Book Birthday Blog with Lisa Wheeler

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors and illustrators.

 

Congratulations to Lisa Wheeler on the release of My First Dino-Baseball and My First Dino-Soccer

 

How did you come up with the idea for your books?

The idea for My First Dino-Baseball and My First Dino-Soccer began the same day as the world turned upside-down. I was supposed to have a school visit followed by a meeting with Carol Hinz, my editor from Carolrhoda, that day. But it was the first week that Covid-19 impacted the US. The night before my school got cancelled and our meeting turned into a phone call.

Carol said that they had been trying to think how my Dino-Sport and Dino-Holiday book series could be turned into board books. I assured her that I had an idea. I spent that weekend working on a Power Point presentation. Using original art from Dino-Hockey, I wrote a version for the very young. I sent it to her to present to the team. I was elated that they loved my idea and asked for more books. These first two books will be released on February 1st, nearly two years after I made that Power Point.

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your books?

I love how board books help little ones connect with books and reading. They're great because they are nearly indestructible. Little hands can share the joy of sports and reading with the grown-ups in their life. It's a win-win!

What inspires you to write?

Simply everything. I've been a working writer nearly 25 years. I've been inspired by dreams, by things I see, by things I overhear. I get ideas while walking, cleaning, and working out. My most recent idea came after reading a cousin's Facebook post! 

What was the most difficult part of writing the books?

Keeping it tight and keeping things moving. The books are very short, so using active verbs is key. I also have to look at the art in the original books (Dino-Baseball and Dino-Soccer) for moments that can be highlighted in the My First versions of the books.

What are your marketing plans for the books?

This part is difficult for me. Since the books are for babies and toddlers, marketing must be done to parents. While I love sharing books with kids, appealing to adults is a little more difficult for me. I'll use social media, of course, but I'd love suggestions!

 A little bit about the books . . .

My First Dino-Baseball and My First Dino-Soccer are smaller more streamlined version of the original Dino-Sport titles. Written for babies and toddlers, it is a first introduction to each sport. 

A little bit about the author . . .

Lisa Wheeler is the award-winning author of over 50 children’s books including Someone Builds the Dream, People Don't Bite People, and the popular Dino-Sports series.  The Christmas Boot was the SCBWI 2017 SCBWI Golden Kite Award winner for Picture Book Text. Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum was the 2017 Michigan Reads! One Book, One State Children’s Book recipient. Her awards include The Michigan Mitten, Texas Bluebonnet, and the Theodore Geisel Honor given by the American Library Association. Lisa shares her Michigan home with one husband, one dog, and an assortment of anthropomorphic characters. Check out Lisa’s website at:  https://www.lisawheelerbooks.com/