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ENTRY TYPE: new
WORK TITLE: The Littlest Grito
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://www.nicholassolis.com/
CITY: Austin
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY:
LAST VOLUME:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married; children: two sons.
EDUCATION:University of Texas, M.A. (curriculum and instruction); Concordia University, M.A. (educational administration).
ADDRESS
CAREER
Educator and writer. Has taught in Tanzania, India, and Morocco; Hillcrest Elementary School, Austin, TX, teacher, 1999–.
AVOCATIONS:Hiking, camping.
MEMBER:Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
AWARDS:Walter Dean Myers Grant, We Need Diverse Books, 2018.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
[open new]Nicholas Solis is a children’s book author from central Texas who kicked off his career with a fourth-wall-breaking, self-illustrated story, The Staring Contest. He was born and raised alongside a little brother in Austin, Texas, with his Latino family’s roots in the valley at Brownsville, near the border with Mexico. During his youth his parents divorced, which resulted in a number of family moves, including in the middle of the school year. About these circumstances he told Austin Vida: “I found that reading and writing was a great way to kind of escape into myself and I always kind of had a friend there, whether it was through a book or through a journal, something like that.” Becoming an author was always a dream, with his earliest works including verse that was rather profound for an eight-year-old, Encyclopedia Brown puzzle-mystery imitations, and the rhyming self-illustrated picture book “From the Mountain to the Mouse,” composed at age twelve. He has remarked that the first book he ever fell in love with was Shel Silverstein’s poetry collection Where the Sidewalk Ends. With the speaking of Spanish often discouraged in the Austin schools, Solis felt fairly out of place until joining the National Hispanic Institute while in high school, to find a welcoming, partly bilingual culture. Attending university and earning a pair of master’s degrees in education, Solis gained experience and perspective teaching overseas before settling in at Hillcrest Elementary School at the turn of the twenty-first century. He eventually took evening classes at the Writing Barn and published his debut, The Staring Contest, in 2020. The editor at Peter Pauper Press liked Solis’s mock-up artwork so much that he earned credit as the illustrator.
Asked by Laurent Sewell of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators about his teaching methodology, a quarter century into his career, Solis explained: “If you’re cool, I’m cool. It’s my motto. I used to be a much stricter, louder teacher. But about 15 years ago I adopted that motto and it really helps. When they mess up, they understand that they are kids and kids are supposed to make mistakes. But they also know that there are consequences. So, when they have to make amends, neither one of us is angry or upset. We just know that we made a mistake and we try to learn from it.”
The Staring Contest, Solis’s self-illustrated debut, finds a punchy pair of eyes with eyebrows—set against a white background, unflanked by other facial features—challenging the reader to a duel in the classic face-off. The figure is full of bravado and aims to win the staring contest but just might blink first (and demand a rematch). A Kirkus Reviews writer marveled at how “defiance blazes forth” from the impressively expressive eyes, as “scribbles transform into acrobatic eyebrows” and “black circles collapse, elongate, and dance asymmetrically across an invisible face.” The reviewer praised the “minimalist … ocular hijinks” in The Staring Contest.
Solis’s other works have been illustrated by collaborators. The Color Collector was partly inspired by his discovery, in a humble art gallery in his hometown called the Austin Art Garage, of a painting of a sad girl dressed in black and white reaching out for colorful leaves. It was also inspired by his seventh-grade friendship, at a new school midyear, with a boy named Dylan, whose simple greeting helped turn Solis’s then-lonely life around.
In The Color Collector, Violet, a new girl at her school, is noticed by a classmate, who narrates, and the two girls start walking home together. On the way Violet curiously collects wrappers, bottle caps, and leaves that she finds. In response to her new friend’s curiosity, Violet reveals that in her bedroom, she has covered her walls in a colorful collage of the village, beach, and palm trees she misses from her homeland. Observing that Violet’s dark skin suggests an African or Caribbean homeland, a Kirkus Reviews writer appreciated how, thanks to the friendship, the world itself turns more colorful and “both girls are smiling.” Noting that “sometimes, that’s all it takes: one person to show interest in a lonely child,” the reviewer hailed The Color Collector as a “good discussion starter on empathy.”
Solis offers a bilingual picture book with My Town/Mi pueblo, which follows two cousins who lives in matching towns on the U.S.-Mexico border. After introducing their homes, the boy and girl each pay a visit to the other’s town. With the English and Spanish text matching save for the pronouns, the story emphasizes the two towns’ similarities while the illustrations highlight some differences. A Kirkus Reviews writer found the text “amiable” and commended the book’s “sweet, good-natured musings on border life.”
The Littlest Grito unfolds on Mexican Independence Day, September 16. Waylaid by sickness, Gloria’s father cannot let out the ceremonial grito—a cross between a laugh and a yell, echoing the revolutionary Father Hidalgo from 1810—to mark the festivities for their village. Gloria bravely thinks to take Papa’s place, but people doubt her, and she needs practice. Only with some essential advice from Papa does she master the grito and make everyone’s day. Delighting in Gloria’s “moxie” and her progress “from uncertainty to satisfying triumph,” a Kirkus Reviews writer praised The Littlest Grito as both a “joyful celebration of Mexican culture” and a “heartening tale of finding one’s voice—and summoning the courage to raise it.”[close new]
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews July 15, 2020, review of Solis, Nicholas: THE STARING CONTEST.
Kirkus Reviews Mar. 15, 2021, , “Solis, Nicholas: THE COLOR COLLECTOR.”.
Kirkus Reviews Aug. 15, 2022, , “Solis, Nicholas: MY TOWN / MI PUEBLO.”.
Kirkus Reviews Oct. 15, 2024, , “Solis, Nicholas: THE LITTLEST GRITO.”.
ONLINE
Austin Vida, https://austinvida.com/ (November 14, 2024), Nancy Flores, “Spotlight On: ‘The Littlest Grito’ Author Nicholas Solis.”
Del Valle Independent School District website, https://www.dvisd.net/ (October 22 2024), Christian Aleman-Rodriguez, “Teacher and Author Nicholas Solis Inspires Students with New Book, ‘The Littlest Grito.'”
Jena Benton website, https://jenabenton.com/ (September 29, 2020), “Simply 7 with Nicholas Solis—The Staring Contest.”
Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez website, https://kaitlynleannsanchez.com/ (April 14, 2021), “Author Interview and Giveaway with Nicholas Solis about The Color Collector, Illustrated by Renia Metallinou.”
Nicholas Solis website, https://www.nicholassolis.com (April 22, 2025).
Rosie J. Pova website, https://www.rosiejpova.com/ (May 4, 2021), “Chitchat with Author Nicholas Solis and Sleeping Bear Press Editor, Sarah Rockett.”
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators website, https://www.scbwi.org/ (October 21, 2024), Laurent Sewell, “Member Interview: Author Nicholas Solis.”
Writing Barn website, https://thewritingbarn.com/ (February 15, 2019), “Success Story Spotlight with Nick Solis,” author interview; (July 29, 2020), “Cover Reveal for Author Nicholas Solis,” author interview.
YA Books Central, https://yabookscentral.com/ (August 19, 2022), Connie Reid, “Author Chat with Nicholas Solis.”
Nicholas Solis has been writing all of his life, starting with knock off Encyclopedia Brown mysteries and oddly deep poetry for an 8-year-old. Since then, he’s continued to write picture books, travel blogs, teaching blogs, middle grade novels, and poetry about farts (decidedly less deep). In 2018, he was the recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Grant from We Need Diverse Books, and in 2020 he was nominated for the 2020 Austin SCBWI Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award and was the winner of the Austin SCBWI’s 2020 Creators of Diverse Worlds Scholarship.
His debut author/illustrated book THE STARING CONTEST (Peter Pauper Press) released 2020, followed by THE COLOR COLLECTOR (Sleeping Bear Press) in 2021. MY TOWN, MI PUEBLO (Nancy Paulsen Books) came out in 2022. His new book, THE LITTLEST GRITO (Sleeping Bear Press) will be out August 1, 2024! PREORDER NOW!
