In my interview of Carolyn McWilliams Brown, author of  the children’s picture book, All You Want and Then Some, I learned about illustrating  the book ,as well as writing it and how her family inspired the project.  The story evolved from a family challenge and Carolyn’s children inspired the illustrations
I’ve continued the interview here:
Mary Emma: Were your children involved in writing the book?
Carolyn: They were!  They were involved in making the illustrations come to life.  By the time I got around to writing the story, several years had passed; Katie had grown, and that created a challenge for the …read more

Writers often draw from real life for their books.  Parents find lessons to learn and stories to tell from raising children. 
Carolyn McWilliams Brown shares, in her picture book,  All You Want and Then Some,  a situation when youngsters must share the attention of their parents, especially when a sibling has a disability.  Carolyn’s daughter Katie, as well as the whole family, learned there could be joy in their family challenge.
Mary Emma:  Your book is based on a true story.  Tell us about that.
 Carolyn:  When our daughter, Katie, was three, we welcomed the arrival of her little brother, Parker, and then eighteen …read more

   All You Want and Then Some, a picture book by Carolyn McWilliams Brown and Illustrated by Deb Hoeffner.
 I found this a delightful picture book based on an experience in the life of the author and her daughter.  The narrator, Katie feels neglected because her parents are busy with a new baby and a toddler.
 Then Bella, moves next door and finds time for Katie, as happened in the life of the author’s family.  From Bella, Katie learns what it means to receive small acts of kindness, as well as give them.
 A story with Christian overtures, All You Want and Then Some …read more