19 Nov Kim A Larson, GOAT’S BOAT WON’T FLOAT, and a GIVEAWAY!
One of the best things about writing for kids is what I call “found community”, and I am thrilled to highlight my new friend, Kim A. Larson and her adorable debut picture book, Goat’s Boat Won’t Float. With wonderful illustrations by Gozde Eyce, this book will have children (and adults ), giggling throughout. A fainting goat and a nervous turkey try to buy oats. It doesn’t always work out well. 🙂 But it’s not just the fun premise that makes this a great book. The rhyming and repetition give early readers the confidence to read on their own. But I’ll let Kim explain more about that.
EL: Welcome, Kim! Before you discuss your book, will you please tell us a little about yourself?
KL: I live with my loving and supportive husband, Chuck, in Moorhead, MN, which is right across the river from Fargo, ND. I love to play games, so every evening Chuck and I play three games of Sequence. In the summer, you’ll occasionally find me working in my vegetable or flower gardens.
EL: Do you think of your book as a picture book or an early reader? It feels like a cross between the two, and I love that! Can you elaborate on that a bit?
KL: I wrote and sold my story as an early reader, but I love that it was published in a traditional picture book format: hardcover, 32 pages. I think children learning to read will appreciate the short sentences, repetition, and sight words used throughout. Plus, several of the words rhyme. The publisher may have used the picture book format to reach a broader audience.
EL: I think it really works. The illustrations are wonderful, too. I’ve posted a few spreads through this post for everyone to see. Do you have a writing group or groups? How important do you think they are?
KL: Writing groups are invaluable, and I am grateful for my critique partners. Writing is truly a collaborative endeavor. Not only do they provide feedback that improves your story, but they also provide support and encouragement. Two of my critique partners and I have been together since 2019, and I consider them close friends.
EL: What do you feel is the best part of writing kidlit, and what do you feel is the most difficult part?
KL: The community is the best part about writing KidLit. Everyone is so helpful, encouraging, supportive, and willing to share their experiences and knowledge. I can’t begin to recount all the information I’ve gleaned from others.
For me, the most difficult part of writing KidLit is finding an agent and getting published. The rejection is hard and continual. But the support of others helps one persevere.
EL: Do you have anything else in the pipeline that you can talk about?
KL: My second book, Doll Trouble, will be released in 2025 with Clavis Publishing. They publish in the Netherlands first (Dutch) and in the U.S. several months later.
EL: Thank you so much for joining us, Kim! Find out more about Kim at https://www.kimalarson.com/
Check out her book here! https://bookshop.org/a/12317/9781956378238
And now…
Kim will give a copy of Goat’s Boat Won’t Float to one lucky winner. Please comment on this post to get in the running, and let me know if you are a subscriber or have shared this post in order to get an extra chance to win.
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On a personal note, I’d love you to check out my school visit section on the website. I’m currently booking visits for this school year. Also, please check out some of my books here. They are also available wherever books are sold. THANK YOU!
DEBBIE’S SONG: THE DEBBIE FRIEDMAN STORY
https://bookshop.org/p/books/debbie-s-song-ellen-leventhal/18680277?ean=9781728443027
A FLOOD OF KINDNESS
https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-flood-of-kindness-ellen-leventhal/15150623?ean=9781546034582
Until next time,
Ellen
Sarah Meade
Posted at 07:46h, 19 NovemberCongratulations, Kim! I love Goat and Turkey. 🙂
Kim Larson
Posted at 07:54h, 19 NovemberThank you, Sarah!
Ashley Sierra
Posted at 07:52h, 19 NovemberRecently, reading has started to click for my 1st grader. This book with the short sentences and entertaining plot sounds like a great book for him to continue to practice reading. Finding an agent or publisher to champion your stories is really tough about the industry. Congratulations on finding a home for your stories. I can’t wait to read it. I am a blog subscriber.
Kim Larson
Posted at 07:54h, 19 NovemberThank you, Ashley! I hope your 1st grader enjoys reading it!
Kim Larson
Posted at 07:56h, 19 NovemberThank you for interviewing me and hosting the giveaway, Ellen!
Ellen Leventhal
Posted at 10:39h, 23 NovemberMy pleasure!
Della Ross Ferreri
Posted at 09:51h, 19 NovemberInteresting how you first envisioned your ms as an easy reader. I think you’re right though, there is a lot of cross-over. Congrats and I’ll be sure to check it out! And thanks for the contest opportunity, too.
Kim Larson
Posted at 17:04h, 21 NovemberThank you, Della!
Angie Quantrell
Posted at 10:08h, 19 NovemberI love Goat and Turkey too! I can imagine they are still going to be having adventures together! Congratulations, Kim! (PS I’ve already won a copy, so if my name is chosen, please choose another winner!)
Kim Larson
Posted at 17:09h, 21 NovemberThat is so kind of you to let someone else win, Angie! Thanks for your continued support!
Laura Talisman Russell
Posted at 12:16h, 19 NovemberWhat a darling story, Goat’s Boat Won’t Float. I love the rhyming and the illustrations are too adorable. Using animals to tell a story about friendship, so cute. I would love to get the book for our school. I add new books to the lending library so families can read them and get a copy for themselves.
Kim Larson
Posted at 17:06h, 21 NovemberThank you, Laura!
danielle hammelef
Posted at 14:08h, 19 NovemberThis book will be a wonderful resource for parents like me who have/had reluctant and or frustrated children who are learning to read. I shared on tumblr to help spread the word.
Kim Larson
Posted at 17:08h, 21 NovemberThank you for sharing, Danielle! My second son struggled to learn to read, well into his 2nd grade. But he graduated from college!
Kim Busho
Posted at 20:58h, 19 NovemberIt’s such a fun story to read! A heartwarming friendship, can’t wait to see Goat and Turkey’s next adventures! I’m saving a copy for when I ( hopefully) have grandchildren to read to.
Kim Larson
Posted at 14:58h, 24 NovemberThanks for finding me on this blog, Kim! You are such a super supporter!
Deborah Holt Willams
Posted at 17:56h, 20 NovemberCongratulations, Kim! I’m such a word nerd, I love your rhyming words and I’m sure kids do, too.
Kim Larson
Posted at 17:07h, 21 NovemberThank you, Deborah!
Sarah Lontine
Posted at 16:34h, 25 NovemberThis looks like it would be a huge hit with my kids!
Gayle Krause
Posted at 20:27h, 02 DecemberLove the title, Kim. Congrats on the book. Interesting that it was sold as an early reader, bit published in a picture book format.
Shared on Bluesky.