The Patience and Perseverance Part of the Writing Life

Hi friends! Thanks for your patience awaiting a new blog post (and thank you for giving this DIY Author Visits post so much attention -- it's become one of the most popular posts in "The Writing Life" series).  

"Secret Garden" in Bronze, by Mark Lundeen (seen in Golden, CO July, 2025) 

While the blog has been quiet, my cup has been overflowing with: spending time with family and enjoying summer travel; supporting the work of musical artists and other book creators; using my voice to support positive change and resist a growing number of deplorable actions by our current lawmakers; reading excellent books on craft (two recent favorites include Laura Stanfill's IMAGINE A DOOR and Maggie Smith's DEAR WRITER)... 

Book Covers of Dear Writer (by Maggie Smith) and Imagine a Door (by Laura Stanfill)

...sharing my own books with young readers at story time events; actively engaging in professional development communities such as SCBWI and 12X12; swapping critiques with longtime critique partners; revising several picture book manuscripts; journaling and finding my way into a new project; actively querying; responding to feedback opportunities related to the (fantastic!) artwork for my next book; and moving into pre-book-launch mode for that very same next book! Yep, another book is on the way, friends. At long last, MAMA'S HOME! is scheduled for release Fall 2026. 

It's often said that bringing a new book into the world requires a great deal of patience and perseverance, and this book is no exception. When I say, "At long last," I mean at loonnnnngggg last. To give you a sense of what I mean by that, here's a behind-the-scenes look at the timeline for this story, from idea to (eventual!) publication: 

-Initial idea comes to me as I'm watching my young son blissfully engage in imaginative play at our local children's museum. I scribble words onto a scrap of paper I find in my pocket and in notes on my (flip) phone. For context, that same son graduated from COLLEGE last year. 

-I'm in love with the idea of a slice-of-life story about a joyful, play-filled, childhood, and begin formulating that idea into a poetic story about everyday, child-centered activities that bring joy into a child’s life. The story is tentatively entitled CHILDHOOD BLISS and is just over 40 words. I share it with my critique group multiple times. 

-As the revision process unfolds, I begin to envision the story in a board book and/or a motion-oriented novelty book format that incorporates American Sign Language vocabulary, my original hook (spoiler alert: that particular hook/vision does not materialize).

-I get the manuscript into "shareable shape" and seek professional critiques at multiple SCBWI-Oregon events. The story and concept piques the interest of several acquiring editors that I meet during these events, and I begin submitting in early 2008 (this is not a typo). 

-I have some great back-and-forth exchanges with multiple editors, (several of whom are now big names in the publishing industry--I won't name-drop, but trust me on this). This is back in the day of snail mail submissions with SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) enclosed for correspondence. Nearly every editor I write to back then writes back to me, often with a personalized response. I continue actively submitting throughout 2008 and feel like the manuscript is going to find a home, but alas, a contract offer does not materialize.

-Around this same time I sign my first book contract, which leads to 16 books in the Story Time with Signs & Rhymes series. For the next several years, most of my creative energy focuses on writing/revising/promoting the books in this series.  

-In 2010, I occasionally revisit and tinker with my BLISS story. (And by tinker, I mean making REALLY minor changes, like changing the title from CHILDHOOD BLISS to A CHILD'S BLISS, lol!) I seek fresh feedback from my critique group and professional (and peer) critiques at SCBWI events. By this time, I am very focused on my Story Time books, so the creative energy for my BLISS project is quite limited. 

-In 2011 and 2012, after the launch of eight additional books in the Story Time series, I once again revisit my BLISS manuscript, and decide it needs more layers and/or a new hook in order to become a book. I experiment with different ideas, and the manuscript evolves into a story about the joyful experience of spending time with an active and engaged grandparent. I focus the text on incorporating non-traditional activities shared between a child and an active, “Boomer” grandma. The story is tentatively re-titled GRANDMA'S HOUSE IS HAPPINESS. The core theme of a joyful, play-filled, childhood endures. 

-2012-2017, I take the story through more rounds of critique with my critique group, and I periodically submit the story to various editors I meet at conferences and/or have developed relationships with over the years. No contract offers materialize. I file the story away, again. 

-In 2015 I'm invited to participate in an anthology called OREGON READS ALOUD. This book launches in 2016. As a result of the promotional process for this book, I meet the team that will eventually acquire and publish my next three books: WHERE DOES A PIRATE GO POTTY?, WHERE DOES A COWGIRL GO POTTY?, and LUCY'S BLOOMS. I focus my creative energy on writing/revising/promoting these new books (two of which are published in 2019 in a pre-pandemic environment, and the later in 2021, in a mid-pandemic environment).

Dawn holding her three latest books for WRAD 2025 event

-2018-2021: My kids are now both away at college. I'm actively working on new stories, some of which are reflective of my current headspace as a mama whose children are now grown, and as an adult daughter who is caring for an aging mother. I once again pull out my beloved BLISS story from the file, and begin tinkering with it again; this time my tinkers are more robust. I begin re-shaping the poetic text into a story about sharing everyday, joyful activities with a parent who returns home after being away for an extended period of time. With this angle, the current title, MAMA'S HOME!, emerges, and I revise the story to incorporate the preparations for and anticipation of Mama’s return home. 

-I am a stronger writer now. I take the story through more rounds of critique with my critique group. My beloved story idea has matured into a 90-word story, with a plot and an emotional story arc, but the reason Mama has been gone is still vague at this point. Through my engagement with the kidlit community, and specifically interviews with other authors for this very blog, I learn about Familius, the publisher who will eventually acquire MAMA'S HOME! 

-In early May of 2021, I submit MAMAS HOME! to Familius. In late May of 2021, Christopher Robbins, the co-founder and publisher of Familius reaches out to me to request revisions. Specifically, the Familius team wonders if I might be open to a more specific reason for Mama being away—the arrival of a new sibling. This brings additional revisions that incorporate the anticipation and preparations for a new sibling along with Mama’s return and features activities that could be engaged in with an infant in tow. For this revision, I also look for opportunities to emphasize and lean into the enduring and evolving nature of the relationship between Mama and an older child. The core theme of a joyful, play-filled, childhood endures. 

-In June of 2021, I send a revision to Familius, and Christopher circles back soon after to say that they like my revision! By mid-June, I have the pleasure of a engaging in a Zoom meeting with Christopher, and soon after, a draft contract is in my inbox. On July 26, 2021 I happily sign a contract with Familius for MAMA'S HOME!, with publication planned for 2024. 

