I first heard of Franz’s Phantasmagorical Machine in 2019 and have been waiting for it to be published and finally this year I read it and loved it. Beth Anderson has written a beautiful story about dreams and creativity with an oh so subtle message of how fortunate most of us are to complete K-12 public school education. Colorful cats dance across the pages, accompanying Franz on his journey. Caroline Hamel who lives and works in Montreal, Quebec has won numerous awards including Palmares Communication Jeunesse/Choix des jeunes 2017-2018. Ms. Hamel rendered her vivid illustrations on a digital tablet. Kids Can Press published Franz’s Phantasmagorical Machine which is about the life and creation of Franz Gsellman, a farmer and tinkerer. This story depicts perseverance, joy and STEAM concepts. As always Ms. Anderson includes facts and additional sources in the back matter.
One Question Interview with Beth Anderson
What recommendations would you give to those under the age of 12 who would like to write children's books?
BA: I would recommend three things. First, read. Read a lot. Read widely. Because with every book you are soaking up language, voice, expression, structure, story, and getting a sense of how it all works together. Second, write. Write a lot. Because as with any skill, practice matters. Write widely. Different kinds of writing will help you discover what you enjoy, your voice and style. Most importantly, write about what you care about. Investing yourself adds strength to writing. And finally, when you’re ready, share your work with others. Take in the encouragement and the feedback others offer—positive and negative, and use it all to push forward and improve your craft.
Visit Beth Anderson
Visit illustrator Caroline Hamel
Visit your local book store The Wandering Jellyfish
Previous Posts about Beth Anderson: An Inconvenient Alphabet, Lizzie Demands a Seat!, "Smelly" Kelly and His Super Senses, Tad Lincoln's Restless Wriggle
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