some don’t. Some people consider writing their ‘happy place,’ and some write in the depths of misery. So, in growing up and pursuing this life, I have learned that writing is a place that has room for everyone. Everyone is a writer, everyone has stories to tell, and all of their stories have value.

Reading is… a lifeline for me, and it always has been. I started reading early and often, and I never stopped. Even in those times when I was lonely or had no friends, or when I was fresh out of college with nothing but Ramen for dinner, I was always reading. As a teacher I learned that reading is guided thinking, and it does feel like a magical power that someone can make you laugh or cry out loud in an empty room, simply from the words they chose to string together.

I think that reading and literacy is a fundamental right for all people, and to deny anyone that right is morally wrong. I believe that children should have access to a wide variety of books, and I am against banning or censoring books under the guise of protecting children. Children deserve to read stories that reflect their lives and the world they live in, and we have to respect them enough to honor and celebrate their reading choices. Access to literacy and books is as vital to life as clean air and water, food, and health care.

Books are… like people to me. Some of them you clutch to your heart and know you’ll remember forever and ever. You visit them time and time again. Others bring happiness or intense conversations that are exactly what you need at that time and place, and then you move on. Still others are just not for you. It’s rare that I will abandon a book; I used to feel so guilty about it if I did, like I was letting the book down. But I have been doing it more as I get older, because I’ve learned that it’s okay to say, “This isn’t right for me.”

I was at a conference recently, and a wonderful author said that one of the great things about books is that they create a safe place to practice saying no. For some of us that might mean that if we get to a part that makes us uncomfortable or feels too intense for us, we can listen to that feeling and know that we’re not ready for it right now, or maybe ever. And for others it might be that we just don’t feel the connection we were hoping for, and the story isn’t engaging us. That’s okay. We don’t owe it to books to stick with them if they aren’t right for us, just as we don’t owe it to people to stay in relationships or situations that are uncomfortable or aren’t allowing us to grow. And I really like that message. Books let us practice all kinds of things: facing fear, falling in love, having our hearts broken, coping with loss, feeling compassion and empathy. They are a great training ground for everything.

Did you know… that I have never in my life been without a pet at home? I have always loved animals, and I can’t imagine my life without an animal in it. I am totally a dog person, although I’ve had lots of other pets, like cats, rats, mice, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, lizards, turtles, tortoises, fish, and birds. I have always wanted a pet snake and a hissing cockroach, but my husband refuses. He only likes the fluffy stuff. In my volunteer work at zoos I’ve gotten to work with a lot of interesting animals. Of those I got to work with directly, my favorites were tigers and small primates, although I did form a pretty strong bond with an Andean condor. I love zoos, and volunteering there shows me how much thought and care goes into each animal’s welfare. Sometimes friends would joke about wanting a pet monkey or a meerkat or something. When I tell them what it really takes to properly care for an exotic animal, the jokes stop pretty quickly! My love of animals also includes advocacy. I do a lot of work with dog rescues, and I am also an advocate for wildlife conservation, and you’ll see some of that come through in my books. I’ve put a few of my dogs in my books, too!

You can find me…

Twitter: @bookatshepherd

Instagram: @authorshep

Website: katshepherd.com or babysittingnightmares.com

Get to Know… Debbi Michiko Florence!

September 19, 2018September 19, 2018 ~ Jarrett Lerner ~ Leave a comment

My name is… Debbi Michiko Florence. Michiko is my middle name, and I was named after the then Princess Michiko (now the Empress) of Japan. I actually met Princess Michiko when I was a toddler.

I am… an animal lover. I have my degree in Zoology and I used to rescue and rehabilitate raptors (owls, hawks, eagles, etc.). I’ve scooped a lot of poop working at pet stores, the humane society, and zoos — and now I scoop poop at home for my two ducks, a bunny, and a rescue dog.

As a kid, I was… kind of, sort of bossy to my little sister, but I loved making up stories and adventures for us to play out with our stuffed animals.

Writing is… hard work but so much fun. I love to lose myself in my characters’ lives.

Reading is… my favorite escape.

Books are… my obsession. I can’t go into a bookstore (and I visit every independent bookstore I can) without buying at least one. I have huge piles of books to read, and I keep adding to the piles. Books make me happy!

Did you know… I have a tattoo of jasmine flowers in honor of my Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series.

You can find me… on Twitter at @DebbiMichiko, on Instagram at @jasminetoguchi, and at my website: http://debbimichikoflorence.com/.

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If you visit Debbi’s site (which I highly suggest), make sure to sign yourself up for her newsletter. It’s fantastic! You can do so by scrolling down to the bottom of the screen and entering your email address in the box that looks like this:

And if you’re not already familiar with Debbi’s books, here’s a look at their covers (shout-out to Elizabet Vukovic for her Jasmine Toguchi art, and to Monika Roe for her work on the Dorothy and Toto series!):

Get to Know… Emmy Kastner!

September 5, 2018September 4, 2018 ~ Jarrett Lerner ~ 1 Comment

My name is… technically Emily Anne Kastner. My grandma has always called me Emmy, as well as other family and some friends. I opted for the more familiar name on my books, as that’s the kind of relationship I aim to have with my readers. I’ll answer to Emmy, or Em, or Emily. An old softball coach used to call me Auntie Em. No need to call me that now unless you’re my nieces or nephew. And I’ll always look up where I am, whenever I hear “Mom!”

I am a… curious person by nature, a natural teacher. Not that I think I’ve got loads of wisdom to edify the masses with… I just enjoy learning, community building, and communication in a way that makes for an engaging teaching/learning environment. This has taken shape for me both in the traditional sense as I was a high school science and English teacher, but also in youth-serving spaces through my life as a camp counselor, serving on student council back in the day, and more recently in adulthood as co-founder of Read and Write Kalamazoo. Inspired by the 826 National model when I was living in San Francisco, my friend Anne Hensley and I co-founded a literacy-based nonprofit here in Kalamazoo, Michigan that aims to celebrate and amplify youth voices.

As a kid, I was… either trying to make everyone laugh, was writing, or drawing. I had grand plans to have many careers: I was certain I’d be a writer and star on Saturday Night Live, a writer/illustrator of picture books, play the bass clarinet for the New York Philharmonic, a teacher, a photojournalist for National Geographic, a marine biologist, and a mom. I was obsessed with my dad’s electric typewriter, which made working on “my first chapter book,” The Bear Who Came Alive quite professional. I spent the bulk of my childhood living in the woods with no neighbors that were my age close by. I lived in such a vivid imaginary world which from the outside looked like a girl talking to herself and running/dancing/leaping around (which was great material for my big sister to poke fun). Abby Hanlon’s Dory Fantasmagory series feels like an accurate representation of my childhood.

Writing is… beautiful. I am such a fan of words. My favorite question to hear in the world is, “Can I read this to you?” Yes. The answer is always yes. As a teacher, or popping into our writing center at RAWK and having kids come running with some fresh words on the page, a friend asking to read a story, my kids showing me a new comic they’ve created … that question is always the best. Yes. Please read to me. Words are powerful. Writing connects us, show us corners of ourselves yet undiscovered, and opens our eyes to experiences and people different from ourselves. Empathy! Words move us to FEEL and GO and DO! And to have the ability to pick up a pencil, a pen, to open a computer and to build people, entire worlds, and to craft their stories? That is remarkable!

Illustrating is… exciting, sometimes scary, often unexpected. I have always been drawing and painting, as I’m a visual learner and, really, it’s a lot of fun. I have always been drawn to art that is loose, modern, and often imperfect, but have always but strange expectations on my own art. Second guessing myself artistically has always been a hurdle to putting it out there and sharing it with anyone. It wasn’t until adulthood that I really embraced my art in a way that I wanted to share it publicly. The pairing of words and art has always been magical, both to witness and create. To fill in the spaces between words, and play with the conversation between words and art on the same page… that has been a driving force for me to navigate this adventure of being an artist, more specifically a writer and illustrator of children’s books. And to my surprise when I started to dip my toe in the water of publishing and connecting with an agent, the three agents I queried all loved my art and had kind, generous suggestions referencing the story as the component that needed more finesse.