-The publishing industry begins what has become the familiar process of Wait. Wait. Wait. HURRY! HURRY! February of 2023, I learn that my book has been pushed back to Summer of 2025. In November of 2023, that date is shifted again, to Spring of 2026...and then Fall of 2026. 

-October 2024, I learn that talks are underway with the potential illustrator for MAMA'S HOME! Yippee!! This means a book is really happening!!

-December 2024, I learn that Adèle Dafflon has been selected as the book's illustrator. Yay-Yay! Adele's work is full of color and joy. The decision is made to have two older siblings depicted in the illustrations. I love this idea. This is another element that makes the book unique--most "new sibling" books focus on one chid awaiting the arrival of another child. Also, most of these types of books focus on the adjustments required as a new child joins the family--this book keeps the primary focus on the close and enduring relationship between mother and child and the experience of being a contributing member of a loving and growing family. The story is still centered on the original, core theme of a joyful, play-filled, childhood. 

 Image that offers a sense of Adèle Dafflon's artistic style (via a screen shot from her Instagram)

-January 2025, I see character sketches for MAMA'S HOME! for the first time--I love them! I also meet, Leah, the editorial director who will now be overseeing this project. (The prior editorial director, Brooke, whom I've been in communication with since the original contract signing in 2021 is shifting to art directing at Familius, so she will still be involved in the project, but in a different role.) 

-March 2025, I see story boards for the project and get an opportunity to provide feedback. I LOVE this part of the process. It is so cosmic to see my words become interpreted with illustrations. 

-April 2025, I see the first samples of color art and again get an opportunity to provide feedback. I adore the art so much! 

-June 2025, I see several more rounds of color art, and I learn that Leah will be leaving Familius. I meet Gretchen, who is the new editorial director. Some fine-tunes (with both text and illustrations are discussed). The book is really coming together now. 

-July 2025, I'm asked to update my marketing Tip Sheet by the end of the following week (more on that in a future post), but OH BOY!, this means MAMA'S HOME! is now moving into the pre-marketing phase of the life cycle of a book. I'm so excited! I need to refresh my memory about what inspired me to write this story in the first place, so I can properly shift into the promotional phase of author life for this book)--and so, I research and begin to write this very blog post. 

And here we are today, in the first week of August 2025, preparing for the planned release of MAMA'S HOME!, tentatively scheduled for publication in late August 2026. Patience and perseverance. Wait. Wait. Wait. HURRY-HURRY! That's the publishing industry in a nutshell, friends. 

I cannot wait to share more of this sweet story with you! Watch this space (and follow me on Instagram), to keep up with more fun news in the weeks and months ahead! Thanks for joining on the path to publication for what will be my 20th book (21st if you count the anthology!) 

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The Writing Life is an occasional feature of Dawn Babb Prochovnic's blog. Dawn is the author of over 20 books for young readers and the proud recipient of the esteemed “Pleasure Reading Award” (her most memorable 5th grade achievement). She has devoted her life’s work to initiatives that support literacy and the literary arts, including early literacy enrichment programs; school author visits; writing workshops; and her educational blog. Dawn’s work has been short-listed for the Oregon Book Award; she was named an Oregon Library Supporter of the Year for her library advocacy efforts; and she received the Walt Morey Award in recognition of significant contributions that have enriched Oregon’s young readers. Contact Dawn using the form at the left, or learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com. 

Have Swag Will Travel: Planning Library Visits, Webinars, and Other Outreach, by Kathy MacMillan

Hello readers! I am delighted to bring you today's interview with author Kathy MacMillan. Kathy and I have several interests in common including kidlit, libraries and American Sign Language. I first interviewed Kathy in 2014 and again in 2020, and she has featured my work on her information-rich blog multiple times (Lucy's Blooms here, my potty-humor books, here, and my Story Time with Signs and Rhymes series, here ). Fun Fact: Kathy and I will be publishing house siblings when my next book, MAMA'S HOME, comes out with Familius in 2026! 

by Kathy MacMillan and Ekaterina Ladatko

Kathy's latest book, NITA'S FOOD SIGNS, (the third title in her Little Hands Signing series), came out on February 4, 2025 (illustrated by Ekaterina Ladatko, Familius), but she has MANY books to her credit. I've long said that one of my favorite parts of being an author is connecting with young readers at school, library, and bookstore visits, and in my Birth Stories for Books series, I often ask authors for one piece of advice related to planning successful book-related events. Since Kathy and I already took a deep dive into her path to publication for NITA'S DAY, Kathy's first book in the Little Hands Signing series, we decided to use today's conversation to take a deeper dive into planning book-related events and promotions. So let's get to it! 

Dawn Prochovnic: Welcome back to the blog, Kathy! I'm so happy for you to be here. And congrats on your latest book! 

Kathy MacMillan: Hi Dawn!  Thanks for having me!

DP: You offer a wide variety of innovative, collaborative virtual and in-person events. You present regularly at public libraries, you offer a variety of webinars and eCourses, and I even recall a fun and informative Instagram Live event with fellow author, Tracy Gold, when your book SHE SPOKE first came out. I’d love to learn more about your experience planning/implementing one or more of these events.  Let's start with libraries: 

Reflecting on the (many!) library programs you have facilitated, both traditional, and virtual, are there any elements/activities that stand out that the young readers (and/or their parents/caregivers) seemed to enjoy the most? 

KM: Anything interactive! So many authors (and people in the general public) think that storytime is just holding up a book and reading it, but there is so, so much more to it! An effective storytime includes lots of opportunities to connect and interact with your audience. That can mean pausing to ask questions, singing songs together, using props, or inviting volunteers up to help act out a story – or all of the above! If there is nothing for the kids and families to do but sit there, I consider that a failed program.

I have been presenting storytime programs that teach American Sign Language at libraries and schools since the early 2000s, so all of my programs (even my workshops for adults and writing programs for teens) include some American Sign Language. It’s a great way to get kids moving while still being engaged with the content. 

© Maryland State Arts Council 2023, MSAC.org

When it comes to programming and presentations, my motto is “Connection over perfection.” It’s much more important to be engaged with your audience than it is to get through everything on your plan. You have to be tuned in to the group, and if they need a wiggle song where I planned a story, then they get a wiggle song!

DP: Such great advice. And I LOVE that motto! 

Do you have any fun anecdotes and/or pictures to share from your past events? 

KM: Here are some pictures of various programs and storytimes I have done. The problem with being very animated, and with using a lot of ASL in my programs, is that inevitably there are a lot of pictures of me making weird faces! 

© Maryland State Arts Council 2023, MSAC.org

Image provided by Kathy MacMillan

Image provided by Kathy MacMillan

DP: Love it! 

Do you have any event mishaps or cautionary tales that other storytime/book event planners might benefit from knowing about (or simply get a kick out of)?

KM: This story comes from a writing workshop for middle schoolers, but it’s a great example of leaning into participation and of being resourceful. In a writing workshop about plotting, I had planned to show a clip of the movie Cars to illustrate effective finales. We set everything up ahead of time and worked around the school’s firewall, and everything was working fine. But in the workshop itself, the video wouldn’t play. So I got a couple of volunteers to come up and act out the scene instead. It was hilarious and so much fun that I ended up doing that for all my future presentations, instead of playing the clip at all!  Sometimes last-minute inspiration to get around an obstacle can yield the best activities.

DP: What a great story! I can just imagine how much fun that part of the program is for the participants!

I noticed on a recent promotional piece for a library story time that "all attendees will receive a free book," funded by the Friends of the Library. How did that fantastic arrangement come to be?  

KM: This was a very cool initiative by the Friends of the Newark Free Library (DE). They had several authors presenting over the course of the year, and the Friends provided money to purchase copies of each author’s books to be distributed at the programs! 

I have also been able to do book giveaways at some of my programs which were funded through the Maryland State Arts Council’s Arts in Education program. This is a fabulous program, and many other states have something similar. Basically, the way it works is that the teaching artist has to apply to be a part of the roster (and it’s a pretty intense process, so if you are brand new to doing arts or literary programs in schools and libraries, you might want to wait to get some experience before you apply.) Once you are on the roster, schools, libraries, and nonprofits can access grant funding to cover teaching artist fees and program materials (including books to distribute.) The best part about the Maryland program is that the application process for the teachers and librarians is super easy, with the teaching artist handling most of it.

DP: Those are great tips! Thanks for sharing your approach here. 

You also offer a variety of webinars and eCourses. Are there any particular resources you rely on and/or recommend for others who might want to offer remote programming? 

KM: I have taught online courses through the American Library Association for many years, and I vastly expanded my webinar offerings during the pandemic, when library staff needed online professional development. I have had great success with offering online library and educator workshops, and far less success with offering online workshops for writers. I think the difference is that my offerings for library staff and educators are fairly niche; I focus on serving Deaf patrons in libraries, and on strategies for incorporating ASL into storytimes in an effective and respectful way. There are simply very few people offering these kind of trainings, while there are a LOT of people offering online writing workshops. 

So my advice is to figure out what you can offer that very few others can, and then market directly to your audience. I post about my webinars on my website and social media, of course, but most of my registrations come from my direct contacts with library staff and state library organizations.

DP: Super advice, Kathy!

You write in a wide variety of genres, from board books and picture books, to YA and instructional books for librarians and educators. What specific event planning advice do you have for folks like yourself with a wide range of work that is intended for vastly different audiences?

KM: When I first started offering specialty programs for libraries (long before I had books to promote!), I built my storytime programs around public library summer reading programs. That’s because many libraries only have money to pay for outside presenters during the summer. And summer programs are typically all-ages programs. (Even if they are advertised as for a particular age group, you never know who is going to show up!) So for every program I do, I think in options: What if only babies show up? What if it’s all older kids? What if it’s a mix? 

Speaking of summer reading: Many public libraries across the country now use the Collaborative Summer Library Program, which means that many libraries nationwide are now using the same theme. This is great for authors and teaching artists, as it means we can develop one program related to the theme, and market it everywhere! (Even better, the themes are announced several years in advance, giving us plenty of time to plan.) I have had great success sending out a postcard mailing to public libraries in my area and surrounding states with information about my programs in January, and offering a 15% off discount for anyone who books by February 1. Check out my 2025 offering here.

DP: Looks like your summer is going to be loads of fun! 

You also have an ABUNDANCE of book-related EXTRAS (learning extensions, activity ideas, and other educational resources, etc) for young readers and their grown-ups on your Storytime Stuff website. Since Women's History Month is observed in March, (and two of your books, SHE SPOKE and SHE SPOKE TOO are particularly relevant to this topic), can you point us in the direction of some helpful extras on your website that you've developed in support of this observance?  

KM: You can find all the goodies for SHE SPOKE and SHE SPOKE TOO at https://tinyurl.com/shespoke (We snagged that url when the first book was published, so we had something easy to put in the book itself. I just have to make sure to keep the link up to date!).  Our latest additions are SHE SPOKE and SHE SPOKE TOO word searches, made with the free worksheet generator at Education.com.

 She Spoke Word Search (printable .pdf)

 She Spoke Word Search answer key (printable .pdf)

 She Spoke Too Word Search (printable .pdf)

 She Spoke Too Word Search answer key (printable .pdf)

DP: Wow! That tinyurl is jam-packed with great resources and learning extensions!  

Do you have any new projects and/or special events coming up that you’d like to put on our radar? 

KM: I’m so excited to be celebrating Women’s History Month with SHE SPOKE TOO: 14 MORE WOMEN WHO RAISED THEIR VOICES AND CHANGED THE WORLD. You can find an interview with me and my co-author, Manuela Bernardi, where you can learn more about the book here.

by Kathy MacMillan and Manuela Bernardi

I also want to share my most recent book, NITA’S FOOD SIGNS, which came out in February. This is the third book in the Little Hands Signing board book series, which combines family stories with instruction in basic ASL vocabulary. Check out NITA’S FOOD SIGNS storytimes in ASL and English and learn more about the series here.

© Maryland State Arts Council 2023, MSAC.org

DP: I just received an early copy of NITA'S FOOD SIGNS and I love it! (The book design in that series is absolutely marvelous!) 

Is there something you wished I would have asked you that you haven’t had the opportunity to share? 

KM: As someone who spent years on the other side of the library desk booking programmers, my best advice for anyone who wants to perform in libraries is: make it easy on the people who are hiring you! Make sure your program titles and descriptions, rates and policies, and promotional materials are easy to find on your website. One of the best things I ever did was add an availability calendar to my website—I can update it from my phone and it shows my availability in real-time.

And here are a couple of other resources that authors and illustrators who want to connect with public libraries might find helpful:

Working with Public Libraries: A Guide for Authors, Part 1 by Kathy MacMillan (at PubCrawl)

Working with Public Libraries: A Guide for Authors, Part 2 by Kathy MacMillan (at PubCrawl)

Storytime Magic for Picture Book School and Library Visits (Webinar recording; 90 minutes)

DP: Wowza, Kathy. I cannot thank you enough for your willingness to share so many of your event and book promotion experiences and ideas with us. 

Dear readers, you've heard me say it before: the best way to thank an author whose insights have been helpful and/or inspiring to you is to support their work. Follow them on social media. Subscribe to their newsletter. Buy their books. Request them from your library. Read and share them with others.  Let's give Kathy's books some love:

She Spoke Too purchase links:

Deaf Camps, Inc. Online Bookstore (autographed copies that support a great cause!)  

Bookshop.org   

Amazon.com   

BarnesAndNoble.com   

Familius.com

Nita’s Food Signs purchase links:

Autographed copies from the Deaf Camps, Inc. Online Bookstore

Bookshop.org 

Amazon.com  

BarnesAndNoble.com  

Familius.com 

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Image provided by Kathy MacMillan

Kathy MacMillan (she/her) is a writer, nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, librarian, editor, and signing storyteller.  She writes picture books (including The Runaway Shirt and the Little Hands Signing series from Familius Press), children’s nonfiction (including the She Spoke series from Familius Press and Super Cities!: Baltimore from Arcadia Publishing), middle grade fantasy (the Chronicles of Cavallon series under the pen name Kim Forester), and young adult fantasy (Sword and Verse and Dagger and Coin, both HarperTeen). Her debut novel, Sword and Verse, was a finalist for the Compton Crook Award. She has also published eight resource books for educators, librarians, and parents, including 5 volumes in the bestselling Storytime Magic series from ALA Editions. Kathy lives in Baltimore, MD. Find her online at KathyMacMillan.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @kathys_quill.

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Have Swag Will Travel is an occasional feature of Dawn Babb Prochovnic's blog. Dawn is the author of multiple picture books including, Lucy's Blooms, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?, and 16 books in the Story Time With Signs & Rhymes series. Dawn is a contributing author to the award-winning book, Oregon Reads Aloud, and a frequent presenter at schools, libraries, and educational conferences. Contact Dawn using the form at the left, or learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com.  

Have Swag Will Travel: Yearlong Author Residency, by Tracy C. Gold

Dear Readers, I have a very special Have Swag Will Travel guest post for you today. 

Author, Tracy. C. Gold, just launched a beautiful, new picture book into the world: CALL YOUR MOTHER (Familius, 2024). As the author of multiple books, Tracy has participated in several unique book events. Today she shares her experience and tips for planning a yearlong author residency.  

by Tracy C. Gold and Vivian Mineker

Take it away, Tracy!

Have Swag Will Travel: Yearlong Author Residency

by Tracy C. Gold 

I have done quite a few events now that I’m on my fourth picture book, but since I debuted during the pandemic, school visits have been slow. So I was absolutely thrilled when school librarian Alicia Danyali reached out in summer 2023 about setting up an author residency for the next school year. 

She works at Krieger Schechter Day School which is local to me (so—have swag, will travel ten minutes down the road, in this case). She wanted to revive an author residency program the school had before Covid, the Silverman-Brown Residency. We had the opportunity to work together to shape a post-Covid version.

I jumped at the chance and had a really fun idea, if we could make it work. Ever since my book "Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat" came out in 2021, I’ve been looking for a school that would install a bat box to go along with a school visit. Hint: do NOT write emails with the subject line “A bat in your ear,” even if you know the recipient well, as this does not go over well with those with a phobia of bats. Oops!

KSDS is a certified Maryland Green School, with a gorgeous community garden and a commitment to serving the environment, so they were up for the bat box! After trading lots of emails, talking on the phone, and meeting at the school’s beautiful campus, Alicia and I made a plan. 

We would do three visits, and on the last, the school would install bat boxes. Alicia involved the Art and Woodshop teacher Gigi Smith, who helped the fifth graders make bat boxes themselves. So cool! 

Here’s a quick recap of each visit, and then some tips for pulling something like this off: 

Visit One: October 2023

I met with first grade and kindergarten all together, with lots of help from teachers. I did a quick presentation about how I get my ideas, read "Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat,” and then set the kids loose to color and cut out their own bats from an activity kit Sourcebooks made for the book. 

Then I met with second and third grade. I did the same talk about how to get my ideas, but with these more advanced learners, we embarked upon a yearlong project: making their own books about wildlife (well, this ended up being a book about anything they wanted, but a lot were about wildlife). For their activity, they looked through library books and made lists or mind maps full of ideas.  

Image Source: Tracy C. Gold, Mind Map

Then, teachers collected their brainstorming documents so we could save them for my next visit, which would focus on drafting. (Kudos to Alicia’s organizational scheme that kept track of all of these over the course of the year!)

Visit Two: January 2024          

We crammed a lot more into this visit! I met with fourth graders and talked with them about the drafting process and structure in picture books. Then I read "Hide and Seek, Nuts to Eat,” and asked them to identify which structures I had used. We ended with a freewriting exercise.

I did a similar presentation for second and third grade, but instead of freewriting, we pulled out their ideas for books, and they started drafting a book. I pushed them to add some structure—maybe a plot with a beginning, middle, and end, or for a non-fiction book, perhaps they could chronicle a year in the life of an animal. 

I also did an interview with the school podcast, and talked a little bit about the ecology of bats with the fifth graders who were making the bat boxes. Whew! 

Visit Three: April 2024

The final visit! I had been in touch with Alicia throughout the year, and she confirmed that the bat boxes were well on their way. 

She also sent me a few pieces of student writing to review ahead of time before meeting with a few students in pairs or individually. This was so fun! KSDS has some wonderful budding authors and it was great to hear their excitement. One of them even gave me a book that she had written and self published with her grandfather. Then, I had a quick meetup with some fifth graders. I talked about how I get ideas and shared my newest book, "Call Your Mother.” 

Image Source: Tracy C. Gold, Meeting with Students

After that, I got to see the second and third graders for the third time! They were familiar faces by now, though I admit I didn’t remember names as much as I had hoped to. We talked about revision, and I shared some of the revisions I had done on "Call Your Mother.” Then, it was time for them to revise their wildlife books and start transferring them to cardstock to be stapled into actual books. As we expected, we didn’t have enough time for all of the students to finish. Alicia will be helping students finish during their time in the library.

Last, it was time to install the bat boxes! Facility and maintenance employee Ray helped hang them alongside the community garden. We celebrated the installation with the fifth graders who built the bat box. A photographer from a local paper even came! (To be determined if the photo will run in the news, but thanks to my publicist at Sourcebooks for reaching out to local media!)

Image Source: Tracy C. Gold, Student with Bat Box

Of course, expect the unexpected with school visits—a parent expressed concern that children might end up accidentally handling bats in that spot, so the bat boxes will be moved to a more remote location soon. I’ll keep this in mind for future schools interested in a bat box.

By the end of the residency, I had gotten to know students and staff and felt like part of the KSDS community. I would love to do a yearlong residency with other schools! This was a really special experience. 

If you’re thinking about doing this with a school, here are some tips and lessons learned:

· Alicia Danyali, the school librarian, put in a ton of work to make this happen and to arrange the schedule so that students from as many grades as possible could participate. (Without making my head explode.) She came up with a plan, involved several stakeholders within the school, and did a huge amount of work wrangling schedules. I don’t think this residency would have been possible without Alicia’s hard work. 

· I would probably only try this if you have more than one book published. I’m not sure three visits would have made sense with only one book. It was great to have a different book to share for each visit. 

· Don’t try to cram too much into a day. I was grateful that along the way Alicia sent me a proposed schedule. As excited as I was to meet all the students…I did have to push back and say “let’s spend more time on fewer things,” which, in hindsight was a good call. We ended up fitting most of the schedule into the mornings, because that worked best with everything else going on at the school. I honestly don’t know how teachers manage their fully scheduled days. Sure, it’s partly that I’m meeting all new people in an all new place and trying to bring my max energy, but whew! Respect to teachers! 

· Expect the unexpected. We had a few hiccups along the way but were always able to make the best of them. On my end, whenever I plan a school visit, I block out the whole day on my husband’s schedule so that he knows he’s on the hook for watching our daughter if she can’t go to school. Good thing I did that—for my April visit, my kid’s school was closed due to a water main break. That was a fun email to get in the morning. Because my husband knew I would be unavailable that day, he could take off work without major issues. Funny enough, in the past I’ve also had to reschedule a school visit due to a water main break on their end! What is with these pipes?

I think that’s it! I am happy to answer questions in the comments about the visit and share any advice! 

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and insights with us, Tracy! This sounds like such an excellent series of visits for all involved. And yes, props to the school librarian who was with you in this all the way! (And to ALL of the educators who give so much of themselves to young learners each and every day.)

And now, dear readers, you know what to do. The best way to thank an author whose insights have been helpful and/or inspiring to you is to support their work. Buy their books. Request them from your library. Read and share them with others. Tracy's books, including her latest, MAMA'S HOME, are available everywhere books are borrowed and sold, including your own local, indie bookstore. 

Photo Credit: Ruut DeMeo

Tracy C. Gold loves writing about families and nature. She is an author, freelance editor, and mom living in Baltimore, Maryland. Her published and forthcoming picture books include “Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby,” “Call Your Mother,” “Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat,” and “Hide and Seek, Nuts to Eat.” She also writes short stories, essays, novels, and poems. Her work has been published in several magazines and anthologies. Tracy earned her M.F.A. in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts at the University of Baltimore and earned her B.A. in English from Duke University. When she’s not writing or editing, she’s playing with her kid or hanging out with horses and dogs. You can find out more about Tracy at tracycgold.com, by following her on Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram at @tracycgold, or by liking her Facebook page. 

Have Swag Will Travel is an occasional feature of Dawn Babb Prochovnic's blog. Dawn is the author of multiple picture books including, Lucy's Blooms, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?, and 16 books in the Story Time With Signs & Rhymes series. Dawn is a contributing author to the award-winning book, Oregon Reads Aloud, and a frequent presenter at schools, libraries, and educational conferences. Contact Dawn using the form at the left, or learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com.  

Birth Stories for Books: The Joy of Imperfect Love, by Carla Marie Manly, PHD

One of the big bonuses of being a children's book author is getting to know other members of the book-writing community and their books. As a result of my affiliation with Familius, the publisher of my next scheduled book, I've learned about THE JOY OF IMPERFECT LOVE: The Art of Creating Healthy, Securely Attached Relationships, by Carla Marie Manly, PHD (Familius, March 2024).

by Carla Marie Manly, PHD

I recently received an advanced reader copy of this book, and although I haven't finished reading it yet, I didn't want to wait any longer to share it with you. It's the kind of the book that's packed to the brim with valuable information that's meant to be read and re-read, contemplated and considered, pondered and practiced. 

A few days ago I was chatting with a different author friend of mine about some of the less pleasant aspects of the publishing industry, including some past experiences and interactions that have been hurtful and damaging to my tender heart. Dr. Manly's book, although more specifically directed at helping readers develop healthier loving relationships, is rooted in the importance of loving one's imperfect self. It's a perfect book to read and consider for those of us navigating the book-publishing world, and the imperfect path to publication. 

And with that, I will turn it over to Dr. Carla Marie Manly, for a different sort of Birth Stories for Books guest post. Instead of sharing with us how this particular book (Dr. Manly's fourth) came to be, Dr. Manly shares with us some of the key concepts in her book, helping each of us journey forward in love, as we bring our imperfect selves to the page day after day after day, in search of our own Birth Stories for Books. 

6 GEMS OF IMPERFECT LOVE

by Carla Marie Manly, PhD

Love—and life—are messy! In a world that focuses on perfection, the concept of imperfect love is the antidote our souls need.  Imperfect love allows us to grow and shift for the better by releasing unconscious programming from the past. As we become more self-aware, we can consciously release negative habits and embrace those that bring joy and lasting love. Unlike the myth of perfect, fairytale love, genuine love doesn’t “just happen”; it takes ongoing effort.  When we put our energy into loving well (if imperfectly), we foster the emotional connection we crave. 

As a clinical psychologist, I’ve found that our overall well-being is deeply affected by the love we experience.  If you are feeling stuck, I invite you to embrace a few of the core concepts of imperfect love to begin your journey into self-discovery, connection, and genuinely loving relationships. 

#1—LOVE IS LEARNED: If you didn’t experience unconditional—albeit imperfect—love as a child, healthy love may not be natural for you. We experience love through the love that was modeled for us. We first come to know love by being loved, then by learning to love in return. For better or worse, we are—unless we create a shift—the products of our formative love experiences.  If you find yourself getting stuck in blame or shame, use your energy to create positive change. 

#2—THE IMPERFECT SELF: Knowing and loving yourself from the inside is the key to imperfect love. Self-awareness fosters self-love; as you appreciate who you are as an individual, the pressure to conform evaporates. By embracing your individuality, your self-esteem blossoms. From this centered place of empowered self-awareness, your imperfect self feels seen and accepted. Allow yourself to practice honoring—rather than rejecting—your imperfections. 

#3—SELF-LOVE: Self-love isn’t a given; it is grown on a strong foundation of compassion and self-esteem. Self-love is an equalizer and is available to anyone who fosters positive acceptance and change. Your self-love will grow as you work to hone your strengths and shore up—and accept--your imperfections. Strive to spend a bit of time every day nonjudgmentally noticing thoughts that hold you back from loving yourself well. 

#4—LOVE EVOLVES:  As you embrace your imperfect self, you’ll discover that imperfect love is not a goal but an evolutionary journey that involves five gifts—your feelings, thoughts, mindsets, energy, and actions. As you intentionally use the imperfect interplay of these five gifts, you will feel more secure, aware, and empowered in all of your relationships.  Gently practice noticing and honoring your various emotions as they arise; give them space to be present without judgment. 

#5—FRIENDSHIP: Healthy relationships are built on the seven pillars of true friendship—investment, respect, honesty, kindness, compassion, wise acceptance, and shared vulnerabilities. When mutually fostered, these pillars create profound trust and safety. Healthy relationships don’t expect perfection; they ask for conscientious, devoted efforts that create imperfect, authentic love.  Pause to notice the people in your life who consistently offer the seven pillars of true friendship.  

#6—COMMUNICATION: We experience the bonding power of listening and being heard when we dismantle our defenses and dive into heartfelt, connective communication. And by using the art of healthy conflict, we experience bonding growth. We become more attuned to ourselves and others as we strengthen our communication and conflict resolution skills. In this intentional space, fear recedes as joyful, imperfect love expands.  Allow yourself to notice your helpful and unhelpful communication patterns with various people; embrace the patterns that feel connective to you.

As we discover and embrace the secrets to healthy love for ourselves and others, our lives begin to change.  The journey of imperfect love allows you to find—and embrace—the healthy love you crave and deserve.  There is no better time than now to bring healthy, genuine love into your world. 

The concepts in this article are based on Dr. Carla Marie Manly’s fourth book, The Joy of Imperfect Love. 

Dr. Carla Marie Manly—clinical psychologist, Imperfect Love podcaster, and author—is based in Sonoma County, California. In addition to her clinical practice focusing on relationships and personal transformation, Dr. Manly is deeply invested in her roles as a consultant and speaker. With a refreshingly direct and honest approach—plus a dose of humor—Dr. Manly enjoys supporting others in the ever-evolving journey of life.  Her novel self-development paradigm builds resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-esteem. Highlighting the importance of loving connection, her work also focuses on helping others create deeply connected and satisfying intimate relationships. Working from a transformative model that honors the body-mind-spirit connection, Dr. Manly offers holistic relationship and wellness seminars around the world.  Her four captivating books, The Joy of Imperfect Love, Date Smart, Joy from Fear, and Aging Joyfully highlight Dr. Manly’s empowering approach and profound expertise.  Dr. Manly’s expertise is also regularly cited in media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Forbes, Oprah, Newsweek, NBC, HuffPost, Reader’s Digest, Psychology Today, Parade, GQ, Women’s Health, Architectural Digest, Men’s Health, and more.  

Thanks so much for sharing THE JOY OF IMPERFECT LOVE with us, Dr. Manly! 

Readers, the best way to thank an author whose insights have been helpful and/or inspiring to you is to support their work. Buy their books. Request them from your library. Read and share them with others. Dr. Carla Marie Manly's books, such as THE JOY OF IMPERFECT LOVE, are available everywhere books are borrowed and sold, including bookshop, your own local, indie bookstore, and directly from Familius. 

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Birth Stories for Books is an occasional feature of Dawn Babb Prochovnic's blog. Dawn is an award-winning author of multiple picture books including, Lucy's Blooms, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?, and 16 books in the Story Time With Signs & Rhymes series. Dawn is a contributing author to the award-winning book, Oregon Reads Aloud, and a frequent presenter at schools, libraries, and educational conferences. Contact Dawn using the form at the left, or learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com.  

Birth Stories for Books: THE LITTLEST WEAVER, by Robin Hall

Dear Readers, one of the best parts of being involved in the kidlit industry is making new friends. Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Robin Hall and her debut picture book, THE LITTLEST WEAVER (illustrated by Stella Lim, Familius, October 2023). 

by Robin Hall and Stella Lim

I became familiar with Robin and her work because we are publishing-house siblings (I have a book with Familius coming out in 2025). Robin and I first chatted back in May for an IG Live feature that she hosts, and now I'm so glad to be able to interview her! Grab your favorite blanket, friends--bonus points if it's hand-woven--and settle in for an inspiring conversation with Robin.   

Dawn Prochovnic: Welcome to the blog, Robin. I’m looking forward to learning more about the path to publication for your debut picture book, THE LITTLEST WEAVER.  

This is a very tender and touching story. Would you be willing to share the inspiration for it with us, as well as the process and timeframe between your initial idea for this book and the story that was formulated fully enough to submit to an editor?    

Robin Hall: Dawn, thank you for your kind words for The LITTLEST WEAVER. This story started from a need I had to finish a news story I heard back in 2011 after the devastation of the Tohoku Japan tsunami and earthquake. I learned of a father who tried to save his family but didn’t make it in time and saw them all be swept out to sea. I couldn’t stop aching for him, so I wrote a short story to give that sad man a happier ending with a bit of hope. Years later, perhaps 2016, I turned that short story into a picture book. It went through many different variations, complete rewrites, and then deep revisions before becoming the story it is now. I submitted it to my publisher, Familius, in 2018 and they gave me a revise and resubmit. It took me until 2020 to figure out those revisions and send it back. Thankfully, they still loved the story.

DP: Oh my goodness, Robin. What a meaningful way to process a difficult news story. And now you've brought something beautiful into the world as a result.

When you compare one of your earliest drafts of this story to the version in the published book, what stands out for you in terms of what is most different? Likewise, is there anything in particular that stands out that was included in your earliest drafts and survived the revision process?

RH: My original version was set on a whole different continent. One of the best and biggest revisions was to figure out how to make this story my story. I brought it to my home state of North Carolina, with our own hurricanes, and mountains, and strong weaving tradition. 

