August Author Update
Dear Bernstrom Readers,
In immediate news, my book from HarperCollins Song in the City comes out September 6th. Preorder today by clicking the pink-link or the picture below!
But a quick YAY! about the book — Kohl’s has selected Song in the City to be part of its Amplified Voices Program in January 2023. That means that Song in the City will be featured in most Khol’s stores from mid-January through March 2023.
Additionally, Amazon has selected Song in the City as an Editor’s Best Book pick for the month of September for kids 3-5!
You’ll hear more from me soon on the story behind this book!
Family News:
Heather and the five kids are well.
Heather is homeschooling the children this year. As a former educator, she has always longed to teach her own kids. She has all of her curriculum and she’s exited to get started. I’m excited to see what they come up with. But here’s a quick idea that you might want to try with your kids, grandkids, or classroom.
My daughter was playing with some leftover spoons. She made up a family called the Spooners. So, maybe try making your own little spoon family. Notice the little arms. So much fun.
We’ve also been going to the local library. My oldest daughter completed reading her 100th book this month. And these are not small books. They usually run about 200 pages. I feel stupid compared to her. When she gets a 100-page book, she says “Is that all.” I need to remind her that short books are fun too. She generally agrees when she’s done. All that to say, we love reading. Heather has been reading the My Father’s Dragon books to the kids after lunch before naps. The kids have really enjoyed those books. But I think they love going to the library more. The Bernstrom’s love the library!
Update:
August was a busy month because I was getting ready for school to start. For those who don’t know, I am a college English Instructor (please forgive all spelling and grammar errors!). I’ve been spending that last few weeks prepping for school to start. At the time of my writing this update, I have just finished my second week of school. It feels wonderful to be back. I enjoy the students and the regular rhythm of work.
What else have I been doing? I also finished up promoting my second book Gator, Gator, Gator! at the Minnesota State Fair. Heather and I dropped off our five children at Grandma and Grandpa Naatz’s house and spent the day creating green clothespin gators. Over 100 kids showed up. The kids loved making little gators!. It was a huge hit. I asked my wife if she took a picture of us at the fair. Nope, she didn’t. She got a picture of the Minnesota State Fair Gopher and not her wonderful, amazing husband. Sigh! Oh well, I see where I stack up. Evidently, I’m not as cool as a person in a gopher costume.
I also spent some time promoting another new book coming out in November. That book is called A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree, published by Astra Publishing. The book has already received a *starred review from Youth Services Book Review!
“★★★★★ One of those books destined to become a classic, one that kids will ask to be read over and over again, a great choice for storytimes…. just so much fun.” — Youth Services Book Review
Click the picture to preorder!
But much of what I’ve been doing is prepping for the launch of this book. If you’re interested in being on my launch team, please email me back at this address. I’ll email more details to you soon!
Here’s a video about the book that I did with the great folks at Kid Lit TV. In the video I teach kids how to identify adjectives!
Added to that I’m still writing. I finished a middle-grade book draft and sent it to my editor at Astra Publishing. I’m also editing another picture book for HarperCollins. No guarantees that my editor will accept the book, but wish me luck as I revise the book per her suggestions.
Books Under Editorial Review (On editors’ desks but not acquired)
The Dumped Truck
Uncle Grumple
A Bear, A Fish, and a Little Wish
The Five
Books out for Submission:
Some will see that the same books from last month. Things take time in publishing. I call it “book time.”
So what am I working on? I’m revising other picture books and outlining/drafting another middle-grade book. My general writing process is to just stay busy. That helps me not focus on waiting. That’s also why I teach. It feels good to see students win at writing.
Picture books out for submission:
I Flow Like a Rainbow,
House of Mouse
One Shining Night
Princesses Share Almost Everything
Young Adult Book out for submission:
Blackbird Rising
The Read-Aloud Dinner Podcast and Family (Books, Poems, Literature Read During Dinner)
The Read-Aloud Dinner book we are currently reading is still the The Wind in the Willows.
The Read-Aloud Dinner Poem: Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening
Check out the latest Episode of the Read Aloud Dinner Podcast!