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Wrapping up!

12/26/2022

3 Comments

 
By Sharon Giltrow
Well, here I am wrapping up another year, which was jammed packed with so many fantastic and funny books. Here are the books I featured in 2022 and their wise takeaways…
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HAPPY AS A HOG OUT OF MUD

Written and illustrated by: Sean E Avery
Published by: Larrikin House , 2021

Do the opposite of what is expected.

GET READY, MAMA!


Written by: Sharon Giltrow
Illustrated by: Arielle Li
Published by: EK Books, 6th April 2022

It takes two people to make a picture book.

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MOZZIES VS FLIES


Written by: Sarah Speedie
Illustrated by: Rebel Challenger
Published by: Larrikin Books, 1st February 2022

Leave room for illustrations.

GET OUT OF MY TENT


Written by: Jo Gliddon-Baker   
Illustrated by:   Aleksandra Szmidt  
Published by: Larrikin Books, 1st November 2021

Everyone needs space to be creative.
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LUCY AND SAD

MAX AND WORRY

Written by: Kitty Black   
Illustrated by: Jess Rose
Published by: Affirm Press, 31st August 2021

The books we write help children to identify and accept their feelings.

My EXTRAordinary Mum


Written by: Dani Vee        
Illustrated by: Alexandra Colombo
Published by: Larrikin House , 1st August 2022

Writers can be ‘plansters’. A plotter and a panster.
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HECTOR AND HIS HIGHLAND DANCERS

Illustrated by: Amy Calautti
Written by: Anthony Sevil        
Published by: Little Pink Dog, 5th November 2020

It’s all about the details!


STELLARPHANT

Written and illustrated by: James Foley
Published by: Fremantle Press,  2nd November 2021 – Australia
Kane Miller 1st January 2022 - US

Never Give Up!

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CHEESE ON TOAST

Written by: Kelly Louise Jarris
 Illustrated by: Baginda Adr
Published by: Kelly Louise Jarris ,   1st November 2022

The Three R’s… Refrain, Rhyme and Relatability.

Now for a sad wrap up.

This will be my last blogpost for The Children’s Book Academy. With three books coming out next year and many more books to write I have decided to focus more on my own writing.

Thank you to Mira and the crew at The Children’s Book Academy for giving me the fabulous opportunity.
I have enjoyed every minute of it and I can’t wait to see who takes over from me 😊.

All the best in your writing and illustrating careers. I will be cheering you from the sidelines.
BIO:
Sharon Giltrow grew up in South Australia, the youngest of eight children, surrounded by pet sheep and fields of barley. She now lives in Perth, Western Australia with her husband, two children and a tiny dog. Sharon is a children’s author who writes humorous and heartfelt picture books. As well as speculative, adventure filled middle grade books. Since 2020 Sharon has built a collection of literary work including BEDTIME, DADDY! GET READY, MAMA! with EK Books and the soon to be released early middle grade series, THE UTILITY BELT. Sharon is represented by Fiona Johnson of Beyond Words Literary Agency

CONNECT:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

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3 Comments

Challenging Yourself to Read More in the New Year

12/19/2022

2 Comments

 
by Bryan Patrick Avery

Well, another year is coming to a close. Soon, we’ll all start making resolutions, setting goals, and looking for new ways to better ourselves. I’d like to suggest a way to challenge yourself in the coming year: commit to reading more.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. We also know that we don’t always have the time to read as much as we’d like to. (My TBR pile keeps getting bigger.) So, this year, let’s take a different approach to reading.

Here’s how it works:
Instead of counting books read, or measuring the height of your TBR pile, simply commit to reading for 30 minutes a day.

30 minutes a day is 3 ½ hours per week.
3 ½ hours per week is 182 hours per year.
That’s a lot of reading!
Finding time to read is a luxury many can’t afford. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do the 30 minutes all at once. Maybe try reading for 15 minutes in the morning and 15 more before bed. Or break it up into even smaller chunks. Block the time off on your calendar if that helps. Once you get started, you may find it easier to continue. So give it a try.

If you can’t get the 30 minutes in every day, don’t worry. Try again the next day. The key thing is to keep reading.