Reading is… not always something I was deeply in love with. I liked it alright, but was not the kid reading a book at recess. Early on I wanted books that made me laugh (like Amelia Bedelia), or books that were about the characters in the TV shows/movies I loved. The Monster at the End of This Book: Starring Lovable, Furry Old Grover checked both those boxes! I was also obsessed with Sunday comic strips. Snoopy! I really fell in love with reading in 5th/6th grade when my fantastic teacher, Mrs. Owings, shared books with us that opened my eyes to the world. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry were gorgeous stories that taught me so much about the power of reading books. I cried. I was confused. I was moved to find answers and do something in the world to make a difference. Reading! That’s power.

Books are… beautiful. Many hands and hearts touch the making of every book. I just love that. My preschool was at a library and I slept with books in my bed. And I don’t mean falling asleep reading them, though I probably did that too. I would tuck them in beside me, under my pillow, at my feet. Books were, and still are, such a comfort. My son and daughters all do the same thing! It’s like when Wendy grows up in Peter Pan and her kids are doing the same things she did as a kid. Am I making that up? That happened, right? Maybe it’s the movie I’m thinking of? Either way, my kids are doing the same thing I did, which is a universal phenomenon (but maybe not a part of Peter Pan…). There’s a gravitational pull between book people. More book people in the world means more connections between us all.

Did you know… 12 more moons were discovered circling Jupiter this summer? I’d just turned in final art/copy for Nerdy Babies: Space and I received texts from a few friends giving me the heads up with a link to the news. Though we’re learning new things about the solar system every day, I did include the fact that Jupiter has 67 moons on a spread in the book. I excitedly sprang the newly discovered moons on my editor and had the green light to add 12 moons to the illustration, and revise the copy to accurately tally Jupiter’s moons at 79. I’m grateful for the scientists who made the discovery before the books went to print.

You can find me… in my studio making art and writing, above our coffee shop in Kalamazoo. Though I am grateful that this is the spot I frequent most, I’m ideally found at our favorite beach on Lake Michigan. More conveniently, you can find me on social media, most likely distracting myself from work making/sharing stories on Instagram: @emmykmakes. And, the first two books in the series, Nerdy Babies: Space and Nerdy Babies: Ocean, will make their ways to shelves at a bookstore near you via Macmillan’s Roaring Brook Press on May 7, 2019!

Get to Know… Ann Braden!

August 30, 2018August 29, 2018 ~ Jarrett Lerner ~ 1 Comment

My name is… Ann Braden. (Or if I’m going to sign my name the way my 8-year-old son does: Ann Braden!!!!!!!)

I am a… MG author, a former middle school teacher, a lover of spreadsheets, and a community organizer (first about gun laws, then about love, and most recently about getting kids books)

As a kid, I was… so shy that I wouldn’t play on a playground if other kids were on it.

Writing is… something that I used to never think I could do, so I didn’t do it. But now I need to do it to stay sane.

Reading is… a way to live so many lives with just our one.

Books are… something every kid should have easy access to.

Did you know… my cats will eat entire plates of broccoli if left unattended? They’ll each grab a big piece of broccoli and run off with it (growling to protect their catch), devour it somewhere in the shadows of our house, and then repeat until the plate is empty.

You can find me… on Twitter at @annbradenbooks, on Instagram also at @annbradenbooks, and on Facebook at ann.b.braden.

. . .

Ann’s debut novel, The Benefits of Being an Octopus, hits shelves next week, on September 4th! Below, check out some of the stellar reviews it’s garnered so far, and don’t miss the book’s trailer, made by the talented students of Brattleboro Area Middle School!

