Agent Interview: Clelia Gore (Martin Literary & Media Management)

On By Only Picture BooksIn Agent Interviews

Let’s give a big OPB welcome to Clelia Gore, the VP of Martin Literary & Media Management, where she serves as Literary Manager of the Children’s and Young Adult Division. Normally, I create a fabulously researched and often-​amusing made-​to-​order biographical introduction at this point, but when someone takes the time to create such an fine Twitter bio as Clelia did, what can I do but share it here?

  • Optimist
  • Lover of things lovely
  • Crooked smiler
  • French-​Peruvian-​American living in Singapore for a bit
  • Mama

And if you’re wondering how to pronounce her name, I asked, and I have the answer. From Clelia herself: “For those wondering, it’s pronounced Clel (rhymes with bell)-eeee-uh. Named after an Italian duchess from a Stendahl novel.”

Perhaps most important, she recently tweeted that “PBs are my jam.” Same here.

With that, let’s get to the interview!

RVC: Rumor has it that you had a great book experience in first grade that got you on the literary path. Care to share your special magic book moment?

CG: Yes! Charlotte’s Web by EB White sparked something within me that has stayed with me through adulthood. I was the kind of reader that devoured everything on my bookshelf, pretty much as soon as I got the hang of reading. I had read only one other chapter book on my own prior to Charlotte’s Web (a book about a dogcatcher called The Terrible Mr. Twitmeyer). My older brother had acquired it through a Scholastic Book Fair order. He didn’t like me touching his things, so I went into his room secretly, swiped it, and read it behind closed doors while sitting in a bathtub!

I remember being completely affected by the story—how much I loved the characters, the farm and county fair settings, enchanted by the storytelling and feeling ALL the emotions when Charlotte met her fate. I remember crying in the bathtub by myself, completely moved by this terrific pig. From then on, I understood the magic of books in a big way and I’ve spent the rest of my life chasing that same feeling in the books I read.

RVC: Some pig, indeed!

CG: I still have that same copy of the book today! I used to read it right before school started every year, as a comforting ritual. Now I bring it with me wherever we move, carrying a bit of my childhood with me.

RVC: I keep my first copy of  The Saggy Baggy Elephant for the same reason.

But back to you–how do you go from an amazing reader experience like that into the world of lawyering? What happened?

CG: I continued to be an avid reader through high school and college. At that time in my life, I was a bit of a book snob and only read classics—I was determined to read all of them. I think I was the only 17-​year-​old who had read all of John Steinbeck, Mark Twain, and Edith Wharton’s entire catalogs. I took a lot of pride in having read their deep cuts. In college, naturally, I became an English major. My parents put it in my head that, with that major, I could become a lawyer and I just decided to go with it. I wish I could say I put more thought into it than that, but I didn’t. Looking back, it wasn’t an illogical choice, just not the most thoughtful one. I ended up going straight to law school after college.

RVC: What got you out of the legal world and into the literary agent arena?

CG: I knew early on that being a lawyer was not for me. It was 2009 and I was working at a big corporate law firm in Manhattan litigating securities disputes—not quite the scene for a whimsical gal like me. I will say this—I gained so much from my experience in law school and practicing as an attorney for about four years. It, of course, helps me as a literary agent who negotiated contracts. I’m a better analytical thinker as a result of it, better equipped for the adult world and most importantly, it helped me develop a sense of professional confidence. For me, being a lawyer was a really hard job during a really hard time (the recession). I was challenged every day and was able to rise to the occasion, and I succeeded at it even though I didn’t like it. I brought the confidence I developed from that experience with me to publishing. I also met many lifelong friends and my husband along the way! Plus, I like knowing and learning about the law—I just didn’t like practicing it.

RVC: You’re not the first ex-​lawyer to say something like this here at OPB. Maybe one of these days, I’ll get you all together for a special Picture Book panel discussion.

CG: When I was first contemplating a career switch, I immediately thought of children’s book publishing. Kids books, especially picture books, were always an important part of my life. Even as an adult. As a lawyer, I worked in the Chrysler Building, across from Grand Central Station, and when I was feeling really stressed or sad, I’d go to the Posman Books that used to be there and just browse the picture book section and it would always bring me a sense of calm.

RVC: What happened next?

CG: I reached out to Rotem Moscovich for coffee, who is now editorial director at Knopf. She and I went to high school together and I asked her about children’s book publishing. She was the first person to put the idea in my head that I could be a literary agent—a career I didn’t really know anything about. It took me a few years to figure out how to transition, and I wanted to make sure I made the right step. I decided to go back to grad school, where I received a scholarship at Emerson College’s M.A. in Publishing & Writing. This program helped me try out a few avenues I was interested in: I interned at Houghton Mifflin for half a year in their children’s book division and then I tried out academic publishing at Oxford University Press. I also tried out teaching writing to college freshmen. Funnily enough, I never did an internship with an agency, but when I graduated, I was convinced that that was the path for me. As it happened, my then-​fiancé (now husband) had moved to Seattle from NYC for a job, so I joined him out there.

