Book Birthday Blog with Renee Bolla

 

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

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

 

Congratulations to Renee Bolla on the release of The Truth About Stepmoms

 

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

From my earliest memories, I have never known the life of married parents. My journey as a stepchild began at the age of two when my parents divorced, each finding new paths in remarriage. Growing up, I grappled with confusing narratives—movies portraying stepmothers as villains and fairytales instilling fear in the very word 'stepmother.' The society I was raised in didn't fully embrace the uniqueness of a blended family. Fast forward to later years, I found myself stepping into the role of a stepmom when my daughter, Nina, entered my life at the tender age of two. She not only made me a mother but also became my teacher in the profound lessons of unconditional love. Inspired by my own experiences as a stepmom I felt the calling to reshape the stepmom narrative, ensuring it embraced the love, warmth, and happy endings every blended family deserves.

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

In writing The Truth About Stepmoms, I was inspired by my own journey as a parent and stepparent. I've experienced firsthand the beauty of blended families and the unique dynamics that come with it. Through this book, I hope to show readers that family is not defined by traditional norms but by the love, support, and understanding we share. Every family has its own recipe, and it's the combination of these special ingredients that makes each one truly wonderful.

What was the most difficult part of writing this book?

The most difficult part of writing The Truth About Stepmoms was finding the right perspective to tell the story. I started with two sisters navigating a blended family household then changed the perspective to a dad and daughter navigating changes within a family household. It took me two years of exploration and evolution to realize that the heart of this book lies not just in stepfamily dynamics but in the universal themes of love, resilience, and understanding. Through the characters' journey, I wanted to convey the message that family is about embracing differences, overcoming challenges, and celebrating the unique bonds that tie us together. This book is not just for stepfamilies; it's for every family, reminding us that love knows no boundaries and that every family's story is worth celebrating.

I am forever grateful to my mentor, Valerie Bolling, and the other authors at Highlights Foundation Summer Camp who challenged me to take my writing further, to dig deeper, and to keep writing. They were instrumental in helping me craft the perfect version of The Truth About Stepmoms. Thank you for believing in me and in the power of storytelling that connects us all.

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it?

My marketing plan for The Truth About Stepmoms is designed to make it easily accessible to everyone who wants to join in celebrating family diversity. My book is available on my author website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Books-A-Million, and many local Michigan businesses.

To connect with my local community, I've lined up exciting events throughout May:
 
5/4: Fascination Factory in Birmingham
5/10: Sidetrack Bookshop in Royal Oak
5/11: Coreander’s Children’s Bookshoppe in Gross Pointe Park
5/19: Detroit Public Library in Detroit
 
Stay tuned for more events at Schuler Books, Apple Blossom Baby & Décor, and others by following me on social media or checking my author website.

Check out my book trailer here.

I have connected with bloggers and set up a launch team to promote on social media.

Plus, in May, I’m introducing friendship bracelet making kits and family photo album making kits to complement the book's themes of love and connection.

Whats next for you?

As a creative, I'm always on a journey of discovery and reinvention. From my corporate retail background to diving into the world of picture books, every step has been about embracing new challenges and finding my joy.
 
My next venture takes me into the realm of expanded picture books, targeting readers ages 7-10. Inspired by the unique format of Jon Klassen's The Skull, my upcoming book delves into the hilarious world of embarrassing parents. It's a blend of laughter and heart, a story that kids and parents alike will relate to and enjoy.
 
I believe in the power of laughter, and this book is a testament to that belief. It's about finding humor in everyday moments, celebrating our quirks, and embracing our uniqueness.
 
Follow my journey as I continue to weave the perfect blend of humor and heart into all my books. Stay tuned for updates, sneak peeks, and more surprises along the way. Let's share in the joy of storytelling and create unforgettable moments together.

More about the book . . .

The Truth About Stepmoms celebrates the precious bond that can grow between children and their stepmothers, debunking common stereotypes and fostering a positive understanding of blended families.
 
The story follows a young girl’s humorous yet heartfelt investigation as she attempts to uncover the truth about her new stepmom, Via. But to her surprise, she discovers that Via does not change into the wicked figure she heard about from friends, books, and movies but remains the same caring, fun-loving, and kind-hearted individual who brings love and joy to her life in unexpected ways.

