Book Giveaway: CLARINET & TRUMPET by Melanie Ellsworth

Melanie Ellsworth has written a new picture book, CLARINET & TRMUPET illustrated by John Herzog and published by HMH Books for Young Readers. It is available in bookstores March 30th and available for pre-order on Amazon now. Melanie has agreed to share a copy with one lucky winner living in the United States.

All you have to do to get in the running is leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know other things you do to share the good news, so I can put the right amount of tickets in my basket for you.

Sharing on Facebook, Twitter or reblogging really helps spread the word for a new book. So, thanks for helping Melanie and John.

If you have signed up to follow my blog and it is delivered to you everyday, please let me know when you leave a comment and I will give you an extra ticket. Thanks!

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

A charming and funny picture book featuring the harmonious friendship between Clarinet and Trumpet. But what happens when their friendship falls flat? Featuring a music-making shaker built into the book! Perfect for fans of Stick & Stone and Spoon.

“Trumpet, you’re a blast!”
“Clarinet, you’re sharp!”

Clarinet and Trumpet are friends from the very first note. But their friendship falls flat when a new woodwind – Oboe – sets the tone in the music room. Trumpet tries everything to get Clarinet’s attention again, but Clarinet doesn’t change her tune. The story crescendos until the woodwinds face off against the brass section in an ear-splitting musical duel. How will Clarinet and Trumpet bring the band back together again and save their melodious friendship? With pun-filled text and emotive illustrations, Clarinet and Trumpet honors the important role music plays in creating community. Shake the book, and you can join the band, too!

BOOK’S JOURNEY:

Thank you, Kathy, for the opportunity to share my book’s journey!

Clarinet & Trumpet is a bit autobiographical. I played the clarinet from elementary school through my college years in various bands, orchestras, and pit bands. There was often a friendly rivalry between the woodwind and brass sections. The clarinetists felt out-blasted by the brass sitting behind us, and the brass cringed every time the woodwinds squeaked. I thought it would be great fun to write a friendship story between two buddies with a competitive streak – Clarinet and Trumpet. I also liked the idea of introducing children to individual instruments within instrument families. As I started writing this picture book, I realized how much pun potential it had. It was a blast to write (pun intended)! On a more serious note, as a musician, I learned that each instrument adds its own voice to make a bigger and even more beautiful group sound. I love how music creates community.

The first draft of Clarinet & Trumpet flowed more easily than my first drafts usually do.  A three-month mentorship with author Beth Ferry earlier that year (through the Writing with the Stars contest) had helped me prune and find the heart in several of my manuscripts, and I decided to take on the challenge of writing a friendship story. After getting invaluable feedback from my two critique groups, I took Clarinet & Trumpet to the “Agents, Editors, Writers” conference in September 2017 in Belgrade Lakes, Maine. It was one of the manuscripts pulled from the “slush” pile and read anonymously during the agent/editor panel. It was well received, so after a bit more revising, I submitted it to a few members of the panel and heard back from an editor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt who was interested in it. I revised, resubmitted, and received an offer from HMH about a year from the date of writing the book.

Having a contract in hand, as well as several other picture book manuscripts to share, helped me get an agent. (Fun fact: my agent played the clarinet, and my editor played the trumpet!) Joining the Soaring ‘20s debut picture book group has been a great follow-up step for me, helping me learn about marketing and preparing for the book’s launch. Clarinet & Trumpet was originally scheduled to come out in August 2020 but was pushed to March 30, 2021 due to the effects of Covid-19 on the publishing industry. John Herzog’s clever, funny, and heartfelt illustrations have brought the characters to life, and I can’t imagine the book without his vision.

(For anyone who can’t get enough of instruments, orchestras, and drama, check out Mozart in the Jungle on Netflix!)

MELANIE’S BIO:

Melanie Ellsworth dreams and writes in lovely mid-coast Maine, where her family (especially the dog), provides daily inspiration for her picture books. Over the years, Melanie has played a variety of instruments, including the piano, the saxophone, and the clarinet. She has yet to try out the trumpet. Her picture book Hip, Hip…Beret! (HMH, February 2021), illustrated by Morena Forza, also features whimsical characters and fun word play.

As a former ESOL teacher and literacy specialist, Melanie loves all parts of the writing process, from gathering ideas to revision to sharing books. You can find Melanie on Twitter (@melanieells), Instagram (melaniebellsworth), and at her website (www.MelanieEllsworth.com).

JOHN’S BIO:

John Herzog is an award-winning illustrator and educator. He teaches illustration classes at Ringling College of Art and Design. John is a member of the Society of Illustrators and SCBWI, and received the 2018 SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for his Highlights High Five cover illustration. His clients include Hasbro, DreamWorks TV, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Scholastic, and Highlights for Children. He also teaches illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design.

John is a member of the National Cartoonists Society and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, where he received the 2018 SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for his Highlights High Five cover illustration. He lives in Florida with his wife, two kids, a pair of geckos, a bearded dragon, and a tarantula.

Melanie, thank you for sharing your book and journey with us. I loved reading your journey. How right from the beginning you realized the story was full of pun potential. How my friend, Beth Ferry helped shape the book, and moved on to others who helped you enrich the story. Then John stepped in and provided the finishing touches that visual brought your characters (muscial instruments) to life. I can almost hear the notes and rhythm. Good luck with the book!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy