Get up close and personal with a busy kid lit character: meet nine-year-old Tara, or Sweet T as her family sometimes calls her.  

T reveals what it's like to be in children's books. Hey, it's not easy!  When she faces kid-sized dilemmas, the pressure is on to solve them in a way for young readers to admire and emulate. But yeah, there's fun along the way with sea turtles, skim boarding, and Aunt Mae's triple-fudge peanut butter pie.

Read on for T's exclusive interview about her newest role in Sweet T and the Turtle Team.  She reveals insider secrets about summer adventures on Gull Island and gives us a sneak peek at her book's shimmery watercolors by Irene A. Jahns.

​
​Title: Sweet T and the Turtle Team | Author Cat Michaels | Illustrator Irene A. Jahns | Publication Date: July 2017 | Publisher: 2101 Ink | Recommended Ages: 6-11 | Pages - print: 72 | Illustrations/photos - print: 25

​Cat:    “Hey, Sweet T!” as they say in Carolina.  Welcome to my blog!
T:        "Hey!" back, Cat.  Super-excited to step out of my book to meet our readers on Cat's Corner.
 
Cat:    What brings you to Gull Island from your home in Kelly Lake? 

T:        Lucky me!  I'm staying with Great-aunt Mae Gray and little sister Jenna at Gray Cottage while Mama works at Gull Island Aquarium for the summer.  It's fun at the beach, but I miss Daddy and Kristen. They're home in Kelly Lake because Kristen is at computer camp, and daddy is teaching summer school. 

Cat:    Can you let us know (no spoilers) if Fuzzy gets lost again?
T:       Poor little sis, Jenna.  She always loses her blue stuffy rabbit!  Well, Fuzzy gets tangled up with some beach critters, and he goes missing AGAIN.  We do our best to find him.  I can’t say anything more, but you will never believe how he gets so tangled up!  

​

​
​Cat:    <laughing here>  That’s exactly right, Sweet T! 
Next question: how are you coming along with making new friends on Gull island?

T:     Argh!  Why do you do this to me, Cat?!?  I’m trying my best to make new friends, but it's hard. 

​Island kids are nice but they aren’t used to my city ways.  Aunt Mae’s neighbor, Billy, is kind to me one minute and grumpy the next. I can't figure him out.  When I invited him to join my turtle team, he said “No!” and stomped off.  I asked Aunt Mae if she knew why, but she said it's Billy’s secret to tell.  I still want to be his friend and find what's troubling him.
​

​Cat:    Sorry to give you a hard time, T, but children enjoy reading about your kid-sized problems.  Plus, it helps them develop critical thinking skills when they THINK about and DISCUSS what your choices.  How about we switch to a happy place: Tell us about your favorite moment in Sweet T and the Turtle Team.
T:        OOOooo.  I know EXACTLY …When baby sea turtles hatch!
​

They are so cute!  Gazillions pop out of their nest and swish across the sand to the ocean.  

Turtle teams like mine watch over them to make sure hatchlings don’t become dinner for sand crabs and seagulls. 

Our artist, Irene A. Jahns, painted us THE most beautiful watercolor picture of us watching of a hatch.  

It’s so-so-so pretty!  You will want to frame it and put it on your wall.

Cat:   How did you know I already framed Irene’s drawing?!?  T, are you peeking out of our books when I’m not around?!?  
 

​
​Cat:    Were you scared in the part about the tropical storm?
T:        Well tbh (that’s texting language for to be honest), we were all nervous when you first told us we’d be in a nasty tropical storm.  But you explained how you lived through hurricanes as a girl in New England and then as a big person in North Carolina. 

You didn’t write us in a scary scene.  You added just enough bad weather to excite readers and let them experience what it’s like. (Hint: lots of wind, thunder, and high surf.)
​

Cat:    Counting this newest books, how many other books are you in now?
T:        Lucky me! My whole family and I are in the first two Sweet T Tales: Sweet T and the North Wind and Finding Fuzzy.  (Oh, and you don’t have to read our books in order.  We tell a complete story in each one.)
 
That e-book you created for i-Books and Kindle, The Magical Aquarium? It's a fun chapter book, too, even though I’m not in it. You even have secrets and ocean creatures in it!  UK artist Corrina Holyoake drew us an awesome illustration that shows … OOPS! … Can’t say what it shows because I’ll give away the aquarium’s secret.  But kids love Corrina’s drawing!
 
