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Chisa Merriweather – #1 on The Gittle List 2017
#1 on The Gittle List 2017
Chisa Merriweather, along with co-author Nicole White, won the #1 slot on The Gittle List for Chase-Man: How My Brother Became a Real Superhero. In her exclusive Gittle interview, she shares what she does to market Chase-Man. (Read Aviva’s review.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List? Learning that I earned a spot on the Gittle List was an amazing feeling of accomplishment! Not only did I earn a spot I was named #1! Last year when I submitted my book it wasn’t quite ready for prime time. I’m new to writing children’s books so I wasn’t going to become discouraged. The content of my book was a story that I felt was very important to share with the world and I needed to get it RIGHT. I took advantage of the book review provided by Aviva Gittle and hired a professional editor as well as proofreader. When I submitted the book for a second time this past year I felt much more confident knowing that I did all that I could to tell my son’s story.
What is your favorite children’s book? My 2nd grade teacher, Ms. Reavy, introduced me to Shel Silverstein’s books. Every afternoon she read a poem from either A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, or Where the Sidewalk Ends. When she read The Giving Tree, it immediately became a favorite of mine. Now as a parent I can appreciate the story even more. While there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make sure my children are happy, it’s important for them to know that material things cannot buy them happiness.
What is your favorite color? Crimson is a symbol of happiness and good fortune in many countries. It’s my absolute favorite color! I love matching it with gray scale images as the contrasting color. Crimson is also seen as a color of strength, it’s no wonder superheroes are often seen with red capes.
What do you do to market your books? Our books are often used as teaching tools. We have been invited to several elementary schools, day camps and preschools in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for book readings. These readings give Chase an opportunity to show off the unique way he gets ready for the day. Then as a show and tell, his running blades and arm is passed around the room. Most importantly Chase shows them that his physical appearance may be a little different but he is still like any other 7-year-old. Our book Chase-Man: How My Brother Became a Real Superhero has recently caught the eye of Chase and CJ’s elementary school librarian and has been included on the shelves.
Artist Cathy Reene turns Chase into “Chase-Man.”
What was a defining moment in your life? I woke up one morning at Chase’s bedside at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It was the morning after his amputations. The day before was long and exhausting! I had the chance to do a lot of thinking. The past few months were tough for both my boys, more so CJ. I was trying to figure out how to balance being there for all my boys. As a mother of 2, and one more on the way, I needed to pull myself together. So, I woke up the next day energized and ready for a new chapter.
What is the strangest job you’ve ever had? I’ve been employed since the age of 15 not by force of my parents but by choice. Like most teenagers I started off as a babysitter. Making my own money was awesome and I didn’t have to ask my parents for anything! As an undergrad, I kept at least 3-4 jobs simultaneously. While a student at West Chester University I had a pretty unique work-study job, which was in the print house. Using a special plastic cutting machine I created signs for offices, stairways, bathrooms and classrooms for the university; as well as shrink wrapped flyers. It wasn’t the most exciting job but I received print house experience not to mention money for my art supplies.
NOTE: Chase-Man was illustrated by 2-time Gittle List winner Cathy Reene. Read her exclusive interview.
Chisa Merriweather is a graphic designer from Montgomery County, PA, graduate of West Chester University of Pennsylvania and is the mother of 4 boys. In 2013, her son Chase was stricken with a near deadly strand of the flu that sent him into septic shock and ultimately led to the amputation of both feet and hands. In an effort to demonstrate the strength and resilience of children who are faced with unexpected challenges she began writing children’s books. Her first book “The Blueprint of a Superhero” is an easy read that demonstrates how Chase prepares for the day with his prosthetics. The release of “How My Brother Became a Real Superhero”, narrated by his brother CJ, is a prequel to her first book that shows how against all odds Chase becomes a real life superhero.
Contact Chisa:
Artist Sarah Leigh-Wills #8 on The Gittle List 2017
#8 on The Gittle List 2017
Sarah Leigh-Wills illustrated Go To Sleep! by Marion Adams — #8 on The Gittle List 2017. In her exclusive Gittle interview, Sarah shares 3 strange and wonderful things about herself. #3 is a quite a surprise!
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List? I wasn’t even aware that The Gittle List existed, so once I looked into it all I was very pleased that Go To Sleep! had been awarded a spot!
