Welcome Author Ame Dyckman – Giveaway Alert (Twitter only!)

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Today I am thrilled to welcome Ame Dyckman who has written some of the funniest picture books I’ve read. My favorite because it’s both funny and sweet, not to mention it celebrates dandelions which I love, is DANDY, illustrated by Charles Santoso. A perfect book for everyone and especially great for Father’s Day. My other favorite – yes, I’m allowed to have more than one favorite – WOLFIE THE BUNNY, illustrated by Zachariah OHora is an adorable story of dealing with a new sibling. If you haven’t read these, do yourself a favor and order them along with her June release, THE NEW KID HAS FLEAS, illustrated by Eda Kaban and her July release, TINY BARBARIAN illustrated by Ashley Spires.

Ame is generously offering a FREE PICTURE BOOK MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE via phone to one lucky winner!

PLEASE NOTE FOR THIS GIVEAWAY ONLY: Check Ame’s Twitter account for details and easy (just-RT-to-enter) entry. Giveaway runs though 10 PM EST 6/12/21. GOOD LUCK!

You can follow Ame on Twitter (@AmeDyckman) for, as she puts it, “more book news, goofy poetry, photos of my squirrels, and pretty much EVERYTHING that pops into my head!”

What were you like at the age of your target audience?

Picture books are wonderfully for every age, but I’ll share something from when I was the especially fun picture book age of five-ISH. (When I was five-ISH, I was the pretty much the same as I am now except that I was shorter, wore slightly more polyester, and ate WAY more processed cheese as it was still the ’70s.) At the age of five-ISH (and even younger), I ADORED books. I loved to read books. I loved to just ADMIRE books. But around the age of five-ISH, I started to carry books around while being brought along on errands because I knew that at any point if the grown-ups had Terribly Boring Grown-Up Stuff To Do, I’d immediately have something FUN to do: *PLOP* wherever I was and read books! (And I still do this NOW!)

(I don’t have a photo of myself when I was five-ISH, so I just wrote ISH on my hand—in um, Sharpie—and took this selfie. Then while the Sharpie was still wet, I forgot AND TOUCHED MY FACE! These pitfalls of being an author were not discussed on Career Day.)

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by… EVERYTHING! Everything you can see, hear, feel, taste, or even SMELL (EW! HA!) can be inspiration for a character, plot, dialogue, etc. (I’m currently inspired by this Sharpie which REFUSES to wash off of my hand and face. PERSISTENCE! PERSISTENCE is a good book message!) But my favorite PLACES to soak up inspiration are the library, the woods, the beach, museums*, wildlife sanctuaries and good zoos, and amusement parks. (That last one’s basically a zoo for people. HA!) Spend a little observation time in any of those places and you’re bound to leave with lots of great story ideas!

*One of my upcoming projects was directly inspired by a family trip to one of the most marvelous places, the American Museum of Natural History in NYC! But wherever you like to go, GO OUT AND EXPERIENCE STUFF! Soak it in, reimagine it, and create something FUN!

What’s something you hope readers take away from your books?

A theme I try to include in all my books is: EVEN IF SOMEONE’S DIFFERENT FROM YOU, YOU CAN BE FRIENDS! I super-include this in my newest picture book, THE NEW KID HAS FLEAS, adorably and hilariously illustrated by the fabulously talented Eda Kaban! (Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan, pubbing next week on 6/15/21!) In this classroom acceptance story, a kid struggles to understand the different “New Kid” in class, who was raised by wolves—LITERALLY! When an afterschool project requires they work together at the new kid’s cave, our narrator has THE MOST DIFFERENT “somebody else’s house” experience ever—but ends up trying new things (and new foods!), making a new friend, and having a great time! We hope FLEAS’ readers (little AND big) will similarly embrace the idea of welcoming New Kids in their own classrooms, communities, and beyond! And PSST! I just got a peek at the FABULOUS free downloadable activity pages packet for THE NEW KID HAS FLEAS, and the good folks at Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan knocked it outta the park! There’s a New Kid Pledge (to be kind and include New Kids at school), a friendship qualities acrostic, FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS to cut out and share—these are seriously THE CUTEST thing!—and MORE! Seriously FUN with a seriously GOOD message!

What’s next for you?

I’m playing with MANY new ideas, and grateful for many new books! After FLEAS, my next picture book, TINY BARBARIAN (the first in the TINY BARBARIAN series), comes out in just a few short weeks (7/13/21) from HarperCollins! It’s ALSO adorably and hilariously illustrated by the ALSO fabulously talented Ashley Spires, and features a brave tot who uses imagination, borrowed household items, and the persona of an ’80s movie poster barbarian to conquer fears: backyard “monsters,” broccoli, even THE DARK! (Tiny’s barbarian cape is actually the little rug from around the toilet, so I imagine I’ll be wearing one of those, too!) We’ll dive into working on the next TINY BARBARIAN adventure soon! 

And… We just announced another upcoming picture book, HOW DINOSAURS WENT EXTINCT: A SAFETY GUIDE, illustrated by the ALSO-ALSO fabulously talented Jenn Harney (Little, Brown; 2023)! In this tongue-in-cheek cautionary tale, a parent “reveals,” during a family trip to the natural history museum—TOLD YOU! HA!—that nearly 30 different species of dinosaurs actually went extinct by doing the very things—chair tipping, etc.—parents repeatedly warn about. (And, it’s my first RHYMING book! For some reason, I “heard” this one in rhyme—long dinosaur names and all!) I just got a peek at Jenn’s human family character sketches, and they’re GENIUS—100% laugh-out-loud FUNNY!

