Celebrate National Cake Day with Lisa Wheeler!

Hello, readers, writers, and cake lovers of all sorts! Today we’re celebrating National Cake Day - a day dedicated to frosting, fun, and all things delicious. And what sweeter way to join the party than by diving into Lisa Wheeler’s latest addition to her beloved dino series: Dino-Birthday!

Join this delightful crew of dinosaurs as they gear up for the ultimate birthday bash - packed with lively games, surprise presents, and of course… plenty of CAKE!

Want to know more about Lisa, her new book perfect for the day, PLUS want a chance to win her multi-book giveaway? Read on... 🎂🦕

Q: Hi Lisa, Welcome back to #SeasonsOfKidLit on National Cake Day! We're always excited to talk books and dinosaurs with you.  Can you share more about your new book, Dino-Birthday?

Sure! Thanks for the opportunity. 

A: Dino-Birthday includes four birthday parties, each in a different season. When I was a kid, I was always bummed that my birthday usually fell while we were still out on the holiday break. I was jealous of friends who had summer birthdays, because they could have pool outdoor parties. So I knew it would be fun, as a writer, to plan four parties and experience the seasons.

Dino-Birthday is the last in the Dino-Holiday series. But not the last we’ll see of these Dinos. In response to all the wonderful ideas for Dino books kids have suggested over the years, I am now writing the Dino-World series! (The first book, Dino-School, came out this past August.)

Q: I love that your series keeps growing and going strong! Can you share more insight on how this works? Does the publisher reach out to you to make additional books for the series, or do you come up with other fun options to present them? We'd love to get a glimpse behind the scenes.

A: Great question! There is always a discussion about what comes next between me, my editor and the publishing team. I’m usually asked to give them six titles I would like to write. Then, after meetings, they decide on three which I get a contract for. I write the books long before they make it to bookstore shelves. Sometimes I forget which one comes out next because I’ve written two more since that one. But since the last page of each book hinges on what’s up next, I must know when I’m finishing up the last of the contracted three, what will be next. There are deadlines, of course, and it’s imperative that we make a decision then.

Q: What tip would you like to share with readers on developing a strong series? What should they keep in mind and how should they pitch this to their agent and/or publisher?

A: When I sold the first book, Dino-Hockey, to Carolrhoda/Lerner, I didn’t pitch it as a series. As a matter of fact, the version they saw, ended differently. It was a stand-alone title. But the editor asked for a revision—which I am always happy to do—with a different ending. As I was wrapping up this revision, I was a little stumped on how I would tie things up on the last page. I recalled my book Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum where the last page has things starting all over again. Kids loved that! So the last words in Dino-Hockey are: Buy your ticket. Don’t delay. Dino-Soccer starts today!  That was all it took for the very wise folks at Lerner to realize it could be a series.

So, in truth, since I never pitched a series, I honestly respond to how one would do it. But if I had a series idea, I would write a solid first book and get a publisher interested before mentioning that I had ideas for twenty more. 

Q: This is so fascinating and helpful - thanks for sharing!

Of course, Thanksgiving is in a couple days, and so are the holidays. You have just the books for dino fans. Can you share more about Dino-Thanksgiving? This looks like a perfect book to read this week, too! 

A: Dino-Thanksgiving is very popular at this time of year. It was so fun to write this one because Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday. I love the food, family and football of it all. And it’s in my favorite season—Fall!

I had to be sure and honor my characters. Triceratops is serving up a totally vegetarian meal to family and friends, while T.rex and crew chow down on a turkey dinner. 

I wanted to be sure and include those things that are typically associated with American Thanksgiving. So, while some are cooking, others are watching the football game. There is also outdoor games like flag-football for these sports-loving dinos. My favorite part is when the family and friends all get together.

Q: And of COURSE you have some books perfect to gift for the holidays as well! Dino-Christmas and Dino-Hanukkah are also wonderful reads for the upcoming holidays. Can you share some spreads from the books and why these would be perfect treats this time of year?

A: I love that Lerner asked me to write Dino-Christmas and Dino-Hanukkah. The two holidays go hand-in-hand, and I love seeing the dinos celebrate both. While Dino-Christmas themes were easy—Santa, parades, decorations, etc. I approached Dino-Hanukkah carefully.

Before I started writing Dino-Hanukkah, I sent out a questionnaire to several Jewish friends as well as my niece and her family, (who celebrate both holidays). I was very surprised that everyone answered nearly identical on the questionnaire. They all had the same traditions! Once I had the first draft completed, editors at Lerner’s imprint, Kar-Ben,( a Jewish themed imprint) looked it over and I revised to their suggestions as well as my own editor’s.  I am very proud how both books turned out even though I came at them from different angles.

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

A: Yes! I will send a copy of Dino-School and Dino-Birthday to two different readers.

WOW, thanks for a dino-sized treat, Lisa! And thanks again for joining us - it was a pleasure connecting with you and hearing all about your amazing series!

Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter Lisa's giveaway, 1) leave a comment below to thank her for stopping by and 2) share her post on social media. Dino and cake-themed GIFs are also welcomed and encouraged. The winner of this giveaway will be drawn and announced on or about 12/14, along with our Seasons Readings winners. 

Please Note: Giveaway's will be shipped in the U.S. only.

About Lisa Wheeler:

Lisa Wheeler is passionate about children’s books. “I love everything about them, including the smell.” To date, Lisa has over 50 titles on library shelves. She’s written picture books in prose and rhyme, an easy reader series, four poetry books, and creative nonfiction for the very young.

Her newest titles include, Someone Builds the Dream, illustrated by Loren Long (Dial) , A Hug is for Holding Me, illustrated by Lisk Feng (Abrams Appleseed), My First Dino-Wrestling, illustrated by Barry Gott (CarolRhoda), and People Share with People Illustrated by Molly Idle. Lisa shares her Michigan home with her husband, her dog, and an assortment of anthropomorphic characters.

www.lisawheelerbooks.com

For more about Lisa, check out the below links:

Website: Author | Lisa Wheeler (lisawheelerbooks.com)

Facebook: Lisa Wheeler Children's Books | Facebook

Instagram: Lisa Wheeler (@littlelisais6)

To purchase Lisa's books on Amazon, or to leave a review, click here.

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