Publisher: RNB Press

More about the author . . .

Renee Bolla, a children's picture book author, seamlessly transitioned from the corporate world of fashion retail to craft enchanting literary worlds for young minds. With the release of her self-published picture books, Finding Bunny and Imagine That, in 2022, and her newest book, The Truth About Stepmoms, coming Mother’s Day 2024, Renee has emerged as a storyteller who captivates hearts and sparks imaginations.
 
As a devoted mother to three daughters, Renee weaves the magic of her personal experiences into every narrative, creating stories that resonate with the shared joys and challenges of parenthood. Writing serves as her creative sanctuary, unlocking the enchantment of literature and inviting readers into boundless realms of imagination.
 
Join Renee on her journey as she continues to inspire young hearts, one story at a time.

IG: @reneebollaauthor

FB: @reneebollaauthor

Pinterest: @reneebollaauthor

Tik Tok: @reneebolla

Author's website: https://www.reneebollaauthor.com/

 

Writer Spotlight: Kristen Remenar

 

BER, an SCBWI romance, groundhog birthday, Wrath, a wedding, and a stroke: author Kristen Remenar

Charlie Barshaw coordinates our regular Writer Spotlight feature and interviews writers of SCBWI-MI. In this piece, meet author  (and fellow stroke-survivor) Kristen Remenar.

Who was young Kris? What were your big plans? 

Young Kris

I won my first writing award in second grade, a school-wide contest about the Helping Hands program in our neighborhood. Reading was already my passion and I loved books so much I wanted to be a librarian. Winning that award made me realize I could maybe write books, too, and I started to look on the library shelf for where my books would be alphabetically.

 

You were a librarian of some renown. You excelled at captivating young audiences with your dramatic readings. What were some of your tricks to transfix a rambunctious rabble? 

Kristen with classroom

It’s amazing how changing your voice even a little can capture the attention of the audience, slowing it down to add suspense, speeding it up for the high energy bits, making it a little higher or lower for different characters. I love listening to audiobooks and I think the best readers find ways to use their voice to draw listeners in.

 

You are an acknowledged national speaker on early literacy. How did you earn that title? What is your main takeaway about reading and children? 

When I was a children’s librarian, I had a patron who’d come in looking for dozens of books with specific teaching goals. She was a speaker for the Bureau of Education and Research. I loved helping her find just what she needed and we became friends.

With middle schoolers

When we went to a BER conference together on picture books and I kept leaning over to her to share my opinions, she told me I should be a speaker, too. So I went through the application process and I worked for BER for five years, traveling the country giving day-long seminars to teachers and librarians on the best books to teach early literacy skills to preschoolers and early elementary students. It helps that I was a former elementary teacher and I have my masters in teaching reading.

My main takeaway is that reading skills are best taught with being immersed in books. Phonics and the “mechanics” of reading come more easily when they’re taught through engaging stories. Kids need time to read in school purely for fun, time when they get to choose their own material and read for the sake of reading. Magazines, comic books, audiobooks - these count, too!

Will you give us your rendition of your chance meeting (and re-meeting) with author/illustrator Matt Faulkner?

Kris says: "Here's a photo of me and Matt from the SCBWI-MI
fall conference in 2008 on Saturday before we started dating.
Can you tell that there's a vibe?"

I was a children’s librarian at the Orion Township PublicLibrary and we had an annual program for fifth graders called Battle of the Books. At the Battle Awards Ceremony, fifth graders got to meet an author whose book they’d studied. A fellow librarian suggested Matt Faulkner for our 2006 Battle author since he was a Michigander. 

photo credit Scott Orser

I was a huge fan of his work and I was excited to meet him. At the award ceremony, this handsome author/illustrator dazzled the audience and me, then told me he was so glad we’d booked him when we did since he was moving to California. I was happy I’d had the chance to meet him.

Fast forward to 2008. The SCBWI-MI committee booked Matt to come to our Fall Retreat. I was excited because I knew what a great speaker he was. When I arrived at the conference that Friday evening, I saw Matt across the crowded room. I went over and said, “I don’t know if you remember me - “ and he immediately said, “Oh I remember you!”

