THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY of The Polio Pioneer

 THE POLIO PIONEER: DR. JONAS SALK AND THE POLIO VACCINE

Written by Linda Elovitz Marshall

Illustrated by Lisa Anchin

Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2020

@randomhousekids

rhcbooks.com

Lindamarshall.com

In 2012 – thanks to an SCBWI program – I became aware that by writing non-fiction for children, I could combine many of my interests: research (which I adore), travel (another love), and writing (which, for me, is like breathing). 

Immediately, I made a list of things to write about. My list grew (and continues growing…I add to it almost daily). 

Jonas Salk, M.D., one of my earliest heroes, headed the list. 

I was four or five years old, growing up in Boston, when polio ravaged our community. I heard news reports, overheard adults talking, learned about kids in my neighborhood who had polio. It was scary. We couldn’t go to the movies, go swimming, or play with friends for fear of catching the dread disease.

It seemed there was less polio where my grandparents lived. We stayed with them for a while. But, eventually, there was polio everywhere. No one was safe. No place was safe. We returned home. And hoped for the best.

Then came the polio vaccine, developed by Dr. Jonas Salk and his team.

We got our shots! Slowly but surely, the epidemic ended. It was a story of hope, a story of hard work, of diligence, of science triumphing over disease. It was a story I had to share. I was there. I remembered. I also realized that, soon, few would be around who – personally – remembered the disease.

I began researching what became The Polio Pioneer: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine in 2016, with a trip to the Salk Institute. I contacted Dr. Jonas Salk’s son, Dr. Peter Salk, who was wonderfully helpful to me in my research. Then I read and read and read. I watched video clips of Dr. Jonas Salk. I immersed myself in all-things-Salk and all-things-polio. And when, at last, I felt I had a good understanding of both Dr. Salk and the polio virus, I began writing.

My agent, Christa Heschke of McIntosh & Otis, placed my manuscript with an amazing editor – Karen Greenberg at Knopf Books for Young Children, a division of Penguin Random House. Karen guided me, asking questions, helping me work out details, and choosing a wonderful illustrator – Lisa Anchin.

Together, we’ve created a very important book – one that is ever-so-timely. 

I hope everyone will read The Polio Pioneer: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine. It’s the story of hope, of a medical triumph. It’s also the story of a child of immigrants – and the good he brought America and the world.

Now, in 2021, in the midst of the Covid pandemic, hope is what we need. 

“Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality.” – Dr. Jonas Salk.

Hope: it’s the thing called vaccine.

Linda Elovitz Marshall grew up near Boston, graduated from Barnard College, and raised four children and a flock of sheep on a farm in the Hudson River Valley. The author of several picture books, Linda still lives on the farm with her husband, Bob. To learn more, visit LindaMarshall.com.

FAST PITCH with The Picture Book Mechanic

 

JOIN THE PICTURE BOOK MECHANIC

for THE NIGHT BEFORE #PBPITCH

and Get Ready to Throw Your Best Pitches! 

WHAT:         On-the-spot Pitch Critiques 

WHEN:         February 10, 2021

TIME:           6:30 pm EST

COST:         $5.50 for RYS Members, $7.50 for Non-Members

WHERE:     The Picture Book Mechanic's Zoom Room

                    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9930468519 

To sign up for this event:

Pay the Webinar Fee of $5.50 (RYS Members) or $7.50 (Non-Members) to LittleWolfLiterary@gmail.com. E-mail your receipt and your Pitch for reading at the Webinar to me at: RYSSpeedpass@gmail.com 

Enter the Zoom Room above between 6:15 an 6:30 PM EST. 

Listen and learn! 

Any questions, please e-mail: LiterallyLynneMarie@gmail.com 

CRAFTY CORNER TIP from RYS Judge Katie Frawley

 Keep It Moving, People!

by Katie Frawley 

Last week a friend asked me what I like so much about writing picture books. I told him, “I think what keeps me coming back to picture books is how darn HARD it is to write them. I’ve always liked a challenge!” 

His reaction was typical of someone who doesn’t write picture books. “Is that right? They’re so short, you would think it would be EASY to write one!”