Nick is also an award winning elementary teacher with a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University. He has traveled the world and taught students in Tanzania, India, and Morocco. From all of his travels he has learned one important lesson: No matter the circumstances, kids are kids. When he’s not traveling, he enjoys spending time with his wife, their dog, and his two boys in Austin, Texas.
He is also an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Member Interview: Author Nicholas Solis
Created October 21, 2024 by Laurent Sewell
Texas: Austin
Our Member Interview Series continues with an update on Nicholas Solis, author of recently published THE LITTLEST GRITO (Sleeping Bear Press, 2024).
SCBWI-Member-Interview-Photos-Nicholas-Solis.jpg
Nicholas Solis
Other picture books by the full-time educator are THE STARING CONTEST (Peter Pauper Press, 2020), THE COLOR COLLECTOR (Sleeping Bear Press, 2021) and MY TOWN, MI PUEBLO (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2022). As an elementary school teacher with a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University, we can thank him for helping to instill the love of reading into the next generation. In 2018, he received the Walter Dean Myers Grant from We Need Diverse Books, and in 2020 he was nominated for the Austin SCBWI Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award and was awarded the Austin SCBWI Creators of Diverse Worlds Scholarship.
Where did you grow up, and how did that place (or those places) shape your work?
I grew up in Austin, TX. But my family is from the valley in Brownsville, TX. These two worlds shaped the core of who I am. Never fully feeling accepted by either, I was left feeling a little lost. But the older I get, the more I feel like I don't have to be one or the other. I can be both and celebrate those worlds equally.
Did you always want to be an author, or did that come later?
I've always wanted to be an author. I used to write knockoff Encyclopedia Brown mysteries and oddly deep poetry when I was eight. Recently, my dad sent me a fully illustrated, rhyming picture book I wrote when I was 12, entitled “From the Mountain to the Mouse.”
If someone were to follow you around for 24 hours, what would they see?
What exhaustion looks like. I have two boys, a 4 year old and a recent 1 year old. This is my 25th year as an elementary teacher. I coach cheerleading after school one day a week. And I am currently doing my best to promote THE LITTLEST GRITO. So, I spend most of my day tired, but happy.
How does your everyday life feed your work?
As a teacher, I'm lucky enough to get to interact with kids all day long. This provides terrific insight into their lives and their interests. And as a father, I'm constantly reading board books and picture books to my boys. So, ideas for books are always jumping off in my head. Now, whether I find the time to write them down before they are lost forever is a whole other story.
Tell us about some accomplishments that make you proud.
I'm proud of my boys. I love them to death and try to be the best dad I can be. Luckily, their mom is pretty great too. I'm proud of my teaching career. Making it to year 25 and still enjoying the work is a HUGE accomplishment. Ask any teacher. And I'm proud to be a published author. For many of us, all we ever wanted was to be published. Then, we get published and this little voice starts to creep into our heads saying, "What about the next book?" and "What do the reviews say?" and "Did you get a starred review?" I'm struggling with this still, but then I remind myself that one of my main bucket list goals was to be a published author, and I did it. It might sound self-aggrandizing, but I think it's important to appreciate any goal we achieve and to tell those tiny voices to be quiet for a bit.
What surprises you about the creative life?
How subjective it is. I have had the privilege to read countless, amazing stories by fantastic writers who just can't seem to catch a break. I know there is a business algorithm that makes some of these choices, but I wish so many of these stories would find a broader platform in this world. I know there is a reader out there waiting for a story I've been lucky enough to see, and I wish there was an easier way to get it into their hands.
When a reader discovers your work, what do you hope they find?
I love when adults read my stories, but I usually write them for kids, especially my students. I hope they find stories full of love and kindness and empathy. I hope they find a little humor in them too.
Quick-Fire Questions:
Would you rather stare into the future, or peek into the past?
I think I would get too neurotic to know the future, with the exception of knowing lotto numbers. So, I would rather peek into the past. One of my favorite movies covers this beautifully! If you haven't seen “About Time,” PLEASE DO SO NOW! I would spend my days going back and hanging with my wife and my boys. Watch the movie and you'll understand what kind of heaven that would be.
What’s something you told your students on the first day of school this year?
If you're cool, I'm cool. It's my motto. I used to be a much stricter, louder teacher. But about 15 years ago I adopted that motto and it really helps. When they mess up, they understand that they are kids and kids are supposed to make mistakes. But they also know that there are consequences. So, when they have to make amends, neither one of us is angry or upset. We just know that we made a mistake and we try to learn from it. The same goes when we are being cool. If everyone is listening and working hard, that usually means there is more time for recess, special events, cooler projects, or longer novels. By living this motto, it has helped my kids understand that they have some control in their environment; it's made me a much chiller teacher, and my classroom has become a place where they feel safe and loved.
What are some of the greatest influences in your work?
The greatest influences in my work have been my childhood and my students. My picture book, THE COLOR COLLECTOR is a mix of my loneliness as a child and the desire for my classroom to be a safe place for any kid that felt like me when I was in middle school. MY TOWN, MI PUEBLO is all about growing up in Austin and Brownsville and knowing that the border wasn't the scary place all the news outlets seemed to make it. It was also about all the kids I've taught over the years whose families were separated because one had a green card and the other did not.
A new collection of poems I'm editing is a combination of the first book I ever fell in love with, WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS, and the desire to make my kiddos giggle over the years. Luckily, I found a profession that allows me to heal some of the hardships I went through as a kid, whether with kindness or laughter.
Would you rather swing on the tip of a crescent moon or sing on the rising sun?
Swing on the tip of the crescent moon. I'm a bit of a night owl, who usually finds myself looking up at the moon on cool, Texas nights. (There aren't that many of them.) I just like the peace of it all … knowing that most of the world is asleep, while I'm awake.
Spotlight On: “The Littlest Grito” Author Nicholas Solis
Author and educator Nicholas Solis grew up in Austin. Now, he’s inspiring a love of reading through his childrens books including his latest “The Littlest Grito.”
By Nancy Flores ● Cultura ● November 14, 2024
Austin-based author Nicholas Solis recently published “The Littlest Grito.” Contributed photo
Book lovers from across the state will soon convene in downtown Austin for the annual Texas Book Festival. We’re highlighting Latinidad at the festival, spotlighting authors and books that are telling diverse stories of our gente and cultura.
The free festival goes from Nov. 16-17 and features programming such as the Leamos Tent, which shines a light on Latine/Hispanic authors and literature in Spanish. Plus, check out the Hablemos Tent, led by the Hablemos Escritoras group. Attendees can find a slate of bilingual programs in Spanish and English for adults and children in both the Leamos Tent and the Read Me a Story Tent. View the full schedule here.
Ahead of the festival, we caught up with Austin native Nicholas Solis whose children’s book “The Littlest Grito” will be among those featured at the festival. Catch Solis on Sunday at the Read Me a Story Tent and on the panel “Inspiring a Love of Reading: From the Classroom to the Living Room.”
Parts of this interview originally aired on the “Austin Cultura” radio show, a partnership between Austin Vida and KUT 90.5 FM. You can listen to the show during the first Friday of the month or catch it online here. Interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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AUSTIN VIDA: Nicholas, your debut book released in 2020 and you’ve been on a roll ever since publishing regularly. What inspired you to want to write for kids?
SOLIS: It’s interesting because my dad about two years ago sent me this book that I made when I was 12. I’ve actually been writing stories since I was about 8, like poetry and things like that. But, he sent me this full book. It even had a dedication to my little brother. It was a rhyming book. It actually flows really well.
Growing up, my parents divorced and so we had to move a lot. I found that reading and writing was a great way to kind of escape into myself and I always kind of had a friend there, whether it was through a book or through a journal, something like that. So I’ve been writing for a very, very long time.
AUSTIN VIDA: What was your experience growing up Latino in Austin?
