Regarding the concept of her new book, Ms. Bitterman said, “Well, when my daughter was little, we discovered that she had a learning disability. It was very hard dealing with school because of her learning disability and all of the challenges that she faced. She was a child that always persevered, and she pushed herself to go on. I encouraged her to do everything she could possibly do, and she did succeed.”
Ms. Bitterman continued, “10 years ago I was inspired to write a story based on her experiences, so she is really Simon. The book is whimsical and appealing. My goal, ultimately, is to try and help children and parents who experience other difficulties.”
Most impressive about her book is that it features a rhyming pattern. “I find that I am able to express myself very easily in that form. Somehow when I sit down and think of a way to express an idea, the rhyming format comes into my head. I want children to enjoy the book and be captivated by it. I’ve always thought that rhyming books were a very appealing mode to get the children’s attention,” she said.
A resident of Queens, New York, Ms. Bitterman went on to praise her illustrator, Shanté Clair, for the book’s vivid illustrations. “Shanté did a beautiful job. She came up with the style, and did everything in watercolor,” she said.
On Wednesday, April 12, Ms. Bitterman will be holding a reading and signing of Simon the Snail at the Book Revue in Huntington, New York.
To learn more about Simon the Snail, check out its official Facebook page.
