About the Book

Book: The Smell of Summer

Author: Mary Ann Hake

Genre: Picture Book

Release date: May 15, 2023

Explore the smells of summer with April, a blind girl, and her menagerie of pets.

Visit the county fair, the seashore, Grandpa’s farm, and the zoo, and camp with April’s family in the woods—each place has its unique fragrances.

“As summer thoughts stir in my mind,

I wonder what new smells I’ll find.”

The back of the book contains activities using the sense of smell.

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview

Do you pen down revelations and ideas as you get them, right then
and there?
I try to record ideas and thoughts related to writing and possible future
projects before I forget them. I have slips of paper from years of doing this.
Sometimes I get ideas when lying in bed in the dark. I used to keep a little
recorder since I don’t want to get up and put on my glasses to jot them
down. Otherwise, I usually can’t remember the great idea the next morning.
Since I write all kinds of things, these vary greatly—from a plot for a novel
to a creative puzzle or a fragment of a poem. Since I have been focusing on
writing for children the past year or two, some of the ideas will probably
never be used. But I intend to go through my idea folder when I have time,
or make the time, and glean some ideas to work on.

Do you set a plot or prefer going wherever an idea takes you?
I am definitely a pantser, allowing the story to flow and take me and the
characters wherever it leads—similar to stream of consciousness but under
the author’s control. When writing a novel (none published yet), I have a
general idea of the skeleton of the tale and how it will end, but don’t outline
specifics. I love the creative exhilaration of crafting words on the page and
see where the story leads. It brings a thrill when the words just flow.
Sometimes when I reread what I’ve written, I marvel and think, “Did I write
that?” I think God for inspiration and the gift of creativity.

What, according to you, is the hardest thing about writing?
Being disciplined to devote regular time for writing is challenging, in addition
to all the marketing and promotion that is required to help a book become
successful. There is so much competition these days that a book can get lost
in the crowd of all the others available. Another thing many of us writers
battle is discouragement, thinking our work may not be good enough or ever
succeed in the marketplace. The business is also an expensive endeavor
when self-publishing. I edit other’s work to have money to pay to publish my
own books.

Do you need to be in a specific place or room to write, or you can
just sit in the middle of a café full of people and write?
I prefer a quiet room with no distractions. I find it hard to block out
conversations around me or music with lyrics. I used to write longhand, but
have been writing on the computer for years now. I use my desktop with a
large monitor. That way I can look up things online if I need to for my work
in progress. My cat does bother me sometimes. He has started jumping up
on my desk lately and sometimes walks right over my keyboard. Often he
sleeps in the chair beside me.

Anything else you'd like to share?
The main reason I write is to encourage others. My material for children is
both educational and fun. For example, my Smells of the Seasons picture
books are written in rhyme, which makes it fun to read. These concept
books share scenes from the life of a blind girl, and this offers the
opportunity for children to observe that she is a child just like they are. They
can learn empathy plus understand that being without one sense can
enhance other senses. These picture books focus on the sense of smell and
present enjoyable settings—most that children should find familiar. The
books fit well with STEAM topics such as weather, animals, environment,
plants, senses, and so much more. Each book as well as my monthly
newsletter include activities using the sense of smell. The first two books in
the series are available now. Book 1, The Smell of Spring, was named
among the best in family-friendly media, products, and services by the
Mom’s Choice Awards®.

About the Author

Mary Ann Hake, author of the Smells of the Seasons picture book series, has loved learning, reading, and writing for as long as she can remember. She has scribbled stories and poems since she first learned to write and has published hundreds of stories, articles, poems, puzzles, devotions, and more for both children and adults plus written hundreds of book reviews. She loved working in a bookstore and as a librarian and enjoyed reading to children at story times and conducting summer reading programs. She has also taught writing to children and at writers’ conferences. In addition to writing, she continues to work as a freelance editor. Visit her website, www.maryannhake.com, and sign up to receive monthly activities for children and updates on future books.

More from Mary Ann

My mother introduced me to books at a very young age. Mom read to me nearly every day—beginning with picture books then adding longer stories and poetry. I loved books and soon memorized the text of favorites so I could turn the pages and “read” them myself. (My own daughters did the same.) I could hardly wait until I went to school and learned to read so I could devour books on my own. In honor of my mom, The Smell of Summer’s release date is her birthday, May 15. I am her firstborn and her only summer baby. She always encouraged my writing.

My four-book Smells of the Seasons series are told in rhyme because that appeals to children. The Smell of Summer shares summer scenes from the life of April, a blind girl who uses her sense of smell to help her experience her world. The story includes elements that offer a fun companion text for connection to science including the senses, nature settings, animals, flowers, vegetable gardening, and other food. This is the second book in the series with April and her menagerie of pets.

Most people love summertime. This delightful picture book will stir up memories of summer experiences and offer some you may wish to enjoy this year. As the final page says:

I love the many summer smells.

So many stories each one tells.