Shennen Bersani's Weblog

Banned Books

An absolutely wonderful friend sent me a link to this photo “I Love Book” on Facebook.

Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought I would be the illustrator of a ‘banned’ book. But I am illustrating my 37th children’s picture book, and they have sold an overall world-wide total combined 3+ million copies…. so I can’t even begin to comprehend where the books have gone off to….

Apparently A Case Of Sense ended up being banned in Duval County, Florida. Along with 175 other children’s titles. Read all about it here. 

A Case of Sense, written by Songju Ma Daemicke is a children’s book about ‘senses’, yup that’s what I said - smelling and hearing. And how is learning about your senses controversial? You got me, you’d have to ask the administrators down in Duval County, Florida, that question. The great state of Kansas loved the book! It is on the 2017 Kansas NEA Reading Circle Catalogue Selection. I’m proud of that. My friends, such as the one who sent me that quote from Isaac Asimov, tell me I should be proud the book was banned - that it makes it a ‘book of honor’, a ‘book worth reading’. What it does is make me sad, sad that there are students in Duval County, Florida, who don’t have access to the book. 

A Case of Sense is available from Arbordale Publishing in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Here is the book’s description from it’s webpage:

While Ming plays outside one summer day, the smell of delicious food fills the air. It is coming from greedy Fu Wang’s house. "What is he up to?" wonders Ming. To his alarm, Fu Wang demands that all the neighbors pay him for the pleasant smells. When the neighbors refuse, the case goes to court. How will the judge rule in this unusual case and will justice be served? Can Fu Wang make money from the neighbors’ sense of smell? A wise judge makes use of another sense to close the case with clever and convincing logic.

This fictional story includes a 4-page For Creative Minds section in the back of the book and a 23-page cross-curricular Teaching Activity Guide online. A Case of Sense is vetted by experts and designed to encourage parental engagement. Its extensive back matter helps teachers with time-saving lesson ideas, provides extensions for science, math, and social studies units, and uses inquiry-based learning to help build critical thinking skills in young readers. The Spanish translation supports ELL and dual-language programs. The interactive ebook reads aloud in both English and Spanish with word highlighting and audio speed control to promote oral language skills, fluency, pronunciation, text engagement, and reading comprehension. Tap animals and other things that make noise to hear their sounds.

Written by Songju Ma Daemicke, Illustrated by Shennen Bersani
32 pg, 8.5x10, Ages 4-8, Grades K-3, Lexile: AD 550L, AR: 3.3, F&P: M

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First of all you really should check out Arbordale’s ebook collection! They are interactive and they do make sounds! I personally love them! 
Second, I’m serious about ‘sounds’ and ‘smells’, spoiler alert - two pages from the book:

I hope you take a moment to visit the book’s homepage where you can purchase it directly from Arbordale Publishing. On the top right corner of that page you will find fantastic free Teaching Activities for your classroom or homeschool use, including coloring pages.  

Third, please check out author Songju Ma Daemicke’s website. Songju is an amazing multi award-winning author of numerous books. Plus, she is such a lovely, lovely person! I am honored and proud to have illustrated A Case of Sense! 

Pages from my Books

The other day I dropped off these five pieces and a portfolio of my children’s book work at The Brush Art Gallery & Studios in Lowell, MA, for their upcoming exhibit: Cartoons, Illustrations & Sketches.

All of the framed pieces are prints of my illustrations.

Top image, is a spread from Animal Partners, by Scotti Cohn, Arbordale Publishing. The lower image is a spread from Achoo! Why Pollen Counts, written and illustrated by Shennen Bersani, Arbordale Publishing.

This is the cover of Once Upon an Elephant, by Linda Stanek, Arbordale Publishing.

This is a spread from Sea Slime: It’s Eeuwy, Gooey, and Under the Sea, by Ellen Prager, Arbordale Publishing.

This is a spread from Once Upon an Elephant, by Linda Stanek, Arbordale Publishing.

Samples shown from my portfolio on display. 

Later I will share photos of how these are hung. 

Cartoons, Illustrations & Sketches 

The Brush Art Gallery & Studios

256 Market Street

Lowell, MA 01852

Exhibition: February 25 to April 8, 2023

Reception: Saturday, March 18, 2:00 PM

* This exhibit is made possible in part by the Lowell National Historical Park.

By the way, fun fact! Arbordale’s books are available in English and Spanish, as well as in many other languages! Perfect learning tools for people of any age to learn a new language. Check them out here, Arbordale Publishing.

Lucky art pins

Over the past few months I’ve created and gifted over 100 of these art pins. 

Shown here resting on an unfinished acrylic portrait I’m working on.

I first used 4-leaf clovers I had come across. 




For years I saved lucky clovers that I’d found and pressed them into a thick book for safe keeping. Once I reached 50 clovers I knew I wanted to share them with others, just wasn’t sure how to do that.  


One day I had the idea of making art pins out of them. After the clovers had been given away I got the idea of using flowers. So far I’ve made 70 with flowers, and have given 60 of those away as gifts. 

Then came a series of frogs.

I’ve got some great, unique ideas for my next series… something for Valentine’s Day. ❤️ 

#art #sharing #goodluck #gifts #illustrator #author

Books for the children in Mzuzu, Malawi

Last night Fr. Edmond Nyoka sent me these photos, I wept for a good hour, with tears of joy seeing their smiling faces and enthusiasm! 