What’s you earliest memory of drawing or writing? (Some ideas: Where were you? I was a very inquisitive child! I have always loved ‘different’ things and absolutely LOVE animals! I remember drawing animal doodles all over my school books and a teacher once telling me off for decorating them all in such a way, I specifically remember him saying: “they will not earn you money when you get older!!!” haha! funny that, as they do now!
Interior illustration from Go To Sleep!
Which artists or writers most influenced or inspired your work? I ADORE the work of Quentin Blake… Always have. I love the loose expressions and the emotion captured in the finest of details! The ink flow and meant mistakes just add so much to his work… I really do adore the hand being able to be loose on a page and not having to conform to what we think is right!
What is your favorite color or color combination? I ADORE colour… infant my family have always branded me the ‘walking rainbow’ The more clashing colours the better for me! Is there such a thing as ‘perfect colour combinations?’ I dont think so… What works is where the colours are applied and how! Colour is such an amazing thing! It can alter a mood but also it can completely transform the mood!
Sarah Leigh-Wills’ workspace
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both? Both… I like to work on paper of corse… but i also love sketching on my ipad. Im not a massive vector fan… but i do the odd project here and there to keep a hand in 🙂 I think its good for personal development as a creative to explore other mediums etc!
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you. HAHA only 3…. I will try!
- I have 4 rescued Guinea Pigs that live in my studio in little open top bachelor houses (they all like their own space, as they tell me!) yes…. I do indeed have conversations with them daily! They even have their own page: https://www.happydesigner.co.uk/the-happydesigner-pigs/
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Original drawing by Sarah Leigh-Wills
I LOVE sci-fi! Yep! I like the idea of thinking outside of this world and into the worlds of others and imagining all the weird and wonderful things that could be out there! If I could have a secret power it would defiantly be the Jedi Force! I am a soft touch for the baddies though… always cried when Darth Vader died!
- I am in a 80s Synth Tribute band with my husband called ELECTRONIX.
Sarah Leigh-Wills
Sarah Leigh-Wills is an award-winning children’s illustrator and author. An early calling as a vet at the age of 11 turned into a lifelong love of drawing animals. With a talent for knowing what makes children laugh and being able to engage with children on their level, Sarah has enjoyed a huge amount of success from her illustrations. Her project Night Night My Little Tiger is set to be featured on CBeebies Bedtime Stories. Sarah is known for her creativity, innovation and most importantly for the fun she brings to everything she creates.
Contact Sarah:
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Marion Adams – #8 on The Gittle List 2017
Go To Sleep! is #8 on The Gittle List 2017
Like many authors, Marion Adams started writing stories in childhood. So, it’s no surprise that she grew up to be an award-winning author! Marion is #8 on The Gittle List 2017 for Go To Sleep! (Read Aviva’s review.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List? What was your first thought after hearing the news? I was absolutely thrilled and delighted! My first thought after hearing the news was ‘I’ve done it!’ When you enter any competition, of course, you hope that you’ll get somewhere, but to avoid disappointment, you try not to think about it too much – at least, that’s what I do. So it was a lovely surprise to win a place!
Interior illustration by Sarah Leigh-Wills
What’s you earliest memory of writing? My earliest memory of writing creatively was at school when I was about eight. The teacher pinned a color picture on the wall and told us to write about it. It was of a family and their dog having a picnic. I remember really losing myself in writing the story, and the teacher reading it out to the class afterwards. After that, I knew that I wanted to be a writer when I grew up.
What is your favorite children’s book? I think it would have to be The Tiger Who Came To Tea by Judith Kerr, one of my children’s favorite ‘read-again’ books. Published 50 years ago, it’s a book that has stood the test of time for good reason. I love it for its gentle humor, and because it appeals to a child’s imagination with a message that something exciting, totally unexpected and even slightly dangerous could disrupt even the most ordinary of days.
Interior illustration by Sarah Leigh-Wills
Why did you decide to self-publish? What put me off submitting Go To Sleep! to mainstream publishers wasn’t so much the high chance of rejection (few publishers will take on a new children’s book author), but rather that I wanted to keep control of the whole process. It was easier than I thought because I found the amazingly talented illustrator, Sarah-Leigh Wills, and the technical side was taken care of by Nick Jones of independent publisher Full Media Ltd, who was very encouraging and supportive throughout.
Any advice for writers thinking about self-publishing a children’s picture book? I think it’s probably obvious, but it is essential that the book is properly edited. I’m not just talking about typos here. It’s very hard to assess your own writing (even if you’re an editor!), so I’d say make sure that several people check it and give you feedback before you go to print. In a children’s picture book, every word really does count, and writing that isn’t polished will stand out a mile.
