Penny Klostermann writes a story that's "out of this world"

by Sue Heavenrich

 If you’ve ever wondered what celebrating Christmas on Mars might be like, Penny Parker Klostermann has a book for you! Her newest picture book, Merry Christmas, Dear Mars (Godwin Books/Henry Holt) is an “out-of-this-world” story about the night before. Christmas, that is. And it hit the shelves with plenty of time to find its way under trees on Earth and beyond…

I’ve been wanting to chat with Penny about her newest picture book ever since I learned that her first draft was an entry to Susanna Leonard Hill’s Very First Holiday Contest! Way back in 2011. That’s like … a long time ago in human years, but not so long ago in book-creating years. So I had to know more. And Penny graciously answered her phone when I called.

Me: What inspired you to come up with the idea of Christmas on Mars?

Penny: I came up with the idea while participating in PiBoIdMo – Picture Book Idea Month – back when Tara Lazar hosted that in November. It was actually my twenty-fifth idea. I jotted down “outer space night before Christmas.” And then, in December Susanna Leonard Hill challenged folks to do a rewrite of the Night Before Christmas for her holiday story contest.

Me: I remember PiBoIdMo. It eventually morphed into StoryStorm and moved to January. It’s so much easier to focus on ideas when you’re not distracted by turkeys and pies… you can find out more about StoryStorm at Tara’s blog here. Susanna Leonard Hill’s winter holiday story contest is usually announced around this time of year – check her blog here.

I confess: this is possibly my favorite spread!

Penny: I started getting serious about my writing in 2011, and that’s one reason I wanted to enter the story contest. Also, I really like writing in rhyme, so a parody of Night Before Christmas seemed like a good way to start. I began with a question: what if that night happened on Mars? I wrote a draft, but the only “hook” was that the story took place in space. And it followed the original story pretty closely. So I created some word lists to help me find creative language. My story won second place. What a boost of confidence that gave me! I thought, hey, maybe I could get this published. I sent it to five publishers in 2012 and heard back from only one. They declined.

My next submission was to the SCBWI Barbara Karlin WIP grant, where I was a runner-up. I also got involved in a critique group which really helped me in the revision process.

Me: Submitting manuscripts is a long game. Did you have an agent? 

Penny: I got an agent in 2013 – Tricia Lawrence at the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. She sent the book out on submission, and boy did we rack up rejections. But Trish always believed in it. Later, I got some feedback from an editor at a SCBWI event suggesting that I give the narrator and Santa more agency. When I revised with that in mind, it took my story to a new level. Trish sent it out again in 2019 – and then the pandemic hit. Then, in 2021 it was acquired and the editors, Laura Godwin and Courtney Nash, brought wonderful energy to this book. I think we had 55 rejections before they acquired it. It’s all about the right editor seeing your book at the right time. And believing in your story.

Me: Do you still participate in StoryStorm and story contests?

Penny: I never miss a year of StoryStorm. I love the excitement and the inspiration behind it. But contests? No, I don’t submit to them anymore, though I do donate prizes.

I really believe in the value of contests. Back when I first started writing, I would enter anything to get words on paper. With contests, you’re given inspiration (prompts/words), parameters (word limits), and a deadline. It forces you to get that first draft down. It may not be good, but the goal of having a contest entry really makes you write. I would never have written Merry Christmas, Dear Mars without the push from a contest.

Me: I love the idea of creating Word Banks, and earlier you mentioned creating word lists. Can you talk about that a bit more?

 

Penny: The word lists reflect the project I’m working on. Because Merry Christmas, Dear Mars happens in space – or at least on a different planet – I needed a “space words” bank. And the sled had technical problems, so I needed a “mechanical words” bank. Plus there are the challenges related to solving problems, so I needed a list of strong verbs. And then there’s the holiday… so obviously I had a list of Christmas-related words. I taped my wordlists to the bottom of my manuscript so I had them right in front of me while I worked!

Me: Thank you so much, Penny. What a fun book – and folks, seriously, go find a copy to read. It’s a wonderful read-aloud and the rhythm and rhyme are spot-on!

Penny has been previously featured on the GROG in this post celebrating her book, There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight, and in this post where she talks about rhyme and her book, A Cooked-Up Fairy Tale

She has a new book coming out in 2025 from Calkins Creek called Spider Lady: Nan Songer and Her Arachnid WWII Army, illustrated by Anne Lambelet. You can find out more about Penny and her books at her website, where you can also subscribe to her newsletter and find her social media links.

Sharing Holiday Stories--a Family Tradition by Pat Miller

Cuddle the kids around at home or school and share some of the beauty, charm, humor, and awe of these titles. The books also make good gifts for beloved readers (or listeners) and could become a tradition with those you care to share the season with.

