Thanks for helping me welcome Pamela Jane. Pamela and I met over the phone and keep in touch online. Pamela is a prolific children’s writer. I bet you will impressed with how much she has written. Welcome, Pamela!
Pamela Jane has published twenty-six children’s books with Houghton Mifflin, Atheneum, Simon & Schuster, Avon, Penguin-Putnam, Harper, Mondo, and others. Her books include Noelle of the Nutcracker, illustrated by Jan Brett which has been optioned for a film, and the “Winky Blue” and “Milo” series published by Mondo. Books in these series have recently gone into Spanish, big book, and CD editions. New and forthcoming titles include, A Vampire is Coming to Dinner! 10 Rules to Follow Little Goblins Ten and illustrated by NY Times best-selling illustrator, Jane Manning. Pamela’s books have appeared in Scholastic Book Clubs, on ALA “Pick of the Lists,” Weekly Reader, and foreign language editions. She also writes a web-based children’s animation series for Little Fox Publishing.
A Vampire Is Coming To Dinner! 10 Rules To Follow by Pamela Jane, illustrated by Pedro Rodriquez. After a vampire invites himself to dinner, the narrator comes up with some very practical rules for dealing with a vampire. Read along as the narrator of this story comes up with some very practical rules for dealing with a vampire. But rules are meant to be broken, aren’t they? From feeding the vampire garlic to filling the house with mirrors, the narrator is doing just that! With ten full-page gatefolds and a pop at the end of the book, kids will love seeing which rules are being followed and which aren’t! The ultimate book on vampire etiquette!
Q&A:
1. How has writing (either just the act of writing or writing this book or both) impacted your self-confidence?
This was the first children’s book I wrote that I could trace directly to an idea I got from my daughter, as it came from a tickling game I used to play with her. The fact that a fun-loving activity could result in a published book confirmed what I’d always felt about writing springing from humor as well as hard work, and gave me confidence to trust in the way that I create.
2. What are three words that describe your creative book-writing process?
Playfulness, discipline, and perseverance
3. What good has your book created in the world?
A Vampire is Coming To Dinner has entertained and tickled kids, parents and teachers, and encouraged them to enjoying reading together.
• • •
Have you ever considered writing for children? What topics would you cover or what story would your imagined children’s book tell?
But you will have to say more than just the three words to get to 50-200 words.
Answer in the comments in 50-200 words (no less and no more to qualify to win one of today’s books). Please read the complete rules at least once!
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I’ve thought about writing for children but always messed it
up by making it needlessly dark. Topics would be fairy-tale like stories set in
third world countries. I think if one has children of one’s own (which I don’t),
it helps with the process. I do, however, still enjoy children’s books a lot.
I did attempt children’s topics. I wrote a short story and submitted it for a
magazine first. That was my first-ever
submission. We all know what that meansJ. It was about a baby butterfly that learned
that her mother really did love her even when she didn’t think she did. It
took a mysterious flower and a disappearing bee to make her see it. Other stories would probably run along similar
lines.
I guess it depends on the age group. I love young adult novels and even started writing one. However, I have never considered writing picture books or middle grade stories. I just don’t know how to capture their voice. If I did write anything for the younger set, it would be for pure entertainment, no hidden lessons, and revolve around mischevious twin boys.
How can you be a writer mama and NOT want to write children’s books? My children are grown, but I saved my favorite books. Sometimes I take them out, sit cross-legged on the ground and read them to myself. I remember exactly how my voice sounded when I read the words aloud. How my little ones’ soft bodies molded to my own as they snuggled in my lap. The baby shampoo smell of their damp hair. The feel of their nubby flannel jammies against my bare arms.
Who doesn’t cry at “Love You Forever?” Or “The Baby Calf?” or “Is Your Mama a Lama?” That’s the kind of children’s books I want to write. Books rich with both wordplay and beautiful graphics that help children feel safe and loved.
Yes, I love writing for children. I find that kids, especially my 8 year-old, love action, humor and mysteries. They want to read books that challenge their imagination. My son keeps up with the latest and greatest topics. My newest article is about the Zebra longwing butterfly. I enjoy writing about unique animals, insects and even people.
If and when I write a kids book, it would be facts about things you never even heard of, facts that would make you want to learn more.
Most of my book and article ideas have been nonfiction and adult focused. I do have a few fiction ideas in mind, and recently I’ve had a few children’s book or story ideas too. I have thought of writing stories about our pets and their personalities. Yes that has been done before, but there’s always room for one more endearing animal story, right? I have also thought of the values I try to impart to my children and have considered creating stories to teach these values in an entertaining way. Sometimes I think I should just start with the children’s stories as my nonfiction book ideas will take a long time to complete.
My hubby thinks Love you Forever is twisted because the Mom appears to “stalk” the grown man. Ha ha. He got rid of my copy, but my 1st grade teacher friend bought me another which I now hide! I too have kept some of my favortie kids books and I collect them. I just found Dick and Jane board books!
I haven’t thought about writing a book for children, but now that you bring it up, my mind is coming alive with ideas! I think I would like to write a book that inspires children to be courageous and compassionate. I would enjoy working with justice themes such as race, immigration, modern day slavery, or economic poverty. I would make it age appropriate, of course, and fill it with lots of hope and beauty.
If I were to write for children I’d write from the POV of a 5- or 6-year-old boy who lives in a very large house. He is superbly comfortable within his family and highly inquisitive. He loves to draw and enters another world inside one of his drawings. Wow! I’m getting excited just thinking about this. I have never written for children, but it seems I might one day. I would love to read A Vampire is Coming to Dinner and share it with a little buddy of mine.
Voca