Well, it might be easy to write a bad picture book, but that’s not why we’re here, is it? I told my friend it is the job of the picture book writer to create a memorable character, give her a relatable problem, build tension, infuse emotional resonance, surprise and delight the reader with the ending, and don’t forget to tug on those heartstrings…IN ABOUT 500 WORDS!

Easy? I think not.

In order to accomplish this Herculean task, we must make sure that every sentence in our manuscript is doing one of two things:

1) Characterization (a.k.a. making clear the distinct personality of your character)

2) Advancing the plot (a.k.a. keeping the action moving forward toward the end)

Let’s take a look at a page from my book TABITHA AND FRITZ TRADE PLACES. 

My main characters, a cat named Tabitha and an elephant named Fritz, do a vacation home swap and exchange letters. Here is Fritz’s first letter to Tabitha after the swap begins.

Do these lines characterize Fritz? Yes! Fritz refers to Tabitha’s owner as “an adorable little human” and to the town swimming pool as “a watering hole.” This tells us that Fritz is coming to this new experience with a positive, open attitude. We also infer that Fritz will relate to this foreign environment in unexpected (and hilarious) ways.

How about the postscript? Does it advance the plot? Yes! By introducing Rocky, the African Rock Python, in this way, the reader gets a hint that a troublesome antagonist will be slithering his way into the story soon. This creates tension which will encourage your reader to keep turning those pages!

If your manuscript is running long or feeling sluggish, read through it and make sure each and every line either contributes to characterization or advances the plot. Bonus points for lines that do BOTH of these things simultaneously! If you identify lines that are doing neither of these things, sharpen your axe. It might be time to kill some darlings.

And when a friend tells you one day that writing picture books looks easy (and I’m telling you, it is GOING to happen), take it as a compliment. A well written story SHOULD feel effortless to the reader! You don’t want kids and parents plodding through your story, struggling to reach the end. It should be a breeze! A delight! A smooth and joyous ride! Only you and I will know how much blood, sweat, and tears went into honing that beautiful text. And we understand that the challenge is what makes the effort worthwhile!

 

--- Katie Frawley is a Rate Your Story Judge (www.rateyourstory.org), as well as the author of TABITHA AND FRITZ TRADE PLACES. You can learn more about her at: https://katiefrawley.wordpress.com/

KIDLIT PROFESSIONAL PROFILE: Helen H. Wu / Yeehoo Press

This month, I'm pleased to Interview Helen H. Wu! Helen is also the Guest Guru for the Month of
February over at RateYourStory.org. This means that she will be reviewing, rating and giving feedback on four (4) manuscripts from our Members Only!  

1. What do you LOVE about children’s books?

Children’s books have the potential to pass on the joy from generation to generation. Children’s books are one of the channels that children can learn about the world when they snuggle on the laps of parents and grandparents. It’s a magical format that I feel can perfectly encapsulate a feeling, a moment, a subject, a place and time. As an art lover, I also find it’s very entertaining and soothing to simply enjoy the artwork of children’s books. 

 

2. What brought you to children’s books? 

I’ve been passionate about writing and drawing since I was a kid; however, I never thought it would be a career option growing up in China. Back then, there were mostly black and white comic books. Picture books were introduced into China about 20 years ago. 

After I graduated from the University of Georgia with a master’s in Economics, I landed a job in the marketing field. To make attractive marketing materials, I learned how to use Photoshop. Then, I found tutorials on how to draw in Photoshop. I was amazed by what could be done in the program. I did some digital drawings and put up a portfolio online. To my surprise, someone asked me if I could illustrate their picture book. I rediscovered my passion for art and storytelling. Gradually, I illustrated more picture books for other authors, and I began considering writing my own story. With all the fear and lack of confidence, I still took the leap and wrote, illustrated and self-published my first picture book in 2014. Positive feedback from readers encouraged me to do more.

At the beginning of 2018, with more than 10 picture books that I wrote and illustrated under my belt, I realized it takes teamwork of professional editor, designer, art director, marketing specialist and printer to produce quality picture books. Traditional publishing was the route to take. I started taking classes, joining critique groups and attending conferences to hone my craft and connect with editors and fellow authors and illustrators.