Which of your characters is most like you in any of your books? I think Tansy is quite a lot like me. I often forget how to go to sleep, I’m not very good with figures and I’m always letting my imagination run away with me. Hopefully, I don’t cause as much trouble as Tansy did, though!
Marion Adams is a self-employed editor and proofreader. She has been writing since she was little, in a variety of styles and for different audiences, and her published work includes plays, song lyrics, non-fiction books, articles and magazine stories for teens. She is also a prize-winning poet and has had her work published in magazines including Salopeot, Bare Fiction and Poetry Nook. Go To Sleep! is her first children’s picture book, and she is currently working on several more titles. Marion lives in the UK on the south Devon coast with her family and two dogs, both boisterous Jack Russell crosses.
Contact Marion Adams:
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Maria Ashworth – #6 on The Gittle List 2017
#6 on The Gittle List 2017
Maria Ashworth’s first self-published children’s picture book, Step One, Step Two, Step Three and Four not only earned a spot on The Gittle List 2017, but was featured in the Houston Chronicle, NPR, and Fox News. (Read Aviva’s review.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List? Excited about the win. I was pretty impressed with The Gittle List winners and happy to be part of such a successful group of authors.
What is your favorite color or color combination? You might think this is crazy but it’s brown. Any brown but I tend to lean more towards a rich chocolate brown. I have no idea why, maybe it’s because I love chocolate sprinkles or love chocolate chips in my ice cream. The color makes me happy.
I have been traditionally published and yet self-publishing was my best experience.
Why did you decide to self-publish? I got tired of the industry. We are writing for kids and yet we have to please adults with our manuscript. I wrote a novel about sushi and cats. Well, if an editor had a bad experience with either of the two I’m out of luck. So I finally had enough and said that’s it. I have had an agent. I have been traditionally published and yet self-publishing was my best experience. Step One, Step Two, Step Three and Four has been successful enough to have me on Fox News, NPR and the Houston Chronicle. I am proud of my first.
Interior illustration by Andreea Chele
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you.
- I will buy a tub of chocolate sprinkles and eat them right out of the tub.
- I keep the tags on clothes for years and don’t wear them. Had something clothes for over ten years with tags.
- I have a pair of sunglasses that are over 20 years old without a scratch on them.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? It is an old song that I replay in my head when life frustrates me. “You can’t please everybody so you got to please yourself.”
Any advice for writers thinking about self-publishing a children’s picture book? Do it but do it to perfection.
Maria Ashworth
Maria Ashworth is the author of several children’s picture books. A few of her adult short stories have also been published in literary contests and a woman’s anthology. In 2017, Maria’s picture book Iggy Loo received silver in the Moonbeams Children Book Competition and first place in the Royal Dragonfly Competition. Tommy James, The Littlest Cowboy in Reckon received Honorable Mention in the Royal Dragonfly Award. Story Monsters Ink, in their December 2017 issue featured her first book, Step One, Step Two, Step Three and Four, a story about transitioning children into a blended family. Maria has appeared on Fox News, NPR and the Houston Chronicle.
If you initiate Amazon purchases from this website, I get a small commission. You get my undying appreciation. 🙂
Donna Provance – #9 on The Gittle List 2017
“Meet Odie” #9 on The Gittle List 2017.
Donna Provance won the #9 slot on The Gittle List for Meet Odie. In her exclusive Gittle interview, she shares the benefits of self-publishing. (Read Aviva’s review.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List? I smiled broadly when I read the news. My first reaction was one of pleasure at being selected because it’s fun to win, quickly followed by relief that you, a professional editor/publisher, think my book is good. As a professional, your opinion carries more weight than friends, who might only wish to be kind and encouraging and not share any displeasure with my work. [Aviva says, “I don’t consider myself a ‘professional’ but a fellow self-publisher.”]
Odie looking glamorous in his pink wig.
What is your favorite children’s book? The Great Blueness by Arnold Lobel. If I need to tell a story from memory, I always tell the one about how our world became full of color. Everything was gray until a wizard created the color blue. Everything was painted blue. People loved the change and then they didn’t, so the wizard created yellow and everything was painted yellow. I was probably about 5 when I got the book from my dad, who always read to me when I was little. The detailed artwork is amazing and very different from most children’s books. I found a Youtube video with a reading.
Odie napping with a friend.