I have other projects in the works, but I can’t chat about those yet. (ARGH!)

As far as life events, I’d really just love to take a nap! HA! But even when it’s crazy-paced like now, I wouldn’t trade making books for kids for anything. There are (hopefully!) some five-ISH kiddos counting on ME to make something fun THEY can *PLOP* down with! I can’t let ‘em down. So… YAY, COFFEE! I think I’ll have another!

THANKS for having me, Laura! THANKS for reading, EVERYBODY!

Thanks, Ame! It’s been wonderful having you here. Readers, please comment on the blog because it will make me happy and Ame will see your comments too, but don’t forget to follow Ame on Twitter and RT her giveaway post to enter.

Website: http://www.amedyckman.com

Published by authorlaurablog

I'm a reading specialist from Chicago, now living in the beauty of the Roosevelt National Forest in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. My first book "Aliana Reaches for the Moon" features a creative and curious girl who loves science, her little brother, and her very patient parents. I'm currently writing a MG novel and several picture books with STEM elements and dogs.

36 thoughts on “Welcome Author Ame Dyckman – Giveaway Alert (Twitter only!)”

    1. Monica, I agree! Her writing seems like it should be easy but she works her Ame magic and writes a story that sticks with you. Thanks for reading. Make sure to RT for Ame’s 🌟⭐️Giveaway ⭐️🌟

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    1. Thanks for reading, Cathy. Yes to all the Ame Dyckman books!! 📚📚📚I did an author study of a few of her books this year with students and it was a blast! Make sure to RT her post to enter the giveaway and feel free to comment on other giveaway posts to enter those!

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  5. Thank you for sharing! Go out, do, and observe—fantastic advice ❤️ And what a fun post. Hope that sharpie finally wore off…hehehe…persistence 😂 I’m looking forward to these new books—love Ame’s stories!

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    1. Hi Heather, and thanks for reading. All of the interviews have been so much fun I’m grateful for all the generous authors and illustrators including you!! who have been on the blog.

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    1. Thank you for reading and commenting, Jolene! I’m loving all of the interviews and the fun kidlit community support! Very grateful for every author and illustrator who has generously been part of this blog series, including YOU!!

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  7. Thank you, Laura. What a great interview – loved reading it! Ame, thank you for sharing! Congratulations and look forward to reading more of your stories. Terribly Boring Grown-Up Stuff To Do. Still do it, too. I’d love this opportunity WOW WOW WOW! 🙂 I’ll definitely be RT’ing on Twitter. Thanks again, Rosanna Montanaro @CheekyPippa

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    1. Thanks, Anna. Yes, I love so many of Ame’s books and the two coming out in June and July both sound great. I love her humor but it’s always woven with sweetness and something that makes me think. I think you already entered the giveaway on Twitter, so good luck!

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    1. Thanks for reading and commenting! I believe you already followed Ame’s directions to enter the giveaway on Twitter. Good luck !
      Such a fun day connecting with so many Ame Dyckman fans.

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    1. Hi Ronna, thank you for reading and commenting! Isn’t Ame the best? I’m pretty sure you’ve already followed Ame’s directions on Twitter and are entered in the giveaway. Good luck!

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  11. I worship the fertile ground removed from Ame’s old flower pots, making room for an even richer substrate! All of these books sound fabulously funny, as one would expect from an author whose cast-offs would jazz up any writer’s garden. The squirrels are lucky to have her on their side.

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  12. My favorite Ame Dyckman book is Tea Party Rules, followed closely by Boy + Bot and Wolfie the Bunny. I’m always amazed by her ability to create such funny and sympathetic characters in so few words.

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    1. Thanks for reading and commenting, Janet. I read a lot of picture books to my pup Charlie. Reading them aloud helps me analyze and appreciate the craft. Charlie loved TEA PARTY RULES and HORRIBLE BEAR. Make sure you follow Ame’s giveaway rules on Twitter and good luck in the giveaway.

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    1. Heather, thank you so much for reading and commenting. I’m a big fan too, but I’m in Colorado. Make sure you followed Ame’s directions on Twitter to be entered in the giveaway. Good luck!

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  14. Thank you Laura for the great interview with Ame. If I was five-ish now I’d be carrying around Wolfie the Bunny – my fav. Congratulations Ame, I can’t wait to read your new books.

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    1. Thanks for reading and commenting, Jay. I’m a huge fan of Ame and WOLFIE THE BUNNY! Thanks for stopping by the blog and be sure to follow Ame’s directions to enter her giveaway.
      And feel free to check out the other amazing giveaways that are still available.

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    1. I love DANDY! It’s one of those books I could read over and over which is the mark of a great picture book. Thanks for reading and commenting. Make sure you’re entered on Ame’s Twitter for the giveaway.

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    1. Thank you for reading, Mary. Welcome to my blog. Lots of fun interviews and wonderful giveaways. Entering the other giveaways is by commenting on a post so feel free to comment on other open giveaways if you’re interested. Good luck.

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