It’s the Book Birthday of SO MANY BOOKS!
written by Sue Fliess and Ann Marie Stephens,
Illus. by Alexandra Colombo (Albert Whitman)!
About the Book
Whether you’re indoors or outside, at home or in the library, whether you’re by yourself or with a friend, anytime is the right time to read a book! Featuring rhythmic, rhyming text and delightful illustrations, this story celebrates the magic of reading in an array of settings and situations. — Albert Whitman
“This exuberant rhyming ode to reading is primed to get kids excited about the wonders awaiting them between the pages of a book… If this book doesn’t turn kids into ardent readers, nothing will.
…Lots of page-turning fun for everyone: a book that demands repeat visits.” — Kirkus
Can you guess which author likes read-at-the-beach books? Answer below.
About the Authors
Ann Marie Stephens is the author of numerous picture books including the Arithmechicks ( Check out the Arithmechicks Book Birthday blog post here.) and A Catastrophe Tale series. An award-winning elementary teacher with over thirty years’ experience, Ann Marie’s poetry and literacy work has been featured in Bon Appetit and on NPR radio.
Sue Fliess is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than fifty children’s books including Cicada Symphony, The Earth Gives More, and the Kid Scientist series. Her books have been named to notable lists and translated into multiple languages. (Check out Sue’s Kindergarten Show-and-Tell post here!)
Both of these creative humans live and write SO MANY BOOKS (see what I did there?) in Virginia. We’re very excited to have AMS & SF back on the blog today.
Let’s ask some questions!
Q 1. What inspired the two of you to team up on this book? Where did the idea come from?
AMS & SF: In the middle of the night, Ann Marie was thinking of a book about books, and as a line of text came into her head, she thought, That rhythm sounds like something Sue would write. So she asked Sue the next day if she’d be interested in collaborating on it. Sue said yes and they immediately made a plan to write it.
The Process, the Plan — and coffee shop Preferences…
Q 2. What was your creative process like? Did you pass the manuscript back and forth, or possibly write it together in the same room or zoom?
AMS & SF: Fortunately, we live close to one another in Northern Virginia. So we met at a coffee shop midway between our homes. Sue ordered a latte and Ann Marie ordered a hot cocoa. We went upstairs to a small table and started brainstorming.
- First we made a list of all the different kinds of books we wanted to include, (and some funny ones we knew we couldn’t!).
- Next we established the rhyme scheme and meter.
- Then we organized what types of books went into each stanza.
We were very productive! Over the next few weeks we jointly revised a google doc, sometimes on our own and sometimes over a phone call while working on it. When we decided it was finished, we surprised both of our agents with it.
written by Sue Fliess and Ann Marie Stephens (Albert Whitman).
Wow!
Discoveries
Q 3. What discoveries came from this collaboration process?
AMS & SF: We discovered what a joy it was to write a book with someone else, but even more than that, we found we work so well together! And, we are friends, so we were surprised by how productive we were together. Sharing the rejections softened the blow but getting to celebrate the sale together doubled the excitement. Also, both of us taking on the task of promoting the book has been wonderful.
Q 4. Author Lightning Round (taking a few lines from your book…)
Used Books or New Books?
AMS & SF: Used books! We love libraries! While we do think it’s special to have your very own books at home that you can read whenever you like, libraries are amazing and you can check out any book for free.
Stretch-out-in-the-yard books or Snuggle-up-it’s-cold-books?
written by Sue Fliess and Ann Marie Stephens (Albert Whitman).
AMS & SF: Sue would stretch-out-in-the-yard (or beach!) with a book and Ann Marie would love to snuggle up in the cold with a good book.
Takeaways
Q 5. What do you hope readers will take away from reading this book?
AMS & SF: We hope readers know they can access books from just about anywhere and there’s no wrong way or place or time to read a book! Also, that there are SO MANY types of books they can read and enjoy.
written by Sue Fliess and Ann Marie Stephens (Albert Whitman).
What fun to celebrate SO MANY BOOKS! with you both today.
Happy Book Birthday!
To learn more about Sue Fliess and Ann Marie Stephens, check out their websites
Sue’s website: www.suefliess.com
Ann Marie’s website: www.annmariestephensbooks.com
And follow them on social media:
| Platform | Sue Fliess | Ann Marie Stephens | Albert Whitman |
| X (Twitter) | @suefliess | @amstephens_ | @AlbertWhitman |
| Instagram/Threads | @suefliess | @amstephens_ | @albertwhitman |
| Sue.Fliess.Author | AMStephensAuthor | AlbertWhitmanCompany | |
| BlueSky | suefliess.bsky.social | amstephens.bsky.social | albertwhitman.bsky.social |
Next up on the blog: We chat with Lynne Marie about her latest picture book,
HENNY PENNY’S WEATHER WORRIES,
illus. Wendy Carrick-Hadinger (Mac and Cheese Press).
SO MANY BOOKS looks amazing! Can’t wait to get it!