To celebrate the release of Fly With Me by Jane Yolen, Heidi E. Y. Stemple, Adam Stemple, and Jason Stemple, blogs across the web are featuring exclusive content from the Yolen-Stemple family plus 5 chances to win a copy!
by Jane Yolen, Heidi E. Y. Stemple, Adam Stemple, and Jason Stemple
Back (L to R): Jane, David Front (L to R): Adam, Jason, Heidi |
So, what was it like working on this book? How did we collaborate? Who did what?
Adam: Working with my family on this book was an amazing experience. We had already done one book together (Animal Stories), and we dove into this one already knowing that we worked well together.
Though we pared down our subject from all the animals to just birds, we still managed to expand the content exponentially. This meant a lot of extra work—mostly for my sister, who handled most of the editing duties. I mainly researched and wrote, two of my very favorite activities. I learned new things about creatures I'd been fascinated with my whole life, and got to write stories about them.
And as a bonus, I got to work with a group of clever, witty, and very talented writers who I just happened to be related to.
Jason: Photography is my career and long been one of my main passions. But coming from a family of writers, I always had a small (very small compared to my surrounding family members) talent for the written word. It has come in handy over the years, especially as a way to sell more photography and break into different segments of the photo industry-many magazines only buy photography as part of a package deal with an article. For me, photography comes naturally, writing is much harder and a struggle at times. That being said, the opportunity to work with such an iconic brand like Nat Geo, especially as a nature photographer, is one I just couldn’t pass up. This was very much a family project, with my mother and sister, both amazing editors, divvying up the work and keeping my run-on sentences in line. And, sticking with the family theme I’m sure it is evident in almost all corners of this book that it is a tribute and a monument to the man who introduced us all to birds and fostered the journey that led us all here-thanks Dad!
Jane: I feel complimented every day when a book of mine written with one of my children gets published, and to great reviews. Each of them has well over 25 books out (not all with me!) Only the last two were National Geographic books with full family participation. But FLY WITH ME holds a special place in all our hearts as you can see. And I have no doubt, if he were still alive, my husband David Stemple--their father--would have written his share of it as well. Though he would have been the most difficult of the bunch to edit! I learned from him to pay attention to the natural world. How to be attuned to nature. How to stay open to new surprises in the wild. Especially when looking at birds.
We have tried to put what he taught us into this book. Not only the information, but the love of birding. We hope it comes across to our readers. And that some day when we see a fellow birder—young or old—with binoculars raised, and we stop and say as birders do, “Anything interesting?” that we notice that there is a copy of FLY WITH ME in their car, or in the basket of a bike, or in a backpack at their feet. And maybe one of them will say. Hey, aren’t you one of the Yolen-Stemples who wrote that book on birds? And we’d grin and say, “Why yes, yes we are.”
Then, introductions satisfied, the one with the binoculars would point out the bird, which rare or not, we will tick off on our day’s list.
Heidi: Now you know a bit about how FLY WITH ME came to be, how we worked together, and why we are so passionate about it. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do, no matter if you are a seasoned birder, a complete novice, or somewhere in between.
From our family, to yours.
The Yolen-Stemples
*****
Blog Tour Schedule:
December 10th — A Dream Within a Dream
December 11th — Kid Lit Frenzy
December 12th — Christy's Cozy Corners
December 13th — Colorimetry
December 14th — Chat with Vera
December 11th — Kid Lit Frenzy
December 12th — Christy's Cozy Corners
December 13th — Colorimetry
December 14th — Chat with Vera
Enchanting stories, lyrical poems, stunning photography, and fascinating science fill the pages of this treasury celebrating the amazing world of birds.
This thoughtful and beautifully curated collection of our flying, feathery friends highlights the role birds play in human life from centuries ago to present day. While it's beautiful, it's also full of valuable real science about these wondrous creatures. From history and behavior to spotting and photographing, there's sure to be something for every bird fan in your flock. Young birders will learn all about migration and the importance of habitat conservation. They'll find stories about bird rescues and fun facts about the fastest, strongest, and tiniest fliers. They'll also discover the best bird nests, sweet songs to sing, ways to listen for and identify the birds around them, and more. Paired with stunning art and photography and beautiful design, this treasury is sure to become a classic for bird enthusiasts of all ages.
Fly with Me was created to help celebrate Year of the Bird, National Geographic's 2018 initiative to bring awareness to the plight of birds around the world.
"Yolen and her three children celebrate birds with a lavishly illustrated compendium of facts, photographs, and poetry...As is characteristic of National Geographic publications, the plentiful photographs are well-chosen and beautifully reproduced. A treasure for browsers and bird lovers everywhere."
- Kirkus Starred Review
"With text that never talks down to its audience, this makes an ideal choice for family sharing or classroom browsing."
- Booklist
L to R: Adam, Jane, Heidi, Jason |
About the Authors: JANE YOLEN is an author of children's books, fantasy, and science fiction,
including Owl Moon, The Devil's Arithmetic, and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? She is also a poet, a teacher of writing and literature, and a reviewer of children's literature.
HEIDI STEMPLE was 28 years old when she joined the family business, publishing her first short story in a book called Famous Writers and Their Kids Write Spooky Stories. The famous writer was her mom, author Jane Yolen. Since then, she has published 20 books and numerous short stories and poems, mostly for children.
Stemple, her two daughters, her mom, and a couple cats live in Massachusetts on a big old farm with two houses.
JASON STEMPLE is an author and photographer. He lives with his wife and children in Charleston, South Carolina.
ADAM STEMPLE is a novelist and musician. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
GIVEAWAY
- One (1) winner will receive a copy of Fly With Me
- US/Canada only
- Begins December 14, Ends January 5 at 12:01 a.m. EST
DISCLOSURE: Information for this post was provided by the publicist and author. Giveaway copy is provided by same and shipped dirctly to the winner. Giveaway is unique to Chat With Vera blog for its readers.
Beautiful book and beautiful (and super talented) family! I’m a huge fan—of them and birding—and can’t wait to read this book!
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