That weekend we talked and maybe flirted a little and by the time he left to fly back to California he told me, “I will court you in letters.” The next day there were roses on my desk at work. We dated long-distance for two years, married in 2010, and he’s been my beloved ever since.

 

How did GROUNDHOG'S DILEMMA come about? When did you start writing stories instead of reading them? 

I was born on Groundhog Day. Every year since I was little I’d wished I could convince the groundhog to not see his shadow so we’d have an early spring, but I grew up in Michigan so I knew a long winter was destined, shadow or no shadow. I’ve known I wanted to be a published writer since I won my first writing award in second grade but I didn’t seek publication until I joined SCBWI in 2000, when I figured the new millennium was an auspicious sign to finally pursue my dream.

Having an illustrator as a spouse must have come in handy when you sold your first picture book. What was it like negotiating character and color with the same guy you washed dishes with?

Matt and I learned early on how to ask for and give each other feedback. Sometimes I just need him to say, “Wow, you put words on paper!” without commenting on the order in which I put them, or he just needs to hear, “You drew a thing!”  Sometimes we ask each other for help on only specific areas of work.

With GROUNDHOG’S DILEMMA, I quickly learned that I couldn’t lean over his shoulder while Matt drew and tell him that I always imagined Groundhog with chubbier cheeks - I’d drive him nuts! So we acted like every other author and illustrator have to. We let our editor be the go-between. Thankfully Matt’s work is wonderful and I couldn’t be happier with the way the books have turned out.

You also wrote and illustrated an adult interactive book, DRAW WITH A VENGEANCE: GET EVEN IN INK AND LET KARMA DO THE REST. What gave you the courage to illustrate your work? Was it as much fun to sketch out various misfortunes for the hypothetical “ex” as it was to dream up a pseudonym (Helen Wrath)?

I had so much fun writing DRAW WITH A VENGEANCE! It didn’t start out as a book idea. It came purely from my own need to vent! I sat down with a friend when I was angry and we brainstormed a list of cartoonishly-evil ways to get back at the object of my derision. I put some of these into a little flip book and gave it to some writer friends to make them laugh. One of these friends said it could become an actual book.

I wrote up a book’s-worth of doodle prompts and created a pseudonym so I wouldn’t lose my day job as a children’s librarian and came up with a pitch that landed me an agent. Gordon Warnock at Fuse Literary sold DRAW WITH A VENGEANCE to the highest bidder and told me my kooky doodles were just the style they thought fit the DIY motif. Matt helped me figure out how to do the more complicated ones but I can proudly say I drew everything in that book.

You had two books publishing at virtually the same time. That must have been the highest of highs. After the years of toiling in the writerly weeds, what were your primary emotions as you set off to the American Library Association in Boston? 

Matt and Kris signing books at ALA

It was surreal to attend ALA as an author after having been there as a librarian. It took me fifteen years (with a lot of major life events) to get published and finally I had two books, one picture book and one adult humor, that people were lining up for to get signed. Tears were shed, very happy tears.

 

As a librarian at ALA, you were reveling with your people. Did you know many of the other attendees?

I knew a few librarians who bought my picture book and stood in line to get it signed. That was a delight. Ed Spicer was there and he made me feel like a rock star, sneaking me into a big publishing house soiree.

I met my editor, Yolanda Scott, for the first time that weekend, and we had drinks and later had brunch. Kirsten Cappy and I had dinner to discuss children’s books and her wonderful non-profit organization, I’m Your Neighbor Books. And my agency, Fuse Literary, sent an agent to hang out with me during my book signing so that I’d never sit alone at the table.

Boston is where Matt grew up. Did you get some touring in with that native Bostonian? Do you remember much of the swirl of days and nights? 

The wedding family

That ALA weekend was so full of book hijinks that we didn’t explore the town much. Friday night was full of publishing events, drinks with our publisher and then with other publishers that Ed Spicer wanted us to meet. (We love Ed Spicer!) Saturday was full of book signings and attending different ALA events. I spent Saturday evening with Kirsten Cappy talking about children’s books, diversity, and welcoming new Americans. Sunday we had brunch with my editor and coffee with an agent.

You had completed your tour at ALA, but the morning you were scheduled to leave, you noticed something wasn’t right. What was happening to you?

