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Simple Questions With Positive Responses
Play With Me follows a young child and their companion who go on a picnic adventure and explore their world and invite young readers along to join them. What was the inspiration for your story?
Do you want the official answer or the truth? Official answer: I saw a TED talk about how kids learn to talk with questions. Someone asks, “What’s your name?” They answer. Someone asks, “What color do you like?” They think about it and answer. It’s how most conversations begin—a question and an answer. So that’s what I wrote. (That’s all true, it’s just not the full truth. For that…see below.)
The secret, unofficial answer is that I watched a relative reading to my granddaughter and was surprised that he just read the words. There was no pausing, no interacting, no questions with the child. That’s when I realized many people don’t know how to “read” a book with a toddler or how to engage the child in the book. So, I wrote the questions and the interactions to help the adults engage with their child and the book together.
And I’m thrilled, thrilled, thrilled with how it turned out!
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Lorraine Nam?
That was all RISE publications. My incredible editor Nicole Fox chose Lorraine, and I was over the moon. Lorraine made sketches that the art director critiqued. I was shown them, but mostly said, “OMG that’s gorgeous!” And voila, beautiful book!
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I needed the book to be interactive. Simple questions with positive responses. My editor and I discussed what activities to portray. I was happy with all her suggestions because, for me, it’s about the question/answer format of the book.
Will this children’s book be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
A series! (A Playdate Series)
Book 1 – Play With Me. Releases April 2, 2024
Book 2 – Play with Me Outside Releases June 11, 2024
Book 3 – Play Games with Me. Releases Nov 11, 2024
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
This board book series invites young readers to take part in a playdate activity of their choice, thereby empowering them with autonomy and validation. The picnic playdate models balanced and shared play, creating a positive experience that will provide readers with a reference for what caring and considered friendship looks like. Many toddlers and preschoolers consistently ask for someone to play with them, and this book provides just that for the quieter moments of the day. Simple language and gentle questions will help children develop their social skills by practicing conversations, all while engaging them in fun and familiar topics.
LITERARY TITAN 