SATA
ENTRY TYPE:
WORK TITLE: WHAT IF BUNNY’S NOT A BULLY?
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.lanabutton.com/
CITY: Burlington
STATE:
COUNTRY: Canada
NATIONALITY: Canadian
LAST VOLUME: SATA 311
http://www.kiwimagonline.com/bookclub/reviews/willows-whispers-by-lana-button/ http://twitter.com/LanaButton http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2010/03/willows-whispers-by-lana-button.html
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born 1968, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada; married 1992; children: three daughters.
EDUCATION:Attended Concordia University for two years; studied early childhood education.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Early childhood educator and author. Childcare worker for over twenty years, including in Maryland. Presenter at schools.
MEMBER:Writer’s Union of Canada.
AWARDS:Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities selection, International Board on Books for Young People, 2010, and Blue Spruce Award shortlist, Ontario Library Association, and Shining Willow Award shortlist, Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Award, both 2011, all for Willow’s Whispers.
WRITINGS
Contributor to periodicals, including Child Care Exchange, Concordia University Magazine, Hamilton Spectator, Parents Canada, and Today’s Parent.
SIDELIGHTS
In her work as a child-care professional, Lana Button has had many opportunities to hone her storytelling techniques and also draw on her college training in performance. A native of New Brunswick, Canada, Button enrolled in the theatre program at Concordia University, leaving after two years to work as an actress in both television and film. An interest in early childhood education gradually replaced her plans to pursue an acting career, and rapt audiences of children have become her biggest fans. In addition to reading books by other writers, Button has also created original stories featuring a shy child named Willow, among them Willow’s Whispers, Willow Finds a Way, and Willow’s Smile.
Illustrated by Tania Howells, Willow’s Whispers introduces a very shy young girl with a quiet speaking voice. Because she is virtually unheard by others, Willow’s friends do not realize that she welcomes their invitation to join them at the lunch table, so she often sits alone. She also loses her favorite doll to a bully who cannot hear her quiet protests. When Willow’s father offers advice and encouragement, she learns to express herself by using her creativity and her intelligence.
“There is nothing cloying about the sweetness” of Button’s story, noted Susan Perren in her Toronto Globe & Mail review of Willow’s Whispers, and a Kirkus Reviews critic dubbed the picture book “cheerful inspiration even for readers who don’t share [the girl’s] … specific quandary.” In School Library Journal Margaret R. Tassia also commended the picture book, noting that Button’s mix of a basic “text and simple sentences” combines with “a strong character who solves her own problems” to produce a “successful” book. Praising Howells’s use of “strong black outline and clear colors” in her accompanying illustrations, Ellen Heaney suggested in her Canadian Review of Materials appraisal that Willow’s Whispers “would be a success in a storytime about feelings or for a group discussion about problem solving.”
In Willow Finds a Way Willow’s classmate Kristabelle is gleefully accruing near-dictatorial power and status over her fellow students. Announcing her birthday-party invitation list for all to see, the girl begins making extraordinary demands that express her bossiness and need to control others. When one boy refuses one of Kristabelle’s playground commands, the petulant queen bee crosses his name off her posted party list. In solidarity, Willow takes the brave step of striking off her name as well. Others follow en masse, forcing Kristabelle to examine her actions.
Writing in School Library Journal, Diane Antezzo deemed Willow Finds a Way a welcome primer for “trying to deal with a peer’s controlling personality” as well as “a good choice to prompt discussions about friendship, bullying, and self-confidence.” Resource Links contributor Linda Ludke appreciated the way Button’s heroine “shows maturity and empathy” in the story, recommending Willow Finds a Way as “a good discussion starter on bullying and conflict resolution.”
Also brought to life in Howells’s art, Willow’s Smile finds Button’s still-reticent young student gaining in her self-confidence quota on school picture day. Ludke, writing in School Library Journal, recommended the story for children battling shyness, remarking that Button’s third “slice-of-life picture book is an affirming celebration of being true to your authentic self.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Canadian Review of Materials, September 24, 2010, Ellen Heaney, review of Willow’s Whispers.
Globe & Mail (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), May 8, 2010, Susan Perren, review of Willow’s Whispers, p. F14.
Horn Book Guide, spring, 2014, Martha Sibert, review of Willow Finds a Way, p. 23.
Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2010, review of Willow’s Whispers; February 1, 2013, review of Willow Finds a Way.
