Book Giveaway: DINO PAJAMA PARTY by Laurie Wallmark

Laurie Walmark has written a new picture book, DINO PAJAMA PARTY, illustrated by Michael Robertson and published by Running Press Kids. It will hit bookstores on October 19th. They have 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 Laurie and Michael.

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:

Join the dinos for a bash before bedtime!

Much like us, dinosaurs love to have fun. Dinosaurs from all around gather together to play instruments, dance, and sing before bedtime. But soon the dinosaurs grow tired and need their rest. This is a book that’s sure to have kids following the dinos’ lead as they get ready to go to sleep.

BOOK JOURNEY:

Most of my picture books, both fiction and nonfiction, have a similar book journey. I start with an idea that rattles around in my head for a long time. If I decide it’s worth pursuing, I do research if necessary (even for fiction). I think about possible scenes that would make good spreads in a picture book. Next comes the outline, which starts as a listing of these scenes. I flesh out this outline to see if each scene has enough action and characterization for further the plot. After many changes to the outline, I finally write the picture book. Then, of course, it’s time to revise, revise, and revise.

Most of my picture books, both fiction and nonfiction, have a similar book journey. I start with an idea that rattles around in my head for a long time. If I decide it’s worth pursuing, I do research if necessary (even for fiction). I think about possible scenes that would make good spreads in a picture book. Next comes the outline, which starts as a listing of these scenes. I flesh out this outline to see if each scene has enough action and characterization for further the plot. After many changes to the outline, I finally write the picture book. Then, of course, it’s time to revise, revise, and revise.

My book journey for Dino Pajama Party was completely different. I was on a cross-country flight and the words, “Babies rock, and babies roll. Babies stomp, and babies stroll.” You never know when inspiration will hit. I knew I had something, so I wrote more stanzas on cocktail napkins, since that was all I had. By the time I landed, I had a “finished” picture book.

Well, not exactly finished. I revised the manuscript many times before sharing it with my beta readers and critique group. I used their notes to revise again. Then, the manuscript was on to my agents, Liza Fleissig and Ginger Harris of the Liza Royce Agency. It probably went through one or two revisions with them. Then, my editor, Julie Matysik, has suggestions how to make the story even better.

The text has changed a lot since those first few jottings. And, of course, the babies are now dinosaurs. That last step—revise, revise, and revise—is necessary no matter what your book journey is.

Once the text is finalized, it’s time to find out who the illustrator will be. My editor narrowed her choices to two or three people and asked my opinion. I immediately fell in love with Michael Robertson’s playful and boldly colored dinosaurs. When his “final” spreads came in, I only had a few minor suggestions for changes.

That’s the beauty of picture books—the text guides the illustrations, and the illustrations enhance the text.

LAURIE WALLMARK’S BIO:

Award-winning author Laurie Wallmark’s most recent book, a woman in STEM biography, NUMBERS IN MOTION: SOPHIE KOWALEVSKI, QUEEN OF MATHEMATICS (Creston Books), releases March 3, 2020. Her debut, ADA BYRON LOVELACE AND THE THINKING MACHINE (Creston Books, 2015), received four starred trade reviews (Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and School Library Journal) and many national awards including Outstanding Science Trade Book and Cook Prize Honor Book. Her picture book biography, GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE (Sterling Children’s Books, 2017), earned a Kirkus star, is a Parents’ Choice Gold Medal winner, and is on several public libraries’ “best of” lists, including New York. Both of these books were Junior Library Guild selections. Her recently released book is HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE (Sterling Children’s Books, 2019) is a Cook Prize finalist, was long listed for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize, and earned a Eureka! Gold Medal. She has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. You can find Laurie on the Web at http://www.lauriewallmark.com and @lauriewallmark.

Sketch of Dino Pajama Party Cover

MICHAEL ROBERTSON’S BIO:

Born and raised in northern Ohio, Michael graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in painting. He spent ten years as a toy designer and character developer, before trying his hand at illustration. His work has appeared on many children’s products, greeting cards, books, toys and magazines, and has received multiple recognitions from the Society of Illustrators.

An avid collector of mid-century art and design since the 80’s, Michael’s vast array of influences include many modern masters such as Calder and Miro, as well as illustrators like Jim Flora, Alice and Martin Provensen, and Mary Blair.

Michael lives in a spacious industrial warehouse loft in downtown Cleveland, where he enjoys painting, cooking and listening to the extensive collection of vintage soul, jazz, and Brazilian music he has acquired over the years.

Michael is represented by Lindgren and Smith

MICHAEL’S JOURNEY:

Since  dinosaurs are one of my favorite things to draw, I was thrilled to get the opportunity to illustrate Dino Pajama Party. I mean, what’s more fun than a t-rex in bunny slippers?

I was even more excited when I read Laurie’s fun, bouncy rhymes, giving me the perfect chance to have fun. I added lots of funky patterns to the dinosaurs’ pajamas and played with various color combinations and textures.

I also tried to use color to change the mood as the sun begins to set and the exhausted dinos head home to bed. I included a little yellow bird to each spread  to add another layer of fun by giving kids something to search for. (This is something I try to incorporate whenever I can , in any book I illustrate.)

Laurie thank you for sharing your book and journey with us. I fell in love with this book last year when you sent me a copy of the book cover. Michael’s illustrations make you want to pick up the book and read it. Your fun story keeps everyone wanting to turn the page. The whole thing is so much fun. You and Michael did a perfect job with this book. Good luck with the book!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy