Beth Anderson's Blog

It’s quite amazing when you find primary sources that provide the seed, or acorn, that allows you to tell a story that for a while seemed lifeless. Check out this great post from debut author Lynn Street about how THE BLUE JAYS THAT GREW A FOREST grew from deep research and personal immersion in the science.

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How Primary Sources Can Grow Your Nonfiction Natu...

For all you educators, librarians, history lovers, and those who have been led to believe that history is boring…

Over the next year and a half, I’ll be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with a special series of blog posts from children’s authors and illustrators with books on the period surrounding the American Revolution! As many of you know, I’m fascinated with this time when “the world turned upside down,” and people wr...

I felt like this last part should be titled “From whence it came and where it goes,” but that just seemed a bit unwieldy. Every manuscript I tackle teaches me more about researching, so I often add a note on what was special in the back matter—sometimes a short note, sometimes longer. It’s valuable for kids to see the process in action and how a story emerges from books, documents, and more. And just like that research launched the book, back matter often shares extensions to launch kids into ne...

Though much of the fascinating information I glean from research never makes it into the story, some of it earns a place in back matter if it has the potential to engage and benefit educators, librarians, parents, and, most of all, young readers. Images and graphics are always a favorite!

GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below to be entered for winner’s choice of my titles. ALSO let me know if you share on social media or with teachers for extra entries. AND if you ARE an active educator, please not...

As I worked on the back matter for what hopefully is book number twelve, I thought about all the fabulous kinds of information that awaits teachers in these often overlooked sections. I’ve explored back matter in posts and gatherings for writers, but I’ve never done it from an educator perspective. SO… I decided it was time to remedy that with a BACK TO SCHOOL series focused on the endless potential of back matter contained in illustrated texts (AKA picture books)!

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I was so surprised to learn about author Teresa Robeson’s experience creating DISGUSTOLOGY: THE SCIENCE OF GROSS because it’s the opposite of the usual way authors, illustrators, and publishers work together. And what a great idea to share this collaborative process for use in the classroom to practice communication, creative thinking, and working in partnerships!

GIVEAWAY! For a chance to win a copy of DISGUSTOLOGY, just leave a comment after the post!

Congratulations to Donna Gwinnell La...

Ah, so much fascinating research, and so limited story space! Prolific author Darcy Pattison shares how she organized and focused NOT EXTINCT: THE PRZEWALSKI’S HORSE RETURNS FROM EXTINCT IN THE WILD, an amazing story with a ride range of appeal.

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Congrats to Donna Gwinnell Lambo-Weidner, winner of THE MYSTERIOUS VIRGINIA HALL, WORLD WAR II’S MOST DANGEROUS SPY from Claudia Friddell.

Using Timelin...

Writers often ask how to go about interviewing someone connected to the subject of a biography. The opportunity is golden, and…very intimidating! In this post, author Claudia Friddell shares her process of preparing for an interview with relatives of Virginia Hall, as well as conducting it. The book is fabulous! And so are her tips!

GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of THE MYSTERIOUS VIRGINIA HALL, WORLD WAR II’S MOST DANGEROUS SPY.

Making It Personal: Intervie...

Ah yes, the conundrum of TMI (too much information). I know it well. It’s like you’re a kid in a candy store and can only choose one of the many varieties tempting you. Here’s a wonderful post from Julie Winterbottom on how she drilled down for her focus in MAGIC IN A DROP OF WATER: HOW RUTH PATRICK TAUGHT THE WORLD ABOUT WATER POLLUTION.

GIVEAWAY! You just might win a copy of MAGIC IN A DROP OF WATER if you leave a comment below!

Congratulations to Jilanne Hoffmann, winner of MUD TO THE R...

Ah, the fun of mud! But how does one create a viable manuscript with this topic and a pile of information? Like a mudpie, it takes some squishing and slopping and playing around. Here’s a post from author Tanya Konerman detailing her path to MUD TO THE RESCUE!

And don’t miss the GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for a chance to win your own copy of MUD TO THE RESCUE! HOW ANIMALS USE MUD TO THRIVE AND SURVIVE.

Congratulations to Barbara Kimmel, winner of BUILD A SANDCASTLE by Eileen Rajala Me...