Book Launch Month and then the Next Month Sneaked In There
Eel Report Newsletter, bebes! This was supposed to go out in February, but February is so short that this newsletter sneaked it’s way right into March. Wild how that happens sometimes.
Eel Ted Ed (this is very fun to say aloud)
We’ve now reached the part of programming where I am the tired substitute and rather than discuss eels, I’m just going to show you a video. Classic substitute move. I feel like some of the facts I’ve shared about eels in the past are also in this video— but this has animation and a great narrative voice. So there you go, watch this video kids, your teacher and regular eel programming will continue next month.
This Book and Writing Thing
Crocodile Hungry is out in the world! It’s on bookshelves! It’s been so fun seeing photos of kids with their copies and indie bookstores all across the United States with Crocodile Hungry on their shelves. What a gift! Thank you all for your support. Every photo I’ve been sent of a kid with their copy of Crocodile Hungry has been like a little magical zing through my phone. So grateful.
I had a virtual event to kick book events off with my friends, authors Jonathan Hillman and Lisa Riddiough in a triple book launch hosted by Red Balloon Bookshop. It was so fun to chat picture books and celebrate Jonathan and Lisa’s books, Big Wig, and, Letter’s to Live By, along with Crocodile Hungry.
One of the questions that Aimee Lucido, our moderator, for the Red Balloon book launch asked was why we write for kids. And I’ve been thinking about that question since.
Kids are the best readers. They’re smart, generous, and adventurous readers, and young kids feel things so immediately— as readers they’re willing to explore emotions and willingly go places where maybe adult readers might be more hesitant or skeptical. Kids will go there. They want to talk about big emotions and explore all the things that adults have learned to sweep away.
Writing for kids can also be permission to play. To try and find that childlike wonder in the ordinary world, to try and see the world in a way where everything is new and filled with possibilities— whether imaginary and real.
I know lots of children’s lit authors write for the kid they were, a book that they would’ve loved or needed, and I feel that. But for picture books, I feel like I’m doing my best writing when I am playing, where in my very first drafts, the story meanders in unexpected ways because all the possibilities are available to me— whether real or imagined and I’ve rediscovered some kind of kid logic that my brain still knows to be true.
I feel like when I write for kids, I am putting my best version of myself out there— uninhibited, willing to play and find the magic in everyday, and not afraid to feel all the things. What a dream come true.
Reading Life
Reading this past month while being so busy has been a challenge, but last month when I read, The Genius Under the Table, it kicked off a whole subject to explore— so I’ve been reading some Cold War and Eastern European books this February. And of course, some picture books to balance it all out.
Steve Sheinkin is brilliant, and he writes incredible non-fiction for kids (and it’s really great for adults too, btw). Fallout, about the Cold War is another well-researched and tightly plotted book by Sheinkin. Chance by Uri Shulevitz feels prescient as young Uri documents his and his family’s journey as refugees across the USSR and Eastern Europe during WWII as they fled to escape the Holocaust. I’ve been working my way through Maria Reva’s short story collection, Good Citizens Need Not Fear, which spans the years leading up to and immediately following the fall of the Soviet Union. Darkly funny. Again, there are so many connections and moments where I feel like these books are in conversation with each other— moments that The Genius Under the Table shares with Good Citizens are really something else. I’ve slowly been reading Black Square, which is more like a travel-memoir of Ukraine and Russia, or a travel-memoir while working with the Red Cross and AIDS awareness and healthcare. Mina and Bathe the Cat are both delightful in totally different ways, from the dark humor and suspense in Mina to the fun and absurdity of Bathe the Cat. I love them both.
Crocodile News
It’s been a bit of a whirlwind with a book release, virtual book launch, some school visits along with all the everyday parts of life. I’m so grateful for all the support from family and friends. I get news from Evan, my wonderful publicist at Tundra Books, keeping tabs on what’s happening with Crocodile.
“With its tongue-in-cheek humour (canned ham called “Oink”, for instance), short action statements, and bright illustrations, this hilarious book is sure to appeal to young children of all ages. [. . . ] Crocodile Hungry is a quick but satisfying read with a conclusion that most Canadians will appreciate.” Highly Recommended.
– Roxy Garstad, CM: Canadian Review of Materials
The line, “a conclusion that most Canadians will appreciate,” feels extremely Canadian to me??? I don’t know but I love this review. And Canada. I dream about butter tarts and crokinole boards.
Crocodile Hungry was on Canada’s CTV Your Morning Show. I was geo-blocked from watching the link, but my wonderful writer buddy Lisa from Manitoba sent me video footage! Here’s the blog post from Vicki VanSickle, Tundra’s Marketing and Publicity Director, who recommended Crocodile on CTV.
I want to quote the whole book review from School Library Journal, because I thought was so nice. But I’ll keep it short.
“This deceptively simple book will delight readers of all ages. It succeeds so well because the author creates a character and story line that run counter to all expectations. [. . . ] Giggles guaranteed in this hilarious easy reader; a nice piece of overturned expectations, sure to delight.”
– Sally James, School Library Journal
Last month, I said Crocodile Hungry was going to be in Australia later this year. And I was sort of right and sort of wrong. Publishing and rights contracts are confusing sometimes. Crocodile Hungry is going to be published in Australia and New Zealand, but I’m not sure on the date yet— definitely far enough out to plan a trip! *eyeball emoji*
I love that I am writing a correction in my own newsletter. Every newsletter is a correction, beloved. Let’s get existential about this eel report newsletter on a rainy Thursday morning.
Events!
I’ll be reading Crocodile Hungry and signing books at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, March 5th at 11:00am. The Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre is Moscow’s premier historic, downtown, community performing arts venue. BookPeople of Moscow is hosting, my friend and bookseller, Liela, will be there selling copies of Crocodile Hungry. My friend and fellow kid lit author, Annette Pimentel, will be there to introduce me— her wonderful non-fiction picture books are at BookPeople.
If you want to pick up a copy of Crocodile Hungry, I’ll personalize copies from BookPeople of Moscow, but I like to recommend picking it up from you local indie bookstore if you have one near you. Indies are the best. Make friends with your booksellers, ask them where the good books are and the weird ones, too. Or if you are a library user, I’d appreciate asking your local library to purchase a copy.
Big hugs, quiet walks, letters to your reps, and news breaks when you need them during these wild time. Thank you for reading this newsletter. Cheers to you and yours.
– Eija Sumner