Book Giveaway: MONSTERS IN THE BRINY by Lynn Becker

Lynn Becker has a new picture book, MONSTERS IN THE BRINY, illustrated by Scott Brundage and published by Sleeping Bear Press on April 15th. 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 Lynn and Scott.

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. If you want to make sure you don’t miss seeing that you won, please click “Notify Me of Follow-Up Comments By Email” box. I will leave a comment in reply if you win the book. Thanks!

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

What do you do with a grumpy kraken, a sickly sea serpent, and a tearful gigantic tortoise? You sing them a tune, of course! Following the sea shanty rhyme of What Do You Do With . . ., a ship’s crew of sailors has to contend with a coterie of mythical sea creatures, all demanding comfort and attention. As each creature threatens to swamp the ship, the quick-thinking crew knows just what to do to save the day, from serving pancakes to mopping a sweaty forehead to sharing an umbrella to keep the rain away. But what happens when the sailors have had enough? Back matter includes information about the sea creatures featured, music and lyrics, along with a brief history of sea shanties.

BOOK JOURNEY:

After spending many years learning the ins and outs of writing for children, my debut picture book MONSTERS IN THE BRINY (illustrated by Scott Brundage and published by Sleeping Bear Books) came about when I stepped away from everything I had ever done before!

Once I had three or four of what I considered to be strong manuscripts that were ready to query, I decided that, rather than adding more and more stories and trying to submit them all, I would reward myself during the tough business of querying agents: I would write something that would make me—and my younger-kid self—happy, even if my critique partners were the only ones who ever saw it.

So I began a poetry collection! As a kid I had a huge love of mythology and monsters, so that’s what I wrote about. And when I came to the kraken, I figured it would be fun and fitting to include a sea shanty. And then I walked—a lot. Because walking is one of the best ways for me to find my rhythm and free up my brain to take chances.

I wrote my short, rhyming sea shanty about a grumpy kraken, and when I took it to my critique group, they laughed so hard that we all agreed I had to try writing it into a picture book. I had never written a complete manuscript in rhyme before this, but I have always enjoyed picture books that rhyme and have a number of critique partners who do it well, so I read it somewhat regularly.

At first, the story was all about the different moods of the one kraken, but then I took it to a retreat and got the fabulous advice to make each stanza about a different sea monster. I did my research and ended up with five beasties. Each beastie was assigned their own unique problem, which would then compound the troubles for the poor sailors and their ship. Hijinks would ensue.

I think for me one of the best parts was finding unexpected rhymes, and using words that are fun to say. For instance, the five-headed hydra is hungry, so the poor crew has to “haul him up a net of fishes,” and after reading the story you will know the sailors must “serve them any way he wishes,” and that “plankton gravy is delicious!” The day I nailed down a final draft of that stanza was delicious, indeed!

I worked on MONSTERS IN THE BRINY for a relatively short five months or so and then, because it felt ready, I sent it out. This story has truly been magical for me. Within a few months of beginning to query it, I signed with Lori Steel at Raven Quill Literary, we made some revisions and, not long thereafter, had interest from Sleeping Bear Press!

To my mind, the most important things I learned during the writing of MONSTERS IN THE BRINY were to take chances, not be afraid of trying my hand at rhyme, and to go on plenty of walks! Because the best picture books, whether they rhyme or not, will have a rhythmic feel as we speak them aloud, whether we’re out on a trail or cuddled together with a child.

Kathy, thanks so much for having me on your blog!

LYNN’S BIO:

Lynn has been a reader and creator all her life. Her debut picture book, MONSTERS IN THE BRINY, illustrated by Scott Brundage (Sleeping Bear Press), comes out in April 2022. JUNE MOON, illustrated by Nate Carvalho (Familius) comes out in Spring 2023.

After growing up in New York, Lynn spent many years in the Southern California desert with her husband, children, cats, dog, and lots and lots of chickens. She now lives in Colorado. The chickens stayed behind, but a few mythical beasties may have followed her to her new home…!

When she’s not writing picture books or children’s book reviews, she’s hiking, doing crazy-long yoga classes, and dreaming up even more picture books.
Email: lynnbeckerbooks@gmail.com

SCOTT’S BIO:

Scott was born and raised in Danbury, Connecticut. He began working professionally while studying at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA after winning a children’s helmet design contest. His helmet design was later created and sold by Bell Helmets, protecting and decorating young heads nationwide.

His work has been recognized by The Society of Illustrators 57,  American Illustration 29, Spectrum 19, 20, 22, 23, 24 and won a Silver award in Spectrum Fantastic Art 18 and Bronze award in Illustration West 55. His paintings have been seen in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Scientific American, Tor Books, AARP, The Washington Post and many others.

Scott enjoys creating entertaining watercolor images and running in very short shorts in urban environments that tend to be somewhat unready for such sights.

Lynn, thank you for sharing your book and journey with us. I love how the sea creatures threaten to swamp the ship and the quick thinking sailors know just what to do to save the day. The text is as rhythmatic as the sea. Children will have so much fun as they learn the power of working together while they heave and ho in unison with the sailors. The back matter is great and Scott’s illustrations are sure to keep young readers wanting to turn every page and visit many times. Good luck with the book.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy