Why I Started to Pursue My Dream

Newsletter #4

Beth’s Book Club and My Inspiration

Many years ago at work I belonged to a book club started by my friend Beth. It was when our children were infants and toddlers, so finding the energy to stay awake and read was a challenge, but once I committed I realized how much I missed reading for pleasure. One year we did a secret Santa gift exchange and my secret Santa gave me a clue:

I’m sure we had talked about my writing picture books at some point beforehand, but sometimes it’s a small seed like this that gets planted. After Beth gave me that note, I kept it on a bulletin board to take root.

Not long after, we sadly lost Beth to lung cancer at the much-too-young age of 39. Recognizing how short life can be prompted me to take a couple community center classes on writing, learn specifically about picture book writing from another local class, and then join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators in 2008 to pursue a dream.

So thank you, Beth, for giving me these gifts—the love of reading, the power of writing, the passion to teach, the seed to sprout a dream, and a warm, supportive friendship that I feel from you to this day.

How have you turned lemons into lemonade in your life? (And for those of you who knew Beth, a little tribute to her in the comments would be so lovely.)

2023 Antheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division

Book Report: RAMEN FOR EVERYONE

Written by Patricia Tanumihardja

Illustrated by Shiho Pate

There is an energy that radiates from the book RAMEN FOR EVERYONE, both from the determination that Hiro has for cooking the perfect bowl of ramen for his family and the vibrant art that lights up each page. Even if you’ve never eaten or heard of ramen, those first pages lay the stage for a delicious story with Patricia’s delectable descriptions of the components of ramen. Shiho gives Patricia’s cooking words such life as she incorporates them in multiple page spreads to amplify the kitchen activity. I find myself re-reading the pictures to find small details and dramatic facial expressions that add so much to this story about Hiro’s perseverance in making something special to eat for each family member, even the cute dog named Sushi! There are four pages of great back matter as well, telling the history of ramen, kitchen safety rules, and a recipe for miso ramen. I love how this food-forward story showcases a supportive family as Hiro and his dad cook a special family recipe.

Themes: determination, perseverance, growth mindset, family

Discussion Ideas:

1. What lessons can you learn from the way Hiro changed from the beginning to the end of this story?

2. What are things you can’t do YET and what steps can you take now toward that goal?

Mentor Text For:

• strong verbs

• making inferences

• reading the pictures

• using speech bubble words to teach conventional punctuation for dialogue in writing

Buy the book! Yes, this book has undies, so be sure to check them out.

Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

My favorite spread is packed with action as Dad wows Hiro with his cooking skills while Hiro soaks in all the tips. What a heartwarming relationship they have.

Weekly Progress Report

This is a section for “stuff I did” that relates to my writing career. I believe in celebrating all wins, big and small alike.

• watched an interview featuring Jane Yolen

• connected with creators at an SCBWI social event

• listened to a podcast about creative slumps

• spoke with authors about their literary agent

• continued to draft a picture book biography

Sending you courage and grace in all you choose to do,

Susan