I shouldn’t complain, but . . .

MinnesotaIceSculptureIt’s another subzero morning in Minnesota (-16 degrees), and my pen is on strike. The ink won’t to come out–and I don’t blame it. I prefer to stay inside this time of year, too.

Knowing that writers in other states are struggling, too, might make me feel better.

  1. Do Florida iPads ever shut down from too much sand?
  2. Californians–is that pesky sunshine making that laptop too hot to hold on your sunburned legs?
  3. Hawaiians–do you have circular indentations covering the backs of your notebooks, curse jars full of quarters, and trash bins full of dead pens from too much orchid pollen?

For those of you feeling a ting of guilt as you bask on the beach, here are some great good-will ideas for the needy. (I’m talking about us cranky Vitamin D deprived writers and illustrators from up north):

  • fingerless-glovespencils with refillable lead
  • fingerless gloves
  • space heaters
  • hot beverages
  • airline tickets to any southern destination

Okay, I’m warmer, now that I vented.

A gift idea for the KEMs (besides the aforementioned) is to join us February 15 for our Barbara Park tribute post about KEM GEM, MICK HARTE WAS HERE. We’re eager to know your opinion about the middle grade novel and we look forward to seeing you there.

Also, it’s never too late to comment on our first KEM GEM recommendation: Sara Pennypacker and Marla Frazee’s chapter book, CLEMENTINE.

CLEMENTINE

CLEMENTINECover

Middle Grade
Fiction

Age Range:
7-10 years

Grade Level:
2 – 5

Published by
Disney-Hyperion Books

Text © 2006
by Sara Pennypacker

Illustrated © 2006
by Marla Frazee

 

 

AWARDS

A New York Times Bestseller
2008 Rhode Island Children’s Book Award (Grades 3-6)
2008 William Allen White Children’s Book Award – KS (Grades 3-5)
2007 Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor Winner
2008 Great Lakes Great Books Award Winner
Winner of the 2007 Josette Frank Book Award (Bank Street College Book Committee)
Winner of the 2007 Sid Fleishman Award (SCBWI.org)
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2006
A 2006 Child Magazine Best Book of the Year
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
A 2006 Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A 2006 National Parenting Publication Gold Award Winner
A Book Sense Winter 2006-2007 Children’s Top Ten Pick
A 2006 Nick Jr. Family Magazine’s Best Book of the Year
A Miami Herald Best Book of the Year 2006

WHY CLEMENTINE IS A KEM GEM

K KRISTI’S TAKE
Clementine always has “great ideas popping into her head.”  She’s like a balloon, exalted up, and then POP, life deflates and she’s back to square one.  Sara Pennypacker brilliantly invites the reader to share Clementine’s ups and downs, by showing the reader how the precocious Clementine thinks, through detailed action that is followed by the protagonist’s reflection.

If I had to draw a balloon to depict Clementine, it’d be orange. The balloon would have a happy face drawn with “sparkle glitter paint” on one side and a sad face on the opposite side, drawn in permanent Red marker.  Around the entire drawing would be a window for the reader to look through.

I am in awe of Marla Frazee’s ability to capture Clementine’s energy. Her fine-lined sketches convey curiosity with a wrinkle in a shirt, swirl of a lock and lift of a brow. She makes the impossible look easy.KEM Sapphire
EELISE’S TAKE

CLEMENTINE felt like catching up with an old friend. I, too, had an oh-so-perfect neighbor girl, an “easy” younger sibling, an artist mom, and a dad who dealt with pesky animals* and their splat.

Sara Pennypacker’s descriptions give readers a colorful, hilarious view of Clementine’s world, and her daily, eight-year-old antics and frustrations.

Marla Frazee’s pen and ink drawings offer a visual treat on nearly every page. Her clean, graphic line carries Clementine’s energy through the story and, as with all of Frazee’s work, looks like she just whipped it up over breakfast.