Looking for a book to read? Below are a few of my new favorites. Add them to your TBR pile and get to reading!
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Nigel and the Moon – Antwan Eady and Gracey Zhang (PB)
Knight Owl – Christopher Denise (PB)
A Seed in the Sun – Aida Salazar (MG)
Amari and the Great Game – B.B. Alston (MG)
Spy School The Graphic Novel – Stuart Gibbs and Anjan Sarkar (GN)

Well, that’s all for this month (and this year). Happy writing and have a magical month.
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Bryan Patrick Avery is an award-winning poet and author of more than a dozen books for children. His middle grade collective biography, BLACK MEN IN SCIENCE, illustrated by Nikita Leanne, was released in 2022. Bryan is also the author of the middle-grade story, “The Magic Day Mystery”, which appears in SUPER PUZZLETASTIC MYSTERIES, THE FREEMAN FIELD PHOTOGRAPH, illustrated by Jerome White, and the early chapter book series, MR. GRIZLEY’S CLASS, illustrated by Arief Putra. Bryan lives in northern California with his family.

2 Comments

IT’S ALL ABOUT  . . . HOLIDAY WRITING!

12/12/2022

1 Comment

 
by Melissa Stoller

​December brings the winter holiday season for many faith traditions. I celebrate the eight nights of Hanukkah, and at this time of year, I find myself immersing in holiday foods, family parties, and lots of decorating. I am thankful to be able to enjoy the holiday lights with family and friends and I hope to spark some story ideas when we are all together.
​Here are a few ways you can gather inspiration this holiday season:

  1. List the rituals and ritual objects related to the holidays you celebrate. Notice the details on your objects and research their meanings. Are there any family stories associated with your observances?Interview family members and jot down ideas for stories.
 
  1. As you make your favorite holiday recipes, ask some questions. Where did this recipe come from? How was it handed down in my family? Who were the people that cooked it years ago? Where did they come from? What types of ingredients are used? Perhaps as you taste a treasured holiday treat, you will be inspired to write a related story.
 
  1. As you decorate or enjoy decorations in your neighborhood or in area store windows, think about the festivities. How is light incorporated into many holiday traditions? How do symbols play a part in the holiday atmosphere? Perhaps watch movies or search online for movie scenes and get inspired by the decorations, lights, and festive attire. 
 
I hope these brainstorming exercises spark some story ideas or revisions – let me know in the comments. 
 
Cheers to creativity and to a joyous and peaceful holiday season!

​
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MELISSA’S BIO:
 
Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. She is the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written with Callie Lovvorn and Shirin Rahman). Melissa is a Blogger and Course Assistant for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, a Book Meshuggenahs member, a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Advisory Council member, and a past school and synagogue Trustee. She also interviews authors and offers resources on her blog. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and Central Park walks. Melissa is represented by Jonathan Rosen at The Seymour Agency. www.MelissaStoller.com
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CONNECT:
 
https://www.MelissaStoller.com
https://www.MelissaStoller.com/blog 
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
http://www.twitter.com/melissastoller
www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller


​
1 Comment
    We are so excited to be mixing things up at CBA, beginning with some delicious additions to the Blogfish. Meet our  awesome bloggers!!

    Here's our lineup:
    1st Mondays begin with awesome multi-published former student Shirin Shamsi who will be focusing on Muslim and cultural kidlit.

    2nd Mondays will feature super smart Melissa Stoller whose career is taking off with several new books.
     

    3rd Mondays will feature
    Bryan Patrick Avery, published writer, man of mystery, and professional magician among other things.

    4th Mondays will feature STEM, STEAM & SEL obsessed author Kourtney LaFavre sharing delightfully dorky, quirky, and fun info.

    And 5th Mondays we'll be taking a break

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  • Home
  • WRITING
    • Mastering Great Graphic Novels >
      • 2023 Mastering Graphic Novels Registration
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
    • The Chapter Book Alchemist
    • New!! Middle Grade Mastery Instant Access
    • 2022 Kidlit Palooza >
      • 2022 Palooza Program
      • 2022 Palooza Faculty
  • ILLUSTRATION
    • NEW!! Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books Instant Access
    • Never a Dull Moment Workshop
  • TECH
  • About Us
    • Why Us?
    • Meet the Faculty, Lives & GT Judges
    • Testimonials
    • Books by Students
    • Our Bookshop
    • As Seen In
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Blogfish
  • MN Course Access
  • Community
    • Our Bookshop
    • Come Play With Us!
    • Resources
    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
      • Rafael Lopez Illustrating Childrens Books Scholarships
      • Larissa Marantz Merit & Need Scholarship