In August 2019, I attended SCBWI conference in Los Angeles and met Mr. Zhang and two editors from Yeehoo Press. They were looking for someone to take charge of the US division of their publishing house. They wanted someone who had experience in children’s book publishing in both the US and China and had connections with authors. My background was a perfect fit for Yeehoo’s criterion, and I joined the team shortly after the conference. 

After working at Yeehoo Press for more than a year, now I have a deeper understanding of the business of children’s book publishing and I really appreciate being able to work with an awesome team of editors, designers, especially authors and illustrators. It takes a village to publish a children’s book, and every book is the fruit of faith, love, and teamwork.

3. What do you look for in a project to acquire for Yeehoo Press?

Yeehoo Press publishes 15–20 new titles a year in the US and China. Starting with the US and Chinese markets—two of the largest children's book markets—our goal is to find common ground between different countries and cultures and provide books with universal interest and appeal for readers worldwide. Basically, we are drawn to projects with kids relatable topics, universal messages, and multiple hooks.

 

4. What drew you to My Monsterpiece? 

When I first read MY MONSTERPIECE, I immediately fell in love with it. Amalia’s art style is very unique and the story has universal messages and multiple hooks. The adorable art with entirely engaging hand-drawn cutouts provides a 3D effect with interesting texture and details for little eyes to discover on every page; it’s a perfect mix of humor and critical thinking, with just as much heart as it has wit, this book will make kids laugh and think all at once; this book also provides teachers, educators, and librarians the opportunities to discuss stereotyping, bias, and point of view in the classroom; the monster theme with sounds like RAHHHH and GRRRR is perfect for storytime and Halloween theme tables; most importantly, the illustrations that Amalia created with basic materials that children use in making art encourage children to make their own monster creations. 

 

5. What is a common issue with the submissions you receive?

Some submissions didn’t follow the submissions guideline. We prefer query or cover letter pasted in the body of email with the manuscript sent as attachment. If it’s an art submission, we’d like to see a link to an online portfolio, instead of separate images as attachment. If the submission includes a dummy, a formatted PDF instead of an online gallery of separated images will be much easier for us to present to our team.

6. Please share a revision Tip for our Members. 

Write a one-line summary of your manuscript. This sentence can be a useful revision tool because it encapsulates the essence of the story. Look at the theme and the heart of the story, and think about if the setting and the characters are the best fit for such a theme. Think about if there is any way to add another layer to the story.

7. Please share a submission tip with our Members. 

Do your research. Before submitting a manuscript, please review our catalog and get a sense of what we publish. And we are unlikely to acquire new titles on already-covered topics.

Keep submitting. This is a very subjective industry and every editor has their own taste. Publishing is a long journey, as long as you keep writing and keep submitting, there is always hope and opportunity there. 

 

8. Name a subject you would like to see in your in-box. 

Character driven stories with humor, strong voices, fun, clever and unexpected twists at the end.

9. Name something to avoid sending to your in-box. 

In the US, as we’re a new imprint, we only publish picture books at this moment. In China, we’ll publish the simplified Chinese editions of board books, novelty books, picture books, middle grades, and graphic novels. 

We update our manuscript wish list every few months. As long as you think your manuscript is a good fit for our list, send them along!

 

10. Share a fun fact about YOU! 

The first picture book I ever wrote was a rhyming book, GOOD NIGHT, GOOD NIGHT. Back then I didn’t know anything about meters, beats or patterns. Part of me was embarrassed and part of me was pretty proud that I wrote a rhyming book even before I had the concept of these rules. Sometimes it just takes passion and courage to start a journey!

To learn more about Helen, visit: https://www.helenhwu.com/

Check Out Rate Your Story's Targeted Speedpass Judges for February, 2021

Rate Your Story is NOW offering Targeted Speedpasses with our "Judge of the 

Month" for both Members and Non-Members. We have three options available -- a Two Speedpass Judges that will rotate and and option to get a Rating and Feedback from our owner, Lynne Marie. All three Judges are published in rhyme and take rhymed picture book manuscripts, but Kirsti and Lynne Marie will also take regular picture book manuscripts, and Lynne Marie is published in non-fiction and will take non-fiction picture books. 