I’m on Twitter @ShennenBersani over there I’ve met some amazing, compassionate people who were donating to a Catholic priest, Father Edmond Nyoka in the Mzuzu, Malawi, Diocese of Saint Monica Parish. Fr. Edmond is an amazing soul, he has been raising money to purchase corn and rice for his famished community - and he has been teaching the children English. Other people in Scotland are raising money to purchase desks for the children, currently they have to sit on the floor. To help Fr. teach the children English, I sent 14 of my books to them:

Icky Bug Shapes; Jerry Pallotta, Scholastic

Ocean Counting: Odd Numbers; Jerry Pallotta, Charlesbridge

Butterfly Counting; Jerry Pallotta, Charlesbridge

Not a Butterfly Alphabet Book; Jerry Pallotta, Charlesbridge

The Eyeball Alphabet Book; Jerry Pallotta, Charlesbridge

Snakes: Long, Longer, Longest; Jerry Pallotta, Scholastic

Sharks: Big, Bigger, Biggest; Jerry Pallotta, Scholastic

Achoo! Why Pollen Counts; Shennen Bersani, Arbordale Publishing

Once Upon an Elephant; Linda Stanek, Arbordale Publishing

Cheetah Dreams, Linda Stanek, Arbordale Publishing

River Otter’s Adventure; Linda Stanek; Arbordale Publishing

Home in the Cave; Janet Halfmann, Arbordale Publishing

Yay for Big Brothers!; Janet Halfmann, Arbordale Publishing

The Shape Family Babies; Kristin Haas, Arbordale Publishing

I purchased my own books using my royalties and paid for the FedEx shipping with those royalties. If you choose to purchase any of my books please know my future royalties will be used to donate to others. I have a priest in Ghana waiting patiently for his donation of books. 

If you are interested in helping out, donating to, Father Edmond, and his community (they do need more corn and rice), you can DM him on Twitter @ednyoka 

🙏❤️

The winner of the pumpkin carving contest is announced!

At my house we had a pumpkin carving contest! Two contestants, me and Mr. Raccoon. Here are our two entries for this year’s competition:

And this year’s winner is:

Caught red-handed! Mr. Raccoon! 🥳🎉😂

Read about raccoons and other night creepers in Night Creepers, illustrated by me, written by Linda Stanek, and published by Arbordale Kids. Available in English, Spanish, and French. 

500 reviews, kinda a big deal

Butterfly Colors and Counting hit 500 reviews on Amazon today. Just sharing, ‘cause I feel it’s kinda a big deal. 🥳

Find the book on Amazon here: Butterfly Colors and Counting

Also, check out the 32 page accompanying book, Butterfly Counting.

And if you enjoy counting butterflies, you will love Not a Butterfly Alphabet Book! All three of these are published by Charlesbridge, written by Jerry Pallotta, and illustrated by me. 

Follow this link to check out all 5 of my Charlesbridge books! 

Updated date for my FressCafe Art Show

We have a new date for the art show at Fress Cafe in Natick, MA: June 11, 4:00-6:30 PM.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused people, but we are working behind the scenes to make the event even grander, and well worth the visit… so come on by if you are in the area.

This is an 11x14 watercolor portrait (16x20 frame), of Levi, painted by me, Shennen Bersani.

Temporary Postponed

The May 21st 4:00-6:30 Art Gallery Show at FressCafe in Natick, MA, Featuring a Wide Array of Award Winning Works by Shennen Bersani has Been Temporarily Postponed. Thank You for The Many Responses Received From the Expected Audience. It Has Grown Way Beyond Expectations. A New Date Will Be Posted Soon, and We Look Forward to Seeing All of You Then.

20th Anniversary!

April, 2022. It’s my 20th anniversary of illustrating children’s books, 34 books, over 3 million copies sold worldwide! How am I celebrating? With an art show, of course! #savethedate

The past 20 years is only half of my art career. I’ve been a professional artist for 41 years, so in reality this art show will be a celebration of my life’s work. 📚🎨💗🎉

I’ve been painting watercolor portraits

Yes, I’m currently illustrating two books… but every few weeks I’ve been working on watercolor portraits. Today I delivered “Levi” to my dear friend, Pablah. 

Let My Colors Go

I’m excited to reveal the cover of my newest book, Let My Colors Go, written by Courtney Filigenzi. I few years back I illustrated Courtney’s Let My Colors Out, published by the American Cancer Society. LMCO is the story of a young boy who deals daily with his mother’s cancer, each day is defined by a ‘color’. He has his angry Red days, or his happy Yellow days, etc. I am forever emotionally entwined with LMCO. When I was first contacted regarding illustrating it, I mentioned to the client I knew no one with cancer. It hadn’t hit home with my family. Boy, can life hit you hard! Somewhere in the middle of illustrating the book I got the diagnosis of my own cancer. And I watched while my own children’s emotions mirrored those of the book’s protagonist. 

Here’s a excerpt from the book, SERENDIPITY, where I talk about LMCO, 

“Within an hour my phone rang. The caller said, “I'm publishing a series of books on a sensitive topic and I love what you’ve done with the girl with Down syndrome. Would you be interested in illustrating books for the American Cancer Society?”

Cancer hadn’t touched my family or my life, but I felt sympathetic with the people it had, I felt I could bring emotion to the subject. The first book I worked on for the Cancer Society, Let My Colors Out, written by Courtney Filigenzi, was a board book for young children. The protagonist’s mother was being treated for cancer and he showed his changing emotions with different colors. He had “blue” sad days, or “yellow” happy days. Each color of the rainbow was significant to the child.

Shortly after I signed onto the project, a delivery truck rear ended me at a red light. The accident injured both my hands, stopping my work while I recovered. Every day, I cursed that accident.  

However, initially, the hospital performed an MRI to check for neck and spine damage. The report came back, “We see a large nodule on your thyroid.”

With research, I found that approximately 1.1 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer at some point during their lifetime. The odds were in my favor the nodule would be benign.

But while I illustrated Let My Colors Out, I learned that mine was malignant. I watched as my four children’s emotions mirrored the book’s protagonist’s to a tee. I had a thyroidectomy and have become a survivor.

Remarkably, my next book was Nana, What’s Cancer?, written by cancer survivor,  Beverlye Hyman Fead with her granddaughter, Tessa Mae Hamermesh. I flew to Los Angeles to meet the two. Beverlye’s tenacity for life was contagious. Every day I thank God for the car accident that saved my life! I had noticed no sign of having cancer, but without that MRI it most likely wouldn’t have been found in time.”