SOLIS: I haven’t talked about this a lot and I kind of want to explore it a little bit more. My family is from Brownsville right along the border, so we’d visit there a lot. But I was born and raised in Austin. And growing up in Austin, speaking Spanish was often looked down upon and so that wasn’t something that was exposed to me much.
I was always in schools that blended lots of different cultures, but it wasn’t primarily like a Hispanic-focused culture. So it’s this very weird divide sometimes where I struggle, like where do I fit in as far as being Latino in Austin.
AUSTIN VIDA: Tell us about your latest book “The Littlest Grito.”
SOLIS: Growing up I would hear gritos with mariachis. My mom was a big dancer and we’d go to fiestas or weddings, and you’d hear the grito all the time. And then in high school, I joined an organization called the National Hispanic Institute. That’s where I truly felt like I fit in. I was with a bunch of people who looked like me. Some spoke Spanish, some did not. At night we’d have these big parties and there’d be dances and there would be gritos there as well.
So when I write these books, I try to think about something from my childhood. And so that’s what led to “The Littlest Grito.” I wanted a story that talked about the grito with a strong female character, finding her voice, finding her courage. And so that’s where that all started. Then, I did a deep dive into history and I found out how the grito was connected to the Mexican Revolution.
AUSTIN VIDA: You’ve described yourself as a shy kid. How did you discover your voice?
SOLIS: I dedicated my second book “The Color Collector” to a friend named Dylan. A lot of times when we’re kids, we don’t feel like we have voices. We don’t feel like we have power. You know, we’re told by our parents what to do. We’re told by teachers what to do.
And Dylan was a kid in the eighth grade. I moved around a lot, so it was rough and I had a hard time. But then I sat down at one of my classes and this kid Dylan said hi. And that was it – hi. And the next day he talked to me a little bit more, and we started to become friends. And this dude was popular. He was really popular, but he was also really kind. And because of that, I made friends with his friends. Then, I came out of my shell and I made my own friends. And I think about that constantly – a simple word of “hi” changed my life.
I want kids to understand the power that they have with their voice. We can use our voices to make the world a better place. And how are we going to use those voices?
Teacher and author Nicholas Solis inspires students with new book, 'The Littlest Grito'
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Hillcrest teacher Nicholas Solis with all four of his books
Christian Aleman-Rodriguez
Oct 22 2024
Hillcrest Elementary School teacher Nicholas Solis is a lifelong writer turned educator. Now entering his 25th year of teaching at the elementary school, he is celebrating the publication of his fourth children’s book, “The Littlest Grito.”
The story follows young Gloria as she finds her voice and courage to give the “grito,” an annual tradition commemorating Mexican Independence Day, after her father becomes sick and cannot participate in the yearly yell.
Nicholas’s passion for teaching budding readers and writers fused with his love of writing to create books like “The Littlest Grito,” encouraging young learners to use their voices and know they can make a difference, too.
“It’s about understanding that kids have power as well. As an educator, I ask, ‘How can I bring these books into the classroom and use them in a way that’s going to be beneficial,’” he said. “You can work these into story elements, and you can work these into units based on how you want to use them in the classroom.”
He builds on that belief by allowing students to debate points they make in class and reading to them before he goes on author visits to other classrooms. Nicholas says his class provides great feedback on what they think he did well and where he can improve and demonstrates his students are learning to articulate their opinions.
“It's always good for them to know that adults don't know everything. That's kind of why there's a lot of child empowerment in these things, too. I want them to make a better world. I want them to understand that I don't always have the answers and that they should be able to come up with their answers,’” he said.
Nicholas’s latest book reflects the growth mindset philosophy he practices in the classroom, encouraging students to learn that their biggest competitors are themselves, not one another. He emphasizes the importance of students recognizing their limits but then pushing those limits to accomplish something new and become a better version of themselves.
“Once that happens, you see the growth happen exponentially because it's not about me teaching; it's about them saying, ‘OK, I can do it. This might be hard right now, but I can grow.’ So by the end of the year, it's phenomenal to see how they're reading and writing blossoms,” he said.
Having returned to the classroom as a student at a local writing center, Nicholas also lives that philosophy. After a full day of teaching, he would take classes in the evening, where he honed his writing and connected with editors and publishers, resulting in the publication of four books over the past few years. His classroom has been a kind of focus group, with students sharing feedback and learning from his collection of stories that he models to different units.
“Sometimes I'll model a story that I'm working on while they're working on their own stories in the classroom so they can see that you can make money out of this. You can be successful out of this. You can do something bigger with the writing and the tools,” he said. “You can learn to communicate better with other people. It's nice tying all that into what I'm doing.”
Nicholas has no plans of letting up soon, as he remains passionate about writing and teaching the next generation of leaders and encouraging them to embrace their voices and believe in themselves.
“I've just been surrounded by fantastic people, and I got to a point where I get to teach how I want, and I also show results, and so because of that, this is like my little world, my kingdom, and I like that freedom,” he said. “I like being surrounded by people who really like to learn, who really like kids, and that's why I've kind of stayed here forever.”
Author Chat with Nicholas Solis (MY TOWN, MI PUEBLO), Plus Giveaway! ~US ONLY
August 19, 20223 Comments
Written by Connie Reid, Site Manager and Staff Reviewer
Posted in Authors, Giveaways, Interviews, News & Updates
Today we are chatting with Nicholas Solis, author of MY TOWN, MI PUEBLO
Read on for more about him, the book, and a giveaway!
Meet Author: Nicholas Solis
Nicholas Solis (nicholassolis.com) is also an elementary school teacher who has traveled the world and taught students in Tanzania, India, and Morocco. In 2018, he was the recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Grant from We Need Diverse Books, and in 2020 he was nominated for the 2020 Austin SCBWI Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award. His debut author/illustrated book, THE STARING CONTEST (Peter Pauper Press), released September 2020, and THE COLOR COLLECTOR (Sleeping Bear Press) in Spring 2021.He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, baby boy, and their dog.
Website * Twitter * Instagram
Meet Illustrator: Luisa Uribe
Luisa Uribe (luisauribe.com) is the illustrator of many award-winning books, including Your Name Is a Song (by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow) and Areli Is a Dreamer (by Areli Morales). She has an MA in art and design from the University of Loughborough and lives in Bogotá, Colombia.
About the Book: My Town/Mi Pueblo
In this bilingual picture book, cousins from opposite sides of the border visit each other’s towns and delight in their similarities and differences.
Two cousins live in two towns, separated by a river. But there is also a bigger divide—the US-Mexico border—which means they live in different countries. On the girl’s side, English is the main language, and on the boy’s it’s Spanish. The cousins love their towns, and they love visiting each other’s, where they notice some things are the same and some are wonderfully different, adding up to a vibrant world full of even more possibilities.
Author Nicholas Solis shows how border towns are special places, beautiful and dynamic, because two cultures can be better than one—and both cultures should be equally treasured and respected.
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~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
I was watching the news and two groups of people were arguing, which usually happens on the news. But I kept thinking about kids seeing all of this and felt compelled to do something about it. I needed to put some positivity out into the world, so I wrote My Town, Mi Pueblo that night. I wanted to create a story that celebrated our differences, but also recognized that we have a lot more in common than we think.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
I love both of the cousins equally! One cousin is from the US side of the border and speaks English. The other cousin is from the Mexico side of the border and speaks Spanish. But they are both saying the exact same thing! They visit each other’s towns and have such a positive outlook on everything. They recognize the beauty in each other’s cultures, but also the beauty within their own. They celebrate each other’s differences, but also discover all the things they have in common. So they are both my favorite!
YABC: Which came first, the title or the book?
Definitely the book, which is odd because I am usually inspired by titles. This story just sort of flew out of me. I finished it in one night. Mind you, there was a lot of editing in the months that followed. We actually had a different title, but it was too similar to another book that was releasing so we went with My Town, Mi Pueblo and I couldn’t be happier! It just fits the story so well.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
The scene that I am absolutely the most proud of is the spread where the cousins are crossing the bridge to go home. Most of the story is this positive stroll through each other’s towns, but that scene sort of pulls you back into reality. It’s emotional and true, and I hope it affects everyone the way it affected me.
