Jeannine Norris - Children's Author: February 2012

February 28, 2012

Looking for a Picture Book Agent?

If you are writing picture books, there is a good chance that you are feeling frustrated in today's market. But here is the good news - the picture book market is turning around! Sure, the competition is stiff, but doesn't that make you write a BETTER picture book? We all benefit. With downloadable apps, school visits, and interactive books, the picure book market is developing better opportunities for creativity. And if you want to start with an agent, SCBWI NJ Regional Advisor Kathy Temean has this agent list on her blog that directs you to the folks that are accepting picture book manuscripts. Go for it!

February 12, 2012

SCBWI Winter Conference - Get In On the Action!

Miss the annual SCBWI winter conference in NYC this year? Lucky for you, updates on the fabulous editors, agents and authors are available on the SCBWI link. Live bloggers gave us the details, interviews and action happening on stage and behind the scenes. Check out the page for what's happening in the industry. Are you writing what is marketable? What will help YOU get published?

February 2, 2012

Highlights: Writing for Magazines, Fiction and Non-fiction

I love writing for Highlights Magazine, and with over 2 million subscribers, who wouldn't want to get their name in print with this well-known magazine? So how do you craft articles that Highlights, National Geographic Kids, BabyBug and Cobblestone will accept? What do they want to see? How about their current needs? Highlights has the answer for you with their March workshop: Writing for Magazines, Fiction and Non-fiction. The all-star cast includes editors from National Geographic Kids, Highlights, and the Cobblestone Publishing Group. Mark your calendars and get ready to submit!

I Love School Visits! This Is What They Are Saying...

Quick bits ...

To schedule a school visits, please visit my website

http://www.jeanninenorris.com/

What a wonderful way to start the holiday season. Mrs. Jeannine Norris came to our school and introduced the children to her beautiful book, Tonight You are My Baby: Mary’s Christmas Gift. The children were riveted as she read the story and it was projected large than life on the whiteboard. Mrs. Norris kept them engaged in the story all the while sharing her experiences with them. Many of the teachers commented that Mrs. Norris had such a beautiful “way” with the children, just as she has a beautiful way with words. This book and this author are both truly a gift from God. - Patty Welsh, Principal, Our Lady of the Assumption Preschool and Kindergarten

Jeannine told the story in such a beautiful, poetic way....I felt like Mary was talking to me! What a wonderful gift she brought to all of us with her soothing voice, wonderful story and the amazing illustrations. I wish that all children could be as lucky as ours were to "hear" Mary's story! - St. Catherine of Sienna, Reading

"Our students loved your visit and our teachers and staff were so moved by your book. Thank you for taking the time to visit our pre-k, kindergarten, first and second grade classrooms. You could tell by the children's attentiveness that they really enjoyed the story. Such simple, loving words and beautifully
illustrated artwork to tell the story of that Holy Night. What a wonderful way to help us all focus on the true meaning of our Christmas celebration! ~ Peg McBride, PTO Events Coordinator, St. Philip Neri School

"Jeannine Norris' visit to our preschool was a wonderful addition to our curriculum during the month of December. The children are so excited during this time of year ... it was a perfect antedote to have the children sit and listen to Jeannine read a story about that quiet and peaceful night . ..the night the baby Jesus was born. This book is a beautiful way to introduce and re-emphasize the Christmas story to any age child. It is a story of awe and wonder - what we so desperately need to be reminded of. ~ Donna Hepner, Director, Hopewell Christian Preschool

"On December 15th, St. Agnes School in West Chester had a wonderful visit from Jeannine Norris. Students in Preschool through third grade were able to experience a presentation of her Christmas book "Tonight You Are My Baby". Her presentation is very interactive and students loved the story. The second and third grade also had a presentation on writing, which had them thinking about how an author spends their day. Questions were answered and books autographed. The morning ended with Mrs. Norris meeting with our writer's workshop, which is a group of junior high students. They had an informal lunch in the library. It was an enjoyable day for all! ~ St. Agnes School

"What a great presentation you gave to our K-8 students. Your book captured the beautiful story of the birth of Jesus and Mary's love for her son. Your informative and interactive presentation showed students that anyone can be a writer, and how to find ideas. We were thrilled to have you at St. Katharine of Siena School, especially as we prepared for Christmas." ~ St. Katharine of Siena School

"What a gift to have Jeannine share her heart, her faith and her story with our MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. All of our hearts were moved as Jeannine shared such touching reflections on being a mother, a daughter, a friend and a writer. Her book gives such a precious look into the Christmas miracle through the eyes of a mother. My family will be blessed to have this in our collection for many years to come!"
~ MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Bethlehem, PA

"The students from St. Joseph School, Downingtown, had a delightful visit from Jeannine Norris as she shared her life as an author and her beautiful book, Tonight You Are My Baby.
Interaction with Mrs. Norris during her presentation was a special feature for the children." ~ St. Joseph School

"What a wonderful presentation to start the Christmas holiday! Jeannine Norris has written a beautiful tale of a mother's love told within the context of the birth of Jesus. The pictures brilliantly capture the spirit of this story. Our school was thrilled to have this wonderful author visit." St. Edmond's Academy

"The book is a gift waiting to be unwrapped and would make a wonderful addition to any family's Christmas collection." Holy Family School

"A wonderful experience for students and teachers! We recommend the book to everyone!" Sacred Heart School

"Our students were so excited to meet a real author! We look forward to future books!" St. Basil's The Great

"Your visit to the school was such a joy. Everyone had such positive things to say about your presentation!" Gwynedd-Mercy Academy

"Our school invited Jeannine to participate in a Christmas program that involved families. Children already love the story of Baby Jesus, but Tonight You Are My Baby drew the parents in a new way." Fairview Christian Academy

"The theme of your book tied in perfectly with our curriculum as we share the birth of Jesus with our preschoolers. We did a couple of your suggested activities to prepare for your visit. Your book is absolutely beautiful!" Providence Christian Preschool

"You truly have a gift for working with children and writing.
On Christmas Eve, our pastor read your book. It was the perfect story as he shared how Mary felt on this special night. Even our seventh grade teacher used the book to show how to write from perspective." St. Mary's School