Quill & Quire, April, 2010, Chelsea Donaldson, review of Willow’s Whispers.
Resource Links, June, 2013, Linda Ludke, review of Willow Finds a Way; June, 2016, Tanya Boudreau, review of Willow’s Smile.
School Library Journal, May, 2010, Margaret R. Tassia, review of Willow’s Whispers, p. 79; March, 2013, Diane Antezzo, review of Willow Finds a Way, p. 108; February, 2016, Linda Ludke, review of Willow’s Smile, p. 60.
ONLINE
Kids Can Press website, http://www.kidscanpress.com/ (April 20, 2011), “Lana Button.”
Lana Button website, http://www.lanabutton.com (February 5, 2017).*
Hello!!
When I was growing up in the tiny border town of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, I didn't think I would grow up to be an author. I was pretty sure I’d be a movie star— I spent lots of time practicing being a star while singing into my skipping rope to large crowds of imaginary people.
I studied acting, and performed in front of theatergoing crowds, and on TV and film sets in Montreal and Vancouver. But then I started studying early childhood education and fell in love with the magic of picture books. I began writing. I am super proud that my stories have won awards and have been translated into different languages. But I am most proud when I hear that they have inspired a child, given them a chance to cheer, and helped them to find their own voice.
One of my favorite things about being a children’s author is sharing my stories through presentations. I love reading aloud, I love giving insight into how a book is born, and I love talking with the children about the challenges and triumphs they have in common with my characters. (And they give me a real microphone! So I usually throw in a song or two!) I have had the pleasure of presenting to large crowds of real children in school settings, libraries, and festivals from Saskatchewan’s Festival of Words, to St. Lucia’s Rainforest of Reading. I was a proud touring author for TD Canadian Children's Book Week.
I enjoy working with literary organizations that support children through books, such as IBBY Canada, First Book Canada and the One World School House. My husband and I live in Burlington, Ontario with our doting dog and our demanding cat. We have three amazing daughters who are all grown up, but will thankfully still listen to picture books.
Children's Author Lana Button grew up in the tiny border town of St. Stephen, New Brunswick. She has a background in acting and is an Early Childhood Educator. Today she writes for young children and reads books out loud whenever she gets the chance.
Lana's WILLOW picture book series highlights how the shyest kid in class gets through her day. They have been shortlisted for awards including The Blue Spruce, The Shining Willow, and the Rainforest of Reading, and recognized as Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Bets and the IBBY Outstanding Book for Young Children. Lana's new series starts with MY TEACHER'S NOT HERE! shortlisted for the Jean Throop IODE Award, about surviving school when your teacher is away. Coming in March- WHAT IF BUNNY'S NOT A BULLY? takes a fresh look at bullying with a child-friendly exploration of empathy.
In addition to writing and presenting, Lana volunteers for literary organizations IBBY Canada, First Book and One World Schoolhouse. Lana and her husband have three grown daughters and live in Burlington, Ontario.
Biography
Lana Button is from the tiny border town of St. Stephen, New Brunswick. She grew up with a passion to perform, spending hours singing into her skipping-rope handle to large crowds of imaginary people. Lana studied acting and performed in front of theatergoing crowds and on TV and film sets in Montreal and Vancouver. But when she began studying early childhood education, Lana fell in love with the magic of picture books and began writing. She strives to tell self-esteem-boosting stories that give children something to cheer about!
Lana loves author visits and presentations. She has had the pleasure of presenting to large crowds of non-imaginary children in school settings, libraries and festivals, from Saskatchewan's Festival of Words to St. Lucia's Rainforest of Reading. She was also a proud touring author for TD Canadian Children's Book Week.
Lana works with literary organizations that support children through books, such as IBBY Canada, First Book Canada and the One World School House. She and her husband live in Burlington, Ontario, with their doting dog and their demanding cat. Lana has three amazing daughters who are all grown up, but will thankfully still listen to picture books.
Facebook: @lana.button.5
Twitter: @LanaButton
Instagram: @lanabutton
Awards
My Teacher's Not Here!