Why did you decide to self-publish? I wanted to self-publish because of cost, time, and control. It could take ages, if ever, for a traditional publisher to select my book and then publish it. It took me about 8 months from conception to publishing. From everything I read, even with traditional publishing, marketing would still fall primarily on me, but more people would be involved in the decision-making process. Self-publishing has unique decision-making frustrations (e.g., CreateSpace vs. IngramSpark/other, ISBN, etc.), but it also offered me career growth opportunities. Because of self-publishing, I started a company, designed my own website, joined a volunteer organization that teaches children about responsibilities toward animals, mentored others as they pursued self-publishing, and am learning ways to market my book. On the flip side, if I had to rely solely on my book for money, I would be starving. Selling books is hard work!
If you could wake up tomorrow as someone else, who would it be?
Odie in party mode.
A healthy, younger man living in enjoyable circumstances. It would be fascinating to experience life from a totally different perspective and you can’t get more different than the opposite sex.
What is the strangest job you’ve ever had? As a career project manager, I have been involved in oodles of projects. One project was testing mobile waste-to-energy units for military field camp operations. Our testing occurred at the vendors’ facilities. To mimic the Army’s waste stream, I solicited fast food restaurants for their garbage, which often meant dumpster diving and then sorting waste to eliminate Styrofoam(R) and other items not found in Army field wastes. Refuse sorting on hot summer days is not for those with squeamish tummies.
Contact Donna Provance:
D. S. Provance is a dog and book lover. During her more than two decades of managing military sustainability projects, she has written hundreds of technical reports and outreach products to promote technology innovation and deployment. Meet Odie was written for Odie’s young friends to answer their many questions.
If you initiate Amazon purchases from this website, I get a small commission. You get my undying appreciation. 🙂
Liza Fenech – #7 and #10 on The Gittle List 2017
#7 on The Gittle List 2017
Liza Fenech is part of a small group of indie authors who have won Gittle List awards for multiple books. She is the only one to land on The Gittle List for two books in the same series in the same year! (Read Aviva’s reviews.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List? What was your first thought after hearing the news? It was so exciting to learn that I won not just once, but twice! I was quite a shock!
What is your favorite children’s book? This is always changing but at the moment it is You Nest Here With Me by by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple.
#10 on The Gittle List 2017
Why did you decide to self-publish? I have been traditionally published as well as self published. Creating the content for self published books is a little harder. I am always curious about different ways to tell visual stories and self publishing definitely lends itself to that exploration. Learning to wear all the different hats needed (editing, marketing, printing, distribution, etc) has been a big challenge and one I am still working on. I see a great deal of promise however in both self publishing and working with small independent publishers.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? My mother gave me the best advice I have ever received when I was a cranky 12 year old fussing about ‘working so hard’ studying. She took a deep breath and with all the love in the world said, “I love you Liza, but you have never worked hard day in your life.” I think of it almost everyday and it motivates me to be self aware about how hard I really am (or aren’t) working.
The path for a commercially successful book and a book that is just as you envisioned it are not the same.
What do you do to market your books? I use the paid promotion tools on KDP, Facebook, and Pinterest. I have worked with social media influencers and bloggers to promote books. I post about them on social media. Entering The Gittle List Book Competition is a new one to add to the list as well.
Any advice for writers thinking about self-publishing a children’s picture book? Know what your goals are. The path for a commercially successful book and a book that is just as you envisioned it are not the same. There is a lot of continuous honesty and self awareness needed.
Liza Fenech is an illustrator, graphic designer, and product designer (BFA in Illustration from Rochester Institute of Technology; AA in graphic design). She spent three years in fashion design before turning to illustration full time. Liza uses digital tools and hand drawing to create illustrations with a soft, humorous sensibility. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, three year old daughter, and Great Dane.
Learn more about Liza:
www.PuddleDuckPress.com
www.LizaFenech.com
If you initiate Amazon purchases from this website, I get a small commission. You get my undying appreciation. 🙂
What is The Gittle List Contest?
- At January 20, 2018
- By AvivaGittle
- In The Gittle List
3
What is this Gittle List? The Gittle List is Aviva Gittle’s top picks for self-published children’s picture books for the year. (Books can be published in any year.)
Who can enter? You will find all the contest rules and submission guidelines here.
Who the heck is Aviva Gittle? That’s me. So, since it’s really weird to talk about myself in the third person, I’m going to stop now. I am a writer and independent publisher of children’s books. To date, I have published nearly 20 picture books with many more in various stages of production.
