Frazier, the Very Special Cat, by Faye Rapoport DesPres

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Frazier, the Very Special Cat isa sweet, heart-warming story for young children! It teaches love for animals, counting, the senses, and encourages discussion and problem-solving.

Frazier is a stray blond tabby not doing very well on his own, but things get worse when he gets hurt. Fortunately, the author is able to trap him and bring him to the vet. Now, all he needs is a permanent happy home…but who will want to take a chance on a one-eyed cat? Not to despair, for a fully happy ending awaits this sweet kitty!

Frazier, the Very Special Catis Book 3 in the Stray Cat Stories series, and it is the perfect tale to read at bedtime or discuss with an adult in a home or school environment. The rhythm and repetition make it a fun read-aloud picture book. A charming addition to any child’s cat bookshelf!

The book is…

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A Chat with Children’s Author Faye Rapoport DesPres

Faye Rapoport DesPres earned her MFA from the Solstice Creative Writing Program at Pine Manor College and has published creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry in a variety of literary journals. Faye’s first book, Message From a Blue Jay, is a personal essay collection published by Buddhapuss Ink in 2014. A lifelong wildlife advocate and animal lover, Faye donates a portion of the proceeds from her children’s books, the Stray Cat Stories series, to non-profit animal rescue organizations. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with her husband Jean-Paul Des Pres.

Twitter: @FayeRapoDesPres

Instagram: FayeInBoston

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Welcome to The Children’s Book Connection, Faye! When did you begin writing?

I started writing diaries as a very young child and have continued writing in dairies and journals throughout my life. I started writing poems as a pre-teen and stories as a teenager. At the start of my more adult writing life I focused on poetry for a while, and I also studied journalism and worked in journalism and public/media relations. It wasn’t until I pursued an MFA in Creative Writing a bit later in life that I pivoted towards creative nonfiction, and eventually some literary fiction.

What is your latest children’s book about?

Frazier: The Very Special Cat is based on the true story of a big orange tom cat I rescued from a difficult life as a stray. Frazier used to visit a feeding station in our yard for feral cats, and when I noticed he was injured I got help from a rescue organization to safely trap him and get him to a vet. He ended up with only one eye, one of the things that makes him very special (and cute). His tale is heartwarming, the illustrations are charming, and Frazier’s story has a very happy ending!

What inspired you to write it?

Rescuing the real-life Frazier inspired me to write a book about him. All three of the Stray Cat Stories children’s books are based on true stories about real cats I rescued.

What was it like working with an illustrator and how much control did you have over the artwork?

I have known my illustrator, Laurel McKinstry Petersen, since we were in high school. She is a really talented artist, and I love her work. I had almost no control over the artwork — Laurel and the publisher handled that side of things. I did have an opportunity to look at the illustrations and make comments or suggestions, and if something was really important to me I was able to say so.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

Frazier: The Very Special Cat is available on online at Amazon and BN.com and other online bookstores. Readers can also support their local independent bookstore by walking in and asking them to order copies from Ingram.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

Work hard to learn and practice the craft of writing, whether that’s through classes, a degree, a writing group, or whatever avenue you can find that fits into your life. Read a lot, write a lot, and don’t give up. Believe in yourself and your own voice.

What is up next for you?

Once Frazier launches, I will be back at my desk journaling, dreaming up new projects, and sending out work when it’s ready — the life of a writer.

Picture Book Review: Five Funny Tummy Men by Jean Reed

Why does your tummy ache? Why does it make noises? What happens in your stomach after you eat? Why should you eat slowly? 

In this educational picture book, the author answers these questions and more, describing the “five tummy men” that inhabit our stomachs and their specific jobs: 

Mr. Boss, the one in charge 

Mr. Swallow, catcher of food 

Mr. Grinder, most happy when you chew well 

Mr. Piler, sorter of nutrients into piles for different parts of your body 

Mr. Deliveryman, carrier of piles to your body 

FIVE FUNNY TUMMY MEN encourages dialogue between children and adults, making it a good resource for class or homeschooling discussions. Children are told to eat healthy and chew well and not snack a lot between meals, and in a simple, clear and friendly manner this cute little book explains exactly why. Recommend for readers 4-8.  

