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By Maine author/illustrator Bette A. Stevens
Dan’s government job took us to California. Degree
in hand, I taught fourth graders in the Mojave Desert and second language
learners (grades 6-8) on the California Coast. I love kids and had already had
my first children’s book, The Tangram Zoo and Word Puzzles Too! published
by a small regional press, ready to use in the classroom. Now it was time to
start writing AMAZING MATILDA. I’ve been captivated by monarch
butterflies since childhood and knew that their life cycle would provide the
perfect model for a storyline to inspire the kids that I was teaching. I didn’t
have my artwork yet, simply a story to read to my students and to use as a
model to teach them how to write their own stories.
By 2002, Dan’s job took us to Northern Virginia where
I taught fourth and fifth graders Social Studies and Language Arts. As
retirement time approached, we moved back home to Maine, where several years
earlier we had purchased a neglected farm on 37 acres. That’s where we are now—retired
and enjoying the good life.
Dan is renovating the old farmstead, with a little
help from me—his go-fer. And me? I have
time to write and illustrate my books. I call myself a nature nut. I collect
everything from seashells to birds’ nests. Dan and I enjoy occasional day trips
to the coast and my camera is always ready for the next great nature shot. Life
is good. God continues to guide me
through the peaceful valleys and over the arduous mountain trails of life’s
journey.
Since retirement, I’ve written, illustrated and
self-published three books and am currently writing my first novel planned for
release in the summer of 2014. Today, I would like to introduce you to my
children’s picture book, AMAZING MATILDA.
MEET MATILDA
AMAZING
MATILDA, that is…. At
just one year of age, she has won two awards for excellence in children’s
literature. Here’s a peek into her storyline and how she came into being:
A TALE IS BORN
MATILDA’s story was
written to inspire young readers to reach for their dreams—to meet challenges
with patience and persistence. When I wrote the original draft for my students
(no artwork yet), I decided to use nature to explain human nature. A butterfly
would be the perfect analogy for the growth and development of a child.
A monarch butterfly would
be the ideal species, since the monarch is a benchmark indicator of how our
environment is faring—its habitat, the milkweed plant, is the only food that
monarch caterpillars will eat and it is endangered.
And so, we have an animal
adventure story that teaches lessons in environmental science, life science and
character education. To get inspiration for my drawings, which did not
materialize until 2012, I had my research files on the monarch’s life cycle:
the research I had used to write the original story shared with my students. It
included color copies from many sources. In 2012, I added to my stockpile by
searching the internet for different poses for butterflies, sparrows, toads and
rabbits— all characters in AMAZING MATILDA.
The research drawings and illustrations of the monarch butterfly life
cycle served as the basis (original outline) for my story and eventually for my
sketch and watercolor illustrations.
The inspirations for
supporting characters in AMAZING MATILDA came from my imagination. I had
to think and dream and rethink about what wise character (animal) would be the
great encourager—Sparrow came to mind. What about friends who would tease and
boast? I finally decided upon Rabbit and Toad. All of the animals had to be unique
(different species), to help children see that even though they are all
different, they have so much in common. That is how the tale of “Amazing
Matilda” was born.
MATILDA’S MESSAGE from ME to YOU! Whether
you really want to write or draw or paint, or perhaps it’s something else
(something unique) that you want to do—just do it. And, save everything you’ve
worked on. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth saving. Maybe, you’ll look back one
day and see how far you’ve come or maybe you’ll glean an inspiration for a
great new project. I have journals, folders, binders and even file boxes filled
with most of my writing, including works’ drafts, trials and research. Over the
years, I’ve saved everything from my children too. These are the things that
dreams are made of…As Matilda’s story reminds us—we can do anything we really want to do if we try long enough and hard enough. And, don’t forget to help your friends make their dreams—whatever they may be—come true!
GET INSPIRED!
Watch MATILDA’s Video Debut…
Watch MATILDA’s Video Debut…
FIND
OUT MORE about author Bette A. Stevens and her books at http://www.Amazon.com/author/betteastevens
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Hello, Ey. Thanks so much for hosting me on your wonderful blog. Have an awesome week!
You are so welcome. I hope you get a lot of views on your books. Best of luck.
Congratulations Bette on being chosen as a Spotlight Author with Rave Reviews Book Club. Thank Ey for hosting her as well.
Great blog, Ey. What a lovely book with a nice message, Bette. I'm sure it will be well received but good luck anyway.
Thank you, Dale. Not a problem,Kathryn.
Hi Bette, congratulations on being selected as Rave Reviews' SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR! I'm so happy for you and wish you all the best my dear! xoxo :)
Thank you, Ey, for hosting this event! Congratulations to Bette on this honor!
Thank you all for stopping by and cheering Bettye on.
Hi Bette,
Love your book trailer. Thanks so much, Ey, for hosting Bette.
What a great post! Thank you for hosting Bette during her "SPOTLIGHT"!!!
Dear Ey, Katherine, Dale, Danica, Beem & Kathy,
Thanks so much for your wonderful comments and for taking the time to lend such great support. You're all awesome!
Bette
Congratulations Bette! Enjoy Your SPOTLIGHT! Just purchased a copy of Pure Trash.