SATA
ENTRY TYPE:
WORK TITLE: Loretta’s Gift
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://patzietlowmiller.com/
CITY: Madison
STATE: WI
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME: SATA 283
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married Mark Miller; children: Gwen, Sonia.
EDUCATION:University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, B.S., 1990, M.S., 2000.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer, journalist, children’s author, blogger, and editor. Worked as a journalist; writer and editor for an insurance company.
MEMBER:Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
AWARDS:Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor Book selection, Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book selection, Cooperative Children’s Book Center, Juvenile Literature Award, Friends of American Authors, and Golden Kite Award, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, all 2013, and Cybils Award finalist, all for Sophie’s Squash.
WRITINGS
Blogger at Picture Book Builders.
SIDELIGHTS
Based in Wisconsin, Pat Zietlow Miller made her children’s picture-book debut with Sophie’s Squash, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf. A sweet tale with a farm-to-table food angle, the book earned high praise from critics and has been followed by Wherevery You Go, another country-themed story that a Kirkus Reviews critic praised for a rhyming text “infused with musical momentum.” “I really like the challenge of creating a complete, fully realized story in such a small space,” Miller reflected on her website. “It’s like verbal Sudoku. And when you achieve it, it is incredibly satisfying.”
Miller earned a degree in journalism and English at the University of Wisconsin, worked in the newspaper industry, started her family, and was holding down a corporate editing job when Sophie’s Squash was published. The book’s titular heroine visits a farmers’ market with her family and decides that a butternut squash offered by one of the vendors is the ideal size to become her new best friend. At home, she names it Bernice and paints on a face, making Bernice a solid and imperturbable companion on many adventures. When Bernice begins to show her age, Sophie overcomes her distress and, heeding the farmer’s advice, plants seeds from the squash that yield many new friends. “Miller takes the idea of playing with one’s food to another level in this sensitive but funny story,” commented a Publishers Weekly reviewer, and a Kirkus Reviews writer dubbed Sophie’s Squash “a winner” in which “Sophie’s vibrant, determined nature shines forth charmingly.” Lolly Gepson, writing for Booklist, described Miller’s story as “a paean to love and friendship, which can come in all species, shapes, and sizes.”
Miller’s more-recent picture books include a sequel Sophie’s Seeds, which also features artwork by Wilsdorf. “Seeing the artwork come back for my books is one of my favorite parts in the process,” she wrote in discussing the path from story to published work. “It’s thrilling to see how someone else interprets my stories and sees my characters.”
Miller’s Be Kind “champions interpersonal kindness both globally and in a young child’s town,” observed a writer in Kirkus Reviews. In this story, a young child wonders what to do after classmate Tanisha accidentally spills grape juice on herself and her new dress at school. While the other children laugh at the mishap, the narrator tries to figure out the best thing to do to make Tanisha feel better. The embarrassed Tanisha, however, misinterprets a remark by the narrator and runs away crying. As the narrator ponders what it means to be kind to someone else, the illustrations show how the situation is resolved when the narrator gives Tanisha painting she did in art class. The situation allows the main character to consider the nature of kindness and how best to be nice to someone, especially when the other person is embarrassed, afraid, or doesn’t even appreciate efforts toward kindness that others make.
The main message of Be Kind “lies in the narrator’s reflections on kindness, small acts that can contribute to something big,” commented Booklist reviewer Carolyn Phelan. The story makes it clear to children that “small acts of kindness matter, and that they can build with other acts of kindness to make a difference,” observed Clara Hendricks, writing in School Library Journal. A Publishers Weekly writer called the book a “lovely exploration of empathy and thoughtfulness.”
The young protagonist of Loretta’s Gift is eager to meet the new baby that Aunt Esme and Uncle Jax are expecting. Before the child is born, the people in Loretta’s family go into action, creating, building, or buying gifts for the baby. Her mom knits warm clothing, while her father buys large amounts of the always-necessary diapers. Uncle Jax builds a new cradle, and Aunt Esme puts family photographs in the nursery. Only Loretta is unable to get a gift for her new cousin, since she doesn’t have much money or creative skills. This situation worries her, but when little Gabe finally arrives, she spends a great deal of time and effort taking care of the infant, showing him large amounts of love and attention. She helps keep track of his clothes. She tickles his toes and laughs with him. She feeds him bananas and rocks him to sleep in his cradle. When the baby falls down at his first birthday party, Loretta is the first one on the scene to help and comfort the little one. Aunt Esme observes that it is Loretta herself who is the best gift that Gabe ever received, and Loretta realizes that the love and attention she shows the youngster is something the baby will always appreciate, even after the baby clothes are put away for good and the cradle is long forgotten.
Miller presents a “satisfying story that validates young listeners’ perceptions of their place within the family,” commented Booklist contributor Kay Weisman. The story “focuses wholly on how even the smallest members of a family can take on more mature roles,” noted a writer in Publishers Weekly. A Kirkus Reviews contributor remarked that the “important message that quality time is as valuable as gifts bought in a store is familiar and always appreciated.”