I was lucky enough to connect with Sharlene Martin right away—she agreed to meet me after I sent her a cold-​call email. I was going to ask her questions about starting my own agency such as: What is Step 1? We ended up sitting in a coffee shop talking for two hours, and at the end of it, she said: “Don’t start your own agency—come work for me! I’ll teach you everything you need to know.” Here I am seven years later, still calling her my mentor!

RVC: I’ve got a lot of creative writing majors here at Ringling College contemplating a path similar to yours. Some of them are thinking about going after internships like the one you had at Houghton Mifflin. How valuable was that for you?

CG: That was truly my first experience in children’s publishing, something I had always dreamed about. I was so grateful for the opportunity. It was definitely an odd experience going from being an attorney in NYC to an intern making $11/​hr. But I was determined to make the best of it, learn as much as possible, and I tried to make the weird situation as comfortable as possible—and the wonderful women I worked with were game, too. It was a great education in how kids’ books are made—having that foundational knowledge absolutely helped me in my career as an agent. I also made some great relationships—I still pitch to editors at HMH whom I knew as an intern. I made several book deals based on a referral from their former managing editor. And I crossed paths with Scott Magoon there, who was working there at the time and he ended up being the illustrator for Rescue and Jessica: A Life-​Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, which was an award-​winning and bestselling book that I represented.

RVC: You’ve been at Martin Lit for a good while now. In all your experience at that agency, what has surprised you the most?

CG: I started in September 2013, so it’s been seven years now, and in that time I’ve learned so, so much. I mean I was really starting off with very little knowledge and had to learn on the fly from Sharlene and from any resources I could access. I was very determined to right my career path and be successful at this.

One thing that surprised me is how thick-​skinned I would become. Publishing can be a roller coaster ride, especially at the submissions/​acquisitions stage and, having ridden that roller coaster over and over again, I can weather even deep disappointments well—and happily celebrate the highs. I also didn’t realize how my business relationships with clients could form into strong bonds of friendships.

RVC: A lot of early-​career picture book writers ask me if a platform is necessary. What do you think?

CG: I truly think the most important thing is that a book be great (and the timing is right!). Platform is a bonus and plus, of course, but if the work has that special sauce, it doesn’t matter if the author is unknown and has no platform to speak of. If you want to sell a book that plays off of your platform, then, absolutely, you should have an established platform. In certain genres like adult nonfiction, platform is everything. In kidlit, it’s less important, especially at the acquisitions phase. I do think it’s important to signal to publishers that you understand the author’s role in promoting and publicizing the book, that you are willing to play the game.

For authors trying to figure out what kind of platform they have to offer, I would think about what access you have to the target readers and book buyers for your book. Social media is one thing, sure. But…

  • Do you have or can you seek out media contacts that you can take advantage of when the book comes out?
  • Do you belong to certain groups or industries or speak at conferences or events that are made up of your target buyer?
  • What are ways that you can use those groups or gatherings to promote your book?
  • Can you reach out to your school alumni networks to promote the book in some way?
  • Can you write articles, start a podcast, create a blog related to your book or topics you cover in your book?
  • Can you start a newsletter that accesses your entire personal network?
  • Do you have connections to others who have a large platform who would be willing to promote your book?
  • Have you scoured Instagram for influencer accounts that reach your book-​buying audience and are ready to reach out to them?

Think about all the ways you can take advantage of your personal and professional networks so that people can find out about your book.

RVC: Love those examples–thanks!

You’re a self-​confessed sucker for picture books that are a “heart squeezer.” What are some PB examples that really made you get out the Kleenex (in the good way)?

CG: As a mother who struggled with infertility, I cry 100% of the time I read Matthew Cordell’s Wish. Seriously, I have not gotten through even to the third page turn without misty eyes.

Other recent heart-​squeezing favorites include Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld, Hair Love by Matthew Cherry, Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackhall, and Home in the Woods by Eliza Wheeler.

RVC: You dig nonfiction—so says your Manuscript Wishlist as of May 2020—but biographies aren’t really a big hit with you. Is that a marketplace thing, personal preference, or something else?

CG: I already have several picture book biographers amongst my clientele so I’m looking to diversify. I have said in the past that the market was thinning a bit to picture book biographies, but I do see evidence of the market opening back up. I sold two this summer. Publishing is dynamic! I will always love picture book biographies, but to me, there are a lot of cool things happening in kid’s nonfiction outside of biographies. I want to see more of those kinds of books!

RVC: How do you describe your agenting style? Is it different with your clients than with prospective editors? 

CG: Collaborative. Respectful. Transparent. Hard-​working. Analytical. Confident. Kind!

One thing I learned from my job as a lawyer, another client-​services industry, is the importance of maintaining professionalism. You can count on me to always be professional.

RVC: Unlike some agents, you’re open to developing MG and YA nonfiction projects with talented writers. Do you ever do such a thing with picture books? 

CG: I think there is a lot of room for growth in the middle grade and YA nonfiction space. There aren’t enough writers of these genres yet! So, at this point, I’d be willing to work with authors who are experts in a field, or journalists or researchers interested in specific topics to help pull good, marketable book ideas.

Picture books have a lot more nonfiction contributors so I’m not looking to develop ideas from scratch beyond my own clientele. I do LOVE coming up with ideas for market-​ready books. It’s one of my favorite parts of my job. Typically, when I think up a good idea, I think about which client would make a good fit and reach out to them and see if they are game to write it. Often, they are. At this point, I think there around about 6–7 books out or coming out that started as one of my brain children. It’s my way of bringing some of my own creativity into this job which is about supporting amazing creative talent.

RVC: Your clients are so lucky! Here’s hoping they send you a jumbo box of gourmet muffins when those book ideas you launched actually happen.

MMMmmmMMMMM…gourmet boysenberry muffins with cream cheese frosting.…

Sorry–I got distracted there. Now here’s a question I wish I didn’t have to ask. How has COVID-​19 changed your day-​to-​day agenting work?

CG: COVID-​19 came at a weird time for me. Since July 2019, I’ve been living in Singapore with my husband and daughter on an ex-​pat stint for my husband’s job (we’ll be back next year). So I was already operating a bit differently than I typically do in that there was less in-​person stuff. Because of COVID-​19, everyone else is doing less in-​person stuff, too. So I would say my day-​to-​day is very similar, but more editors are open to having video meetups as it’s now the norm. I do find that all of this has made me cherish life more and I’m motivated to only work on projects that I’m really passionate about and believe in.

RVC: I quite agree with that!

One last question before we move to the final part of the interview. Did you ever get that longed-​for picture book manuscript about the mathematical golden ratio?

CG: Ha ha, nice memory! No, I didn’t. I did a project on the golden ratio in the sixth grade and I remember it fascinated me, a math-​hating girl. I feel like if that topic could reel in the likes of me, it could reel in lots of other kids!

Feel free to send me one, dear reader!

RVC: There you have it, OPB friends and family. An exclusive manuscript request. When you send it to her and she sells that book, do remember me for helping facilitate this (hint: muffins, muffins, muffins).

Alright, it’s time for The Speed Round! Ferrari-​fast questions and Corvette-​quick answers please. Clelia, are you ready?

CG: Let’s do this.

RVC: Best place for food in Singapore?

CG: Hawker markets. There’s a stand in the Zion Food Centre in a neighborhood called River Valley that has the most perfect pan-​fried dumpling you can possibly imagine. I salivate every time I think about them. I’m salivating right now….

RVC: “If I wasn’t a literary agent or a lawyer, I’d be…”

CG: Government lawyer at the Federal Communications Commission (an alternate history in my lawyering career); speech writer; something in TV/​Film production; book-​related shop owner; First Lady of anything.

RVC: If you put together a golf foursome with PB characters, it’d be you plus which three others?

CG: Okay, I’m going to go pragmatic on this one—maybe that says something about the way my brain works. I own a gorgeous Anne of Green Gables-​inspired picture book from Tundra Books called Goodnight, Anne so I’d pick her so I can hang out with Anne-​With-​An‑E, one of my first major heroes. Ruth Bader Ginsburg from I, Dissent (rest in peace, legend), a major real-​life hero. And Jessica from Rescue and Jessica because that Jessica is really author Jessica Kensky, my longtime friend who is hilarious and probably as bad at golf as me and we could all have a good laugh together.

RVC: Describe your Dream Client in five words or less.

CG: Talented, perseverant, kind, charismatic, self-starter.

RVC: A forthcoming client’s book that has BIG commercial potential?

CG: Oh man, I am seriously SO excited about my upcoming titles. But in terms of which might have major sales potential–I would guess two picture books: Daddy Speaks Love by Leah Henderson and illustrated by EB Lewis (Nancy Paulsen), a beautiful tribute to fathers and The Very True Legend of Mongolian Death Worms by Sandra Fay (Godwin Books), a truly hilarious and very uniquely illustrated picture book that I think will appeal to Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett fans. She’s from New Zealand and brings that trademark dry Kiwi wit to her stories. She’s brilliant!

RVC: What’s the One That Got Away?

CG: In terms of picture books, I remember deciding not to offer representation on The Crayon Man by Natascha Biebow and that always bugs me–I would have made a different decision today. One book I offered on but the author ended up going with a different agent is an upcoming middle grade novel called La Loteria by Karla Valenti. I was dying to rep lovely Karla and her book, but she went with Ammi-​Joan Paquette, whom I like and respect very much, so I can’t be too mad!!

I just realized these responses were not “Corvette-​fast.” Sorry!

RVC: No worries, Clelia. The real bar for anything at OPB is quality, and you delivered, no doubt about it. Thanks so much!

Educational Activities: Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos OH MY! by John Platt and Moira Rose Donohue

On By Only Picture BooksIn Educational Activities

Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos OH MY!
Authors: John Platt and Moira Rose Donohue
15 August 2020
Sleeping Bear Press
32 pages

I was intrigued by the idea of using kid artists for a picture book. What a fun idea, right?

Book description from Sir Read a Lot: “Ten African animals, including lions, zebras, giraffes, and elephants, are brought to life in colorful artwork, accompanied by fun nature facts. With text written by John Platt and Moira Rose Donohue, each animal portrait in Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos OH MY! is painted by a student from the How to Draw a Lion program. Established in 2018 by New York artist Platt, How to Draw a Lion is a nonprofit art education program that provides art classes for children in sub-​Saharan Africa.”

