Hello, Picture Book Builders! Guess what? It won’t be long until IT WON’T BE LONG is released! 😉 This gorgeous and heartfelt debut by Laura Hays Hoover and illustrated by Jieting Chen will be published by Reycraft Books on September 8th, but is available to pre-order now. You are going to want to gift a copy to all the parents and caregivers in your lives! Here’s the publisher’s description:
“In this tender, lyrical picture book, a parent traces their child’s growth from age one to ten through gentle, rhythmic verse that celebrates childhood milestones like first steps, starting school, and discovering unique talents. Jieting Chen’s expressive illustrations capture the joy and wonder of these fleeting moments that shape a child’s development. The poetic narrative, written by Laura Hays Hoover, builds to the bittersweet reminder that “It won’t be long until you’re grown,” perfectly capturing the emotional journey of parenthood.”
I’m thrilled to welcome Laura to PBB to chat about her new book. Hello, Laura!
Andrea: Huge congrats on your debut picture book! Could you tell us about your inspiration for IT WON’T BE LONG?
Laura: Thank you! It’s been exciting to watch how IT WON’T BE LONG has transformed from a thought to a physical book that will soon be in the hands of readers.
One night the phrase “it won’t be long” kept going through my mind. It was January and I was thinking “it won’t be long” until the end of the school year, “it won’t be long” until summer is over and it’s the first day of school, then “it won’t be long” until –poof!– my second graders will graduate from high school! People are always talking about how the years seem to fly by. It is so true!
Andrea: That’s awesome how a simple (and poignant) phrase was the catalyst for this book! The story is written in verse and has such a wonderful cadence. How did you decide on the rhyme scheme and what was the most challenging rhyme?
Laura: I literally dreamed it up! That night I’d been pondering the fleeting nature of time and I woke up thinking these two lines:
It won’t be long until you’re one.
We rock and sleep when days are done.
I forced myself to open one eye enough to jot them down. The next day I used that middle-of-the-night inspiration as a foundation and the AA BB AA pattern just flowed. The rhyme scheme, meter, and structure never changed from that beginning.
As far as a challenging rhyme – the word seven is tough. There aren’t a lot of choices! I was so thankful that my editor loved what I had come up with. Otherwise, the entire structure of the story would have needed to be changed.
Andrea: You came up with such a creative solution! I love how there are two emotional arcs in the book: the child growing up and discovering the things that make him happy and fulfilled, and the adult (both in the story and in real life) feeling love and pride and then, acceptance of the child having grown up. (And, as an empty-nester, the wave of nostalgia brought me to tears.) The book is also a great blend of a narrative and a counting book. Did you have this structure in mind when you started writing?
Laura: I was concentrating on painting a picture of what life looks and feels like at each age. My goal was to capture the small moments and big milestones parents get to share with their kids. It wasn’t until the whole manuscript was finished that I realized it was a counting book.
Andrea: I have to rave about the illustrations by Jieting Chen – they are absolutely stunning! And the cover, with the boy’s reflection in the water, is just brilliant. Could you tell us a little about your reaction when you first saw the art?
Laura: I could not love the cover more! When I opened up the PDF with the final art in place, I was overwhelmed to the point of tears. I had been able to see the initial sketches and offer a few thoughts, but I was not prepared for the surge of joy that came as I saw my words paired with Jieting’s gorgeous illustrations. Her artwork is the perfect fit for this story.
Andrea: Seeing your story come to life on the page is so special! How did you get started in writing?
Laura: I have a friend named Michelle Houts who I taught with. She has published around a dozen children’s books and several years ago she was able to start doing author appearances and write full-time. I missed seeing her. So for Christmas, my husband bought me a seat at a one-day workshop she taught for people who thought they might want to start writing for children. He did it so I could hang out with Michelle for the day. But I went home the night of the workshop and wrote for two hours. I found out I really enjoyed it and I’ve been writing ever since!
Andrea: YAY for inspirational friends and finding your passion! What was your path to publication?
Laura: Once I started writing, Michelle encouraged me to join SCBWI. At the 2022 SCBWI Ohio North Regional Conference, I signed up for a written critique with Winsome Bingham (Acquiring editor at Reycraft Books), who was an offsite conference faculty member. I sent IT WON’T BE LONG, a manuscript I had written earlier in the year. Before the conference began, she contacted me to tell me she wanted to make an offer on it. I was floored! We talked on the phone and she sent me a written offer the next week. Thanks to some excellent advice from you, Andrea – I searched for and found my agent, Keely Boeving. By the end of that year we had a signed contract!
Andrea: Whew, glad my advice worked out! I know that the launch of your first book is a big deal and often a nerve-wracking time! Are you having any book events that you’d like to share with us?
Laura: My local library has graciously offered to host my book launch celebration on Thursday, September 10. The Friends of the Library are even making snacks! Everyone is welcome to join the party in Celina, Ohio at the Mercer County District Library that evening at 6:30 pm. On Sunday, September 13, I’ll be at the children’s bookstore Cover to Cover in Columbus, Ohio for Grandparents Day at 1 pm. If you’re closer to Cleveland, come to the Buckeye Book Fair in Wooster. It will be on the first Saturday in November. I’ve loved going to the Buckeye Book Fair as a reader and I’m thrilled to return this year as a debut author! There’s more information listed on the News and Events page of laurahayshoover.com. I’m so excited to get this book out into the world!
Andrea: I’m super excited for you, too! PBB readers — please attend Laura’s events if you’re nearby and help her celebrate her debut! Thank you so much for talking with me, Laura! Happy book birthday in advance!
Laura and her publisher are generously offering a giveaway of IT WON’T BE LONG to one reader (domestic U.S. addresses only). Leave a comment below by September 1st to enter.
Laura Hays Hoover grew up on a farm where the only animals were her dog and cats. She spent her days swimming in the pond, riding her bike with no hands, playing in the mud, and wishing for a trampoline and a pony. Now she explores the world with her husband and is fascinated by other cultures and places. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys snorkeling, kayaking, and playing in an orchestra. Find Laura on IG: @laurahayshoover and on the web at https://www.laurahayshoover.com.
Jieting Chen is a New York-based illustrator and animator. With years of experience, she produced and directed several award-winning short animations. Her illustrations are strongly influenced by oriental paintings. Find Jieting on IG: @jietingchen_art and on the web at https://www.jietingchen.com.
I’m delighted to see Laura’s book coming for readers young and old to enjoy. We both share Michelle Houts as a friend. Thanks for the interview, Andrea!