In Wide-Awake Bear, Miller tells the story of Elliott, a baby bear who is having trouble falling asleep. In most cases, this might not be such a problem, but the little creature is supposed to be hibernating for the winter. Despite the comforting presence of his mother and the cozy den, he just can’t get to sleep. He does everything he can think of to help himself sleep, but nothing works. Things get even worse when he sees scary shadows on the walls of the den, leading him to wonder If spring will ever get there. Eventually, Elliott’s mother wakes up long enough to comfort and reassure him. Mother and son play for a while, have a snack, and settle down to finally get some sleep before the fast-approaching spring arrives. Gretchen Harden, writing in School Library Journal, called the book a “gentle tale that makes for a good bedtime read-aloud any time of year.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, August 1, 2013, Lolly Gepson, review of Sophie’s Squash, p. 74; January 1, 2018, Carolyn Phelan, review of Be Kind, p. 102; July 1, 2018, Kay Weisman, review of Loretta’s Gift, p.67.
Horn Book, November-December, 2013, Sarah Ellis, review of Sophie’s Squash, p. 78.
Kirkus Reviews, June 1, 2013, review of Sophie’s Squash; February 15, 2015, review of Wherever You Go; November 1, 2017, review of Wide-Awake Bear; December 1, 2017, review of Be Kind; May 15, 2018, review of Loretta’s Gift.
Publishers Weekly, May 27, 2013, review of Sophie’s Squash, p. 57; October 30, 2017, review of Wide-Awake Bear, p. 79; December 4, 2017, review of Be Kind, p. 59; June 11, 2018, review of Loretta’s Gift, p. 64.
School Library Journal, July, 2013, Susan Weitz, review of Sophie’s Squash, p. 67; February, 2018, Gretchen Hardin, review of Wide-Awake Bear, p. 53; February, 2018, Clara Hendricks, review of Be Kind, p. 63; August, 2018, Amy Lilien-Harper, review of Loretta’s Gift, p. 61.
ONLINE
Emu’s Debuts blog, http://emusdebuts.wordpress.com/ (February 15, 2016), Elaine B. Vickers, “Interview with Pat Zietlow Miller.”
Humor Me blog, http://cathyso3.wordpress.com/ (February 22, 2018), “An Interview with Pat Zietlow Miller.”
Pat Zietlow Miller website, http://www.patzietlowmiller.com (October 3, 2018).
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Wisconsin website, http://wisconsin.scbwi.org/ (July 31, 2017), “An Interview with Author Pat Zietlow Miller.”
Biography
Pat Zietlow Miller knew she wanted to be a writer ever since her seventh-grade English teacher read her paper about square-dancing skirts out loud in class and said: “This is the first time anything a student has written has given me chills.” (Thanks, Mrs. Mueller! You rock!)
Pat started out as a newspaper reporter and wrote about everything from dartball and deer-hunting to diets and decoupage. Then, she joined an insurance company and edited its newsletter and magazine.
Now, she writes insurance information by day and children’s books by night.
Pat has one wonderful husband, two delightful daughters and two pampered cats. She doesn’t watch much TV, but she does love “Chopped.”
Pat lives in Madison, Wisconsin.
Want to know how to pronounce her name? Visit the Author Name Pronunciation Guide from Teaching Books.net. It features her name and those of lots of other authors.
FAQs
Why did you decide to write picture books?
I’ve always loved picture books. Even when I was reading more “grown-up” books, I always read picture books too. There’s a lot of truth and beauty in a well-done picture book, and truth and beauty are something you never outgrow.
Plus, I really like the challenge of creating a complete, fully realized story in such a small space. It’s like verbal Sudoku. And when you achieve it, it is incredibly satisfying.
Do you draw your own pictures?
Absolutely not. My artistic expertise is limited to doodling. I am so happy to leave the illustrations to professional artists. In fact, seeing the artwork come back for my books is one of my favorite parts in the process. It’s thrilling to see how someone else interprets my stories and sees my characters.
Do you get to pick the artist?
Nope. That’s up to the book’s publisher. This answer surprises a lot of people, but there’s a reason for it. Book publishers have people who work as art directors. They know so much more than I do about which artists would do the best job. Sometimes they ask for my opinion, which is nice, but I wouldn’t want the responsibility of having to choose. There are so many talented illustrators. Here’s a great post about why picture book authors should not be overly involved with the art.
What books do you like to read?
I read a ton of picture books – partly because I love them and partly to see what wonderful things other authors are doing. I always have a stack on reserve at the library. But I also read middle grade and young adult books. And, I love contemporary memoirs. (Recent favorites are RAPTURE PRACTICE by Aaron Hartzler, THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB by Will Schwalbe and SISTER, MOTHER, HUSBAND, DOG by Delia Ephron.)
Who are your favorite authors?
There are so many that making a list could get me into trouble, but I adore picture book writers Kari Best, Dori Chaconas, Kelly DiPucchio, Jill Esbaum, Mem Fox, Kevin Henkes, Mary Lyn Ray, Jacqui Robbins, Liz Garton Scanlon, Don Tate, Carole Boston Weatherford and Judith Viorst. Outside the picture book realm, I also love anything by Anne Brashares, Sharon Creech, Kate DiCamillo, John Green, David Levithan, Ellen Raskin, Gary Schmidt, Jacqueline Woodson and Lisa Yee. Oh, and I should mention J.K. Rowling, because I am a total Harry Potter geek. And, full disclosure, I’ve read each book in the Hunger Games trilogy at least eight times. Go Suzanne Collins!
