HARVEY, AND THE TRAVELING HARMONICA - Becky Van Vleet - One Free Book

 Dear Readers, this is the second Becky Van Vleet children’s book I’ve featured on my blog. One was for girls, and this one is for boys. I’ve found both books to be delightful. I’ve read them to some of my great-grandchildren and they loved them, too.

Welcome back, Becky. What has drawn you to writing for children?  Having been an elementary teacher and later a principal, and reading aloud to eight grandchildren these days, I can’t put enough emphasis on the benefits and the joy of reading aloud to young ones. After my retirement, my love of children did not retire, so my inclination to write children’s books surfaced first.

How do you keep up with the latest trends in the children’s book market?  As is the case with the adult market, the trends are constantly revolving. I pay attention to this by subscribing to agents’ and publishers’ newsletters and blogs.

Is it hard to break into the children’s market?  I really don’t know the experiences of other authors. I feel I had a lucky break with Elk Lake Publishing Inc when I submitted my first children’s book, Talitha, the Traveling Skirt. When they took it, the door with them opened up for my second book, and it’s been such a blessing. 

What advice would you give to an author wanting to do that?  I would encourage all potential children’s book authors to not give up. If one publisher rejects, try another and another. And Indie and self-publishing paths are great options as well. 

You are a retired teacher/principal? Do you stay in touch with your past students?  Yes, I do, and it’s very rewarding. I have many connections with them on social media. Occasionally, before the pandemic, I ran into former students in public places where we could talk in person—such a treat!

Your website is devoted to creating and preserving family memories. Can you tell us about a special childhood memory?  I have many, but I would have to say that one memory that stands out is when I was five-years-old and I was on the TV show called “Romper Room.” I had such fun!

Your bio says that you enjoy reading books to your grandchildren. Can you tell us about that?  Ah, this is my favorite time with my little Grands. We sit on the sofa, relax, and forget about electronics and Netflix and such. This is an intimate time. I savor these moments as I know that someday they will be teenagers and these reading moments will go by the wayside.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I enjoy reading historical and contemporary fiction and biographies as well as romance. And I very much enjoy reading children’s books, even to myself!

What other books have you written, whether published or not? My first published children’s picture book is Talitha, the Traveling Skirt. My second book is featured here. I have written a third “traveling” book which has already been submitted for publication. Stay tuned!

I'll want to feature the others on my blog, too. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? I would say my age has naturally slowed me down and I can’t argue with my age! As I have put on the brakes, I can now invest more time into my family and hobbies, and especially reading, all of which keep me sane and stable.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of, besides family? Besides my relationship with God and my family, I would have to say that I am most proud of the publications of my first two children’s picture books. I feel honored and blessed.

What would you like to tell us about the featured book? Harvey, the Traveling Harmonica is a “companion” book to Talitha, the Traveling Skirt. I plan on adding two more “traveling” books which will make these a series. In both books, the common thread is the main character is an inanimate object that travels through three generations.

How can readers find you on the Internet? Please look for me on my website: https://beckyvanvleet.com.

My social media contacts are:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becky_van_vleet_author/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorbeckyvanvleet/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-van-vleet-806055181/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/beckyvanvleet/_saved/

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/34cdEHt

Thank you, Becky, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. It would make a wonderful Christmas gift for a small child. 

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/2Uw7Rb8 - Hardback

https://amzn.to/36LshCM - Paperback

https://amzn.to/3pBBxSM - Kindle

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