How long have you been running the contest? This is the sixth year. Select “TGL Winners” from the top menu to see previous years’ winners.
Why did you start the contest? Prior to 2013, if you had asked me to give you children’s book recommendations, I would give you a list of the classics. The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, etc.
Then, I joined a Goodreads group started by Mariana Llanos. It was called Pay It Forward and its sole purpose was to get other indie authors to review your book. I first read Mariana’s Tristan Wolf. Then Gusty McCabe’s The Most Important Critter in the Whole Wide World. I found I enjoyed those books as much, and in some ways more, than the classics.
I wanted these authors to get some recognition for their hard work. Also, I wanted to show the world that not all self-published books are, by definition, awful. I wanted to find the gems and tell the world about them.
The only contest to give ENTRANTS free book promotion — like this!
So this contest thing was completely selfless? Heck no! I knew that it would help me network with other indie authors and offer a win-win by providing cross-marketing. We would promote each other through social media. And, I would get more visitors to my website and more recognition for the Aviva Gittle Publishing brand.
Why is there only one category? That may change in the future, but right now my focus is on children’s picture books, because that’s what I write and publish. Also, I’m not a very fast reader. Seriously; that’s not a joke.
Who judges the contest? I do. I’ve been writing since I was about 7 years old. I’ve also written and published a lot of children’s picture books. I have read hundreds of traditionally published and self-published children’s books as well. I know the publishing process from the ground up (learned the hard way). I’m a grandmother who buys books for her grandchildren. I’m your target buyer. I’m also very opinionated. That helps.
I heard you did this for free the first 2 years. Why charge an entry fee now? I always intended to eventually start charging a fee. I wanted to get the contest going and figure out what I was doing first. I see that the entry fee for other contests starts at $50 and goes up (sometimes way up) from there. Other contests have dozens of categories and thousands of entrants. The Gittle List is more of a “boutique” contest. My entrants get more time and attention than other contests. In most contests, you send the book and pay the fee, and never hear from them again. The truth is, it’s a lot of work. Work I love, but a lot of work and a lot of time away from my own writing and publishing.
What’s so special about The Gittle List? The whole purpose of the contest is to support self-publishers like myself. I don’t have five zillion categories. One category. One judge. Up to 10 winners. That’ s my motto! This isn’t a “get more chances to win” kind of a contest. It’s by and for indie publishers of children’s picture books. Pure and simple.
What’s in it for me? The winners get several things including, frankly, the pride that comes with another indie-publisher, one who knows what it takes to publish a quality children’s picture book, recognizing your work.
Yes, you will get to call your book “award-winning.” But, the real prize is the free publicity you might receive as an entrant and the book promotion you will receive immediately after — and long after — the contest ends should you win a spot on The Gittle List. For the 2017 contest, I was still promoting 2013, 2014, 2015, & 2016 winners. Some past winners received their own book tweet, several were featured in paid Facebook advertising, and where to find past winning lists were included in articles and press releases.
You will likely get some free publicity during the submission period. The earlier you enter, the greater your chances. For example, in 2014 and 2015, I did several press releases giving the story behind the story. (This press release was very popular). During the 2016 and 2017 contest submission periods, many of the entrants got some sort of book promotion. Several on Twitter and Facebook, several were featured in Gittle News with their book covers. A couple of lucky authors won the “story behind the story” promotional package. Last year, some authors were featured in videos. (Like the one above.)
In 2015, I started providing all 10 winners with paid social media advertising and a commitment to buy at least one copy of each winner’s book. (Digital or hard copy, used or new, is at my discretion.)
Review the Submission Guidelines.
This article best explains the cross-marketing power of The Gittle List Contest.
Want to know more? Email GittleSubmissions@gmail.com.
Aviva Gittle Publishing offers great stories for children in English and Spanish, including the Kitten and Friends / Gatito y amigos series. See all of Aviva’s books here.
What Makes A Book A Winner?
Chase-Man is #1 on The Gittle List 2017
The 10 winning books of the 5th Annual Gittle List Competition were just announced. (2017 winners.) Each year, I try to improve the contest that is exclusively for self-published authors of children’s picture books. One of the entrants, in providing me feedback on the contest asked, “How are the winners chosen?”
The 2017 contest rules describe this generally under Judging Process. But, I’d like to drill down a bit deeper to try to help indie authors understand why I place a book on The Gittle List (49 books to date).
To give you some idea of the subjective side of my decisions:
I enjoy books on a broad range of topics. For example, I’m agnostic, but I am hopeful to find a great children’s picture book about faith. The few I’ve read so far on this topic are more lecture than story.
