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True Story: Immigrant Biographies Are for Kids
Local author teams with dead writers to create children’s nonfiction
MIDVALE, Utah – Author Karl Beckstrand never has drama working with other writers — but then, he’s only worked with dead ones.
Beckstrand’s 24th and 25th books are the latest in a nonfiction series on immigrant children, Young American Immigrants, published by Premio Publishing in Midvale.
“Agnes’s Rescue: The True Story of an Immigrant Girl,” released in April, is taken from the Scottish protagonist’s childhood recollections — transcribed by her youngest daughter, Veara Southworth Fife.
Born in Glasgow in the 1840s, Agnes Caldwell Southworth lost her father at sea. When Agnes was nine years old, her mother, hoping for a better life, sold everything to buy the family passage to America. At the last minute, they had to leave one of Agnes’s brothers behind — never to see him again.
Arriving in New York, they take a train to the end of the line in Iowa, where they join the Willie handcart company and continue west 1,200 miles — on foot. Plundered by Indians, stampeded by buffalo and enduring countless losses, their progress is belabored. Agnes's shoes wear out crossing the Continental Divide. She enters the Rockies in blizzard conditions, starving and barefoot.
“You don’t make up a story like this,” says Beckstrand, “I could never have dreamed the ending.” Stunningly illustrated by Sean Sullivan, “Agnes’s Rescue” is sure to captivate even die-hard fiction lovers.
This biographical picture book is special to Beckstrand. “It’s about my Scottish-Irish great-great-grandmother.” Perhaps the most amazing thing about the story is that Beckstrand’s collaborator is Agnes’s 15th child, born in 1896 — and Beckstrand got to meet his Great-great-aunt Veara as a boy. Beckstrand is proud he could make her a published author posthumously.
Beckstrand’s newest title, “Samuel Sailing: The True Story of an Immigrant Boy” is the fourth in his immigrant series. “It’s the story of my great uncle, whose parents had to leave him behind, at 11 years old, in South Africa after he contracted typhoid fever,” said Beckstrand.
The family wasn’t cold-hearted; they had sold everything to purchase passage to America before Samuel’s diagnosis. With the outbreak of WWI, it was unlikely the family would have been able to make the journey again anytime soon. Samuel’s parents agonized over what to do, but they felt directed by God to go ahead with their plans — not knowing whether they would see their boy again.
“As a boy I heard Samuel’s story and always wondered how his parents could make such a difficult choice,” said Beckstrand. “Samuel’s courage had a great impact on me; I want other people to hear of it too.” This story is taken from Beckstrand’s great-grandparents’ account and other family journals.
“My first collaboration with a dead author was my grandfather Ransom Wilcox,” said Beckstrand. “I polished and expanded a manuscript he’d written many years ago — and we won an International Book Award for ‘To Swallow the Earth: A Western Thriller.’” Beckstrand also edited and published a book of short stories his grandfather penned.
The other two titles in the Young American Immigrants series are: “Ida’s Witness” and “Anna’s Prayer.” Many of Beckstrand’s books have multicultural characters, and many are Spanish/bilingual mysteries with language pronunciation guides. Most have online extras and surprise endings.
Beckstrand’s work has been praised by Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, The Horn Book and School Library Journal. All may be found at Amazon, Apple, Bn.com, Follett, Ingram, Library Direct, SCRIBD, https://PremioBooks.com, Target.com and Walmart.com.
Kids Learn Where Food Comes From
Multicultural picture book explains gardening to kids
MIDVALE, Utah – If you have kids, you may know that some think food comes from the grocery store. Author and media professor Karl Beckstrand is giving the backstory on that simplification. His 23rdbook, “GROW: How We Get Food from Our Garden,” details how land is prepared, seeds are sown and nourished, and food is harvested. All steps are vividly illustrated by U.K. artist Zanara.
“Kids love to see nature in action,” says Beckstrand of his gardening book, which opened at number one in five categories and includes an animal finding activity for children ages 4 – 7. The picture book, which can serve as curriculum for early grades, includes online tips for starting a garden.
Meant to be read aloud, the colorful book with a mixed-race family is full of alliteration, rhythm and rhyming words. While sentences are simple, families may get unintended laughs as this kid’s book contains several tongue twisters even scholars may stumble over.
Beckstrand, who won an International Book Award for his western novel “To Swallow the Earth,” has children’s books on careers, astronomy, immigration, and five books on food. His other culinary titles include “Bad Bananas: A Story Cookbook for Kids,” “The Dancing Flamingos of Lake Chimichanga,” “She Doesn’t Want the Worms” and “Ma MacDonald Flees the Farm.”
Many of Beckstrand’s diverse books are in Spanish and come with a pronunciation guide in English. Most have online extras and surprise endings. His work has been praised by Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, The Horn Book and School Library Journal. All may be found at Amazon, BN.com, iBooks, https://PremioBooks.com, Target.com and Walmart.com.