“This heartbreaking, beautifully written book about finding one’s voice will offer some readers a relatable reflection and others a window that can help build empathy and understanding.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“The Benefits of Being an Octopus is a beautiful, layered look at the courage it takes to stand up to and stand up for the people you love–including yourself. Braden’s story captivated me and carried me along, leaving me changed for the better. — Elaine Vickers, author of Like Magic and Paper Chains

“With grace and heart and words masterfully woven, The Benefits of Being an Octopus captures the quiet and loud masks of domestic violence. Braden navigates the complexities of choice and power and the meaning of courage. And how sometimes together, we can find our voice and our strength.” — Elly Swartz, author of Finding Perfect and Smart Cookie

“This wise book knows we can’t always keep the people we love safe. But it also knows that courage and compassion can sometimes turn lives around. You will care so fiercely about Zoey — the octopus-loving, truth-telling young heroine that you’ll want to wrap all eight of your own arms around her.” — Anne Nesbet, author of California Book Award winner, Cloud, and Wallfish

“You are seen. You are heard. You are loved.” In a perfect world, every child would know these three absolutes. Ann Braden shares this message with her readers in a funny, poignant story about Zoey, her siblings, their mother, and one very special teacher. An octopus might be the most clever creature, but it can’t hold a candle (or eight) to Braden’s masterfully constructed prose.” –– K. A. Holt, author of House Arrest

Get to Know… Supriya Kelkar!

August 25, 2018August 25, 2018 ~ Jarrett Lerner ~ Leave a comment

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I am… a screenwriter who has been on the writing teams of several Bollywood films and one Hollywood feature, and the author of AHIMSA (2017), THE MANY COLORS OF HARPREET SINGH (2019), and THE SANDALWOOD PYRE (2020).

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As a kid… I was afraid of a lot of things thanks to the power of writing. After writing a long research paper on sharks in fourth grade, I was nervous every day when I took a shower, even though I knew logically there was no way a shark was going to swim up the drain and enter the bathtub. After seeing Jurassic Park, I was terrified to take my dog out at night, even though I knew there was no way a velociraptor could really be hiding behind our pine trees. And after I read a non-fiction book about poltergeists from our elementary school library, I never slept again.

Writing is… the way I process what is going on in the world today and a way for me to express myself and speak out.

Reading is… a way for me to learn about the world and myself.

Books are… home.

Did you know… I wrote the first draft of AHIMSA in 2003 and it was published over a decade and several revisions later in 2017?

You can find me… on Twitter @soups25 on Instagram @supriya.kelkar and at my website www.supriyakelkar.com.

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Want to more about Supriya’s upcoming books? Below are the acquisition announcements from Publishers Weekly.

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And just in case you haven’t seen it (or want to share it with your students this upcoming school year!), here’s the book trailer for AHIMSA:

Get to Know… Sarah Lynne Reul!

August 17, 2018August 16, 2018 ~ Jarrett Lerner ~ 7 Comments

My name is…

I am… an author/illustrator/animator with three books that debuted this year: THE BREAKING NEWS, ALLIE ALL ALONG & PET THE PETS.

I’m also a maker of tiny things, a person who draws on photos, a 2D animator, a mom (to two kids), a kid (to my mom!), a friend, an explorer, a connector of worlds.

As a kid, I was… super interested in animals, reading, singing and making stuff.

Writing is… a way to process my world; a place to consider, wonder and imagine… “what if…?”

Reading is… a way for me to gain perspective; to learn, explore, think and feel.

Books are… the best way to hold a world in your hands. They’re a place to escape, a comfort to hold, a way to connect; a practice zone for meeting the dragons of fear, doubt, loss and disappointment.

Did you know… sometimes the biggest problems can be solved by focusing on one small thing at a time?

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You can find me… making tiny things, drawing on photos and connecting with friends on Twitter @sarahlynnereul, Instagram @thereul and on my website, reuler.com.

I’m also planning to do more school visits in the upcoming year, so I hope you’ll be able to find me presenting at your local school in the near future!

Get to Know… Paula Chase!