I’m drawn to stories that are different. A book can be silly (Thumbpire by Stephen and Sarah White) or serious (The Amida Tree by Bonnie Ferrante). I appreciate stories that manage to tackle difficult topics in a child-friendly way. (GG and Mamela by Belinda Brock.) I hate “message” books. Don’t say, “We should be kind to one another.” Tell me a story where the characters are kind to each other. I’m very sensitive to adult dialogue coming out of the mouth of a child. The kids in the story should talk like kids.
Another Bev Stone book wins a spot on The Gittle List
Story always takes precedence over illustrations, but there’s a limit to this. I’ve had books where I liked the story, but the illustrations were so bad, I just couldn’t put it on The Gittle List. Honestly pains me. I’ve also been drawn to a cover with gorgeous illustrations only to be disappointed with the story.
A book has to feel great to read aloud. Bev Stone is a master at this. That’s why five of her books have made it on the list. 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014.
I’m a New Yorker, born and raised. So, I’m pretty tough. I’ve made friends with fellow authors online, but it has zero impact on my evaluation of their book. I’ve had authors submit their books year after year and not win. I feel bad about it. They’re nice people. But I just can’t recommend a book I would not personally spend my dollars on.
I’ve had authors submit a book one year and not win. They submit a different book the following year and it makes the list. And the reverse has happened.
#2 on The Gittle List 2014
When I fall in love with a book, I fall hard. You can tell the ones I’m wild about because you will see me mention them in later contests. Over the Under, and Around the Square by Craig Kunce. The most unusual children’s picture book I’ve read. My older grandson really enjoyed it. Frank the Gentle Viking by Lucy Elliott (the very first book on The Gittle List 2013). The Best You Can Be by Bev Stone. Bear With Me by Dan Stern. Tristan Wolf by Mariana Llanos (one of two books that inspired the contest).
I am not a professional judge. Nor do I have a background in traditional publishing. I’ve learned to self-publish from the ground up. I’ve self-published nearly 20 books since 2013. I’ve read hundreds of children’s stories. More importantly, I’m your target market: A grandmother and a lover of children’s picture books.
The Gittle List 2018 submission guidelines will be released in January. The Gittle List is exclusively for self-published children’s picture books. It is the only contest that gives entrants opportunities to get free promotion during the nearly year-long submission period.
Aviva Gittle hosts The Gittle List Book Competition. She publishes children’s picture books through her company, Gittle Publishing. Find all her books on Amazon.
If you initiate Amazon purchases from this website, I get a small commission. You get my undying appreciation. 🙂
The Gittle List 2017 – Revealed!
The Gittle List is a book competition exclusively for self-published children’s picture books. Here are the winners of the 5th annual contest. They all make great gifts during the holiday season or anytime.
Top Right, Chisa Merriweather, Bottom Right, Nicole White
#1: Chase-Man: How My Brother Became a Real Superhero, written by Chisa Merriweather and Nicole White and illustrated by Cathy Reene, is the fictionalized story of Ms. Merriweather’s son, Chase, who came down with a rare blood infection at the tender age of three. The story is told from his older brother C.J.’s point of view. Chase and C.J. love playing superheroes. So when “Baxter Bacilli” threatens Chase, they use all their powers to thwart him. They win the fight, but Chase loses his hands and feet to the evil Baxter. The real life Chase, with the use of prosthetics, is like any other active little boy. (Learn more here.) The story is uplifting and readers will be inspired by the unstoppable real-life superhero nicknamed “Tank.” (As he knocks down any obstacle in his way.) Artist Cathy Reene (a 2014 Gittle List recipient) created illustrations that capture the drama of the story, yet have a watercolor softness to them. Just beautiful. Available in softcover.
#2: Greenbeard the Pirate Pig, written and illustrated by Andrea Torrey Balsara, is about a guinea pig who decides that a pirate pig he will be. With his lettuce beard (thus “Greenbeard”) and his carrot sword, he takes off for adventure. Greenbeard is hilarious. I read each entrant’s book out loud; this story required singing. A so-bad-it’s-so-good ditty about being a pirate. Even Greenbeard’s reluctant sidekick, a rat named Snug Rumkin (who looks suspiciously like Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean) sticks his fingers in his ears to reduce the pain of the guinea pig’s rousing song. Ms. Balsara’s page design is so well done. Greenbeard the Pirate Pig teaches children how some hard work and self-confidence can help them achieve their dreams — without ever saying those words. I love books that teach but don’t preach. In softcover or Kindle version.
#3: The Worry Tree Is Waiting, written by Rebekah Prince Bergeron and illustrated by Sandy McDermott, is not your typical children’s book. It is a “guided imagery script” meant to help children relax and go to sleep. In that sense, it is the ultimate bedtime story. I have to say I was skeptical when I heard the premise of the story. I’m not a fan of “message” books. The first time I read it, however, I fell in love with The Worry Tree and the guided imagery concept. I read each contest entrant’s story aloud so I know how it feels to read it to a child. I read The Worry Tree Is Waiting several times and found the rhythm of it lovely — and relaxing. Be sure to read the Forward before reading the book to your child. It helps to understand how the story came to be. Ms. McDermott’s illustrations have a calmness to them that is well-aligned with the text. Available in softcover.
#4: The Best You Can Be, written and illustrated by Bev Stone, is about a sheep who is told to “be the best he can be” as he leaves the farm to wander and roam for the very first time. Problem is, he doesn’t know what that means. So, he begins his journey seeking the answer to the question, “What does it mean to be your best?” He meets others who are being the best they can be, but it takes a fateful event for him to learn what his best is all about. Ms. Stone’s illustrations have a feathery quality to them with beautiful colors. Her books have landed on The Gittle List several times over the years. It is very difficult to write a whole children’s book in rhyme. Ms. Stone’s stories are so well written and a joy to read out loud. Available in softcover. See her other winning books: 2016, 2015, 2014.
#5: According to Corban, written by Marcy Pusey and illustrated by Daniela Sosa, is a story about the imagination of a little boy, Corban. It’s actually a series of stories told in the way a child would tell them. We gain entry into Corban’s imagination as he turns everyday situations into adventures. Throughout the day he does many exciting things including dining with a troll, saving a princess, and riding in a spaceship to the moon. Each adventure is followed by an illustration that shows Corban in the everyday activity that sparked his imagination. (Mom telling Corban and his sister to clean up their mess morphs into Mom turning into a dragon and he and his sister turning into firefighters.) It’s a fun, unique book with colorful illustrations that kids will enjoy. In softcover, hardcover, or Kindle version. Read for free with KindleUnlimited.
#6: Step One, Step Two, Step Three and Four, written by Maria Ashworth and illustrated by Andreea Chele is about a little girl whose mom is going to marry a man who has four boys. I love that the story is told from the girl’s perspective. Interestingly, the girl and the mom are never named. This allows any little girl to picture themselves in this situation. It deals with the serious issue of how to blend families while helping the children deal with sometimes sensitive feelings about the change to come. Ms. Ashworth does so in a light and fun way, that allows adults to talk to their child about their concerns. The illustrations are bold and bright with a Dr. Seuss quality to them. In softcover, hardcover, or Kindle version. Read for free with KindleUnlimited.
#7: Which is my dinner?, written and illustrated by Liza Fenech, is part of a series meant to help kids develop reasoning skills. (You’re not seeing double; the first book in the series earned the #10 spot.) The initial pages give the instructions for the rest of the wordless book. On the left side is an animal (or other creature) and on the right are three dinner options. The child selects the food item most likely to be enjoyed by the animal. The next page shows the animal enjoying their dinner. The puppy is totally out of control with the bones (which just cracked me up). It’s an educational opportunity, but it’s also a lot of fun. The blue bunny from Which is mine? has a cameo role with a lot of carrots. Visit Ms. Fenech’s Amazon Author Page to see all of the “Which is my…?” books. In softcover or Kindle version. Read for free with KindleUnlimited.
#8: Go To Sleep!, written by Marion Adams and illustrated by Sarah-Leigh Wills, is the story of Tansy the sheep who can’t sleep. And also is bit math-challenged. What unfolds is woolly mayhem as a sheep who can’t sleep — and can’t count — insists that one of the flock has gone missing. Just darn funny with sweet, fluffy illustrations by Ms. Wills. The best part of the story is Tansy speculating what may have happened to the missing sheep. Kids will enjoy the opportunity at the end of the story to properly count the sheep. In softcover or Kindle version. Read for free with KindleUnlimited.