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
Honestly, that I’ll never feel good enough. I used to think that if I could get one book published, then I would officially be a writer and that everything would be magical from then on out. It simply isn’t true. I think we all suffer from imposter syndrome, and I am not immune. I worry constantly about the drafts I write and submit, or if my next book will be successful. So another thing I’ve had to learn is to truly appreciate the victories, no matter how small. That could mean celebrating a book being published, but it could also mean being happy when I’ve finished writing a first draft. Being a writer is a journey that never seems to end, so try to enjoy the trip rather than the destination.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
What don’t I like? Luisa Uribe is a genius and I love everything she does. I love the attention to detail, the soft tones, and even the font she used! But if I had to pick one thing, the thing I love the most is that there is a character on the cover that looks like me. Representation matters, and I’m glad there will be generations of kids that will see themselves in the stories I write.
YABC: What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2022?
I’m really looking forward to reading The Twilight Library by my friend Carmen Oliver. Deep in the heart of the wilderness, all the woodland creatures gather to hear the Night Librarian weave tales of fantasy and whimsy. The lyrical text sounds amazing and the illustrations by Miren Asiain Lora are absolutely stunning! I’m always looking for a good bedtime book to read to my son, and this seems perfect. Carmen and I will be co-book launching our stories at BookPeople in Austin, TX in September and I’m so excited!
YABC: What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?
I just read Up and Adam by my friend Debbie Zapata. It’s about a young boy named Adam and his dog, Up, who decide to lend their town a helping hand after a big storm. He discovers that no matter how small the deed, helping others and kind smile can make a big difference. I was also able to attend one of her readings at a local park with my son, and we had such a lovely time with her story and the arts and crafts she provided after the reading.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
I recently signed a contract for a new book, but it is so recent that I can’t even tell you about it yet. Which is killing me because I’m so excited about it! Hopefully we can do this again for the next book and I can tell you all about it.
YABC: Which was the most difficult or emotional scene to narrate?
The bridge scene at the end of the story. The tone of the entire story shifts within one spread, but I needed that scene in there. I wanted to take the reader on a pleasant and fun journey through most of the book, and then take a bit of a turn near the end.
YABC: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?
Neither character gave me much trouble, because they essentially say the same thing throughout the story, just in two different languages. I wanted to highlight the fact that even though they are two separate people, speaking two different languages, in two different places they are saying the exact same thing. We all are so much more alike than we think!
YABC: What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from this book?
The main message that I would love for my readers to remember is that we should celebrate and respect each other’s differences. But we should also realize that we have a lot of things in common with each other and those similarities should be celebrated too!
YABC: What would you say is your superpower?
I think my superpower is my students, and now my son. I have been an elementary teacher for 23 years now and I love it! Many of my ideas come from being in the classroom, surrounded by these amazing kiddos. And now that I’m a newish dad, toddler stage, a lot of my ideas are coming from being around my son. I have to be around that energy, to be inspired by their ideas and the knowledge that there is hope for our future!
YABC: Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?
I think the organization that is closest to my heart is We Need Diverse Books. I won the Walter Dean Myer Grant from WNDB in 2018 and that money allowed me to purchase a working laptop, which I ultimately used to write and illustrate my published books. For me, it was a game changer. And I love how the organization actively works to create more representation of BIPOC authors in the publishing industry.
YABC: What advice do you have for new writers?
Try to enjoy it all. Enjoy the first draft. Enjoy the editing and the first time someone reads your story and smiles. Enjoy the submissions and even the rejections. Enjoy all of the ups and downs of this journey. But above all, enjoy the writing.
YABC: Is there anything that you would like to add?
I would love it if everyone would remember to be kind to each other. We all have more things in common with each other than we do differences, so go out and just be nice to each other.
Book’s Title: MY TOWN, MI PUEBLO
Author: Nicholas Solis
Illustrator: Luisa Uribe
Release Date: August 16, 2022
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
ISBN-10: 0593109915
ISBN-13: 9780593109915
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Age Range: 3-7
Author Interview and GIVEAWAY with Nicholas Solis about The Color Collector, illustrated by Renia Metallinou
Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez Interviews April 14, 2021 8 Minutes
Hi Math is Everywhere Readers,
Today we have a special interview with Nicholas Solis about the stunning picture book he wrote, illustrated by Renia Metallinou that releases tomorrow: The Color Collector.
Book description:
The Color Collector is a poignant story about newness, friendship, and common ground. When a boy notices the new girl picking up all manner of debris and litter on their walks home from school he wants to know why. So she shows him the huge mural she’s created in her room that reminds her of the home she left behind. He learns all about where she’s come from and they both find how wonderful it is to make a new friend.
Kaitlyn: Hi Nick, thanks so much for being here today to talk about this absolutely gorgeous book!
Nick: Thank you Kaitlyn! I’m excited to be here with you and the Math is Everywhere Readers!
Kaitlyn: Aw, that’s so kind, Nick! To start off, can you share what inspired this beautiful book?
Nick: There is an art gallery in Austin, TX appropriately named the Austin Art Garage. The artists are all local and they are super talented. I like to go there and just walk around looking for inspiration. One day I came upon a painting of a little girl wearing all black and white. She had the saddest eyes in the world, and she was reaching out and grabbing colorful leaves as they fell. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, so I began to write this story.
Kaitlyn: Oh, I love that. You can find stories anywhere, but the best is when they find you. Can you share why you think this book is so important to share with our little ones?
Nick: One of the reasons I couldn’t stop thinking about the lonely little girl with the sad eyes was because I felt connected to her. My parents divorced when I was younger, so I moved around a lot. That meant starting new schools as well. 7th grade was especially tough for me because I moved in the middle of the school year. I was miserable. But then one day, this kid named Dylan said hello to me. That’s it. He saw a quiet kid sitting alone and he said hi. But that one little action completely changed my world. We became friends and then I became friends with his friends. That led to me coming out of my shell and making more even friends. It was this ripple effect that completely changed the trajectory of my life. This book is about empathy and finding beauty in the things people toss aside. My greatest joy would be to know that this book inspired someone to simply say hi to a new kid in class.
Kaitlyn: I’m not going to lie, I’m tearing up. My husband had a similar experience in middle school; I’m so inspired by the wonderful people who help make the world such a better place. In this book, there are so many stunning things, but one thing that really stood out that I just have to ask is about Violet, did you intentionally name her Violet? Also, did you have any hand in the violet color pops on the pages?
Nick: I did intentionally name her Violet. I liked the connection to color that her name evoked. But that’s as far as I went. Renia, the illustrator, is the sole genius with regards to how beautiful the book looks. I absolutely love how sparse the pages are at the beginning and how the color grows throughout the book until the big reveal! She is amazing!
Kaitlyn: Oh, that’s just beautiful! You and Renia were meant to work together; your editorial team did such a wonderful job connecting you! Speaking of editorial, can you share who your editor is and what you enjoyed about working with this editor?
Nick: My editor is Sarah Rockett. Not only does she have the coolest name, she is also such an amazing editor and person! Every note she gave made the story stronger and when I had additional input, she was there to listen and help make changes. For instance, after the first sketches were submitted she asked if I had any notes. Originally the narrator had blond hair and blue eyes, with the logic being that he would look completely different than Violet. I asked if we could make him look more like me, brown hair with tan skin. I stand by the idea that representation matters and Sarah was super supportive. Now the narrator looks like me and it’s one of the things I’m proudest of in the book.
Kaitlyn: Hahaha! I bet Sarah would love to read this, and it’s so wonderful that you found such a great team for this story. Can you share who your literary agent is and why you enjoy working with this agent?
