TGSG Note: Readers of this blog know I am crazy about children’s books and wildlife, so I am very excited to have author Rebekah Raye stop by TGSG today and discuss both! Bear-ly there is written for children in Grades 3-6, and is full of fascinating bear facts and beautiful illustrations. I hope you enjoy the interview — and the book!
See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru
1. What type of child were you, and how does that influence you as a children’s book author?
I had the natural curiosity that all children seem to have and would be happy drawing alone , but was hardly ever alone, being the oldest of 5 children. My artist father is a great story teller, expressing wonderful details which always transported me to the places he talked about. I found box turtles and frogs, tried to catch a rabbit in a box tilted up by a small stick, with carrots as bait in the back yard. My dreams were always of animals. I loved animal stories, and drawing them. Some things seem to stay with you “forever and a day”.
2. Why do you think spending time in nature is important for today’s kids?
Through understanding nature and the creatures in it helps us become aware and care about the world and it is the basis for understanding ourselves.
3. Tell us a bit about Bear-ly There. Why did the story need to be told?
Wildlife is having a hard time in our day and time. It seems if we can learn to care about and live with these amazing animals, the better for all of us. The editors at Tilbury House felt it was important to address the problem of a bear that truly visited our backyard, which seems to happen to many others, and express some simple solutions to this issue.
4. Name three nature activities you think all kids should participate in.
I love to encourage children to draw in nature, science journal books, drawing detailed plants and animals. Tree identifications, leaf and bark studies by bark and leaf rubbings on rice paper with flat crayons. Make a wildflower poster, drawing and pressing a piece of the plant and identifying each characteristic of the plant. Taking frequent walks outside looking for birds and listening to tapes of bird songs to learn their particular songs.
5. Do you have tips or advice for parents struggling to get school-aged children to enjoy reading?
I would suggest having the child draw a character they really liked, could be their favorite pet and have that pet do something completely out of the ordinary. Their kitty who could go to a place from a book they read and what would he be doing. Would he be friends with the main character, would he help solve the problem in the story. Drawing always helped me read. Reading always helped me draw.
6. OK, silly question – but we love silly at The Grass Stain Guru. If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?
I love the amazing Hummingbirds and their ability to fly across the oceans during migrations. Their speed, agility, and beauty. Their desire to seek out nectar from the most beautiful plants. In contrast, a black bear, for it’s survival tactics, ability to be in the shadows of the forrest looking out as we go by.
Author Bio: Rebekah Raye is an artist beloved for her bird and animal paintings and sculpture. Her warm, expressive work is derived from her affinity with the natural world around her studio and home in East Blue Hill, Maine, where she had a bear visitor not too long ago. Rebekah also wrote and illustrated The Very Best Bed, and illustrated Thanks to the Animals by Allen Sockabasin. You can follow Rebekah on Twitter.
Visit Tilbury House Publishers for more information on the book.
Editor’s Note: As part of the book tour, author Rebekah Raye and publisher Tilbury House have arranged to give out some great prizes. See all the info below. I hope a TGSG reader wins! 
Blog Comment Prizes:
They will draw 9 lucky winners from all of those who leave comments on the participating tour posts, including this one, from October 16-30 to win one of the following prizes:
- A set of four art cards (2 sets available)
- A signed wildlife art print
- An original sketch from Bear-ly There
- An original sketch from The Very Best Bed
- An original sketch from Thanks to the Animals
- A copy of Bear-ly There, The Very Best Bed, or Thanks to the Animals, signed by Rebekah Raye
Winners will be announced on Oct. 31, US/Canada addresses only, please.
Twitter Prize:
Everyone that participates in the Twitter Book Party, and/or posts anything about the tour using the hashtag #BearlyThere from October 15-30 will be entered to win a complete set Bear-ly There, Thanks to the Animals, and The Very Best Bed, all signed by Rebekah Raye.
Winners will be announced on Oct. 31, US/Canada addresses only, please.
What a great subject for a book! Large animals can be a challenge for us to live with; a bear in your yard is not desirable. A children’s book is a great way to spread the knowledge of what to do.