I hope you write another Sweet T Tale and keep me in it.  What about a return to Gull Island, Cat!?! ​

Cat:    Hmmmm.  I’ll have a proper think on your suggestion.  Thanks for joining us on the blog today, T.  All the best to you and your new book, Sweet T and the Turtle Team. 
T:        Awww,  I’m glad you invited me to be on Cat’s Corner.

​I hope your readers visit us on Gull Island soon.  Sweet tea and Aunt Mae’s triple-fudge, peanut-butter pie will be waiting for you at Gray Cottage. Happy tales!

Cat:       Your turn, lovely readers -:D  
Who was your favorite Kid Lit character growing up?  
What traits did s/he possess?  
Do you think kids are attracted to those same traits today?
T and I would love to hear your thoughts about great Kid Lit characters.  Please share in the comment section.  Thanks!

Thanks for stopping by.  Like what you see?  
Don’t miss a post!
Send this blog to your RSS feed or email. ​

​

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Driving Down to Dillon: A Tale of Love & New Beginnings

Is life slowing down for you as summer temps heat up and days grow longer?  Or are the kids upping the pace now that school is out -:D?
 
Life’s is leveling for me this summer but in a good way. 
 
Over the moon to share with YOU….
My fourth chapter book, Sweet T and the Turtle Team, is set to launch on 21 July! 
 
I nearly did myself in trying to create a WOW! reading experience for you and your young book lovers. Read on to discover how and why I stretched my limits for today's screen-clicking kids.

btw....Great insights for anyone thinking of starting on the Indie writing road, too!

​About the Book
Title: Sweet T and the Turtle Team |  Author Cat Michaels |  Illustrator Irene A. Jahns | Publication Date: 21 July 2017 | Publisher: 2101 Ink | Recommended Ages: 7-10 | Pages - print: 72 | Illustrations/photos - print: 25
​

*Print books available 21 July on Amazon and from your local bookseller*

​Nine-year old Tara, or Sweet T as her family sometimes calls her, learns about friendship while helping a troubled boy and facing an approaching tropical storm (I decided hurricanes were too scary for kids!), sea turtle nests in peril, and a boy with a secret.  Lots for beginning and reluctant readers to enjoy while engaging critical thinking skills and learning about sea animals. Irene A. Jahn returns with her shimmering watercolors that always bring my tales to life.


The sweet moment of having a book ready for you took over a year to come together.  To be honest, there were times I thought it never would happen. 
​
I stopped everything to take time and mourn dad's passing in February. After the tears, I moved forward because dad had been so proud of my books.
 
And even though I love learning and pushing my limits, I nearly did myself juggling four publishing platforms and software apps.   
 
Here’s what I'm doing …

​
​As an Authorprenuer
I'm stretching my wings by offering Turtle Team in different formats across multiple distributors (iTunes, Amazon and IngramSpark).  Why?  I want to reach readers who prefer their books in print, ordered online or in bookstores, and who enjoy tablet reading on Kindles and iPads.
 
Mercy, it took six weeks just to format, proof and edit the four formats required by each distributor!  My brain fried, my head hurt, and my eyes yelled, "no more!"  Editor/Spouse deserves an award for helping me keep it together -:D.  

As a Kid Lit Writer

​As an Educator 
I'm introducing Billy at the request of the Boys’ Book Club, who asked for a male character.  Billy is an island child T befriends.  He's burdened with a heavy secret.

How will children (and YOU) react when you discover it?  Will kids understand?  Knowing Billy and his challenges, might they use critical thinking skills to change their perspective of kids with this real struggle? 
​

As a Tech Nerd

I'm adding juicy extras for you at the end of the book. (Yep.  Love gadgets, social media, and all things digital.)
 
For instance, you'll find a glossary of texting symbols to help grown ups decipher Kristen's text messages <wink, wink>.
 
Plus, Mama writes a blog and shares her sea turtle hatch photo gallery.  fyi....Those are REAL photos (and a video on i-Tunes) taken by readers of hatches along the North Carolina coast.

I don't abandon all to tech. There's a short, old-fashioned comprehension quiz (interactive on iPad) and brain-stretching discussion questions for you to tackle with your young readers.

