Spider in Our Mailbox by Linda Asato illustrated by Ryan Shaw published by 4RV Publishing released May 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-9818685-5-4
Children love stories about family, animals, and other creatures, especially when they can learn things at the same time. Linda Asato tells the tale of a little girl who checks the mail every day – allowing children to learn the days of the week, and sees a spider in the mailbox (number one). The second day, she sees two crows (number two). Each day the types and number of creatures changes, but the spider remains. Each day, the girl runs to tell her busy mother what she saw.
Lessons to learn are counting to seven and the days of the week, learned in a fun way.
Ryan Shaw brings Asato’s delightful story to life with his bright illustrations.
I’m pleased to have Linda Asato on my blog today as part of the vbt book tour. Linda has ghostwritten several books, and published under her name, “Spider in Our Mailbox.”
Q. You have written a book for small children called Spider in Our Mailbox. What other types of writing do you do?
Linda: I have written poetry since I was nine years old and have quite a large collection that perhaps someday I will put into publication.
Q. What kind of poetry do you like best to write?
Linda: Mostly free verse actually although I have written several that rhyme. Limericks are also my favorite because they can be so humorous.
Q. What is it that you like about writing poetry?
Linda: I guess it is the challenge to put a thought or concept into words that flow with a sort of rhythm and paint a picture full of feeling, sound, and sight all combined.
Q. Did it ever cross your mind to use poetry in your children’s picture book?
Linda: Yes, it did actually. But when I sat to write it, the words all came out differently and so I did not force poetry into Spider in Our Mailbox. Perhaps in my next book, I can use poetry.
Q. What inspired you to write poetry?
Linda: My mother read a lot of poetry to my sister and I when we were small and I loved the way it bubbled along in my mother’s voice.
Q: Do you have a sample of your poetry to share with us?
Linda: Sure. Here is limerick that you might get a kick out of, especially since it is close to Halloween.
Vampire
When a vampire of yore came on in,
He had blood dripping down on his chin.
He said "Please excuse.
I had no tissues
When I drank Betty's blood for dindin."
Or a free verse for autumn:
AUTUMN
The last summer butterfly
Wheels crazily through Autumn hours.
The spicy scent of ripened fruit
Hangs gently on the breeze.
And while the winter's heralding winds
Comb the branches of shedding trees,
I am caught in a world of now
And forget the coming of cold still nights
And silenced earth.
Although I've been writing for as long as I can remember, I didn't get serious about it until I decided to write a memoir. That's when I realized I didn't know what I was doing. So I started researching and learning about writing do's and don'ts. I wrote quite a few newspaper pieces, and then completed a middle grade novel.
.JPG)
