NONFICTION NINJAS
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    • Christine Liu Perkins
    • Peggy Thomas
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Celebrate Nonfiction With NF FEST

1/13/2021

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By Pat Miller


Are you a fiction writer who is curious about writing nonfiction? Do you already write children’s true books but want to improve your craft?

Either way, you will want to sign up for the Nonfiction Chicks’ second annual NF Fest 2021 Challenge in February.

Every day in February, a NF author or illustrator will inspire and instruct you in a facet of writing true. Candace Fleming, Melissa Stewart, Kathleen Krull, Carole Boston Weatherford, and Kate Messner are just five of the guests who will visit your writing space via their NF Fest post.

But reading isn’t writing, so you will also be expected to participate. Each faculty member will end their post with a related activity you can choose to do. Or you can choose one from a list of 30 other activities that will grow your NF skills.

If you:
  1. Register between Jan 15-31 at www.NFFest.com,
  2. Read each post,
  3. Complete 20 activities or more,
  4. And sign a month’s end pledge of completion,
then you will also be eligible for a bunch of prizes. And it is ALL free!

Join the NF Fest Facebook page now, (NFFest) to meet up with more than 1400 international “Festives” who are waiting for registration to open. Meanwhile, it is a great home for your interest and questions about writing true books for kids and young adults.

All posts from NF Fest 2020 are archived here to help while you wait. During registration, we will post daily a pair of upcoming faculty members and their topics. It’s going to be an exciting preview of NF Fest 2020. See you in February!

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Turning an EVENT into a BOOK

1/5/2021

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By Stephanie Bearce

Today marks the end of the 121st annual Christmas Bird Count. It’s an event that started in 1920 when Audubon Society officer, Frank Chapman offered an alternative to the annual Christmas hunt. Instead of holiday hunters competing to see who could shoot the most birds, Chapman suggested a national bird census.

Today thousands of citizen scientists across the Western Hemisphere participate in the count that starts on December 14 and ends on January 5. The Christmas count has informed conservation programs for generations and provides an invaluable historic record of bird species.

It’s such an amazing event that Ninja author Lisa Amstutz, knew it would be perfect material for a book. Thus, was born FINDING A DOVE FOR GRAMPS, a charming story about a boy participating in the Christmas bird count and his quest to spy Gramps’ favorite bird.

I caught up with Lisa and asked her a few questions about taking a famous even and turning it into a book.
I asked her how she came to know about the event and if she had participated.
​
Lisa: The book was inspired by a bird count I accompanied my father on as a child. I've since participated in several other bird counts, and I always learn something new. For those just starting out, the Great Backyard Bird Count is a good way to ease in - it can be done right in your own backyard. This event takes place in February each year (see https://www.birdcount.org/). Project Feederwatch is another great option that runs from November to April (https://feederwatch.org/). These citizen science projects collect data that is very useful to scientists who study bird populations.

Q. Are you a Birder?
Lisa: Yes! I love watching birds, identifying them, and keeping track of the species I see each year. But I'm not nearly as good at it as I'd like. We hang out several types of feeders to attract birds to our yard and look for them on hikes. One of my favorite places to visit is a nearby nature center where visitors can hand-feed titmice and chickadees. There's something awe-inspiring about having a wild bird perch on your finger!

Q. As a scientist, could you explain why you think birds are important?
Lisa:  Birds are an important part of the ecosystem. Larger animals rely on them for food. Birds in turn feed on insects, rodents, snakes, and other small animals. If birds disappeared, these animal populations would explode, destroying crops and affecting animal and human health. Some birds also play a role in pollinating plants and dispersing seeds.

Q. What is your favorite local bird? (Lisa lives in Ohio)
Lisa: Wow, that's a tough question! Not sure I can pick just one. I do love the mourning doves found in the book, and the cardinals and chickadees that come to my feeder always make me smile. But it's also exciting to spot a less common bird, like a bald eagle, an indigo bunting, or a bobwhite. If any of you reading this would like to share in the comments, I'd love to hear what your favorite birds are!

