Leonard’s Beard
Written and Illustrated by Nancy Cote
2016 Best in Rhyme Award Top 20
Congratulations Nancy!
See the Top 20 Best in Rhyme Books for 2016
Birth of a Story
by Nancy Cote
Leonard’s Beard, was destined to be written in rhyme. On the day the seed for the story was planted in my mind, the wind was blowing hard. It was a beautiful, sunny, Fall afternoon and my husband had just come home from work. He entered through the door in my studio. The wind caught the door and slammed it against the wall. A powerful gust of wind entered the room blowing my notebooks and folders to the floor. My two dogs scrambled to get to them before I could.
One of the folders that contained photos I had taken of my neighbor Leonard in his writing studio, spilled out under trampling dog feet. As I distracted the dogs and gathered the pictures up from the floor, my husband asked if I’d gotten to rake any leaves in the yard. I guiltily answered no, as I continued sorting the photos and placing them back into a folder titled “Leonard.” Glancing once again at the photos, I started to smile and my mind began racing. I thought about the leaves I hadn’t raked and mentioned to my husband with a laugh, that I didn’t have to rake. The leaves would all find their way to the bottom of the hill and into Leonard’s yard anyway. At that moment, the thought expanded. I imagined if Leonard was standing outside in his yard, that whatever would blow downhill just might land in his beard. Since my eccentric neighbor wore a large red beard, everything might get caught and trapped in that beard. I literally felt the rhythm of the day bouncing in my head as the first line of the story was etched in my mind. “Below a great hill, in a house by a bog, lived a writer named Leonard, his dogs, and a frog.” It was the rhythm of the day, and in that moment, I didn’t choose a writing style as much as the rhyme chose itself.
There was no question that this stormy story sang a song. The story of a writer who loses his direction, then finds it due to a wind storm, blew into my imagination and was set free on the wings of rhyme.
Leonard’s Beard, is essentially about living in the moment and not losing sight of what’s important to you. Through joyful language and pictures it reminds us that it doesn’t have to take a wind storm to be yourself, but sometimes it helps!
I’ve written eight picture books and three of them were written in rhyme. I believe that instinctually you know through the characters, subject matter and intent of the story, what style of writing will compliment that story. Like a symphony, music is intended to convey a mood, and I believe writing style does the same.
If you allow yourself to be free of overanalyzing and controlling, the expression will come naturally. That is the magic.
Nancy Cote, an award winning Children’s Book Author / Illustrator, has illustrated over forty picture books and has written eight of her own.
Her stories, illustrations, paintings and poems have been featured in many exhibits, collections and children’s magazines throughout the U.S. She is currently earning International recognition for three picture books she illustrated for Ariella Books of Berlin, Germany.
She was featured at the University of Southern California Book Festival having illustrated the first three books of the ReadConmigo award winning series of bi-lingual books and is a full member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Currently she is being represented by the Liza Royce Agency in NYC.
Nancy earned a B.F.A. in Painting at U. Mass, Dartmouth and worked part-time in the children’s department of the Swansea Library for sixteen years, until she ventured out as a freelance author/illustrator with the encouragement of her husband Mike, and her family. She works full-time from her home studio in the historic village of Somerset, MA.
twitter @nancycote31
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Angie Karcher 
It’s so delightful to read of the inspiration for this charming story told in rhythmic words and shown with adorable images. This is a great reminder to me about being open in the moment for inspiration to flow – or blow – right into daily life!
Loved the inspiration for this book and the message behind it! Thanks, Nancy!
“Like a symphony” I love this! Rhyming stories and the rhythm of the words create familiar melodies that a reader (or listener) can sing. Thank you Nancy. Your Leonard sounds delightful!
What a great background story for this fun book! It’s a wonderful reminder of how everyday life inspires and informs our writing if we pay attention in the moment.
I love to hear how stories get their start. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Nancy! Your post reminds me to just keep an open mind for all sorts of idea inspirations.
OH, this is so fun. Kids will love its playfulness. Don’t you just love how stories will “light in our beards,” waiting for us to flesh them out?
I love hearing about the writing journey! Thanks for sharing, Nancy!
