Winner’s Circle, IFL Institute, May 2022 interview
It was great to be part of the Institute for Children’s Writers “Published Grads” in an interview May 13, 2022. I think my favorite questions was this one: If you could travel back in time and give yourself one piece of writing advice, how far back would you go, and what would you tell yourself?
Boy, was I naive about the skill and craft of writing a good picture book back in 2013!
Moment Magazine Recognizes Several PB Biographies
So nice of my book’s editor Joni Sussman (Kar-Ben) to share that several Kar-Ben books, (including mine), are included in the summer round-up of Jewish kidlit in Moment Magazine. Moment Magazine Summer Kitlit Roundup
Link for recording of Jewish Community Library presentation
If you missed the presentation that Antonia Lavine and I made for the Jewish Community Library of San Francisco on Dec. 22, 2021, here’s the link to the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F3O876P5WQ
2021 Successes
Children’s author Julie Hedlund, challenged participants of her 12 Days of Christmas for Writers series to post SUCCESSES (rather than resolutions) on our blogs this year. She believes the way New Year’s resolutions are traditionally made come from a place of negativity – what DIDN’T get done or achieved in the previous year. Instead, she suggests we set goals for the New Year that BUILD on our achievements from the previous one. I decided to participate in this Anti-Resolution Revolution! Here is my list for 2021.
- Publication of my debut PB biography, “Hannah G. Solomon Dared to Make a Difference”
- Planned and mostly executed a marketing campaign that worked until the 3 months around our move from Sept. – November 2021.
- NCJW-SF leadership helping me market the book.
- Completing Laura Margolis: Saving Shanghai’s Refugees graphic novel
- Completing Laura Margolis: Saving Shanghai’s Refugees picture book
- Developing four successful zoom presentations for Hannah G. Solomon book.
Presentation with Antonia Lavine at the Jewish Community Library
My first long presentation, about 40 minutes to an adult audience on zoom attending a program sponsored by the Jewish Community Library of San Francisco and the National Council of Jewish Women-SF.
I shared information about how picture books are created and published, along with the characteristics of good picture books. The major part of the presentation was sharing most of the story about Hannah G. Solomon and the gorgeous illustrations by Sofia Moore. Dr. Antonia Lavine, the executive director of the NCJW-SF, followed me with an informative update of the types of projects the NCJW carries out, especially here in the SF Bay Area.
Very gratifying to receive many positive comments!
Another presentation at the Assoc. of Jewish Libraries Fall Showcase
logo for the Assoc. of Jewish Libraries
The Association of Jewish Libraries hosted a fall showcase of 2021 children’s book authors on November 9, 2021. About 30 authors were featured, and I was one of two debut authors. Some of the presenters are well published, such as the Baby Loves Science board book series by Ruth Spiro.
SCBWI Virtual Book Launch Presentation
The South Bay section of my professional association, Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) hosted a book launch presentation for new fall 2021 authors on Oct 24, 2021. For this presentation, each author had 8 minutes to talk about his/her book. I enjoyed hearing about other YA and MG books, particularly a chapter book by Kate Moore, “Elinormal.” In addition to getting experience making these presentations, I’m keeping a list of books I want to buy and read!
Review from the Jewish Chronicle
The JC is described as “the world’s oldest and most influential Jewish newspaper…”(UK). Here’s an excerpt from the review: “…Hannah G. Solomon, the founder of the National Council of Jewish Women, is unlikely to be familiar to UK readers, but her life story is simply and informatively told by Bonnie Lindauer in “Hannah G. Solomon Dared to Make a Difference.(Kar-Ben)… (8 October 2021 Jewish Chronicle, Children’s Books column)
Sydney Taylor Shmooze Awards Review
The most in-depth review I’ve received is from a very thoughtful librarian, Beth L. Gallego, who reviews for a blog from the Association of Jewish Libraries.
Here’s the link to the full review and an extract: “…Lindauer packs many of Solomon’s achievements into clear, concise paragraphs infused with admiration and respect for her subject. While no citations are given for quotations within the text, they are presumably from Solomon’s autobiography, which Lindauer notes was a primary source in her research. The back matter includes an author’s note, photographs of Solomon and Hull House, and a timeline. Moore’s dynamic illustrations use bright color and line to create a layered effect…”
https://www.sydneytaylorshmooze.com/2021/10/review-hannah-g-solomon-dared-to-make.html