FINDING A DOVE FOR GRAMPS is a great example of how to take an annual event and use it to create a successful manuscript. Her experience enriched the story and caught the eye of an editor.
What events are you involved in that might make a great book?
Here are a few celebrations to help spark the writing process.
You can find more at https://www.calendarr.com/united-states/observances-2021/
 
January 2 - National Science Fiction Day
January 4 - World Braille Day
January 11 - National Milk Day
January 29 - National Puzzle Day
February 3 – Feed the Birds Day
February 11 – National Inventors’ Day
February 15 – Daisy Gatson Bates Day
February 21 – International Day of Forests
March 4 – National Grammar Day
March 15 – National Napping Day
March 21- World Poetry Day
March 23 – National Puppy Day
 
 
 


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​Awesome Virtual Author Visits

12/29/2020

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By Susan Kralovansky

I was fortunate enough to close out this topsy-turvy year with a virtual school visit. The one thing that Covid didn’t change is the need to connect with kids and celebrate books, reading, and writing. 

Luckily, earlier this year, both Kelly Milner Halls and Kate Messner had the foresight to plan a virtual presentation on giving virtual visits. As Kelly says, “Covid-19 has tossed a wrench into modern education.” In normal times, author visits are all about the interaction with students. But, with a little organization, a little planning (both ladies provided great planning hand-outs.) and a little practice, you can still achieve that interaction. 

Things to think about when adapting your programs for a virtual visit:
  1. Your space: This doesn’t have to be a dedicated room. Pick a quiet spot where you can put your laptop.
  2. Your hardware: You’ll need a computer with internet access, a webcam, and a microphone. (Your laptop probably has a built-in camera and microphone.)
  3. Your program: Here’s where the planning and practice come in. Take your in-person event and list what needs to be tweaked for maximum engagement and learning. Most presentations will run about 45 minutes; however, my kindergarten-second grade programs are closer to 30 minutes. This last visit, I talked to both children in the classroom and children learning remotely about my book How Fire Ants Got Their Fire and then did a drawing lesson. Your program can be as short as reading a book or as involved as going through your writing process. You can include a science lesson (if your book is science-related), a drawing lesson, an author interview, or even a multi-day writing workshop, 
  4. Fees: Who knows? My suggestion is to charge a quarter of your regular daily fee.
  5. Book sales: YES! If you schedule a Virtual Visit early enough, you can work out the logistics of book sales.
  6. Have fun: If you have fun, the kids will have fun. 
We all miss that handshake or hug or quick conversation when autographing a book, but for now, we need to celebrate the positives – No more driving to get to your school or lugging props to and from your car, AND,  you get to sleep in your own bed.

Our goal is still the same - to support teacher instruction and excite children about reading and writing, which we can totally do with an awesome virtual visit.
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Ninja Favs Part 1: Ninjas Love Narrative Nonfiction

12/22/2020

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By Wendy Hinote Lanier

​In today’s reading circles, the word “nonfiction” is no longer a one size fits all label. The last few years have given rise to new terms that better describe the various kinds of nonfiction available. In a previous post we discussed those terms and the types of books associated with each. In today’s post I’m going to discuss narrative nonfiction a bit more and share some Ninja favorites.

Even though narrative nonfiction may read like good fiction, it’s still nonfiction. Every part of it is true. That’s important, because if it isn’t ALL true, then it isn’t nonfiction. Sometimes called creative nonfiction, the conversations and detailed descriptions included in the text are based on solid research and are easily verified. In fact, most narrative nonfiction includes source notes to indicate where the author found specific details or quotes.

Make no mistake. Crafting good narrative nonfiction takes a lot of work. For example, an author might want to include sentences like, “She hurried along the cobbled stone street clutching her meager shawl around her. It wasn’t much protection against the snow—now falling faster by the minute.” To do this, the author would have to determine if the streets the character was walking on were actually cobblestone, whether the subject in the sentence owned a shawl as described in the sentence, and what weather was occurring at the time of the event the author is trying to describe. All that for one measly sentence. Phew! That’s a lot of work.

One author who is a master at writing narrative nonfiction is Candace Fleming. The Ninjas love her work, not only for the interesting topics she tackles, but for the masterful way she weaves carefully researched facts into the narrative.
In Giant Squid the secrets of the elusive squid are revealed in an almost poetic form. The text evokes feelings of the cold, dark world in which these animals are found, revealing one physical characteristic at a time.  
 
​One of Candace’s latest book, 
Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera is another Ninja favorite. It explores the life of a honeybee in lovely lyrical language from start to finish.  
 
And for a slightly older audience, some of the Ninjas highly recommend The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh—the story of an American hero and the truth behind the public’s perception.  
 
