Happy book-day Bug and Bear!  My second picture book is now out in the UK, and will be released in the US on April 1st (should I worry that it's April Fool's Day?).  Actually, it is already available for purchase on US websites (see book page for links).  As I was writing this story, I could relate to both Bug and Bear, and I love how Layn Marlow has brought them to life with her charming illustrations. So which are you, a Bug or a Bear?

I recently received the co-editions of Naughty Toes from the US, Canada (French language), and Portugal. Of all my books so far, Naughty Toes is probably the closest to my heart, and I adore the illustrations by Teresa Murfin.

Each edition is beautiful, I couldn't be more pleased, but what gives me the biggest smile is the character names.  In my original version, published in the UK, the main character is called Trixie and her sister is Belinda.  The US edition comes closest, with the main character named Chloe and her sister called Belinda. In Canada (French language) they will be known as Josephine and Isabella, and in Portugal you can call them Beatriz and Aurora.  What fun!

Naughty Toes will be released in the UK at the beginning of April, and in fact it is already available for purchase online (see book page for links).

The US edition, published by tiger tales, will be out in September.  It, too, is ready early, and tiger tales is sending me to Book Expo America in NYC at the end of May to sign some advance copies. Hooray!  

With three books coming out this year, I'm delighted to be setting up more appearances at book stores, conferences, and festivals.  I have three on the calendar so far and hope to add more as time goes on.  I'll post details closer to the dates, but in the meantime here's the scoop:

May 24: Book Expo America, New York City, Naughty Toes signing at 10:30am

June 3-5: SCBWI NJ Conference, Princeton NJ, presentations with KAC and book signing

October 11: Collingswood Book Festival, Collingwood NJ

Hope to see you out and about!  

When we moved to Germany we finally got high speed internet and I became a blog addict.  One of my favorite book blogs was Presenting Lenore (http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com) which I read faithfully every day.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Lenore herself lived right in Frankfurt, just across the park from my apartment!  I contacted her through her blog and we became good friends - she is one of the reasons that leaving Germany was so bittersweet.  In honor of the recently published U.S. co-edition of Pocket's Christmas Wish, Lenore asked me to recommend some other Christmas picture books for her blog readers.  Here's the link:

http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2010/12/author-ann-bonwill-discusses-christmas.html 

You'd think that by mentioning ten Christmas picture books I would have covered it all, but in re-reading my list I realize that I made a glaring omission.  I did not include any books that discuss Christmas celebrations in countries and cultures other than my own (well, there was an Australian wombat and a Finnish troll and an English stick, but still).  While I purposefully stuck to Christmas picture books (vs. other holidays celebrated at this time of year) there are many wonderful Christmas traditions and customs that take place in countries and cultures around the world and close to home. While they are all too often under-represented in children's books, here are some great stories to get us started.  I hope you will find many others to enjoy and explore.  

1.  The fabulous author/illustrator Tomie dePaola has said that his favorite holiday is Christmas.  I don't doubt it, considering how many books he's created that have to do with Christmas!  Two very special ones are The Legend of Old Befana and The Legend of the Poinsettia.  I love Old Befana, the Italian equivalent of Santa Claus, who brings gifts to children because she recognizes the spirit of Jesus within them.  Similar to the story of the little drummer boy, The Legend of the Poinsettia is a Mexican tale of the true meaning of giving.  Both are beautiful additions to a Christmas library.

2.  If you're looking for a sampling of Christmas traditions from around the world, look no further than Iza Trapani's Jingle Bells.  This delightful journey through Mexico, Sweden, The Philippines, Poland, Italy, Kenya, and the United States is a perfect way to start a conversation about international customs and cultures.

3.  Integrating dual cultural identities can be particularly difficult during the holidays.  In Yoon's Christmas Mitten, by Helen Recorvits and Gabi Swiatkowska, this subject is handled in a sensitive and straightforward manner, as a Korean-American girl tries to reconcile her family's Christmas celebration with that of her classmates.

4.  An African Christmas, by Ifeoma Onyefulu, is a fabulous photo essay of Christmas time in Nigeria.  It brings the holiday to life and allows the reader a glimpse into the Mmo masquerades of festival time.

5.  One of my favorite Christmases ever was the Christmas that I spent in New Mexico.  There was something so enchanting about their tradition of lining the streets with farolitos, candles in paper bags weighted with sand.  The Farolitos of Christmas by Rudolfo Anaya is a lovely depiction of this special New Mexican tradition.

Happy Holidays to all.  Wishing you peace and joy in 2011. 

 

Since moving back to the United States, I've had the good fortune to join a wonderful group of writers called the KidLit Authors Club.  KAC is made up of authors from the mid-Atlantic states who have banded together to promote, market, sign, and sell their books at bookstores, schools, libraries, conferences, and festivals.  As an introverted author, this group format is a dream come true for book promotion.  I am already enjoying the support, advice, and camaraderie that this collection of writers has to offer.

I went to my first KAC event in Pennsylvania just over a week ago and I loved every minute of it.  It was a group signing at the Border's Express in Exton Square Mall, which was the perfect way to get my feet wet.  I had terrific time chatting with my fellow KAC authors, signing copies of Pocket's Christmas Wish just in time for the holidays, and meeting readers young and old.  Thanks to the lovely people at Border's Express in Exton for sponsoring such a nice event, and thanks to the members of KAC for making me feel so welcome.  

Here are some pictures from our KAC party: 

 

KAC picture book authors Irene Breznak (Sneezy Louise), Ann Bonwill (Pocket's Christmas Wish), and Jeannine Norris (Tonight You Are My Baby)

 

 

KAC authors Cynthia Chapman Willis, Nancy Viau, Irene Breznak, Ann Bonwill, Ellen Jensen Abbott, Jennifer R. Hubbard, and Jeannine Norris (Cyn Balog was also at the signing but had already left) 

I look forward to many more events with KAC, including presentations at the NJSCBWI conference in June. For more information about this great group, check out KAC's website at 

http://www.kidlitauthorsclub.com.