These can be accessed through this link: Speedpass

We are pleased to show our love for Targeted Speedpass Judges of the Month, Kirsti Call and Brenda Reeves Sturgis. 

First, let's learn a little bit about Kirsti.  

1. To what do you owe your success in becoming a picture book author?

Grit, determination, and knowing success lives in the neighborhood of failure.

2.  If you could recommend one craft book for Members to read, what would

it be?

Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication by Ann Whitford Paul

 3.  Name a picture book that you love and tell us why?

I adore DANDY, by Ame Dykeman, illustrated by Charles Santoso because it combines the perfect amount of humor and heart.

4.  Where do you find inspiration for your stories? 

My kids, my childhood, news stories, my work as a therapist, music--anywhere and everywhere...

5.  What do you feel is your strong suit in picture book writing? 

Wordplay.  And idioms.  Puns.  They moooooove me.  (I can't help mo-self with the cow puns. See bio below)

6.  What kind of books do you like best? 

I love books that make me laugh out loud.  But I also adore books that tug at my heartstrings. 

7.  Red or Pink? Why?

Impossible choice. My coat and glasses are red. But if I had to choose a pen color?  Pink all the way.  

8.  Share something you are passionate about.

I'm passionate about writing books that make people feel, and helping writers use their gifts to change the world for the better.

9.  What is something that no one knows about you? 

I speak Portuguese.  

10. What writing tip do you have for our Members? 

Read your manuscripts aloud and listen for the way your story sings. Change any words that don't flow, and have someone else read your story to you.  

Sing. Revise. Sing. Revise. Repeat until every word in your story harmonizes beautifully.

Kirsti Call co-hosts the PICTURE BOOK LOOK podcast and co-runs ReFoReMo. She's a critique ninja and elf for 12x12, a blogger for Writers' Rumpus, and a Rate Your Story judge. She's judged the CYBILS award for fiction picture books since 2015. Kirsti is a therapist trained life coach for creatives. Her picture book, MOOTILITA'S BAD MOOD (Little Bee) released last fall. COW SAYS MEOW (HMH) and COLD TURKEY (Little Brown) release in 2021. Kirsti is represented by Emma Sector at Prospect Agency. www.kirsticall.com

And now, let's meet Brenda Reeves Sturgis...

We are pleased to introduce another one of our Resident Rhymers - Targeted Speedpass Judge of the Month, Brenda Reeves Sturgis. Among Brenda's books are TEN TURKEYS IN THE ROAD, STILL A FAMILY, THE LAKE WHERE LOON LIVES, (fill in, please.) She will be only taking rhyme at this time. 

1. To what do you owe your success in becoming a picture book author?

That is a really great question. When I began my writing journey in 2004, NOBODY ever told me how difficult it is. So, being as green as I was, I jumped off the dock and plunged in and swam, and believed I could. At that time nothing was done online, submissions were snail mail. I had the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market Guidebook, and Kelly DiPucchio was featured. She is incredible, a fabulous rhymer, so I emailed her and asked her if she would critique for me. She agreed. I was nervous, as most new writers are, I waited with bated breath. Here is exactly what she said, “You have a natural ability to hear and write rhyme. You write rhyme better than people that have studied it for years.” She talked about how good my meter was.  Do you want to know what I said? I responded, “What is meter?” Honestly, it is so embarrassing now, but it’s the truth and an important part of my story. Throughout the years, through the mountains of rejections, her words sparked a desire in me to keep going, and so that is what I do. I continue on...

2. If you could recommend one craft book for Members to read, what would it be?

I do not have just one that I would recommend. I would say READ whatever books on writing picture books that you can, because you will extract what speaks to you. I would also say to read rhyming picture books. As many as you can, from as many different authors that you can, because you will see what works and you will see what doesn’t. Rhyming picture books are a different beast all together, children’s publishing is difficult, getting published in rhyme harder even still. But, the traditionally-published ones can be such an auditory gift. Read Lisa Wheeler, read Kelly DiPucchio, read Karma Wilson, read my late critique partner’s (Carrie Clickard’s) books, read the late Linda Smith, Mrs. Biddlebox, read, read, read. The more you read, the more you hear. 