Children's Golf Book a 'Hole in Fun'
Wordless picture book cements vocabulary as kids tell the story
MIDVALE, Utah – Sometimes kids want to tell the story. Today they can — guided by author and media professor Karl Beckstrand’s concepts and art by Jordan C. Brun. Beckstrand’s 23rd book, “Gopher Golf: A Wordless Picture Book,” depicts the joy — and trials — a couple of gophers feel while golfing (with help from other critters).
“Children love to make up stories,” says Beckstrand of his third wordless book, which includes an animal finding activity and online secrets for children ages 2 – 6. The colorful sports book with silly characters definitely has a story progression, “but how it’s expressed in words is up to the ‘reader,’” he says.
“Asking kids to tell what’s happening in the pictures can bring a different story every time you read it,” says Beckstrand. His Stories Without Words series can serve as curriculum for non-readers or early writers because it helps cement vocabulary and sentence structure in young minds. The illustrations by themselves can prompt uncontrolled snorts of laughter.
Beckstrand, who won an International Book Award for his western novel “To Swallow the Earth,” has children’s books on careers, astronomy, immigration and five books on food. His other no-words books include playful “Polar Bear Bowler: A Story Without Words” and “Butterfly Blink: A Book Without Words,” which highlights insect habitat conservation.
MIDVALE, Utah - Karl Beckstrand’s 22nd book, “It Came from under the High Chair: A Mystery,” almost never got published. “I thought the concept of a monster made of spilled food might be too disgusting,” he said. “Then I saw all these best-selling bathroom humor books and figured the world was ready for my 20-year-old idea.” he said.
A media professor at a state college, Beckstrand always sneaks some education into his stories. “I think kids don’t mind learning if they are being entertained,” he said. This funny children’s picture book teaches prepositions in Spanish and English. It includes a bilingual pronunciation guide, dyslexic-friendly font and online secrets. The English version debuted in April at #1 in its category on Amazon.
Beckstrand, who speaks Spanish and is learning German, has taught English as a second language as a volunteer for more than a decade. “It Came from under the High Chair” is his seventh bilingual book and the fifth in his Mini-mysteries for Minors series (others in the series: “Sounds in the House,” “Crumbs on the Stairs,” “She Doesn’t Want the Worms” and “Why Juan Can’t Sleep”).
Most of Beckstrand’s titles have online extras and surprise endings. In 2016 he won an International Book Award for his western novel “To Swallow the Earth.” His work has been praised by Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, Horn Book’s blog and School Library Journal. During the past six months two of his titles have spent weeks at number one in more than one Amazon category.
As a kid, Beckstrand wanted to be a rock star — not a writer. Before being published he worked in human resources, hospitality and public policy. His first publisher died the day his book was to print. Even after getting a master’s degree in international organizations, Beckstrand feels his most valuable education has come from running a business and living abroad. “I did get to sing professionally — in a wedding band,” he said. So his bucket list is mostly complete.
This new Spanish book includes a wanna-be superhero, finding/counting activity, a mysterious visitor and vivid illustrations by Jeremy Higginbotham (for kids ages 4 and up, including dual language/ESL/ELL students).
“It Came from under the High Chair,” features Filipino and Polynesian children in a mixed-race family and is available in English, en español, hard, soft and ebook versions. It is published by multicultural book publisher Premio Publishing & Gozo Books and can be found via Amazon, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble, Brodart, EBSCO, Follett, Gardners, iBooks, Ingram, Library Direct, Target.com, Walmart.com and PremioBooks.com.
Multicultural Publisher Creates Ten Products from One Title
Award-winning author shows how delivery formats can multiply product offerings and earnings
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - When author Karl Beckstrand wrote “Great Cape o’ Colors – Capa de colores,” he didn’t plan on it becoming a model of multiplying products that any manufacturer or goods producer could emulate. “I just wanted a bilingual picture book to teach colors in Spanish or English,” he said.
“Great Cape o’ Colors” is Beckstrand’s 20th book and sixth bilingual title. Because some buyers (parents, educators) prefer single language kid’s books to teach children a foreign language, “I also created Spanish-only and English-only versions, as I’ve done with my other bilingual books,” he said. Each version comes with a language pronunciation guide.
Since librarians and teachers prefer children’s books that last, Beckstrand made all three language versions available in hard cover as well as the more affordable soft cover format. “So the three language versions in hard and soft cover — along with ebook versions of each — make a total of nine formats,” he said.
John Collado, the illustrator, liked Beckstrand’s idea of making a coloring book version (it is about colors after all) using John’s original line art. Of course, there is no hardback or ebook version of the coloring book.
“So, from one story, I have ten versions of the book,” said Beckstrand. While ten versions of the story didn’t need to be written, there were other commercial product design steps beyond writing and editing it in Spanish, namely cover creation for the various iterations. All versions of the new book were released this year.