Read my entire story here, from the book: SERENDIPITY compiled by author Madonna Dries Christensen.

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Last year I was honored when Courtney asked me to illustrate her follow up book, LMCG. Going beyond cancer, this very special book is useful for children of families facing a sudden illness, a job loss, the loss of a loved one, a divorce or a sudden move. Children view life changes and challenges differently than adults do, each day brings out different colorful emotions. This book can help children understand that they are not alone with their feelings. 

Purchase on Amazon: Let My Colors Go

“A young boy uses color to express a range of emotions as his family undergoes a sudden life change. Some days he's sad, some days he's happy and other days he's scared or angry. The boy comes to realize that these "ups and downs" are perfectly normal for his situation.

Based on the award-winning books, Let My Colors Out and My Cancer Days, this beautifully illustrated book assures children of families facing a sudden illness, a job loss, the loss of a loved one, a divorce or a sudden move that they are not alone. Importantly, it helps them understand it's okay to let their feelings go. Drawing and journaling pages are included to encourage children to express themselves in a thoughtful and positive manner.”

New: Yay for Big Brothers! craft project!

UPDATED!

Here is the video!

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Some of you watched me Saturday afternoon on Legit Kid Lit’s Live Draw Off come back later in the week, I’ll be uploading the templates and instructions here for my Yay for Big Brothers! animal puppets and paper doll clothes! 

I just finished all the illustrations for a new book, releasing in March 2022…. (More on that later!) now I can focus on some new drawerofmanythings YouTube videos and new, free craft projects to go along with my books. 

Legit Kid Lit Draw Off: what does Buzz Lightyear, Mr. Incredible, corn, candy, pile of leaves, and Lorax have in common? Watch the latest episode and find out! 

Yay!! Yay for Big Brothers! is now out and available!

Just a quick note: Yay for Big Brothers! written by Janet Halfmann has been released and is now available in English and/or Spanish! Here at Arbordale.

I autographed a pile of them today and they are ready to be mailed! 

This is the second Janet Halfmann book I’ve illustrated. I also did the art for Home in the Cave. 

Both can be found at Arbordale or on Amazon. Yay for Big Brothers! is my 16th Arbordale book! Check them all out here! 

Big brothers are amazing! Did you know that big brothers are important in animal families, too? Animal big brothers do many of the same things as kid big brothers. They play with their younger siblings, teach them new things, and help with their care. Sometimes animal big brothers even babysit when their parents leave to hunt for food. Are you a big brother or do you have a big brother?

Written by Janet Halfmann, Illustrated by Shennen Bersani
32 pg, 8.5 x 10, Ages 4 - 8, Grades K - 3, Lexile: AD 520, F&P: L

Peerless watercolors

I absolutely love my Peerless watercolors! Check out their website. 

My tools:

My sweetheart:

I’ll be adding to this post soon! 

A couple new things to share

First, I want to share the press release published in today’s Wayland Town-Crier, click on the link below to read it:
Mass Book Awards recognizes 'River Otter’s Adventure'

Available in English and Spanish, paperback and ebook from Arbordale.

And I also want to share this lovely interview I had with Ashley Lucas, creator of Linzer Lane. 

I hope you enjoy it. While on YouTube, don’t forget to Subscribe to my channel drawerofmanythings. I have more interviews with my creative peers lined up and you won’t want to miss their insights and my silliness! 

Watch my YouTube channel drawerofmanythings Trailer

Learn more about me and my work. Check out my YouTube channel, drawerofmanythings Trailer. And don’t forget to Subscribe so you don’t miss my upcoming interviews! 

 

More Colored Pencil Portraits from the ‘80’s See how well they held up.

Don’t forget to Subscribe to my YouTube channel, drawerofmanythings.

Colored pencil portraits I created using Prismacolors and Derwent Studio pencils, back in the ‘80’s. Visit each video to read all the details. The lightfastness held up fantastic, the only sign of any wax bloom is on the inside of the glass on Ryan’s wooden chair. Love my Prismacolors! 

These were the very beginning of my career, the roots of my becoming a children’s book illustrator. Read each video’s description to learn why I created each of them. 

 

 

Shark Week! Draw a Shark with Shennen

It’s that time of year, again. Shark Week! To celebrate I’ve got a new video posted for all of you on my YouTube channel, drawerofmanythings. Check it out, and don’t forget to Subscribe, like and share! 

Uh-Oh, Ryan!! A Prismacolor and Neocolor II portrait on Matboard in a Shadow Box

This newest video on my YouTube channel, drawerofmanythings is a real fun one! Is Ryan in trouble? Watch and find out what he’s got himself into this time.

Follow along with me as I add more videos, of my art, art supplies, children’s books, and tutorials. Lots on the way, Subscribe to my channel, like and share this video.

 

Favorite Doll, a colored pencil portrait created with Prismacolors and Caran D’Ache Neocolor II

I’m continuing to share my colored pencil portraits on my YouTube channel, drawerofmanythings. Check out my channel; Subscribe, like and share. You’ll be notified as it grows, I’m planning on future how to’s and interviews with fellow creatives, so check it out and Subscribe! Here’s my newest video:

Here is another one of my Prismacolor portraits. I’m revisiting my older colored pencil work to see how well my art has withstood the passing of time. Yeah, I’m aging myself here a bit, but that’s ok! I love my age, with it has come fabulous experiences and years of published illustration work. This is a colored pencil and crayon portrait in a 20”x24” framed shadow box I created in 1990. I used Prismacolor pencils, Caran D’Ache Neocolor II crayons, and found objects - on hot press illustration board. It has held up quite nicely, I do see some wax bloom on the doll and some color shifting on my daughter’s right hand. Other than that, it looks great after 31 years. Artwork copyright Shennen Bersani 1990-2021. 

DM me over at @ShennenBersani on Twitter and @Shennen14 on Instagram

 

River Otter’s Adventure is a MUST READ BOOK! Mass Book Awards

River Otter’s Adventure, made the Massachusetts Center for the Book’s MUST READ Book list! You will find it under MUST READ PICTURE BOOKS/EARLY READERS.