What books did you read growing up?
I was monstrously addicted to the ANNE OF GREEN GABLES series. I also loved THE WESTING GAME, BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, the ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN series and THE BOXCAR CHILDREN series. And I loved WHEN I HAVE A LITTLE GIRL by Charlotte Zolotow.
What are your favorite things?
Colors – Purple and blue.
Animals – Cats and kittens.
Food – Potatoes, served almost any way. And dark chocolate. (But separately, not mixed in with the potatoes.) And, a really good omelet.
Flowers – Tulips and pansies.
Activities – Reading. Walking around exploring new places. Singing along to the radio. Learning new things.
What do you wish you could do?
Juggle, act, dance and parallel park. There’s hope for the juggling. The other three? Not so much.
An Interview with Author Pat Zietlow Miller
In anticipation of our Wisconsin's SCBWI Fall Conference Experiment & Play, we've put together an interview series as a way to meet the people behind this year's presentations and breakout sessions. Today, I'm spotlighting author Pat Zietlow Miller.
Pat Zietlow MillerPat Zietlow Miller is a picture book author best known for her award winning children's book Sophie's Squash. Her most recent publications include The Quickest Kid in Clarksville, Sophie's Squash Go to School, and Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story.
Pat, we are thrilled that you will be presenting at our fall conference. Thanks for answering a few questions for us!
Who has been the most influential inspiration for your career?
"There were three very different writers whose work I read when I was in middle school. They each made me want to write like them so badly, I couldn’t stand it. I would read work by them and then go off and try to replicate it in a spiral notebook.
Sometimes, I’d have to set their books down and walk away because I was so impressed by how they had used words and language that I needed time to process it. Looking back, this was probably not normal middle school behavior, but it seemed normal to me.
The three writers were:
Erma Bombeck. I read a paperback copy of If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits? and was hooked. I promptly read everything else by her I could find. Again, probably not normal reading for a middle schooler, but so what? She was hilariously funny, her essays were beautifully structured and she had the ability to laugh at herself.
Frank Deford. My dad subscribed to Sports Illustrated, and I’d look for Frank’s byline because I knew his features would be in-depth and well-written and creative. I liked his work so much I asked for his book, The World's Tallest Midget, as a gift so I could pore over his best work. At the time, I thought I was going to be a sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune when I grew up, so I wanted to be ready.
Judith Viorst. Oh, my goodness, I loved her picture books. There was, of course, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, but there also was The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, If I Were in Charge of the World and Other Worries and I’ll Fix Anthony. Excuse me while I go put all of these on hold again at my local library.
I’m very grateful for having the chance to read these writers. I learned so much from each of them. "
What was the biggest eye-opener when you published your first book?
"Honestly? How well it did. I had focused so much attention on getting over the hurdle of being published, that it hadn’t occurred to me that Sophie's Squash might do so well with starred reviews and buzz and sales."
If you could tell your naive unpublished past self anything, what would it be?
"In relation to my answer to the last questions, I’d say that each book is a totally different thing. My books after Sophie's Squash have found different kinds of success, but they have not gotten four starred reviews and the out-of-the-gate love that Sophie did.
You can’t assume anything in publishing –whether you’ll sell a book or how it will be received if you do.
So much – good and bad – is out of your control."
Can you tell us about your writing environment?
"I write at my kitchen table, which looks over into the living room. I’m usually surrounded by debris, but because we’re trying to sell our house now, it’s currently fairly clean. I have a desk upstairs, but I don’t use it much because I like to be in the thick of things – and have easy access to food.
On days I’m not working at my day job, I sometimes write at the Fitchburg Public Library, which I love. It’s peaceful and there’s something about being surrounded by books that I enjoy."
What has been the most useful career tip you have received so far?
"The importance of revising. Early on, as I worked on writing picture books, I went to a retreat led by authors Jill Esbaum and Linda Skeers. I brought a very early draft of Sophie's Squash, which had gotten brief, positive handwritten notes from editors on form rejections.
Jill and Linda read my draft and said, 'This is picture book GOLD.' Then, they basically said, but you have to redo the entire plot. And they brainstormed with me until I had a much better idea of what the story could be.
I went home and rewrote and revised and revamped (and many other 're' words). Now, when I’m tempted to think I’m done with something, I remember all the versions of Sophie before I finally got it right. And I keep working."
What is your favorite part of the fall conference each year?
"I remember being at my very first SCBWI fall conference and feeling terrified. I was sure someone was going to tap me on the shoulder and tell me that I didn’t belong. I was so freaked out, I don’t think I talked to much of anyone. I just lurked in the back and hid in corners. If you’re new this year, don’t do that. Talk to people. Say 'hi.' Everyone’s nice.
I also remember at one of my first conferences hearing Dori Chaconas say she’d sold her 22nd book. I said to the person next to me: 'I just want to be Dori Chaconas.' They replied: 'Everybody wants to be Dori Chaconas.'
Dori’s still selling awesome books, but I’ve learned that you can only be you, and you can only write the stuff you can write, and that’s good enough. I still read Dori’s books for inspiration, though, and so should you."
Thanks, Pat!
