SCBWI Presents: Penetrating the Publishing Forcefield

SCBWI-Hyde Park/South Side Network invites you to join five celebrated authors and illustrators for a lively panel discussion on “Penetrating the Publishing Forcefield: How Five Picture Book Authors/Illustrators Transformed Their Clever Ideas Into Beautiful Books.” Hear how these authors/illustrators find ideas for books, what their creative process looks like, how they landed an agent, how they caught an editor's attention, what the editing process was like, how they promote their books, what happens next.

Come for the learning, stay for the brownies.

At 57th Street Books

RSVP HERE (Please note that your RSVP is requested, not required)

About Be Kind: When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate wants to make her feel better, wondering: What does it mean to be kind? From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving story explores what kindness is, and how any act, big or small, can make a difference—or at least help a friend. With a gentle text from the award-winning author of Sophie's Squash, Pat Zietlow Miller, and irresistible art from Jen Hill, Be Kind is an unforgettable story about how two simple words can change the world.

About Pat Zietlow Miller: Pat Zietlow Miller has published seven picture books including Be Kind, Sophie's Squash, Wherever You Go, and The Quickets Kid in Clarksville. She's the recipient of The Golden Kite Award, three Crystal Kite Awards, an Ezra Jack Keats New Honor Award and a Charlotte Zolotow Honor. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband, daughters and cats.

About The Two Mutch Sisters: A playful look at sisterhood and honoring differences when having some things in common doesn’t mean having everything in common. The two Mutch sisters have two of everything, and Violet believes they are as perfectly matched as the objects in their collections. Ruby, however, has other ideas. And she’s ready to do something about them. Carol Brendler and Lisa Brown present a silly, surprising, and insightful tale about staying close while respecting differences as Violet and Ruby prove that sometimes it takes a sister to know what a sister really needs.

About Carol Brendler: Carol Brendler is the author of five books for children, including The Pickwick's Picnic: A Counting Adventure, illustrated by Renee Kurilla, and The Two Mutch Sisters, illustrated by Lisa Brown (both Clarion). She is a graduate of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, volunteers at an animal shelter, and lives with her four cats and one husband in Arlington Heights.

About Pick a Pine Tree: Part of the magic of the Christmas season stems from the traditions that families and friends take part in every year: hanging up stockings; putting lights in the windows; and, one of the most important of all, picking out and taking home the Christmas tree. With style and warmth, debut author Patricia Toht and Jarvis, the author-illustrator of Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth, evoke all the rituals of decorating the tree — digging out boxes jam-packed with ornaments and tree trimmings, stringing tinsel, and, at long last, turning on those twinkling lights. Joyously drawn and rhythmically written, this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday season is as merry as the tradition it depicts.

About Patricia Toht: Patricia Toht is a poet, picture book author, and school library associate. She once owned a children's bookshop before turning a love of books into a love of writing. She is the author of All Aboard the London Bus, illustrated by Sam Usher, and Pick a Pine Tree, illustrated by Jarvis. She also has two upcoming books in 2019 – Dress Like a Girl and Pick a Pumpkin.

About The Field: The world’s most popular and inclusive sport has found its spirited, poetic, and authentic voice in Baptiste Paul’s debut picture book—highlighting the joys of the game along with its universal themes: teamwork, leadership, diversity, and acceptance. Creole words (as spoken in St. Lucia, the author’s birthplace island in the Caribbean) add spice to the story and are a strong reminder of the sport’s world fame. Bright and brilliant illustrations by debut children’s book illustrator Jacqueline Alcántara—winner of the We Need Diverse Books Illustration Mentorship Award—capture the grit and glory of the game and the beauty of the island setting where this particular field was inspired.

About Jacqueline Alcántara: Jacqueline Alcántara is an illustrator and educator from Chicago. She spends her days drawing, painting, writing and walking her dog. She is fueled by electronic and jazz music, carbs and coffee. Jacqueline studied Art Education and taught high school art and photography before transitioning to illustration. Her first book titled, The Field - written by Baptiste Paul was published by NorthSouth Books March 2018 and has received 2 starred reviews. She was the inaugural winner for the WNDB illustration mentorship in 2016 and received a Walter Grant through WNDB that same year. She is excited to be working to promote inclusiveness and diversity in children's literature and the illustration field.

About A Lullaby of Summer Things: This simple, lyrical picture book is as warm, reassuring, and filled with joy as a vacation at the beach. Readers will join a little girl and her siblings as they wind down from a perfect day–hanging up towels, eating dinner, and getting ready for bed–each activity sparking a memory of their day–playing catch with the dog, chasing waves, and looking at sailboats along the shore. And when the lights of the family beach house go off–“In the dusky evening light, a sleepy house says goodnight”--young listeners will be lulled to sleep themselves.

About Natalie Ziarnik: In addition to writing, Natalie Ziarnik is also a children’s librarian. She lives with her family in Barrington, Illinois which is much too far from the ocean. She is the author of A Lullaby of Summer Things and Madeleine’s Light.