Search

Presents six first-time children's book authors talking about their fall 1996 debuts. Victor Martinez for `Parrot in the Oven'; Adele Griffin for `Rainy Season'; Dakota Lane for `Johnny Voodoo'; Anne Hunter for `Possum's Harvest Moon'; Martha Southgate for `Another Way to Dance'; Helen Kim for `The Long Season of Rain.'

Presents the personal experiences of children's book authors and illustrators on the source of inspiration for their work. Fascination with twins by Beverly Cleary; Urge by William Joyce to draw picture books after seeing the book `Where the Wild Things Are,'; Daydreams of author Katherine Paterson; Encouragement of reading for boys by Robert Lipsyte.

Reports on a deal signed by actor Ron McLarty with Viking Penguin for "The Memory of Running" and a second book. Overview of the book; Markets where the audiobook version became in demand; Reaction of publishers and agents to the article written by Stephen King recommending the audiobook.

Interviews performer Madonna, regarding her career shift as a children's book author. Inspirations for her children's book writing; Highlights of the five books she had written; Impact of her celebrity image on her books.

Presents six children's authors who made their debuts in the fall of 1997. Javaka Steptoe's `In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall'; Tracey Porter's `Treasures in the Dust'; Chris Sheban's `I Met a Dinosaur'; A. M. Jenkins' `Breaking Boxes'; Valerie Coursen's `Mordant's Wish'; James Kaczman, who illustrated Rhonda Gowler Greene's `When a Line Bends... A Shape Begins.'