Educational Activities inspired by Platt and Donohue’s Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos OH MY!:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Why does the title include “OH MY!”?
    • Where and when do you think this story takes place?
    • What do you already know about lions? About cheetahs? About rhinos?
    • What other animals do you imagine might be in this book?
    • Are the kid artists on the back cover younger, older, or the same age that you imagined?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What is the main message of this book?
    • Which animal fact surprised you most?
    • Which of the kid-​created images did you like the most? Why?
    • What other picture books does this book remind you of?
    • What feedback would you give to the authors?
  • Drawing–This project is based on the work of John Platt’s How to Draw a Lion program. While the book’s back matter has a step-​by-​step method for drawing a lion, here are videos that demonstrate how to draw some of the other African animals you saw in this book: 
  • Crafting–Try your hand at one or more of the following crafts. Get an animal- or art-​loving adult to help: 
    • Easy Elephant–I’m always a fan of 3D animals that can stand on their own.
    • Handprint Zebra–It requires using a computer printer and scissors, so be sure to have an adult help!
    • Lion Painting–This one uses footprints and forks. How much fun (and how messy) is that?
    • Paper Bag Hippo–Googly eyes makes this one really stand out.
    • Rolling Pin Print Leopard–Yep, it really uses a rolling pin (which won’t be ruined) to make the spots. Fun!
  • Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about African wildlife have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

 

Author Interview: Lisa Katzenberger

On By Only Picture BooksIn Author Interviews

This month’s Author Interview is with Illinois author Lisa Katzenberger. I learned about her via the Perfect 2020 Picture Book Group—a “group of picture book authors and illustrators debuting throughout 2020” (which includes July’s Author Interviewee, Kristen Schroeder, and last month’s Author Interviewee, Anita Amin—who, like Lisa, also has twins!).

Let’s prepare for the real interview with a mini-​interview! How’s that for ten bio-​focused questions of fun?

  1. Hometown: Midlothian, Illinois
  2. Age you knew you were a writer: 3rd grade
  3. First magical experience with a picture book: I don’t remember reading picture books as a child, so my memory is reading to my kids and I will never forget the first time I read Jane Yolen’s Owl Moon—that wordless spread always gets me!
  4. First non-​book-​related job you’ve had: Shampoo girl at Fantastic Sam’s
  5. Best late-​night reading beverage: Water (or I’ll fall asleep)
  6. Story plotting style: Story spine
  7. Query # that landed your first agent: 103
  8. Secret place you like to read: Not very secret, but the left-​hand corner of my couch is best.
  9. Current writing-​adjacent volunteer position: Social Media Coördinator for SCBWI Illinois
  10. The picture book you’re recommending to everyone right now: I Am Every Good Thing, written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon C. James

 

Alright, I think we’re ready. On to the main attraction!

Website: http://www.lisakatzenberger.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisakatz17/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fictioncity

RVC: You’ve got a brilliant story about your start as a writer. Wanna share it?

LK: In third grade, we had a writing assignment and I got to work on a story about a haunted house. I remember covering front and back of pages of notebook paper in that very smeary blue erasable pen!

RVC: Oh, I LOVED those smeary pens. I made such a mess.

LK: When the writing session was finished, my story wasn’t. So I told my wonderful, very 80s teacher with big blonde permed hair and stonewashed jeans, Mrs. Nagratski, that I wasn’t finished, and she replied, “Well, keep writing then.” So I did, right through the very next lesson.

I haven’t stopped since!

RVC: Love that story. I tell a similar one about how I got a Ph.D. No one told me to stop attending classes after I got a B.A., so I just kept going.

Back to you–you earned a degree in Journalism and did work as a technical writer. How did those experiences help prepare you for success in writing kidlit?

LK: My degree in Journalism taught me how to interview people, listen, and learn that everyone has a story to tell. It also taught me how to write tightly and lose the fluff, something that is critical for writing picture books. As a technical writer, I had to learn to take complex subjects like telecommunications or insurance regulations and boil it down to its simplest meaning. I learned how to express big ideas in simple, clear language.

RVC: I’m a fan of the Adventures tab on your website, not just because you’ve seen/​done cool things, but—and it’s going to get spooky-​weird here—because you have Northern Illinois University’s Northern Star newspaper listed there. That school’s where I did my undergrad (eons ago), and I also had an early publication with the paper there, too! (An irate letter to the editor, if memory serves.)

LK: Thanks! My husband and I love to travel and we really miss it during the pandemic. I’ve had more than a few stories inspired by my trips. And my time at The Northern Star was critical to my development as a writer and editor. I learned to write on deadline and take feedback from others.

RVC: Your picture book, National Regular Average Ordinary Day, came out this June, right during all the COVID-​19 quarantining. What did you do to promote the book (versus the live interactions and events you originally planned)?

LK: Oh, the Zooms! I did a virtual book launch at The Writing Barn, and storytimes for my local library and Chicago area independent bookstores. I wish I could have done more, but crossing my fingers that I will be able to with my next book, It Will Be OK, coming out in February 2021.

RVC: National Regular Average Ordinary Day landed on the Today Show’s list of great summer reads. Congrats on that! Any idea how that happened?

LK: I shared early review copies with lots of people in my network, and my publicist reached out to media outlets as well.

