This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by
Goddess Fish Promotions. Raven Howell will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
What books were your favorite as a youth and why?
A big incentive for writing my new children’s book, WORD UP! was because of my favorite Richard Scarry books as a preschooler. I’ve always considered his illustrations endearing, and it was particularly Richard Scarry’s THE BEST WORD BOOK EVER I returned to read over and over again.
Most Richard Scarry books are concise on words and whimsical in illustration, a combination that appeals to me to this day. Not only did those books teach me words, but the sound of language.
Although more sophisticated in text and artwork than most of Scarry’s work, my hope is WORD UP! contributes the joyful expression of words- some common, some uncommon, some silly, some serious – but all in a way to entice children to think about what they say, to embrace the sound, the meaning, and energy and “music” of each spoken syllable.
What candy do you give out at Halloween?
You know what I do a couple of weeks before Halloween every year? I look up the most popular candies that kids enjoy in the most recent polls. Is that a weird thing to do? I don’t know. Maybe. But I’ve had so much fun celebrating Halloween for many, many years now, and my thinking is: why not offer kids what they most likely will happily want to munch on? Last year it was Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and M&M’s, Kit Kat and Snickers.
Leftover candy? I (and my family members) eat little of the leftovers because I put most of them, crushed, into cookie bar recipes I like to bake. I highly recommend this dessert alternative for left over Halloween stash!
I’ve also given my children’s books for underserved communities for Halloween in lieu of candy. As a contributing author for Reading is Fundamental, I work with the organization to make sure we get reading material into as many young hands as possible.
What book is on your nightstand currently?
As a kid lit journalist, I usually have several children’s books on my nightstand. I always enjoy receiving a new batch of books from publishers for my consideration to feature in my column, The Book Bug (Story Monsters Ink magazine). The children’s literary community is truly blessed with many talented authors and illustrators, and I’m inspired just about every day.
At the moment, I have 3 books out: Wild About Capybaras! by Kevin McCloskey, A Bear, A Man, and a Donut Van by the hilarious team of Daniel Bernstrom and Brandon James Scott, and hope to dig into Little Press’ Good Luck, Puck by Donna Marx.
Favorite TV show from your childhood?
A TV show I loved watching while I was growing up was Charlie’s Angels. That was one of the first TV series portraying women in a more modern way, taking them out of the kitchen and onto the work force in a commanding format. There was something about the three women working together, forming a powerhouse of wisdom, athletic agility, and beauty - Goddess characteristics!
For the tom-girl in me, the show offered some vindication to express my tree climbing skills as being perfectly cool, and to embrace my natural ease with the ability to go readily from ripped jeans to a sundress in one afternoon’s time. If the girls in Charlie’s Angels could solve mysteries, jump huge gates and outmaneuver masterminds and still get dressed up for a cocktail party – then we all could! Ha! I also found my writing reflected that confidence, both within myself, as well as in the female characters I’d write about.
Favorite hot beverage. Why?
In the morning I enjoy a cup of coffee and later in the afternoon, a cup of hot tea. I’ve been a tea drinker all my life, probably because growing up, my parents always had tea in the cupboards. There were peppermint teas for colds, chamomile teas for calming down and various herbal loose leaves for ailments. I still keep a stocked tea cabinet, but I discovered green teas several decades ago and rarely deviate from some type of green tea, jasmine green being a favorite.
For me, teas definitely stoke my imagination and bring to mind elves, sprites, and nature elementals. When I’m drinking Milk Thistle tea, I can picture a Thistle fairy in the meadow, or a brown bunny, Orange Clove, in the brush. Earl Grey? Probably a gnome in a gray top hat, sitting on a mushroom.
I can’t help but bring up the names of coffee flavors I drink, too. I love words and always stop to read the names of the different types. These names, these words usually evoke feelings, sensations, and conjure visions. Stop for a moment and think about words such as Blueberry Cake, Mustachio flavor, Birthday Swirl, Bananas Foster, or Happy Camper. What do they resonate for you?
Maybe my book title, Word Up! would work as a coffee flavor name? Word Up! – perhaps a spunky morning greeting.
Words are the windows through which children view the world. Familiar, uncommon, short and sweet, long and quirky; words make all the difference.
In Word Up, discover how a word packs a punch and possesses the power to heal, hurt, help, and humble. Watch children learn how to choose words wisely, and to recognize that sometimes, the simplicity of kindness itself is expressed in gentle silence.
Read an Excerpt
Words are mighty!
Words are strong!
We write them,
Speak them,
Sing our song.
I hope you learn new words today,
And think about the ones you say.
About the Author:
Raven Howell is the author of over 25 picture books for children. She’s a writer for several children’s magazines. Raven contributes The Book Bug column for Story Monsters Ink magazine, is the Arts & Crafts Director of Kids Corner, and Publishing & Creative Director with Red Clover Reader. She is a contributing author for Reading is Fundamental SoCal and I Am a Promise Books, and a story book writer for world-wide educational programs.
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