You can learn more about Pat Zietlow Miller and her books on her website. She will present at the Wisconsin SCBWI Fall Conference, which runs from September 15 – 17, 2017. If you haven't registered for the fall conference yet, there's still time. Register HERE before we sell out!
An Interview with Pat Zietlow Miller
Me_Books
Pat Zietlow Miller is an author of renown. Her picture books have received starred reviews and multiple awards. Pat has an innate talent to create books children love. She is an amazing writer and gives the most incredible presentations. She is the author of eight published picture books and counting. The most recent is BE KIND. Pat is upbeat, clever, and funny, and I’m honored to call her my friend.
Be_Kind
Welcome, Pat!
BE KIND is such a timely book in that we need to be reminded how a simple act of kindness can make a huge difference in our everyday lives. How did you come up with this idea?
Well, I can’t take credit for the initial idea. Connie Hsu, my editor at Roaring Brook Press, came up with the book’s title and asked me to write it – for which I am so, so grateful.
But, I did come up with how the idea was executed. I remembered being a shy, quiet, nervous kid who wanted to do the right thing but sometimes did nothing because I was scared it would be taken the wrong way. It took me a while to learn how to step in and speak up and – I hope – be as kind on the outside as I wanted to be on the inside.
That’s why I wrote the book about a child who tries to be kind and then has to rethink things when it doesn’t go well and ask: What does it mean to be kind?
You’ve sold thirteen books and have received numerous awards and starred reviews. Amazing! Besides being a very talented author, what do you think you did right at the beginning of your writing career in order to have editors take notice of your manuscripts?
Well, editors didn’t notice for a while. I got 126 rejections before I sold my first book. I’d like to think that it was my focus on writing well and learning the craft of picture book creation that helped me out the most. I wanted to write the very best stories possible, and I focused on doing that, rather than jumping into chasing publication the first time I had a halfway decent draft.
Having said that, I’ll also say that some of the early stories I sent out were, indeed, awful. I didn’t know that at the time, though. I had written and rewritten and revised and reworked and I thought they were good to go.
I was wrong.
What type of writer are you? Do you always know the beginning, middle, and end of your story, or do just go with the flow of an idea?
I’m more of a go-with-the-flow person. I usually have the first sentence of my story when I start writing and an idea of how things will end. Then, I have to connect them in an engaging and plausible way. Which is not easy.
Do you ever give up on a manuscript you’ve been writing, and is there any part of writing you find particularly challenging?
Absolutely. Not all stories work right away and some don’t ever work. And you can’t know which is which until you try. Most of the stories I’ve given up on are ones that I know aren’t working, so I don’t feel bad about it. But there are one or two I’m quite fond of that have not yet found an editor who feels the same.
In terms of what I find challenging, I sometimes struggle with plot. I’m very good at lining up the words in an order that sounds good and flows well. But, I often have to go back and make sure the structure is there to support them.
You work full time. How do you eke out time for writing and everything else that comes with being a published author?
I’m perpetually exhausted? There is a lot to balance, and the only way I can do it is by focusing on whatever task is in front of me until it’s done and then moving on to the next thing. I do my writing at nights and on weekends and try to take care of the emails and requests as they come in so they don’t build up.
You have a wonderful agent. How did you go about finding the right person to represent you? And do you have any advice for those looking for representation?
I stumbled upon my agent, which isn’t necessarily a technique I recommend, although it certainly worked out well for me.
I sold my first book through the slush pile. After I got the offer, fellow writer Jessica Vitalis said to me: “You’re going to get an agent, right?” I said: “Oh, no. They only want picture book writers if they illustrate too, and I don’t.”
Jessica said: “You at least have to TRY!”
So, mostly to tell her I had tried, I emailed the book and the offer to Ammi-Joan Paquette, an agent I’d heard speak at a writing conference. She emailed me back asking what else I had. I sent her five other stories, we talked on the phone and then she signed me.
I later found out she’s part of one of the best-regarded literary agencies in the country and that she’s generally awesome, but it’s not like I did any research to find that out beforehand. So I got very lucky. I’d recommend that other writers do research.
How do you go about promoting your books?
I do a lot on social media. I truly enjoy Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, so I use them to talk about my books, to talk about other people’s books and to share photos of my kids and cats – which I don’t think increases sales, but makes me happy nonetheless.
I also blog at www.picturebookbuilders.com with several other children’s authors and illustrators. We feature picture books we love and talk about what makes them work.
What’s next? Any new books coming out?
LORETTA’S GIFT comes out in August from Little Bee Books. It tells the story of Loretta and her new baby cousin. She wants to get him the perfect gift, but what could that be?
Thanks, Pat. It has been such fun interviewing you. Best of luck with your upcoming books.
You can find more about Pat here: www.patzietlowmiller.com
BY ELAINEBVICKERS | FEBRUARY 15, 2016 · 2:18 AM ↓ Jump to Comments
Interview with Pat Zietlow Miller
Today on the blog we welcome fellow EMLA author Pat Zietlow Miller, whose latest picture book, THE QUICKEST KID IN CLARKSVILLE, was released last week. Pat is one of my picture book heroes–so kind, smart, talented, and incredibly hard working. She writes those rare picture books that have incredible amounts of appeal for both kids and parents. (Exhibit A: I got a copy of this book to review and left it on my kitchen table, and sure enough, by the time I got home from work, all my kids had read it already and wanted more. And I was happy to read it multiple times that night!) She’s also the recipient of numerous awards, including the Golden Kite, Charlotte Zoltow Honor, and Ezra Jack Keats Honor. (She’s amazing, folks.)