I don’t know how my venture of seeking new ways to reach readers will play out.  I hope it will. Time will tell.  

Don’t know unless you try, right?

Your feedback means the world!  How does your young one prefer to read a tale? You?  Can’t wait to hear what you think about my experiment to reach 21st-century kids.  Please share your thoughts in the comment section.
​ 

Thanks for stopping by.  Like what you see?  
Don’t miss a post!
Send this blog to your RSS feed or email.

Join the fun; join my tribe!
Updates - Special Offers - Fun Stuff​
Receive Cat's occasional What's Up newsletter 
​
​AND for new subscribers....
Kids: have a grown-up download your FREE coloring printables from Cat’s books
Young at Heart: download your FREE copy of a special Catly short story
Driving Down to Dillon: A Tale of Love & New Beginnings

Imagine the plight of an outcast pooch who bumbles and stumbles into everything.  Poor Theodore.  Nobody likes this sweet Corgi.

When he bumps into a pair of enchanted spectacles and finds himself in a magical bookstore, his finally life turns around and adventure begins.
 
I'm pleased to partner with Sage's Blog Tours to introduce you to K. Kibbee and her new MG tale, Theodore and the Enchanted Bookstore: Tale of the Spectacular Spectacles.

Learn more about the book and its author.  Then get up close and personal in a special Cat's Corner interview with K. Kibbee.

About the Book

Title: Theodore and the Enchanted Bookstore: Tale of the Spectacular Spectacles |  Author:  K. Kibbee | Illustrator: H. H. Winter  | Publication Dates: October 2017 | Publisher: Incorgnitobooks.com  | Pages: 74 | Recommended Ages: 6-10

 Available for pre-order on Amazon

​Living life as a bumbling breadbox with fur, was hardship enough for Theodore the Corgi, but when the young dog finds himself cold and alone in a frightening animal shelter, it’s clear that his struggles have only just begun. 

Labeled “unadoptable,” by shelter staff, Theodore mires in the gloom until a kind-eyed stranger with a pocket full of handcrafted jerky and a quirky smile, rescues him with the intent of making Theodore the newest addition to his curious Bookstore.

​Though overwhelmed at first, Theodore soon finds both his new friend and the odd bookstore are welcoming hosts, despite the Corgi’s run of clumsy mishaps. And while Theodore’s formerly dull and lonely life fades to memory, a new, adventurous one blooms before him—for hidden amongst the dusty stacks of books and things at the Enchanted Bookstore, waits a peculiar little man with a set of the most magical, Spectacular Spectacles imaginable. 

Meet the Author
​

​K. (Kristine) Kibbee is a Pacific Northwest writer with a fascination for all things literary. Kristine’s passion for creative writing began in her early youth and led her to the doors of Washington State University, where she earned a degree in Humanities, with a focus in Professional Writing. Kristine followed her scholarly pursuit of writing with published works in The Vancougar, The Salal Review Literary Review, Just Frenchies magazine, and S/Tick Literary Review. She is presently a regular columnist for Terrier Group magazine.

Kristine’s novella, “The Mischievous Misadventures of Dewey the Daring,” was her first and only self-published release, and is still currently available on Amazon.com. Her middle-grade fantasy novel, “Whole in the Clouds,” was released in November 2014 and is being re-released by Incorgnito Publishing Press, with additional material, in October of 2016. The first installment in her YA fantasy series, “Forest of the Fae-Devlin’s Door,” was released in early 2016 with Incorgnito.
​
Kristine anticipates following the release of book two in the “Forests of the Fae” series (“The Raven Queen”) with a third and final installment, which will tentatively come to print in early 2018.

Connect with Kristine Kibbee

Facebook   |    Twitter

Q&As with Author Kristine Kibbee

Cat
Welcome to Cat's Corner, Kristine.  This Cat is excited to learn more about you and your spectacular pooch, Theodore the Corgi!  You and I both began writing at an early age.  What started you on your writing road? 
Kristine Kibbee
Well, I suppose that my upbringing as an only child encouraged an active imagination. After all, a kiddo can go bonkers without any playmates! So why not make up your own? Hmmm . . . in retrospect, that actually is just the kind of thing that a mad person might say. *grumbles* :/  And how has writing been part of your adult career path? I wouldn't call writing a "career path" as much as a habitual bad habit! I've had a variety of vocations, but writing kept tugging me back into its clutches. At this point I've just surrendered. Why fight it?