I’m very excited! Written by Linda Stanek and published by Arbordale, here is Arbordale’s press release.

Released during the pandemic in 2020, River Otter’s Adventure is the 30th book I’ve illustrated. I’m so delighted children across Massachusetts will be reading it. Earlier this year the state of Texas selected it for their Tejas Reading List. I am doubly excited kids all across the country are reading it. Take a look! 

River Otter’s Adventure, available in English and Spanish, paperback and ebook. 

 


When a young river otter sneaks into a zoo, she wonders if she should be more like some of the other animals she meets. She wants a trunk like the elephant or be loud like the gorilla… By imitating and comparing herself to these other animals she learns to appreciate herself. Educational components are woven throughout this fun, read-aloud story and sidebar information complements and extends the learning, making it a perfect book for a wide variety of ages.

Written by Linda Stanek, Illustrated by Shennen Bersani
32 pg, 8.5 x 10, Ages 4 - 8, Grades K - 3, Lexile: 600, F&P: N 

 

Geeks Who Drink quiz art

Just before the pandemic hit I was given a really fun assignment for Geeks Who Drink. Then bars across the country closed and GWD had to go virtual. They are now getting back on track with live trivia quizzes, so I checked in with their Quizmaster-in-Chief Christopher Short (yeah, that Christopher Short, you might have seen him kicking butt on Jeopardy!) and asked him if it was okay to share these. I got the green light, so check these out! Can you solve them without cheating? 

These were really fun to illustrate! Adult books turned into children’s book covers. 

 

Legit Kid Lit Episode 43 Draw Off!

I participated in the latest Legit Kid Lit Draw Off! We filmed it last weekend, and it was released today. Participating with me were Isabella King and Kaela Rivera. Check it out! 

For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May) I am giving away a hardcover copy of A Case of Sense by Songju Ma Daemicke and Honey Girl: The Hawaiian Monk Seal, by Jeanne Walker Harvey. (Both illustrated by me.) To have a chance to win follow and retweet my link on Twitter @ShennenBersani PLUS follow @Legit_Kid_Lit. Alexis and Tiffany at Legit Kid Lit will be selecting the winner. Good luck! 

 

Pollen Season.... Achoo!

Are pollen allergies getting you down? Check out www.achoowhypollencounts.com. Over there you will find fun, free puzzles, coloring pages, and craft projects that are sure to cheer you up! 

....plus, Arbordale Publishing has free Teaching Activities and quizzes for additional learning possibilities. Find the links on the top right. 



Spring has arrived and pollen is in the air. Baby Bear does not like the pollen—it sticks to his fur and makes him itchy and sneezy. He’s allergic! Achoo! He just wishes the pollen were gone. When his friends gather to tell him why they need pollen, Baby Bear learns that pollen is good for the forest and provides food for many animals, including him! Pollen might be something we all love to hate, but can we really live without it? This story explains why we need it.

This fictional story includes a 4-page For Creative Minds section in the back of the book and a 45-page cross-curricular Teaching Activity Guide online. Achoo! Why Pollen Counts is vetted by experts and designed to encourage parental engagement. Its extensive back matter helps teachers with time-saving lesson ideas, provides extensions for science, math, and social studies units, and uses inquiry-based learning to help build critical thinking skills in young readers. The Spanish translation supports ELL and dual-language programs. The interactive ebook reads aloud in both English and Spanish with word highlighting and audio speed control to promote oral language skills, fluency, pronunciation, text engagement, and reading comprehension.

Also available in German and Portuguese! Gesundheit!

 

The Eyes have it!

2020, a year none of us can forget. We all have personal stories to share. 
Oh, it is so eye-ronic, here’s my right eye - which got injured in 2019 to the point of legal blindness - which finally got repaired with surgery this year! Yay! 20/400 -> 20/20 in one day! To have this book released shortly after my surgery is soo, eye opening and heart-felt emotional for me! 
...It was the pandemic that forced me to wait so long for my surgery, that, and requiring a specialist. 

Onward and upward! Yay! 

So the Big Question is, is my eye in The Eyeball Alphabet Book, or am I just teasing you here? Grab a copy and See for yourself! 

My eye surgery was in Boston. The day after surgery I had to return to Boston to have the surgeon recheck my eye. I was OVER THE MOON I could not only see, but I could see colors correctly again! We left the surgeon’s and headed directly to Dick Blick’s, of course! 

The injury, and all the trouble I had drawing that came with it, ushered in my Watercolor phase. I’ll talk about that in the future. Until then....

 

 

FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS - 1st place Shark Baby!!!

Ann Downer is on the left, I am on the right.

Listen to my interview with Pat Rullo here, scroll down to find link. 

I am currently illustrating my 34th picture book. For 19 years I’ve been illustrating children’s books, that’s a long time and a lot of books. Over the course of my career, a few books have touched my soul. One has been Shark Baby. Written by author Ann Downer, Shark Baby tells the story of a baby shark, searching for his identity. Who of us can’t relate to that?

 

As you can read in my dedication, I traveled across the country to do hands-on research for the illustrations:

After the book was released, I was excited to meet Ann Downer, who also lived in Massachusetts. Ann and I did school visits and many book signings together; in and out of Boston, and at the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. With Ann being a year older than I and both of us mothers, I felt a real connection to her. I loved getting together with Ann. I had secretly hoped to illustrate more of Ann’s books. One day she told me she was ill. The doctors were having a challenging time nailing down a diagnosis. The next time we met she told me she was dying of ALS. Ann passed away two years after Shark Baby was released, one year after she was diagnosed with ALS. 

The world lost a most cherished author. You see, Ann was already a famous author before she wrote Shark Baby. You can read about her books at Simon and Schuster. Or on her Wikipedia page. Or find her books on Goodreads. Or on Amazon. 