Something that has stayed the same is the recognition that sometimes we need to let people be sad, to honor that, as part of the healing process. In the book, Laurel says, “Pa, he’s at the cloudy days part. He needs rain showers to get to the rainbow.”

DP: That exchange is such a compelling part of the story. And I love that you chose to set the story in a place that's familiar and meaningful to you. The authenticity really comes through. 

When you compare your creative process for writing children’s books to your creative process as a weaver, what are some of the key similarities and differences? 

RH: Whether I’m weaving cloth or weaving a story, they both need a structure. For textiles, we have vertical threads under tension that are called warp threads. This is the structure of the textile and sets the confines for me as a weaver. The weft threads are what is woven over and under, adding color and texture. I think of a story structure as the warp of my stories, while the weft is my setting, characters, time period, tone, etc. 

Robin's loom with two shuttles on a twill pattern

One thing that is definitely different is I never feel like my writing is done. With weaving, when I get to the end of my warp, the weaving is done, and so am I. It feels good to have projects that so clearly tell me they are done!

Robin standing next to a loom 

Robin holding a completed wool blanket

DP: I'm so glad I asked this question! I LOVE your response. It's so vivid and instructive.

One of my favorite parts of being an author is connecting with young readers at school, library, and bookstore visits, and I’m always looking for new pro tips. Given your experience teaching a myriad of classes, hosting Instagram Live events and now as a visiting children’s book author, what professional advice or suggestions do you have for fellow author/presenters in terms of planning successful (in-person and/or remote) book events? 

RH: I’m still pretty new to being a published author and slowly figuring that out myself. What seems to work is communicating my vision beforehand and leaning into what I know I can do well. 

I also strongly believe in standing in a superhero pose, legs wide, chest proud, hands on my hips, and taking three deep breaths before presentations. Science shows it improves confidence, and it sure does for me. Plus, it helps me take myself a little less seriously and remember to have fun!

DP: Great, practical tips, Robin!

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your pre-published self? Or, said another way, what do you know now, that you wished you would have known a bit earlier?

RH: Be patient with the process. Focus on the things I can control (writing a good story) and let go of the rest as best you can.

I also wish I’d known that being author is a little bit like being a mother, we wear a lot of hats. Writer, editor, advocate, publicist, accountant, social media expert, photographer, videographer, and so much more. 

DP: That is for sure!

Is there something you wish someone would ask you about your path to publication for THE LITTLEST WEAVER, that you haven’t had the opportunity to share yet? 

RH: My book is releasing during National Spinning and Weaving Week, and it’s something I had no control over, and my publisher didn’t even know about until I told them. It feels just right to be born during this week.

Robin with a table loom holding one of her favorite weaving books

DP: That is really amazing, Robin. The perfect week for this book to be born, indeed!

Do you have anything you’d like to tell us about what you’re currently working on? 

RH: I’m working on multiple picture books and am also revising a historical fiction middle grade about a boy afraid of water who has to move to a lighthouse. 

DP: I look forward to hearing more about these projects as they come to fruition! 

Thanks so much for sharing your Birth Story for THE LITTLEST WEAVER with us, Robin! 

Friends, you can support Robin's work by ordering a copy of her debut at all of the usual places including  Bookshop , your local indie bookstore and/or your local library. You can also order directly from the publisher.

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Robin Hall holds an MFA in the Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her debut picture book, THE LITTLEST WEAVER, will release Fall 2023. She teaches creative writing to children, yoga to all ages, and lives in North Carolina on a tiny farm with one husband, five children, four dogs, three looms, and too many chickens to count. Visit Robin at www.robinhallwrites.com and on instagram/Twitter @robinhallwrites. 

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Birth Stories for Books is an occasional feature of Dawn Babb Prochovnic's blog. Dawn is the recipient of the 2023 Walt Morey Young Readers Literary Legacy Award and the author of multiple picture books including, Lucy's Blooms, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?, and 16 books in the Story Time With Signs & Rhymes series. Dawn is a contributing author to the award-winning book, Oregon Reads Aloud, and a frequent presenter at schools, libraries, and educational conferences. Contact Dawn using the form at the left, or learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com. 

Birth Stories for Books: THE PROUDEST COLOR, by Sheila Modir, PhD and Jeff Kashou, LMFT

I have met many wonderful people as a result of my affiliation with Familius, the publisher of my next scheduled book. Most recently, I had the honor of interviewing two especially caring and compassionate individuals: Sheila Modir, PhD and Jeff Kashou, LMFT, co-authors of the meaningful and timely picture book, THE PROUDEST COLOR (illustrated by Monica Mikai, published by Familius, 2021). 

Dear Readers, I hope you will give this book, and the story-behind-the-story, the time and attention it deserves.  

by Sheila Modir PHD and Jeff Kashou LMFT
and Monica Mikai

 

Dawn Prochovnic: Welcome to the blog, Dr. Sheila and Jeff. It’s my understanding that you were inspired to write THE PROUDEST COLOR after the murder of George Floyd, and you’ve said, “Writing is our form of activism.” That’s a very powerful statement. Can you share more details about how you came to decide that writing a book for children was one of the ways in which you wanted to actively engage in social justice work? 

Dr. Sheila Modir and Jeff Kashou, LMFT: As mental health professionals working primarily with children and adolescents, and their families, we wanted to write a book that was based in evidence-based research, while simultaneously promoting racial justice. Following a charged political climate, discussions around building walls and immigration, and in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement, we had patients that were questioning their skin color and their cultural pride. When we searched our local bookstores and libraries for a book or resource to help initiate a conversation about race/racism, skin color, and racial/cultural pride, we couldn’t find one. I (Sheila) had conducted research on racial socialization (how parents/ caregivers communicate messages of race/racism to their child and the impact of it on their mental health) in graduate school, and referred back to the research studies to help inform this book. Our author proceeds are donated to nonprofit organizations like ACLU who will continue to promote racial justice. We feel like there is a lot more work to do in this field, but helping take one step forward by educating our youth and providing a resource for parents is our form of activism. 

DP: I sincerely appreciate how you have harnessed your expertise to create something tangible and actionable in service of a better world. 

George Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020, and THE PROUDEST COLOR was published in September, 2021, which in my experience, is an incredibly short turn-around time in the children’s book world! Can you share with us the process and timeframe between your initial idea for the book and the manuscript that was formulated fully enough to submit to an editor/publisher? 