2019 - Jean Throop Book Award, IODE Ontario, Short-listed
Willow Finds a Way
2014 - Blue Spruce Award, Ontario Library Association, Short-listed
2014 - Rainforest of Reading, Ontario Library Association, Short-listed
2013 - Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Winner
Willow's Whispers
2011 - Blue Spruce Award, Ontario Library Association, Short-listed
2011 - Shining Willow Award, Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Award, Short-listed
2011 - Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street Children's Book Committee, Winner
2011 - Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Winner
2010 - Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities, IBBY, Winner
Picture Books
What If Bunny's NOT a Bully?, 2020
My Teacher's Not Here!, 2018
Willow's Smile, 2016
Willow's Whispers, 2014
Willow Finds a Way, 2013
About Us
Permissions
Submissions
Contact Us
Notices
Author Profile: Lana Button
APPLY NOW
Touring In: Alberta
Craft: Author
Genre: Picture Books
Ideal Audience Size: 60
Maximum Audience Size: 200
Grades: Kindergarten-Grade 3
Special Equipment: A microphone (headset if possible) and a table.
Website: www.lanabutton.com
Shortlisted for the 2014 Blue Spruce Award
Shortlisted for the 2014 Rainforest of Reading Award
Presentation Information
Kindergarten to Grade 3
Lana is an Early Childhood Educator and former actress who LOVES being in front of large crowds of small children. In her 50-minute presentation Lana explains the steps involved in turning a story into a book. She shares her journey of publishing her 4 picture books that encourage empathy and self-regulation, and boost self-worth and self-esteem. Lana reads her books, sings songs, and acts out social scenarios. She invites her audience to ask questions and join in the conversation of how we can stand up for ourselves and for each other. Lana aims to always leave her audience cheering and believing in the magic of picture books!
Grade 4 to 6
Lana is determined to spread the word that you are never too old for a picture book! In this 50-minute presentation Lana explains the challenge of choosing just the right words when writing a picture book. She compares writing genres and writing techniques and discusses the editing process. She shares the magic of picture books to this older audience by examining themes, delivery and dialogue. Using her own books as a guideline, Lana engages her audience in a conversation about the social challenges of low self-esteem, low self-confidence, and bullying. The audience will leave inspired about reading and writing and inspired to make their school a kinder place to be.
Book List
My Teacher’s Not Here
Written by Lana Button
Illustrated by Christine Battuz
(Kids Can Press, April 2018)
Willow’s Smile
Written by Lana Button
Illustrated by Tania Howells
(Kids Can Press, 2016)
Willow Finds a Way
Written by Lana Button
Illustrated by Tania Howells
(Kids Can Press, 2013)
Willow’s Whispers
Written by Lana Button
Illustrated by Tania Howells
(Kids Can Press, March, 2010)
Biography
When Lana was growing up in the tiny border town of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, she didn’t think she’d end up being an author. She was pretty sure she’d to be a movie star — she spent lots of time practicing being a star while singing into her skipping rope to large crowds of imaginary people.
Lana has lived in Montreal and Vancouver where she was an actress in TV, film and stage. But her love for children and desire to inspire led her to creating picture books. She is honored that the Willow series has won awards and been translated into French, Chinese and Japanese, but she is mostly proud of the fact that Willow has quietly inspired many children to find their own voice.
Lana lives in Burlington, Ontario with three grown daughters, one dog, one cat and one travelling husband. When she is not writing or presenting you can find Lana reading and singing to small crowds of kindergarten children.
For more information, visit www.lanabutton.com.
Awards
Willow’s Whispers
Winner of the 2010 Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities, IBBY
Winner of the 2011 Best Books for Kids &Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
Winner of the 2011 Best Children’s Books of the Year, Bank Street Children’s Book Committee
Shortlisted for the 2011 Shining Willow Award, Saskatchewan Young Reader’s Choice Award
Shortlisted for the 2011 Blue Spruce Award, Ontario Library Association
Willow Finds a Way
Winner of the 2013 Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
Shortlisted for the 2014 Rainforest of Reading Award, Ontario Library Association
Shortlisted for the 2014 Blue Spruce Award, Ontario Library Association
Praise
“Lana engaged both the students and their families in a fun and motivational story time. Her involvement received tremendous praise.”
—Lisa Commisso, RECE, St. Mark School (Burlington, ON)
“She had our kindergarten students’ attention from the moment she began speaking. It was clear that Lana’s experience as an educator allowed her to gauge her audience. Students are sure to remember her visit for years to come and her books continue to be some of the most popular in our library.”
—Amy Westbury, Teacher-Librarian, Bruce Trail Public School (Milton, ON)
Button, Lana WHAT IF BUNNY'S NOT A BULLY? Kids Can (Children's Fiction) $17.99 3, 3 ISBN: 978-1-5253-0055-4
A pointed invitation to consider the notion that people deserve second chances.