Thanks for the interview Bethe and Rebekah. I enjoyed reading.
.-= Alison Kerr´s last blog ..The World is Like a Calm Pond =-.
What do U do if there is a bear in your yard? #BearlyThere will help U find out. Meet the author: http://bit.ly/3I7mV6 #playoutdoors
What do U do if there is a bear in your yard? #BearlyThere will help U find out. Meet the author: http://bit.ly/3I7mV6 #playoutdoors
It’s a sad fact that we know much more about lions in Africa than we do the wildlife in our own backyards, including bears, birds, box turtles, bugs, and other critters. This book sounds like a great way to bridge that gap.
Reading: Author Interview: Rebekah Raye on Bear-ly There on @balmeras Grass Stain Guru blog http://bit.ly/mxLVj
I just love the “If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?” questions. It is always interesting to hear what people say. I think this is the first time I’ve seen hummingbird as the answer but I love it. I am always in awe of hummingbirds and recall sitting on my grandmother’s back porch as the hummingbirds gathered around the plants in the backyard.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..An Alternative to Traditional Halloween Face Paint =-.
Thanks, ladies. I just read another one of Rebekah’s books, “The Very Best Bed,” to a 1st grade class & then we went on an Animal Homes Hike as a follow-up activity. We looked for nests, holes in the ground, brush piles, knots in trees, rotting logs, and more. It was great fun! Cheers- Bethe
RT @tilburyhouse Today on the #BearlyThere tour: @Balmeras interviews author @Rebekah_Raye on The Grass Stain Guru – http://bit.ly/10D8Yz
RT @tilburyhouse Today on the #BearlyThere tour: @Balmeras interviews author @Rebekah_Raye on The Grass Stain Guru – http://bit.ly/10D8Yz
RT @balmeras What do U do if a bear is in ur yard? #BearlyThere will help U find out. Meet the author: http://bit.ly/3I7mV6 #playoutdoors
Loved Rebekah’s answer to why spending time in nature is important for today’s kids. “Through understanding nature and the creatures in it helps us become aware and care about the world and it is the basis for understanding ourselves.” So true. Thanks for a great interview!
.-= Wendy´s last blog ..Four Questions with Carole Brown =-.
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3I7mV6 Author Interview: @rebekah_raye from @tilburyhouse. #wildlife #nature
I enjoyed this interview, and sounds like a good book!
Thanks to @Balmeras for your great interview w/@Rebekah_Raye! Comment for a chance to win: http://bit.ly/3I7mV6 #BearlyThere
RT @tilburyhouse Thanks to @Balmeras for your great interview w/@Rebekah_Raye! Comment for a chance 2 win: http://bit.ly/3I7mV6 #BearlyThere
RT @tilburyhouse Thanks 2 @Balmeras for UR great interview w/@Rebekah_Raye! Comment for 4 a chance 2 win: http://bit.ly/3I7mV6 #BearlyThere
RT @balmeras What do U do if a bear is in ur yard? #BearlyThere will help U find out. Meet the author: http://bit.ly/3I7mV6 #playoutdoors
I loved Rebekah’s answer on what nature activities kids should participate in. Leaf collecting and rubbings are great this time of the year. I visited the Virginia Arboretum on vacation with all the trees nicely identified and thought I would have had it made on all those leaf collecting projects as a kid!
From the Grass Stain Guru (via @balmeras ) Author Interview about 'Bear-ly There' http://bit.ly/mxLVj #kidlit #literacy
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/3I7mV6 Author Interview: @rebekah_raye from @tilburyhouse. #wildlife #nature
Great questions/answers! I enjoyed the book too — my review is here: infantbibliophile.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-tourreview-bear-ly-there-and.html
.-= Lynn´s last blog ..Winner (Vinyl Banner) =-.