“If it weren’t a picture book, I could do an audio version which would make an 11th incarnation,” said Beckstrand. He is in the process of making his award-winning western novel, “To Swallow the Earth” into an audio book.
“Great Cape o’ Colors” is also the fourth book in Beckstrand’s Careers for Kids series. Product bundling or “a series is another excellent way to increase a product’s reach,” he said. Other titles in this jobs/money book series are: “Ma MacDonald Flees the Farm” (about a woman-owned business), “Bright Star Night Star” (for aspiring astronomers), and “The Bridge of the Golden Wood: A Parable on How to Earn a Living” — which was selected by the State of Vermont for financial literacy curriculum. Utah’s Granite School District has ordered a large quantity of Great Cape o’ Colors. All four multicultural children’s books link to a site with job and business ideas plus money management tips for kids and teens: ChildrenEarn.com.
“A 12th incarnation of the book could be a film or animated version,” adds Beckstrand, who also mentioned internet, television, game and toy options. Whether someone creates children’s products or does product development for adults or corporations, Beckstrand’s ideas may inspire creative ways for manufacturers to multiply product offerings. “Never let a good product go underutilized,” he said.
Besides language learning, cultures and career ideas, kids can enjoy activities like coloring or trying on the costumes portrayed in Great Cape o’ Colors (which has black and Hispanic superheroes and is free for Kindle Unlimited readers) available through PremioBooks.com, Amazon, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble/Nook, Brodart, Ingram, Follett, iBooks, and Walmart.com. Beckstrand may be found on Goodreads, Bookbub, Youtube, Smashwords, FB, Pinterest, Google, Instagram, and Twitter (search Multicultural Children’s Books by Premio Publishing). ISBN: 978-1732069619. See the book trailer here: https://youtu.be/gEDcKFD1HuI
Jobs Good for Kids Says Former Silicon Valley Recruiter
Author says kids benefit from early business experience
MIDVALE, Utah - When Karl Beckstrand wrote his 20th book, “Great Cape o’ Colors – Capa de colores,” he didn’t plan on it being about careers. “I just wanted a Spanish-English picture book to teach colors to language learners,” he said.
“I came up with different costumes that include capes — costumes kids might try at home,” said Beckstrand, whose books have diverse characters and language pronunciation guides. But after getting the artwork from the illustrator, he realized this was also a book about jobs for kids — and it fit nicely with three of his other books on careers for kids.
A former Silicon Valley recruiter, Beckstrand wanted to spark imaginations to discover skills and interests. “I especially want kids to learn that our best ideas and skills are born while solving problems and helping others — and this can happen at almost any age,” he said.
Beckstrand, who speaks Spanish and is learning German, has taught English as a second language as a volunteer for more than a decade. He also teaches digital media at Mountainland Technical College in Lehi, Utah. His children’s books share insights he gained while working from a young age.
Besides “Great Cape o’ Colors,” the Careers for Kids series includes “Ma MacDonald Flees the Farm” (about a woman-owned business), “Bright Star Night Star” (for aspiring astronomers) and “The Bridge of the Golden Wood: A Parable on How to Earn a Living” — selected by the State of Vermont for primary school financial literacy curriculum. Each book links to a site with job and business ideas for graduates plus money management tips: ChildrenEarn.com.
In 2016 Beckstrand won an International Book Award for his western novel “To Swallow the Earth.” He’s also been praised by Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, Horn Book’s blog and School Library Journal. “This is a magic cape!” begins Beckstrand’s newest title. “I feel like one of the superheroes inside,” he said.
“Great Cape o’ Colors” features a black girl and a Hispanic boy. It is illustrated by John Collado, free on Instafreebie and Kindle Unlimited and available in hard cover, paper, ebook (en español/single language or bilingual) and soon as a coloring book from Premio Publishing & Gozo Books, Amazon, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble/Nook, Brodart, Follett, Ingram and Walmart.com. A book trailer is available on YouTube.
Former Silicon Valley Recruiter Says Some Schools not Preparing Students to Earn a Living
Doing things for free may not sound like a great recipe for earning; but a new picture book by a former Silicon Valley recruiter shows how providing free service can build skills, ideas and a reputation — all of which can bring income.
“Some people graduate from high school or college and expect to be paid right out of the gate,” said author Karl Beckstrand. “Most employers want experience,” he said. “Seeing problems and providing solutions — even without pay — can give job seekers the edge.”
“The Bridge of the Golden Wood: A Parable on How to Earn a Living” (for ages 5 and up) came to Beckstrand after he had visited many schools, observing almost no curriculum on earning money. The State of Vermont now uses the picture book and its online resources in its financial literacy curriculum for primary schools.
Beckstrand’s 18th book (number one in three Amazon categories) shows how a child with an eye for solving problems helps some hungry fish and finds a treasure. This illustrated Asian folk tale comes with ideas for businesses, finding customers and managing finances.
