Fear Not! Big Chickens Go To Town – Interview with Children’s Author Leslie Helakoski

As a fellow bird and chicken-lover, the pleasure of interviewing Children’s Author, Leslie Helakoski is one of excitement and honor. She creates timeless works of humorous fiction, touching hearts and generations with smiles…everywhere.

Michelle — What is your favorite type of chicken?

Leslie — Big ones, of course!

Michelle — What inspired you to write these chicken books? What inspired previous books?

Leslie – These chicken books are all autobiographical–I’m a recovering chicken, myself, so I found writing about fear very natural. The first book, Big Chickens, is about making things worse with our fear. The second book, Big Chickens Fly the Coop, is about running back to safety instead of pursuing your dream and the third one, Big Chickens Go to Town, is about the fear of the unknown. In all cases, I want chickens everywhere to know that the answers are not outside themselves. Hopefully, the books show that in a fun way. I love playing with words and being silly with language and chickens are a fun vehicle.

Go To Town

From another part of the barn came Woolbur, the story of a free thinking sheep. This award winner was inspired by working with the kind of kid who makes working with kids hard.

Michelle — In writing, which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Leslie — If the book is the egg that was hatched, that means the chicken came first, which was me. In writing, the idea of ‘chicken chickens’ is what came to me first. That is the title I wanted but it had been used years ago and we didn’t want to have any confusion with that book. For me, visuals have to come along with an idea. That is what makes me want to tell the tale that I see in my head. I like to paint also, perhaps that is why I focus on visuals so much but picture books require fun images and that in turn inspires me to write.

My newest book, Fair Cow, will be released in August 2010 and will be the first book that I have both written and illustrated. Now, what other barn animals haven’t I addressed?

Thank you Leslie for the opportunity to feature your books on my blog and for your lovely contributions to beautiful, humorous, and timeless, quality children’s literature.

If you are interested in finding out more about Leslie’s latest books or for more information, her website link follows:

http://www.helakoskibooks.com/

“Mama’s Belly” By Michelle Medlock Adams – time to vote

Michelle Medlock Adams is one of those beautiful people whose words touch multiple generations. With books that spark imagination, smiles and genuine inspiration, she has embraced the importance of written words many times over. The opportunity to meet her at a writer’s conference was a blessing right from the get-go.  As an author and speaker, her professionalism shines in the forefront of leadership.  As a friend, she will touch your heart in the most kindred way.  I am honored to feature her on my blog, as I present one of her latest treasures, “Mama‘s Belly.”

You’ve no doubt heard of “American Idol” that appears on the Fox Network and has launched the careers of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and many others. Well, now there is an “American Idolish” competition for children’s authors called “The ABC Book Competition” sponsored by a publishing company in Houston, Texas. Instead of singing, authors from all over America submit an original picture book manuscript and the publisher picks the top 12 finalists. At that point, the fate of each book is in the hands of America. That’s why I am writing to you today—I am soliciting internet votes for my picture book, “Mama’s Belly.”

Here’s how you can vote for “Mama’s Belly.”

Go to http://www.abcbookcompetition.org/5th_comp/5th_index.html online.

The voting begins September 20 and ends October 4. Only one vote is permitted per 24 hours per computer IP address. So, if you plan to help me get the word out about my book and encourage others to vote for “Mama’s Belly,” (and I REALLY hope you will), please tell everybody to vote from their home computers every day from Sept. 20 through Oct. 4. That way, all of their votes will be counted and this Hoosier author will see her publishing dreams come true. Whoo hoo!

Let me tell you a bit about my story. “Mama’s Belly” features a topic that never goes out of style–welcoming a new baby to the family. In my picture book for 4-8 year olds, a little girl makes observations about her mother’s growing belly. It’s full of fun language and great illustration possibilities.

“Mama’s Belly” by Michelle Medlock AdamsMichelle Medlock Adams has always loved to write. She was bitten by the journalism bug early on, becoming editor of her sixth grade newspaper, The Panther Paw, at age 11. Michelle spent the rest of her middle school and high school years preparing for a career as a news reporter. After graduating high school, she majored in journalism at Indiana Universityand graduated with a B.S. degree in 1991.By February 1992, she had landed her first daily newspaper job as a city government reporter at the Bedford (Indiana) Times-Mail. Over the course of her years at the paper, Michelle’s writing gained recognition, winning awards from the Associated Press, the Hoosier State Press Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors.

While she loved the thrill of the news game, when Michelle and her husband, Jeff, became parents in 1992 and 1994, Michelle’s priorities drastically changed. Her zest for covering breaking news paled in comparison to the joy she felt while reading “Goodnight Moon” and “Cat in The Hat” to her two baby girls. Eventually, Michelle started writing funny stories of her own to entertain her children. After attending a few children’s writing workshops and joining the SCBWI, Michelle sold her first picture book, “Sister For Sale” to Zonderkidz in 1999.  She’s been in love with writing for children ever since.

“Mama’s Belly,” one of Michelle’s most recent stories, was inspired by the enormity of her belly while pregnant with her second daughter, Allyson. Big sister Abby just couldn’t figure out where Mommy’s lap had gone! Abby and Allyson continue to inspire many of Michelle’s stories.

Today, the Adams Family resides in Bedford, IN—the Limestone Capital of the World—where they cheer on the Indiana Hoosiers Basketball team. Go IU!