It feels as though I have always been wrapped in stories and books. My parents read to me, and I in turn read to younger brothers. Family economics meant we couldn’t own many books, but going to the library was as common as going to the market. I still have the books I received as gifts. They include two “Little Golden Books” that were savored in childhood, and have served as talisman ever since. The Bunny Book by Patsy and Richard Scarry (1955) and Rabbit and His Friends by Richard Scarry (1953).
Like all children I created stories as part of play. And, like some children, I was soon identified as one who “daydreams too much.” I began writing stories when they were given as assignments in elementary school. By seventh grade I was writing even when there was no assignment. My dream of making books became so vivid, I submitted my first “formal” picture book manuscript to a publisher when I was sixteen. Eleven more years of school, work, reading, writing and luck finally brought about Lizard’s Song, my first children’s book to be accepted.
Looking back, it seems especially appropriate that Lizard’s Song was my first book. Even though I had been writing for years, I always felt everyone else’s life held better ideas for stories than mine did. I thought there was nothing about me that was interesting enough to make a good story. But I finally learned what Lizard teaches Bear. My best stories come when I tell or sing about what makes my home. What I love. What I fear. Things that have happened to me, and things I hope will happen. Things I like about me. Things I dislike about me. Things I understand, and things that still confuse me. So even though I am not a lizard, squirrel, chicken or rabbit, when you read my books you’ll find little bits of what my heart calls home.
Picture books have been my professional focus now for 40 years. Reading them. Writing them. Sharing them with children. Teaching workshops and classes on writing them. Oh yes, and buying them. Lots of them. And now, blogging about them, and helping other writers.
You can find out more about my own 40 plus books and my work with children at <www.georgewbshannon.comcastbiz.net>.
a fan. I’d like to receive email when your new posts appear, so I checked the box.
cheers,
B
Thanks, George, for the nice comment on my blog. I love reading your books to the kids at Storytime! Maybe you can use my book when you teach writing to kids – “Cliffhanger Writing Prompts” from Scholastic will be out summer 2011. In the meantime, I’m still working on a couple of picture books. I may look you up for a critique.
George,
You are an aspiration to us all: as readers and writers. Your work leaves a lasting impression, and I dare say that some children’s author in the future will be citing “Lizard’s Song” or “Rabbit’s Gift” as the book from childhood that they still have which inspired them in their professional goals.
All Best,
Janis
How I love this blog! Makes me remember why we have fought all these years as children’s librarians for just the most beautiful sounding books to read aloud to our children. Keep reminding us, George, of how to make our books “sing”.
Excellent site, Mr. Shannon!
[…] George Shannon, children’s picture book author, has started a new blog about picture books. His blogs includes essays, reviews, and information about his picture book critique service. If you’re interested in writing picture books, this is a good blog to follow! […]
Thanks so much for your encouraging comment on my blog. I am eager to explore your posts — they look really interesting and helpful.
This is a beautiful and inspirational site. Encouraged me to re-visit many of my old favorites and fall in love with them all over again. Made me pick up my OWN pen once again….Thanks George!
Let’s walk next week to celebrate the coming of spring!
C
See you soon. Ha! You may already be here.
We just read “Climbing Kansas Mountains” and were curious to know where you grew up in small town Kansas. Do you ever share this information? We are in KS, and the illustrations in your book look very much like our town.
Hi Kelly,
I grew up in Caldwell (Sumner County) smack on the Chisholm Trail and the Oklahoma border. Roughly an hour south of Wichita. My father was the high school principal there, and then in Kingman (west of Wichita). When I wrote to the illustrator to tell him how well he had captured small Kansas towns I mentioned that my parents and grandparents had all grown up in Ottawa which wasn’t far from where he lived in Lawrence. He wrote back saying that he had gone to Ottawa several times to do sketches for our book!
Best of autumn wishes.
George
Thank you for your kind reply. My daughter was thrilled to hear from you!
Hello George! Greetings from Wisconsin! How many years ago did you come to my classroom -Unity Schools-Balsam Lake! I am now retired and we are going to be grandparents and Bob is going to be a great uncle!!! I have Dance Away on my list for my son to be grandson. Any chance of my ordering one from you with an autograph? If it doesn’t work, I will simply order a copy on line. We were in Olympia in November visiting Betsey-love the area!!! Take care!!!
Sincerely,
Mary Tollefson Swenson
Hi Mary,
What a lovely surprise to receive your note. I’m still writing, but back in the classroom & library three days a week and loving it. At this point, I think DANCE AWAY is only available in paperback. The best path would be ordering a copy through the wonderful bookstore here on Bainbridge Island. When the book arrives they’ll call me and say, “Get your keester down here, you’ve got a book to sign!” Here is the store’s website where you can place an order:
http://www.eagleharborbooks.com
Best wishes for fun times with the newest little one in your life.
George
George,
I am on the phone with them now:) They have one in store and will be calling you to get your keester down here to sign:)
Thank you soooo much!!
Mary