Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a total type A control freak (thank you for that, Anxiety), so there’s nothing I love more (other than my family and chcocolate-peanut-butter ice cream, of course) than checking things off my To-Do List! So, when I heard about this sweet book, I knew it was for me!
I’m so excited to share LITTLE WITCH’S TO-DO LIST, written by Helen Kemp Zax and illustrated by Kiersten Eve Eagan!
Here’s my review:
OMG this is the sweetest story about a little witch and all the things she does throughout her day: “Cast a spell for sunshine/Fluff my cobweb bed/Feed my baby phoenix/Turn my black robe red….” Perfectly rhymed with an adorable twist ending (that I will NOT be giving away here!). The joyful and colorful illustrations perfectly complement the fun, upbeat text, adding additional layers to the storyline and tons of extra humor. And oh, the end-papers! Swoon! Great for Halloween, bedtime, or any time you are looking for an excuse to cuddle with the little ones in your life.
We are so lucky to have Helen here to answer some questions about the book. Welcome, Helen!
RGL: Where did the story idea come from? Have you always been enamored with witches? Are you a list maker yourself?
HKZ: I’m the daughter of an elementary-school librarian. Luckily, I turned out to be almost as organized as my mother. An outgrowth of loving to be organized is writing a lot of to-do lists.
Unsurprisingly, one of my earliest poems was a to-do list of activities a wild, little boy planned to accomplish. The poem was never published. When the Cricket group opened for submissions near Halloween a few years ago, I decided to use the format to write a poem imagining what a little witch might put on her to-do list. Witches do a lot of very interesting things in the course of a day, so I had a lot of fun writing her list. A lovely, poet friend suggested I turn my poem into a picture book. I lengthened the poem, added a bit of action, and sent it off to my agent. The rest is history!
RGL: I love that! Most of my books began as poems as well!
I know how difficult it is to write so succinctly within the confines of your chosen meter and rhyme scheme and you have done it masterfully. I particularly love how you chose to write a story about a list AS a list poem. Brilliant! Was the story always in this format or did you experiment before landing on this one?
HKZ: I love writing in meter and rhyme. The puzzle of making a storyline work with a few well-chosen words that fit within a given meter delights me. And finding rhymes that surprise is a challenge I adore. The most wonderful thing writing in metered rhyme has taught me is to be flexible. Eventually, in any given poem I get to a place where there is no rhyme or word with the correct meter that works. I have to let go and come up with a different plan. It’s a lesson that served me well when I wrote and plotted longer fiction pieces. Although I do write in free verse occasionally, most of my writing for children is in metered rhyme—and Little Witch’s To-Do List took this form from the very start.
RGL: The text is so perfectly sparse, leaving so much of the story (including the adorable twist at the end) to be told in the illustrations. Did you include a lot of illustration notes?
HKZ: An illustrator is a wonderful, creative partner. Because I wanted to allow my illustrator as much leeway as they needed, I had very few illustration notes in the version that went out for submission. I only included notes where the text didn’t indicate what I intended by the line. Here’s an example: “Win at hide and seek” had a note indicating Little Witch won the game by magically making herself invisible.
RGL: Speaking of the ADORABLE illustrations, did you have any say in the illustrator choice and/or how much input did you have into the illustrations over all?
HKZ: Meredith Mundy at Abrams Appleseed is a dream editor. She is smart, inclusive, and generous. She let me weigh in when Abrams chose Kiersten Eagan as the illustrator for the series. Meredith and her fabulous team also continue to give me the opportunity at each illustration stage to see if what Kiersten has put on the page aligns with my intentions. Kiersten is so fabulous, mostly we ask for even more of what she’s already doing.
RGL: I’m so excited to know that you have another book in this series, LITTLE BUNNY’S TO-DO LIST, which comes out in January with the same publisher and illustrator. YAY! Were these two books acquired at the same time? And can you tell us if there will be more on the way? (Please say yes!)
HKZ: The books were acquired together. And there are more books coming in the Magical List Series. Be ready to learn what a Little Elf does the day before Christmas and how a Little Leprechaun structures his very busy day. After that, who knows? I have so much fun writing these books, working with the incredible Abrams team, and reveling in the joyous illustrations Kiersten creates—I hope there will be many more books in the series.