“I hope it helps bridge the gap,” Beckstrand said, “between what kids aren’t being taught and what they need to know in order to make a living. Money shouldn’t mystify.”
Beckstrand, winner of a 2016 International Book Award, says that earners start young — with no expectation of reward. “Doing something for nothing not only helps you feel good,” he said, “it gives you experience, a good reputation and, sometimes, money-making ideas.”
“Many children and adults lack confidence that only comes through experience,” said Beckstrand. “We get experience by finding and filling needs, solving problems.”
While he wanted to be a rock star, Beckstrand’s first job out of college was as a technical recruiter in Silicon Valley. “I got that job because I had worked some summers and semesters doing grunt work as a human resources assistant.”
Some of the people Beckstrand recruited had great ability and egos, some had no ability and great egos, but some had an idea of what they didn’t know,” he said. “The latter group had the best chances because they wanted to learn how to bring value.”
Beckstrand worked in high tech, sales and public policy before publishing his first book. “I did get to sing professionally,” he said, “even if our band was basically a wedding band. The point is, by trying lots of things I learned what I like and developed skills that help in any industry.”
“Maybe you don’t get that Fortune 500 job,” Beckstrand said, “maybe, while you’re serving someone in need, you get an idea that turns into the next Uber or Amazon — only it’s your company.”
After a couple of books through other publishers, Beckstrand now runs Premio Publishing in Midvale, Utah. They specialize in multicultural mysteries, biographies and language books for families. “They’re not about race or ethnicity,” said Beckstrand. “They simply happen to have characters of color.” They have received awards and raves from national publications like School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book’s blog and ForeWord Reviews.
Even after getting a master’s degree, Beckstrand noted that none of his courses taught earning or managing money. He says his most valuable education has come from running a business and living abroad. He has included tips he has learned in “The Bridge of the Golden Wood,” written in dyslexic-friendly font and available in hard cover, soft cover and ebook via major distributors.
STEM Books Pick up Steam
MIDVALE, Utah, Oct. 12, 2016 – Three multicultural books teach astronomy, entomology, zoology (and Spanish) — but kids would never know it from the mysteries, activities and giggles.
Cover contest winner “Butterfly Blink: A Book Without Words” is a new picture book fantasy that helps children (ages 2 – 6) cement vocabulary as they describe the monarch from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. Blink — and they multiply! The e-book version is free this month and includes habitat conservation information for all ages.
“Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story” (also a cover design winner) is a children’s book that accompanies an American Indian child in finding constellations, stars and other heavenly bodies. It exposes children (4 - 8) to the starry skies, Monument Valley, and a little space science. It is available in hard or soft cover — or as an e-book.
“She Doesn’t Want the Worms – Ella no quiere los gusanos: A Mystery” was named in the top 10 best books of 2011 by “ForeWord Reviews Magazine.” It is an educational activity book about a bi-racial girl who responds to some unusual animal gifts — that happen to be alive — and includes full text and a pronunciation guide in both English and Spanish. Kids (3 and up) or language learners can find and count insects, reptiles, a cat, and a bat. Get in Spanish-only, English-only, or bilingual versions as an e-book or in paperback.
The best-selling author of these nature books, Karl Beckstrand, has 17 multicultural books and more than 45 e-book titles – all family friendly. Beckstrand finds that Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) books can entertain while they educate (STEAM books include the arts). Beckstrand will present on publishing entertaining literature Tues. Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the Weber County Library 2039 W. 4000 South, Roy, Utah and Sat. Nov. 5 from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Viridian Center 8030 S. 1825 West, West Jordan, Utah.
Award-winning Premio Publishing & Gozo Books’ STEM books capture attention, create repeat readers and are nationally lauded (ForeWord Reviews, Horn Book blog, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews). Not about ethnic or racial diversity, they simply feature black, white, Asian, Hispanic, Pacific Islander and mixed-race characters.
108 Years in the Making, Manuscript wins International Award
MIDVALE, Utah, June 24, 2016 – After being named a finalist — but not winning — the Laramie Award (western novel) and, after getting Literary Classics’ seal of approval, but no award, Karl Beckstrand was beginning to doubt there would be any recognition of his hard work. Last month he learned that his thriller, “To Swallow the Earth,” had indeed won a 2016 International Book Award.
Beckstrand, who grew up in San Jose, California, has won other literary awards, but this one is special. “It’s really my grandfather’s story,” Beckstrand said. “I just reworked it so the characters were developed and the action flowed.” Beckstrand’s grandfather grew up ranching, hunting and fishing around the Sierra Nevada Mountains a hundred years ago and used that setting for a western mystery set in the Nevada silver rush.
“My grandfather explored the mountains on horseback, so he knew the country well,” Beckstrand said. “My challenge was to tighten his story while preserving the plot’s action, suspense and earthy vernacular.”
