Kevin McNamee What Is That Thing (guest blog)

Today we welcome guest blogger Kevin McNamee, who will be talking about his children’s picture book, What Is That Thing?

Kevin McNamee is a writer and poet living in Yonkers, NY.   He mostly writes for the children’s market.  Kevin’s published work includes the picture books, If I Could Be Anything, The Sister Exchange, Lightning Strikes, The Soggy Town of Hilltop and What Is That Thing?    

Kevin’s poetry has been published in the collection, An Eyeball in My Garden: And Other Spine-Tingling Poems.  Other titles coming soon by Kevin include My Brother, the Frog, Papa’s Suns, Just for Today, and more.

Kevin, what is this book about?

Jenna has a vivid imagination.  When a new baby comes into the house, she uses her imagination to try and figure out this new person in her life.  Finally, she realizes that she doesn’t need to use her imagination.  Things are fine just the way they are.

Why did you write this book?
A new baby is a big enough adjustment for adults and children alike.  There may be children in the house who are struggling with the changing family dynamics.  I wanted to find a child-friendly way to help with that adjustment and to help calm any fears that might arise from having a new brother or sister.

Do you think this book can help?
Yes, I do.  To be unsure of the unknown is a common and normal reaction to big changes.  I wanted to both validate a child’s sense of uncertainty and to show that change, especially when it comes to having a new brother or sister, isn’t a bad thing.  I think this book accomplishes that in a way that children can understand.

What was the hardest thing about writing this picture book?
I had a hard time with this book during the editing process.  This book has three separate imaginary episodes that are completely different from each other.  Yet one scene flows directly into the other.  I wanted to make sure that the reader would be able to follow the story from scene to scene.  This is really where the other half of a picture book becomes so important, the artwork.  K.C. Snider’s illustrations did an excellent job of bridging any gaps.  The artwork blends the real and imaginary worlds together beautifully.  The end result was a delightful picture book that educates, entertains, and hopefully solves a problem. 

Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I really wanted to write a book that is both useful and entertaining.  I hope you and your child have fun reading this.  If you find that this book has helped, please let me know.  I love getting feedback like that.

What Is That Thing?  by Kevin McNamee.  Illustrations by K.C. Snider

Print ISBN: 978-1-61633-141-2; 1616331410

eBook ISBN: 978-1-61633-142-9; 1616331429
 It’s an alien from outer space! … It’s a strange and smelly creature! … It’s a mysterious, roaring animal! … It’s my baby sister?!
Jenna uses her imagination to understand this new person in her life.  When she finally sees things as they are, will Jenna like what she sees?

What Others Are Saying

 “I recommend the book to any child who has younger siblings or is about to accept the arrival of a new sibling. They will be able to laugh and also accept the little being into their lives, and even be very happy and enriched by the new little baby sister or brother.” – Stories for Children Magazine

“McNamee has done a great job of capturing what the experience of having a new sibling can be like.

  

Illustrator K.C. Snider provided colorful pictures that show both Jenna's imaginary adventures and the real world in a cute way.” -  Janet Ann Collins - On Words

 “This cute and heartwarming story should be read to all children who already have or are about to have a new addition to their family.  Further value is added by the award-winning artist K.C. Snider, who elevates the story with her top-notch illustrations.” - Blogcritics.org

 

“In this delightful new story from talented poet and writer, Kevin McNamee, we see him doing what he does best–create a story that youngsters will love … What Is That Thing? would make a perfect gift for the little girl who is going to be a big sister soon.” - Children's and Teens' Book Connection

This book is available as a print book, a downloadable e-book, or a book on CD from guardianangelpublishing.com.

Books are also available from amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or ask your local bookstore.

To find out more about Kevin, please visit his website at http://www.kevinmcnamee.com or visit his blog at http://www.kevinmcnameechildrensauthor.blogspot.com.  

You can also find Kevin on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/kevin.mcnamee.author.

Kevin is also on Linked-In and Twitter, but he doesn’t tweet too much.

For another great author feature please stop http://thewritingmama.blogspot.com tomorrow; Virginia Grenier will be featuring Robert Medak. 

Karen Cioffi's Day's End Lullaby

Day's End Lullaby
By Karen Cioffi and Robyn Feltman
BookSurge Publishing
Paperback: 28 pages, September 2, 2008, ISBN-13: 978-1419691577


Routine is the heart of any good sleep routine for young children, and reading a ‘wind-down’ story is perfect for that. It’s a moment of closeness and warmth that children take with them into the night and can provide the kind of security that not only leads to a good night’s sleep (every parent’s ideal), but to a broader sense of general security that underlies so much of the insecurity that comes with growing up. So a book that facilitates the end of day routine for young children like Day’s End Lullaby, is more powerful than the simple rhyming text and soft images might suggest. One of the things I like most about this storybook is that it ends with the text in sheet music – a song that you could sing to your child after reading the book and looking at the pictures. Sing it softly, in a voice that fades out towards the end, and a goodnight kiss is all you need to send your child off to a delicious slumber. The images themselves are in marker, crayon and acrylic, and effectively convey the transition between the high energy of day and the delicate rest of night. The use of rhyme, colour and music is perfectly proportioned, making this a lovely gift book for any young child.

Karen Cioffi is a published author, ghostwriter-for-hire, freelance writer, and reviewer. She is the creator and manager of VBT Writers on the Move (a marketing group of authors utilizing cross-promotion and a number of promotional strategies); co-moderator of a children’s critique group; on the team at DKV Writing 4 U (offers professional and affordable writing services, blog and basic website creation); and an acquisitions editor intern. More information about Karen can be found at her website: http://www.karencioffi.com

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Tommorow, Viriginia Grenier is hosting Margaret Fieland at her blog The Writing Mama. 
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