Raven Howell is an award winning author and poet of several children’s picture books. Her poems appear in children’s magazines such as Cricket, Highlights for Children, HighFive, Ladybug, Jack and Jill, and Fun for Kids. She enjoys presenting children’s writing workshops, visiting libraries and schools, and serves as Creative and Publishing Advisor for RedClover Reader. Raven writes a column for Story Monsters Ink magazine, The Book Bug.
1. Thanks for joining us again for this interview! It’s been a year since we last spoke, and we’re thrilled to see your continued success. How does it feel to have Blink and Glow out in the world, and what makes this new book special to you?
Hello to everyone! It’s been a busy year, highlighted by new book releases and author events.
My latest book, Blink and Glow, has garnered attention and positive response from critics and readers that I hadn’t dreamed of. What makes this book special to me is that my publisher is involved with both publishing books and making the world a little greener. A portion of book sales are donated toward supporting organizations that help our natural environment.
2. Your books have always been a source of joy and learning for children. How does it feel to know that Blink and Glow continues this tradition and introduces important lessons about nature?
I feel blessed as Blink and Glow makes its way into children’s communities. My hope is that my message or story touches and connects with another. It’s rewarding to my heart.
3. How did you collaborate with Ann Pilicer on the illustrations for this book? What was it like seeing your story come to life through her artwork?
Ann and I had been working on another project. She asked me to collaborate with her in regard to a picture book contest she was entering. We originally created a story line around mermaids. Soon I was inclined to shift the plot toward consideration for our environment. When our ideas evolved, I chose fireflies and other garden, pond, and woodsy critters in lieu of magical mermaids. After all, fireflies and other bio-luminescent nature is magical, too!
So, in the case of Blink and Glow, Ann and I worked together very closely from spread to spread (those are the 2 pages visible when you look at an opened book). I had a completed story draft, but I would revise text and Ann would send her illustration sketch ideas as we made our way through our story.
I’d like to note that commonly an author submits their manuscript, and the publisher finds the illustrator for the book. So I think it’s pretty cool that Ann and I tackled Blink and Glow together from the start.
4. What role does imagination play in children’s understanding of nature, and how does Blink and Glow use imagination to teach this lesson?
Many children imagine fireflies as garden fairies. At the very least, a child may perceive the lightning bugs as having some small superpower with its twinkling light. I hope that in turn, it inspires curiosity and questions about our natural environment and all living things. In the book, the children’s imagination and enchantment leads them to catching the firefly and salamander and holding them for show-and-tell in school the next day. But soon the kids wonder, should they hold them captive? Or should the firefly and salamander be set free?
5. Your stories bring so much joy to children. What inspired you to create such magical worlds?
I grew up reading books about such magical worlds. I had access to many folktales. My parents were both born in Latvia, and the Latvian culture has rich roots in nature, folklore, and mysticism, including literature and prose steeped heavily with the whimsical and enchanting. Additionally, worlds created by Richard Scarry, A.A. Milne, Dr. Seuss, and E.B White provided the backdrop for what I held in my heart as other-worldly during my childhood.
6. What’s the secret to creating a story that not only children but also their parents love to read over and over again?
There is no secret formula. There are, however, themes of kindness, of love and goodness, of overcoming what we’ve imagined we can’t, that are timeless and may end up always having a place in our hearts. Those stories are read over and over again.
But I’d like to flip your question around. I think it’s absolutely fine if an author writes a book that is specifically relatable to just one generation. When my kids were young, there were some books I introduced my children to that I enjoyed enough but felt no need to reread. Yet my kids would read them over and over again. The point is that you want a child to read, whether you as a parent or adult are into it yourself or not.
7. What do you think is the biggest challenge when writing about environmental themes for young children?
It’s easy to write about environmental subjects if the young reader is already interested in nature or the outdoors. Overall, the challenge is to excite a child about the fascinating aspects of all living things. From my book, Blink and Glow, the bioluminescence of fireflies, salamanders and luna moths is an amazing natural phenomena. Bringing them into the story with a real-life happening such as noticing fireflies in the early evening and then catching them for a glass jar to observe may be something a young reader can relate to whether they’ve done that yet or not.
8. What kind of feedback have you received from educators or parents about the resources page? Has it been helpful in facilitating discussions about nature?
It’s actually been the story itself that has inspired conversations about “catch and release” and other considerations we have to undertake to live kindly with nature. I just finished a book tour and met with many wonderful children of all ages and their parents and grandparents. Most kids were familiar with fireflies, some were not, but after understanding my story and message, those uninterested grew curious and intrigued.