But Candace isn’t the only author writing nonfiction in this way. There are many others. The Ninjas have so many favorites it would be hard to name them all. Just a small sampling includes books like:
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  • Coyote Moon by Maria Gianferrari
  • Hawk Rising by Maria Gianferrari
  • Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate
  • Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet
  • Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
  • Boots on the Ground by Elizabeth Partridge
  • The Camping Trip that Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and Our National Parks by Barb Rosenstock
And so many more!

Several members of the Nonfiction Ninjas have written narrative nonfiction books, too. Here are a few Ninja narrative nonfiction titles you might enjoy:
  • Pat Miller’s The Hole Story of the Doughnut.
  •  George Washington Carver for Kids: His Life and Discoveries, with 21 Activities by Peggy Thomas
  • Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist by Linda Skeers
  •  For Spacious Skies: Katherine Lee Bates and the Inspiration for “America the Beautiful” by Nancy Churnin 
  • Christine Lui Perkins’ At Home in Her Tomb: Lady Dai and the Ancient Chinese Treasures of Mawangdui
  •  Twisted True Tales from Science: Medical Mayhem by Stephanie Bearce
​
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THE NONFICTION NINJAS PRESENT...

12/15/2020

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By Peggy Thomas

​Two years ago, we started our blog to help and encourage other writers and to share our writing journeys. But we've also wanted to reach out to those who use our books. So, the Nonfiction Ninjas proudly announce our newest collaboration—The NF NINJAS NEWSLETTER. 

​This quarterly newsletter is for educators, parents, kids, and anyone interested in children’s NF. Each issue will be packed with ready-to-use downloadable content—lesson plans, book-related activities, writing tips, recipes, author interviews, and short articles you can share with students.

For example, our first newsletter features a Christmas craft from Nancy Churnin, fun acrostic lessons from Michelle Medlock Adams, and ideas on how to celebrate Chinese New Year by Christine Liu-Perkins.

Sign up soon and you’ll also be eligible for our BOOK GIVEAWAY at the end of the month.

SIGN ME UP!
​If you like what you see, please share with friends and family, and let us know the kind of content you'd like see in upcoming issues.

​


Peggy Thomas is the author of more than 20 NF books for children including Lincoln Clears a Path available for pre-order now. 
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An Interview with Peggy Thomas

12/8/2020

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PictureLincoln Clears a Path: Abraham Lincoln's Agricultural Legacy by Peggy Thomas, illustrated by Stacy Innerst (coming January 19, 2021)
by Christine Liu-Perkins

Peggy Thomas is the author of dozens of NF titles, but might be best known for her biographies published by Calkins Creek.  The other day I asked her  about her  newest book coming out in January.
 
Q. What inspired you to write Lincoln Clears a Path?
 
A.  I had written two other books about presidents and their agricultural legacies –Farmer George Plants a Nation, and Thomas Jefferson Grows a Nation. It seemed logical to create one more to make a trilogy.  I chose Lincoln because his legislation had the largest impact on American farming. Unfortunately, legislation sounds really boring. So, I had my work cut out for me.
 
 
Q.  You went through different approaches in writing this book. What was your process like  finding the approach that worked?
 
A. My process was trial and error because I had a goal -- to connect Lincoln’s personal farming experiences with his greatest achievements as a president – but no idea how to get there. I normally don’t work like that, but I wanted the book to be similar in structure to Washington and Jefferson. For example: Washington made his farm self-sufficient which mirrored his efforts to create an independent nation. Jefferson’s legacy revolved around growing. He grew crops, grew American farm trade, and literally grew the country with the Louisiana Purchase. These were my critical connections, my narrative threads, my “so whats?”
 
I usually start with a title. Playing off the other books I started with “Lincoln Cultivates a Union.” Then I dove into research looking for every word, thought, and deed of Lincoln’s that had anything to do with agriculture, and how it might connect to holding the Union together and writing the Emancipation Proclamation.
 
My first approach was chronological-- showing young Abe on the farm and progressing through his life as an attorney representing farmers and inventors of farm machinery, etc…. That didn’t work. There was a lot of content, but nothing connecting it all together – kind of like a layer cake without the orange curd filling and caramel chocolate ganache (Great British Bake Off anyone?)
 
For my second attempt, I zoomed in on the one short period of time during the summer of 1862 when Lincoln’s legislative acts took place. It was also the time he was drafting the Emancipation Proclamation. I loved this approach because it hummed with life in Civil War era D.C.—the smell of the bakery in the basement of the Capitol, the lowing of cows grazing on the mall, etc. But the connection was still not there. It was mostly fluff; all sprinkles and fondant roses without the cake. I had to go back to my research. 
 