“The main character is an outcast, half-Mexican, raised by Indians,” Beckstrand said. “But he’s fearless and loyal to his friends and family.” In addition to a tough, dark hero, there’s a gutsy heroine who is unintimidated in the worst kinds of opposition.
“What if you came home after a journey and your family was no longer there?” Beckstrand summarizes. What if someone else was living in your house, running what you used to manage—and trying to kill you? Could a beautiful woman be behind it? Wade Forester must stay in the shadows. His father has disappeared, and his sister won’t speak to anyone. Patricia Laughlin is searching for her family as well. Few people gain her trust or approval. Wade must decide if risking his life to help Patricia means aiding the enemy. And Patricia must choose a killer to trust with her life.
Beckstrand, who has a bachelor’s in journalism from BYU and a master’s from APU, will present with a panel of authors on Monday, June 27 at the Hunter Library at 7 p.m. and on July 26 at the Kearns Library.
Beckstrand’s fifteenth book may be found via all major distributors and here. A book trailer is here.
More info: What if you came home after a journey and your family was no longer there? What if someone else was living in your house and running what you used to manage? What if they tried to kill you when you showed up? Wade Forester must stay in the shadows because, it seems, everyone has reason to shoot him. His father has disappeared, and his sister won’t speak a word to anyone. Beautiful Patricia Laughlin is searching for her family as well. Few people gain her trust or approval, though powerful landowner Bridger Calhoun just might be the man to do it. After a clash throws them to opposite sides, Wade must decide if risking his life to help Patricia is worth the trouble. Bridger must win Patricia’s heart, and Patricia must learn which killer to trust with her life.
Set in Nevada’s silver rush, and reminiscent of Twain, the writing comes from intimate knowledge of the era and area. Having lived off the land, Wilcox depended on his wit, grit, and strength—and that of his animals—for survival, just as these characters do. Wilcox and Beckstrand weave authentic detail and care for the land and its creatures into a mystery that will make your heart pound and fill your lungs with the “rarefied air” of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Of his grandfather Beckstrand said, “His family ranched and hunted in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Once, when the hunter became the prey -- of a charging wild boar -- my grandfather stuck a pole he was carrying into the ground and climbed straight up to safety.” On another occasion, Beckstrand’s grandfather was saved from a deadly boar by the family dog, an Australian shepherd named Blue. When Blue was later injured in an unrelated accident, Beckstrand’s grandfather was able to turn the tables and save the dog with an emergency amputation. “That three-legged mountain dog was kind of a celebrity after that,” Beckstrand said.
Comes with additional short story. Family safe (ages 14 & up), diverse characters, 54,000 words, 210 pages, 5.25”x8” paperback, simultaneously published as A Sky So Big (also a paperback and audiobook, YA western suspense/romance). Premio Publishing (worldwide rights 2015) PremioPublishing.com, Baker & Taylor, BN, EBSCO, Follett, Ingram, Mackin, Quality Books, Kindle/Amazon.com, Sony, iTunes, Kobo, Diesel, and select retailers. Written by Ransom Wilcox & Karl Beckstrand
Dancing Flamingos
MIDVALE, Utah, Sept. 9, 2015 -- The world is pink. Pink with flamingos reveling on an imaginary lake—the creation of award-winning author Karl Beckstrand. Vivid images for the picture book “The Dancing Flamingos of Lake Chimichanga” were created by illustrator Ashley Sanborn.
“The story is filled with frenetic flamingos diving, dancing and dipping,” Beckstrand said. “I think it will make anyone smile. Kids can count the birds, dances and foods.”
“Diving, dipping, drinking, dripping, flying, falling, flailing, flipping. Strutting, swaying, swooping, sunning, synchronized swimming—they shimmy. It’s stunning.”
The 24-page, 8.5-inch square soft cover picture book and ebook is for ages 3 – 7 (350 words for preschool to second grade) and has online extras. Beckstrand has 15 multicultural books and more than 40 online titles, many of which feature characters of color. Most end with a twist. His nationally lauded books can be found at Amazon/Kindle, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble/Nook, Brodart, EBSCO, Flipkart, Follett, Gardners, iBooks, Ingram, Inktera, Kobo, Library Direct, Mackin, OverDrive, Quality, SCRIBD, txtr, PremioBooks.com and select retailers.
Read a Book with No Words?
MIDVALE, Utah, Nov. 28, 2014 -- Want to help kids cement their vocabulary skills? A new book—without words—can do just that. "Polar Bear Bowler: A Story Without Words" is designed to help children create their own narration to engaging, funny images. It is Karl Beckstrand’s eleventh book.
Illustrated by Ashley Sanborn of Lehi, UT, the story is about a Polar Bear that hitches a ride to Antarctica. He has never seen penguins before; to him they look like something fun to play with. So, the romp begins. The new title has been translated into more than twenty languages and is available in paperback and ebook versions.
