Book Birthday Blog with Lindsay Gizicki

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

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

 

Congratulations to Lindsay Gizicki on the release of The Guardians of the Garden

 

 

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

My family loves planting and taking care of our fruits and veggies in our family garden. Last summer, my kids caught a squirrel stealing our cherry tomatoes and they were beside themselves! They couldn’t believe the animals outside were “robbing” us. They started trying to stack up their toys around our garden and using their bubble machines to try to keep them away. Which obviously didn’t work BUT it did give me an idea for my next book! 

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

This book really is about the joy of summer and the wonderful imaginations all children have. As kids, we’ve all made up games and explored new worlds right in our own backyards. I hope everyone who reads this with their family can relate to that childhood wonder. The Guardians of the Garden is also about family love. It’s a special time for our family when we come together to plant the garden, and we look forward to pruning it together every day throughout the summer. 

 

 

What are your marketing plans for the book? 

I’m so excited for what I have in store for this latest book! I’m happy to announce that 10% of my proceeds are going to the Detroit non-profit, Rescue MI Nature Now, Inc. Rescue MI Nature Now is dedicated to developing green spaces within communities and nature based educational programs. They began as a beekeeping family and wanted to expand their passions which include working in the community, uplifting the youth and lending a helping hand. I’ll also be doing workshops and readings at some local greenhouses.

In an earlier book birthday interview we learned about The Book Fairies Worldwide. For those who missed the interview, what is this organization and how can others get involved? 

The Book Fairies is an organization centered around the love of books and sharing the joy of reading. As the Michigan representative, I leave books around the state for lucky readers to find. Once the reader finishes the book, they are encouraged to leave it for the next person. Think of it as a traveling library! If you’re interested in hiding books or having your books hidden, you can contact me on Instagram at @bookfairies_michigan

What's next for you?

I’ve started writing my next book! I would love if I could publish that next year. Besides publishing more picture books, I’ve also started consulting some self-published authors, which has been so much fun. The more I learn about the industry, the more I want to help other authors fulfill their dreams. I’m honored that people trust me to bring their ideas to life.

A little bit about the book . . . 

Every summer, two children playfully guard their mother’s garden from cheeky critters that steal their fruits and vegetables. Their arch enemies—the squirrels—prove to be the biggest tricksters of all. 

Publisher: Hank A Roo Readings

A little bit about the author . . . 

Lindsay Gizicki graduated from Central Michigan University and pursued her passion for journalism. She is currently the editor of an architecture magazine based in Troy, Mich. In her spare time, she fishes with her husband, Cyle, and speaks nonsense with her 5-year-old daughter, Harper, and her 3-year-old son, Henry. Her previous self-published books include To the Moon and Back and The Pirate Doctor. In 2022, To the Moon and Back won an honorable mention in the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards.

Instagram: @elle_gizicki and @hankarooreadings
Facebook: @hankarooreadings
LinkedIN: @hankarooeadings
Twitter: @lindsay_gizicki