Flying Ketchup Kids is proud to present the May 2024 release of FLOUR SACK GIRL. A picture book based on the real life of the author's grandmother, Nina Bricko, introduces readers to a determined young girl from the 1930s who has a Make-Do-Can-Do attitude. Veleta Mae gets to go to her first day of school, but her dress is "thinner than paper," with pockets holier than "Swiss cheese." She searches her family’s farm for inspiration on what to wear. With a little help from Momma and her pet chicken, Dorothy, Veleta finds the perfect dress in an unexpected way-–a flour sack. For a long time, we were a nation of Flour Sack Girls. Enjoy Polly Alice McCann’s beautiful hand-painted illustrations of the hopeful spirit of a girl living during the Great Depression. In an era of hardship, flour sack companies made sacks with wearable designs, fabric meant to be made into clothes
Summary:
"Veleta Mae is 3 feet 9 inches tall with arms for climbing and toes that walk from end to end of her farm.” When she learns that school starts soon, she slumps like a sack of potatoes on her kitchen floor. Her dress is thinner than paper, with a hole in her pocket that drops green beans like it was made of Swiss cheese. With an encouraging smile from her Momma, Veleta doesn’t give up hope. She begins her search to fix her dress. Maybe feathers will work? They look awfully nice on her fluffy chicken, Dorothy. Hmmm…Veleta Mae all but gives up when she spots an empty flour sack. Will it make the perfect dress?
Reviews:
"A story of pluck, spunk, and invention in the face of adversity. Nina Bricko delights with a good old-fashioned tale of thinking outside the flour sack. The lively text and playful illustrations will appeal to any kid who's had to get creative to realize their dreams."
Peter Pearson, How to Eat an Airplane (HarperCollins)
"Brimming with folksy language, Flour Sack Girl connects readers to a poignant, resilient time in US history when “making do” was by necessity a national pastime–and a point of national pride. Inspired by true events, readers will feel Veleta’s worry about attending school in a dress as thin as paper, one with pockets that can’t even hold beans. Rendered in clear colors, the energetic art and text are a lively match. The author’s end notes, the real Veleta photo, and two activities inspired by the story will engage and encourage curious readers."
Miriam Busch, Lion, Lion (Balzer + Bray)
"Flour Sack Girl is full of history, humor, and fashion—it is delightful and informative, depicts strong relationships, provides a joyous, satisfying end, and, best of all, inspires me to find a flour sack to fashion my own outfit (or I can use the included cut-out paper doll pattern)! Nina Bricko tells the story of how flour sacks were sewn into dresses during the Depression, using her grandmother, Veleta Mae, as the plucky main character. The adept narrative is layered with themes of friendship, family, resilience, and ingenuity, while the poetic language employs a range of unique and witty similes that will have readers chuckling. Even when the story gets sad, it is the Depression after all, the characters, along with the charming watercolor illustrations by Polly Alice McCann, remain full of light and hope. Loose lines and bright colors showcase an array of barnyard animals, swirling flowers and feathers, girls climbing trees, and fashionable flour sacks. The clever backmatter includes succinct facts, an easy recipe for 1930s bread, and a hands-on activity. It is clear that the author put a lot of love into this story, as love resonates throughout."
Lisa Jahn-Clough, Alicia Has a Bad Day (HarperCollins)
Book Details:
Title: FLOUR SACK GIRL
Publication Date: May 25th, 2024
Publisher: Flying Ketchup Kids,
Imprint of Flying Ketchup Press ®
Author: Nina Bricko
Author website: www.NinaBricko.com
Illustrator: Polly Alice McCann
pollyamccann@gmail.com 816-507-4193
Publisher Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Page count: 40
LOC: 2 0 2 3 9 3 7 8 3 6
ISBN paperback: 978-1-970151-49-7, Price: $17.99-24.99
ISBN epub: 978-1-970151-50-3, Price: $6.99
ISBN hardback: 978-1-970151-68-8, Price: $29.99
Additions: audiobook, paper doll included, resources on author website
Author Bio: Voice artist and storyteller Nina Bricko has an MFA in Creative Writing for Children through YA. An avid DIY’er, Nina enjoys making things from nothing and taking her two kids on nature adventures. Nina is the voice of Saturday Morning Projects, Season 2, on the streaming channel “At Home with the Family Handyman.” She also produces and narrates picture books for Flying Ketchup Press. Find out more about her audiobooks, author visits, and projects at NinaBricko.com.
Illustrator Bio: POLLY ALICE McCANN illustrates stories exploring our imagination, creating new places, new worlds, and new friends. She has a secret love for hearts and an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Hamline University. She is always planning the next adventure to share with whoever will come along. She lives in Kansas City, MO, by a creek with a valentine bridge. Check out her first picture book, “Davey Jay and the Pickleball Team,” published by Chicken N Pickle in 2023. Find her at PollyMcCann.com
Flying Ketchup Kids: Our mission is to produce books that help kids catch up on reading. From concept books to folk tales, we want to connect young audiences to artful books in audio, print, and digital books. We are an imprint of Flying Ketchup Press ® a trademarked small press in Kansas City, Missouri, established in 2018 to champion new voices in poetry, art, and short story; making room for personal narratives that empower, heal, and unite diverse audiences. Our dream is to share worlds of wonder and delight; to share stories.
Social Media:
@ninabricko @pollyalice_artist
Follow the action on social media via these
hashtags: #FlourSackGirl
Flying Ketchup Press
Polly Alice McCann
(816) 507-4193
*Digital images or online ARC are available upon request. Mandatory credit line: Flour Sack Girl written by Nina Bricko and illustrated by Polly Alice McCann, published by Flying Ketchup Kids.
Tell us about that moment when you first considered yourself a writer?
Well, first, I would say that I think of myself as more of a storyteller rather than a writer, or rather, I wear many hats. Mostly, I love to live in stories.
As an Environmental Ed teacher, my favorite thing in the world was dressing up as a settler or French Voyageur and teaching through reenactment. In the classroom, my favorite thing was reading books to kids. As I dove into the world of stories, I realized that not only did I want to write, but I liked performing other people’s words. I just love bringing stories to life. This is why I started a storytelling podcast for kids (The Story Tree) and why I began narrating audiobooks.
Where do you think that storyteller in you first appeared?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved stories. I loved listening to them, performing them, and reading them. But it really started with a love for imaginative play. My childhood was spent sitting in the branches of the maple tree in our yard and pretending to be in the middle of a battle, or commanding the wind, or being queen of the world.
I think the transition from play to words on a page started with a teacher. You see, I struggled with reading when I was a kid. I’m not sure at what age, but I was taken out of class to work on reading, and for one activity, we created narratives for wordless books. These books, with their new cut and taped-on dialogue and narration, were put in the school library for everyone to read. I was so proud of this that I think it triggered a deep love for turning my make-believe into something on the page.
When I was a little older, probably 5th or 6th grade, I made up puppet shows that I performed for the younger classes. I made the puppets and wrote the script, and somehow, I convinced the librarian and teachers to let me perform. Once, we were learning about electricity in class, so I used some batteries and wire to create a character with a lightbulb head that would light up when he had ideas. I think that show was a real hit with the kindergartners. And then in the seventh grade, my first poem was published in a book. I’ll never forget the moment when my dad said they had submitted my poem to this contest, and it won. What an incredible thing to happen... So, overall, there really wasn’t an exact moment, but rather a childhood of moments that continued to spark and fuel my love for stories. From loving to live within make-believe being aware of the possibilities of the imagination, and finding support from teachers and parents, all of these moments and individuals inspired the confidence I had and have to pursue this love of storytelling.
How are you a storyteller today?
What’s great about this specific moment in time is that I am involved in storytelling on so many levels. I continue to narrate and edit my storytelling podcast, The Story Tree (www.thestorytree.org), and I work with authors and at Flying Ketchup Press as an audiobook narrator and producer. My audiobook for the new picture book Flour Sack Girl is in production.
What advice would you give a new writer starting out?
My advice for any writer is just do the work of writing. I forget who said this, but it’s something like “inspiration needs to find you working.” You have to get through your writing that only belongs in a drawer in order to find your voice and start writing as your authentic self. But none of this can happen unless you do the work. So make mistakes and write horrible drawer novels, but do the work so when inspiration finds you, it’ll find you ready.
Flying Ketchup Press ® founded in 2018 to champion new and diverse voices in short fiction and poetry. Our dream is to share worlds of wonder and delight. At flying ketchup kids, our mission is to produce books with a brilliant new spin on learning and reading, a fantastical twist in story, and characters who light up our imaginations. From concept books to folk traditions, we want to connect diverse writers to young audiences.
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