Thanks to @Balmeras for your great interview w/@Rebekah_Raye! Comment for a chance to win: http://bit.ly/3I7mV6 #BearlyThere
RT @tilburyhouse Thanks to @Balmeras for your great interview w/@Rebekah_Raye! Comment for a chance 2 win: http://bit.ly/3I7mV6 #BearlyThere
RT @tilburyhouse Thanks 2 @Balmeras for UR great interview w/@Rebekah_Raye! Comment for 4 a chance 2 win: http://bit.ly/3I7mV6 #BearlyThere
From the Grass Stain Guru (via @balmeras ) Author Interview about 'Bear-ly There' http://bit.ly/mxLVj #kidlit #literacy
Thanks for the great interview you guys! I love nature & wild animals & strive to share that passion with my kids. Reading is such a great way to open a dialogue with kids and encourage outdoor exploration and play. We just did some leaf rubbings this weekend!
Thanks @stephhicks! I would love 2C a Grass Stain Guru reader win a #BearlyThere prize! Comment 2 enter: http://twurl.nl/uskf7s
As a mom of four kids (3 of whom are scouts), I am thrilled to hear about this book and I just have to say – the illustrations look beautiful! Great interview, Bethe and thank you for talking to Rebekah!
Stephanie
Hi Bethe:
Thanks for checking out my site and leaving a comment. Isn’t this the most beautiful book and interesting author! Love your site–and the name of the blog. Priceless!
Margo
.-= Margo Dill´s last blog ..Tuesday Tales: Bear-ly There by Rebekah Raye (Book Giveaway Contest and Author Interview) =-.
Thanks for great interview and for introducing us to Rebekah!
Kari
.-= Kari´s last blog ..Canning-Vanilla preserved Pears =-.
Glad you all enjoyed the interview. I hope somebody wins one of the give-away prizes!
Bethe
Great interview, Bethe & great ?’s! Love the last one too! Would love to win this for my lil bear cub!
.-= La Mama Naturale´s last blog ..8 Question’s for Derek Markham: The Natural Papa =-.
Thanks @stephhicks! I would love 2C a Grass Stain Guru reader win a #BearlyThere prize! Comment 2 enter: http://twurl.nl/uskf7s
RT @balmeras Bear-ly There: Interview & Give-Away! | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/4i15Q6
RT @balmeras Bear-ly There: Interview & Give-Away! | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/4i15Q6
Living in Maine, we deal with wildlife constantly. Whether it be the wandering moose, confused deer or lost partridge (like I recently had in my shed!) I try to make my daughter aware of wild animals and the wildlife that we have here in our state. She joined a group that meets once a week to study different forms of animals we have here, and really enjoys it. This is a cute book, I will definitely have to look for it since I am sure she’d love reading it!
What a great time at the book launch at Blue Hill Public Library last nite! The place was packed, with all ages. Rebekah is such a gentle, gracious, endearing story reader– she asked all of US to sign HER copy of the book to remember the occasion. And we even had a guest BEAR! Thank you, Tilbury, for a wonderful book and a very special author/illustrator…
Please count me in. My kids just love books about animals.
I love the cover artwork for this book and both my boys are fascinated with bears, so I’m sure they will love this book.
Enter to win a signed copy of Bear-ly There by Rebekah Raye from the Grass Stain Guru @balmeras http://tinyurl.com/yjdpjnx #BearlyThere
RT @LaMamaNaturale enter 2 win signed Bear-ly There, Rebekah Raye frm the Grass Stain Guru @balmeras http://tinyurl.com/yjdpjnx #BearlyThere
RT @LaMamaNaturale enter 2 win signed Bear-ly There, Rebekah Raye frm the Grass Stain Guru @balmeras http://tinyurl.com/yjdpjnx #BearlyThere
Enter to win a signed copy of Bear-ly There by Rebekah Raye from the Grass Stain Guru @balmeras http://tinyurl.com/yjdpjnx #BearlyThere
RT @LaMamaNaturale enter 2 win signed Bear-ly There, Rebekah Raye frm the Grass Stain Guru @balmeras http://tinyurl.com/yjdpjnx #BearlyThere
Bear-ly There: Interview & Give-Away! http://bit.ly/19XwLk
Bear-ly There: Interview & Give-Away! http://bit.ly/19XwLk
The art would be amazing! And my kiddos and I would thoroughly enjoy the books I’m sure…thanks for the chance to win! Yay!