What would you do if Old MacDonald’s animals ruined your catering business? Ma MacDonald’s response is pretty clever in Beckstrand’s twelfth book: “Ma MacDonald Flees the Farm.” Activities include finding and naming animals and foods (for ages 3 - 8). The 32-page, soft cover and ebook was illustrated by Alycia Mark of Providence, UT.
True to its multicultural tradition, Premio Publishing’s books feature learning activities and characters of color. Premio's mystery and language books, non-fiction, ebooks and app are nationally-lauded, invite family learning and together time, and often end with surprises. Premio is celebrating its tenth year.
Blink, and You Could Miss 'Em
“Butterfly Blink: A Book Without Words” is a picture book fantasy that helps children cement vocabulary as they describe the monarch from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. Blink — and they multiply. Blink — and they’re gone! (Stories Without Words series, Ages 2 – 6), 24-page, 8"x 10", wordless picture book on habitat conservation with Hispanic child, ISBN: 978-0692648599.
New Astronomy Book Exposes Kids to Science
MIDVALE, UT, March 09, 2014 - Want to expose kids to the night sky? A new picture book, Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story, opens the starry skies to youngsters.
This week Bright Star, Night Star hit No. 2 on Amazon's Hot New Children's Books list. It opened mid-Feb. at No. 5.
The children's astronomy book has activities for finding stars, constellations, planets and other heavenly bodies. Rich illustrations by Spanish artist Luis F. Sanz help identify objects and online secrets add depth and details. The vocabulary is suitable for children ages 5 - 9.
Bilingual author Karl Beckstrand hopes the story and activities spark children's interest in all things stellar. This is Beckstrand's tenth book. He likes to weave language, counting or other learning concepts through his stories. He even wrote a free geography ebook for kids: It Ain't Flat: A Memorizable Book of Countries.
Beckstrand will be signing books Saturday 22 at the Discovery Space Center in Pleasant Grove, UT (886 W. 2600 North) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
True to its multicultural tradition, Premio Publishing & Gozo Books features characters of color in its astronomy book for kids. Premio's activity and language books, ebooks and app are nationally-lauded, invite family learning and together time and often end with surprises.
The soft cover bedtime story and ebook can be found via http://PremioBooks.com, Baker & Taylor, Brodart, Bn.com/NOOK, Amazon.com/Kindle, iTunes, Follett Library Resources/Title Wave, Ingram, Mackin, and select booksellers. Customers may pre-order in hard cover from the publisher.
Horse & Dog Adventures in Early California
Sept. 2, 2013, MIDVALE, UT, USA – Animal lovers can get a peek at life in rural California in the early twentieth century when animals played a critical role in human survival. Author Ransom Wilcox knows—he lived it.
Wilcox’s family moved to the Sacramento Valley from Canada in 1907. They farmed, tended livestock, and sometimes got by via hunting and fishing. Once, when the hunter became the prey—of a charging wild boar—Wilcox stuck a pole he was carrying into the ground and climbed up!
Wilcox’s new book, Horse and Dog Adventures in Early California, tells of his great love for a beautiful filly and how he depended on horses in ranching and hunting. He also writes about the devotion of a special dog that saved his life—and how he was later able to return the favor, performing emergency surgery on the injured canine. “Doc” Wilcox, as his friends called him, was a chiropractor by profession, and grateful for his medical training when his rescuer needed help.
Wilcox’s love of animals and the great outdoors is evident in his nature-themed stories (for young and old). They convey courage, devotion, and perseverance with warmth and sincerity.
Also new from Premio Publishing: No Offense: Communication Guaranteed Not to Offend by Karl Beckstrand (also from California). In his ninth book, Beckstrand captures with simplicity and wit the essence of non-offensive, politically correct communication. Funny--and free of degrading bits--this is safe, entertaining reading for the whole family. Beckstrand encourages (in a clever way) the expression of important ideas and respectful dialogue—which often lead to serendipitous solutions that neither side would have arrived at without the other. He makes a strong statement about the problems with political correctness—especially unconstitutional limits on free speech.
Multicultural Publisher Donates Language and Activity Books to Libraries Across the West
Nationally lauded Spanish/bilingual books, activity mysteries and ebooks featuring black, white, Hispanic and Asian children are now available at multiple libraries and web sites.
May 2013, MIDVALE, UT, USA - Parents and teachers seeking more racially-diverse educational books for children have new options—and more places to find them. This month Premio Publishing & Gozo Books has made its multicultural activity and language books available at more than 75 libraries and bookmobiles in the West.
Hundreds of the nationally-lauded English and Spanish books (with pronunciation guide), activity mysteries, ebooks and non-fiction books on immigrants have also been donated around the world. The books feature children of black, white, Asian, Hispanic and mixed races, and come with finding or counting activities, online secrets and even recipes. Surprise twists, vivid images and humor hold student attention and make them repeat readers.