RVC: How did it feel to be listed among so many kidlit greats?

LK: Oh my gosh, amazing. I was flabbergasted to be on the same list at authors whose work I admire so much like Christian Robinson, Jessie Sima, and Miranda Paul.

RVC: The book seems to mesh text plus image especially well. Did you use art notes when you submitted the manuscript?

LK: I did actually. It was submitted with art notes about the rating system. Then once it was acquired, my editor put in more art notes before it went out for illustration.

RVC: What holidays did Peter–the book’s main character–make up that didn’t quite make the cut and appear in the pages?

LK: I looked back on previous revisions and the holidays Peter made up were always there—I didn’t cut any! What I did change were the real holidays that Peter celebrated.

Sorry, National Button Day, but you didn’t make the cut!

RVC: If I asked Peter what you got most right about him, what’d he say?

LK: He’s honest. Like any kid he gets bored, and he’s not afraid to admit it. Even pout a little. But he’s open to letting inspiration strike and running with it!

RVC: What picture-​book-​writing lesson did this book teach you?

LK: I think it taught me the importance of a cast of characters. Once my editor paginated the book, she asked for two more spreads of content. So I added Devin, a friend for Peter to interact with. I think having someone to share his frustration with then later apologize to helped make Peter a more rounded character.

RVC: Not only are you in Perfect 2020 Picture Book Group, but you’re also in the 2021 Picture Book Scribblers promo group. How has being in those groups helped?

LK: It’s so nice to have a support system of people who are going through the same thing as you are at exactly the same time. I love having a private place where I can ask silly newbie questions! It has also introduced me to great books and wonderful friends.

RVC: You’ve done something I’ve seen more and more—you had an agent for years, then you changed to another one. What advice do you have for those thinking of making a similar move?

LK: It was a really, really hard decision to leave my first agent and search for a new one. I agonized over it for months. My advice is to really evaluate the relationship—both what’s not working and what is—and determine if you will be happy if the relationship is in the same place in two months, six months, a year. Do you see it growing and changing? Are you getting what you need? Are the lines of communication open? Have you had a talk with your current agent about all this? Really be introspective, questioning, and honest. I talked to other friends in the industry who had also moved on from an agent, and while I hoped they would give me the golden answer, it was really something I had to figure out for myself.

RVC: Your new agent is OPB friend Wendi Gu (her interview with us happened here not so long ago). How did you know she was the right fit? What kind of evidence helped make the case?

LK: I felt very comfortable with Wendi, and I was really impressed with how serious she took the agent-​author relationship and my work. She asked me a lot of questions, and had ideas on how some of my stories could be sharpened. She came across as thoughtful, smart, professional, and kind. Having been her client for a year and a half now, I can confirm she is all those things, a joy to work with, and my constant cheerleader. She will tell me, kindly, when my stories aren’t quite there yet, push me to dig deeper, and then celebrate with me once I get it right.

RVC: In 2021, we’ll see the publication of It Will Be OK. Care to give us a hint of what that picture book will be about?

LK: It Will Be OK is story of an anxious, overwhelmed giraffe and his loyal zebra friend whose patience and presence help him face his greatest fear head-on.

RVC: Sounds both terrific and timely.

Now, one final question for this part of the interview. If you had to “do it all over again” in terms of launching a picture book career, what’s one thing you’d do differently?

LK: I wouldn’t have sent out queries on those early cringe-​worthy manuscripts. We all kind of go through this, and it’s part of the learning process, but yikes those early stories were bonkers!

RVC: Lisa, it’s time! “For what?” you ask. “For velocity, haste, and alacrity!” is our answer. And that’s because it’s indeed the moment for the much-​awaited, never-​equaled, always-​surprising SPEED ROUND. 

Blasty-​fasty questions and zippy-​skippy answers, please. Lisa, are you ready?

LK: Yeppity-​yep-​yep!

RVC: Best place in Chicago for deep dish?

LK: Giordano’s.

RVC: Favorite exhibit at the Field Museum of Natural History?

LK: SUE the T. rex.

RVC: Best IPA you’ve ever had?

LK: Lagunitas IPA.

RVC: Three of your fave Chicago writers?

LK: Sarah Aronson, Kate Hannigan, and Patty Toht.

RVC: Best picture book of 2019?

LK: When Sadness Is at Your Door, written & illustrated by Eva Eland.

RVC: Three words that get to the heart of what a great picture book is.

LK: Heartfelt, honest, re-readable.

RVC: Thanks so much, Lisa! It’s always a hoot to hang out with a fellow Chicagoan, NIU alum, and kidlit writer.

Picture Book Review: Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice by Nikki Grimes

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
25 August 2020
40 pages

This month’s PB review is by OPB regular Ryan G. Van Cleave, and OPB newcomer, freelance writer and illustrator Bonnie Kelso.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

With this timely book, poet Nikki Grimes uses lyrical language to tackle the challenge of presenting a rich, well-​lived life. She also frames the story of Kamala Harris’ life in the ongoing conversation between a young Black girl and her mother and the motif of the lotus flower (which the word Kamala just so happens to mean).