 
Q. How did you finally identify the narrative thread for the book?
 
After a bit of panic and binge-watching the soul-soothing GBBO, I went back to my research and this time really listened to what Lincoln was telling me.  That’s when I noticed that he used the phrase, clearing a path, several times in his writing. Sometimes he meant it literally to clear a path to walk on. Other times it referred to clearing a figurative path to make life easier for others. That’s when the light bulb clicked on and all the pieces fit. That’s what Lincoln’s whole life was about. As a child he cleared a path in the woods for his father.  As a young man he helped neighbors and other farmers. As an attorney he aided his clients. As a politician he cleared a path for his constituents.  And with the creation of the USDA, the Homestead Act, Morrill Land Grant Act, Railroad Act, and the Emancipation Proclamation, he cleared a path for the future of America.
 
 
Q. Did you discover anything during your research that surprised you?
 
I discovered (or rediscovered) the importance of taking a step back and really listening to what my characters have to tell me. It's not about what I want to say.  As a biographer, I can only write what is true to my subject, and to find that, I have to let them lead the way, and in this case Lincoln really did clear a path for me to tell his story.
 
Thank you, Peggy! I can't wait to see Lincoln Clears a Path!
 
 
To learn more, visit peggythomaswrites.com
​

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Peggy and Abe at Lincoln's Cottage, Washington, D.C.
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An Interview with Susan Kralovansky

12/1/2020

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Interviewed by Lisa Amstutz

This month, I am sharing an interview with one of the Nonfiction Ninjas, Susie Kralovansky. Susie is a talented author/illustrator with two books coming out in 2021.
​

​Susie, please tell us a little about yourself!
I am a former librarian who began writing picture books for my students. They had a terrible time understanding the difference between a dictionary and a thesaurus. The first book was What Would You Do with a Thesaurus? By the time I had written them a book about encyclopedias, I decided to submit my idea to a publisher. That submission ended up being a six-book series for ABDO Publishing.

I write both fiction and non-fiction picture books. In February 2021, I have two books being released. My first, WE REALLY, REALLY WANT A DOG, is a story about animal adoption. And The Book That Jake Borrowed, which was first released in 2108, will now be released in a bilingual edition: EL LIBRO QUE JAKE TOMO PRESTADO.

I love talking to kids at school visits and hanging out in libraries and bookstores. When I’m at home, you can find me discussing a new book idea with my two writing partners. 

What are some of your recent books and what inspired you to write them?
My most recent book was inspired by a fire ant bite. I’m originally from Indiana, where ants are harmless. They march along in single file, and if disturbed, they simply get back in line. Then I moved to Texas. While planting flowers, I accidentally jabbed my trowel into a fire ant hill. No problem, right? Wrong! Tiny red ants swarmed up my arms and legs and began to sting. Ouch! I quickly discovered that fire ants are fierce! Those fiery ants gave me the idea for How Fire Ants Got Their Fire: A Texas Tale.
 
Do you always illustrate your own books? How did you get started doing that?

When writing my second picture book, Twelve Cowboys Ropin’, I knew I wanted it to be both a counting book and a book about Texas symbols. Rather than trying to describe how I thought that might work, I sent the editor a couple of pieces of collage art to demonstrate the concept.

When my editor offered a contract, she asked if I would like to illustrate the book. In my head, I screamed, “WOULD I?!?!? YOU BET!!!!!” But, ever the professional, my answer to her was, “I would love to!”  Luckily, I have been able to illustrate my next four books with Pelican Publishing.
 
What type of media do you use in your work?
Normally, most of my illustrations are fiber art collage. But, due to Covid-19, and the fabric stores being closed, We Really, Really Want A Dog has a lot of watercolor.
 
What tips do you have for aspiring author/illustrators?
My best advice is to believe in your project and persevere. I knew librarians needed The Book That Jake Borrowed, and I was right. That book just sold out for the fourth time!

 
What kind of books do you like to read?
I love to read every type of picture book. Tuesdays are library day. Every Tuesday I have to force myself to give back the books I’ve checked out and then bring home a whole new stack to enjoy.

 
What work do you wish you had written/illustrated? Why? 
Just about everything I check out on Tuesdays!

Susan lives just north of Austin in Georgetown, Texas. Visit her online at www.susankralovansky.com.
Note: This interview was cross-posted at the Song of Six Pens blog.