RGL: Oh, I’m SO excited to hear about the rest of the books! YAY!
And now, my favorite question to ask my guests: What is one question no one has yet to ask you about the making of this book that you would love to answer? (And what’s the answer?!)
HKZ: No one has asked me, “Were you expecting to sell this book, let alone get a multi-book deal?” And the answer is absolutely not. Stephen Chudney offered me representation immediately before the Covid epidemic changed our world. He sent out my longer works of fiction for years; but during that very difficult time, nothing sold. I continued to publish a lot of poetry during those years. Occasionally, I’d send Steven a longer poem to see if he felt it might make a good picture or board book. By the time I sent him Little Witch’s To-Do List, Steven was on the verge of cutting back the scope of his agency. He had a few remaining pieces of my work out in the marketplace, so we decided he shouldn’t send out our Little Witch.
Because we had not sold anything, I prepared myself for the end of our professional relationship that December. I felt very Zen about my career. I’d worked very hard for decades. I’d learned a lot about my craft from long days, butt-in-chair—writing. I was ready to let go. Then, out of the blue, I received an email from Steven asking me to call him. He told me he’d decided to send out Little Witch’s To-Do List because he couldn’t stop thinking about how cute it was. We received an offer from Meredith almost immediately (and had interest elsewhere as well.) I had submitted to Meredith earlier in my career and knew how kind and thoughtful she is. So, Steven and I jumped on the opportunity to work with her.
So, here’s the thing—the amazing luck that happened to me when I least expected it can happen to you! Keep writing. Keep loving writing. Master your craft and never give up. You never know when that lucky break will happen and when your publishing dream will come true.
RGL: Oh, Helen, you are such an inspiration! What an amazing story. Thank you so much for taking the time to share all of this with us.
And yes, dear readers, there is a GIVEAWAY! Helen has agreed to giveaway a copy of the book to one lucky reader (US-mainland addresses only). To enter, please make a comment below. The winner will be announced in my next post, slated for 10/14!
And the winner of last month’s giveaway, a PB critique (non-rhyming, under 800 words) OR a 20-minute AMA with author Danna Zieger is….
****ROBIN B. WECHSLER!!!****
Robein, please email me at RebeccaWrites4Kids@gmail.com to claim your prize!
Helen’s BIO:
Helen Kemp Zax is a children’s author and poet whose work has been featured in many anthologies, magazines, and journals. Helen’s forthcoming picture books include Little Witch’s To-Do List, Little Bunny’s To-Do List, Little Elf’s To-Do List, and Little Leprechaun’s To-Do List.
Helen has taught writing at all levels, from elementary to post graduate. She is a former lawyer and professor of legal writing. Helen earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Helen is a member of SCBWI and Poets Garage. She currently lives in Washington, D.C, with her husband.
Helen is represented by Steven Chudney at The Chudney Agency. Please direct all inquiries to steven@thechudneyagency.com.
To learn more about Helen, visit her at helenzax.com or follow her on Facebook @helenkzax and on Instagram @helenkempzax.
I love Halloween and can’t wait to read this book. Looks terrific .
Thank you!!
Thank you! Happy Halloween!
This book sounds adorable! Can’t wait to read it. And I loved hearing the inspiration behind it and the near-miss you had with it. Congrats on so many levels!
Thank you!
Thank you, Debra. It has been a pretty astounding ride. Wishing you loads of luck!
Sounds so cute! Congratulations, Helen!
Thank you!
Thanks, Angie. Having Kiersten do such adorable illustrations was a gift!
Halloween and list-making- two of my favorite things! Checking out this book is now on my to-do list. Congrats!
Thank you! I love a list-maker!
Adorable! Congrats Helen.
Thank you! Kiersten’s illustrations are a delight!
What a fun and charming story! I like your words of advice at the end of the interview! It’s very encouraging! Congratulations on this book and the ones to follow!
Thank you! And good luck to you! I hope your dreams become a reality.
Two great stories–the book’s and yours! I can’t wait to read the entire darling book and series, and I love the inspirational story of your own success. Congratulations!
Thank you! It was quite a long road, but it has been a joyous one. I hope that all the writers working alone, butt in chair, every day, know they are only one stroke of luck away from realizing their dream.
