Children’s author Raven Howell is chatting with me about her new book, Grandma Yogini.
Check out her other tour stops with Wow! Women on Writing below, and stop on by some of them!
Bio:
Raven has authored more than 30 picture books and writes for children’s magazines. Her writing has won several awards including Excellence in Children’s Literature, Creative Child Magazine’s Best Book, Literary Global Award, and the International Impact Book Award.
She enjoys library and school visits and is a writer for Story Monsters Ink and Voice magazine. She’s the Director of Kids Corner, and Publishing/Creative Advisor with Red Clover Reader. She writes preschool storybooks for educational publishers and is a contributing author for Reading is Fundamental SoCal.
Welcome, Raven. Please tell us about your newest release.
Henry and his sister, Meredith can hardly wait for Grandma to arrive for a visit. But what should they expect? Among the children’s diverse friends and their grandmothers who bake, create art, and speak Spanish, will Grandma be able to share something unique and fun with the kids?
Henry’s fears are alleviated when, not long after arrival, they flutter like butterflies, slither like snakes, and enjoy other challenges of stretching their muscles and calming their minds. This is no run-of-the-mill grandma, and when it’s time for goodbye, the kids know this was the BEST grandma visit ever.
What inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired to write a story to illustrate the accessibility of the practice of yoga. I hope to inspire children to acquaint themselves with the interlacing of physical exercise and an inner self awareness. That theme in Grandma Yogini is buoyed by the sub-theme of family and community. It brings together various ethnic backgrounds and age groups. Grandma’s the star of the show!
What’s the next writing project?
I have a new picture book releasing February 2026 with illustrator Joe Rocco, titled Word Up! The book depicts the powerful punch our words have. Coupling bold text with colorful, cartoonish artwork, we created a super fun children’s sojourn into the land of words!
What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book? (or the biggest challenge with this book)
Because Grandma Yogini is so visual, I worked studiously to get the story told in a cohesive combination of dialog and illustration. There were lots of revisions, but illustrator Alex Santos is a pro. Though our collaboration took many months, we knew it was worth it.
If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps?
In regard to research for Grandma Yogini, I’ve been practicing yoga since I was a teenager – decades ago. I was well acquainted with asanas, or poses, that children can start with and that are explained in the story. Most of the books I’ve written did not need research, but when something does, I conduct most of the research first, on the front end.
What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it.
I putz around my home daily and take care of the normal things we do to keep our households running, but I’m in my space, writing something or other 90% of the time. I have to have my medium fine point Paper Mate flairs nearby. I have them in several colors because I’ll mark various notes for differentiation. My calendar, a physical one, is next to my computer because I’m constantly scheduling not only my author events, but I’m a journalist for children’s magazines and we work on tight deadlines. My calendar looks quite scribbled up actually – ha! And I have loads of sticky notes around, too. I drink water and always have a Fiji bottle with me. My special charms are my crystals. I keep different ones next to me depending on what I’m working on. Some crystals help keep me focused, others may assist in opening up my imagination, that type of thing. I have several special ones (a new Caribbean Calcite sphere) and it never fails to raise the vibration around me.
What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre?
I can usually easily fall into a good mystery, something laugh-out-loud funny, and anything whimsical. I have The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman, The Golden Future by Diana Cooper, Great Big Beautiful Life -I always enjoy a good Emily Henry book, and The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst, one of my new favorite authors, in my reading pile right now.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers today?
If the world seems a little discombobulated, it can be helpful to get into reading a book or practicing a little heart coherence with a simple yoga practice or meditation.
Sending much happiness and cheer to everyone!
Raven
Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | BlueSky | Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes and Noble | Goodreads
Blog Tour Calendar
August 4 @ The Muffin
Join us at WOW! Women on Writing as we celebrate the launch of Raven Howell’s newest children’s book Grandma Yogini. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book. https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
August 8 @ FanFiAddict
Visit Isabelle’s blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. https://fanfiaddict.com/blog/
August 10 @ Boys’ Mom Reads!
Visit Karen’s blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/
August 11 @ Tracey Lampley’s Blog
Join Tracey for a guest post by Raven Howell about the connection between yoga and spirituality. https://www.traceylampley.com/guest-author-posts
August 14 @ School Librarian in Action
Visit Zarah’s blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. You’ll also have a chance to read Jodi’s response to our tour-themed prompt. https://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/
August 14 @ Words by Webb
Visit Jodi’s blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. You’ll also have a chance to read Jodi’s response to our tour-themed prompt. https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
August 15 @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdra’s blog for her spotlight of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. https://www.astorybookworld.com/
August 15 @ Musings of a Literary Wanderer
Join Angela’s blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. https://musingsofaliterarywanderer.blogspot.com/
August 17 @ World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole’s blog for a guest post by Raven Howell on how to make your own stress balls. http://worldofmyimagination.com/blog
August 18 @ A Wonderful World of Books
Stop by Joy’s blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
August 23 @ Sarandipity
Join Sara for a guest post by Raven Howell on how to make a Yogi gift bag – a perfect present any time of year. https://sarandipitys.com/blog/
August 25 @ Chapter Break
Stop by Julie’s blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. You can also read a guest post by Raven Howell on how yoga benefits us at various ages – from kids to grandparents. https://chapterbreak.net/
August 27 HERE!
August 28 @ The Faerie Review
Visit Lily’s blog for her spotlight of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. https://www.thefaeriereview.com/
September 1 @ Just Katherine
Visit Katherine’s blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. You’ll also have a chance to read Katherine’s response to our tour-themed prompt. https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/
September 3 @ Word Magic
Visit Fiona’s blog for a guest post by Raven Howell on her favorite post-yoga snacks. https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
September 5 @ Leslie’s Blog
Join Leslie for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. You’ll also have a chance to read Leslie’s response to our tour-themed prompt. https://lesliesvoice.com/leslies-blog/
September 5 @ Choices
Visit Madeline’s blog for a guest post by Raven Howell on how to practice yoga at home, outside of a yoga studio. https://www.madelinesharples.com/