After the whirlwind weekend, we were having coffee with an agent from my agency. I went to the ladies’ room and as I was washing my hands, I looked up and noticed that all the vision on my right side was gone. I felt a little confused and dazed and I had a hard time finding my way back to our table. 

When we said our goodbyes, the faces of the agent and the other author looked pixelated. I told Matt I was having vision issues and he made me sit down in the lobby. He talked to the maitre d’ while I marveled at the way things disappeared and appeared in my vision. An ambulance was called and I passed out on the way to the hospital. I had a stroke.

The stroke hit you hard, resulting in exhaustion and confusion. Were there times you despaired that your writer’s brain might never refocus?

Kris hugging her new book

For the first few months, even reading was difficult. I couldn’t get my eyes to track on the page, I couldn’t focus my attention enough to follow the plot after a few sentences, and I thought, how will I ever write again if I can’t even read? 

My brain did recover enough for me to read and to write again but not for the same duration as I used to. An hour of writing uses up all of my ability to focus, and that’s on a good day. Due to where the stroke hit and because of other chronic issues, I have days when even speaking is difficult. On those days, I have to rest, be patient, and trust that my abilities will return.

What did it take for you, in the years that followed, to get back some of the intellectual and physical ground you’d lost? When did you know the storyteller was alive and well inside?

My brain needed lots of rest and I’m still working on balancing medications to help all the neurons do what they’re supposed to. Meditation, yoga when I can, and going for walks when I can all have helped.

I knew the storyteller would eventually come back when I’d find myself reaching for a pen to jot down a sentence or two that sprung up unbidden. I love word play and puns, I love “what ifs”, and I love all the characters from the Groundhog world that feel very real to me.

On the day of my stroke, I’d been talking with my editor, Yolanda, about a book centered around Squirrel, and as I recovered, I’d let myself imagine on good days what his story might be. Hope returned when I could write a few sentences about why he was so grumpy.

So your new picture book (SQUIRREL NEEDS A BREAK) continues in Groundhoggy’s world, focusing on a single-parent squirrel at his wit’s end with his young brood. Do all the supporting characters in this woodland animal community have stories they whisper in your ear?

They do! The more I write about this family of friends, the more their personalities reveal themselves to me. There are six main characters and I hope each of them gets a chance to be the star of their own book.

What’s next for Kristen Remenar, the author? 

The third book in the series has gone through the copyrighting process and is now in the hands of the talented illustrator, Matt Faulkner. Owl gets to be the star of the show in this one and it’s set for a Fall 2025 publication. I’ve pitched the idea for the fourth book and it’s based on one of my best childhood experiences. I can’t wait to share it with everyone!

Wedding guests

Book Birthday Blog with Brynne Barnes

 

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

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

 

Congratulations to Brynne Barnes on the release of When I See You

 

 

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

I was thinking of writing a book like this when I was pregnant with my son.  I used to close my eyes, put my hands over my belly, and tell him stories about all of the wonderful and fantastic things we will do and the places we will see. The fantastical idea of a journey through the solar system was birthed from there. 

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

I hope they will take away the whimsy and the wonder of this big universe that we live in and know that they have a place in it that’s special and delightful and delicious. 

What inspires you to write? 

Love.  It really inspires everything I do.  From the feeling that I get when I read something I enjoy to the feeling I hope to give to my readers when I write something down — love is the answer. It always has been.  

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it? 

I’m planning on doing some educator events for teachers through Barnes and Noble. I like to introduce creative ways to use the book in the classroom and creative methods to get kids excited about writing and creativity, in general. Check out upcoming events and book signings on my website.

What's next for you?

Next up is the brother title to Black Girl Rising: Black Boy Rising, illustrated by Bryan Collier, releasing in March 2025. 

More about the book . . . 

When I See You is an imaginative picture book with enchanting verse and whimsical illustrations journeying through the “galaxy” in a pregnant mother’s belly as she prepares to welcome her child into the world.

Publisher: Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

More about the author . . .