#9: Meet Odie, written by D.S. Provance and illustrated by A. J. Stawarz, is about a rescue dog named Odie. The goal of the book is to help children better understand what dogs are about so that they may feel more comfortable being around them. Even this old dog learned a few things. Did you know that dogs can’t see red or green? Odie narrates his own story — not of his difficult past living on the street — but his present life with his loving human parents. The book is filled with Twitter-worthy photos of Odie enjoying his favorite activities. Such as playing in the snow and running on the beach (where the waves chase him.) There are resources for those interested in giving a rescue dog a forever home. The book includes a glossary that will put a smile on your face and help your child expand their vocabulary. (Bet you don’t know what a “bumpy” is.) Available in Kindle or softcover. Read for free with KindleUnlimited.
#10: Which is mine?, written and illustrated by Liza Fenech, is an adorably illustrated educational book for the toddler set. Each double-page spread shows a rabbit and one of his animal friends on the left and two pieces of clothing on the right. The child matches each piece of clothing to each animal then turns the page to see if they got it right. Each “answer” page is a double spread of the animals enjoying some activity wearing the “right” clothing. I love that other than the first page instruction of how to use the book, their is no text. In this way, you can have a discussion with your little one about sizes and shapes, what the animals are doing, etc. The activities Ms. Fenech selects for the animals are hilarious. Wait until you get to the socks. Ms. Fenech expanded the series to include dinnertime and bedtime. The 3-book series (which may expand further) is also available in Spanish. Visit her Amazon Author Page to see all of the books. In softcover or Kindle version. Read for free with KindleUnlimited.
Aviva Gittle hosts The Gittle List Book Competition. She publishes children’s picture books through her company, Gittle Publishing. Find all her books on Amazon.
If you initiate Amazon purchases from this website, I get a small commission. You get my undying appreciation. 🙂
A Mother Faces the Challenge All Parents Fear
A Mother Faces the Challenge All Parents Fear And Becomes a Children’s Book Author in the Process
Chase was just a 3-year-old boy running around an amusement park with his big brother CJ.
The next thing Chisa Merriweather and her husband Chad knew, their little boy was fighting for his life. In the middle of the park, in the middle of a beautiful day, Chase came down with a rare blood infection, which led to a brain hemorrhage and sepsis. “This was the most frightening day of my life…I felt absolutely helpless,” Chisa says.
Chisa knew this was not a situation that a few stitches or a course of antibiotics could fix. “The days of living in the ICU were long and painful. Watching Chase lying motionless in a hospital bed connected to so many machines made me feel as though I failed him.”
“He went from uttering, ‘Mommy’ to dancing on his hospital bed.
Slowly, the boy they call “Tank” — because he tackles any obstacle in his way — improved. He went from uttering, “Mommy” to dancing on his hospital bed to Michael Jackson. “While in full superhero attire, CJ enjoyed pushing Chase through the halls with their oversized stuffed Batman and Superman attached to the back of his wheel chair.”
But, the infection wasn’t quite done with Chase. On December 14, 2013, Chase had his feet and hands amputated. Chisa says, “I felt like we had finally hit rock bottom. There was nowhere for us to go but up.” Chase looked different from the little boy the Merriweathers took to the park that day, but they were all determined to help Chase reach his full potential. “My last tear for Chase was cried that morning,” Chisa says.
Artist Cathy Reene turns Chase into “Chase-Man.”
Eventually, Chase was given prosthetics for his hands and feet. The doctors told him to take it slow, but “Chase-Man” — boy superhero — wasn’t going to slow down for anyone. Today, Chase is the same “Tank” with the unstoppable optimism he always possessed. From superhero to soccer, he lives each day to its fullest.
Chisa and Chase’s teacher, Nicole White, got together and co-wrote a children’s book based on Chase’s amazing story. The two women entered Chase-Man: How My Brother Became a Real Superhero into The Gittle List 2017 Book Competition. (Cathy Reene — a 2014 Gittle List recipient for her work on The King’s Dream: A Fairy Tale by Harris Tobias — illustrated Chase-Man.) Chisa says, “Chase was excited to see himself as an illustration. Cathy Reene was able to capture is ‘robot feet’ and ‘robot hands’ so well!” Chase’s favorite illustration is of him with his red superhero cape.
Chisa hopes to win a spot on The Gittle List, but the greatest prize is watching the son she almost lost tackling obstacles every day.
Have you self-published a great children’s picture book? See if your book meets The Gittle List Book Competition submission guidelines. Entries must be received by November 15, 2017.
Gittle List entrant and Chase’s mom, Chisa Merriweather
Co-author of Chase-Man and Chase’s teacher, Nicole White
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