Eric Carle
This is the week that we lost Eric Carle, a giant of the world of children’s literature. He wasn’t just an amazing illustrator and author, he was a champion of picture books for the preschool set–the very youngest readers.
Books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar (listen to Carle read his own words and get a glimpse of his studio here) and Brown Bear, Brown Bear are perfectly suited to children just learning about language, art, and story. Carle was one of the first to write and illustrate books for kids this young with superb dedication and artistry. These are books that are narratively elegant and visually stunning–those colors! Those pristine white backgrounds! Those simple and powerful shapes!
He brought not only his skill, but also his respect, to that audience. He is (present tense, always) a writer who understands the courage it takes to be two, or three, or four, or five, in a world that’s overwhelming both in its joys and its challenges.
Not everyone knows this, but when writing for kids, the younger the audience, the tougher the task. Carle took on the toughest audience of all and captivated them. He’ll be much missed.
Read MorePoop Research
Dogs do it. They’re not sorry. And they would do it again if they could. (Thanks to Claudia Peters from Pixabay for the image!
It’s remarkable how often my research for nonfiction leads me into the realm of poop. A while back, there was the question of how the Apollo astronauts managed with no toilet. And of course, the fascinating shape of wombat poop. This week I’ve been delving into the age-old question of why dogs eat poop.
a) Because their ancestors did.
b) Because it’s there.
c) Because dogs are just, by nature, gross.
d) And other reasons that may be revealed if I find a publisher for this new project one day.
Read MoreThose Pesky Commas
Commas. Commas are tricky.
We learn in school that a comma means a pause, which is true, when you are reading. This doesn’t mean that, when you are writing, you should stick a comma in anywhere you feel the need to take a breath.
The rule that gets ignored most often is this: do not use a single comma to separate the subject from the verb or the object from its modifier.
Which means:
DON’T DO THIS: Stella ran along the ancient corridor, and dodged a vampire on the stairs. (Here, “Stella” is the subject and and the two verbs are “ran” and “dodged.” Just as you wouldn’t write “Stella, ran along the corridor” you can’t stick a comma between “Stella” and “dodged.”)
INSTEAD, DO THIS: “Stella ran along the ancient corridor and dodged a vampire on the stairs.”
DON’T DO THIS: “Just in time, Ambrose flung the amulet out of the window, and into the shrubbery.” (Here “flung” is the object and “into the shrubbery” is an adverbial phrase modifying “flung.” Just as you wouldn’t write “Ambrose flung the amulet, out of the window” you can’t stick a comma between “flung” and “into the shrubbery.”)
INSTEAD, DO THIS: “Just in time, Ambrose flung the amulet out of the window and into the shrubbery.”
Tune in later for more about getting commas into the correct places.
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Pygmy Possums
The world’s tiniest possums are tougher than they look–after they were feared extinct following Australia’s devastating 2019-20 bushfires, survivors have been found on Kangaroo Island. Wildlife is amazingly resilient–as the animal protagonists of my new picture book, Wombat Underground, discover.
Mostly I just wanted to post a picture of an intensely adorable possum. I admit it.
Read MoreWombats Coming Soon
Wombat himself, illustrated by Charles Santoso–just a snippet of the lovely, lovely art for this book
Today I’m looking forward to the day when (about a year from now; we in the publishing business live in the future a lot) my picture book Wombat Underground will be published. This is a book close to my heart; it holds so much of my feelings about both the natural world and the nature of humanity–essentially, when we’re frightened and alone, do we welcome in strangers who are also frightened and alone? Do we shelter each other, or do we drive each other way?
(Yeah, it’s not just about wombats)
But it is also a charming and exciting story about a wombat and a bushfire, and it’s just…I’m really proud of it. I can’t wait for the day when you all get to see it too.
Read MoreIllustration Competition
Astra Publishing is running a competition for illustrators–a great way for artists to get your work in front of editors and art directors as well as, perhaps, win a bit of prize money.
Picture book art is such a rich and fascinating form of visual expression–I know I don’t understand as much about it as illustrators and designers do, but I love the complexity of it, the way a good illustrator will capture character and interaction and action and emotion, at the same time moving the reader’s eye deeper into the book, and of course remembering to avoid the gutter! When done well, it sweeps the reader along so easily that it can be hard to remember to slow down and appreciate the detail and the skill. Illustrators, I salute you!
Read MoreSpring Poem
Thanks to FotoRieth from Pixabay for the lovely image!
It’s a cold, gloomy, rainy, SNOWY spring day up here in Maine…but it did give me a bit of inspiration for a spring poem, which I thought I’d share with you.
Party Dresses
Spring throws a party
and everyone’s going,
everyone’s wearing their best.
Daffodils nod their new golden bonnets.
Hyacinths brush up their purple-prink frills.
Tulips sashay in their deep crimson ballgowns.
Pansies slip on their soft velvet shoes.
Even the rain has been invited,
shaking her long silver hair.
Spring throws a party,
and everyone’s going.What about you?
Come too!
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Sarah L. Thomson
A children’s book author publishing award-winning nonfiction, poetry, picture books and novels including…
“Thomson focuses on newfound connection, magic, and suspense to conjure a fast-paced, heartwarming mystery. Thomson’s world is populated by resourceful protagonists, fanciful creatures, and quirky supporting characters.”
—Publishers Weekly