Nick: Erzsi Deak, with Hen & Ink Literary Studio, is my agent and I love working with her. She is extremely supportive of my work, gives great notes, and is very matter of fact which I appreciate. I want to produce the very best work I can, and Erzsi is always there to tell me how I can make it stronger and when it is ready to submit. Plus she lives in France and always posts amazing photos of her hikes in the French countryside, so I get to live vicariously through her.
Kaitlyn: I’ll definitely need to start following Erzsi’s posts more closely now. I think very fondly on my exchange to France from when I was 18 and still chat with my exchange sister often. It’s a amazing place! Speaking of amazing, you have earned some amazing grants and awards, can you share a bit about them?
Nick: The best award that I have won was the Walter Grant from We Need Diverse Books. The work that We Need Diverse Books is doing is amazing, so to win the Walter Grant from them was a huge honor! I remember I was eating out with some teacher friends. It had been a really long week, especially by teacher standards, and I was exhausted. I opened my email just to check to see if I had any new messages and found an email telling me I had won! I was so excited, I had to read it a few times just to make sure it was real. It definitely made the end of my week so much better.
Kaitlyn: Oh wow, that sounds amazing! I definitely can relate to the end of a long teaching week, and news like that can totally bring you up! You’ve been writing since elementary school, can you share what you think your 8-year-old self would think of your books and/or your success in writing now?
Nick: I think 8-year-old Nick would be excited about the books and about the success that comes with it, but secretly he would know that we were always going to be a writer. That kid had so much confidence back then. What I would really love to do is talk to 12-year-old Nick and show him that everything turned out alright in the end. That some of the trials and tribulations he had to go through would someday be expressed in the pages of a book. And that those challenges hopefully made the world a more kind and empathetic place.
Kaitlyn: That’s absolutely beautiful, Nick. Thank you for sharing. Can you share just a bit more? Some advice for up-and-coming writers?
Nick: Surround yourself with writers. Go to SCBWI events, take as many writing courses as you can, join critique groups, and go to conferences. I’m only here because of the knowledge I gained from the writers that I’ve met, studied under, or listened to. My work is stronger because of the critique groups I’ve been involved with. Without my writing community, I’m not sure where I would be.
Kaitlyn: Yes, yes, yes! The support and growth you get from this community is invaluable! Can you each share a bit about your next book(s) and/or projects you’re working on now?
Nick: I’m extremely excited about my next book, My Town, Mi Pueblo. It is with Nancy Paulsen Books and will be coming out late summer, early fall. Two kids, from opposite sides of the border, decide to visit the town on the other side of the bridge. As they spend time in the other’s town, they marvel at the different sights and sounds. But they soon discover that they have more in common than they do differences. It is in both English and Spanish, and I’m excited to see it in kids’ hands!
Kaitlyn: Wow! I can see why you’re excited for that, it sounds just as beautiful as The Color Collector! I can’t wait to read My Town, Mi Pueblo! Finally, if you could spend a day with your favorite author or illustrator, would you sit by a fireside and chat or go out on an adventure together?
Nick: That is so tough. I love hiking and camping, so the obvious answer would be to go on an adventure. But my favorite author is Shel Silverstein, and he seemed more like a fireside guy. He grew up poor and lonely, so when he was older he would purchase houses and fill them with books. I think hanging in his backyard next to a fire talking about books would be a great way to spend the day.
Kaitlyn: Oh, very good choice! Thanks so much again for joining us and sharing such wonderful insights today!
Nick: Thank you Kaitlyn! This was a blast!
Links to buy The Color Collector:
Check out all the place you can buy this beautiful book using Goodreads.com!
Author Bio:
Nicholas Solis is an award-winning elementary teacher and author. In 2018, he was the recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Grant from We Need Diverse Books. Growing up, he didn’t have a lot of friends. He moved around a lot and being the new kid at school wasn’t always easy. But in junior high, one kid reached out and was simply nice to him. That gesture of friendship has shaped Nicholas’s entire life. He regularly brings up that story with his students in the hopes of motivating them to reach out to others whenever they can. He lives with his wife, Morgan, their dog, Charlie, and their amazing son, Leo, in Austin, Texas. Learn more about Nicholas at nicholassolis.com
Chitchat with Author Nicholas Solis and Sleeping Bear Press Editor, Sarah Rockett, plus a Giveaway!
5/4/202129 Comments
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Hello, everyone!
This week, I am so excited to welcome an author and editor team to KidLit Oasis! Nicholas Solis and his editor at Sleeping Bear Press, Sarah Rockett, will give us the inside scoop of their collaboration on The Color Collector, the behind-the-scenes details from submission to acquisition and beyond, plus much more!
But that's not all! Sleeping Bear Press is also kindly giving away a copy of the book to one of my blog readers -- check out the details at the end of the interview.
And now, without further ado, here are Nick and Sarah! Thank you both for being on KidLit Oasis and for sharing this wonderful book with my readers! Let me start with my first question to Nick...
1. Nick, please tell us about the journey of publication for The Color Collector -- from the inspiration for the story and writing the first draft to how it ended up on Sarah's desk. I love hearing about the story behind the story and my readers do, too!
My inspiration for The Color Collector was a piece of art that was hanging up at The Austin Art Garage in Austin, TX. It had a lonely little girl, with the saddest eyes I had ever seen, catching falling leaves and placing them in a knapsack. The painting stuck with me for days and I just kept wondering about why she was so sad. I wrote several rough drafts, but none of them felt right. Then one night I woke up at two in the morning with the entire story. I quickly wrote it down before I forgot it. It was much sparser than the original drafts, but the text felt like it fit the lonely little girl with the sad eyes. I continued to work on the draft over the next few years, and started taking classes at The Writing Barn, where I was able to edit it with the help of the fantastic authors who taught there.
In 2018, I was at the International Literacy Association Conference where I started talking to Sarah about books. We traded contacts and I sent in some of my stories to Sleeping Bear Press, and she liked The Color Collector!!!
2. Sarah, please guide us through your thoughts and the process from when you first read The Color Collector to acquiring the story. What made you fall in love with it? What stood out?
Meeting Nick at the ILA conference was such a joy! I could tell how passionate he is about his students and writing for kids—I knew he would be a wonderful author. Nick ended up submitting a handful of manuscripts to us. They all had a ton of potential, and most were really funny, but Color Collector felt really intentional and soulful. The themes of finding beauty in the discarded and being a friend felt really timely. There were so many directions a reader could go with the story. And it had such amazing illustration potential. Luckily, our acquisition team agreed and we were able to sign the project!
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3. Nick, how different is the final, published story from the draft that Sarah saw?
It’s pretty similar to the draft that Sarah saw. Sarah has a fantastic eye for editing, and she helped me really tighten up the story. But overall, it was just losing a word or phrase here or there. We did lose one page of text, but that was replaced with the amazing illustrations of Renia Metallinou!
4. Sarah, what was the revision process like after acquisitions?
Nick is right. Not a ton changed with the manuscript in the revision process. But when you’re working with a picture book manuscript—and especially one like Color Collector that is lyrical in nature and already has a tight word count—every single word and punctuation mark is really important. We made a handful of word choice and style edits, but not much more than that. Nick was collaborative and flexible as we worked on the story. It was a great partnership!
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5. Nick, what surprised you the most in the journey of this book?
The thing that surprised me most was the editing process. This is the first book that I ever worked with an editor on. I wasn’t exactly sure how it would go. When you sell a book, you’re just happy to get it out there and you’ll pretty much agree to anything. But you struggle with questions like, “What if they change my entire book?” or “What if they get rid of a part that I really love?” But when Sara came back with edits, I thought they were all really great suggestions.
One thing that I absolutely appreciated was when I asked Sarah if we could change the characteristics of the narrator and she enthusiastically agreed. I wanted someone who looked more like me. I’m Mexican-American and I’m trying to push for more representation in the books I create. Sarah and Sleeping Bear Press were on board without question. We gave the boy character tan skin and dark hair like mine and many of the students I teach. I love that they can see themselves inside this book.
