Author-illustrator Brian Won
Hooray for Friday! Hooray for quality picture books! Hooray for authors and illustrators who finish my sentences! Hooray for Brian Won's Hooray for Hat!
I'm beyond excited to celebrate Brian Won's Hooray for Hat! I've read it and watched its book trailer at least 20 times. I hope you and your students smile and laugh as much as I did when you read it. I predict you will!
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Image credit: Brian Won |
I wrote the words in red, and Brian wrote the words in black.
The book trailer for Hooray for Hat! is something I really get a kick
out of. I'll catch myself whistling the song while driving.
The #PictureBookParade is Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s showcase
of their Spring picture books. By clicking this hashtag on twitter and other
social media, readers can view fun “easter eggs” like process and Q&A’s
from all the amazing HMH Kids authors and illustrators. You’ll recognize Zebra
fancy stepping on the invitation.
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Image credit: Brian Won |
My Picture Book Sounds series is a peek into the music playlists
of picture book authors and illustrators. I have some really awesome people on
board for later this year. I can't wait to share them with you!
Illustration credit: Brian Won |
Charlie and Friends is a series of
illustrations for my son when he was a toddler. These drawings would be the
start of my journey into children's books. After receiving some encouragement
from friends and family, I put the series into a portfolio and headed to my
very first SCBWI conference in 2012.
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Photo credit: Brian Won |
Picture books are all important. I say this because I see
the way my son connects with all types of books. Some picture books are
classics or best sellers, but even the lesser recognized ones make him light up
with joy. The world is a bigger and more fantastic place because of each and
every picture book he reads.
Reading is the
one thing my folks never got bummed on me for doing. I was allowed to read past
my bedtime and even at the dinner table! I was about to say what great parents
they are, but realized they probably did it to keep me quiet.
Mr. Schu, you should have asked me why I wrote Hooray for Hat! When my son was 2½
years old, he was having a difficult time sharing. I tried to explain the
actual benefits of sharing, but couldn't get past, "Because it's a nice
thing to do." In researching why, I came across a Time's article about the
science of happiness. The following excerpt would become the inspiration for Hooray
for Hat!
"Giving
makes you feel good about yourself," says Peterson. "When you're
volunteering, you're distracting yourself from your own existence, and that's
beneficial. More fuzzily, giving puts meaning into your life. You have a sense
of purpose because you matter to someone else."
Borrow Hooray for Hat! from your school or public library. Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops.
I really love the premise of this book and the look of the illustrations. Just looking at the COVER makes me feel happy! :D Thainks for offering the giveaway, Mr. Schu :D
ReplyDeleteMy word this book is sending out such good vibes into the world! Thank you so much, Brian, for sharing this special story with us!
ReplyDeleteThanks writersideup.com and Matthew for your kind words! A huge "thank you" to John Schu for being such an awesome host.
ReplyDeleteI AM SOOOOOO EXCITED ABOUT HOORAY FOR HAT!!!! Can't wait. :-)
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