05 Jul Ellen Ramsey, a Happy Second Birthday to A BOOK FOR BEAR, and a GIVEAWAY!

I usually post about new picture books, but why not celebrate older books? July is the second birthday of Ellen Ramsey’s adorable book,  A BOOK FOR BEAR.  So grab some cake and candles, and let’s celebrate!  I loved this book, and the child in me could definitely relate to it. ( And not just because both the author and one of the main characters’ names are Ellen.) 

When Bear decides he wants a book of his very own, he and his friend, Ellen, hatch a plan. But sneaking a bear into school, a library, and a bookstore proves to be harder than they thought. This book is so much fun!

EL: Welcome to Writing Outside the Lines, Ellen. Please tell us a little about yourself.

ER:   First, thank you for having me on your blog—I appreciate all you do to support authors and to encourage reading!

I was born in Ohio, went to college in Massachusetts, and have lived in upstate New York and Florida. After college, I taught junior high and high school English. I currently live in Pennsylvania and work as a technical editor for an environmental engineering firm. I love reading, hiking, and bird watching.

EL : It’s my pleasure to have you with us today. As I said, I enjoyed your book, and I have to ask. Is this book autobiographical? 😊 I love that a child named Ellen wrote the book for Bear. Did you love writing when you were young?

ER: Yes, I was a kid who loved to read and write. Unlike Book Ellen, I didn’t have a little red wagon for transporting my books, but I did keep books everywhere in the house and in the car. In grade school, my friends and I wrote a one-act play that debuted in a neighbor’s garage. In college, I wrote a one-act play performed in the college’s laboratory theater. For years, I concentrated on raising my daughter and on my day jobs. Then at the urging of my mother, I started writing for children—articles, stories, and poems for magazines—and picture books.

EL: Never too late to start writing picture books! The illustrations are wonderful. Did you and your talented illustrator, MacKenzie Haley ever communicate, or was it all through your editor?

ER: I loved MacKenzie Haley’s initial character sketches and was thrilled to see the final illustrations. MacKenzie has a brilliant visual sense of humor. I particularly like her imaginative illustrations of the disguises that Bear uses to try to sneak into a school, a library, and a bookstore. I didn’t have direct contact with MacKenzie about the book, but we became friends on Instagram and Facebook, and we coordinated the book launch process.

EL: Do you have a writing group or groups? How important do you think they are?

ER: I love writing groups and belong to several. I appreciate the comments and suggestions of writing group members on works in progress and their support and encouragement on the path to publication. They sympathize with rejections and celebrate successes! These writing groups have become friendship groups!

EL: What do you do when the words won’t come?

ER: When I can’t write, I read some of my favorite books. Reading inspires me. I’m also inspired by remembering family stories and the imaginary worlds that my daughter and grandchildren love to create.

EL: What do you think are the best parts and the most difficult parts about writing kidlit?

ER: The best part about writing for children is the people you meet! As a book lover, I frequent libraries and bookstores and enjoy participating in writing conferences. Book-loving teachers and librarians, agents and editors, authors and illustrators, parents and kids—what better company can there be than book people! When a boy at a library event ran up to me, held up A BOOK FOR BEAR, and announced, “I love this book!” then I knew it was worth all the hard work to create and sell the book.

EL: Ah, yes. That’s magic! Here’s a little close-up of “Superhero Bear,” by the way. 

ER: The most difficult part is dealing with rejections and still persevering with writing and rewriting.

EL: I have to agree. Do you have any words of advice for aspiring kidlit writers?

ER: Join writing groups. Cultivate friends with a sense of humor. It helps to laugh while dealing with the ups and downs of navigating the publication process.

EL:  Very true! Thank you so much for joining us today.

Check out Ellen’s website to see where you can purchase A BOOK FOR BEAR.

Links for purchasing the book are on Ellen’s website: www.ellenlramsey.com   

It’s time for a …

Ellen is happy to give a copy of A BOOK FOR BEAR to one lucky winner. The book will include a bookplate signed by illustrator MacKenzie Haley and Ellen, plus activity sheets for a range of ages (drawing activities, word searches and scrambles, mazes and matching, crossword puzzles, and instructions on how to make a book) 

Good luck! Just comment on this post to get in the running to win. Let me know if you’re a subscriber or have shared the post to get an extra chance to win. 

Until next time,

Ellen 

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On a personal note, I’m currently scheduling school author visits for the 2025-2026 school year. I’d love to visit YOU or a school near you! Please check out  https://EllenLeventhal.com.