Bookzone Reviews welcomes Karen B. Winnick, the author of Can You Spot the Leopard? which is on tour with The Children's Book Review.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Created by Karen B. Winnick
Ages 7+ | 48 Pages
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group | ISBN-13: 978-1626349759
Publisher’s Book Synopsis: Can You Spot the Leopard? is author/artist Karen B. Winnick’s newest picture book, an adventuresome African safari presented through poems and full-color paintings. Readers begin at sunrise, climbing into a jeep for a bumpy ride to view the wondrous animals as they would on a real safari. All the poems are based on real observations of what animals do in the wild, related in an accessible way. There’s even a sighting, finally, of the elusive leopard, before returning to safari camp under a starry night. At the back of the book, further information is related about each animal. A fun, informational, educational adventure to read and reread.
Ms. Winnick is an animal enthusiast, president of the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, and author of more than a dozen picture books, including Gemina: The Crooked-Neck Giraffe, How Lucky Got His Shoe, and Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers.
PURCHASE LINKS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KAREN B. WINNICK is the author of more than a dozen picture books for children, most of which she illustrated. An animal lover, she serves on several boards devoted to the well-being of animals. She’s a graduate of Syracuse University, mother of three grown sons, grandmother of eight, and minder of five pups.
For more visit, karenbwinnick.com.
CONVERSATION WITH KAREN B. WINNICK
What do you think makes a good children’s book?
Good writing, characters we care about, often a subtext that imparts a deeper truth, and humor, when appropriate. A book, whether fiction or non-fiction, that touches us in some way.
Have you heard from readers on what they think about Can You
Spot the Leopard? An African Safari. What kind of things do they say?
Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari will be published on October 25th so as I write this, my book is not officially out.
Those who’ve seen it love the paintings, especially the cover. Reading the poems, they feel they’ve been on safari and have learned a lot about the animals. Some didn’t know a wildebeest and a gnu were the same animal.
How long does it take you to create a book?
Creating historical fiction picture books such as Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers, involves research, digging into the past. Each took about three years to complete. Barn Sneeze, for younger kids, was inspired by a visit to a farm and took much less time. For Can You Spot the Leopard? I spent several years working on the poems, but I was writing other stories, too. The paintings were done during the pandemic in just under two years when I had more time each day to paint.
What is the most surprising thing you learned about yourself while creating this book?
I learned how much I love painting all sorts of animals! Also, I’ve almost always painted in oils. For Can You Spot the Leopard? I worked with water-based paints, acrylics, and gouache, which is opaque watercolor, and was able to achieve what I hoped for without using harsh chemicals.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a creator of
children’s books?
I had a friend who wore a funny-looking pair of shoes. I wrote a story and drew pictures about the shoes, then made it into a little book. It was never published, but I enjoyed creating it. So, I made another, about a puppet who was trying to find out who pulled his strings. Patch and the Strings became a published picture book, and I was hooked!
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was a child, I loved to draw, even inside my books. I wanted to be an artist. I took art classes while growing up and in college, majored in art.
What is your work schedule like when you’re working on a book?
I try to work every day. Some days I work most of the day, even after dinner. Other times there are errands to do, appointments to keep, family commitments, and I’m not able to work as much.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
My quirk is to cut pictures and articles from every magazine and newspaper I read before anyone in my family has read them. My picture file is outgrowing its space. Articles I save are inspiration for stories, more than I could ever write. Photos sometimes inspire events in my stories.
What is one piece of advice you would give to our readers who may be aspiring writers?
Be curious about the world around you; write down what you see and how you feel about it. Read, read, read. And then write. If you want to play a sport well, you practice. If you want to write well, keep writing.
Thank you for joining us here at Book Zone Reviews to give us a peek into your writing process, and for the sage advice for fellow writers or writers-to-be!
TOUR SCHEDULE
Tuesday, October 18, 2022The Children’s Book Review
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Life Is What It’s Called
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Dad Suggests
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Friday, October 21, 2022
Library Lady’s Kid Lit
An interview with Karen B. Winnick
Monday, October 24, 2022
Crafty Moms Share
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Book Zone Reviews
An interview with Karen B. Winnick
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Thursday, October 27, 2022
icefairy’s Treasure Chest
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Friday, October 28, 2022
The Momma Spot
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Monday, October 31, 2022
Lisa’s Reading
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Because I Said So
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Heart to Heart
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Friday, November 4, 2022
The Fairview Review
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Life Is What It’s Called
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Dad Suggests
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Friday, October 21, 2022
Library Lady’s Kid Lit
An interview with Karen B. Winnick
Monday, October 24, 2022
Crafty Moms Share
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Book Zone Reviews
An interview with Karen B. Winnick
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Thursday, October 27, 2022
icefairy’s Treasure Chest
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Friday, October 28, 2022
The Momma Spot
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Monday, October 31, 2022
Lisa’s Reading
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Because I Said So
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Heart to Heart
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Friday, November 4, 2022
The Fairview Review
A book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win an awesome Dooney Press Gift Pack of books and more fun goodies!
Ten (10) winners receive:
- A signed copy of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
This post was created in partnership with The Children's Book Review and Karen B. Winnick
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