We quickly learn the history of Kamala’s parents as well as how they marched for civil rights and went to see Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Kamala was there, too,” Grimes writes, “bouncing along in her stroller, chewing on her pacifier and words like ‘peace’ and ‘justice.’ ” We move from those early years to seeing Kamala battling for the use of a soccer field in middle school to her time at Howard and her initial foray into politics.

The text might require a good bit of adult glossing and intersection, both because the lines are set as verse (which makes sense, considering Grimes’ penchant for poetry), and the terminology/​references are somewhat wide-​ranging. Those who want the fullest version of Harris’ story would be well-​served by examining her book The Truths We Hold: An American Journey, which came out earlier this year.

Some readers might resist the italicized mother/​daughter conversation frame because it could be seen as getting in the way of the deep dive into Kamala’s life. Others might not want the story to end with Kamala ending her presidential bid because she “realized running for President/​cost more money than she thought,/and Kamala’s campaign team/​didn’t have enough.” Some might also see this as an opportunity for a sequel!

I’ll let Bonnie get into the vibrant digital illustrators by Laura Freeman, but my layman’s two cents on the art is this–it’s bright, textured, and inviting. Seeing the cover alone made me want to seriously consider this book for a review, regardless of any other factors. A great cover really draws my eye.

Without a doubt, Kamala Harris–the first Black woman and first Asian American woman named to a major party presidential ticket (more firsts might happen the day after this review is out!)–is worthy of being the subject of a picture book biography.

The timeline in the back matter is welcome and helps give context to the events in the book. Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice is a worthy addition to any library or personal collection, and can serve as an introduction to the world of politics.

4 out of 5 pencils

 

–Bonnie’s Review of the Illustrations–

Laura Freeman’s illustrations in Kamala Harris: Rooted In Justice give an abundance of emotional depth to the life story of this widely beloved public servant who has been breaking boundaries in the name of justice her entire life. From my first glance at the gorgeous cover, I was struck by the perfect balance of compassion and strength it conveys. Kamala’s family influences emerge from the cool inkiness of her hair and contrast against the warm tones in her skin, the lotus, and the red stripes of the American flag.

This play with warm and cool tones continues throughout the book, showing Laura Freeman’s immense skill as a visual storyteller. Bold pops of magenta and saffron against pools of blue, urge the characters off the page and into life. Patterns are used with intention and precision, blending the traditional textiles of Africa, India, and America, emphasizing Kamala’s unique perspective and family history. The layered and sometimes angular compositions add drama to Laura Freeman’s trademark flat, digitally collaged style. She reserves the use of shading and detail to emphasize faces and bring vibrancy to the characters.

It was a pleasure to review this important and relevant biographical picture book and I can’t wait to read the sequel.

5 out of 5 crayons

Bonnie Kelso is a writer and illustrator of picture books who tends to shy away from political discussions. However, she believes strongly that Kamala Harris would make an excellent president.

A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Bonnie’s past experience in art spans a spectrum, from abstract painting on canvas to museum-​quality exhibit design. She has worked with clients such as the Smithsonian, National Geographic, and NASA. Currently, Bonnie is pursuing the challenging path of becoming a published children’s book author and illustrator. She lives in Las Vegas with her partner, two sons, cat, and Japanese cleaner shrimp.

To learn more about Bonnie’s work, please visit www.BonnieKelso.com.

Editor Interview: Kristine Enderle (Magination Press)

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photo credit: Elizabeth Dranitzke

Hello! We’re here today with Kristine Enderle, the Editorial Director of Magination Press. One of the things that intrigues me most is how she came to publishing in such a roundabout way (more on that in a moment!). Her Twitter bio declares her a “full-​time mom, all-​the-​time-​feminist, serious ally, and native Hoosier.” In terms of her publishing career highlights, she offers this sample of titles:

 

Girl: Love, Sex, Romance, and Being You by Karen Rayne (starred review from Publisher’s Weekly; one of Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Nonfiction Teen books)

 

This Day in June by Gayle Pitman (Stonewall Award winner; ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom’s Top 100 Challenged Books)

 

My Anxious Mind: A Teen’s Guide to Managing Anxiety and Panic by Michael Tompkins and Katherine Martinez (ABCT Self Help Book Seal of Merit Award)

 

Something Happened In Our Town: A  Child’s Guide to Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazard (A New York Times and #1 IndieBound bestseller, A Little Free Library Action Book Club Selection, and an NCSS-​CBC 2019 Notable Social Science Trade Book for Young People)

 

Whew! That’s a great start. But let’s move on to the interview to find out a bit more about Kristine and her career.

RVC: As mentioned in the intro above, you might win the award for most unusual path toward becoming an editor—at least in terms of industry insider interviews here at OPB! You’ve got a BS degree in microbiology (minor in psychology) from Indiana U, right? What kind of career goals did you have back then?

KE: I honestly didn’t have any career goals! I was lucky enough to be allowed to just study whatever I wanted in college! I grew up in an enormous old house (with actual bats in the attic) in the middle of the woods in southern Indiana. There was always something smashed on the road that we could poke at, or strange insects or fungi living on rotting logs. My dad was a doctor and my mom was a nurse, so there were always ongoing conversations about medicine and health in my house.

RVC: That sounds like an awesome way to grow up.

