It’s a blog tour! Not just any blog tour, but one for a wonderful picture book about an unusual rescue animal. Meet Edmund Pickle Chin!
Edmund Pickle Chin
by Clara Bowman-Jahn and Susan April Elwood
Illustrated by Lynne Bendoly
36 pages – ages 4+
Published by eTreasures Publishing 2014
Summary from the publisher- “Edmund Pickle Chin, A Donkey Rescue Story is based on a true story. Edmund, the main character, is an abused donkey who is the first of many animals to call Evermay Farm, a small rescue in central Georgia, home. Susan, Edmund’s care giver in the story, not only gives the shy donkey the time and patience he needs but gives him a new name every day of the week. The title takes on one of those nicknames she so lovingly calls him. As Susan starts to take in new critters, Edmund finds himself changing. As his name grows, so does his trust and acceptance. Edmund soon learns that he is not only needed but wanted. This confused, frightened donkey’s life changes as he becomes a hero, a babysitter, and a companion to the other residents at Evermay Farm. “
Today I get to interview the authors of the excellent story, Clara Bowman-Jahn and Susan April Elwood!
First up – Ms. Bowman-Jahn!
Erik – How did you and Ms. Elwood get connected and decide to write a book together?
Ms. Bowman-Jahn – I know Susan from when our kids were in preschool together and she was a great help to me right after my late husband died. She found me on facebook and we connected around Annie’s Special Day. We started talking about her farm for rescue animals and somehow the topic of writing a picture book about it was brought up. She sent me a synopsis of something she had written and after a lot of work and rounds with my critique groups we had a book.
Erik – Was it hard to write a children’s story that had to tell a tale about abuse of an animal (Edmund) and how scared the animal was without getting too scary for kids?
Ms. Bowman-Jahn - The words had to be chosen with care and were changed several times but the only time we actually say Edmund was abused was in the very beginning.
Erik – I noticed the little girl in the book is named Susan. Is she based on Ms. Elwood?
Ms. Bowman-Jahn - Yes, all the way. Ms Elwoods name is Susan April Elwood. I Just made her a child so kids could relate.
Erik – What is the next project you are going to tackle?
Ms. Bowman-Jahn - I am busy submitting several picture book manuscripts and writing a memoir. And of course promo and marketing for Edmund Pickle Chin, a Donkey Rescue Story is taking up a big chunk of time.
Thank you Ms. Bowman-Jahn! Now lets hear from Ms. Elwood!
Erik – A lot of kids think about rescue animals being dogs or cats (we just adopted a rescue basset hound named Clyde and he is awesome). I like that your book and your farm deals with rescuing all kinds of farm animals. What do you hope kids learn about rescues from your book?
Ms. Elwood - This is a great questions Erik! Most children aren’t exposed to the fact that rescues for critters outside of the “ family type pet” exist and are needed, in fact there are rescues for almost every type of animal.
From the book itself, I hope children learn kindness and compassion toward all animals (and each other). Fad pets, such as tea pot pigs and miniature horses are cute and desirable, but when the cost and novelty wear off they often are neglected. My hope is that teachers and parents will go a step further and teach children animals are NOT disposable like an unwanted toy. Responsibility of an animal, is the life span of the critter.
Erik - How long did it take for Edmund to trust you and feel comfortable at the farm? Is there anything special you did to help him in particular?
Ms. Elwood - Edmund remains a shy guy. It took a couple months to win him over enough to get him to lift his feet for farrier visits(hoof trimming). He trust me over anyone else but he is still remains cautious.The book tells how I sing to him, sometimes I think he’s prefer I don’t! Treats (apples, pears) are used to encourage him to be brushed, haltered for vet visits or to give medications when needed. The most important tool is patience and compassion.
Erik - Did you really name him “Edmund Pedro Pickle Chin Big Head Ed Elwood”? I think that name is awesome, whether you really did or didn’t. :)
Ms. Elwood – YES, LOL, those REALLY are all his names he collected over time! I am glad you like them and I hope the children will find them entertaining.Each critter here on the farm ends up having multiple names that match their personality and they all have their own song!
The real Edmund (photo from Clara Bowman-Jahn’s blog – click picture to go there.
Erik - How can people help your rescue if they’d like to?
Ms. Elwood - Evermay Farm has a Facebook page titled “Evermay Farm”, where pictures of all the critters can be seen. The web page http://www.evermayfarm.org has a donation link and can be accessed directly or by using the link on the Facebook page. Thank you so much for asking!
More about the authors-
Clara Bowman-Jahn worked as a registered nurse for thirty two years finally trading that job for her true love, writing. Clara’s short stories have been published in three anthologies, Campaigner Challenges 2011, The ‘I’ Word and Charms Vol. 2. She is also the author of Annie’s Special Day a children’s picture book. Her second Picture book, a true story, called Edmund Pickle Chin, a Donkey Rescue Story, is co-authored with Susan April Elwood.
When Clara is not writing, she teaches ESOL to adult students through a library program. She also likes taking long walks with her husband, blogging, and reading books. She is a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Julie Hedlunds Picture Book Challenge 12×12, Susanna Leonard Hill’s Making Picture Book Magic; Pennwriters, Bethesda Writer’s Center and Round Hill Writer’s Group. She lives in rural Loudoun County, Virginia with her brilliant husband, and two fat cats. She is the proud mother of two wonderful grown sons and a grandmother to a delightful grandson.
Contact information for Clara Bowman-Jahn:
www.clarbojahn.com
https://www.facebook.com/cbowmanjahn
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Edmund-Pickle-Chin-A-Donkey-Rescue-Story/233625116837649
Susan April Elwood has worked with children for over twenty years in Northern Virginia as a preschool teacher, kindergarten assistant, and a library assistant. With her passion for animals it made perfect sense to combine the two and write an animal story for children, teaming up with author Clara Bowman-Jahn.
Susan and her husband Tom moved from Northern Virginia in 2007 to central Georgia where they founded Evermay Farm, a non-profit rescue for farm animals. This is the setting for the book titled, Edmund Pickle Chin, A Donkey Rescue Story. The story is based on Edmund a donkey, the first of many animals to call Evermay Farm home. Susan and her husband Tom have two treasured sons, a wonderful daughter-in-law and a precious grandson. In her free time, Susan enjoys photographing animals and antiquing.
Contact information for Susan April Elwood:
www.evermayfarm.org
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Edmund-Pickle-Chin-A-Donkey-Rescue-Story/233625116837649
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evermay-Farm/154892358148
Now for the Prizes from the authors!!
Thanks so much for reading Friends! For all friends of Edmund are my friends. Below please find our links and the tour. Read every post, follow the blog and comment for prizes. The reader who follows each blog and comments on each stop of the tour will get first prize. And if there are many winners, hurray! We will deliver!
First prize is a print book of both Annie’s Special Day and Edmund Pickle Chin. Second prize is either a print copy of Edmund or of Annie, you get to pick. Third prize is a copy of the ebook of Edmund Pickle Chin, a Donkey Rescue Story.
BLOG TOUR DATES
May 26: Animal abuse and mistreatment — Joanna -www.joannamarple.com
May 29: Author collaboration— Stacy – http://www.stacysjensen.com
May 30: PPBF and review — Vivian – http://viviankirkfield.com/
June 2: Author interview — Erik – www.ThisKidReviewsBooks.com
June 4: Edmund interview — Patricia – http://childrensbooksheal.com
June 9: Teacher info and guide — Susanna – http://susannahill.blogspot.com