Today on the blog we’re featuring the latest pb from Annette M. Clayton: PAPA AND PEARL: A Tale About Divorce, New Beginnings, and Love That Never Changes. (Illus. Kimberley Barnes / Free Spirit Publishing)
A sweet story of the love between father and daughter that stays constant, even through big change.
*Releasing August 20th *
Here’s the Preorder Link!
“A must-have for any child who is experiencing a divorce, Papa and Pearl shows the challenges of divorce for a child while still honoring the love and joy they can find in their new normal. Soft illustrations show the struggles of adjusting to a new routine with tenderness and charm. This book is a sweet, fun read for any kid; while it will be particularly poignant for families experiencing divorce, it will also help kids understand what other families may be going through or deal with a variety of changes in their own lives and routines.”
–Tracy C. Gold, author of Call Your Mother
And we have questions for Annette M. Clayton!
Q 1. What was the inspiration for PAPA AND PEARL?
AMC: I was jotting down ideas for picture books and I had this image of a father braiding his daughter’s hair, only he doesn’t know how to braid, so he does a series of nautical knots instead, making her very unhappy.
I thought it was really funny, but it wasn’t a story–just a seed of an idea. I put it away for a long time. Then, someone close to me was going through a divorce and their daughter was having a difficult time coping. I wanted to help! And of course, read a book to comfort them.
AMC: As I researched picture books, I was shocked to see how few there were on divorce, so, I decided to write one. My friend was such a great father, and I wanted to honor that in the book, but how? Then it came back to me–the daddy braiding the girls hair! The idea went from there.
More about Research
Q 2. What kind of research was involved in writing PAPA AND PEARL?
AMC: I interviewed divorced parents. I wanted to see what they wanted in a picture book about divorce, and most importantly what they didn’t want. The resounding theme was that the parents wanted their children to know that they were still loved.
I did alot of research online as well regarding the effect divorce has on children, co-parenting strategies, and best practices for helping children transition to a new normal.
Q 3. What’s next for you? Anything you can share?
AMC: I have another picture book coming out in November, Hooray, It’s Three Kings Day! from Familius. Then, my debut chapter books series, JoJo, comes out in 2025 with Lerner Publishing.
We love this note in the back of the book:
To learn more about Annette’s books check out her website: annettemclayton.com
And follow her on social media:
TwitterX: @AnnetteMClayton)
Instagram: @annettemclayton) • photos and videos
Up next on the blog: Cheers to SUMMER, catching up on #kidlit, #gratitude, and late bloomers = An Inside View of #AuthorLife with Benson Shum and Megan Hoyt.
PS Erin Dealey will be at ALA in SanDiego at the end of the month, signing JUST FLOWERS and giving away copies of THE HALF BIRTHDAY BOOK–with stickers. Come say HI!
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