I am excited to be taking part again in World Read Aloud Day 2/2/22, an event that allows schools or libraries to visit with authors for twenty minutes– to learn more about them, hear them read their work, ask questions, and get author recommendations of other books students might like to read.
Coming just before President’s Day, this virtual opportunity will allow me to share the story across the country and world of how young Abraham Lincoln’s life was saved by his beloved pup, Honey. Please message me for any more details.
This one-of-a-kind webinar will focus on lesser-known facts about Abraham Lincoln. — From his life as a child on a Kentucky farm, rescuing animals and being rescued by one himself — to the lessons he learned after a rascally mistake landed him in a duel as a budding lawyer — and his presidential days as a man rooted deeply in his agricultural past—young readers will see the evolution of Lincoln’s character.
The Virtual Author Visit will last one hour and will allow each author to discuss her book and how it reflects Lincoln’s character. We will explore the research and writing behind each story and offer engaging writing lessons to inspire creativity and connect to curriculum goals. The visit will conclude with time for Q and A.
The webinar is suitable for school-age children, Lincoln fans, teachers, and writers. A pdf of the writing lessons will be available with registration.
Can’t make the Feb. 12 live webinar? No problem. A recording will be available to registrants until February 28, 2021.
NOTE: Each registration works on ONE device only for the live event. Shared links will not work. Each classroom attending the event will need to register separately. Teachers should contact their IT specialists to determine remote learner access to the live event. Otherwise, virtual students can watch the recorded session from home (with teacher’s access code) through the month of February.
I’m excited to be participating in World Read Aloud Day on February 3, 2021. WRAD connects authors with teachers and librarians for 20 minute visits. I’ll be introducing myself, reading from my book, HONEY, THE DOG WHO SAVED ABE LINCOLN, answering questions, and giving some recommendations of other Lincoln books the kids might like. February 3 is right before President’s Day and the perfect time for kids to be learning some little known facts about Abraham Lincoln as a young boy.
You can schedule your free WRAD author visit with me and HONEY at this link.
HONEY, THE DOG WHO SAVED ABE LINCOLN is featured in the Children’s Author Showcase by Russo’s Books in conjunction with SCBWI Cen Cal Chapter. Check out this video of me talking about he book, featuring my favorite writing companion! 🙂
Here’s another chance to win a copy of HONEY and to peek behind the curtain at the writing process. Kellee asked way I chose this specific moment in time for my book. Here’s an except from the interview:
Q: Why did you specifically choose this moment in Abe’s life to focus on? What did you hope to add to the Abe Lincoln narrative?
A: This story captivates me for several reasons. First, I love that we see Abe as a child—prone to distraction, earnest and loving, and with a deep compassion for animals. I feel it adds depth to our understanding of him as a man and makes him relatable to current children who might share these characteristics. Second, that Abe might not have grown up to be a man and our president without Honey gives me shivers. I believe Honey is an American hero, and that Abe’s kindness to Honey came back to bless him later. Kindness is something that causes ripples to go out and touch others in ways we usually never see. Finally, this is one of very few stories that features Lincoln’s mother, Nancy. Very little is written about his Kentucky years with Nancy, and she died shortly after the Lincolns moved to Indiana. That mother-son bond was important to him and is precious. I hope that this story fleshes out the narrative of Lincoln by showing his compassion from an early age as well as how his behavior was rooted in kindness. I also feel this story helps us appreciate the fragility of life and how interconnected everything is.
For the whole interview and book giveaway, go here.
On President’s Day, HONEY is getting some lovely reviews and attention. Here are snippets and links to a few.
“In her debut as a picture book author, Shari Swansonbrings a story to readers about Abraham Lincoln sure to find a permanent place in their hearts. His kinship with the natural world, his appreciation for all living things, is revealed in an expressive narrative woven with facts and through realistically depicted conversations with other people in his life. Readers will understand the significance of Abe’s perceptions in the wild. What if he had not heard Honey? Readers will also marvel at the astuteness of Abraham at only seven years old.”
“In a world where children are often limited in where they can wander without adult supervision, it is fun to be transported back to a time where children were able to have large areas to play. Swanson’s engaging text perfectly captures the relationship Abe and Honey shared and makes this a perfect read aloud. Chuck Groenink’s illustrations are a beautiful compliment to the text.”
A giveaway and craft idea in honor of our 16th president’s birthday from CelebratePictureBooks.com. And a review that gave me shivers of delight!
“In her enchanting story, Shari Swanson introduces young readers to the boy who would grow up to be the 16th president of the United States. Children meet this beloved man as a peer, discovering that his kindness, self-deprecation, sense of humor, and big heart were always part of his personality and guided him throughout his life, during good times and times of turmoil. Abraham Lincoln’s voice drives Swanson’s storytelling, which is charming and uplifting and gives a feel for the community that raised a president. Children may be awed by the responsibility Abe took on as a mere seven-year-old but will also recognize and appreciate his knowledge, competence, and confidence. Abe’s relationship with Honey is heartwarming, demonstrating that love and loyalty are repaid in many ways.”
If you are looking for a yummy rainy day activity, how about Honey prints? Here, I used pre-made sugar cookies already cut into the right size. Right after you get the cookies out of the oven, gently ease one Hershey’s drop and four little chocolate morsels into the warm cookie for the paw pads. Then let the cookies cool. Mmmmm!
I’m not used to being interviewed. It really brings out some interesting feelings. Here I share with Secret Gardener Linda Washington what advice I would give to hopeful picture book writers and my hopes of what readers will take away from reading HONEY.
El Space: Any advice for would-be picture book writers? What do you think a twenty-first century kid needs to see in a picture book? Shari: My best advice it to read your work out loud. Notice where the pauses and awkward phrasings are so you can fix them. I also think it is hugely important to make a picture book dummy, eight sheets of paper folded in half to make 32 pages, and block out your story. Where are the breaks? Are there interesting page turns? Is there something that is illustratible on each page? Finally, don’t give up. Take the time to create as often as you can. The joy is in the journey. I’m not sure what a modern kid needs to see in a picture book. I hope in Honey, a modern reader can both identify with young Abe—his distractedness, his love for animals, his desire to help—and think about the differences, too, like how Abe walked miles alone through a wild dangerous forest, so that the book is both timeless and grounded in its time.