Cat
Mercy, you write for adults, YA and middle grade.?!?!? I am so impressed!  Are there common elements or themes in your books? Or is each genre different? 
KK
Naw, I'm a mad-cap. I'm all over the map. Why be predictable? It's so boring! 

Cat
What's the toughest challenge you find in writing Kid Lit?
KK
I'd have to say that my biggest challenge is adjusting language to fit the audience. I have no kids of my own (unless you count those with four legs and fur), so I sometimes struggle with how to "speak the language" of a particular age. Kids often impress me with their breadth of vocabulary and handle on tough topics. I don't want to push too far, nor do I want to pander.

Cat
What one piece of advice would you offer anyone thinking about writing children's books?
KK
The most genuine advice I can give is--get out while you can! Sheesh, it's such a difficult and competitive industry. If you're lukewarm on the idea, go dip your pole in a different pond, because this one is full of barracudas!

Cat
Keeping it 100: Ouch!  I agree: writing books for children is competitive and getting tougher. Offering readers quality content is more important than ever!  That's what pulls me in with your newest release --- you write about a misfit Corgi, mysterious spectacles, and a magical bookstore. How did you come up with such a creative triad?
KK
How odd is it that I don't see that trifecta as particularly creative one? Truth told, I am lacking in many areas, but creativity isn't one of them. I feel like my brain is held up by clouds. Down side-I can't ever quite get a handle on it. Up side-it never fails to supply me with plenty of lofty ideas.

Cat
What's your favorite part of "Theodore and the Spectacular Spectacles?" 
KK
I really delight in Theodore's humble beginnings. Sam, Theodore's guardian, picks him up at a local animal shelter, and I like promoting the notion to kids that simply because a dog comes from a shelter, it doesn't make him any less special (or in this case, downright magical!). 

Cat
Awwwwww.  Rescue dogs rock! With Theodore happily settled in the bookstore, what plans do you have for more books in this series?  Can you give us a hint (no spoilers!) about any magic or adventures Theodore might find? 
KK
Oh yes, Theodore is up for adventure and has many more planned! Let's just say that his imagination is as limitless as all the stories shelved in the Enchanted Bookstore. 

Cat
Oh goody!  Cannot wait to see what you have in store!  Hey, anything else you'd like to mention that I haven't asked? 
KK
Only that I expect this series will be a fun, light-hearted ride for readers and one that will remind them to dream big--no matter how small you are.

Cat
Dreaming big as part of life for kids is close to my heart, too, K.  You and Theodore are delightful guests!  Thanks for guesting  on Cat's Corner.

Also....big thanks to Sage Adderly for arranging this tour and to y'all for stopping for a read -:D!

Thanks for stopping by.  Like what you see?  
Don’t miss a post!
Send this blog to your RSS feed or email.

Join the fun; join my tribe!
Updates - Special Offers - Fun Stuff
Kids: have a grown-up download your FREE coloring printables from Cat’s books
Young at Heart: download your FREE copy of a special Catly short story
Driving Down to Dillon: A Tale of Love & New Beginnings

​Beach trips.  Mountain trails.  Picnics.  Garden blooms.  Porch reads.  Don't you must want it all!  What's on tap for your summer?  I have a to-do list of fun and inspiration to work through.

In fact, my writerly pals and I are looking forward to finding our summertime bliss in the Jump Into Summer Blog Hop.   Please be sure to check out the other #Gr8Blogs listed at the end of this post for more summertime inspiration.  

Remembering
​

Dad was excited about my newest book, Sweet T and the Turtle Team, and we talked about its summer release during our final conversation before he came ill.   That's why this special dedication to him means the world to me.

 Reading
​
So many great books.  So little time to read 'em all!

​The Thing About Jellyfish, by Ali Benjamin

I snagged an advance review copy when Jellyfish debuted in 2015 and decided to re-read this middle grad novel.  Seventh-grader and nerd girl Suzy Swanson is bereft over the drowning of her best friend, convinced the girl died after being bitten by the deadly Iruksndji jellyfish. Benjamin beautifully combines fascinating marine facts with the challenges of Suzy's angst.  This tale of an outcast child who learns to live again is a gotta-read for adults and middle-graders!