Available at Amazon and B&NMulticultural edition on B&N

Meet Children’s Author Anne K. Edwards

Anne K. Edwards lives on a small Pennsylvania farm with a very tolerant husband and a band of domineering, critical, cats that expect instant obedience of their two humans.  The only free time Anne has to write is when they are all asleep.  Of course, there is always one cat sleeping on the monitor table to keep an eye on her.  The duty roster for that job changes daily or even hourly, and it is a highly prized position as the winner can get petted as wanted, held as deemed necessary, or block Anne’s vision of the screen to take a bath or stand up to look out the window though it is at eye-level. When she can escape their scrutiny, Anne likes to shop or meet new people, especially anyone interested in writing or reading. Website:  http://www.AnneKEdwards.com

Thank you for joining us today, Anne. Can you please start off by telling us a bit about yourself? 

I won’t start with the day I was born because I don’t remember it, but jumping to ages 5 and 6, that’s when I discovered the world of books.  As I learned to read, I fell in love with books – any that I could read. Back then I had plenty of time to read and devoured every one I could get my hands on.  When I got my much prized library card at 8 years old, I weekly carried five books home and returned them faithfully for a new load as soon as I could.  I realized as I got older, that reading was a form of escapism. I lived in all those worlds but I had no favorite author and I disliked intensely being forced to read books considered suitable for a child. I found them dull and repetitive so I sought permission to read others. The teachers gave me permission as long as I turned in a book report.  I’ll always be grateful to those kind women.

When did you first get bit by the writing bug?

I was trying my hand at writing in the third grade when we had to write a paragraph about something or someone we knew.  I wrote about my step grandfather’s cow and earned an ‘A’.  I was so pleased that I began to write other things just for the fun of it.  I was too shy though to ask the teachers to read what I wrote.  It wasn’t until I turned eleven that I wrote what I thought were good stories that I could send to the Saturday Evening Post and other magazines of the day.  The anticipation of getting paid to write was on my list of expectations. I wanted to buy a swimming pool for our yard.  I never got the pool so that tells the success of my being published then.  But I wouldn’t have traded that hope for anything else.  It kept me writing.

Why did you decide to write stories for children?

I never planned on writing for children as I enjoy working in all the traditional adult genres.  Nothing extreme, however. I wrote the type of story I enjoyed reading.  But, that changed when the idea of a book about how a child could think for himself when they were facing a problem.  The problem in Dominick and the Dragon became a hungry dragon that Dominick had to outsmart to get home.  These tales are based on “What would happen if…”  and I find that a good way to begin thinking of a plot for other children’s books that I might write.

Do you believe it is harder to write books for a younger audience?

The answer would be, no. Bur I am speaking only from my own perspective and the type of stories I write. Other authors may not agree as they are published by large presses or a well-known online press that specializes in this genre.  I write the book, editing as the book forms and reread it several times afterward.  I write for the fun of it and don’t take myself foo seriously which is why I don’t consider it any harder than writing a book for adults.

What is your favorite part of writing for young people?

Making up the story and trying to keep humor in it.  I count it a success if it makes me laugh, at least once or am pleased with the satisfaction of a child’s success in facing down a problem.

Can you tell us what your latest book is all about?

I have a new book in progress, the second in the dragon series.  The motive is different in this tale as Dominick helps the dragon with his problem. Hopefully it will be ready for release in the fall of next year as it takes time for the artist to do his wonderful work.

What inspired you to write it?

To be honest, the story is based on my favorite holiday of the year and I remember the anticipation of that season. I wondered ‘what if…’ the dragon didn’t know anything about holidays and the story quickly took shape.

Where can readers purchase a copy.

When the book is published, it will appear on Amazon Kindle as the other two are.

What is up next for you?

I am presently working on a long short story and a mystery that need finishing.  Once they are done, I have another children’s story to work on.  My ideas often exceed the time and energy I have to work on them, so I’ll  slog through them, one at a time.

Do you have anything else to add?

I can’t think of anything much else to say except, if one reads my children’s tales, I hope they enjoy them as much as I did in writing them.  That is the best reward for any author.

Thank you for spending time with us today, Anne. We wish you much success.

I enjoyed the opportunity to talk with you and I’d like to say how much I appreciate it. Thank you for letting me join you.