Without further ado, here’s what Pat had to say about this beautiful book:
quickestkida
EV: I know you’ve gone into detail about your revision process for this book elsewhere, but are there any other behind-the-scenes stories you can share about this book?
PZM: TheWilma_Rudolph_(1960) research for this book was really fun. Early versions featured double-dutch jump-roping, so I watched a lot of YouTube videos about it. Then, when Wilma Rudolph made an appearance, I watched more videos, read all the biographies I could find plus her autobiography and did a lot of website searching.
My first real job was as a newspaper reporter, and it was kind of like doing that again. I liked gathering all the facts and figuring out how to use them.
EV: You’ve already developed such a beautiful backlist and I know you have more books under contract. What is special about this book that will always make it stand out for you?
PZM: This is the first historical fiction book that I’ve written. It stands out to me because I think Wilma Rudolph’s story is one everyone should know. As I’ve tal631px-Wilma_Rudolphked with other people about the book, I’ve been surprised how many folks don’t know who Wilma Rudolph was. So I’m glad I was able to make it an element of my book.
I did a lot of research as I worked on this book, and learned more about Wilma than I had known before. I was able to put some of that information into an author’s note that I hope readers find as interesting as I do.
Finish this sentence: My favorite thing about the illustrations for THE QUICKEST KID IN CLARKSVILLE is . . .
PZM: The faces of the characters.
Frank Morrison put such a lot of emotion in every look the girls give each other. He tells a whole story just by their expressions. He made Alta and Charmaine real. I adore his work.
EV: Finish this sentence: The perfect reader for this book would be …
PZM: Any kid who has ever dreamed of being the best as something.
EV: As a mom of two tough daughters, one of my favorite things about this book is the strong, confident characters. What do you love most about these girls? And/or who are some of your favorite kidlit/PB characters?
PZM: I like how Alta and Charmaine are confident in their own abilities and don’t downplay their skills to keep the peace. But I also like how they are open enough to change their mind about each other and become friends.
And, oh wow. Favorite picture book characters. Here we go:
Olivia the pig for her unshakeable confidence and unbridled imagination.
The young Patricia Polacco in stories written by the grown-up Patricia Polacco like THE JUNKYARD WONDERS, THANK YOU MR. FALKER and CHICKEN SUNDAY. Everything she creates is perfect.
Henrietta of Mary Amato’s THE CHICKEN OF THE FAMILY for her willingness to believe the unbelievable and for her ability to eventually turn the tables on her annoying older sisters.
The determined narrator of Janice N. Harrington’s THE CHICKEN-CHASING QUEEN OF LAMAR COUNTY who never loses sight of her goal.
I’m sensing a chicken theme here, which I did not intend, so I will add Nadine the cow from Jill Esbaum’s I AM COW, HEAR ME MOO! Even when Nadine’s bragging gets her into trouble, she rises to the occasion and ends up learning new things about herself.
EV: Since this blog is grounded in the debut author experience, can you give any advice to writers who are still in the pre-publication part of the journey? What has surprised you most and/or what do you wish you’d known?
pzmPZM: I wish I had known – or maybe accepted – that there’s a limit to what you can control. I’m the kind of person who likes to make lists and check things off and who clings to the nice-but-untrue illusion that if I work hard enough and plan well enough, I can determine my own destiny.
That’s true to a point. But there’s so much in publishing you can’t control. Like what, you ask? Hmmm. Let’s see. Like:
What reviewers write.
How well your book sells.
How much marketing and publicity support it gets.
What else is released at the same time as your book.
Whether your editor or agent stays in publishing or pursues other opportunities.
So my advice would be to work your hardest to do your part of the job – the writing – as best you can. Also, make every effort to be professional and conscientious and responsible when you interact with editors and agents. And then, try to let the rest go.
View More: http://morgansladephotography.pass.us/vickersfamily
Elaine Vickers is the author of LIKE MAGIC (HarperCollins, October 2016) and loves writing middle grade and chapter books when she’s not teaching college chemistry or hanging out with her fabulous family. She’s a member of SCBWI and represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette of EMLA. You can find her at elainevickers.com on the web, @ElaineBVickers on Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram, or generally anywhere there are books and/or food for her consumption.
MILLER, Pat Zietlow. Loretta's Gift
Amy Lilien-Harper
School Library Journal. 64.8 (Aug. 2018): p61.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
MILLER, Pat Zietlow. Loretta's Gift. illus. by Alea Marley. 40p. little bee bks. Aug. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781499806816.
PreS-Gr 1--When Loretta hears that her aunt is expecting, she wants to give a gift. But her funds are limited, her jump rope is old, and her crafting makes a mess. Once Gabe arrives, she decides he is the "best baby on the block." She helps with diapers, tickles his toes, feeds him, and rocks him. Soon, his first birthday arrives, but she is still presentless. When he falls and cries, it is Loretta who rushes to help him up and make him laugh, prompting her aunt's declaration that Loretta is Gabe's best present. Loretta realizes her love is the most important thing. Despite the sweet sentiment, Miller avoids the saccharine, with concise yet descriptive language, and a tight focus on Loretta's thoughts and point of view. Marley portrays Loretta and her family with dark brown skin. Her aunt is also dark-skinned, while her uncle is white. Marley's characters have rounded eyes and simple, expressive faces. An effective mix of spot art, single pages, and spreads move the story along effectively, and while many backgrounds are white, the color palette focuses on pastels and earth tones, providing a cozy feel. VERDICT While there are many books on this subject, the sentiment is timeless, and the inclusion of the multiracial family will make this gentle story a welcome addition to most libraries.--Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Lilien-Harper, Amy. "MILLER, Pat Zietlow. Loretta's Gift." School Library Journal, Aug. 2018, p. 61. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A548561701/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=679a1923. Accessed 29 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A548561701
MILLER, Pat Zietlow. Be Kind
Clara Hendricks
School Library Journal. 64.2 (Feb. 2018): p63.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
MILLER, Pat Zietlow. Be Kind. illus. by Jen Hill. 32p. Roaring Brook. Feb. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781626723214.
PreS-Gr 2--Miller explores the topic of kindness through the story of a child pondering how to respond when a friend spills grape juice on herself. In the language of a child's thoughts, Miller provides examples of kindness (giving, helping, paying attention), and acknowledges that it is not always easy to be kind, especially when others aren't. Miller helps bring this abstract concept into concrete terms of children's lives. The illustrations are gentle and effective. The children's faces are expressive, and thick brushstrokes and watercolor add texture and depth to the pages. The color purple receives extra attention, but is well balanced with other colors and white space. The book presents the powerful message that small acts of kindness matter, and that they can build with other acts of kindness to make a difference. This is adeptly illustrated with vignettes representing kindness circling the globe, coming full circle to the schoolyard where the protagonist gives Tanisha a purple watercolor picture. While the protagonist could not fix the problem, the act of kindness still made a difference. VERDICT Books about kindness are frequently requested in public and school libraries alike. This title is a valuable addition on this topic and will promote conversation about what it means to be kind.--Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Hendricks, Clara. "MILLER, Pat Zietlow. Be Kind." School Library Journal, Feb. 2018, p. 63. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A526733964/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=7f614aa8. Accessed 29 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A526733964
MILLER, Pat Zietlow. Wide-Awake Bear
Gretchen Hardin
School Library Journal. 64.2 (Feb. 2018): p53.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
MILLER, Pat Zietlow. Wide-Awake Bear, illus. by Jean Kim. 40p. HarperCollins/Harper. Feb. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780062356031.
PreS-K-A baby bear can't fall back asleep, which is problematic since he is supposed to be hibernating. Elliott and his mother retreat to their den for a long winter's nap. The cub dreams of spring, his favorite time of year. He finds himself wide awake with nothing to do, so he tries every trick in the book, but nothing works. Spooky shadows on the wall give him a good scare and he wonders if spring will ever come again. Finally, his adoring mother rouses herself and assures Elliott that warmer weather is right around the corner. They make friendly shadow puppets and eat a snack. Finally, Elliott lets out a big yawn and they are able to fall back asleep together. Kim's illustrations are lovable and uncomplicated. Children will be able to easily relate to the plight of not being able to go back to sleep. VERDICT A gentle tale that makes for a good bedtime read-aloud any time of year.--Gretchen Hardin, Sterling Municipal Library, Baytown, TX
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Hardin, Gretchen. "MILLER, Pat Zietlow. Wide-Awake Bear." School Library Journal, Feb. 2018, p. 53. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A526733917/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=fa096b35. Accessed 29 Aug. 2018.
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Print Marked Items
Loretta's Gift
Kay Weisman
Booklist.
114.21 (July 1, 2018): p67.
COPYRIGHT 2018 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Full Text:
Loretta's Gift.
By Pat Zietlow Miller. Illus. by Alea Marley.
Aug. 2018. 40p. little bee, $17.99 (9781499806816). PreS-Gr. 2.
Aunt Esme and Uncle Jax are expecting a baby, and Loretta and her parents are thrilled. Mom knits fuzzy
hats, and Dad buys piles of diapers, but Loretta is unsure what present she can give. When baby Gabe
arrives, Loretta is very helpful (organizing his clothes, tickling his toes, feeding him bananas, and rocking
his cradle), but she feels remiss without a proper gift to bestow. Then at Gabe's first birthday party, he takes
a tumble, resulting in loud wails. Loretta rushes to comfort, cajole, and bring back his giggles, prompting
Esme to declare that Loretta is the best gift Gabe ever received. The author of Sophie's Squash (2013) offers
here another satisfying story that validates young listeners' perceptions of their place within the family.
Marley's colorful, cartoon-style art favors orange, purple, and green hues that complement the skin tones of
this mostly brown extended family as they go about the loving and sometimes messy tasks surrounding a
new baby. Perfect for group or one-on-one sharing, wherever new babies are to be found.--Kay Weisman
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Weisman, Kay. "Loretta's Gift." Booklist, 1 July 2018, p. 67. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A547745922/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=f12e1a4d.
Accessed 29 Aug. 2018.
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Loretta's Gift
Publishers Weekly.
265.24 (June 11, 2018): p64.