What a delightful book. I’m also a list maker so I’m excited that there will be more list books. Congratulations!
Thank you! I’m totally excited, too.
I make a list every night for the next day–it helps me relax, knowing I won’t forget the important things for tomorrow. This book looks adorable and fun to read all year around. Congratulations!
Great interview! A to do list is such a creative and accessible window into a character’s world. And Little Witch is so perfect for spooky season!
Thank you! What a kind, thoughtful comment!
Thank you! I love a true list-lover!
Thank you, Danielle! I couldn’t live without my lists. Glad yours help you!
So fun for this time of year…thank you for sharing!
Thank you! Looking forward to spending this season with our Little Witch!
Well. I LOVE the idea of a picture book that’s a list poem! And rhyming, and a witch! Congratulations!
Thank you! Those are a few of my favorite things, as well.
This book looks adorable and so creative. Congratulations!!
Thank you, Claire!
What a totally delightful & irresistible story & illustrations!!
Thank you! That is so kind of you!
I love, love, love list poems. So do kids. Can’t wait to read and share this one!
Thank you! And thank you for sharing with little ones!
What a wonder!
What a witch!
What an author and illustrator!
Wow!
Thank you! You made me smile!
I love the magical list-making concept. This book looks adorable. Can’t wait to read it!
Thank you! Enjoy!
Perfect rhymes and beautiful illustrations — I’m excited to share this book with the kids in my life. My daughter-in-law will use it with her preschool class this Halloween! Thank you, Helen and Kiersten for a lovely work of art! Loved your story of how you got published, Helen!
Thank you for these lovely comments! I hope all the children love our book!
I loved reading about this book’s journey and Helen’s. CONGRATS on getting a multiple book deal! And, yes, work with Meredith is a fabulous experience. Great interview, Rebecca and Helen!
Thank you! And if you have been lucky enough to work with Meredith, you know how lovely she is and how dedicated!
As someone who wanted to grow up and become Samantha Stevens, this sweet little witch really appeals to me! So glad there are more books in the series, too. Congratulations!
Thank you, Cathy. The next books are really fun as well thanks to Kiersten’s great illustrations and Meredith and the Abrams team’s terrific feedback.
What a great idea for a series- The to-do list. I love crossing things off my lists too.
Thank you, Mary. I think I’m finished crossing things off for tonight—except relaxing!
Rhyming books are my favorite to read to my students. They are going to love this one! Thank you.
Thank you! And thank you for sharing our Little Witch with your students!
What a delightful interview between two such accomplished and creative women! I too enjoyed Helen Kemp Zax’s Little Witch’s To Do List. It’s so elegant and simple, and full of potential for the young and older reader (or listener) to recruit their own imagination and fill in whatever kind of list they fancy. I’ve already gifted this adorable book to several friends who were as enchanted as I was.
Helen and Meredith have created something very special with these books – I highly recommend them all.
Thank you, Chrish! Your comment means the world to me!
This book looks adorable. Can’t wait for the entire series! Congrats!
Thank you, Barbara! I’m thrilled I get to keep working on these books with our talented team!.
Loved reading about the journey of your book and can’t wait to pick it up from the library. My library system in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has ordered 11 copies!
Wow, Cheryl! Thanks for sharing that with me! You made my day. Hope you love our Little Witch!.
Such a great interview! I’m so happy for you, Helen! Your book looks like so much fun. I know it’s going to bring a lot of smiles!
Thank you, Linda! Rebecca asks terrific questions. Hope you enjoy our Little Witch.
Such an adorable book! I loved witches when I was a kid…and I still do.
Thank you, Kathy! I’m a witch-lover, too—especially Kiersten’s take on what our Little Witch looks like.
What a great personal story and delightful book! I can’t wait to read it. Congratulations on your success.
Thank you Debbie. I hope my story helps keep writers feeling frustrated writing!
Thank you for sharing the journey of your book. I love the premise of a witch with a to-do list. I can’t wait to read all the books in the series!
So many types of charming in this magical story on the page and in the path to publication – can’t wait to read ’em all!
Thank you, Stephanie. Kiersten brought lots of magic to my poetry. I couldn’t have been luckier—in every way.