I cherish Shark Baby. For me, it is wrapped up in many precious memories; researching it, illustrating it, promoting it with Ann. I would love to share it with others. So as the illustrator, and in honor of Ann, I submitted it to the Firebird Book Awards for illustration.  

I am honored to say Shark Baby, written by Ann Downer, has won first place in three categories of the FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS: 

First place: Illustration Children
First place: Illustration General
First place: Picture Book All Ages 

https://www.speakuptalkradio.com/?powerpress_pinw=12876-podcast

Here is the press release:

EIGHTY FOUR AUTHORS AWARDED THE FIREBIRD BOOK AWARD

April 2021 – Speak Up Talk Radio announced the winners of 2021’s first quarter FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS contest. Eighty four winners were announced in 98 categories.

One of the winning entries was from Massachusetts, illustrator Shennen Bersani, whose book titled Shark Baby won in First Place in these three categories: Illustration Children, Illustration General, and Picture Book All Ages. 

Authors and publishers from around the world submitted their work to the Firebird Book Awards. A panel of 12 judges within the writing and publishing space then read every book and independently scored each entry according to a set of standardized criteria that evaluates the quality of the writing as well as production aspects. Only entries with the highest of scores are awarded the coveted Firebird.

Patricia J. Rullo, founder of the Firebird Book Awards, says, “This quarter’s entries were a joy to read and speak to the talent out there. At Speak Up Talk Radio, our mission is to offer radio interviews and podcasting services to help authors expand their reach. In addition to additional prizes, our winners have the opportunity to be interviewed and aired on iHeart Radio, Pandora, as well as 50 additional online venues, giving them new ways to speak up and share their work.”

Pat adds, “We’ve included a charitable component to our awards by making all entry fees tax-deductible to the author. In return, we personally make and send handmade fun and whimsical pillowcases to women and children in homeless shelters via Enchanted Makeovers, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All entry fees fund this project. In this way, authors can get notoriety for their work while doing good for others. It’s been such a rewarding venture for everyone.”

The Firebird Book Awards run quarterly contests so authors can receive recognition on a timely basis. Authors from all genres, mainstream, independent, and self-published are welcome. Additional winning authors and titles as well as entry information is available at https://www.speakuptalkradio.com

Shark Baby is available in English and Spanish and can be purchased at Arbordale Publishing. 
About the book:

“Who am I?” wonders Shark Baby. When his “mermaid’s purse" egg case is torn loose in a storm, he finds himself on a journey through different ocean habitats: kelp forests, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows. He learns what kind of shark he isn’t, but not what kind he is. He needs to find the “mermaid" to learn where he belongs, but the ocean is big and full of dangers. Will he find out who he is—and what he can do—in time?

YAY!! Yay for Big Brothers! cover reveal

Just a quick post of the cover, and to let you know something new is coming! Releasing September 10, 2021, written by Janet Halfmann and published by Arbordale. Yay for Big Brothers! This is the 16th picture book I’ve illustrated for Arbordale Publishing, and my second Janet Halfmann book, the first being Home in the Cave. 

From Arbordale’s site:

Big brothers are amazing! Did you know that big brothers are important in animal families, too? Animal big brothers do many of the same things as kid big brothers. They play with their younger siblings, teach them new things, and help with their care. Sometimes animal big brothers even babysit when their parents leave to hunt for food. Are you a big brother or do you have a big brother?

Written by Janet Halfmann, Illustrated by Shennen Bersani
32 pg, 8.5 x 10, Ages 4 - 8, Grades K - 3

Preorder from Amazon here: Yay for Big Brothers!

The Eyeball Alphabet Book’s Kirkus Review

An excerpt from Kirkus’ review of The Eyeball Alphabet Book,

“Bersani follows up the spectacular illustrations in Not a Butterfly Alphabet Book (2019) with another set of equally bright, bold, and this time literally eye-catching close-ups to go with Pallotta’s alphabetical assortment of ocular animal facts.” Read the entire review over at Kirkus.com  Releasing May 11, preorder it here. 

Written by Jerry Pallotta, published by Charlesbridge.

It’s Tejas Star time! Yeehaw!

I was in heaven when Achoo! Why Pollen Counts earned this honor. Today I was equally thrilled to learn River Otter’s Adventure also made The Tejas Star Reading List. 

Tremendous joy for River Otter’s Adventure! The Spanish edition is on the 2021-2022 Tejas Star Reading List! Check it out: La aventura de la nutria de río (River Otter’s Adventure) by Linda Stanek, translated by Alejandra de la Torre y Javier Camacho Miranda, illustrated by Shennen Bersani (Arbordale Publishing, LLC, 2020)

*The Tejas Star Reading List (TSRL) provides a recommended reading list to encourage children ages 5-12 to explore multicultural books and to discover the cognitive and economic benefits of bilingualism and multilingualism. The Tejas Star Reading List is intended for recreational reading, not to support a specific curriculum.

https://txla.org/.../reading-lists/tejas-star/current-list/

You can buy a copy, in English and/or Spanish over at Arbordale:

https://arbordalepublishing.com/bookpage.php?id=465   

The Tejas Star Reading List is brought to you by the Texas Library Association. 

The Eyeball Alphabet Book

Lookie 👁👁 what arrived yesterday! My advance copy of Charlesbridge’s The Eyeball Alphabet Book! Charlesbridge doesn’t have preorder up, yet, but Amazon does. You can order it here. This was originally published as a Scholastic Book Club original paperback, being rereleased in hardcover by Charlesbridge. Written by Jerry Pallotta. 

Firebird Book Awards, and updated interview with Pat Rullo.

February 11, 2021 Update:

Listen to today’s interview with Speak Up Talk Radio’s host, Pat Rullo. Learn about where my ideas for Achoo! Why Pollen Counts came from. 

 

I’m pleased to announce Achoo! Why Pollen Counts has won three awards in the Firebird Book Awards! 