KE: You bet! I grew to love the natural world and naturally (hah!) that flowed into biology coursework. Eventually after taking a microbiology course, my sights were set on what is unseen and I became fascinated by fungus and bacteria and have a sweet spot for infectious diseases.

RVC: After college, you worked as an AIDS research tech for the AIDS Vaccine Development Program at the National Cancer Institute, and then as a tech at Northwestern University’s Lurie Cancer Center. Isn’t the latter position where you started taking classes in writing?

KE: Yes. While working at Northwestern I took fiction writing, linguistics, and communication courses. I needed to move away from lab work to exercise the other side of my brain. I always hung out with English majors and musicians in school, so I finally got to take all those classes I missed as an undergrad.

RVC: What’s the most valuable thing you learned in those writing classes?

KE: That I am NOT a fiction writer! I have so much appreciation for storytellers and creative people now. Plus it’s more fun to be the oddball science nerd in the room than the way-​too-​serious poet.

RVC: What was the learning curve like going from a science researcher to a development editor at Human Kinetics, a sports science textbook publisher in Illinois? 

KE: Between working in the lab and my first publishing gig, I was a Medical & Scientific Affairs manager at the Alzheimer’s Association. This was pre-​Internet, so I wrote newsletters and fact sheets for the general public and answered the phone, fielding a ton of questions from families and caregivers about Alzheimer’s disease. Working there taught me to explain complicated concepts and technical language, so maybe this was what got me from the lab to publishing?

RVC: Sounds like GREAT training to be an editor.

KE: At Human Kinetics as a development editor, I had to look at big picture things in planning a textbook–editing and organization becomes a puzzle to solve as you need to figure out a way to fit and package a ton of information into ways people can understand and into one comprehensive and complete book, visually with photos, diagrams, charts, and graphs. I still do that at Magination. Our books combine science and literature (or evidence-​based information and creative expression) into something that is accessible and interesting to read.

A great example of this is Move Your Mood which is a hoot and teaches readers about how physical movement positively affects mood–there is psychological research to support this. Or Layla’s Luck. People tend to attribute a woman’s or girl’s success as them being lucky and not relating to their smarts, skill, and hard work. Layla takes aim at that.

RVC: Let’s dig a bit deeper into your publishing career. These days, you’re the Editorial Director at Magination Press. How does that compare to being a developmental editor? Writers ask me versions of this all the time—what’s the difference in terms of those roles?

KE: Editorial director really means that I am responsible for editorial strategy and focus of the press and oversee major initiatives, budgets, planning, and staff. But having come up through the ranks, I am still developing and editing and acquiring books because I have a hard time leaving that behind. I am still a senior/​acquiring editor and have a nice group of house authors I have been working with since their debut work. Many authors call me their editor (and that’s the best thing ever!)

RVC: Compare that to the roles of your Magination colleagues, Senior Editor Sarah Fell and Editor Katie Ten Hagen.

KE: Sarah and Katie do all that, minus the planning and overseeing, and have a bunch more books than me to develop. And they work with new authors mostly, and I’m technically their boss!

RVC: Thanks for that!

Now, some people might not realize that Magination Press is connected to the APA (American Psychological Association). How does that work?

KE: APA’s mission is to promote the advancement, communication, and application of psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives. So what that means for Magination Press is that we share world mental health expertise and psychological knowledge to help kids through rough patches. Some of our books deal with serious issues like depression and anxiety; others are more of those everyday things that bug you or that you may confront sometime during your life. Also just recognizing the sometimes-​tough job of being a kid these days. We want kids and teens to know that we are listening, we see what they are dealing with, and might have something that can help.

I’d like to think that books like Bye Bye Pesky Fly, Lucy’s Light, Jacob’s Room to Choose, and Lulu the One and Only really make a difference in the lives and well-​being of kids.

RVC: Here’s something else that people might be surprised by. Not only do you publish books exclusively for kids (ages 4–18), but you’re putting out 20+ books a year! 

KE: Yeah. We are kind of overachievers that way.

RVC: What’s the common denominator with all your kidlit?

KE: The stories (and nonfiction) really must be grounded in evidence-​based research. It’s true that there is a little bit of psychology in everything, but to be a publication of the American Psychological Association, the work must be based on science and fact. It would be irresponsible otherwise!

RVC: How vital is it that your writers have backgrounds in psychology or the sciences? Or know APA style?

KE: We prefer our authors be psychologists or are mental health professionals, but it’s not a prerequisite. If an author doesn’t have those credentials, we will hire a psychologist to write the endmatter/​readers note (to provide the psychological context for the story). Also all of our books are reviewed by our editorial advisory board that is made up of child psychologists. They act as peer reviewers and comment on the accuracy and relevancy of the psychological content and whether the coping strategies have merit.

Extra points for folks using APA Style/​Pub Manual 7!

RVC: Let’s say you publish a picture book on depression and so, too, does a NYC press. What are some of the likely differences in how a Magination picture book covers a topic like that? 

KE: Reviewed and vetted by the American Psychological Association, maybe?

RVC: That’s a key distinction, for sure.

Now, you just signed When Nana Dances, a picture book by Jane Yolen and her granddaughter about the relationship between children and grandparents, and how dance can be at its core. This isn’t as clear of an “issue book” as some of your others. Why did you have to snatch this one up?