What a fun post! Many thanks, Nancy, for taking us along on the adventure of Leonard’s Beard and allowing us to see how your journey evolved. I hope your neighbor was pleased to be the source of your inspiration!
Nancy, thanks so much for sharing the birth of this rhyming story idea and showing how you tied it to a theme that resonates with young & old.
Thanks for this wonderful post! It is great to hear the inspiration behind the stories that are written.
Thanks Nancy! What a great story. I love how the Magic just blew into your studio.
Great rhythm in the opening line of Leonard’s Beard. The pictures compliment the story. Thanks for posting, Nancy.
Thoughts that expand are the ones who give us the best ideas. I love how LEONARD’S BEARD came to be. Thanks for sharing, Nancy.
Thanks for a terrific post, Nancy! I love how the wind literally and figuratively blew life into your story, and you took the time to notice. Look forward to reading your book!
Leonard’s Beard sounds wonderful! Thanks for giving us a glimpse into the story behind it!
It’s always fun to hear where the inspiration for a PB comes from. Thanks for sharing your story Nancy! Can’t wait to read this book!
Nancy what a great.post. I loved learning the inspiration behind Leonard ‘ s Beard. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks.
So fun hearing about your seed for this gem! Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to read your book!
Thanks for sharing your story. We all need a neighbor like Leonard! The book looks like great fun.
Nancy, Thanks for sharing Leonard’s Beard. The energy of your story really comes through – both words and pictures.
Such an inspiring story about “the making of”! Thanks!!
Thanks Nancy! Inspiring to hear how ideas can be manifested! Wonderful!
This looks like such a fun story! I really enjoyed reading how the story came about. Thanks, Nancy!
THanks for sharing the evolution of this story! Super fun with great illustrations 😊
Thanks for sharing
Love the bouncy playfulness of your rhyme! I also enjoyed getting a peek behind the inspiration for the story. What fun!!
My oldest son has a VERY full red beard–and I’m not so sure what’s hiding in it. I’m not so sure I *want* to know what’s hiding in it. 🙂
Thank you for sharing the process of your inspiration.
Thanks for sharing the journey for your story. We never know when those inspirational moments will present themselves!
What a fun and inspirational story. I can’t wait to read Leonard’s Beard!
Hooray Nancy!
I love the background story of your book. Thanks for sharing, Nancy.
Free yourself from overanalyzing, controlling, and let the expression come naturally-these words struck home with me. I admit to being a control freak. Thank you for sharing your personal story, Nancy.
So interesting to see how the story came into being. Thanks for sharing that part of the journey with us.
I love it when a rhymer just seems to write itself! This sounds like a super fun story, and I can’t wait to read it. Thanks so much for sharing your story about your story! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your story of how Leonard’s Beard was conceived!
Thanks for today’s inspiration!
The magic of rhyme. Thanks for sharing!
I love the idea and the inspiration behind this book! I can’t wait to read it.
Thank you, Nancy!
Nancy,
Thanks for sharing your process in creating Leonard’s Beard. I love that you’ve incorporated the wonder of living in the moment and not totally in your head. I look forward threading Leonard’s Beard
Loved your post. Thanks so much!
I love how your story of Leonard’s beard was born. It confirms the idea that stories are present, waiting for their own birth. What a remarkable experience. Thanks for sharing it.
NANCY: THANK YOU for the reminder to be present in the moment so we can be in-tune and inspired by the rhythm of the day: “It was the rhythm of the day, and in that moment, I didn’t choose a writing style as much as the rhyme chose itself.” BEAUTIFUL!!! THANK YOU!!!
This book looks fantastic and has a great message…
and a awesome beard, too.
I can’t wait to read it.
*AN
This is a really neat book! Thanks for the post.
I love how your story was born! This sounds like a very fun book – perfect for rhyme! Thanks for sharing with us.
This must be the rhyming version of “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Very nice!
Inspiration is everywhere! I can’t wait to read this book! Thank you.
What a wonderful story of inspiration. I can’t wait to read about Leonard’s Beard. And your illustrations are darling! Love it when the magic happens. Thank you, Nancy!