Changing Places, by Anne K. Edwards

Age level: 4-8

Price: $1.99

Pages: 14

Find on Amazon

Changing Places. A black cat named Whiskers encounters a snake that has lost his home when he goes outside to see the world.

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Dominick and the Dragon, by Anne K. Edwards

Age level: 4-8

Price: $1.99

Pages: 42

Find on Amazon

Synopsis 

Dominick is a little boy fascinated by dragons. When he finally meets one named Elvis that wants to eat everything, including him, he has to find a way to outsmart him. His adventure proves a boy can be smarter than a dragon.

 

Interview with Chidren’s Author Michelle Nott

Michelle Nott holds undergraduate degrees in French Education and Creative Writing and a M.A. in French with a concentration in Surrealism. Before becoming an author, Michelle Nott was a French teacher (pre-K to university levels) in the U.S., worked for a French company in Paris and an art gallery in NYC. She has also edited and written articles for numerous on-line and print magazines in the American and European markets.

In 2004, Michelle moved to Belgium. When she noticed that her daughters’ book collection included more French titles than English ones, she decided to write stories for them herself. Many of these early stories can be found on her blog Good Night, Sleep Tight where she also reflects on raising Third Culture Kids.

In 2015, Michelle and her family returned to the U.S. But with American and French citizenship, they travel to Europe regularly. Their favorite places include the French Alps, the Belgian countryside, and the Cornish coast in the UK. Her family’s life and adventures prove to be great inspiration for her stories.

Freddy, Hoppie and the Eyeglasses is Michelle’s first book for children. Her future children’s books are represented by Essie White at Storm Literary Agency. She is a member of SCBWI, Children’s Book Insider and Houston Writer’s Guild.

Links to your site/blog/FB and Twitter:

www.authormichellenott.com

www.gn-st.com

@MimiLRN

Thank you for joining us today, Michelle. Can you please start off by telling us a bit about yourself?

I grew up in Ohio, but as soon as I graduated from high school, I started to travel. I have travelled to and/or lived in seven states and 15 countries.

When did you first get bit by the writing bug?

I was bit hard in third grade and that bug has been itching ever since. My teacher had assigned us to write a fictional story that the room mothers transformed into “real books” with scraps of fabric and cut up cereal boxes. When I saw the final product, I knew that being an author was what I wanted to be.

Why did you decide to write stories for children?

I wrote mainly short stories and poetry throughout college and beyond, but always wanted to write for children. Yet, I couldn’t find the right inspiration or words until I had my own children. Their lives have sparked even more inspiration than I could possibly write about!

Do you believe it is harder to write books for a younger audience?

I think writing any book is hard work. But I will say that writing for children is extra challenging because the word count and the word choice are much more limiting.

What is your favorite part of writing for young people?

I love being able to get into a child’s mind again and relive the excitement and the innocence of every day adventures.

Can you tell us what your latest book is all about?

My latest book out in stores now is an early reader, Freddy, Hoppie and the Eyeglasses, about a young boy named Freddy who is has problems at school, gets headaches, and experiences a bit of bullying all because of his eyesight. With the help of his imaginary frog, Hoppie, he find the courage to tell his mom something is wrong.

What inspired you to write it?

The book of Freddy was inspired by my youngest daughter when she was prescribed eyeglasses. Freddy’s story is very different from hers as her vision problems were noticed at a routine check-up. As she had never complained about not being able to see, I wondered how many children do not even realize they may have a problem. My hope was to write a story, not just about vision problems, but about a child struggling with an issue, any issue, and who needs to find a way to tell a trusted adult.

Where can readers purchase a copy?

Readers can purchase Freddy, Hoppie and the Eyeglasses on my publisher’s website, on Amazon, or request it at any bookstore. 

What is up next for you?

I recently signed with Essie White at Storm Literary Agency who will be representing my future picture books. I am very excited to see where this next venture takes me and my stories.

As far as what I’m currently writing, I’m working on revisions for a middle grade magical realism story that takes place in Belgium, where I lived for over 11 years.

Do you have anything else to add?

Thank you so much for having me. It’s been a pleasure.

Thank you for spending time with us today, Michelle Nott. We wish you much success.