Picture books!

 

 These are just two of the five picture books I've written so far.

What do the others look like, you may ask? Well --

  

 

You can make some reasonable guesses at the content from the titles and covers, but here are the details and some purchase links. Note: you can also ask your local bookstore to order them from Ingram Group -- if they don't already carry it!

You Can't Kiss A Bubble, illustrated by Siski Kalla: "What can you do with a bubble?

"Many children – and adults – find bubbles fascinating, even enchanting. And yet they’re so different from most things we enjoy, lasting only a few moments. This little book, with its lovely and whimsical illustrations, looks at both the charm and the transitory nature of bubbles, and reminds us that we can take joy even in the impermanent."

For what it's worth, this is my most popular picture book. You can pick up the paperback and/or the hardcover on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, bookshop.org,  AbeBooks, and Walmart Business.

Continuing in order of publication, next comes When It's Winter, illustrated by Barbara Dessi: "What makes winter special? This picture book celebrates the many fun activities and sensory experiences of the season. Follow a girl and her dog through the play and discoveries of a snowy day, and on toward bedtime.

"The first person narrative will encourage new readers to claim it as their own. The repetition of the phrase 'When it's winter . . .' will encourage children to chime in, and be of assistance to early readers.

Online purchase opportunities include Amazon, Barnes & Noble, bookshop.org, Waterstones (in the UK), and Fishpond (in New Zealand). 

 

Then there's Wind, Ocean, Grass, illustrated by Tomasz Mikutel: "This unique picture book has neither human nor animal characters, but instead features the wind speaking to the grass, explaining how long grasses are both like and unlike the waves of the ocean. Through lyrical prose and breathtaking impressionist-style paintings, the reader follows the wind’s journey over sea and land: the many moods of the ocean, the different seasons of the grassy field. We see glimpses of the birds that live off the bounty of the ocean, and the birds and flowers that live among the grasses.

"Through this nature metaphor, the story, without becoming didactic, teaches children about seeing commonality and celebrating differences.

Pick this up on Amazon, bookshop.org, Books-A-Million, Walmart, Riverwalk Books, and Watermark Books, among other sites.

Next comes a sentimental favorite of mine, due to a lovely evening on which I read it to my (late) brother and some friends of his: Where Fireflies Sleep, illustrated by Barbara Dessi.

"What is sweeter than the special times a parent and child spend together?

"In this picture book, Molly and her father sit on the porch as a summer day moves into evening. They're waiting for fireflies. The reader shares Molly's excitement and delight as first one and then more of the glowing insects appear. Molly has questions about fireflies, and her father does his best to answer. And then it's time to get ready for bed. After Molly is finally tucked into bed, Dad goes out on the porch for one final word with the fireflies."

Where Fireflies Sleep is available from Amazon, bookshop.org, Books-A-Million, and Walmart.

Finally, there's my first nonfiction picture book: A Boy Who Made Music: The Extraordinary Life of Joaquin Rodrigo, illustrated by Tomasz Mikutel. I'm particularly proud that Rodrigo's daughter Cecilia Rodrigo, who runs the Victoria and Joaquin Rodrigo Foundation, loved the book.

"Joaquin Rodrigo was a brilliant Spanish composer, writing music for piano, violin, chorus, and guitar. He was also, from the age of three, almost completely blind.

"This picture book follows Joaquin from carefree early childhood through his life-altering illness, his discovery of classical music, and his successful career and family life. Joaquin's story can inspire children to dream beyond the apparent limitations suggested by circumstance.

"The book's back matter includes multiple activities and enrichment materials."

This book presented Tomasz and me with a dilemma: how do you illustrate the absence of sight? I think you'll like the solution we found.

You can get this book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, bookshop.org, Books-A-Million, The Book Loft of German Village, and who knows where else?...

That's it for the picture books! I have many (well, seven) more novels to get to, but next time I'll put on my lawyer hat and talk about my one work of legal nonfiction. Until then!