First Place Picture Books - All Ages

First Place Picture Books - Ages 4-8

Third Place - Children’s Fiction

https://www.speakuptalkradio.com/?powerpress_pinw=12035-podcast

Here is the press release:

SEVENTY TWO AUTHORS SNAG THE FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS

January 2021 – Speak Up Talk Radio announced the winners of 2020’s fourth quarter FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS contest. Seventy-two winners were announced in 87 categories.

One of the winning entries was from Massachusetts, author Shennen Bersani, whose book titled Achoo! Why Pollen Counts won in the following categories:

First place: Picture Books - All Ages

First place: Picture Books 4-8

Third place: Children’s Fiction

https://www.speakuptalkradio.com/book-award-winners/

 

Authors and publishers from around the world submitted their work to the Firebird Book Awards. A panel of 12 judges within the writing and publishing space then read every book and independently scored each entry according to a set of standardized criteria that evaluates the quality of the writing as well as production aspects. Only entries with the highest of scores are awarded the coveted Firebird.

Patricia J. Rullo, founder of the Firebird Book Awards, says, “The quality of the entries were stunning and speak to the talent out there that needs a marketing voice. At Speak Up Talk Radio, our mission is to offer radio interviews and podcasting services to help authors expand their reach. In addition to additional prizes, our winners have the opportunity to be interviewed and aired on radio stations, iHeart Radio, Pandora, as well as 50 additional online venues, giving them new ways to speak up and share their work.”

Pat adds, “We’ve included a charitable component to our awards by making all entry fees tax-deductible to the author. In return, we personally make and send handmade fun and whimsical pillowcases to women and children in homeless shelters via Enchanted Makeovers, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All entry fees fund this project. In this way, authors can get notoriety for their work while doing good for others. It’s been such a rewarding venture for everyone.”

The Firebird Book Awards run quarterly contests so authors can receive recognition on a timely basis. Authors from all genres, mainstream, independent, and self-published are welcome. Additional winning authors and titles as well as entry information is available at https://www.speakuptalkradio.com

Go to www.achoowhypollencounts.com to learn more about the book, and find free puzzles, crafts, and coloring pages. 
You can purchase the book in English, Spanish, German, or Portuguese at Arbordale Publishing. Or there’s always Amazon. If you visit Amazon, check out the 29 other books I’ve illustrated. There’s definitely something for everyone in your family. 
https://www.speakuptalkradio.com/?powerpress_pinw=12035-podcast 

Legit KidLit Draw Off WINTER Episode

I love Legit KidLit! This time I participated in their Winter Draw Off episode. I was joined with fellow Arbordale illustrator, Veronica Jones. Also drawing were Jenn Kocsmiersky and John Green. Check out the episode, and don’t forget to like it and give Legit KidLit’s YouTube channel a follow.

Legit KidLit Draw Offs: Four kidlit creators. Two wheels of topics. Three rounds. Five minutes per round. Lots of creativity and so much fun!

As a bonus, here’s my first sketch you can print out and color or decorate however you like. 

You will find this and many more fun downloadables over at www.Achoowhypollencounts.com

Don’t forget how snowflakes form.... from Pollen! 

Welcome to Legit KidLit Draw Off number 2

 

Legit KidLit Draw Off 2! 
Here’s their description:

Welcome to Draw Off Volume 2 on Legit KidLit! We have four authors and illustrators joining us today. We have award-winning author and illustrator Shennen Bersani! Shennen’s books show a world of nature and science through emotions that create strong connections with her readers. We also have author Brooks Benjamin, author of My Seventh Grade Life in Tights, a middle school novel that is full of humor and heart. Jarrett Lerner is a guest creator today and his books are always full of humor and positive messages for readers, including his newest series Geeger the Robot! Last but not least, we have Larissa Marantz. Larissa has illustrated a dozen books, including the series Clyde the Hippo, and has worked as an animation artist for numerous shows, including Rugrats!

 

A little drawing

Last week I participated in Legit Kid Lit’s 1st Draw Off. Here’s their description of the event:
Legit Kid Lit Episode 11 is a special drawing episode featuring four authors and illustrators! This was a blast of an episode full of humor and fun sketches. Watch now to see Jeanette Bradley, Brooks Benjamin, Abi Cushman, and Shennen Bersani doodle and have fun. Why don’t you grab a pencil and some paper and join in the fun too? 

We plan on doing another Draw Off in November. 

I also did a webinar with the Darby Creek Valley Association and created this drawing page to go along with it.

 

Here’s the NOAA link to How a snowflake is formed: https://www.noaa.gov/stories/how-do-snowflakes-form-science-behind-snow

Don’t for get to check out all of my Achoo! puzzles, crafts, and coloring pages on www.achoowhypollencounts.com 

 

2020 disaster relief children’s book donations

Between hurricanes, wildfires, and Covid, 2020 has definitely taken a toll on our nation’s education. If an elementary school lost their library from a hurricane, tropical storm, or wildfire please have the staff leave a comment. I have two complete sets of my Arbordale books and a limited number of my Jerry Pallotta books to donate. Two schools will receive 20 books. I can donate smaller amounts to additional schools until my supply runs out. Please share and spread the word. 

Please leave a comment I will respond to. I no longer read my gmail. 

ps. I’ve also illustrated seven other books with smaller publishers. A few of these might be sent as well, while my supplies last. 

Fine print: Staff only should contact me, preferably the school’s principal or administration. I want to be certain the books get delivered to the proper people/location. 

My Jerry Pallotta books are published by Scholastic and Charlesbridge. Most of my books can be found on Amazon. 

Release day for River Otter’s Adventure

Hurray! Today is the official book release for River Otter’s Adventure! About the book: When a young river otter sneaks into a zoo, she wonders if she should be more like some of the other animals she meets. She wants a trunk like the elephant or be loud like the gorilla… By imitating and comparing herself to these other animals she learns to appreciate herself. Educational components are woven throughout this fun, read-aloud story and sidebar information complements and extends the learning, making it a perfect book for a wide variety of ages. 

Written by Linda Stanek, illustrated by me. 