Led by an elephant who could stand in for the sizable and undisguised agenda as well as a child in Battuz's cast of clothed young animals, everyone on the playground ostracizes the flop-eared supposed offender: "There's Bunny! There's the bully! / She looks extra mean today. / Stick together, everyone. / Make sure she stays away." A little kitten is curious about how bullies happen ("Did she pass a bully test / at a Be a Bully School?") or what Bunny actually did to earn her reputation. Receiving no answers, Kitty frets about coming down with "The Bullies," like a contagious disease that would result in being similarly shunned for life. Kitty's fears make other animals protest that they'd never do that to one of their own because it would be mean--which causes the penny to drop (in a pregnant wordless spread) and opens the door for a general apology from Bunny that leads to a reconciliation. " ‘I think friends can / make mistakes… / every now and then.' / ‘Want to see what happens… / if we all just try again?' " As Bunny never looks or acts the bully, she's the one who comes off as the victim here…a reversal that real-life victims may find implausible.
Flimsy and message driven. (Picture book. 6-9)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 8th Edition APA 6th Edition Chicago 17th Edition
"Button, Lana: WHAT IF BUNNY'S NOT A BULLY?" Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2020. Gale General OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A612619031/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=b7fb4116. Accessed 22 Feb. 2020.
BUTTON, Lana
My Teacher's Not Here!
Illustrated by Christine Battuz. Kids
Can Press, 2017. 32p. Illus. Gr. Preschool--2. 978-177138 3561. Hdbk. $18.99
Kitty a small kitten loves her teacher Miss Seabrooke who always knows how to help her with any problem. One day she arrives at school only to discover that her teacher is not there. She panics and wants to go home. The substitute teacher is "ginormously TALL", and his name is Mr. Omar. He is a giraffe. The other children are various animals as well. Mr. Omar shows the children a warm message on the board from Miss Seabrooke asking the children to help Mr. Omar while she is away sick. From then on Kitty helps her substitute teacher if he needs it and if she needs help she asks for help from her fellow students.
This is a warm tale of reassurance that helps children adjust to a change in teachers. The art work is hand drawing and digital collage. The illustrator cleverly inserts visual jokes such as the picture of the very tall Mr. Omar with a view of his mid-section on one page and his head and neck on the next page. This is very useful for children who become dependent on one teacher and find it difficult having substitute teachers. It provides encouragement in a positive way.
Thematic Links: Teachers; Substitute Teachers; Separation Anxiety; School Stories; Coping
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Resource Links
http://www.atcl.ca
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 8th Edition APA 6th Edition Chicago 17th Edition
Lang, Isobel. "BUTTON, Lana: My Teacher's Not Here!" Resource Links, vol. 24, no. 1, Oct. 2018, p. 3. Gale General OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A561344172/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=a36db0e4. Accessed 22 Feb. 2020.
Button, Lana MY TEACHER'S NOT HERE! Kids Can (Children's Fiction) $16.99 4, 3 ISBN: 978-1-77138-356-1
A group of schoolchildren are apprehensive about spending a school day with a substitute teacher, but they manage to get through with help from one another.
The narrator, a cat, arrives at school only to find that beloved Miss Seabrooke is gone for the day. But Miss Seabrooke left a comforting note on the whiteboard for the class, and it encourages the cat to seek help from her friends, to be kind to her classmates, and to give the substitute a chance. In general, Battuz's hand-drawn and digitally collaged illustrations are sweet. Miss Seabrooke is perfectly rendered as a capable hen caretaker. However, some illustrations may strike readers as odd. On multiple pages, readers see the substitute, a giraffe, only from the waist down even though he's often depicted in full on several other pages. Though it seems to be an attempt to show him from the students' perspective, it feels abrupt, especially with abundant white space or little background on those pages. The rhyming quatrains flow nicely in general, but the narrator's tendency to capitalize some is distracting. Some appear to be for emphasis, while others are not so easy to understand. Though school goes well for the cat, the book ends realistically, with an expression of anxiety about who might be teaching the next day.
This book nicely helps young readers process a common concern even though the illustrations and text contain a few awkward quirks. (Picture book. 4-6)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 8th Edition APA 6th Edition Chicago 17th Edition
"Button, Lana: MY TEACHER'S NOT HERE!" Kirkus Reviews, 15 Feb. 2018. Gale General OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A527248077/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=01103708. Accessed 22 Feb. 2020.