3. Name a picture book that you love and tell us why.

I have a few that I love, that make my heart soar. Mrs. Biddlebox, by the late Linda Smith. I love it, everything about it, it is a little dark but the story I heard, was that she was in the hospital having been diagnosed with cancer and she wrote it on napkins and on her arms, it is a strong piece of writing. I adore John Lithgow’s Micawber, sublime writing. When I judge for Rate Your Story, sometimes I come across something that just leaves me breathing heavy, that makes me want to cry, that’s when I know something is spectacular. 

4. Where do you find inspiration for your stories from?

I find my inspiration in little every day things, turkeys blocking a road, the hoot of a lakeside loon, or an online discussion about the need for a book on homelessness. 

5. What do you feel is your strong suit in picture book writing?

My strong suit is my ability to hear and write in any rhyme in any meter. I only have to read something once or twice and then like a musician that plays by ear, I can convert my stories into that exact meter. It gives me the ability to have some versatility, but sadly it isn’t a very useful skill for everyday life stuff. :) 

6. What kinds of books do you like best?

I love rhyming books, but reading for pure enjoyment, I love biographies and non-fiction. 

7.  Red or pink? Why?

Red is a powerful color, a color of confidence. Pink is a sweet color, a color of innocence. I love them both depending on the day, but my favorite color is lilac. 

8. Share something you are passionate about. 

I am passionate about making a difference every day, wherever I can. It’s my motto in life, “Give everything you have and a little bit more.” Somedays that means going the extra mile for the family I nanny for by doing all of their laundry, somedays its paying for the person behind me, (this is something I do often) sometimes it’s buying a coat and a meal for someone that is homeless, sometimes it’s offering a compliment or a kind word, sometimes it’s leaving a $100.00 tip for a hardworking waiter or waitress. 

9. What is something no one knows about you?

I love the smell of skunks, I have a learning disability, and I always always have a pillow on my lap!

10. What writing tip do you have for our Members?

Above all else, you HAVE to believe you can. No matter what! Work hard. Be kind. Be gracious. Be appreciative. Go the extra mile.  

Brenda Sturgis is the author of 10 Turkeys in the Road - illustrated by David Slonim (Marshall Cavendish/Amazon/Scholastic, 2011), The Lake Where Loon Lives – illustrated by Brooke Carleton (Islandport Press, 2014) and Touchdown -- illustrated by Trey Chavez (MeeGenius, 2014). Her latest picture book, Still A Family, came out in 2017 and was named a top 100 book from the New York Public Library and a top 20 book from Mighty Girl. You can visit her at http://www.brendareevessturgis.com/home.html.

What's the Scoop: A Winning Webinar with Whale Rock Workshops

A Review by Lynne Marie

I recently attended my very first Whale Rock Workshop! Sadly, I had been able to make these when they were in-person events. But now that they have moved to an on-line format, I was thrilled to be able to grab a spot! 

This workshop was the first online event -- What's Going On - The State of the Union of Children's Publishing with Vice-President and Co-Publisher Phoebe Yeh of Crown Books and Maria Modugno, Executive Editorial Director of Random House Studio/Random House Children's Books (January 12). 

The registration was capped at 18 so it became a small gathering of 21 including Shari, Phoebe Yeh and Maria Modugno. 

This was perfect as it had an intimate, privileged feel to it (I was so thankful to be one of the 18) and it allowed for all of our questions to be answered at the end. 

The format was very casual, yet informative, where Phoebe and Maria discussed their visions, their passions, what they were looking for in manuscripts, and told stories about acquisitions. To be honest, I got so much more take-away from this than any conference speech or break-out session, likely because of the freedom of format and the intimacy. 

They answered many important questions about publishing in view of the pandemic, which were extremely candid, yet encouraging. I was very interested to hear all they had to say on this timely topic. I think opportunities like this are priceless!

Even though there wasn't a submission opportunity attached to this, the Editors kindly offered to take a submission from each of us on the class list! I thought this session was entirely worthwhile before that, and you can imagine how the value increased after that! 

Of course, I was so thrilled! I tried to sign up for another in January, but it was SOLD OUT. However, I did grab a spot for this one!

