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| photo: Tara Shupe | |
Sue Lowell Gallion is the author of the nonfiction Our World board book series, illustrated by Lisk Feng and published by Phaidon Press, including Our Galaxy: A First Adventure in Space. Gallion lives in the Kansas City area with her dog, Pippi, and considers herself very lucky to have her three grandkids nearby to share her stacks of library books.
Handsell readers your book in 25 words or less:
Our Galaxy: A First Adventure in Space takes kids on a voyage through our solar neighborhood and beyond in a beautifully illustrated globe-shaped board book for all ages.
On your nightstand now:
The Bookshop by Evan Friss
Moominland Midwinter by Tove Jansson--I began reading the Moomin books last year, before I shared them with my grandkids. I adore the whimsy and language. They are a wonderful bedtime read for any age.
The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez
The Northwomen by Heather Pringle
Beti and the Little Round House by Atinuke, illustrated by Emily Hughes--I keep rereading this chapter book collection of stories set in the little round house in the green woods under the mountains. It's enchanting.
Favorite book when you were a child:
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, illustrated by Tasha Tudor.
Favorite book to read to a child:
This question is nearly impossible for a children's author! My list is very long. One of my favorites is Froodle by Antoinette Portis. One day, Little Brown Bird gets tired of singing the same old song (don't we all!) and comes out with "Froodle sproodle" instead. The book gets sillier with every page turn and it's so much fun to do all the voices. And there's the classic line "Crow was not amused."
Your top five authors:
Jane Yolen
Patricia MacLachlan
Geraldine Brooks
Ruta Sepetys
Heather Cox Richardson
Book you've faked reading:
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien--I like fantasy now more than I did as a kid, though, so I should add it to my nightstand stack.
Book you're an evangelist for:
One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome. This compelling verse novel, told by three intergenerational female voices, brings the untold history of the Black homesteader movement to life. It received a Newbery Honor, which will introduce it to so many more people. If you're looking for wonderful writing, middle-grade verse novels are a gold mine now.
I'm also an evangelist about nonfiction for kids--we're in a golden age of nonfiction picture books for a variety of ages. There's so much creativity and innovation in topics, writing, illustration, and design. The best advice I got when I had a reluctant reader at home was to check out interesting books from the library and leave them laying around at home.
Book you've bought for the cover:
Snow Horses by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Micha Archer.
Book you hid from your parents:
Our Bodies, Ourselves by the Boston Women's Health Book Collective. I grew up a Midwestern baby boomer, and this frank look at women's health and sexuality was eye-opening. I loaned it to some of my friends, too.
Book that changed your life:
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.
Favorite line from a book:
"Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder." --E.B. White, Charlotte's Web
Book you most want to read again for the first time:
Go as a River by Shelley Read. I couldn't believe it's a debut novel.
Five books you give as baby gifts:
All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee--beautiful rhyme, fantastic art, a book of wonder and family and celebration.
Yoo-Hoo, Ladybug! by Mem Fox, illustrated by Laura Ljungkvist--this book is so much fun to read aloud. The very youngest child can find the hidden ladybug on every page. It's a great one for new parents to sharpen their read-aloud skills, too.
Peek-a-Boo Zoo or any other board book by Joyce Wan--Joyce's adorable art and colorful palette are so appealing. Their chunky size is just right for little ones.
Rainbows in Bloom by Taylor Putnam and Michael Putnam--this book shows gradation of colors, not just the basics, and has gorgeous photography. It's a great example of Phaidon's innovative books for kids.
You Nest Here with Me by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple, illustrated by Melissa Sweet--I am so fortunate to count Jane as a mentor. She has had a tremendous impact on my second career writing life. This book she wrote with her author daughter, Heidi E.Y. Stemple, is a perfect board book to read in a rocker at bedtime. The rhyme is snuggly and soothing, the illustrations are captivating, and there's even nonfiction back matter.
And of course I give my books, too!
Five favorite books for kids learning to read:
Moo! by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka--this book gives every kid the satisfaction of being a reader, including the youngest. There are only six words in the whole book, but the design makes "moo" so much fun to read and voice.
Ice Cream Soup by Ann Ingalls, illustrated by Richard Watson--humor goes a long way in making learning to read fun, and this book for the very beginner reader is a grand example.
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli--another picture book with spare, easy-to-read text. Kids love being in on the joke.
Fox versus Winter and the whole Fox series by Corey R. Tabor--these early readers have engaging stories with plenty of surprises from their cast of characters.
Worm and Caterpillar are Friends by Kaz Windness. This title is a fantastic early graphic reader. The story and the art are so appealing to kids.