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PBJamz!
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A Chat with GloriaListen in as Gloria and I chat about the origin of her book and it's journey, the musical connections, how language plays into the story, legacies, and lots more! Join the conversation by leaving us a comment below. ABUELITA'S SONG Bilingual, full of music, gorgeous illustrations, an intergenerational story about love, lyrics, language, and legacy! Such a sweet and lovely book about how the things we share that come from our heart come back to us sometimes in surprising ways! A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)The original song! Sung by Gloria's Granddaughters! How sweet is this?!? Check out the links section below for even more videos, the sheet music and more! You and your littles can sing along with Gloria's granddaughters, or you can grab the sheet music and play along as well. A sweet, repetitive lullaby that is a great introduction to Spanish for non-native speakers as well as a comforting lullaby in Spanish for families already fluent in Spanish. Teacher Tips, Tricks and TopicsLullabies
Find examples of personification Verbs in different forms -s, -ed, -ing, etc. Questions/Answers Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
Writing Tips from Gloria1. Accept that your first drafts are usually pitiful. That doesn’t mean that they will stay that way. When I first write something down, I start wondering if I will ever again have a good idea or be able to make it better or get another book published. I have to push those thoughts aside and keep working. I need to relish each small improvement and enjoy that rush of “it’s better.” So, the most important thing is to let go of those fears and keep revising, trying new things or putting that project aside and start working on a new one. Now, it’s harder to let go, when you have been revising, using critique partners’ feedback, putting months and months (possibly years) on a manuscript and your agent and editor say, “No and no.” I’m working on letting go of that. Keep in mind that you have other ideas, other possibilities waiting for your voice and kids waiting to connect with your stories. Persistence is key. 2. Revision is the fun part of the process; it’s the real writing. I love seeing my story get better and better with feedback from my critique group, agent or editor. I may have an insight or idea that pops into my mind and I can try it. I can change a word here or there and it’s so much better. I can cut something that isn’t needed because there is an illustrator who is going to add their vision and magic. Okay, sometimes, I have to cut something that I really, really love and want in, but I have to accept that it doesn’t move the narrative forward. In the end, I’m glad because the story is better. My secret is to think that I might use that tidbit in another story. 3. Read, read, read contemporary books that are like the ones you want to write. You can write an analysis of what you like, what works and what doesn’t for you. Pick a mentor book and try that approach or structure or a variation of it. 4. For me, the most important aspect is that I have to have an emotional connection to the story. I have to relate to the anxiety, challenges, conflicts or love and tenderness expressed by the characters and their actions. I spend a long time developing my stories, especially my picture book biographies. If I’m going to spend part of my life writing a story and promoting it, I have to feel it’s really touching readers in a significant way. Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone! |
PBJamzThis page is the official space for PBJamz -- multimedia Jamorama celebrating all things PB (picture books) and Jamz (music), although we'll indulge in the other PBJ snacks where appropriate :-). Join us each Thursday for new content connecting picture books and music! Archives
October 2025
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