6. Sarah, please tell us how the illustrator was chosen and how the selection process works at Sleeping Bear Press. What was your vision for the art and who were the people involved in the decision? Are authors asked for input?
The illustrator selection process is really a team effort at Sleeping Bear. I always ask the author for input on what they see as the style for the book. And then the art director and I talk about what we see working and narrow down a list of choices. Sometimes we all see something different for a particular story, but in this case I think we all wanted to see something creative with dramatic colors. Our art director is wonderful and always guides this process in the right direction. She has a knack for seeing artist portfolios and knowing how they might be able to use their style to make the book shine. And then our authors are looped in for notes throughout the sketch and final art process. The illustration process can be stressful for authors. It’s like sending your kid to sleepaway camp or daycare for the first time! But this is the author’s story and we want them to love the book 100%.
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7. Nick, what do you hope readers will take away from the story and what do you believe would resonate with them? How do you envision young kids connecting to your characters?
The main thing I would love readers to take away from this book is that even a small act of kindness can make a huge difference. The narrator is curious about what Violet does with all of the things she collects. He basically asks her a question and then just listens. That’s it. But that small act of kindness made a huge difference in her life. My parents divorced when I was young, so I had to move schools in the middle of the year. I had no friends and no one to talk to. I was absolutely miserable. But one day in class a kid named Dylan said hi to me. We talked for a bit and I met some of his friends. That small interaction changed the course of my entire life. I was a shy, introverted kid. But as the school year progressed, I came out of my shell. I made more and more friends. I later became a teacher that used my story to help spread kindness throughout my classroom. And now I am a writer with a book hoping to spread that message to a wider audience. It all happened with a simple, “Hi.” But it completely changed my life. I hope the readers will do the same for someone else they meet along the way.
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From the publisher's Press Release:
“Always quiet. Always alone. Every day the same. Until one day. The day she picked something up.”
When a new girl named Violet arrives at school, a young boy isn’t quite sure what to make of her. Always quiet, always alone, the two of them trek the same route home together, day after day. But one day, the boy starts to notice Violet picking things up– blue cookie wrappers, yellow pieces of paper, green bottle caps, red leaves. “What does she do with it all?” he wonders.
As gray illustrations fade away, and bright, colored objects come to the forefront, The Color Collector tells the story of a beautiful, illuminating friendship. Touching on subjects such as immigration and social emotional learning, this book is intended to show readers what it’s like to appreciate and understand the world through someone else’s eyes.
>>>Click on the cover image to order your copy directly from Sleeping Bear Press!<<<
My Review
A new classmate from abroad and a boy who notices she's lonely as he, too, was new once... and in the midst of grayness, a quiet friendship is born. The two kids progressively warm up to each other-- observing each other and connecting from a distance --slowly closing the gap between their two separate worlds.
As their friendship blossoms over time, so does the burst of color on the pages.
The emotional arc is quite effectively enhanced by the visuals, with the art starting in black, white, and gray spreads and slowly progressing towards a gorgeous, full-blown rainbow palette.
Themes of friendship, empathy, and immigration will resonate with readers on multiple levels. Great addition to home and school libraries, for ages 4-8 years.
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Nicholas Solis is an award-winning elementary teacher and author. In 2018, he was the recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Grant from We Need Diverse Books. Growing up, he didn’t have a lot of friends. He moved around a lot and being the new kid at school wasn’t always easy. But in junior high, one kid reached out and was simply nice to him. That gesture of friendship has shaped Nicholas’s entire life. He regularly brings up that story with his students in the hopes of motivating them to reach out to others whenever they can. He lives with his wife, Morgan, their dog, Charlie, and their amazing son, Leo, in Austin, Texas. Learn more about Nicholas at nicholassolis.com
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Sarah Rockett has been working in the children's publishing industry for more than a decade and truly believes that picture books have the power to change the world. She loves traveling, spending time outdoors, and--of course--reading. She lives in Michigan with her husband, young son, and lazy cocker spaniel.
Cover Reveal for Author Nicholas Solis
Posted on July 29, 2020
Our friend Nicholas Solis has a new book coming out, and even though he’s a new dad AND a teacher who’s prepping for the challenging year ahead–we still shook him awake and asked him to tell us about his new book.
We hope you enjoy Nick’s interview–especially since he graciously passed up some much-needed sleep to answer all of our questions!
Pre-order The Staring Contest now!
First, tell us about your new book!
My book THE STARING CONTEST will be coming out in September and I have the exclusive cover reveal for The Writing Barn family! I also have the pleasure of sharing that Kirkus has also given it a positive review!
The Staring Contest, Writing Barn Cover Reveal, Nick Solis, Nicholas Solis
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been seriously writing for over 5 years now. Maybe 6? I have a horrible memory, so everything just blends together at some point. But I started taking classes at The Writing Barn however many years ago and just haven’t stopped!
What fears/hopes did you have before working with Bethany or studying at the Writing Barn?
I think all writers share the same fear. We internally love our stories so much. But then we have to be willing to share them with others and allow for critiques and edits to occur in order to make them stronger.
Handing that story over is the scariest thing a writer can do, but the payoff is immense!
Did Writing Barn programming aid you at all in the craft and business of picture book writing?
The WB literally taught me everything I know about picture book writing.
I learned the basics in Picture Book 1, refined those skills in PB2 and PB3. Then I retook a lot of those same classes, attended a variety of other courses the Barn offers and went to a few weekend intensives.
I was around The Writing Barn so much, they eventually gave me a job which led to me TA’ing a lot of those classes and relearning the material from a ton of amazingly talented authors.
Did the atmosphere at The Writing Barn aid you in achieving your goals?
This might be a bit of a long answer, but the short version is that the atmosphere of The Writing Barn has contributed greatly to me achieving publication.
When you are at The Writing Barn, you are surrounded by writers that just want to help you succeed. Everyone is so supportive that you lose that fear I was talking about earlier and instead focus on honing your craft. You know that every suggestion given is trying to make your work stronger. Plus, you are enveloped in the world of writing!
I think I’m honestly addicted to the WB because it makes me want to write more. And by allowing yourself to be a part of this world, you open yourself up to so many opportunities. My writing has improved exponentially because of the Writing Barn. I met my agent through the Barn.
Heck, I sold THE STARING CONTEST during a Saturday night podium read at the WB!
What sets Bethany apart as a teacher/mentor? Would you encourage others to take on a deep mentorship?
Bethany goes above and beyond for her mentees. Because of her experience and connections; she understands the author’s side, the agent’s side, and the publisher’s side.
Whenever I have a question, she’s the one I go to.
What is a takeaway you will carry with you far beyond this good news as you continue to build and develop your career?
I think the takeaway for me is that I must surround myself with writers. I seem to work best when I am TA’ing a class, attending a weekend intensive, or trying to make a deadline for my critique group. This might not work for everyone, but I love it. I feed off the energy of other writers.
Any advice for writers and creatives who are having trouble staying the course in pursuit of their goals?
When I was un-agented and unpublished, I used to worry if anyone would ever like my books enough to be my agent. Then, I got an agent and started worrying if any editor would like my work enough to publish it. I’m now getting published and I worry about how many books I’ll sell, how will I promote it, will people like it, will I ever sell another title, etc., etc.
So my sage advice, from a constant worrier, is to try not to worry so much.
I know this seems hypocritical, but you’ll be happier in the end. I’ve seen amazing stories and fantastic authors get passed up time and time again. I’ve read pitches on twitter and thought, “I would totally read that,” but they never get a “like.” This industry is subjective and fickle.
So my advice is: try not to worry about the destination, and just enjoy the ride. Celebrate finishing a story. Cheers, when you’ve completed your first, or even your fifteenth, edit.
And start telling everyone you know that you are a writer. It is one of the scariest things to say out loud, but you are doing the work! That makes you a writer!
