Book Giveaway: WAY PAST WORRIED by Hallee Adelman

Author Hallee Adelman’s next picture book, Way Past Worried, launches OCTOBER 1^st! She has agreed to share a giveaway for one lucky winner: a signed copy of the book with superhero 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 #waypastworried, you will get additional chances to win.  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 and writing a review on Goodreads or Amazon, really helps spread the word for a new book. Thanks for helping to support children’s books and kind authors like Hallee!

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Brock is worried. Way past worried, with his heart thumping and his mind racing. Today is his friend’s superhero party but Brock’s usual sidekick can’t go with him! Oh no! What if nobody plays with Brock? What if everyone laughs at him? Brock doesn’t feel like a superhero, but… what if he can save the day and find a way past worried? This sweet, engaging story speaks to kids’ social & emotional learning and helps them learn to manage worry.

BOOK’S JOURNEY:

After working on Way Past Mad with super editor Wendy McClure at Albert Whitman, I talked to my writing group about visions for other “Way Past” stories. Before I had the chance to share them with Moe Ferrara, agent extraordinaire, she called to say that Wendy was interested in publishing another “Way Past” book together!!

Wendy shared titles that Albert Whitman considered, and I shared some back. Ultimately, we chose Way Past Worried. It seemed perfect. The title reflected my feelings of worry: Could I work to the upcoming deadline? Could I write this book? Could it be as useful as Way Past Mad? I thought back to one NJSCBWI conference (organized by Kathy Temean herself) and channeled Dan Yaccarino’s keynote message: “Just say yes.”

So I said, “Yes,” with a puffed chest and a covert happy dance. I wrote several Way Past Worried manuscripts. My main characters faced different worry-filled scenarios: heading into a new classroom, going to recess, taking a test, attending a party. I shared them with Wendy. Ultimately, we landed on the manuscript where the main character, Brock, was going to a superhero party without his usual sidekick.

As usual, Wendy’s keen editing made this book what it is today. Together, we killed a cat (not literally, but there once was a cat at the party), highlighted Brock’s swirling thoughts, and got him out of hiding a few pages earlier.  Since kids and adults often experience worry in different ways, Wendy shared the book with the AW team to make sure Brock’s emotions felt relatable to many people.

The story blossomed with the sharp eyes of the design team and of course, Sandra de la Prada’s illustrations! I look at the book’s layout and visuals and can’t help but smile!  The pages are filled with love, heart, and ultimately, superhero-like bravery!

With all of the books I write, I want kids to feel cared about, understood, and a little more empowered. I try to do this by creating honest portraits. When Brock acts brave in Way Past Worried, it does not mean that his worry is completely gone.

I can relate. Serving as a #PBChat mentor (thanks to the incredible Justin Colón), I know that fellow writers can relate. I had worried if Wendy and Albert Whitman would want to work with me again after our first book, My Quiet Ship. I had worried if I should show Way Past Mad to anyone beyond my writing group. I had worried if I could write Way Past Worried. Now, I’m trying to worry a little bit less and say yes a whole lot louder. I hope you’ll join me!!

Way Past Worried launches this October 1^st as part of the Great Big Feelings Series. Two more titles, Way Past Sad and Way Past Jealous, launch March 2021.

Author’s extra note:

I’m so honored to be sharing on Kathy’s blog. Her work as former Regional Advisor of the NJSCBWI, allowed me and other writers life-changing experiences.  I couldn’t think of a more perfect place or person to blog-launch my book with. I admire her heart and work for others.  LOVE YOU, KATHY!!

HALLEE BIO’S:

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 on documentary films 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. Insta: @waypastbooks Twitter: @halleeadelman

For more about Hallee and her work visit www.halleeadelman.com

For activities, videos and more visit: www.waypastbooks.com

For more amazing Albert Whitman titles, include Wendy McClure’s and Karen Kronreif’s, It’s a Pumpkin, visit www.albertwhitman.com

SANDRA’S BIO:

I was born in Barcelona and, like everyone else, I loved to draw when I was little. But something made me think that working drawing was an impossible dream and I graduated in Fine Arts, specializing in photography and video. Then I studied some design and worked something as a designer. Until I realized that no, that mine was something else. I studied illustration at the Escola Massana and the Escola de la Dona and, since 2010, my dream became less impossible.

The Asturian publishing house Pintar-Pintar commissioned me to illustrate a book and since then I have not stopped working, mainly in the children’s and youth publishing field, with national and international clients.

Thank you Hallee for sharing your book and journey with us. It’s a great addition to your picture book series of great big feelings. Everyone worries, so I hope this is a big step towards helping young children cope with that feeling and maybe put them on the road to worrying less later in life. I love how Sandra’s illustrations depict the little gestures that ring so true. She did a great job bringing your story to life. Good Luck with the book!

PS: I love you, too, Hallee!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy