The Not-So-Magic Process of Writing with Lexi

May 21, 2021 in Guest Blog

Susan discusses the mother-daughter writing collaboration of The Year of the Buttered Cat

by Susan Haas

Haircuts available NOW! the sandwich board sign teased.

I hadn’t had a proper haircut in months. I stood on the sidewalk in front of the salon, my 6-year-old business partner staring up at me from her wheelchair. Using words (mine), gestures, squeals, and groans (mostly hers), we negotiated the terms of our contract:

Simple cut, no highlights but yes, a blow dry and style.

Strawberry ice cream after. One. Scoop.

Okay, Fine. Multicolor sprinkles.

But now the deal was falling apart. Through a curtain of wet hair, I could see Lexi twisting and writhing in her wheelchair. I knew loud groans weren’t far behind.

“It won’t be much longer, Lexi,” I said, trying hard to keep my head steady as the stylist snipped at my bangs. “Do you need a different view for a while?”

Lexi stuck out her tongue—her way of saying yes.

Thank You, Crow Adapted for the Stage at Special Care

November 28, 2019 in Editors' updates

In our last blog post we shared thoughts on how it can be difficult to be grateful and how gratitude can emerge from difficulties. Today, on Thanksgiving Day, we offer a tangible example.

Each year Special Care, Inc., a school in Oklahoma City that “serves children, with and without special needs, through year-round, high-quality early childhood education, specialized care and on-site therapeutic services,” adapts a picture book into a play to be performed by its students.

A spread from Shira Erlichman’s Be/Hold: A Friendship Book. — A spread from Shira Erlichman’s *Be/Hold: A Friendship Book*.

On Gratitude

November 27, 2019 in Editors' updates

It’s hard to be grateful. That’s the cold, hard truth always lurking in the back of the mind but that during Thanksgiving week comes crashing out of hiding, slamming into the you you barely hold together.

Penny Candy Books And WordPlay Cincy!

October 23, 2019 in Editors' updates, Interviews, Educator Resources

At Penny Candy, we strive to make books that are beautiful to look at and hold, fun for kids to read, and useful to parents and educators in addressing difficult or big topics. So we were thrilled when WordPlay Cincy, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization building literacy through the arts in Cincinnati, sent us a lesson plan they had made for Shira Erlichman’s Be/Hold: A Friendship Book. We liked their work so much that we hired WordPlay Cincy to make lesson plans for six more of our picture books.

Luli Gray, left, and her sister Elizabeth McCulloch

Remembering Luli

October 04, 2019 in Guest Blog, Life Lessons

Guest Blogger: Elizabeth McCulloch, Luli Gray’s Sister

Luli Gray was an adorable and spoiled little girl, a brilliant student who barely made it through high school, a confused and very young bride, a vagabond in Europe, a waitress, file clerk, janitor, aspiring actress, professional cook, and finally in her mid-forties a successful writer. Most important to me, she was my sister. If you are lucky enough to love a sister, you know that the bond is deep and strong. You share memories back to your earliest days, and the giggling girls are still there in old age.

What Big Leap Will You Take Today?

September 27, 2019 in Editors' updates, Life Lessons

Inspired by the picture book Trini’s Big Leap, The Big Leap is a home for stories about people who discover new strengths—physical, emotional, intellectual, artistic, social—at home and in their communities. In short, this is a collection of stories from people who take big leaps and have something to say about the ride.

Some Thoughts on Young People Who Speak Truth to Power, in Real Life and in Books

September 25, 2019 in Editors' updates, Life Lessons

Watching the magnificent teenage environmentalist Greta Thunberg’s impassioned address at the UN on Monday was hard on many levels. She’s right about what’s happening to the planet, and she’s right th at not enough is being done to stop climate change. She’s also right that the mad dash for profits and growth is taking a massive toll on earth. It’s not hard to agree with her.

Sam and Maggie on Sam!: An Interview with the True Inspirations for Sam!

September 05, 2019 in Guest Blog, Interviews

Guest Blogger: Dani Gabriel, author of Sam!

In my previous post I discussed the story behind the story of Sam!, but here I thought I’d ask my kids, Sam and Maggie, their thoughts about the book.

At His Request: The Story of the Story Behind Sam!

September 04, 2019 in Guest Blog

Guest Blogger: Dani Gabriel, author of Sam!

My son Samson came out as transgender at age 9. Shortly thereafter he told me that he wanted to read a book about a boy like him. We looked and looked, but what we found was for older kids or about transgender girls. So I decided to write Sam a book.

Interview with William Sulit, illustrator of Trini's Big Leap

August 12, 2019 in Interviews, Editors' updates

Our latest book, Trini’s Big Leap by Alexander de Wit and Beth Kephart, with illustrations by William Sulit, concerns a talented little girl who says, “I can do that,” about everything she tries at the gym. But what happens when a new activity isn’t all that easy for her? Earlier this summer we asked the co-authors and illustrator a few questions about trying new things, about overcoming obstacles and fears, about giving and receiving advice, and about books they loved as a kid that have stuck with them into adulthood.

PCB: Why is it important for kids to try new things? Why is it important for adults to try new things?

WS: Well, it’s all about learning. I think kids try new things intuitively—it’s the adults I worry about.