Brynne Barnes may not have wings.  But her pen does.  Or at least, she likes to think so. Since she was a kid, writing (and reading) has always made her feel like she can fly.  And she likes to remind young readers and writers that they too can fly in her classroom presentations all over the country -- and the world. When I See You is her fourth book. She is also the author of the 2022 African American Literary Award winner, Black Girl Rising, for Best Picture Book; Books Do Not Have Wings, a 2016 ABC Best Books for Young Readers; and Colors of Me, a 2012 Gelett Burgess Award Winner for First Published Book, a 2012 Friends of American Writers Award Winner for Juvenile Literature, and an Award-Winning Finalist in the Hardcover Fiction Category of The USA "Best Books 2011" Awards, sponsored by USA Book News. She is an English Professor at Schoolcraft College and a proud Michigander. Connect with Brynne online: 

Website (brynnebarnes.com)

Facebook (Brynne Barnes)

Twitter (@BrynneBarnes)

Instagram (BrynneBarnes)

 

 

 

Book Birthday Blog with Kelsey E. Gross

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

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

 

Congratulations to Kelsey E. Gross on the release of Summer: A Solstice Story

 

 

Your debut book released in October 2023. What are the challenges with having two books released within a few months?

It’s working out surprisingly well – the excitement and energy has continued from one book to the next. I learned a lot from my first round of events for Winter: A Solstice Story and feel more confident and prepared for this launch. I’m also being more strategic this time by focusing on marketing/promotion tasks that I enjoy most, like library storytimes. That said, I’ll be ready for a breather in fall with more time for writing! 

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

This book represents my wish for all young people. I hope they go into the world knowing they are loved and have their own special light to share. I also hope the book encourages readers to use their imagination and to connect with the wonders of nature in summertime. 

What inspires you to write? 

Picture books are so powerful. They help children explore new ideas, use their imagination, and open their hearts. Picture books also foster a special connection between a child and caregiver as they read together, which is so important for child development. I love the idea of having a small part in these amazing moments!

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it?

I’m doing some blogs and social media promotion, but I’m most excited about the events at libraries, bookstores, and nature centers, which will include storytime, a sing-along, and crafts to celebrate the summer season.
 
All events are on my website at kelseyegross.com. You can find Summer: A Solstice Story at your local independent bookstore or bookshop.org. It’s also available through Barnes & Noble, Target, and Amazon.

What's next for you?

I have a third picture book under contract and hope to share information soon. In the meantime, I’m working on more picture book manuscripts and experimenting with middle grade, board books, and poetry. You never know where a new creative path will take you!

More about the book . . .

It’s early morning, and the forest seems silent, but life is all around. As the sun shines through the pines, one by one the animals wake. Owl, Squirrel, Raccoon, Bear, Sparrow, Rabbit, Woodpecker and Deer gather to celebrate summer and offer loving wishes as they send their young into the world. Summertime is here for all to share!

Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster

More about the author . . .

Kelsey E. Gross grew up in Wisconsin and lived in New Mexico and California before returning to the Midwest. She now lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with her family. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking or skiing in the woods. She is the author of Winter: A Solstice Story, also illustrated by Renata Liwska. Find her online at kelseyegross.com.

Instagram and X: @kelseyegross

 

 

 

Hugs and Hurrahs

I hope flowers are blooming, gentle breezes are blowing, and the sun is shining wherever you are in Michigan today. No matter what, we have the pleasure of celebrating another group of incredible Michigan authors. Welcome to this quarter's edition of Hugs and Hurrahs!

The children's picture book How Happy Is a Lark? won its first honors from Story Monsters' Royal Dragonfly Awards. Written by Gail Kuhnlein and illustrated by Jenny Kalejs, the book won Second Place for New Author - Fiction and Honorable Mentions for Best Cover Design, Best Illustrations and Picture Book (5 and under). Read more at authorgailkuhnlein.com 

How wonderful, Gail!

April Berry is excited to announce she's signed an offer of representation with Literary Agent Katie Monson of SBR Media. She says, "I can't wait to see my picture books find their way into publishers' hands and then on to bookstore shelves!"

Congratulations, April!

Joseph Kimble's  new Mr. Mouthful book, Mr. Mouthful and the Monkeynappers, has gotten nice reviews from several publishers: 

—Kirkus: A "comical sequel" and "fun read-aloud."

—Booklife (Publishers Weekly): A "rollicking romp of adventure, excitement, and, above all, the pleasure of learning unusual words. Young readers will revel in Kimble's evocative language."