Happy holidays!

CHRISTMAS

The Animals’ Santa by Jan Brett, 2014.

A young white rabbit seeks the identity of the animal's Santa in the central part of each beautifully detailed double spread. Brett's signature side panels reveal clues that give the reader smug, insider knowledge. Despite the snowy setting, this is a warm story to share with children. 

Here Comes Santa Cat by Deborah Underwood, 2014.

Fearing he's on Santa's naughty list, Cat decides to be Santa so he can gift himself. His efforts, told through signs, gestures, facial expressions, and wacky actions, reveal that even a naughty cat has a nice streak. Lots of humor!

Manger collected by Lee Bennett Hopkins, 2014.

"There is a legend that describes how, at midnight on Christmas Eve, all creatures are granted the power of speech for one hour." Fifteen poems reveal what they had to say about the amazing birth in the stable. Poems are short and powerful, collage illustrations are lovely.  Family members or students can take turns reading the poems.

Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole by Bob Raczka, 2014.

Santa's preparations during the 25 days before Christmas are told in daily haiku written by Santa. "Which is packed tighter, / the sack full of toys or the / red suit full of me?" Besides toy and list making, Santa puts sand on the slippery stoop and reads to Mrs. Claus. A fun peek into Santa's preparations as your family makes their own.

Star Bright: A Christmas Story by Alison McGhee, 2014.

Heavenly preparations are in high gear. The Prince of Peace is on His way, and the newest angel doesn't know what to give this very special baby. When she spies the lost Magi, she realizes the best gift would be light their way in the darkness. An endearing story told with expressive illustrations.

‘Twas Nochebuena: A Christmas Story in English and Spanish by Roseanne Thong, 2014.

Think visions of buñuelos instead of sugar plums. This brightly-illustrated fiesta of a family celebration is fun to share. "For one of our holiday tradiciones, / is making tamales--not one, but montones! And every last person, both chicas and chicos, / is needed to make our tamales taste ricos!"

What the Shepherd Saw by Selma Lagerlof, 2014.

Translated from Swedish, this is the story of a hard-hearted shepherd who was asked for live coals to warm a man's wife and newborn son. Intending to refuse, the shepherd was stunned to see his animals's reaction to the man. His dog does not attack and the sheep allow the man to walk on their backs to the fire. The man scooped coals from the fire, but was not burned. The curious shepherd followed the new father to a cave, where his eyes and heart were opened by what he saw. 

HANUKKAH

Dusk by Uri Shulevitz, 2013.

As the sun sets, the city lights up with the candles and bulbs of Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. Boy with dog and Grandfather with beard return home amid the revelers and shoppers. 

The Golem’s Latkes retold by Eric A. Kimmel, 2011.

The biddable Golem is left unattended while it makes latkes for the rabbi's distracted housemaid. Like The Sorcerer's Apprentice, the Golem produces latkes until Rabbi Judah returns home with the words that make him halt. With enough latkes for the whole of Prague, the disaster turns into a big Hanukkah party.

The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler, 2011.

The story of Judah and the Maccabees and how they defeated the army of Antiochus IV and restored the Temple is retold with verve and drama. A recipe for latkes, reminiscent of the Hanukkah miracles, and how to play the dreidel game,whose four letters represent the Hebrew words for "A great miracle happened there," are appended. Try both!

Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko, 2012.

A family intertwines the two holidays with gelt under the Christmas tree, candy canes hung on the menorah, and caroling with Christmas and Hanukkah songs. Recipe for Cranberry Kugel Dressing is appended.

Eight Winter Nights: A Family Hanukkah Book by Laura Krauss Melmed, 2010.

Night by night, brief poems tell of the candles and the traditional activities engaged in by grandparents, parents, and children. Warm colors enhance the celebrations. Hanukkah traditions, like gelt and the hora, are explained in more detail in the back matter.

KWANZAA

Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna Washington, 2010.

What makes this book especially accessible for younger listeners and readers, besides the cute rabbits, is what's appended. For each of the Nguzo Saba, Seven Principles, of Kwanzaa, there is an example taken from the story. For example, on Day 2: Self-determination, it's noted that "Li'l Rabbit began his search all on his own."

My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz, 2003.

Colorful illustrations accompany child-friendly explanations of the Kwanzaa principles and a family's activities on each of the eight days of "First Fruits".

The Sound of Kwanzaa by Dimitrea Tokunbo, 2009.

This book celebrates the sounds of bringing Kwanzaa principles to life. Old stories lovingly retold, songs and prayers, laughing and sweeping. "Come close, gather 'round / Listen to the sound of Kwanzaa." Recipe for No-Cook Kwanzaa Brownie Bits included.