BOOK GIVEAWAY: A GRANDMA’S MAGIC by Charlotte Offsay

Charlotte Offsay has another new picture book, A GRANDMA’S MAGIC, illustrated by Åsa Gilland and published by Double Day Books For Young Readers Press. They have agreed to send a copy to the one lucky winner in the US.

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 Charlotte and Åsa.

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 picture book celebrating grandmas and all that makes them “magic”, ideal for fans of How to Babysit a Grandma.

When a child is born, a grandma is born too. Grandmas aren’t like regular grown-ups. Grandmas are filled with magic.

In this charming picture book tribute to grandmas, a grandma’s magic bursts through the door as soon as she comes to visit and can be seen in every wonderful thing she does: playing, exploring, baking, gardening, and in all the many ways a grandma and grandchild connect.

Filled with adorable scenes featuring a diversity of grandmas and their grandkids, this is a book  families will enjoy together. Grandmas will love snuggling with their grandchildren as they share their love and “magic” through cuddles, kisses, and many repeat readings.

A Grandma’s Magic is a picture book celebration of grandmas and all that makes them “magic.”

BOOK JOURNEY:

Hi Kathy! Thank you for having me here today. I love your blog and it is a treat to be back here sharing the journey for my newest picture book, A Grandma’s Magic, illustrated by Asa Gilland and available from Doubleday Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House on April 5, 2022.

As you may have heard me say before, I tend to get my story ideas from the things in my life that take up the most room in my heart. A Grandma’s Magic is no exception. I first got the idea to write a grandma themed picture book after one particularly painful goodbye with my own grandma. She lives in England (where I was born) and as I get older saying goodbye to her doesn’t seem to have gotten any easier. After a lovely visit I was consumed with missing her and wishing we didn’t live so many miles apart. I decided to channel my emotions onto the page and began writing about a young girl who wanted magic powers just like her grandma.

I wrote a humorous story with a traditional narrative arc and after polishing it with my critique partners, I decided to submit it for a conference critique at SCBWI Writer’s Day LA 2018. I was lucky enough to have my manuscript critiqued by Frances Gilbert, editor at Doubleday Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House. Frances helped me to see that the core of my story was really a celebration of grandmas, and that I should shift the focus away from the child’s complicated attempts to be magical and towards all the ways in which grandmas are magical.

It took me a number of months before I was ready to tackle the complete overhaul that the manuscript needed but when I finally went back with fresh eyes, I could clearly see the wisdom of Frances’ words and found my way into the rewrite. I started over and began making lists of the things that make grandmas special. From there I wove them together into a celebration of a single magical grandma spending the day with her grandchild.

With the help of my agent, Nicole Geiger and my wonderful critique partners, I paired back the language and turned the manuscript into a lyrical ode to all grandmas, rather than just my own. The manuscript transformed into a celebration of grandmas, how their magic touches and shapes our lives and stays with us always.

My agent sent the manuscript out on submission and Frances Gilbert expressed interest in the manuscript, made some suggestions and asked if I would be willing to make a couple of changes. Her comments inspired me and showed me that she really understood and got the heart of the manuscript. I loved the changes that she encouraged and sent the manuscript back to her a few weeks later.

My wildest dreams came true when my phone rang in the middle of tidying the dining room table. It was my agent calling with an offer from Frances. I ran around my house in circles alarming my husband and children until I calmed down enough to share my joy and celebrate by eating ice cream for dinner.

Frances hired dream illustrator Asa Gilland to collaborate on the project and I am blown away with how she has brought the book to life. It squeezes my heart every time I see it and I hope that readers find and cherish their own grandma relationships in the pages. I may be too old to curl up in my grandmas lap to read A Grandma’s Magic with her, but I am greatly looking forward to placing a copy of the book in her hands and celebrating the way her magic turns the whole world golden.

CHARLOTTE’S BIO:

CHARLOTTE OFFSAY was born in England, grew up in Boston, and currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two small children. Through her work, Charlotte hopes to make children laugh, to inspire curiosity, and to create a magical world her readers can lose themselves in time and time again.

Charlotte is the author of The Big Beach Cleanup, illustrated by Kate Rewse (Albert Whitman, 2021), How to Return a Monster, illustrated by Rea Zhai (Beaming Books, September 2021), and A Grandma’s Magic, illustrated by Asa Gilland (Doubleday Books for Young Readers, March 2022).

Learn more about Charlotte’s work at charlotteoffsay.com and follow her on Twitter at @COffsay and on Instagram at @picturebookrecommendations. Charlotte is represented by Nicole Geiger at Full Circle Literary.

ASA’S BIO:

Åsa Gilland is a Swedish illustrator who loves all things retro, quirky imagery and folk art themes. I studied interior design at Accademia Italiana Moda and have 20 years of experience in surface design and illustration. I produce art for stationary, textiles, home decor and the gift market.

Åsa loves all things retro, quirky imagery and folk art themes. She studied interior design at Accademia Italiana Moda and has 20 years of experience in surface design and illustration. She produces art for stationary, textiles, home decor and the gift market. Now she has added children’s picture books to her list of successes.

If you have inquiries, wish to collaborate, are interested in licensing or commissioning art, please get in touch with my agent, Lilla Rogers at: info@lillarogers.com

Charlotte, thank you for sharing your book and journey with us. It is such a wonderful book. I love how Åsa’s diverse illustrations show all type of Grandma’s and how you have brought us a book that is universal for everyone. It takes me back to my Grandmother’s hugs and made me smile. I adore Åsa’s art. Together with your words, this is a book everyone can love. Wishing you the best with this magical book.