COPYRIGHT 2018 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Loretta's Gift
PatZietlow Miller, illus. by Alea Marley. Little Bee, $17.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-4998-0681-6
Loretta's aunt and uncle are having a baby, and while Loretta isn't clear on all the details ("Loretta looked at
Aunt Esme's belly. Could it hold all that and a baby?"), she sees that everyone has something to give the
new arrival, and she wants in on the action. But without money ("Her penny collection wasn't enough") or
adult motor skills (Mom knits baby caps, Uncle Jax assembles the cradle), what can a kid do? Eventually,
she discovers that being an eager helper and enthusiastic cousin--organizing little Gabe's hats, feeding him
mashed bananas, cooing "Who's the best baby on the block?"--makes her, in Aunt Esme's words, "the best
gift Gabe ever got." Miller (Be Kind) and debut artist Marley's straightforward, mostly unsentimental
treatment and diverse cast (Loretta, her parents, and Aunt Esme are brown skinned; Uncle Jax is white)
make a familiar story feel fresh as it focuses wholly on how even the smallest members of a family can take
on more mature roles. Ages 3-6. (Aug.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Loretta's Gift." Publishers Weekly, 11 June 2018, p. 64. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A542967379/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=51175e44.
Accessed 29 Aug. 2018.
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Miller, Pat Zietlow: LORETTA'S GIFT
Kirkus Reviews.
(May 15, 2018):
COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Miller, Pat Zietlow LORETTA'S GIFT Little Bee (Children's Fiction) $17.99 8, 14 ISBN: 978-1-4998-
0681-6
Loretta is excited to find the perfect gift for her new baby cousin.
Loretta's aunt Esme and uncle Jax are expecting a new baby. Loretta's mom knits a furry hat, her dad buys a
pile of diapers, Uncle Jax builds a cradle, and Aunt Esme fills the nursery with family photos. As the gifts
pile up, Loretta realizes she doesn't have anything to give to the new baby. Even as she frets, Loretta
actively takes part in loving and caring for Gabe, till on his first birthday, Aunt Esme assures Loretta that
she is the best gift Gabe has ever gotten. Loretta comes to acknowledge that Aunt Esme is right--and that
Gabe can never outgrow her love. This warm and affectionate tale will engage readers. Marley's artwork is
whimsically earthy, featuring muted greens and rich browns and weaving in leaves, flowers, and touches of
nature as accents. She depicts Loretta, her parents, and Aunt Esme with brown skin and Afro-textured black
hair; Uncle Jax has pale skin and straight, brown hair. The important message that quality time is as
valuable as gifts bought in a store is familiar and always appreciated. Lovers of Family, by Isabell Monk
and illustrated by Janice Lee Porter (2001), and Home in the Rain, by Bob Graham (2017), will enjoy this
adorable story featuring a multicultural family.
A lovely, cousinly twist on the new-baby story. (Picture book. 3-6)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Miller, Pat Zietlow: LORETTA'S GIFT." Kirkus Reviews, 15 May 2018. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A538293893/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=d55b124c.
Accessed 29 Aug. 2018.
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Be Kind
Carolyn Phelan
Booklist.
114.9-10 (Jan. 1, 2018): p102.
COPYRIGHT 2018 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Full Text:
Be Kind.
By Pat Zietlow Miller. Illus. by Jen Hill.
Feb. 2018.32p. Roaring Brook, $17.99 (9781626723214). PreS-Gr. 1.
At school, Tanisha spills grape juice on her dress. Most of her classmates laugh, but not the child narrating
the story. Wanting to be kind, the child says, "Purple is my favorite color." When Tanisha runs away crying,
our protagonist wonders what it means to be kind. Is it paying attention? Saying thanks? Sticking up for
someone who's being bullied? The immediate situation resolves itself in the illustrations, where the friends
sit together in art class, and the narrator gives Tanisha a painting that she later tapes up above her bed. The
heart of the book, though, lies in the narrator's reflections on kindness, small acts that can contribute to
something big. The precisely worded, hopeful text offers ideas to ponder, while the artwork places them
within kid-friendly contexts, such as a multiracial classroom and a neighborhood park. Nicely designed for
drawing out children's ideas and opening a discussion on kindness, this picture book works well one-on-one
or read aloud in a classroom, for the expressive pictures are still effective from a distance. A thoughtful
picture book.--Carolyn Phelan
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Phelan, Carolyn. "Be Kind." Booklist, 1 Jan. 2018, p. 102. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A525185784/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=06c4f241.
Accessed 29 Aug. 2018.
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Be Kind
Publishers Weekly.
264.49-50 (Dec. 4, 2017): p59.
COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
* Be Kind
Pat Zietlow Miller, illus. by Jen Hill. Roaring Brook, $17.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-62672-321-4
A child contemplates the nature of kindness and how it can spread in this lovely exploration of empathy and
thoughtfulness. "Tanisha spilled grape juice yesterday," the young narrator begins. "All over her new dress."