About Author Nicholas Solis:
Nicholas Solis, Nick Solis, Writing BarnNicholas Solis is an award-winning elementary teacher with a Master in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas and a Master in Educational Administration from Concordia University. He was born to teach but has an unmitigated passion for writing.
Thank goodness he found the Writing Barn to help him improve his writing skills, a passion that began at the age of 8. Nick writes middle-grade novels, picture books, and poetry about farts.
Simply 7 with Nicholas Solis–“The Staring Contest”
September 29, 2020 / jenabenton
Today’s Simply 7 is with another picture book debut by an author-illustrator.
Photographer Sam Bond
Photographer Sam Bond
I love meeting teacher-writers. Nicholas Solis has been writing all of his life. He’s a member of SCBWI and 12×12 and a fellow at the writing barn. Nick is also an award winning elementary teacher. He has traveled the world and taught students in Tanzania, India, and Morocco. When he’s not traveling, he enjoys spending time with his wife, their dog, and his brand new baby boy in Austin, Texas. You can learn more about him at his website.
COVER“The Staring Contest” is a unique book. It’s a game that plays with the reader and writer relationship. It’s a game that has fun with the rules. It’s the game the title and cover art work imply: a staring contest. It reminds me ever so slightly of “The Book with No Pictures.” This is not your usual picture book. It gleefully breaks all of the rules and invites kids to play along.
Welcome Nick!
Me: “The Staring Contest” is your picture book author/illustrator debut. That’s exciting! What draws you to picture books?
Nick: I’ve been an elementary teacher for 21 years, so I’ve seen my fair share of picture books. I think I love them for their accessibility. Watching students of all ages drawn to a good picture book is the highlight of my day. Seeing teachers find the perfect book to use in order to introduce a lesson and make a stronger connection to the content is amazing. And now as a new father, getting to read and enjoy books with my son is fantastic. A good picture book will capture anyone’s attention and imagination no matter what their age. And that’s why I love them.
Me: I love that answer. This book is based on a popular game I played as a child (and I assume children today still play). It also reminds me ever so slightly of “The Book with No Pictures” by B.J. Novak. What gave you the idea?
Nick: I’m extremely flattered that you referenced B.J. Novak’s book. I still recommend The Book with No Pictures to everyone I know! I just loved the way he took something so simple, a book with no pictures, and made it a metafiction masterpiece. I’ve always been drawn to figuring out ways to have the reader interact with the physical book. I like to try writing a bunch of different types of stories, so I tend to go through phases. One of the phases was a metafiction phase and The Staring Contest was born! I wanted a book that felt like a competitor, and one the reader would like to beat. Can I tell you a tiny secret too? The book helps with fluency, shhhh. It’s designed to see if you can make it through the whole book without blinking. The more you read it, the faster you get!
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Me: Great secret! Which comes first for you: writing or illustrating? Do you prefer one over the other?
Nick: This question makes me laugh, because I never planned on the publishers using my illustrations. I love to draw, but I don’t think I am very good at it. I just made a bunch of eyeballs and eyebrows for the mock up so that the book would make more sense when on submission. Mara Conlon, at Peter Pauper Press, liked the simple circles and BOOM! Now I am an illustrator!
But to answer your question, writing is my first love. I’ve been writing books and poems ever since I was a kid.
Me: LOL! Well, that’s an interesting path to the illustrator journey. What does your writing and/or illustrating process look like?
Nick: I wish it was more consistent, but it isn’t. I find that I work better when surrounded by writers and under a deadline, whether from an editor or my critique group. I have taken a lot of writing classes at The Writing Barn in Austin, TX. So many that they actually made me a writing fellow. Most of my stories come from those classes or weekend intensives.
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Me: Any advice for other picture book writers and/or illustrators?
Nick: Learn the writing craft, surround yourself with great writers, join a critique group, and of course write as much as possible! I remember thinking that I knew everything about writing a children’s book. Then I took one class and realized I knew absolutely nothing about writing a children’s book. It’s been a long journey, and I still have a ways to go, but I keep writing. Eventually I joined a critique group and their guidance has really helped me refine a lot of my work. Oh, and your first draft will always be messy.
Me: Any other projects we can look forward to from you in the future?
Nick: Yes! I have two books coming out in 2021. The Color Collector with Sleeping Bear Press and Bordertown with Nancy Paulsen Books. I’m so excited for the world to see these books and their amazing illustrators!
Me: Congrats! I understand you were once on “Hollywood Game Night.” How did that come to pass? Can you share that story?
Nick: My wife and I are huge fans of the show! I remember watching it one night and then googling, “how do you get on Hollywood Game Night?” There was an application process and a million phone and Zoom interviews, but I ultimately made it on! They just wanted someone who was energetic and quick on their feet, so I just pretended like I was teaching a lesson to my 4th grade students. Just be goofy and pretend that there aren’t any adults watching you. Highlights: Jane Lynch, the host, is super sweet even when she isn’t on camera and Eva Longoria, my teammate, was so competitive. I think she wanted to win even more than I did!
LOL! That sounds like fun. Thank you for visiting my blog Nick. Dear readers, this is a fun book (with a secret fluency boost–shh, don’t tell!). I’m betting this is one that kids will want to read and re-read frequently.
Success Story Spotlight with Nick Solis
Posted on February 15, 2019
Please share your exciting news (agent signing, book sale, etc)!
I was the recipient of the 2018 Walter Dean Myers Grant from the amazing people over at We Need Diverse Books!
How did studying/retreating at The Writing Barn support you in achieving this goal? What workshop/intensives/or classes have you taken with us?
Studying at The Writing Barn has had 100% to do with me achieving this goal. My good friend Erin Sewell told me I had to attend a class there about 5 years ago and said that it would be really beneficial for me. I was hesitant because I thought I knew everything I needed to know about writing a good book already. I was completely and utterly wrong! Since that Picture Book 1 class with Bethany Hegedus, I have attended and revisited all of the picture book classes and worked with some amazing authors like Cate Berry, K.A. Holt, and Hannah Barnaby. I have attended picture book weekend intensives and listened to some amazing lectures. Through all of the classes and intensives, I have not only improved my craft, but I have been able to make contacts with some amazing authors, agents, editors, and publishers in the industry. In fact, the only way I knew about We Need Diverse Books’ grants was because Lamar Giles took the time to speak to me after one of his lectures and encouraged me to check them out.
How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal?
I have been writing my entire life. I used to write Encyclopedia Brown knock off stories when I was 8. But I have seriously been working on writing for about 5 years now, ever since I drove through the gates of The Writing Barn.
What fears/hopes did you have before attending the WB class, intensive/or working with Bethany privately?
I don’t think I came in with many fears when I first started. I was pretty cocky and thought I knew it all. I was just hoping to clean up my work a little bit and then get an agent and then be super rich and famous. That’s how naive I was. I was sitting on something like a 2,000 word picture book, which is completely ridiculous because it wasn’t a biography and it didn’t have back matter. All the things I just listed in the last sentence is evidence of the knowledge I’ve gained from The Writing Barn. I had to learn the bare bones of it all from some pretty amazing and patient authors that truly knew what they were talking about. And if I’m being honest, I do have fears now. Every time I share a work I get incredibly nervous. You work so hard on a new piece and you want someone to like it. Exposing that writing can be terrifying, but I’ve always felt incredibly supported and comfortable with the writers I’ve met a The Writing Barn. It’s a community of authors that truly want you to succeed.
How did the atmosphere of The Writing Barn aid you in achieving this goal?
The atmosphere at The Writing Barn is amazing! It’s this little oasis in the middle of the city. There are quiet places to just leave the rest of the world behind and focus on your craft. And when you’re at The Writing Barn, you know that the goal of every single person there, whether staff or fellow writers, is to make your work better.
Have you made friendships/colleagues as well? How has that supported you?