You can purchase it from Arbordale here in English or Spanish

on Amazon, or ask your Indie publisher! 

What reviewers are saying about River Otter’s Adventure:

Kirkus Reviews - May 2020

The repetitive format will soothe younger children and build confidence in older ones. The introduction of exotic animals among more-familiar ones adds variety. Some readers might see the river otter’s journey as a support of identity play and self-acceptance; others can simply indulge in all the ways to act like animals. Cute and playful, like its featured critter. 

Edelweiss, Goodreads, and Other Community Reviews

What a fun book about adventure and accepting to be yourself! I loved River Otter's Journey! It was so much fun! The illustrations are beyond belief beautiful and capture the story perfectly! It taught a good lesson that it's okay to be ourselves! I also really loved that there was facts about river otters at the end!
Steph Dykhouse, Reviewer

Thank you, Steph Dykhouse for your review!! 

Story Monsters Approved!

Congratulations to Achoo! Why Pollen Counts for becoming a 2019 Story Monster Approved Winner! The stickers arrived today. Looking good!

Visit www.achoowhypollencounts.com to find free resources and learn more about the book. You can purchase a copy at Arbordale or on Amazon.

Students Sending Love

Earlier this month I was contacted by teacher Kate Narita, author of 100 Bugs! A Counting Book. Kate asked if I would help with a project she was working on. A quickly said, yes! I want to share that project, Students Sending Love, with you. Perhaps you can share this info with a teacher. From the website:

Calling All Educators!

Are you and your students looking for a meaningful way to help others at this unprecedented time? Help us support hardworking nursing home staff and their isolated residents by sending uplifting, handmade messages to some of our most vulnerable populations.

 

The enormous ramifications of Covid-19 are rippling through our state, and nursing homes in Massachusetts have had to prohibit all visitors since early March. Residents have lost their community connections and activities, and dedicated staff are working under tremendous pressure to keep their residents safe. Together, we can help make their days a little brighter.

 

Join us in providing your students with a rewarding project that will bring joy to givers and recipients alike. It’s a win-win! Let’s send letters, artwork and even poems to the workers and residents in nursing homes. This is a terrific way for students to create work for an authentic audience.

 

Please note that Students Sending Love is run by volunteers and is not affiliated with any organization. We will run the program for as long as schools are closed or until we have met our goal of sending love to every one of Massachusetts' 388 nursing homes—whichever event occurs first!

 

Visit www.studentssendinglove.com for more info. 

You’ll find all four of my templates on the website.

 

 

Beehive egg carton mobile craft

Have you dyed Easter eggs? Just made some omelets? Reuse and repurpose your empty egg cartons with this fun and easy craft. 

Step 1. Start by printing this page out for your bees and an interior glimpse of an active beehive. Print out as many sheets as you’d like, it’s up to you how many bees you want your hive to have.

This is an example of a finished beehive mobile! Yours can be any colors you want, decorated any way you like!

Step 2. Collect your supplies. Empty egg cartons, scissors, glue, coffee stirrers, needle and thread, fishing line, and washers. Not shown I also used colored pencils and fingernail polish.

You don’t have to decorate your egg cartons, but I used paints to make mine look more like a beehive. Use any kind of paint - even spray paint if you have some - to decorate your beehive. Also feel free to experiment, you can also decoupage photos or put papier-mâché over the outside. This craft project is fun, let your imagination run freely. 😊

Start with your printed sheet.

Step 3. Color in your bees and the interior of your beehive.

I like adding glitter fingernail polish for a shimmering ‘pollen’ effect.

Color your pages in any way that makes you happy!

Step 4. Here I am cutting out hexagon hive holes to show a sneak peek into the hive’s interior. Please be careful. Adult supervision with sharp scissors advised. You can cut as few or as many holes as you’d like. Or skip this step altogether.

Your interior art will show through the holes you cut out as shown.

Step 5. Cut out your bees and hive pieces.



Step 6. Glue your bee medallions back to back so you will have a bee showing in all directions when your finished hive is hung.

Step 7. Paint your egg carton.

More painting.

Step 8. Decorate your beehive any way you like! Here I used a Sharpie to draw in honeycomb shapes. Note the hole punched in the bottom left cell. I will be pushing a coffee stirrer through that.

Step 9. This is optional. I added coffee stirrers to give more space to hang my flying bees.

Step 10. Here I punched a small hole through the top of the egg carton to thread the fishing line through. The fishing line will be used to hang the mobile.

 

 

Step 11. View from the inside, I’ve tied a washer to the end of the line to keep the line firmly in place while hanging.

 

 

Step 12. Now do the same thing to the other end of the fishing line.

 

Step 13. I’ve glued some of my bees to the hive.

Step 14. Now you’ll want to add your bees. Here I am sewing thread through the bottom of the egg carton.

 

Step 15. And then I sewed the thread to the bee medallion.

Step 16. Don’t forget to add your interior hive art inside the carton, to show through your holes. Alternatively, you could simply cut out the hive pieces and glue them to the outside.

The finished beehive mobile! 🐝💕

 

Visit www.achoowhypollencounts.com and click on the blog page to find more easy craft projects. Feel free to add those previous craft project insects to your mobile! Also check out free coloring pages while you are on the website. 🐝🤗💕

Here’s a quick link to my Pollen snow globe craft. Feel free to combine both crafts! 

 

And while you are at it, check out all the free Teaching Activities on Arbordale’s website. Perfect for homeschooling. You will find the links on the top right of this page.

 

Much love, Shennen

Adding books to Little Free Libraries during Coronavirus closures.

Today I’m Challenging my fellow authors and illustrators to add their books to Little Free Libraries while their local libraries and schools are closed for the Coronavirus19 outbreak. Let’s get great books into the hands of kids! Here I’ve added 15 brand new books; 12 of the books I’ve illustrated, and 3 copies of the book I wrote and illustrated, Achoo! Why Pollen Counts, to the Little Free Library in Natick Center, in Massachusetts. The library across the street in Natick is closed indefinitely. Children will find some award-winning books, and three very popular books written by Jerry Pallotta! Watch the video to see all the books I added today. 

