Book Giveaway: WAY PAST MAD by Hallee Adelman

Author Hallee Adelman’s picture book, WAY PAST MAD, launches March 1^st! Illustrated by Sandra de la Prada. Hallee has agreed to share a giveaway for one lucky winner: a signed copy of the book with some special swag. All you have to do to get in the running is leave a comment. If you Re-blog, Tweet, Post on Instagram, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and the hashtag #waypastmad, you will get additional chances to win.  Just let me know the other things you do to share the good news, so I can put in the right amount of tickets in my basket for you.

Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reblogging really helps spread the word for a new book. Thanks for helping to support children’s books and kind authors like Hallee!

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Keya is way past mad. Her little brother Nate messed up everything, even breakfast and now Keya is way past mad. She heads to school kicking rocks and sticks. When her best friend Hooper tries to help, Keya spreads her mad like a rash and shouts, “I don’t even like you.” It’s not true, but Hooper storms off, kicking rocks and sticks too. Keya gave him her mad! Now it’s up to Keya to find a different way past mad and to make things right. Will Hooper ever forgive Keya? And will Keya find a good way to get past mad? A relatable story that speaks to kids’ emerging emotional intelligence skills.

Way Past Mad is written for all children who have gotten mad and needed to find their way past it. 

BOOK’S JOURNEY:

Two trusted professionals read my Way Past Mad manuscript. One said, “This manuscript is really special.” The other said, “This manuscript isn’t even worth revising.” So when my beyond-amazing (My Quiet Ship) editor at Albert Whitman, Wendy McClure, asked if I had any manuscripts that dealt with emotions, I had to make a decision about Way Past Mad: to send or not to send?

Earlier in my career, I most likely wouldn’t have sent it in. Even with one piece of negative feedback, my mind would have filled with questions like: Is my writing terrible? Should I even pursue children’s book writing?  Am I a fraud?

I thought carefully. I loved Keya’s sassiness and Hooper’s big heart. I already had ideas about post-book activities and conversations. And I knew that plenty of kids and adults take their mad out on others. There was still that small voice asking, “Is it good enough?”

But the difference between the beginning of my career and now is that I’m clear about my own taste. I won’t always be right about a manuscript, and I realize that despite the zillion courses, craft books, workshops, critiques and conferences I’ve learned from, I don’t know everything. But as an author, an educator, and a mom who fiercely cares about our future leaders (aka today’s children), I’m willing to take a chance on a manuscript that could positively impact kids, classrooms, and families.

SPOILER ALERT: I sent Way Past Mad to Wendy. I also promised to circle back in a few months with other emotion-related manuscripts. When I hadn’t heard anything back about the manuscript, I assumed it wasn’t for her. Still, like I had promised, I reached back out with the other manuscripts.

I’ll never forget Wendy’s warm reply, which started, “I’m so happy to receive these…” To my surprise, Wendy later explained that they were not only interested in Way Past Mad, but also wanted to option one of the other books I’d sent. Thankfully, super agent at BookEnds Literary, Moe Ferrara, made the process seamless.

And now? I cannot wait to share Way Past Mad with children! I’m excited that kids can explore ways of getting past mad and making things right with close friends.

The bottom line is that kids will read zero percent of the manuscripts that we don’t take a chance on. The takeaway for me is: 1) learn and practice craft, 2) consider feedback, 3) know the reasons you are writing for children, 4) trust your gut, 5) be professional if a manuscript needs more work, 6) stay thick-skinned if a manuscript doesn’t match someone else’s tastes. Most of all, PRESS SEND!!  After all, the email you get back might be way past exciting!!

“If you accept the expectations of others, especially the negative ones, then you will never change the outcome.” Michael Jordan

HALLEE’S BIO:

Hallee writes small books about big feelings. With a PhD in education she has taught elementary through university students. When not writing for children, Hallee works with documentary filmmakers and serves organizations that benefit children, teens, and families. With every project, Hallee strives to spread love, build compassion, and spark conversations. She lives near Philadelphia, PA with her husband, daughters, and dogs. Visit her online at www.halleeadelman.com and www.waypastbooks.com.

SANDRA DE LA PRADA’S BIO:

Sandra is an illustrator who lives in Barcelona with her family. She loves her job: sitting in the morning at her table, with a freshly brewed tea and the company of her two cats, Chicho and Rudo, and starts drawing. From time to time she takes a break, and escapes to nature, go to the movies, eat around and above all, plays (and paint) with her son.

She graduated in Fine Arts from the University of Barcelona and took several courses related to design and illustration at the Escola Massana, the Escola de la Dona (both in Barcelona) and the Fabbrica delle Favole (Macerata, Italy).

Her illustrations can be found in children and youth books, although she also has designed various posters. Among her clients are the national publishers Estrella Polar , Timun Mas , Santillana , Cruïlla , Ediciones SM , Barcanova , Editorial Planeta , Edicions Salòria , OQO Editor , Paint-Paint Editorial , El Terrat de Produccions ; the international publishers Éditions Milan (France) and Samsung Publishing Co. (South Korea); Barçakids and Puça magazines ; Londji toys; the Escletxa , Bräva Büro and Tucan studies; The Story of Berlin museum, the associations Fassulo and 9Barris Acull and the theater companies Impro Barcelona , Planeta Impro and Trotam Teatre .

For more about Sandra, the illustrator of Way Past Mad, visit: https://www.sandradelaprada.com/

Hallee, thank you for sharing your new book and its’ journey with us. Children do get mad, so reading Keya’s story should help provide a new way of dealing with those “Way Past Mad” emotions and that is important. Good Luck with the book.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy