Search Results for: blog picture books by lynne jonell and petra mathers

And Here’s to You! – David Elliott

This fun children’s picture book is a celebration of life. Each page is illustrated with rich, saturated color, a treat for the eyes. Words of gratitude are frequent, and the reader can feel the joy that comes from going outside on a brilliant spring day and just enjoying nature. The author raises a salute to birds, using his young female narrator to say, “Here’s to you!” She calls them “feather people,” and gives special mention to the birds who whooo, cockadoodledoo, the ones who have red breasts and the ones who sit on telephone wires. She appreciates all of them … Continue reading →

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat – Lynne Jonell

Appearing today in stores everywhere, “Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat” is a must for your reading list for ages 9+. I read it in one sitting and came away entertained and enchanted. Emmy is a very good girl who does everything her nanny, Miss Barmy, tells her. She is a straight A student, she never gets in trouble, and she never talks back. You might think she’s this way because she’s impeccably well-mannered, and she is – but her underlying reason is this – she wants her parents to like her more. If she never gets in trouble, maybe … Continue reading →

Little Sister for Sale – Morse Hamilton

Kate is having little sister problems. First she finds the pigtail on her favorite doll chopped in half, then she discovers that all the strawberries in the bowl on the table have had the good parts eaten off. Abby did this – Kate is sure of it! Off she goes to find Abby, but she’s not anywhere. Not under her bed, where she usually hides when she’s been up to little-sister-mischief. However, Kate did find her favorite coloring book under there, all scribbled up! Then she finds her toothbrush all wet, when she’s not the one who used it. “Maybe … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Lynne Jonell (part five) In Conclusion

Thank you for joining us for our fifth and concluding segment in our conversation with nationally published children’s book author Lynne Jonell. If you missed parts one, two, three or four, click here. Lynne, how long have you been writing, and when did you know you wanted to be anauthor? I’ve been writing stories since third or fourth grade, off and on. I got serious about writing in my twenties; I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators when I was 30; I took a writing class at that time also, and that’s when I really began to … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Lynne Jonell (part four) A New Release

Thank you for joining us for part four of our conversation with nationally published children’s book author, Lynne Jonell. If you missed parts one, two, or three, click here. Lynne, in addition to writing picture books, you write books for the middle-grade age range (9-12) as well. Can you tell us more? The book is titled “Emmy & the Incredible Shrinking Rat,” published by Henry Holt & Co., and it will be released in August of 2007. Booksellers are now taking pre-orders for it. I’m so pleased that I finally wrote a novel that someone thought was worth publishing! The … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Lynne Jonell (part three) Reader Feedback and About Her Books

Thank you for joining us for part three of our talk with nationally published children’s book author Lynne Jonell. If you missed part one or two, click here. Lynne, when we left off you were telling us how children have strong emotions and often aren’t able to articulate them. You seek to give children a voice in your books, an empowering and comforting pursuit. Have you heard back from parents about how their children react to your books? Oh, yes. They’re funny books, for one thing, and parents and children love the chance to laugh together about some of these … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Lynne Jonell (part two) The Publishing Process

We are joined today by national children’s book author, Lynne Jonell. If you missed part one, click here. Lynne, when we left off yesterday, you were telling us how you got the idea for your first picture book. When did you decide it was ready to send to a publisher? At the time, I was taking a class from children’s author Jane Resh Thomas. Instead of reading the next chapter in my middle grade novel, I read Mommy Go Away!. And Jane told me– “Lynne, you have a gift. You think like a toddler.” I wasn’t quite sure if this … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Lynne Jonell (part one) When Inspiration Strikes

Nationally published children’s author Lynne Jonell is our special guest for today. Lynne, thank you so much for joining us. I reviewed some of your picture books for Families.com earlier this year and was intrigued by your angle. In a world where many picture books seem to be designed to teach the child, you take situations from the child’s perspective, essentially teaching the parent how the child feels. How did you arrive at this unique way of looking at things? Um—I might take issue with the idea that most picture books are designed to teach the child. Some are, but … Continue reading →

Picture Books by Lynne Jonell and Petra Mathers

When I first picked up these books, I wasn’t quite sure what to think, to be honest. They seemed to be modeling a cranky, aggressive child who always got his way, but after reading the first all the way through and then the others, I gained an appreciation for the real message lying beneath: regardless of behavior, there is always love between a mother and child. The first book I’m reviewing is called “Mommy, Go Away!” Christopher is frustrated with Mommy. She keeps telling him to pick up his toys and stop making messes. Finally it’s bath time and she … Continue reading →