The publisher has also increased the number of web sites that offer its diverse books and ebooks internationally--including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Nook, Kindle, iBooks, Kobo, Sony, Diesel, Smashwords and Etsy. Premiobooks.com offers a free geography ebook: It Ain’t Flat: A Memorizable Book of Countries meant to be read aloud. They plan to release interactive book apps later this year.
Premio Publishing’s multicultural books have been praised by School Library Journal, the Horn Book blog, ForeWord Reviews and others. While their educational children’s books may be ordered via Baker & Taylor, Brodart, Follett Library Resources/BWI Title Wave, Ingram, Amazon and others, the publisher will continue to donate books to US libraries and charities. Libraries that did not receive a free bilingual book with pronunciation guide may contact the publisher while quantities last.
Premio's publisher, Karl Beckstrand, will be presenting on Creating & Publishing Children’s Books for Broadest Reach (including ebooks and Print-On-Demand) at the LDStorymakers Conference Friday, May 10 at 10:40 a.m. at the Provo, Utah, Marriott Hotel, USA.
Mini-mysteries for Minors
Oct. 2012 - Not that anyone needs a comprehensive list of what keeps people awake at night, but a new mystery book Why Juan Can’t Sleep chronicles--with hilarity--every possible cause for insomnia. From wild dreams to noisy critters and neighbors, to too much Chinese food, author Karl Beckstrand makes sure adults and kids are entertained at bedtime.
The fourth in his Mini-mysteries for Minors series, this interactive book has finding activities and striking illustrations by Spanish artist Luis Sanz that grab readers and aid comprehension. It’s really a list of what has interrupted Beckstrand’s sleep—with a great reaction from Juan and a twist at the end.
This summer, two of Beckstrand's mysteries were highlighted among the "best of the best" on Barnes & Noble's site. Other praise for Beckstrand has come from the Horn Book blog, ForeWord Reviews, and School Library Journal. Beckstrand's books have Latino flair, minority characters and often end with a surprise twist. Mini-mysteries for Minors help children identify and face fears. Many are available in English-only, Spanish-only, and bilingual versions--with full text and pronunciation guide in both languages--and as e-books. Young and old will identify with this funny, spooky quest for rest (for ages 4 - 10).
One other new title from Beckstrand is Arriba Up, Abajo Down at the Boardwalk--a bilingual picture book of opposites set at the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. All Mini-mysteries for Minors are ideal Halloween books: Sounds in the House - Sonidos en la casa, She Doesn’t Want the Worms - Ella no quiere los gusanos, Crumbs on the Stairs - Migas en las escaleras. Ask for them at: Sam Weller, King’s English, Storybook Nook, Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Brodart, Kindle, Follett/BWI Title Wave, select retailers
Media Advisory - U.S. Spanish Children’s Book Sales Climb
Amazon Spain launch and U.S. book sales indicate next big market. November is National Picture Book Month.
Nov. 22, 2011, Midvale, UT, USA -- Publishing is evolving and crossing borders like never before, as is children’s literature. Amazon.com’s recent entry into Spain and the explosion of Spanish-language ebook platforms are indicators of the next big publishing market.
Sales of Spanish language books in the United States demonstrate significant demand--including for children’s literature in Spanish. Bilingual author Karl Beckstrand has seen an increase in demand for his Spanish-language and bilingual picture books and e-books.
This year Beckstrand has had three titles on Amazon’s “Hot New Releases” in Spanish list. His Spanish titles outsell the English versions, though most of his titles come with an English/Spanish pronunciation guide. Positive national reviews by the Horn Book blog and ForeWord Reviews don’t hurt either.
During November, National Picture Book Month, Beckstrand expects record sales--not because of the added emphasis--but because, lately, every month is a record sales month. Customers are not all likely to be to Spanish-speakers. It may be that individuals, schools and families agree with Amazon: an additional language is a good idea.
Considering that native Spanish speakers are more common than native English speakers worldwide (the only other native language more common than Spanish is Mandarin, according to Time and Wikipedia), Amazon’s lead should be followed. Beckstrand’s picture books may be a good start.
Premio Publishing has been delighting readers since 2004. Nationally lauded (ForeWord Reviews, Horn Book blog, Midwest Review), our activity picture books--including a cookbook for kids, Spanish/bilingual books with pronunciation guide and English, Spanish or bilingual text, and ebook mysteries--feature minority characters, capture attention and create repeat readers. Distribution via: Ingram, Brodart, Baker & Taylor, Follett/BWI, Amazon, Nook/Kindle/ibooks/Kobo, Premiobooks.com
She Doesn't Want the Worms--but you will
SALT LAKE CITY: It’s not your typical picture book—but that’s the idea. “If you’re going to teach something you’d better have people’s attention first,” says author Karl Beckstrand of his fifth children’s book, She Doesn’t Want the Worms – Ella no quiere los gusanos. It is Beckstrand’s third bilingual book.
