Animals of Wonderland #3: Walrus and Oysters
Deciding to not have the carpenter in this scene was a wise choice by my daughter. Lana wanted to focus on the series’ animals, so here’s her vision of the Walrus and Oysters. She chose a quote for the back of the painting by Lewis Carroll that reads: “Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well.”
What are some of your favorite characters in Wonderland?
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Local Author Expo 2019
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I was invited to return again for my fourth time in the annual Bucks County (PA) Library Local Author Expo. This year was even better as my daughter joined me at the table.
While I was signing books and talking about writing with visitors to my spot, my daughter was selling prints of a couple of her works. It was a fun bonding experience for me and her, and a great learning and confidence builder for her 11 year old artsy self. She loved it and I hope she’ll join me again because others loved her too!
Day 27: A LITTLE BOY IN THE LAND OF THE HICCUPS
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Day 27 of #sCrypt Halloween is a #bedtimestory with my children’s book A LITTLE BOY IN THE LAND OF THE SLEEPLESS KNIGHTS. Here are some facts: 1) it was first published on June 5, 2017. 2) @dpipito of @pintsizedpages not only did the outstanding #art for the cover and interior, but he helped me finalize the concept for the Sleepless Knight characters. 3) the book was written for my son, Tony, who had many a “sleepless nights” unless he had a good story before bed. 4) the dinosaur shown is the Cranky King. A T-Rex was chosen because Tony was obsessed with dinosaurs at the time and I wanted something to connect with him before bedtime. 5) the book exists in the same universe as my other works even though it is not involved or appears in any way in that continuity. What are your favorite children’s books? #authorsofinstagram #book
Interview: A LITTLE GIRL IN THE LAND OF THE HICCUPS
Here are some of the questions I received after public readings of my first children’s book, A LITTLE GIRL IN THE LAND OF THE HICCUPS. Feel free to ask any questions you may have in the comments below and I’ll answer them as well. Enjoy!
Q: This sounds like a cute but interesting name for a children’s book. What gave you this idea?
Rick: When my wife was pregnant with my daughter I’d read every night to her belly. My little girl would always react to hearing my voice and toward the end of each chapter I’d read, she’d predictably respond by hiccupping. It was such a bonding thing for me and the little lady that would be, so I wanted to write her more than just a song. I wanted a children’s book. The title came from that experience.
Q: Does your daughter like to read now?
Rick: Most certainly. Bedtime is her favorite because she knows its story time. Now that she is reading on her own (she’s 6 years old), we can take turns reading to each other, and I love every second of it.
Q: How did she react to finding out you wrote it for her?
Rick: She was overjoyed with emotion. Not only did her daddy write her a story, but her uncle (my brother, Dan Pipito) did the watercolor art for it. It holds a special place in all of our hearts.
Q: How did your son react?
Rick: He loved it too, and of course asked when I was going to write a story for him. His is already written actually, I just need to sit down with my brother and work out a schedule and approach to the art. The goal is to have it released in early 2016.
Q: The title of this book seems to be aimed at a young female audience. I’m assuming the opposite will be the audience for the book you’re writing for your son?
Rick: In reality they can be enjoyed by both boys and girls, but yes that’s the goal. They will exist in the same universe as one another, and the main character for the boy’s book will be the Little Girl’s brother.
Q: What will you call the sequel?
Rick: Based on my son having been a semi-restless child I named it A LITTLE BOY IN THE LAND OF SLEEPLESS KNIGHTS. Now that he’s a little bit older, thankfully he sleeps very well, and I hope this will be something he can read to his children one day.
Q: How is audience reaction to A Little Girl In the Land of The Hiccups thus far?
Rick: Overwhelmingly positive. I was asked to read at a school for a Kindergarten class, and be involved in a Q and A session as inspiration for future writers. For the younger attendees they seemed to love it, and for the older ones (ranging in age from 5th grade to adult) they not only enjoyed it but were ecstatic that I was there. It was a hit during the holiday season and I hope it will be again next year, because it really is a great read for young girls especially.
Q: How many children’s books will you do?
Rick: Definitely a minimum of three. That’s all I have conceptualized at this point but I’m sure there will be more. I have the goal of A LITTLE GIRL… for girls, A LITTLE BOY… for the boys, and a third book in the series that will team the brother and sister up in a new scenario and appease to both sexes.
Q: How does writing a children’s book differ from what you do to write a novel, from concept to final product?
Rick: It’s unique in that there is a lot less time involved on my part. For my novel writing there is research involved, making the characters believable and their situations. When writing the children’s book it was simpler. The idea and character were already set. Putting her in a fantastic situation didn’t need to be entirely believable because of the audience. Kids tend to disassociate themselves from the real world on multiple levels. An active imagination can be very healthy, and I encourage children to have fun with their make believe before they have to go out into the real world and face the difficulties of being an adult. I enjoyed playing into that “make believe” with writing this and at the same time I wanted a moral to the story to be accompanied by a certain degree of education. Making it a fun experience while teaching a lesson is what it is all about in a child’s book.
Q: The style of art selected is authentic and really balances well with the story. Tell us about the artist.
Rick: Dan (Pipito) is my younger brother. He and I have always done well working together especially when it comes to combining my writing with his artistic talents. He’s proficient in many mediums, but watercolor is my favorite of his styles. Dan took my story and brought it to life. He asked for my final approval and I had no issues with what he’d done. My kids love what he did, and I think that says a lot. He managed to captivate not just the adult author’s approval, but also the child reader’s.
Q: Where can anyone get a copy of “A LITTLE GIRL IN THE LAND OF THE HICCUPS”?
Rick: www.lulu.com is selling print copies at reasonable rates, so spread the word.
sCrypt Publishing 