Book Birthday Blog with Lisa Wheeler

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

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

 

Congratulations to Lisa Wheeler on the release of My First Dino-Halloween and My First Dino-Christmas

 

Your 2 new board books are part of a series. Did you start out with the Dino books knowing you would create a series? Tell us more about your vision for the books.

Like many picture book authors, I’d always dreamed of writing a successful series. Never did those dreams include dinosaurs or sports! Until I literally dreamed of exactly that. I awoke in a hotel room at 3am because I’d just had the most vivid dream of dinosaurs playing hockey. It was in full color! That was over 17 years ago and the dinos are still going strong.
 
The first ten books were what is now called the Dino-Sport series. When a new editor came on board I was asked to write about those same dinosaurs celebrating holidays. There are currently five books in the Dino-Holiday series with the sixth, Dino-Hanukkah, coming out this fall. I’m contracted for future books, as well.
 
March 13, 2020—the day when all my spring school visits were cancelled and I realized the world would look very different for all of us—my editor and I discussed a board book series on a phone meeting. I worked on a PowerPoint presentation for her to take to a meeting. I included a mock-up of My First Dino-Hockey.  They loved my concept and I was asked to write the first two books. With the edition of My First Dino-Halloween and My First Dino-Christmas, there are now nine books in this series.

I love writing about these guys and feel very fortunate that the right dream came along at the right time.

 

 

You have several books releasing this year. What's your trick to staying organized?

I’m still trying to figure that one out! When it comes to my home, I am fairly organized. I cannot create in cluttered spaces. But don’t look in my closets—or my head! I find it very difficult to ‘do all the things’. I make lists because I get scattered in so many directions. I find that one of the most satisfying things in life is crossing to-dos off my lists.

How do you approach the creative process? Plotter, pantser or combination of the two?

I’m mostly a pantser. But for the Dino books, I have to think ahead for plotting. When writing a book for a series, one must look ahead to make sure that it’s all cohesive. Each book is the same length, features recurring characters, and ends with the title of the next book in the series. I always panic a wee bit before setting out on each new journey with these guys. I find that ‘panic first’ is also part of my process.

What are your marketing plans for the books and where can we find them?

I’m hoping to have a trailer made for the My First Dino board books. I will also post on social media, promote them at every event, including the Rochester Children’s Book Festival in Rochester, NY on November 4th.
 
I’ve found that promoting board books is kind of hard because they sell to parents of children who aren’t quite in school yet. 

Like all my books, you can find/order them from your local independent bookstore or online sources.

What's next for you?

Next spring will see the release of Dino-Earthday, My First Dino-Dino-Boarding and My First Dino-Swimming. Then, in fall of 2024 My First Dino-Thanksgiving and My First Dino-Hanukkah will be available. All illustrated by Barry Gott and all with Carolrhoda/Lerner books. I better start working on those organizational skills!
 
I recently sold a book to HarperCollins. It is coming out in 2025 and will be illustrated by the wonderful David Soman (who wrote and illustrated The Impossible Mountain). It’s a picture book celebrating and honoring the families of those who serve in the armed forces. I’m very excited for this. Like Someone Builds the Dream, I feel it’s a needed book and I’m so honored to be able to share it.

More about the books . . .

My First Dino-Halloween - Illustrated by Barry Gott. Published by Carolrhoda/Lerner
 
Pumpkins, parties, costumes and trick-or-treating! The littlest reader can now join in the dino-Halloween fun! This board book is low on words but high on excitement. It’s perfect for little hands.
 
My First Dino-Christmas - Illustrated by Barry Gott. Published by Carolrhoda/Lerner

Here comes Santa Claws! Get ready to celebrate the holidays . . . dino-style. Rhyming text and vivid illustrations show dinosaurs decorating cookies, playing in the snow, dreaming of presents, and more! Your toddlers and preschoolers will love it.

More 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 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. 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/

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