 

Last year, this year

My two 2019 releases were, A Family Walk, written by Jennifer Butenas; and Not a Butterfly Alphabet Book, written by Jerry Pallotta.

Here’s a little peek inside of each:

The styles and techniques are different, but both pure me! I would find my job boring if I did the exact same style in each book. I’ve been blessed to have done such an amazing variety.

Here is my upcoming 2020 release, River Otter’s Adventure, written by Linda Stanek.

and a small peek inside of it:

Very different from the Uber realistic art I’m now doing for my 31st book, which happens to be my 9th Jerry Pallotta book.... but I’m keeping that under wraps for now.

I love my job!

Traveling Elephants

Pure joy! Tears ran down my face today when Ryan sent this photo from Luxor, Egypt. Tears of joy, seeing the girls’ smile at receiving a copy of Once Upon an Elephant, translated into Arabic. Thank you, Ryan, for helping me donate the books. You can read about this award-winning book from Arbordale here.

Once Upon an Elephant, in Cairo

Following on the joy I received donating my Portuguese books to a school in Brazil, I’m now using my royalties to buy Arabic books for Egyptians. With a little assist from my son, Ryan, some have already made their way to Cairo. Here he is reading to the Sphinx. Ryan’s comment, “I read your book to the Sphinx. Learning experience for the Sphinx as he only knows hieroglyphics.”

I’m still Challenging authors and illustrators out there to buy books with your royalties and donate them to children who can use them! #PayItForward 

Thank you, Ryan, for your help.

Learn more about award-winning, Once Upon an Elephant, at Arbordale. Written by Linda Stanek, illustrated by me. Winner of the Children’s Choice Book of the Year, 2017. Other Linda’s books I’ve illustrated are: Cheetah Dreams, Night Creepers, and River Otter’s Adventure. All can be found at Arbordale, along with eleven of my other illustrated books, including the one I authored, Achoo! Why Pollen Counts. 

My book Challenge to other authors and illustrators.

Meet my friend, Pablah.

Her and her husband own a restaurant my husband and I visit often. Pablah and Mac both come from Brazil. One day they hung this poster:

Both hot chocolate specials are delicious, but I especially like the s’mores one. 😋

So each visit I reflect on the poster and it occurred to me, I have Arbordale picture books that have been translated into Portuguese. I’m going to use my royalty money to buy Portuguese books for the children at this school. (Currently the children are having their classes outside while the building is being built.)

Soooo I took my royalties and bought 40 Portuguese picture books. Yesterday I donated them. Here’s a short video:

The Challenge Video

I’m working on a longer video, and will post a link when it’s done. Until then, here’s my Challenge video. Fellow children’s authors and illustrators, join me in getting books to children and schools who have none. I know all of you are not in a position to do this, but for those who can, I challenge you to take your royalties and use them to get vital books to these schools. Further details follow in the video.

To donate, email Pablah @ pfchwres @ Gmail dot com. And thank you from both of us! ❤️

Welcome to Gnu York!

I’ve been waiting to share this art! I was a guest artist for Geeks Who Drink. I was assigned to illustrate eight cities with animals in their name - more or less. Last night my art was the visual round for all the quizzes across the country, hundreds of them. My son, Ryan, is a quiz master at the Hong Kong in Harvard Square. As we would say in Boston, this was wicked pissaah! Check out Ryan’s roundup of last night’s events here.

Can you solve these?

BTW, check out my handmade jewelry shop, HeartGlimmers, on Etsy. Perfect for your holiday gift giving. And for all the young ones in your life, find my children’s picture books on Amazon here. I’m currently illustrating book 31, there’s over 2 million copies of my books out there! 

Tracy and I at the Hong Kong.

Books, art, jewelry

I want to leave a post here saying hello to anyone who finds me through GWD! My usual gig is illustrating children’s picture books (or writing them!). I’m currently working on my 31st. You can find most of them searching my name here on Amazon. I’ve illustrated a wide assortment of subjects; from realistic non-fiction to whimsical fiction, I’ve created something for just about any family. If you have little kids in your life please check them out. Books make awesome gifts.

This website www.achoowhypollencounts.com has some of my free coloring pages, craft projects, and more.

I also sell my handmade jewelry over at HeartGlimmers on Etsy. I randomly add new pieces, so take a fresh look every now and then. Here are some samples.

Time permitting I even do portrait commissions. You can reach me at sbersani at mac dot com. If I’m too busy, I have friends I will recommend. 

Simple math and word search pages for Achoo! Why Pollen Counts

Here are simple math and word search pages for you to print out. Find more coloring pages and craft projects at www.achoowhypollencounts.com.

 

Achoo! Why Pollen Counts is now in Portuguese, German, and Spanish

Achoo! Why Pollen Counts has been translated, it is now available in Portuguese, German, Tejas Star Award-winning Spanish, and English! Children’s books are the perfect tool for learning new languages. Purchase your copy of any of these at Arbordale.

Hatschi! Warum Pollen wichtig sind (Achoo! auf Deutsch!)

Achoo! Why Pollen Counts has been translated into German! I am so excited, my Pennsylvania Dutch Mom was solid German, née Zimmerman, she passed in ‘89, but I’m certain from Heaven she is proud of my accomplishments. 

Currently the book is available as an interactive Arbordale ebook - it reads to you, and you can click on the animal characters to hear the sounds they make! You can purchase here: Achoo!

Soon to come, it will be printed auf Deutsch, in paperback!

Also available in the Tejas Star Award winning Spanish!

Gesundheit! 

Happy New Year 2019, most recent painting

I’m sharing my most recent acrylic painting, a 24”x36” commissioned piece I did over Christmas week. 

I am available to paint commissioned pieces, depending upon my illustration schedule. Contact me for details.

Wishing all a wonderful and healthy 2019! Happy painting!