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SIX TIPS TO MAKE YOUR BOOK SIGNING SUCCESSFUL by Michelle Medlock Adams

11/24/2020

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Excerpted from Writing and Selling Children’s Books in the Christian Market: From Board Books to YA by Michelle Medlock Adams and Cyle Young (New Hope Publishers, Available Now!)

You’re at your book-signing, Sharpie in hand, ready to sign one of the dozens of copies displayed on your table, and no one shows up. Even though you’re positioned in front of Starbucks, people find a path around you to avoid having to make eye contact with you in their quest for java. Ever been there? It can be the longest afternoon of your life; trust me, I speak from experience.
But it doesn’t have to be if you follow these six strategies for a successful book signing.
  1. Make it an event! Though authors get pretty excited about book signings, most people do not. So, make it an exciting event—not just a signing. For example, when I was planning a book signing event for my book, “Get Your Spirit On! Devotions for Cheerleaders” I went all out. I ordered “Swag bag” items that cheerleaders ages 8 to 12 would love such as: cheer bows, slap bracelets, a notebook and pencil with the name of my book on them, and a cheerleading tote bag that matched my book’s cover and had “Get Your Spirit On!” printed on it. I advertised on all social media outlets  that the first 25 people to purchase a book would receive the adorable swag bag, and that’s not all.
Knowing that high school cheerleaders are royalty to younger cheerleaders, I asked two local Varsity cheerleaders to come in uniform and help hand out swag bags and be available for photos. I added in a few cake pops tied up with spirit ribbons, and my boring book signing became a festive event! I also contacted all of the elementary and middle school cheer coaches in the area and let them know about the event. As a result, I had a great turnout and sold many books.  And, we all did a few cheers. It was a perfect day.
  1. Get the word out ahead of time! Make an attractive meme on Canva or Word Swag or whatever creative app you like best, promoting your upcoming book signing several weeks ahead of the event. (You might even do a countdown!)  Post on all of your social media sites. But don’t stop there! Use what we call “Borrowed Platform” and ask some of your friends with larger followings to share your meme. Make sure your meme has all of the pertinent information about your event—time, date, location, etc. You’ll also want to be sure you use a “sizer” when creating your memes so that your cute creations will fit perfectly on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Unfortunately, it’s not a “one size fits all” social media world. Each platform has its own sizing preferences.
  2. Write a press release and send it out! Once you’ve written a press release about your upcoming event, contact the Community Relations Coordinator (CRC) at the bookstore where you’re having the event, and see if he/she has a media list (contact names and numbers of local media) that you could use when sending out your release.
If the CRC doesn’t have a media list compiled, make sure you ask which TV and radio stations you should contact, as well as which area newspapers and magazines might be interested. Working closely with the store’s CRC is always a good idea. I’ve found if I let the CRC know I’m doing all I can to promote the event, that CRC will become excited and promote the event with even more fervor.
  1. Be friendly and proactive! Too many authors simply sit at their book table and smile as potential book buyers pass by, but that’s not the best way to run your event. Ask the CRC if you could read your book back in the children’s area several times throughout your allotted time. If that request gets approved, then ask the CRC to announce your upcoming readings in the children’s area a few minutes before each one, adding that the author is on hand to personalize and sign copies. Parents love that!
  2. Lure book buyers to your table! So, how do you lure potential book buyers to your table? Have an attractive setup—a pretty tablecloth that matches your book, easels to display your books, free bookmarks (Vistaprint is a very affordable way to make bookmarks of your book’s cover), candy or cookies, your business cards or fliers, a freebie of some sort like a coloring sheet to complement your book, etc.
When my book, “C is for Christmas” (Little Lamb Books) debuted, my publisher sent me bookmarks and stickers to hand out to the children—both were a huge hit!  As children walked past my table, I’d offer them a free bookmark and sticker. Who doesn’t love a freebie? That almost always lured the children and their parents over to my table, and usually, it resulted in a book sale. I also offered candy canes which went right along with my book. You might also want to add a signup sheet on your table, asking for the parents’ emails in case they’d like to be notified of your future books and events. (That’s a great way to build your Email list.)
  1. Have a Giveaway! I always put together a gift basket with fun stuff that relates to the book I’m signing. (You don’t want to give away a copy of the book because you want people to buy your book.) For example, when I signed “Dinosaur Devotions” at an area bookstore, I created the cutest gift basket filled with Dinosaur egg candy, dinosaur socks, a dinosaur pencil, dinosaur fun fact cards, a stuffed dino and a dinosaur picture frame. I tied it all up in ivory tulle and a gorgeous green bow. It was eye-catching on my book table, and it caused people to stop by my table to enter the drawing. Again, once I was able to get them to my book table, I almost always made a sale.
Remember, your enthusiasm about your book is contagious!