Their classmates laugh, Tanisha flees the room, and the narrator's efforts to comfort her ("Purple is my
favorite color") fall flat. Hill (Spring for Sophie) creates a gender-neutral narrator--a shaggy-haired child in
an oversize purple football jersey--who goes on to debate methods of kindness, how tricky it can be, and
how far a chain of generous actions might go: "all the way ... around the world. Right back to Tanisha and
me." The child says that "Mom always tells me to be kind," and Miller lets the student parse what that
means without adult intervention; the child's musings ("Maybe it's giving.... Maybe it's helping") let readers
do their own reflecting. A spirit of diversity, global and at the community level, pervades Hill's images, a
visual reminder of the importance of kindness regardless of perceived otherness. Ages 3-6. Author's agent:
Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator's agent: Anne Moore Armstrong, Bright Group.
(Feb.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Be Kind." Publishers Weekly, 4 Dec. 2017, p. 59. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A518029536/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=7bf89c6c.
Accessed 29 Aug. 2018.
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Miller, Pat Zietlow: BE KIND
Kirkus Reviews.
(Dec. 1, 2017):
COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Miller, Pat Zietlow BE KIND Roaring Brook (Children's Fiction) $17.99 2, 6 ISBN: 978-1-62672-321-4
This picture book champions interpersonal kindness both globally and in a young child's town.
The unnamed white narrator wants to make a black girl named Tanisha feel better after spilling grape juice
on herself in front of her multiracial classmates. "What does it mean to be kind anyway?" thinks the
narrator. Next comes a catalog of easy, simple good deeds, such as "throwing away a wrapper or recycling a
bottle," before the book moves on to ruminations about how kindness can be hard. The narrator wonders
how "my small things might join small things other people do," combining with others' small good deeds to
somehow "travel across the country... / and go all the way... / around the world." The illustrations are
engaging and inventive, with lots of detail and an attractive use of color. The story gives children many
concrete ideas of actionable kind deeds but without the difficult edges of how kindness can (or can't) be
transformative or when kindness isn't enough to enact real change. The pictures show racial, ethnic, and
religious diversity, among others, without explicitly addressing these categories in the text; some will
appreciate this quiet inclusion, while others might wish for more help discussing these subjects with
children. The white narrator comes to an open-ended conclusion while Tanisha is presented as a subject of
pity, with no opportunity to speak for herself.
Lovely illustrations work with a somewhat heavy-handed message; effective more as instruction than story.
(Picture book. 3-8)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Miller, Pat Zietlow: BE KIND." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Dec. 2017. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A516024672/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=80e0368e.
Accessed 29 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A516024672
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Miller, Pat Zietlow: WIDE-AWAKE
BEAR
Kirkus Reviews.
(Nov. 1, 2017):
COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Miller, Pat Zietlow WIDE-AWAKE BEAR Harper/HarperCollins (Children's Fiction) $17.99 1, 2 ISBN:
978-0-06-235603-1
While all bears grow heavy-eyed in the winter, some little cubs--like some little humans--are too anxious to
sleep.
Elliott can't quite catch a wink when his mother bear tells him it's time to nap until spring. He misses the
season too much--and he's impatient for it to come. He tries again and again to lull himself to sleep
(changing his position, fluffing the bark strips, plumping up his pine-needle pillow), but nothing works. He
is "Still. Wide. Awake"--a pleasing refrain. When he starts seeing scary shadows, Elliott turns to his mother
for comfort. She instructs him to look closer to see the signs of spring. Sure enough, Elliott sees a "brave
bud" growing in the snow, and he decides that if spring is asleep, he may as well sleep too. The refrain,
poetic imagery, and well-paced sentences make this a smooth read-aloud. Yet it's a bit too text-heavy--
explaining too much at times when the art could do the heavy lifting. Kim's soft, digitally colored graphite
pencil illustrations evoke the comfort of the winter cave. The endpapers, featuring slice-of-life depictions of
fall and spring, are a fitting frame.
A warm, cozy counterpoint to Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman's Bear Snores On (2002) but without the
"Again! Again!" readability. (Picture book. 3-6)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Miller, Pat Zietlow: WIDE-AWAKE BEAR." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Nov. 2017. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A512028524/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=e8a877dc.
Accessed 29 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A512028524
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Wide-Awake Bear
Publishers Weekly.
264.44 (Oct. 30, 2017): p79.
COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Wide-Awake Bear
Pat Zietlow Miller, illus. by Jean Kim. Harper, $17.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-06-235603-1
For Elliott, a young bear, going to sleep before spring is like going to sleep the night before a birthday. In
his cave, snuggled up to his hibernating mother, Elliott dreams "of golden sunshine, soft grass, and budding
flowers." But he wakes up while it's still winter and can't get back to sleep. Switching positions and thinking
pleasant thoughts don't work: he's "Still. Wide. Awake," a problem familiar to many readers. Endlessly
patient, Elliott's mother offers reassurance, snacks, and (best of all) a sign that spring really is coming.
Debut illustrator Kim textures her digitally colored images with soft graphite, and her bears are smooth and
roly-poly. Colors are muted in the bear cave, but tints of spring are evident outside. The episode in which
Elliott's mother helps him through his fear of the dark seems like the solution that will help him sleep, but
it's just the first in a series of encounters in a long "night" of hibernation. Elliott's difficulty falling back to
sleep might help other bed-goers sympathize--and might make them sleepier. Ages 4-8. Author's agent:
Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. (Jan.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Wide-Awake Bear." Publishers Weekly, 30 Oct. 2017, p. 79. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A514357829/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=4539632d.
Accessed 29 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A514357829