Dianne White has a new picture book, THE SHARING BOOK, illustrated by Simone Shin and published by Margaret Ferguson Books on July 18th. Dianne has agreed to send a copy of the book to one lucky winner living in the United States.
All you have to do to get in the running is leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know other things you do to share the good news, so I can put the right amount of tickets in my basket for you.
Sharing on social media really helps spread the word for a new book. So, thanks for helping Dianne and Simone.
If you have signed up to follow my blog and it is delivered to you everyday, please let me know when you leave a comment and I will give you an extra ticket. Thanks!
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
A simple story about the little acts of sharing and kindness that make a day special.
A hand is perfect for holding.
A smile is just right for hello.
A pinkie is waiting to promise and
FRIENDS, best friends, are for sharing.
Come join two best friends on a camping trip as they share the wonderful things they do outdoors with family and friends: meals, laughter, adventures, stories, campfire songs. All the things that make an outdoor experience exciting and memorable. But the most important thing—love—more than anything else, is always for sharing.
BOOK JOURNEY:
The year was January of 2005. I'd arrived at Vermont College with other writers who, like me, had come from all corners of the country and the globe. Together, we would embark of a 5-semester journey to earn our MFAs in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Those 10 days together – twice a year, for 2 ½ years – were life-changing in ways far beyond the stories we would write, the deadlines we would meet, and the meals and laughter we would share. It was a small community of learners, and ours was a tight-knit class.
Now, almost twenty years later, as often as we can manage, eight of us still get together once a year at the beach.
On one such visit, we gathered in the late afternoon on the porch of the beach home where we were staying. We were talking about a lot of things and my friend, Stephanie Greene said, "Laps are for sharing." As soon as she said it, I knew there was a seed in her words for a picture book about some of the things we share with friends and family.
Sometimes picture book writing goes fairly quickly. Other times? Not so much. There are so many decisions – what will the structure of the story be? Where should the story take place?
I remembered the times I'd gone camping – waking early to make breakfast, stories told, songs sung, and the bright stars in the pitch-black night sky.
I chose this world as the setting for THE SHARING BOOK and worked a long time exploring a variety of structures to create a pattern upon which I would build the story.
I'm thrilled to dedicate this book to the special group of seven women I met so long ago. Friends – best friends – for the laughter, adventures, stories, and love we've shared over the years.
DIANNE'S BIO:
Dianne White is a writing teacher and the author of nine picture books, including the award-winning, Blue on Blue, illustrated by Caldecott medalist Beth Krommes, and Dark on Light, illustrated by Felicita Sala (Beach Lane/S&S). Recent and forthcoming publications include Winter Lullaby, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki (Candlewick Press), Look and Listen, illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford (MF/Holiday House), The Sharing Book, illustrated by Simone Shin (MF/Holiday House), and Finding Grateful, illustrated by Faith Pray.
Dianne graduated from junior high in the Philippines and high school in Hong Kong. Jump ahead ten years, and all those rich experiences led to a college degree in French and Spanish. Ten years after that, I went back to school to earn a teaching credential.
As a classroom bilingual teacher, I rediscovered the joy of children's poetry and books. That love of teaching and language, poetry and children's books led to more schooling – a master's degree in Language and Literacy and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Along the way, Dianne got married, raised 3 boys, and taught children with the most dedicated group of teachers I know. She loves poetry, traveling abroad, and life with her family in sunny Arizona. For more, visit diannewrites.com
SIMONE'S BIO:
Simone Shin has illustrated numerous books for children, including the award-winning The International Day of the Girl by Jessica Dee Humphreys and Rona Ambrose, winner of a Yellow Cedar Award. Her work can also be seen in magazines and newspapers. Her children's books include: Papa Gave Me a Stick by Janice Levy; If I Could Drive, Mama by Cari Best; by Terry Pierce; The Red Bicycle by Judy Isabella; I'll Build You a Bookcase by Jean Ciborowski Fahey; by Kate Banks; and Thank You, Garden by Liz Garton Scanlon
She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Dianne, thank you for sharing you book and journey with us. I love the idea of a book focused on sharing. The text and the illustrations grab the reader from the first page that starts with a beautiful sunrise.
Sun is perfect for mornings.
Clouds are just right for sky.
Wonder is waiting to happen and . . .
On the next page is a man and two small children sitting on a cliff looking down on the camp ground; the setting for the book, where they will spend the day.
TODAY, this day, is for sharing.
This is such a simple concept, but such an important one for adults to remember and children to learn. It is the little things that stay with you for a lifetime. The other day a memory of my aunt showing me how to apply makeup when I was around 12 years old sprung into my mind. Just a simple memory. She is still alive, so I called her and she didn't remember that moment, which made me wonder how many little things I may have done that other people may remember. I feel that this book will help parents, families, and friends think about the importance of sharing and possibly plant a happy moment seed that pops up years later to put a smile on your face, all because love is for sharing.
A perfect blend of beautiful lyrical text and wonderful illustrations created by Simone Shin, makes this book a don't miss read. Good luck with the book.
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
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