KE: Because Jane Yolen!

No, really it’s a joyful celebration that combats ageism and models mentally healthy and happy intergenerational relationships. You know that emotional stress can speed up aging at the cellular level. So, this is stress-​relief and mental wellness at its core!

RVC: Your press is always at the trade shows—in fact, that’s how I learned about it. I chatted with one of your sales reps at BEA (Book Expo America) at the Javits Center in NYC a couple years ago, and I was impressed by the quality of the books and topics covered. 

KE: Thank you! You can find us all over, from the Bologna Children Book Fair to the Texas Library Association annual meeting to National Council for Teachers of English. We also attend psychological conferences like American Counseling Association, and of course APA’s Annual Convention.

RVC: For people considering writing for your press, what’s the most important thing they should know or understand?

KE: Despite our serious and sensitive topics, we love humor, humility, and honesty. Not sure what that means exactly for books… might speak more to who we are and our community of authors and illustrators we take up with.

Otherwise a couple things come to mind:

  • Do your research. Before submitting a proposal, please review our catalog: we don’t repeat topics year after year and are unlikely to acquire new titles on already-​covered topics.
  • Keep it universal. We are not interested in autobiography, reflections on childhood, or personal stories about family members, pets, or friends. Keep the appeal wide and general and keep the focus on interesting characters and good storytelling. Be careful with first-​person narrative. Good stories and excellent topics can sour with unrealistic, adult-​sounding, or dated dialog.

RVC: In all your experience with editing picture books, what has most surprised you?

KE: Just how many books I have signed after just reading the cover letter. Another book hooked me immediately with its proposed title–There’s a Cat in My Class!

RVC: One final question for this part of the interview. Your Twitter bio says you’re a “part-​time troublemaker.” Care to support that impressive claim with evidence?

KE: I live in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Washington, DC. Marching and protesting is what we do!

RVC: Okay, Kristine. We’ve now reached the SPEED ROUND. Speedy questions and even faster answers. Ready?

KE: Ready!

RVC: “If I didn’t have a career in publishing or science, I’d be…”

KE: A park ranger!

RVC: Fave secret lunch spot in DC?

KE: Indigo!

RVC: If you could be any picture book character for a day, who would it be?

KE: Nancy Drew!

RVC: Something that’s on your picture book wish list?

KE: A book about a whale.

RVC: An underappreciated Magination picture book that you simply adore?

KE: Underappreciated? I’m a huge fan of King Calm: Mindful Gorilla in the City. But I also adore our more recent relatively unknown activity book, How Do You Doodle: Drawing Your Feelings and Emotions.

RVC: The one must-​have for every picture book you acquire?

KE: A good pun or a dog.

RVC: Thanks so much, Kristine!

Educational Activities: The True Story of Zippy Chippy by Artie Bennett

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The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn’t
Author: Artie Bennett
Illustrator: Dave Szalay
25 February 2020
NorthSouth Books
40 pages

This book has sat on my MAYBE/​PROBABLY pile for some time, and this month, Zippy Chippy is the little horse that could.

Book description: “A true story about the famed racehorse who lost every race but won everyone’s heart.

The bell rings and they’re off! Zippy the racehorse—descended from legends—is destined for glory, but when the other horses bolt from the gate … Zippy stands still. When people try to pet him … he bites their hats and escapes from his stall. What’s an owner to do? Keep on trying! After all, Zippy has become part of Felix’s family—and a close friend of his little daughter. And after 100 straight losses, Zippy shows everyone that—win, lose, or draw—it takes guts to compete and that you can lose and lose and still be a winner.”

Need some reviews of The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn’t?

And as a bonus, here’s an interview with the author, courtesy of Good Reads with Ronna.

Educational Activities inspired by Artie Bennett’s The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn’t:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
    • What do you know about horses and horse racing?
    • Why do you make of the subtitle “the little horse that couldn’t”?
    • What’s do you think is happening on the back cover?
    • If you could ask the author any one question before you read the book, what would it be?
    • Why do you think the title emphasizes that this is a TRUE story?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What problem(s) did Zippy Chippy face?
    • What were the most important events in the story?
    • If this book has a lesson, what do you think it is?
    • Which of Zippy Chippy’s actions did you find most amusing? Grabbing people’s hats? Standing still during a race? Dangling Felix by his shirt? Something else?
    • If you were Felix, what would you have tried to get Zippy Chippy to behave?
    • What other story does The True Story of Zippy Chippy remind you of?
    • Though Zippy Chippy lost all 100 races, the book says he won in the end. Do you agree? Why/​why not?
  • Writing–Now that Zippy Chippy has retired from racing with an impressive 0–100 record, what’s next for this amazing horse? Write that story in whatever way you imagine it. Consider the following questions to help make your story come alive on the page: 
    • Where does Zippy Chippy live now?
    • Is Felix still a part of Zippy Chippy’s life?
    • What does Zippy Chippy dream of doing?
    • What does Zippy Chippy worry about?
    • What does Zippy Chippy see/​smell/​taste/​touch?
    • Would drawing pictures improve your story?
  • Activities–With the help of an adult, try some of the following horse-​themed crafts: 
  • Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about horses have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)