Phil Hoose and I are just back from a grand trundle down to Salisbury University for the Green Earth Book Awards and the Children’s & Young Adult Literature Festival wrapping up a year’s celebration of Hey, Little Ant’s (Tricycle Press) decade in print.
So much frolic and logic to report, but first up was the surprise appearance at one of the events by one Ian Whisner, a second grader sporting a copy of Phil’s book, Hey, Little Ant.
Ian had received an Honorable Mention for his essay in the Hey, Little Ant Essay Challenge last year. He stopped by to tell Phil that he thought Hey, Little Ant was great and to tell Phil he liked to bring bugs to school and, well, yes, a snake now and again.
I happened to have Ian’s essay in my bag to show Children’s Lit profs and superheros, Patty Dean and Ernie Bond of Salisbury University. Patty and Ernie brought Salisbury on as a sponsor of Essay Challenge and because of their connections with area teachers brought in 1/4 of the 2,000 national essays submitted in the challenge.
I whipped out Ian’s essay and said, “You are THIS Ian??” He beamed and agreed to sign his essay for Phil while Phil signed Ian’s copy of Hey, Little Ant. Two writers sharing mutal admiration.
Thank you Patty Dean and Ernie Bond for all the fab work you do introducing teachers to children’s literature so that they in turn can introduce them to fab young minds like Ian’s.
Later that evening, Phil presented the original cover illustration by Debbie Tilley to Salisbury University for their long support of the book and read Ian’s essay to the crowd. In his essay, Ian is answering the book’s final question–whether or not the boy should squish the ant. Watch Phil read Ian’s essay below (and wait through the lost page or you will miss the final great line)!
Wee Thoughts for Creators:
-The hardest thing about self promotion is that you often do not see the results, just as you often never see your readers. Remember that you are touching readers grand little brains and sometimes you migth just be surprised and reminded as Phil and I were here.
-Google your book until your eyes cross. Who likes your book and what are they dong with it? Phil’s picture book has been in print for ten years. Until last year, Phil has not idea that an incredible group of educators in Salisbury, MD were using his book to teach teachers. A quite fabulous friendship and partnership has followed opening up the opportunity for a whole series of promotional events.