Yes, tons! My critique group is comprised of all writers I have worked with before at The Writing Barn. Each one comes with a different viewpoint and set of skills that I simply don’t have so I love it when I get their feedback. I have worked with numerous authors who have answered those ‘behind the scenes’ questions all new writers have. I have even been fortunate enough to become a Writing Fellow at The Writing Barn, so I have had the opportunity to TA classes and support newer writers as well. It is this community that helps to make my work better and listen to heart break when a rejection comes back. You need those people in your life because they live those high and lows as well, and can empathize on a level others might not be able to.
Why do you think attending workshops/classes is important to writers at all stages of their career?
Every field of study changes, and writing is no exception. The industry shifts constantly and has new likes and dislikes, so you must be aware of what is trending and what direction you should move in. But there are also constants, rules that help you navigate the craft. I like attending the classes because I am not only learning something new, but I am also being reminded of things that I have forgotten. I am one of those people that has to do things over and over again until it becomes habit. Writing is no exception.
What is a takeaway you will carry with you far beyond this good news as you continue to build an develop your career?
I will always be a part of this writing community. Life may sometimes get in the way, but I will find a way to surround myself with amazing writers.
Any advice you have for writers/creatives having trouble staying the course in pursuing their goals?
I’m a full time teacher and finding time to write is hard! Stay the course! Some authors set aside a certain time of the day to write or a minimum number of minutes to devote to writing. I find that if I surround myself with writers I write. I take the classes, I try to hit my deadlines with my critique group, and now I TA for some of the classes. DO WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU! There is no one right answer. Find what works for you and make it a habit.
More about Nick: Nicholas Solis is an award winning elementary teacher with a Master in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas and a Master in Educational Administration from Concordia University. He was born to teach, but has an unmitigated passion for writing. Thank goodness he found the Writing Barn to help him improve his writing skills, a passion that began at the age of 8. Nick writes middle grade novels, picture books, and poetry about farts
Solis, Nicholas THE STARING CONTEST Peter Pauper Press (Children's None) $16.99 9, 23 ISBN: 978-1-4413-3506-7
Who’s the baddest? Can your eyes do a diagonal split?
Maybe they can master the dreaded “criss-cross”? Or how about beadily staring “all…day…LONG!” Go ahead, take a breath—you’ll need it. Remember, no cheating and no tricks—you’ll have to win this contest fair and square. Burning eyes, bathroom breaks, itchy eyelids, or getting tired are no excuses! The staring-contest champion challenges “you” to take the dare—who will win the no-blink throwdown??? Solis’ metafictive game of chicken scorns all thought of surrender. Drawing on a generous supply of bravado, the pretentious protagonist pulls no punches. Even in defeat, the relentless eyes make it a best two out of three. With nothing more than stark white backgrounds, bold black circles with one black dot apiece within them, and two scraggily black lines, defiance blazes forth from the pages. The scribbles transform into acrobatic eyebrows. The black circles collapse, elongate, and dance asymmetrically across an invisible face. The black dots, corralled by relentless rings of stygian darkness, seem to be able to move freely, independent of each other. This minimalist incitement to ocular hijinks joins the ranks of Amy Krouse Rosenthal and David Roberts’ sleep anarchists’ manifesto, Don’t Blink (2018), and Tom Booth’s animal flash-mob’s challenge, also called Don’t Blink (2017).
Solis’ cocky contestant will contribute to many a reddened eyeball. (Picture book. 4-10)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Solis, Nicholas: THE STARING CONTEST." Kirkus Reviews, 15 July 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A629261497/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f7c9c01c. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Solis, Nicholas THE COLOR COLLECTOR Sleeping Bear Press (Children's None) $16.99 4, 15 ISBN: 978-1-5341-1105-9
A homesick young immigrant collects colorful scraps in an effort to re-create the colors of the home she has left behind.
A muted double-page spread in shades of gray introduces the story, the only touch of color coming from the violet bands holding the braids of a lonely girl on the school playground. From the narrator—another child in the school—readers learn her name is Violet and she is new. They walk home the same way every day, and a quiet, tentative friendship develops between the two. On the walks, Violet picks up colorful cookie wrappers, bits of paper, bottle caps, and leaves, all disappearing into her backpack. When finally asked the purpose of her collection, Violet extends an invitation to her home and reveals a bedroom exploding with lush colors. Every piece of paper, every leaf, has found a place in the vast collage that encompasses all of her room, depicting the sky, beach, palm trees, and village the homesick child misses so much. “I miss the sounds and smells. And I miss the colors.” Where she comes from is not stated, but Violet is Black and is perhaps from the Caribbean or from an African country. Violet having finally confided in someone, readers will see that not just her room, but even the outside is now colorful, and both children are smiling. (Violet’s new friend is also now revealed to have beige skin and straight, dark hair.) Sometimes, that’s all it takes: one person to show interest in a lonely child. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 28.8% of actual size.)
A good discussion starter on empathy. (Picture book. 5-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Solis, Nicholas: THE COLOR COLLECTOR." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Mar. 2021. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A654727437/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ec997175. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Solis, Nicholas MY TOWN / MI PUEBLO Nancy Paulsen Books (Children's None) $17.99 8, 16 ISBN: 978-0-593-10991-5
Two cousins live in a pair of towns divided by the U.S.-Mexico border in this bilingual ode to cross-border kinship.
A light-skinned, redheaded girl and a brown-skinned, black-haired boy start the day in their respective homes. "This is my house," she says in a front yard full of green plants and trees and a white house with orange trim. "Esta es mi casa," he says on a sidewalk in front of colorful houses. Both kids prepare for a trek across a bridge over a river into the other's town. On each double-page spread, her adventures happen on the verso, while his unfold on the recto, cleverly echoing the same border that separates their towns. Similarly, the girl narrates her visit to her cousin's Mexican hometown in English, and the boy shares his escapades with his prima on the U.S. side in Spanish. Solis' amiable English and Spanish texts serve as one-to-one translations of each other (the sole difference being the use of the pronoun ella for the girl and he for the boy), featuring similar content in differing contexts. In both towns, each cousin shows the other a colorful market with "comida deliciosa" and people speaking "idiomas diferentes," festive holiday celebrations, and family dinners where "food and stories and laughs" flow. Each hometown's idiosyncrasies mainly arise through the vibrant, cozy artwork, where each pueblo features bustling, distinct neighborhoods. Heading back home at the end of the day, each cousin crosses back through the guarded border walls, wishing for simpler crossings. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Sweet, good-natured musings on border life. (Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Solis, Nicholas: MY TOWN / MI PUEBLO." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Aug. 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A713722602/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=0787df78. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Solis, Nicholas THE LITTLEST GRITO Sleeping Bear Press (Children's None) $18.99 8, 1 ISBN: 9781534112889
A young girl makes herself heard on Mexican Independence Day.
Gloria awakens, excited about the celebrations ahead. On September 16, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla shouted a grito (a combination of a laugh and a yell), spurring the Mexican War for Independence against Spain. Every year since, members of her family have shouted a grito to mark Mexican Independence Day. But this year, Gloria's father is sick; he's lost his voice and can't shout the grito. Gloria makes Papa some tea, but the village doesn't have time to wait for him to get better. Gloria has another idea: She'll do it herself. Despite the mayor's reservations ("You are a child!" "But she's a girl!"), Papa supports Gloria, and that's all that matters. Gloria decides to practice. It isn't easy, and her first attempts attract strange looks from the villagers. The baker offers her a tortilla with honey and some affirming words, but it isn't until Gloria has a heart-to-heart with Papa that she learns the true meaning of the grito--and summons the strength to let loose "the loudest, most joyful grito she could." Relying on pastel colors and dramatic use of perspective, Martínez's illustrations adeptly chronicle Gloria's trajectory from uncertainty to satisfying triumph. The youngster exudes moxie at each step of the way; this is a joyful celebration of Mexican culture and independence and of family, community, and self.
A heartening tale of finding one's voice--and summoning the courage to raise it.(Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
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MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Solis, Nicholas: THE LITTLEST GRITO." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Oct. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A811898586/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=2fa08347. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.