August 13, 2018August 10, 2018 ~ Jarrett Lerner ~ Leave a comment

My name is… Paula but once people get to know me (and if I like them) they call me P.

I am a… Virgo and proud of it. I’ve been (mildly) obsessed with astrology since I was about 11 years old and have now infected both my daughters. We’re always reppin’ for our signs, which I allow even though everyone knows Team Virgo is best.

As a kid, I was… quiet but not shy. Which means I was never the “Hi, I’m…” kid but if you talked to me I’d engage. Quiet kids are sometimes misinterpreted as snobby. The world would be pretty chatty if everyone were a “Hi, I’m…” person.

Writing is… an outlet for me. Whether it’s a professional memo or a note to my kids asking them to unload the dishwasher signed “the management,” it’s how I best convey my mood at the minute.

Reading is… an escape. Given the time, I can inhale a book (regardless of size) in a single day. And because I rarely have time, I tend to binge read the way a lot of people binge watch shows. I love falling into the rabbit hole and getting lost inside.

Books are… a personal choice. I’ve always loved being in a library or bookstore and reading flap copy to decide if a book speaks to me. Since becoming published, one of the toughest things has been the circus barker mentality that seems expected of authors. It’s like Survivor Author Edition where people come up and expect you to justify why they should buy your book or get voted off the Island. That goes against the grain of who I am as a reader. Pick it up if it interests you. Pass it by if it doesn’t.

Did you know… the only constant in life is change. My dad said this to me when I was in my early 20s and it was one of those light bulb moments of truth. Change can suck sometimes, but knowing that it’s something that’s going to ebb and flow regardless makes it easier to swing with it.

You can find me… on Twitter at @paulachase, on Facebook at @paulachasebooks and at my website: paulachasehyman.com. I know using both my names can be confusing, but apparently Paula Chase is a guitarist and owns that URL, so…

. . .

Below are some reviews of Paula’s MG novel So Done, which hits shelves on August 14 (tomorrow!):

“A beautifully written and achingly realistic portrayal of the growing pains even the best friendships often must endure. Tai and Mila’s journey felt as real and messy and ultimately hopeful as all true friendships are.” — Jo Knowles, award-winning author of See You At Harry’s, Still A work In Progress and the forthcoming Where the Heart Is (2019)

“Chase vividly conjures the triumphs, tensions, and worries percolating in the girls’ low-income neighborhood. Tai’s exuberance forms an effective foil to Mila’s internal turmoil, and the building anticipation about who will be chosen for the program and whether Mila will divulge her secret will keep readers turning pages.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“The protagonists tell their stories in memorable voices that ring true to their characters…both Mila and Tai are young women that readers will root for.” — The Horn Book

“An honest coming-of-age tale with two different girls dealing with real issues, crushes, and finding themselves…Chase pulls no punches when it comes to emotional honesty… The dual-perspective narrative tackles serious subjects through an adolescent lens” — ALA Booklist

Get to Know… Tara Lazar!

August 10, 2018August 10, 2018 ~ Jarrett Lerner ~ 28 Comments

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My name is… Tara Lazar. Not Tara Laserbeam, but that would be pretty awesome if it were.

I am a… weird person. At least that’s what my kids say.

As a kid, I was… a budding inventor, a neighborhood entrepreneur, a creative writer, a voracious reader, weird and odd, loud and annoying, a fiercely loyal friend.

Writing is… the best way to be me.

Reading is… as necessary as cheese. (I cannot live without either.)

Books are… my favorite friend.

Did you know… I used to be a competitive figure skater? I got married in Hawaii? I have two daughters and a hamster? I have Multiple Sclerosis? I choose cheese over chocolate? I despise coffee? I live in New Jersey? I make the best meatballs in the world? I have a five-foot stuffed purple orangutan named Norman who lives on my stairway?

You can find me… somewhere in my imagination.

. . .

When Tara isn’t somewhere in her imagination, you can find her online at taralazar.com and on Twitter at @taralazar. Below are her books — first the covers of those that have been published, then the titles of four more that are coming soon.

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