Celebrate Easter with Danna Smith!

Hoppy Easter, readers, writers, and bunnies of all kinds! 🐰🌸 We’re thrilled to celebrate the holiday in the best way possible - with books, of course! 📚 And what better way to celebrate than with prolific author Danna Smith and her springtime reads, including her new book Bunny’s Easter Basket?

Bunny hides special eggs for all her forest friends in this delightful hide-and-seek Easter board book that introduces the concept of opposites. Readers will love searching for the eggs as Bunny hides them high, low, and all around.

Want to know more about Danna and her springtime books - and get a chance to win a copy of Bunny’s Easter Basket? Read on…

Q: Thanks for joining SeasonsOfKidLit.com! We’re thrilled to feature you and hear all about you and your books perfect for spring! Please share the inspiration behind your book, Bunny’s Easter Basket as well as other spring titles, Springtime Babies and The Colors of Spring.  How are each book different from each other?  

A: First off, thank you so much for having me—it’s a joy to be here! Like many of my stories, Bunny’s Easter Basket actually began with a title and a playful pun. Originally titled Hopposites, I wrote this book as a silly way to teach children about opposites—following Bunny as she hides eggs high and low, or behind and in front of forest animal’s homes.

While all my spring titles are concept books written in bouncy rhyme, each explores a unique theme and format. For instance, Springtime Babies is a Little Golden Book focused on farm animals, while The Colors of Spring—part of my seasonal color series—celebrates the vibrant colors of a child’s world during the springtime.

Q: What will readers enjoy most about your book? Why is your book a perfect fit for every season?

A. There’s nothing better than seeing a child light up over a colorful, rhythmic story! My spring titles are full of friendly energy and bouncy rhymes that kids love. Though Bunny’s Easter Basket has a holiday heart, the concepts inside are so universal that families find themselves reaching for it long after the egg hunts are over.

Q: What’s your favorite spread from each of your spring books?

A: This is my favorite page of Bunny’s Easter Basket. The illustrations by Kathryn Selbert make it feel like a classic tale! This last page of the book has a fun lift-the-flap element when Bunny leaves an egg behind the flap for young readers to find! The circle on the left side is an actual hole cut out in the board book that the bunny jumps through. Aw, so cute!

Q: How about your other spring-themed books? They're all SO pretty and vibrant.

There is so much to love about Springtime Babies and the illustrations by Takako Fisher, but this is one of my favorite pages. All the animals hear there are new babies on the farm, so they go in search of them. In this page, the animals end up at the farmer’s house, peeking in the window at the farmer’s new twins! Isn’t it adorable?

Jessica Gibson illustrated this warm journey of a grandfather and his grandson working in the garden together. The boy is such a big helper! I love this determined look and the little bunny who is “helping.”  

Q: What’s the most rewarding part about being a kidlit creator? How about the most challenging part?

A. I’m a firm believer in the saying, "Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life." Every time I sit down to write, I’m fueled by the pride of knowing my work could be the first book a child ever hears. I want my stories to spark a passion for reading that lasts a lifetime. While the writing comes from the heart, the work really begins when it's time to get those books onto shelves. In a world full of amazing stories, it can be a struggle to stand out in libraries and bookstores. That’s why I’m committed to the final step of the journey: making sure the books we create are seen, shared, and loved.

Q: What tip would you like to share with readers who are stuck in the query trenches?  

A. My best advice? Keep going! People often ask what the secret to success is, and honestly, the main difference between a writer and a published author is simply that they refused to give up. Every no is just a step closer to a yes, and every draft is a lesson learned. If you stay the course and keep refining your craft, I believe your words will eventually find their home. 

Q:  Do you provide educational resources for writers or offer professional manuscript critiquing services?

A. Yes and yes!  Whether you’re writing your first picture book/board book or looking for a fresh perspective, I share the practical lessons, industry shortcuts, and creative tools I’ve gathered over publishing  25+ books. Writing is 10% inspiration and 90% execution—let’s navigate that journey together. No fees, just real-world tools for your writing craft. You can find my “Writer’s Toolbox” on my website here.  Need a second pair of eyes on your manuscript? I’m happy to provide a thorough critique—my fees are fair and I can get it back to you quickly.

How exciting - Thanks so much for sharing!

Q: Would you like to leave a tip or a treat for our readers?

A: A Springtime Treat!

Huge thanks for reading! I hope this post added a little sunshine to your day. In honor of spring, I’m giving away a copy of Bunny’s Easter Basket to one lucky duck! —good luck!

Thanks so much for such a sweet gift! And thank you for joining us. It was wonderful getting to know you more.

Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter to win Danna’s book giveaway, 1) share this post on social media and 2) leave a comment below to thank Danna for stopping by. Spring-themed GIFs are welcomed, too!

Giveaway winners will be drawn and announced on or about 04/20!

About Danna Smith: 

Growing up on her family's rural Utah property, Danna Smith shared her world with an extraordinary collection of animals. This untamed freedom allowed her imagination to flourish, creating stories, poems, and inventive ideas. Her father, a falconer and dedicated animal expert, frequently brought bobcats, alligators, monkeys, hawks, and even vultures into their home, fostering Danna's deep connection with the natural world. This early immersion in wildlife and wonder profoundly shaped her literary voice. 

Danna is an award-winning author and poet known for her engaging children's books. She has written over twenty-five titles, including "The Hawk of the Castle," which was a 2018 Best Children's Book of the Year, and the much-celebrated picture book, “Zenguin.”  She lives in northern California with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Visit her website at www.dannasmithbooks.com and her poetry blog at www.poetrypop.com

For more about Danna, check out the below links:

Website

Poetry Blog

Instagram 

Twitter X

Pinterest

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