 
The Girl Before, by J.P. Delaney 
My last great read was suggested as one I’d like after Girl on a Train.  No way anything could be more gripping! Well, fasten your seatbelt! 
 
Meet Emma and Jane in J. P. Delaney’s The Girl Before.  Both women face the common problem of finding affordable housing in London. They find a gorgeous minimalist house for a reasonable rent. The catch: Edward Monkford, the house’s famous architect, is beyond selective about who  lives there.  And dark things have been known to happen there.

The shared narration (Jane is ‘Now;’ Emma’s chapters are titled “Then”), flip-flops between times when the renters stay in the house.  What happens to them during their residence in Monkton's tech-controlled, sleek home drives the plot and keeps you on the edge of your seat.  Delaney crafts sharp plot twists, and her ending blew me away. You will not guess it!

​Watching

Love, love, love Disney’s Beauty and the Beast remake, starring Hermoine Granger. 

And who knew blue-eyed-hottie Beast Matthew from Downtown Abbey could sing like that?
 
I’m grateful for new eps of Dr. Who.  What do you think of Bill, the Doctor’s new companion?  I adore her.  Hmmmm.  Wonder who the new Doctor will be after #12 bows out at the end of this season.

Anticipating
Sweet T and the Turtle Team
Coming Summer 2017

The perfect Kid Lit beach book for early & reluctant readers:
​secrets, an approaching storm, and baby sea turtles in danger
challenge Sweet T as she summers on Gull Island.
​

Sweet T and the gang are back in Sweet T and the Turtle Team, my third book in the Sweet T Tale Series.  You'll meet new characters from Gull Island, T's Great Aunt Mae and her neighbor, Billy Worth.  (I promised the Boys' Book Club I'd add a lad to my stories <smiling here>).  Yep, Fuzzy returns, too, and he gets tangled up with new "friends" of his own. 

Turtle Team is on track for its 21 July debut online as an e-book and in print at your fave bookstores.  Stay tuned for details here.  

Slip on your flip flops and catch the waves.... please click below for a 60-second video preview of Sweet T and the Turtle Team on YouTube.

​
Making Me Happy
​

In the last six months, I’ve been a great-auntie TWICE! 

A boy in November
and
A girl in March. 

That makes FOUR new nieces and nephews,
all two years of age and younger,
​welcomed into our fold in the past two years.

​Lucky me
to be blessed
with such a family!

​Seeing in My Camera Lens

Experimenting with my digital camera is one of my fave creative outlets.  I'm always looking for ways to notch up my skills.  Learned tons at a macrophotography workshop at J. C. Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC, and met kind shutterbugs who shared their tips. 

I’m drawn to the beauty of nature and country gardens.  I had an opportunity to capture both subjects during a trip through Virginia's Shenandoah Valley and Pennsylvania to visit family.

​Find More Summertime Inspiration

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to check out my awesome bloggers buddies, a group of talented writers scattered around the globe.  You’ll discover more ideas and smiles for finding your summertime bliss (or WINTERtime bliss, in the case of Australian author, Sandra Bennett -:D).

#Gr8Blogs: Jump into Summertime Blog Hop

Auden Johnson
Carmela Dutra
James Milson
Julie Gorges
Sandra Bennett
Tracy Byran
​

​Your Turn!

What are you CURRENTLY looking forward to this summer? Grand plans?  Keeping close to home with a stay-cation?  Adding books on your summer to-read list?  Please share in the comment section.



btw, Bloggers….join us on this Jump Into Summer 2017 Blog Hop!  Just add your family-friendly link below in the comment section.  We’ll visit your blog and give you some blog love.  And if you add the hashtag #Gr8Blogs, we'll support you when you post on social media.

Thanks for stopping by.  Like what you see?  
Don’t miss a post!
Send this blog to your RSS feed or email.

​Join the fun; join my tribe!
Updates - Special Offers - Fun Stuff

Kids: have a grown-up download your FREE coloring printables from Cat’s books
Young at Heart: download your FREE copy of a special Catly short story
Driving Down to Dillon: A Tale of Love & New Beginnings
​