Their Lens on the World: Seeing, Speaking, Hearing Through Character

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2021 7:00 - 8:30 PM EST

FEATURING AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR LEAH HENDERSON

Compelling characters have very specific points of view. Learn how to tap into the way your characters experience and see the world so that you can convey each unique voice in your writing. Through exercises and discussion, we will look at how we as writers can understand our characters, their motivations, and their voices. 18 students maximum

I'll be honest. I am seriously thinking of attended the one on Prince Edwards Island in the Fall. 

If you wish to join me in the Fall or online, you can register here:

https://www.whalerockworkshops.com/winter-speaker-series-registration

Whale Rock Workshops is owned and run by Shari Becker. 

Shari Becker was born in Montreal, Quebec, and grew up speaking both English and French. As a child, she spent her summers in the Adirondack Mountains catching fireflies, minnows, and toads. After completing a master’s degree at New York University, Becker worked for Nickelodeon, Disney-owned companies, and an Emmy Award–winning puppeteer. She is the author of two picture books, including the Charlotte Zolotow Award–honored and Junior Library Guild–selected Maxwell’s Mountain. She most recently published Sprouting Wings with Louisa Jagger, illustrated by Floyd Cooper. She now lives in Brookline, Massachusetts, with her husband, two daughters, and their dog. 

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY of My Monsterpiece by Amalia Hoffman

 TITLE: My Monsterpiece

AUTHOR: Amalia Hoffman

ILLUSTRATOR: Amalia Hoffman

PUBLISHER: Yeehoo Press 

One way that we writers can dig up fresh ideas for children’s books is to actually revisit our own childhood. Our birthdays, family trips, siblings, first teacher, dreams and disappointments, are all wonderful sources— filed up with chockfull of premises.

Apparently, I was a very temperamental child. When I got angry with my mom and dad, I used to punish them by tearing the greeting cards I created for their birthdays and anniversaries.  Years later, when I visited my parents who lived in Jerusalem, I found an envelope with all the bits of torn art that my father saved. When I created My Monsterpiece, I showed the kid’s frustration by creating one spread that features the kid’s torn monsters.

I remember that when I was about 8, I entered a contest, sponsored by a children’s magazine, to draw a scary witch. Apparently, just like the kid in my book, my artwork didn’t scare anyone and I didn’t win.

In My Monsterpiece, I drew on my personal memories not only for writing the story but also for illustrating it. I wanted to create illustrations that really looked and felt as if a child created them. In order to do that, I again revisited my childhood. What were my favorite art supplies? How did I use colors?

Many of the illustrations were actually painted not with a brush, but by smearing paint with my fingers, as I did when I was 5 years old.

So dig up those old photo albums and you’ll find many ideas for your next children’s book!

Amalia Hoffman is an author, illustrator and storyteller.

Her picture book, The Brave Cyclist: The True Story of a Holocaust Hero (Capstone Publishing, 2019, illustrated by Chiara Fedele) is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection book. 

All Colors (Schiffer Publishing, 2019) made the list of best board books, 2019, chosen by School Library Journal.

Dreidel Day (Lerner Publishing Group, 2018) is a PJ Library book and received the PJ Library Author Incentive Award.

She is also the author/illustrator of Astro Pea (Schiffer Publishing, 2019.)

Her picture book, My Monsterpiece is coming up from Yeehoo Press, March, 2021.

Hanukkah Nights (Lerner Publishing Group, 2022) received the first PJ Library Incentive Award for an author and illustrator.

Masha Munching is coming up from Yeehoo Press in spring 2021.

Queen Esther and I was published in Highlights Magazine for Children (March, 2016.)

Amalia designed and illustrated an oversized book with pop-up elements for the production of Rose Bud at Israel’s children’s theater, The Train.

Other books include The Klezmer Bunch and Purim Goodies (Gefen Publishing House, 2007 and 2009.) 

Amalia is a participating artist at ArtsWestchester, a cultural organization that pairs artists and writers with schools and community centers.

She holds a Masters degree in art and art education from New York University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts with honor from Pratt Institute.

Visit Amalia at www.amaliahoffman.com and at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdkzv_MziTs