9. Have you ever had a dream that turned into a story in one of your books?
I have only woken with poems already written, but I can’t remember having a dream that turned specifically into a story. As a freelance journalist, I recently had the opportunity to interview actor/author Matthew McConaughy and he claims his children’s book came to him fully developed in a dream. Matthew is an incredibly multi-talented soul, and no doubt, inspiration and the ways of the muse comes in various forms and times.
10. What do you find most challenging about writing for young readers, and how do you overcome these obstacles?
I spend many hours, days, weeks and even years editing and revising my work. And it’s not easy to figure out when to stop and say, “Ok, this is as good as it gets!” Ha!
11. As both a poet and an illustrator, what do children mean to you personally and professionally? How does your own inner child influence your work?
Connecting with children during my school visits or book events is most important to me. I learn about their interests and stay relevant to the changing times. I love to leave them with a little sunshine if I can, whether that’s through a story, interaction or smile.
It’s because of my active inner child that most of my writing happens.
12. How do you balance your writing with your family life and other activities?
It is not always easy to balance personal life with my writing business, but somehow I manage. There are times I literally have to announce to the other family members, “I have a special deadline. Please don’t bother me for the next few hours” or whatever the circumstance may be. But they’re understanding and after all these years, happily comply. As my husband and I inch into pre-retirement years, he has been helping me on my book tours and events which is wonderful. We end up laughing, enjoying ourselves and having a great time.
13. Do you have a favorite book or poem that you’ve written? What makes it special to you?
One of my favorite books I’ve written is The 20 Little Poems for 20 Little Gnomes. It’s particularly special because the compilation is sweet, inspirational, sunny, and whimsical. There’s a poem in that book for every one of us.
14. What advice would you give to someone who wants to write children’s poetry or books?
Spend lots of time honing your writing skills. Practice makes perfect. Connect with the children’s community and have fun!
15. Your dedication to children’s literature is truly inspiring. How has the response to Blink and Glow compared to your previous books, and what feedback from readers has been most meaningful to you?
I have been writing for children for 3 decades now. Wow! It’s been wonderful. I was actually taken by how much attention and love my new book, Blink and Glow, has received. I think it’s a matter of the right story at the right time. Parents and children’s professionals are looking for gentle ways to inspire youth to take care of our planet, and that begins with consideration for all living things. Hearing that Blink and Glow has helped provide a healthy, entertaining and thoughtful outlook on nature is what has been super meaningful to me.
16. Thank you for sharing your time with us again. What’s next for you in your writing journey, and how do you plan to continue inspiring and educating young readers with your stories?
My book, Glow, written in prose, will be releasing soon. It offers messages of connecting with our goodness and the inner love within oneself. And I’m in negotiations with another publisher for a children’s book about a grandmother who is very atypical! It’s a graphic picture book and will bring a little laughter and gaiety to readers.
17. What advice would you give to parents or educators who want to use Blink and Glow to encourage a love of nature in children?
Using the storyline from Blink and Glow will help parents and educators teach and explain the concept of “catch and release” in regard to living things such as fireflies and salamanders. The book encourages the joy of being outdoors, chasing after and admiring firefly flickers and other natural treasures that surround us. The final pages of the book demonstrate that creating suncatchers and craft critters from popsicle sticks motivate some artsy fun. Even if you live a suburban city life, there are ways to love and enjoy nature.
18. How do you think parents and teachers can use books like yours to encourage kids to spend more time reading and less time on gadgets?
The best way to have parents and teachers encourage children to read and take time away from gadgets is to help them discover subjects that interest them. There’s a book for every one of us! Find the books that interest the child the most, even if it’s in illustration style. That’s a good starting point.
I met an enthusiastic grandparent on my summer book tour. She explained she’d been trying to persuade her grandson to read but couldn’t find anything that interested him until she shared Blink and Glow. It turns out Trevor’s favorite summer activity is to “chase lightning bugs!” He read the book with his grandmother several times the first night they brought it home.
19. How can readers and fans support Blink and Glow and help spread the word about the book to others who might benefit from it?
Readers and fans should keep an eye on book giveaways and contact me for author signed copies and/or book discounts. I am always happy to work with educators and libraries to have the book available to children’s communities and classrooms. I enjoy hearing readers’ opinions, so leaving reviews is wonderful and much appreciated.
My books are available in many indie bookstores, and I’m an advocate of several wonderful literary organizations. Word of mouth, ordering or inquiring about Blink and Glow from your local bookshop is helpful to local communities, and can spread the word.
Loads of joyful wishes to everyone, and thanks for having me!
Raven
Blink and Glow is Available on Amazon.com
Also Read: The Power of Poetry in Children’s Literature: A Conversation with Raven Howell
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