GP Putman, Mar 18, 2010

It’s here! It’s here! Imagine me blowing one of those long, thin horns from Camelot with banners flying and  fireworks bursting because that’s how I feel! Happy Birthday to Your Daddy Was Just Like You!

On March 1st, I held my newest baby, a hard copy of Your Daddy Was Just Like You, in my hands for the first time. They shook as I turned the pages. This  mother/grandmother love story has been a long time coming–over 7 years. Thanks to Susan Kochan, my editor, who saw its potential, it’s born!

The idea for the book came from watching my son Max trying so hard to be a big guy and do all the stuff big guys could do, with his chubby cheeks red from exertion or frustration. It’s my way of saying, “don’t worry, you’ll make it….your daddy wasn’t always so strong, or smart or brave. He had to learn and you will, too!”

While the idea and words for a picture book may come from the author, it’s the pictures that bring it to life. David Walker is a master at showing emotion..joyful bubbles float up from the bathroom scene; pouty daddy bashes about during his wild days, sad daddy pouts in the corner during Time Out–looking so perfectly adorable you want to laugh and cry at the same time! David generously shared sketches and discussed the illustration process during an interview last year. Check it out!

For me, the great joy in being an author comes from seeing kids and their people enjoy my books. My girlfriend Teri gave me sweet taste of that joy when she brought her nieces, Sofia and Isabella,  to a recent book signing in Tulsa. I only had the review copy of Your Daddy then, but they wanted to read it and so we did. At the end of every “Just Like You,” Isabella pointed to herself and said, “Just like me!” with a huge smile, “I do that…and that…or that!. The best birthday gift a book could receive:

Happy Birthday! Your Daddy Was Just Like You …and you and you and you!

Dance, Y’all, Dance Teacher’s Guides and Activity sheets are now available for your enjoyment on my website. You’ll find them by clicking on the Activities Tab. Including!

Published by Bright Sky Press, 11-2009

Dance, Y’all, Dance Texas Teacher’s Guide, created by author, teacher, creative goddess, fellow VC grad and hostess of the Simple Saturday Craft Days (which are grand fun for everyone!), Debbie Gonzales!

Dance, Y’all Dance puzzles, mazes, word searches of varying difficulties so children of all ages can enjoy them, created by author, poet and puzzle diva Doris Fisher

Dance, Y’all, Dance Teacher’s Guide–Even More To Explore, created by Author and Literary Specialist Tracie Vaughn Zimmer. Tracie has a grand website with interviews for writers, book reviews for readers and Teaching Guides to hundreds of books, from picture books (Including Not Norman, Spider Spins a Story, and Sherlick Hound and the Valentine Mystery) to young adult which are created especially with teachers and book clubs/groups.

I just finished being interviewed by Naomi Giroux  for her podcast “Coffee with An Author” which will air at 10:00 am central time February 15th, 2010.  It was an hour-long  interview during which I discuss writing, my books and read Dance, Y’all, Dance. Those of you who know me may not be surprised to know how easy it was for me to blabber on for an hour….there are lots of “ummmmms” in there, and mid-way through we lost the connection between Bryan, Texas and Jakarta, Indonesia–go figure! So there are a few fun moments of “are you there????? Kelly??? Hello, Kelly???” All in all,  Naomi made it easier than I ever expected. The best part is that mid-way through I read Dance, Y’all, Dance–so if you like to hear an author read her/his stories, forward to the middle, open the book to scene one and read along as I read aloud!

“Coffee with an Author” is an interactive, live Internet talk-radio show that focuses on authors and writers of all genres and mediums, and a feature on Ijustfinished.com. Host Naomi Giroux explores the careers, advice, writing style and personality of each guest. Callers are encouraged to call  (646) 716-9724 to listen or ask questions. The stream and archives are available at http://blogtalkradio.com/i- just-finished . “Coffee with an Author” is live every Monday at 10am (CST). The show is hosted on BlogTalkRadio, by Ijustfinished.com, and available on iTunes as well.