—Foreword Clarion: "Bountiful physical comedy and jaunty wordplay." (Four stars)

Way to go, Joseph!

Cheryl A. Johnson recently signed with Mara Cobb of Martin Literary Management. 

We're so excited for you, Cheryl!

Congratulations again to everyone! Please send your good news to Alison Hodgson aewhodgson@gmail.com for the next Hugs and Hurrahs!

Book Birthday Blog with Maura Dalian

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

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

 

Congratulations to Maura Dalian on the release of The Wizard Woke Up Late

 

 

This is your second book in collaboration with your daughter. Please describe your creative process working together.

It is an absolute privilege and joy to work with my daughter. This book added an extra challenge to her busy life because she works a full-time job, is renovating her home, and is getting married in June. Our process with this book is a collaborative one. I send her the story; she reads through it and makes thumbnail sketches. Sometimes we’ll rework the storyline so illustrations can better compliment the story. I let her run with her ideas, then she sends me sketches and is open to comments and feedback. It is such a great collaboration, rooted in love and respect. She is so talented, and I am so lucky to have her illustrate my stories. 

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

I wrote this story in my twenties and have rewritten it at least ten times since. The concept originated from my father, an engineer and a habitual overthinker. I vividly recall his struggle to choose the right gutters for our house. He delved into calculations: how much rain annually, what's the roof's surface area? This prolonged the gutter selection process, and in the meantime, our current gutters clogged and overflowed. His indecision always has made me laugh and wonder why he didn’t just ask the neighbors for some recommendations. 

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

I aim for readers to realize they're not alone in struggling with decisions. It's challenging to choose even as children—deciding on treats or what socks to wear. As we age, decisions become more complex, with greater consequences. I hope my readers feel empowered to explore the myriad colors and ideas inherent in decision-making. Consider choices from various perspectives and practice patience. We can't ignore the good or scary aspects to decide; every decision comes with its pros and cons.

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it? 

The book will be available globally through Ingram Spark, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and dillydalian.com. We also will be at local book events around Ann Arbor, Michigan area.

What's next for you?

I adapted The Wizard Woke Up Late into a play for my fourth-grade students, which has 47 parts, so everyone is involved. The play is turning out wonderfully, and seeing the kids' talent brings me joy. It's scheduled to be performed in mid-May 2024. Although I have six books in my copyright stash, I'm currently experiencing writer's block with a story that's been in my head for years. I feel it's time to bring this story to life next.

More about the book . . .

Princess Kate has never seen color. She has never experienced a sunny day. She solves crossword puzzles, plays with her pet skunk, and learns to play piano. Discover why the Kingdom of Fogwinkle has only foggy days in this enchanting tale.

Publisher: Ingram Spark

More about the author . . .

Maura Dalian is a fourth-grade teacher with 42 years of experience at the same school where she grew up, just across the street. Each year, her fourth graders perform a play, often based on stories she has written and published. When she’s not teaching and writing stories, she loves tending to her flowers, playing with her dogs, Phoebe and Sophie, and cooking with and for her family. 

 

 

Book Birthday Blog with Mary Morgan

 

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

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

 

Congratulations to Mary Morgan on the release of Escape on the Lewis and Clark Trail

 

You've visited over 61 national parks and written a series of books. Which national park inspired your book?

This is book number ten. For Escape on the Lewis and Clark Trail, I relied on my trip to Oregon and Washington in the summer of 2021. Covid restrictions were letting up, so we flew to Boise, ID, where we met up with friends and traveled by car to the west coast. En route we rode a steam-wheeler paddleboat up the Columbia River which runs between the two states. Lewis and Clark navigated the river in 1805 – but they did it in hollowed-out canoes which they made with the help of Indians. We went to Fort Clatsop in Astoria, Oregon, which is close to where the Columbia runs into the Pacific Ocean. We spent hours listening to re-enactors tell how President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Lewis and Clark in 1804 to find a waterway which went all the way to the west coast. They traversed many rivers, carried their boats over the Rocky Mountains, finally reaching the Pacific Ocean eighteen months later in November of 1805. The men built the fort in nineteen days and wintered there for three months. All but twelve days, they were rained on. The Lewis and Clark Trail begins in Pittsburgh, PA, and runs for 4,900 miles. The Team of Explorers had to learn survival skills as they faced animals they had never seen, Indians who didn’t speak English, foraging for food, and performing first aid. I was impressed with the significant role Sacajawea played getting them safely to the west coast and then back east again. We walked to the river landing where the explorers went ashore and dealt with the Clatsop Indians. We went to the beach where they saw a 120’ beached whale and learned to make salt from the ocean water. All this sparked my interest in teaching young readers how they could develop survival skills at a Wilderness Camp.