“Who is offering this kid worms?” asks Beckstrand “—and why?” The vivid, sometimes striking, images of creepy crawlies by illustrator David Hollenbach only increase the curiosity. “Once readers are interested in the story, they hardly notice they’re learning,” says Beckstrand.
She Doesn’t Want the Worms’ whimsical story and images stand on their own merits; but kids and adults may go back just to try the words in another language. “It’s pretty interactive,” says Beckstrand; “and that’s what you want in a book.”
Beckstrand’s bilingual books are for people of any age who want to learn English or Spanish, and come with a pronunciation guide in both languages. His first bilingual book, Crumbs on the Stairs – Migas en las escaleras, has been purchased by schools and libraries around the country.
KIDS GO BANANAS FOR COOKBOOK
SALT LAKE CITY: “It didn’t start as a cookbook,” says author, Karl Beckstrand of his fifth picture book, “but my editor thought it would be the perfect activity book—saving families from those ‘I’m bored’ moments.” Bad Bananas – A Story Cookbook for Kids dramatizes the short (shelf) life of a renegade bunch—offering great recipes kids can use, even when a banana starts to go “bad.”
Who knew bananas could be trouble, “sneaking rides on fruit hats—or taking the fruit bowl out for late night spins“? Beckstrand’s bananas, illustrated by Jeff Faerber, have sticker tattoos, pierced peels and wild hair.
“You can throw them in the cooler, but that just makes them more off color,” says Beckstrand. In the end, the worst bananas get fried or put away for good.
But a bad banana can turn out good, “—even delicious!” Bad Bananas has easy recipes that make the most of bananas gone bad, including banana muffins, cookies, smoothies and pancakes. “They’re not only tasty, they’re right carb, low sugar recipes,” says Beckstrand.
This picture book facilitates hands-on family interaction. “What I like most about this book is its message of redemption,” adds Beckstrand, “—that everyone has something valuable to offer.”
Immigrant experience becomes book
SALT LAKE CITY: It took 120 years, but Anna Anderson’s remarkable story is finally in print. Midvale author Karl Beckstrand and illustrator Shari Griffiths have captured in a beautiful picture book the story of 10-year-old Anna, who arrived alone at the Salt Lake train depot in 1888.
Anderson made the boat journey from Sweden with her sister Ida, but the two separated in Ogden because Ida had to work in Idaho. Anna continued alone to Salt Lake, where her aunt was to meet her at the train station. Unfortunately, Anna’s aunt didn’t receive the letter with the details of Anna’s arrival. It was midnight when Anna arrived in Salt Lake City—and no one was there to meet her.
Alone and unable to speak English, Anna said a desperate prayer for someone with whom she could communicate. The unexpected answer showed Anna that she was never alone. Anna’s Prayer is a delightful tale of courage for all ages.
Published by Leatherwood Press November 2008, Written by Karl Beckstrand, Illustrated by Shari Griffiths, Hardcover, ISBN: 978-1-59992-113-6, Children’s full-color picture book, 32 pages, 10” x 9” $17.95, Available at Deseret Book, independent LDS bookstores, Amazon.com, gozobooks.com
bookstore orders only, contact Brigham Distributing at (435) 723-6611 (ask about international distribution).
English Only Debate Spreads to Children's Books
Salt Lake City — A new picture book is taking the English only debate to a whole new arena: young kids.
Crumbs on the Stairs, by local author/illustrator, Karl Beckstrand, is written to help children and adults gain skills in Spanish and English. The text is in both languages.
“Some people don’t like the idea of teaching children two languages,” said Beckstrand, who has taught ESL. “But, even if you want the United States to be an English-only country, you’re still better off knowing other languages,” he said.
Much of the world is bilingual or multilingual. Even in the United States, one in five people speak a language other than English at home, according to MSNBC.
“I’m not trying to change America’s official language,” said Beckstrand. “I want to empower kids and adults to have more options,” he said. “People can only benefit from knowing a second or third language. It helps whether you’re traveling or at home, not to mention increased career options,” he said.
“Crumbs on the Stairs is also a fun mystery,” said Beckstrand. “It has searching and counting activities, all while you’re trying to figure out who’s dropping crumbs everywhere,” he said. “Whether reading the English text or the Spanish, a person can ignore his or her native text and grasp the other language from the pictures,” said Beckstrand.
Ask for Beckstrand's Spanish books in Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, New York, San Diego, Phoenix, Boston, Albuquerque, Mexico, Salt Lake City and anywhere else you happen to be. Or, order online from the publisher.
DON'T FEAR SOUNDS IN THE HOUSE!
Comic picture book spotlights fear, courage & friendship
MIDVALE, UT, October 8, 2011—Finally, a book that shows what causes those strange creaks and cracks that scare young and old on dark nights. Sounds in the House! A Fun Mystery is a clever picture book romp that reveals what's behind many, sometimes frightening, noises.
“It’s about facing fear,” says Utah Humanit
Author Karl Beckstrand speaks to children