It's Picture Book Month – Let's Celebrate with Marianne Richmond
Put Me In The Story is jazzed. There's no better way to say it. Every day is a reason to celebrate picture books here at Put Me In The Story, but the fact that November is internationally celebrated as Picture Book Month really moves us. It's celebrations like these that continue to remind everyone how people (children, adults, families) connect with picture books the way they do, and why we need picture books in our lives. So, let's celebrate!
This month especially, we're celebrating the gift of author-illustrator Marianne Richmond and her works on Put Me In The Story. Marianne has touched the lives of millions for nearly two decades with her award-winning picture books. Her dedication to and sincerity in reaching out and touching the hearts of each and every reader of her books is beautiful. Marianne's books offer children, parents, and even adults heartfelt ways to truly connect with one another through her words and artwork.
To celebrate the significance of picture books, we'd like to share Marianne Richmond's inspiration behind her title If I Could Keep You Little…
Happy Picture Book Month!
Marianne Richmond's Inspiration for "If I Could Keep You Little..."
Through the years, people have asked me where I get my ideas. For me, it's through being an observer of life. Listening to people's tellings. What moves them. But more so, listening for the themes that run through everyone's journey. As unique as we all are, we share universal feelings about our most heartfelt experiences of love, loss, and family. I write to capture the "unique everybody."
The spark for writing If I Could Keep You Little…, for example, was ignited by my own experience of watching my four kids grow, and wistfully recalling their "littler" times. During a particular moment of cuteness from one of my kids, I put my hand on his 6-year-old head and said, "Oh…if I could just keep you little."
Now, while my mom self fully resonated with this sentiment, my author self immediately recognized a great book title! That's the sixth sense developed over 20 years of writing—you know it when you know it.
What I couldn't have known, however, was how far and wide this book would travel (more than 250,000 copies sold!) and how deeply it would connect with mamas of all ages! Whether sending a child off to kindergarten or college, moms wistfully reminisce about days gone by. Yet, at the same time, they know they wouldn't miss for the world the adventures forthcoming!
"If I Could Keep You Little... really connects to what parents feel as they watch their tiny bundle of joy quickly grow before their eyes. A great addition to your child's library to pass down to them as they get older, or for a special gift for that new addition to any family you know."—Carey
I love walking the journey with kindred souls and look forward to giving voice to our collective stories for years to come! I'm listening…
Marianne Richmond