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Let Curiosity Guide You by Nancy Churnin

11/17/2020

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The 1848 engraving of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert royal decorating a tree, a tradition started at Windsor Castle by Queen Victoria's grandmother, Queen Charlotte HULTON ARCHIVEGETTY IMAGES
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When you write a picture book biography, usually you start by studying a person’s life and looking for a theme that that captures the person’s essence. But not always. Sometimes, I start with an object or something that fascinates me – and search for the person that brought it to be.
 
That is the curious case of The Queen and the First Christmas Tree, Queen Charlotte’s Gift to England (illustrated by Luisa Uribe, published by Albert Whitman & Company).
 
I never set out to write about the wife of King George III, the British king during the American Revolution, who has become infinitely more famous after his featured role in Hamilton. Honestly, I didn’t even know King George was married, much less that he and his wife had 15 children together.  But I was curious about the origin of the Christmas tree. How and when did that become a tradition?
 
Research led me to the story of this kind queen who dragged an entire tree into Windsor Castle and decorated it with lit candles, fruits, nuts and colored papers to delight a party of 100 children on Christmas in 1800, creating what would be an annual tradition that continues to this day.
 
Why did she do this? Working backwards from that event, I learned how she had grown up in Germany as a princess who cared about plants and children rather than fancy balls and jewels. When she married King George, the fancy ladies of the court made fun of her accent and her humble clothes that were not as fancy as theirs. She let her mother-in-law take charge of entertaining royal guests.
 
Instead, Queen Charlotte cared for children at court, patronized a hospital for mothers giving birth, expanded Kew Gardens, encouraged the arts – including young Mozart who named a composition for her, took a stand against slavery by boycotting sugar that grown by slaves on plantations, and became the first royal, along with her husband, to make charitable giving part of royal duties.
 
The only reason Queen Charlotte was not more famous for the Christmas tree is that it was not until there was a picture of her granddaughter, Queen Victoria, carrying on her grandmother’s tradition of the tree in a British and later American magazine, that her idea became more widely known. After that and ever since, Christmas trees have been lighting up the world.
 
They say books don’t grow on trees. But this one actually did.
 
​

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Can Nonfiction Be Funny? by Linda Skeers

11/10/2020

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​Many people are surprised to learn that I love writing nonfiction. A frequent comment is, “But you aren’t a serious person!”
 
Yes, writing nonfiction is serious business… but it can also be funny! Here are five tips (and mentor texts) to keep in mind if you want to add a touch of humor to your nonfiction.

​Choose a fun narrator.
Instead of just presenting information in the typical manner, let your subject take over and share their own story!
One Proud Penny – Randy Siegel
PENNY proudly explains how it’s made and offers lots of fun details about money – in his own voice.
 
Gross is good.
Dig deep for the most fascinating, gross, unusual, weird and amazing facts. Your readers will thank you for it!
Ick! Yuck! Eew! Our Gross American History – Lois Miner Huey
This book contains lots of fun historical facts and doesn’t shy away from the gross stuff!
 
Add a fun sidebar.
Even if your subject is fairly serious, if you do find a fun fact or light-hearted example, put it in a side bar. This can be a breath of fresh air or some comic relief.
Hot Diggity Dog:  The History of the Hot Dog – Adrienne Sylver
Its sidebars are full of extra facts and anecdotes relating to the humble hot dog. Really stretch and think outside the box to come up with tidbits that will surprise and delight readers.
 
New angle or twist.
Look for a unique way to present your information. Turn your topic upside down and inside out and shake it all about! Love geography? Want to introduce readers to the Arctic? Instead of presenting facts and figures, make the reader feel as if they are there.
You Wouldn’t Want to Be…A Polar Explorer – Jen Green
This series focuses on the nasty and negative aspects of jobs, lifestyles, and places throughout history. Written in second person, it helps the reader get up close and personal with the subject.
 
Language, puns, inside jokes.
Use words and phrases that match your topic. And remember that kids LOVE puns and fun word-play!
I Fly: The Buzz About Flies and How Awesome They Are – Bridget Heos
Get it? BUZZ? Cracks me up every time!
 
No matter how serious you are, or how serious your subject is, a touch of humor can coax a smile, and maybe a giggle out of your reader. Go forth and be funny!

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