This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Raven Howell will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Blurb:
Words are the windows through which children view the world. Familiar, uncommon, short and sweet, long and quirky; words make all the difference.
In Word Up, discover how a word packs a punch and possesses the power to heal, hurt, help, and humble. Watch children learn how to choose words wisely, and to recognize that sometimes, the simplicity of kindness itself is expressed in gentle silence.
Purchase Word Up! on Amazon
Read an Excerpt
Words are strong!
We write them,
Speak them,
Sing our song.
I hope you learn new words today,
And think about the ones you say.
Interview with Raven Howell
Could you tell us about any research trips you took for this story? Which places did you visit, and what made them essential to your writing?
My new book, Word Up! was inspired by students, by many classroom visits and time spent with preschoolers in story time situations. Because I wanted to create a picture book accessible across a broad range of kids’ interests and backgrounds, for me, it was essential to literally be with children and interact in their territory.
What's the strangest thing you've ever had to research online for your book?
At one point during my research about the history of words and various interesting facts, I came across the longest word in an English dictionary: pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. I happen to have it up on my computer screen and my husband walks by, glances at it, and says, “No way are you going to use that in one of your articles, are you?” (I’m a journalist, too). We ended up belly laughing - there’s no way we could even pronounce it correctly!
What research (history, mythology, science) goes into your world-building?
Word Up! is based in word-building and I think word-building extends to “world-building”. I wrote my picture book to encourage kids and all of us to pause and think about the words we want to use because they are truly powerful. The language you use is a creator of your experience. Even in a simple example such as stepping outside and proclaiming, “Ugh! I hate rain. Now I’ll have mud everywhere.” On the other hand, you can use powerful positives and say, “Yes! The rain feels refreshing! The flowers will bloom, and I want to try on my new rainboots.” Now THAT’S world-building.
Have any of the people you've known, past or present, left a lasting impression on your writing journey? If so, we'd love to hear about a memorable experience that stands out to you.
When my first children’s poetry compilation, Shimmer, Songs of Night, was published- now almost a decade ago, I met the renowned children’s author/poet, Jane Yolen, at a book fair. She was kind, and open to conversing, and she took the time to look through my book (me, at her side, holding my breath!) and then she looked at me and said, “You can do this. You’re a good writer.” It was an impressionable moment in my career, helping to overturn my feelings of inadequacy and doubts. A few years later, I reconnected with her again when I featured her latest children’s release and interviewed her in my The Book Bug column/Story Monsters Ink magazine.
Do you write in the same genre all the time?
Many of my books are inspirationally themed children’s fiction, some in rhyme, some not. I also write children’s poems and have several kids’ poetry compilations released over the years. In 2025, I released my first early reader, The Charms of US Farms/Finding Out How Things Work. Although fiction, it’s informational fiction.
If so, have you ever consider writing in another one?
I am presently writing in another genre I have not delved into before. I’m in the process of writing an adult non-fiction piece for an anthology. And it’s fun – I enjoy challenging myself!
Which character, supernatural or human, do you enjoy writing the most and why?
Up until the past year, I most enjoyed writing about or from the perspective of a child. But I have an upcoming picture book, A Day with the Dragons, written from the dragons’ point of view – and THAT has been the most surprisingly rewarding and delightful experience!
About the Author:
Raven Howell is the author of over 25 picture books for children. She’s a writer for several children’s magazines. Raven contributes The Book Bug column for Story Monsters Ink magazine, is the Arts & Crafts Director of Kids Corner, and Publishing & Creative Director with Red Clover Reader. She is a contributing author for Reading is Fundamental SoCal and I Am a Promise Books, and a story book writer for world-wide educational programs.
Connect with Raven Howell
Giveaway:
$20 Amazon/BN GC
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1 comments:
What fun to connect with your site and the readers! Thank you, thank you, thank you, and sending everyone happiest wishes...
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