This gem, just published in 2008, has the classic charm of a book that has already stood the test of time.

*Ours were cattle, not pigeons.

Favorite line
“Then we just sat there together watching the pigeons flock back to our building for the night. We listened to them cooing above us, sounding like a million old ladies with secrets.”KEM Diamond


MGrayMARRAS’ TAKE
Spectacularful!

Writer friend Melissa quoted Clementine at a recent meet-up: “Someone should tell you not to answer the phone in the principal’s office, if that’s a rule.” Admiration spittle (mine) dribbled on my manuscript.

Sara Pennypacker created a believable, delightful protagonist in a universe where “Go for Wok?” leads to a sibling bonding ritual and magic marker heals hair disasters. Clementine’s thoughtful distractions  amuse and disarm people of all ages–even her best friend’s older brother–a formidable feat for a third grader.

Marla Frazee’s wit and talent complements Sara’s.  Her personality-packed illustrations lift Clementine to a whole new level of cute.

Favorite line
“… I carried the kittens into the bathroom and looked around until I found them beautiful names. Flouride and Laxative went to live with people who answered the Free Kittens, Hurry! ad my dad put in the paper …”GEMrub

BOOK TRAILER (by Briana Bancroft)

Please, share your CLEMENTINE comments, too!

2014-KEM GEMS debut

Happy New Year!

Would you like to grow as a children’s book writer in 2014? If so, bestselling children’s book author, Sara Pennypacker, shares three tips for doing so:

  1. Read
  2. Write
  3. Pay Attention

Our KEM (Kristi, Elise, and Marlys) writer’s group has taken this advice to heart. We have committed to meshing the three goals by 1. reading more children’s literature and 2. selecting a stand-out children’s book (KEM GEM) to write about and recommend every month, 3. paying attention to what makes our selection a GEM and inviting our friends, like you, to post your comments, so we can learn together.

Our children’s book selections will come from these genres:

  • Picture Book
  • Chapter Book
  • Middle Grade
  • Young Adult

If you’d like to accompany us on this learning adventure, our first KEM GEM post will debut January 15, 2014, and continue on the 15th of every month, giving you time to read along and compose your own comments.

Mark your calendars for the 15th of each month to join in on the fun. You can share your book feedback  in the pertaining month’s KEM GEM Comment Section (150 words or less). (January 15 there will be a drop down to click on the Clementine‘s page.)

Spread the word. You don’t have to be a writer or illustrator or an adult to participate. You just have to love children’s literature. We’re excited to read, write, and pay attention with you!

The Rain Has Gone

Iris OpenFor the first time after a long winter and a deluge of rainy days, Minnesotans are singing their blahs away with Johnny Nash’s, “I Can See Clearly Now”.FragrantWonder Yellow

Our KEM GEMS writer’s group welcomed the sunshine via a fragrant field trip to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

KEM

 

 

 

St FrancisDoveLilac ClusterRedConeColor Coated

You need to smell it to believe it.  If your senses need a vacation, this is just the place for you.Arboretum Rainbow

Thanks for sharing the beauty, University of Minnesota!  And, thanks to my writing sisters, for leading me to this Garden of Eden Prairie.  (No offense, Chaska or Chanhassen. Garden of Eden Prairie sounds better in this story.)

I Know Her

Before my friend Elise becomes any more famous, I have one thing to say:  I know her.

The artwork of Elise Hylden, the illustrious writer/illustrator of our KEM GEM critique group,  was featured in the March/April 2013 SCBWI BULLETIN, the official publication of the Society of Chiildren’s Book Writers & Illustrators.  What better endorsement?

Anyway, take a gander at pages 26-29.  The illustrations are Elise’s.  I think you’ll agree — Elise has a bright future on the horizon.  Her imaginative creations already delight us.  We can’t wait until everyone can enjoy them.

Congratulations, Elise!  We’re so proud of you.  In the inspirational words of Buzz Lightyear: TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!