trades jones crackers with peanut butter

#TRADES JONES CRACKERS WITH PEANUT BUTTER FULL#

But by connecting the three ingredients, and by describing how food goes from farm to table, I was able to create something bigger than three separate ingredients: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! And the third book could have been about how wheat is made into bread. The second book could have been about growing peanuts and making peanut butter. The first could have been about how grapes are made into jelly. Instead of PB&J Hooray!, I could have written three We live in the digital age with an endless amount of information, but that doesn’t always mean the information is connected. JN: What I hope kids take away from my books is what I felt writing them – that the world is an interesting place. What do you hope to accomplish with your writing? What do you want kids to take away from your books?

#TRADES JONES CRACKERS WITH PEANUT BUTTER FULL#

Q: Your books are fun, fascinating, and full of information. If I can’t find that, then I don’t have a story. Facts are great, but what matters is the heart of the story within those facts. The hard part is determining if the topic will make an interesting book. I’m always on the lookout for that special idea that sparks my imagination.įinding interesting topics to write about isn’t difficult. It’s just a matter of tuning my ears to the interesting channel. Patrick's Day Shillelagh, where do you get the ideas for your books? How do you know when you’ve hit upon something great? Over 500 people attended, and I can say-with some certainty-singing happy birthday to a lightbulb is an experience I will never forget. I also took a trip to Livermore, California, for the lightbulb’s 110th birthday party. So, I now get to say I’m in movie: The Century of Light. He graciously interviewed me for his film. While there, I met with documentarian Chris Leps, who was making a film about the lightbulb. For The Firehouse Light, I was blessed by generosity and endless knowledge of the Lightbulb Committee Members: residents of Livermore, California, retired firefighters, local historians, and members of the Livermore Heritage Guild.Īs part of my research, I travelled to Shelby, Ohio, where the lightbulb was made. Regarding hands-on research, it depends on the book. She had her first-research for the book-and claims to have like it! Her artwork is amazing there is so much to see and absorb on each page. JN: Yes, my amazing illustrator, Julia Patton, who resides in Northumberland, England, had never eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before. Q: Is it true your illustrator had never tasted a PB&J sandwich? What sorts of hands-on researching have you had to do (or taste) for your books?

This book was particularly fun to write, because I had such a great time with the language.Ĭarry into kitchens where sandwiches are made. Once I feel I have a handle on a topic, which in this case was how peanuts, grapes, and wheat are grown, I’d moved onto other sources: articles, interviews, non-fiction adult books. I love the visual and visceral appeal of children’s books and believe the word usage and imagery is a great starting point for acquiring knowledge. The chairs might be a little small and the tables a tad too short, but while doing the initial research for PB&J Hooray! I was like a kid in a candy store pulling books about farming, manufacturing, and shipping off the shelves. I head to the children’s section of my local library. And when I want to learn something new, I know exactly where to go. Regarding my process, I think I’m drawn to writing non-fiction because I love researching. In essence, PB&J Hooray! is the backstory for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The book ends with the planting of seeds for peanuts, grapes, and wheat. Working in reverse order-in a question and answer format-the book takes readers through the shopping, delivery, production, harvesting, farming, and planting processes. What was it like researching the story of peanuts, grapes, and grain for PB&J Hooray? Can you talk about your process? Question: You clearly enjoy research in your writing for young readers. Janet was nice enough to talk about writing and researching her books. Her Firehouse Light illustrated by Marie Lafrance (Tricycle Press, 2010) tells the story of a lightbulb at a California firehouse that's been burning for 100 years. Janet has a knack for finding fascinating topics to delve into for young readers. Of course you already know today is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day! So in celebration, it's only fitting to talk to Janet Nolan about her adorable picture book PB&J Hooray!: Your Sandwich's Amazing Journey from Farm to Table, illustrated by Julia Patton (Albert Whitman & Company, September 2014).

Trades jones crackers with peanut butter