At the time, I did not know the Fort was going to be the setting of a book, but I took many pictures, picked up brochures, maps, and the Junior Ranger book which I always incorporate in my books.

 

Early last year, I remembered that Lewis and Clark set sail in May of 1804. I made it my goal to have a book ready to read this May, commemorating that 220 year mark.  With the help of our Buttonwood team, it happened.

What are the unique challenges of writing a series?

When I started writing, I had no idea how extensive it would be. In 2011 when Stolen Treasures at Pictured Rocks came out, my publisher ordered 1,000 copies since he got a good deal for that quantity. I stared in disbelief when he delivered them, saying I could keep them at my house, and when half of them were sold, we would publish book two. Well, nine months later, they were gone and another 1,000 were ordered. I finished The Face at Mount Rushmore and 1000 more were added to the others in my basement.
 
A challenge is finding new readers as my book fans grow out of the 7-11 age group. Interestingly, each year I have older teens find me at craft shows to get the new book. Another challenge is that the content of a book might not be as popular as others. Each book has a different theme, like the triathlon families can do in the 3 sections of Everglades, a family reunion at Phantom Ranch down at the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, the discovery of sharks at Mammoth Cave, and a winter rescue at Yellowstone where they can get up to 50 feet of snow. Coming up with new ideas take a while, but eventually an inspiration hits me.  When I interview rangers, I ask for their park’s worst crime, and then determine how my characters can become the heroes in helping to solve the mystery.
 
Another challenge is finding new character types. Having six siblings, I use personality traits that I remember of our growing up years and use them in my characters. Just like the plots, each character is different.

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

Back in 2011, I had a Lansing elementary principal read the Stolen Treasures at Pictured Rocks manuscript for age appropriateness. She told me it has all the history and geography that Michigan students learn in third to fifth grade, and every Michigan student should read my book. Her words have never left me. I do a lot of research about each park and weave history, geography, and science into the plots, so kids learn as they read. I have an F.Y.I (for your information) section in the back with important facts, people, places, camping recipes, etc. for added value.
 
I also want families to develop a passion to travel to these parks and explore them too. It is working because I am now getting postcards, emails, and actual letters from kids who tell they use my books as a travel guide as they search for the landmarks, and then live out the adventure like the kids in the book do. It doesn’t get better than this!

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it?

**My publisher took our books to craft shows, festivals, wherever he could get a booth, in order to get the books into the hands of people. I have continued doing that as I have time. 

**Being a member of SCBWI, I take advantage of the opportunities to join in with other authors and exhibit at events that are offered. I met Renee Bolla at one such event in Novi last December, and now I am part of her after school literacy program where students learn about reading and writing and buy our books. 

**Because March is Reading Month in Michigan, I go into schools as a Michigan author. I send a digital order form to the librarian two weeks before I do a presentation. They send me a list of books and names two days prior to me going to the school, so I can autograph and personalize them to take with me. That has been very successful.

**I do other school events like sponsoring a lollipop tree at an Ice Cream Social and sell my books at the same time. 

**Homeschool families love my books because they travel to national parks on extended vacations and use my books as a study guide. I now speak and sell at four of their big conferences each year, extolling the educational benefits of visiting national parks. 

**I contact bookstores near the parks I have written about, and some are now selling those located near them. My Gettysburg book is sold at the Heritage Center in Gettysburg, and they called asking me to do a book-signing over Memorial Day weekend. 

**I use real kids in my books and put their pictures in the back section, so now I have kids from around the country sending me their fifth-grade pictures. My former artist has some family health issues which need attention, so I am reaching out to new artists to give them an opportunity to get their artwork in a book. Students have asked if they can submit artwork, so I let them draw pictures for the FYI section. All of these new families buy a lot of books because their kids and artwork are in them.

