Adventures with Naughty Nana by Saralyn Richard

The Write Way Cafe welcomes Saralyn Richard, who shares background on her book, Naughty Nana, and tips for writing children's books.

Naughty Nana is a children’s picture book about an Old English sheepdog puppy who “just wants to have fun.”  Written for three to eight year olds and the people who love them, it explores the age-old question of why some puppies or some kids choose to be naughty.

I wrote the book when my real-live naughty sheepdog was at the height of her wild phase.  Nana’s nicknames were Princess of Pandemonium and Duchess of Destruction.  I resorted to keeping a list of her acts of mischief.  When the list exceeded two legal pad pages, I thought of turning it into a book, and a star was born.

Cute, but wild and crazy Nana, the Princess of Pandemonium

Vividly illustrated by veteran artist Rebecca Evans, the book is narrated by Nana herself.  Since its publication, Nana has become a divapup, entertaining young audiences at book readings and birthday parties.  I never dreamed Naughty Nana would receive as much acclaim as it has.  We have fans throughout the United States and in the U.K.  One young reader dressed up as Nana, her favorite book character, for Diversity in Action Day at her school.  Another sleeps with Naughty Nana under her pillow every night. 

What are the keys to a successful children’s picture book?

•        A compelling, relatable character,
•        An understandable plot, simply told,
•        A positive message,
•        Vibrant illustrations and cover design,
•        A liberal dose of humor, and
•         In the case of Naughty Nana, a fluffy and lovable living example of what it means to be not-so-naughty-anymore.

For more information about Naughty Nana, including reviews and shopping, see www.palmcirclepress.com/bookstore or like the Naughty Nana page on Facebook. 

About Saralyn:  Mystery and children’s book author, Saralyn Richard, has been a teacher who wrote on the side. Now she is a writer who teaches on the side. Some of her poems and essays have won awards and contests from the time she was in high school. Her children’s picture book, Naughty Nana, has reached thousands of children in five countries.
     Murder in the One Percent, soon-to-be-published by Black Opal Books, pulls back the curtain on how the privileged and powerful rich live, love, and hate. Set on a gentleman’s farm in Pennsylvania and in the tony areas of New York, the book shows what happens when someone comes to a party with murder in his heart and poison in his pocket.
     When she is not writing, Saralyn likes going to movies and concerts, traveling, and walking on the beach with her husband and two dogs. She is an avid reader and is working on her second mystery.

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