Thanks for joining us for the fourth day of our virtual book tour, celebrating the release of “Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci.” You can buy the book online and in bookstores everywhere. For an autographed copy, consider buying online from the indie bookstore in my neighborhood. The details are here on my Buy page. Today, Thursday, we look at the origins and long genesis of the book.
A few weeks ago, I was asked by my colleague, former boss and fellow children’s book author Sue Macy to fill in for her and write a guest post for the blog I.N.K. — Interesting Nonfiction for Kids. I was delighted to do so, though I was admittedly nervous. Though my book is based on the life of a real person, I had taken significant liberties with the story. Indeed, I would describe the book more as a legend, fable, or fantasy than a dutiful biography. Nevertheless, the post was successful, and I am sharing it with you today so that more people can read it. I’m proud of it, and proud of my new association with I.N.K.
Everyone always asks authors where they get their ideas, how they got a book published, and how long it took to see something into print. Well, I touch on many of these questions in the I.N.K. piece. I hope you enjoy it.
Again, here are the stops along the tour...
Monday, March 29: You read a Q&A with me at the blog of Sarah Campbell, author of Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature.
Tuesday, March 30: You read a Q&A with me at the poetry blog of Gregory K, originator of "Fibs," Fibonacci-inspired poetry.
Wednesday, March 31: Enjoy a Q&A with John O'Brien, Blockhead's illustrator, at the blog of writer-illustrator Carolyn Croll.
Thursday, April 1: We’ll visit I.N.K.—Interesting Non-Fiction for Kids—to learn about the origin of the book and its long genesis.
Friday, April 2: Check back at my blog, where I’ll share some teaching ideas and strategies for sharing Fibonacci’s story with kids, and some thoughts about the power of picture books. (Alas, the book trailer I hoped to unveil is still in the works. Sorry.)
Saturday, April 3: "Saturday Sketch" at Henry Holt's blog: I’ll be talking to John O’Brien, and sharing his rough sketches for the book and talking about the process of making Fibonacci’s world come to life. You’ll also get to see some of the “invisible” guidelines he used to work Fibonacci objects such as spirals into illustrations. You’ll be surprised how many of them you probably haven’t spotted!
It’s shaping up to be a fun, action-packed week. I’ll be posting each morning as well, so you can learn a little about my friends as well as reminders about the schedule, in case you forget where you need to go.
Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci. Follow us here.
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