Interviews

Penny Candy Books And WordPlay Cincy!

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Penny Candy Books And WordPlay Cincy!

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. 

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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Interview with Beth Kephart, co-author of Trini's Big Leap

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Interview with Beth Kephart, co-author of Trini's Big Leap

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? 

BK: We are blessed with this one life that unspools and unspools at what feels like ever-increasing speed. Every day presents a question: Will I remain within the bounds of the world I know best, or will I nudge against the boundaries and discover (and therefore become) just a little bit more?

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Interview with Alexander de Wit, co-author of Trini's Big Leap

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Interview with Alexander de Wit, co-author of Trini's Big Leap

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?

AdW: Science extensively shows that children have a remarkable ability to learn and that their learning experiences shape their foundations for their adult life.

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