The Road to Publication
by Brian Scott Sockin
About the Author: Jane Yolen has authored more than 350 books, including the Caldecott-winning Owl Moon, which every budding young ornithologist owns, You Nest Here With Me, which is a popular new favorite, and the New York Times bestselling series How Do Dinosaurs. Jane Yolen’s books have been translated into over 20 languages and are popular around the world.
Janes husband, David Stemple, was both a well known bird recordist and a professor of computer science and he taught the entire family how to identify birds. Many of Jane’s books are about wildlife subjects, especially the winged kind. Jane lives in Easthampton, MA. Visit her online at janeyolen.com.
GIVEAWAY
On Bird Hill, by bestselling children’s author Jane Yolen, illustrated by award-winning artist Bob Marstall, was the very first book signed to the new Cornell Lab Publishing Group.
The imprint was founded during the Cornell Lab’s centennial celebration in 2015, with the goal of sharing its knowledge and passion for birds in order to inspire people everywhere to appreciate and care for birds, and their environments.
More than 50 million people in the U.S. observe and care for birds each year. And it’s no wonder: birds are a portal to the natural world and conservation, readily accessible everywhere, beautiful and wondrous. When we first read On Bird Hill, it inspired us in two ways. First, On Bird Hill is a story of what’s possible to discover in everyday life, if we stop and take notice of our natural surroundings. And second, the story is about the miraculous spark of new life and that new life’s own experience of discovery, conveying a subtle but deeply emotional link with the very essence of nature, even in the simplest of things we take for granted. It is for this reason that On Bird Hill is fantastical in its beautifully -constructed and stunning illustrations by Bob Marstall, called “Seussian” by several reviewers (oh yes, we took that as a big compliment!). Bob’s flowing scenes lead us through the story so effortlessly, like the simple saunter on Bird Hill itself.
What’s next? Lots. On Bird Hill is the first in a planned series that takes us from this imaginary world to real ones, but using the same tone and manner of the first. On Duck Pond, which releases next Spring, will take readers to a serene and misty pond, calmly filled with creatures large and small in that habitat. Suddenly, humans happen on their path to the pond and it comes alive in a cascading cacophony of sound and frenetic movement...until they pass and all simmers back to stasis. In this, and future series titles, we will bridge the world of real creatures in real habitats, but still convey the same sense of wonderment that was established with On Bird Hill.
The third title, debuting Spring 2018, is On Gull Beach. Here, readers are taken to the shoreline, which abounds with land, air and sea creatures alike. Future titles will cover the other habitats such as mountains, marshlands, urban, and other landscapes, covering all the major habitats in the U.S. where birds live and thrive.
So how does a children’s picture book support the mission of a science organization? Just like our live bird cams, our allaboutbirds.org website (the #1 birding website), or our YouTube videos, all of which engage tens of millions; it’s about engagement. When we create an emotional connection between a reader and a bird, something magical happens. Whether it leads to simple appreciation or a strong desire to be a conservationist, every connection matters. It is our goal with our picture books to inspire children at a young age, to help raise a new generation of bird lovers and future caretakers of our environment.
About the CEO and Publisher: Brian Scott Sockin has authored 7 books, including the children’s title C.A.R.E. Treasury of Children’s Folklore. Brian has a B.A. in Psychology from Binghamton University and M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business. Brian is CEO and Publisher of the Cornell Lab Publishing Group, which has afforded him the rare opportunity to pair his passion for nature and writing, with his business career. Brian is a native of upstate NY and now lives in Cary, NC with his family.
More than 50 million people in the U.S. observe and care for birds each year. And it’s no wonder: birds are a portal to the natural world and conservation, readily accessible everywhere, beautiful and wondrous. When we first read On Bird Hill, it inspired us in two ways. First, On Bird Hill is a story of what’s possible to discover in everyday life, if we stop and take notice of our natural surroundings. And second, the story is about the miraculous spark of new life and that new life’s own experience of discovery, conveying a subtle but deeply emotional link with the very essence of nature, even in the simplest of things we take for granted. It is for this reason that On Bird Hill is fantastical in its beautifully -constructed and stunning illustrations by Bob Marstall, called “Seussian” by several reviewers (oh yes, we took that as a big compliment!). Bob’s flowing scenes lead us through the story so effortlessly, like the simple saunter on Bird Hill itself.
What’s next? Lots. On Bird Hill is the first in a planned series that takes us from this imaginary world to real ones, but using the same tone and manner of the first. On Duck Pond, which releases next Spring, will take readers to a serene and misty pond, calmly filled with creatures large and small in that habitat. Suddenly, humans happen on their path to the pond and it comes alive in a cascading cacophony of sound and frenetic movement...until they pass and all simmers back to stasis. In this, and future series titles, we will bridge the world of real creatures in real habitats, but still convey the same sense of wonderment that was established with On Bird Hill.
The third title, debuting Spring 2018, is On Gull Beach. Here, readers are taken to the shoreline, which abounds with land, air and sea creatures alike. Future titles will cover the other habitats such as mountains, marshlands, urban, and other landscapes, covering all the major habitats in the U.S. where birds live and thrive.
So how does a children’s picture book support the mission of a science organization? Just like our live bird cams, our allaboutbirds.org website (the #1 birding website), or our YouTube videos, all of which engage tens of millions; it’s about engagement. When we create an emotional connection between a reader and a bird, something magical happens. Whether it leads to simple appreciation or a strong desire to be a conservationist, every connection matters. It is our goal with our picture books to inspire children at a young age, to help raise a new generation of bird lovers and future caretakers of our environment.
About the CEO and Publisher: Brian Scott Sockin has authored 7 books, including the children’s title C.A.R.E. Treasury of Children’s Folklore. Brian has a B.A. in Psychology from Binghamton University and M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business. Brian is CEO and Publisher of the Cornell Lab Publishing Group, which has afforded him the rare opportunity to pair his passion for nature and writing, with his business career. Brian is a native of upstate NY and now lives in Cary, NC with his family.
*****
Stop by MamaPapaBarn tomorrow for Day #4 of the tour!
Blog Tour Schedule:
June 20th – The O.W.L.
June 21st — The Book Monsters
June 22nd — Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust
June 23rd — MamaPapaBarn
June 24th — Rockin' Book Reviews
June 27th — Kristi's Book Nook
June 28th — Books My Kids Read
June 29th — Word Spelunking
June 30th — Cracking the Cover
Loosely based on the old cumulative nursery rhyme/song “The Green Grass Grew All Around,” a nursery rhyme first published as a song in 1912. But in this version, it’s a boy and his dog who find the bird in a nest on a hill in a strange valley. Following in the footsteps of Jane’s highly acclaimed Owl Moon, winner of the prestigious Caldecott Award, On Bird Hill is a beautiful picture book with an enchanting story, fancifully illustrated by renowned artist Bob Marstall. On Bird Hill is sure to attract interest from millions of readers and fans of Jane’s popular classics.
About the Illustrator: Bob Marstall is the illustrator of nine nonfiction children’s books, including the The Lady and the Spider, which sold over a quarter-of-a-million copies and was a Reading Rainbow selection. Bob has also been honored with an ALA Notable; an IRA Teachers’ Choice; a Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book for Children; and three John Burroughs selections.
In addition, two of Bob’s books are included in the New York Times Parent’s Guide’s “1001 Best Books of the Twentieth Century.” Bob Lives in Easthamton, MA. Visit him online at bobmartsall.com.
About the Cornell Lab: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a world leader in the study, appreciation, and conservation of birds. Our hallmarks are scientific excellence and technological innovation to advance the understanding of nature and to engage people of all ages in learning about birds and protecting the planet. birds.cornell.edu
GIVEAWAY
- One (1) winner will receive a copy of On Bird Hill and a Window Bird Feeder ($28.99) to get up close and personal with the birds in your backyard! Great for blends, peanuts and safflower, this durable feeder attaches right to your window pane with suction cups, allowing you to see every bird detail. It's easy to fill and easy to clean.
- US only
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This collaboration sounds wonderful, Beth. I'm glad you shared about your giveaway on the Monday post. Thanks for this! Jane Yolen's books are always good, so know I will enjoy this book, and will look for the others.
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