SM and JK: Yes, it was a fast turn-around time, and it’s truly because Familius recognized that a book like this needed to be out on shelves as soon as possible. The idea of the book was based on an essay I had written in graduate school about growing up as a brown girl in the Midwest and standing out in my school photos, in my group of friends, and essentially everywhere I went. This awareness of differences at a young age is powerful and shapes your self-esteem and your identity. We used this essay and the racial socialization research to help write The Proudest Color. To help us with the writing process, we asked questions like: How does a child react when they experience overt discrimination? How can parents help maneuver their child’s discrimination experience? What are ways they can build cultural pride? Up until now, no children’s book has openly discussed an experience of racism. We wanted to go there, because growing up we had experienced racism, and hearing our patient’s stories we knew they were experiencing it. We knew people are experiencing it, but now we needed to provide a way for parents/caregivers/ teachers to help them process it. We wrote the book in 5 days. At the time we were writing, there was a huge online movement where communities of color were sharing their experiences of discrimination, injustices, and inequities, and supporting one another, and we wanted to contribute to that. We searched for small publishing companies that focused on books for families and also had a history of publishing mental health books. Within a week of sending our manuscript to various publishers, we heard back from Familius. They understood the importance of the book and wanted it out as soon as possible. Within a year of submitting the book to them, it was published on shelves!

DP: That is a such a powerful and inspiring backstory. I'm so glad you found a home for this book with Familius, and that they were nimble enough to bring it to the marketplace quickly. 

When you compare one of your earliest drafts of this story to the version in the published book, what stands out for you in terms of what is most different? Likewise, is there anything in particular that stands out that was included in your earliest drafts and survived the revision process?

SM and JK: The Proudest Color not only talks about discrimination, but it also introduces readers to emotion identification. Surprisingly, finding colors and naming the colors was something that went through a few revisions. Jeff was great at finding fun and creative names for the colors like razzle dazzle pink! We wanted this book to truly embody mental health and resilience so each of the revisions moved us toward that. We also asked friends and colleagues in the mental health field to review it and provide us with feedback.  

Interior Image: THE PROUDEST COLOR

DP: I love the layers of learning in this book, such as the incorporation of colors and emotion identification. (The topic of resilience is dear to me; it's what rooted me to my most recent book, LUCY'S BLOOMS, a story that took many years and many revisions to write, and many rejections before finding its way to publication.) 

I'd like to hear a little more about your writing process. I would anticipate that co-authoring a book might create some unique opportunities—and also some unique challenges. Could you share some insights into your collaborative process? What elements of the collaborative process might you strive to repeat (and/or avoid) when working together on future book projects? 

SM and JK: We are married so it wasn’t too hard to write together since this was during the pandemic and we were both working from home. I wrote in the early mornings, and Jeff wrote in the evenings, and we would email each other the draft we had worked on. We both have our own writing styles and ideas so bringing them together was a fun process and we are looking forward to continuing this collaboration!

DP: Based on the information on your website and what you’ve shared here and in other interviews, I realize THE PROUDEST COLOR comes from a place of personal experience and extensive professional research. Can you share some of what it means to you (as mental health professionals, as Middle Eastern Americans, as human beings), to be able to bring an authentic, #OwnVoices story into the marketplace? 

SM and JK: We believe it is important to have more people share their stories because there is so much out there that needs to be told, especially in the Middle Eastern community where there is little representation. We know representation matters so it meant a lot to have our voice out there and to be able to include famous people from the Middle Eastern community to include in our book. 

Interior Image: THE PROUDEST COLOR

Interior Image: THE PROUDEST COLOR

DP: I'm so glad that your voices are out there, and that THE PROUDEST COLOR draws attention to some of the familiar and famous voices from the Middle Eastern community. 

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your pre-published self? Or, said another way, what do you know now, that you wished you would have known a bit earlier?

SM and JK: The Proudest Color was incredibly rare in how quickly it was written, accepted, and published. Our other books have not been that fast so we know things take time and it can often feel like a very slow process. It is also a very vulnerable experience to have your work out there and have others read it, so be gentle on yourself. Finally, we recommend celebrating all the wins, even the small ones, like getting your idea written out in a draft format, writing your query letter, imagining your illustrations – whatever it is – honor it because it’s a lot of work!

DP: Those are such empowering tips and reminders. Thank you for that.

Do you have anything you’d like to tell us about what you’re currently working on? 

SM and JK: We are writing more books on diversity and mental health topics and are excited to get them out there! People can find more information on us at www.theproudestcolor.com.

DP: I really appreciate you sharing your path to publication for THE PROUDEST COLOR, Dr. Sheila and Jeff. I look forward to following your work and supporting this and future books.  

Friends, you've heard me say it before: The best way to thank authors whose insights have been helpful and/or inspiring to you is to support their work. Buy their books for yourself and as gifts. Request them from your library. Read and share them with others. These actions are especially important and impactful with THE PROUDEST COLOR, because by supporting this book, you are also promoting racial justice and supporting nonprofit organizations such as ACLU, who continue to promote racial justice. THE PROUDEST COLOR is available everywhere books are sold, including from your local, independent bookstore (which you can access online via Bookshop.org) and directly from Familius, the publisher.  

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Image Credit: Lovers of Love

As Middle Eastern Americans (Iranian and Palestinian) and as clinicians,  Dr. Sheila Modir and Jeff advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion and work toward building resilience in children.  Dr. Modir is a board certified psychologist at a children's hospital. She obtained a combined doctoral degree in Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara and her master’s degree in social welfare at UCLA. Dr. Modir has presented at conferences, spoken on podcasts, and published articles on the impact of racial trauma on mental health and risk and resilience factors. Jeff is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a manager of clinical product and service design for a mental health tech company. He has his master’s in clinical psychology from Pepperdine and was previously on the Board of Directors for the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

Together they have advocated at the state and federal level for better mental health care policies, in addition to doing international work at a Red Cross refugee asylum in Belgium. They also consult on film and television productions, including for Disney and Freeform, to ensure that mental health is portrayed responsibly, and have been judges for the annual Sentinel Awards. 

Find them on social media: 

Twitter: @drsheilamodir

Instagram: @drsheilasbookshelf

Website: https://theproudestcolor.com/

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Birth Stories for Books is an occasional feature of Dawn Babb Prochovnic's blog. Dawn is the author of multiple picture books including, Lucy's Blooms, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?, and 16 books in the Story Time With Signs & Rhymes series. Dawn is a contributing author to the award-winning book, Oregon Reads Aloud, and a frequent presenter at schools, libraries, and educational conferences. Contact Dawn using the form at the left, or learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com.