**I feel I have a great website when people Google national park books for kids. We are set up with PayPal and I am learning about Venmo. It is a challenge to stay on top of new technology, but our sales are over 35,000 books, so we are happy with how it has all come together. 

**I can be reached at:

 https://www.nationalparkmysteries.com/

nationalparkmysteries@gmail.com 
Facebook - Mary Morgan National Park Mysteries

What's next for you?

This is a hard one to answer. When we set up our table, it is full, but I always have a story in my head. I wrote Tugboat To The Rescue, because little ones wanted another book too. It is in the production stage, using another artist who dreamed of having his artwork in a book.
 
As far as another national park book goes, I think one set at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon might be an introduction to a breath-taking place many people don’t know about, except seeing it on a calendar. The 1900 feet deep, ice-cold lake was formed after a volcano eruption. They stocked it with fish, so I thought a plot centered around a fishing competition between girls and boys would be fun. It might be called Hook, Line, and Sink Her.
 

We just experienced the awesome total eclipse last Monday, while traveling through Indiana. Who knows, that might make it into a book too.
 
For now, I am focused on getting this new book launched. At the places we have been so far, it is proving to be another winner. Kids will learn history of early explorers and hopefully make the trip to Astoria to explore the fort and park for themselves.

 
Having so many siblings, I use personality traits that I remember into my characters. I use them as main characters in my newest books since I have seen them in action as Junior Rangers.

 

More about the book . . .

Escape on the Lewis and Clark Trail takes young readers to Fort Clatsop in Astoria, OR, located just miles from the Pacific Ocean where the team of explorers wintered in 1805. Ben and Bekka Cooper, along with sixteen other brave campers, attend Wilderness Camp to learn to survive like Lewis and Clark and Sacajawea. Putting their resourceful skills to the test, camp becomes the ultimate contest to survive in water, foraging for food, and escaping from the wilderness - alive. 

Publisher: Buttonwood Books

About Buttonwood Books: I haven’t always been a book writer. I am a secretary by profession but had a passion to write books for children someday. When my children were grown and I had some free time, I devoted my evenings to writing the book of my dreams. I joined a writers’ group in Grand Ledge, MI, that invited local authors to share their experiences with hopes that we would be inspired by them. My friend was the bookkeeper for Richard Baldwin, a local murder mystery writer from Haslett. My husband and I enjoyed reading his books before we met him, so I asked my friend if he would come and talk about mystery plots and developing characters that would run through the series. He agreed to speak in November of 2010, and I couldn’t help but ask questions during his presentation. Afterward, he asked me what I really wanted to do, and I told him I wanted to write mystery books for kids set in national parks. He liked my idea and told me he would publish my work – even without reading anything I had written. Less than two months later, I finished Stolen Treasures at Pictured Rocks. He liked it and kept his word. For eight years, Buttonwood Press published one book a year, and our readership grew. We had seven National Park Mystery Books for Middle Grade students and The Runaway Lawnmower for children 3 – 5 years old, printed in English and Spanish, both being award winners. Sadly, Mr. Baldwin developed cancer and passed away in December of 2019. Three months later, Covid-19 hit and our publishing flat-lined. An agent pursued me and connected me with a publisher in Mississippi, but I needed my books to be warehoused here in Michigan, not down south. My husband and I decided we would form our own company, use Richard’s editor, artist, and printing company to keep continuity. We tweaked the name to Buttonwood Books, and it has proven to be successful.

More about the author . . .

I grew up in a family of nine in Upstate New York. We took summer vacations to places we had never been, and I looked forward to going on them. I believe that sparked my wanderlust for travel. I have been to all fifty states and sixty-one national parks, rarely returning to the same location, except Hawaii which calls my name. When our two children were young, my husband and I traveled with them to spectacular and historic locations, introducing them to what is out there in our great country, as well as instilling in them the desire to travel.

 

 

Now that we have two grandchildren, taking them on mystery trips to national parks is the perfect vacation. When we were riding bikes through Cuyahoga Valley National Park near Akron, OH, a couple years ago, they stopped a ranger and told her I would want to interview her to be in a book someday. She took it in stride and answered all my questions about the park. No ranger is safe when I’m lurking about looking for a new spot and juicy plot.