Kids Book Crew: Meet Lynne Marie, author of The Palace Rat!

Hello Lovely Blog Readers!

I’m so glad you’re here on the Kid Lit Village blog. I’m thrilled to be a member of Kids Book Crew, an international group of children’s writers and illustrators with books releasing in 2023 and 2024. Today, I have the privilege of introducing a few of them to you. This post includes a giveaway too, so stay with us for details on how to enter at the end of the post.

A little about me…

I am Cynthia Mackey, the author of Katie Shaeffer Pancake Maker and The Lullaby Monsters and my poetry appears in The Dirigible Balloon and Little Thoughts Press. My debut picture book, If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe, will be published by Yeehoo Press in 2024. I live with my husband in Victoria, Canada where I also teach nature preschool for 4-5 year olds.

A little about Kids Book Crew…

We are a group of children’s writers with books in illustrated formats releasing in 2023 and 2024 and we live all over the world! You’ll find us in Canada, New Zealand, the United States and Peru!

illustration credit: Tara J. Hannon

And now I’d like to introduce you to the first of our Kids Book Crew members!

Meet Kids Book Crew Member, Lynne Marie! Welcome to Kid Lit Village blog, Lynne.

Lynne Marie is a multi-published picture book author with several books forthcoming, including The Palace Rat (9/5/23), The Star in the Christmas Play (Paperback 10/3/23), Chicken Little’s Weather Worries (4/24), American Pie (5/24) and Broommates (8/24). She’s an Agent Mentee at the Seymour Agency, the Director of RateYourStory.org & ThePictureBookMechanic.com, a co-host at #SeasonsOfKidlit.com, a Cybils Judge and an Editor at Children’s Book Insider. Find out more about her at www.literallylynnemarie.com

And here is Lynne’s engaging new picture book, The Palace Rat…

THE PALACE RAT: Perfect for fans of Kevin Henkes’ Mouse Adventures and Leo Lionni’s Frederick, or young readers taking their first steps towards independence!

The Palace Rat by Lynne Marie and Eva Santana

Book Synopsis:

Henri is a palace rat living as the pampered pet of King Louis the XVI! He’s waited on paw and foot . . . but not everybody is happy about it. When a dastardly plan by the royal staff casts Henri out to the streets, he must find his own way safely home. Country mice take Henri in and kindly show him their ways of living. To survive, Henri will eat field strawberries, fashion new clothes out of rags to match the latest Parisian styles, and sleep on grass nests, dreaming of his return to the palace.

In no time, Henri will become a popular figure, spinning rich and colourful tales of palace life for growing audiences. Yet every great tale must have a happy ending . . . and when the time comes for Henri to determine how his own story will conclude, will he choose to stay with his new friends on the street or return to his regal life of comfort?

Lynne, it’s a pleasure to introduce you as our first Kids Book Crew member and to have you as a guest on the Kid Lit Village blog! Thanks for being here.

Thank you so much for this opportunity!

Lynne, what appeals to you about writing books for children?

Being able to look at the world with a sense of childlike wonder, even if it’s only while reading or writing a children’s book.

Did anything from your childhood influence this book?

Actually yes! My love for folk and fairy tales (City Mouse / Country Mouse as well as The Prince and the Pauper) and also the fact that I had a favorite stuffed lovey that was a Rat! I named him Ratfink – he was black with green underbelly and had a fabulous face and a velvety tail!

Tell us about the inspiration for this book.

A trip to France in 1997 and an actual rat sighting at the Palace of Versailles. We were on line in the Courtyard and I started playing “What if?”

•             “What if that rat was related to the rats of the French Revolution?”
•             “What if that rat was the pampered pet of King Louis XIV?
•             “What if the Queen was jealous of how the King treated the rat?    

Is there a scene for this book you really enjoyed creating?

Well, many of them because they are set in Versailles and the South of France, but in particular the scenes where Henri writes the letters and the villains destroy them. Or maybe the scene where he lives in Versailles. I had so much fun writing and revising this book, despite it starting at 1500 words way back in 1997.

Can you recommend any resources for developing your talents as a writer?

Well, not just because I’m the Director, but because I came up the ranks of Rate Your Story as a Member, Judge, and then Owner. I believe independent feedback from published authors (and not just your critique group) is important. And I’ve also evolved Rate Your Story to where it provides crafty webinars, a resource group, first page sessions, weekly mentor text talks and MORE! So I do feel there’s a lot to mine there.

And now for a sneak peek inside the book…

interior spread from The Palace Rat by Lynne Marie and Eva Santana

Connect with Lynne Marie!

• AUTHOR FACEBOOK PAGE: Children’s Author Lynne Marie https://www.facebook.com/LiterallyLynneMarie/
• LYNNE MARIE ON TWITTER: @Literally_Lynne
• ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/literally.lynne.marie/

Kids Book Crew members with new releases in 2023 –

Emma Pearl – Saving the Sun – interview on Kid Lit Village coming up

Emma Wood – Tulip and Sprout- interview on Kid Lit Village coming up

And now for the giveaway!!

Lynne Marie is giving away a 1/2 hour Picture Book Mechanic Zoom session. To enter, simply share this post, tag a friend, and follow each member of Kids Book Crew on Twitter. Deadline for entries is September 15, 2023 by midnight Pacific time.

KBC on Twitter

• @mackey_cynthia
• @morrwriting
• @marianariosrmz1
• @tashahilderman
• @tarajhannon
• @emmakayewood
• @pamvau
• @emmspearl
• @rachel_funez
• @professoraixa
• @LoriDubbin
• @Literally_Lynne
• @Ciaralovesbooks

Good luck in the giveaway! Share a little book love with Lynne and our Kids Book Crew!

Remember to stop by again to meet more crew members and enjoy more children’s book creator interviews!