It's Season's Readings with Penny Parker Klostermann!

Hi, readers, writers, and Martians, too! Do you love Santa and Mars? Then you're in for quite the treat today! The wonderful multi-published author, Penny Parker Klostermann, is here with us today sharing her newest picture book, Merry Christmas, Dear Mars: An Out-of-This-World Story About the Night Before Christmas. When the Martians eagerly await Santa's arrival, hoping he'll actually visit Mars this year, they get a surprise visit followed by the need for a rescue mission! This rhyming, humorous romp is filled with heart and is a wonderful treat for the season. Want to know more about Penny and her newest book, PLUS want a chance to win one of two giveaways: a copy of Merry Christmas, Dear Mars or an Ask Me Anything session with Penny? Read on...

Q: Hi, Penny! Thanks so much for joining us today. We thoroughly enjoyed Merry Christmas, Dear Mars. Your book is a delightful parody of The Night Before Christmas. What inspired you to pair that with Christmas on Mars? 

A: I appreciate you having me and I love how y’all spread the joy!

Attempting a retelling of The Night Before Christmas was on my Writing ToDo List. I have to credit writing challenges for moving this project to the top of my list. First, during Tara Lazar‘s 2011 Picture Book Idea Month in November (PiBoIdMo then, now Storystorm in January) I wrote down several ideas for the retelling on my list. One of them was outer space as the setting. Following PiBoIdMo, Susanna Leonard Hill posted the rules for her Holiday Contest: Post your own version of Clement C. Moore’s traditional poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” It was like an invitation to explore my ideas! When I started drafting, picking one planet for Santa to visit seemed like it would bring a cozier feel to the story rather than him visiting the entire universe. Also, when experimenting with opening lines, the Mars/stars rhyme was handy. LOL As the draft progressed, Mars turned out to be a great choice. 

Q: Can you share a little bit about your book’s path to publication? What was it like working with Henry Holt?

The path was long! The longest for any of my books. I wrote the first draft in 2011 for Susanna’s Holiday Contest. Next, revise, revise, revise, etc. When I queried agents, I led with this manuscript to query agents and signed with my agent in 2013. She sent this manuscript out right away. **For those who might be skeptical when they hear that sometimes it takes the right editor at the right time, check this out. 55 rejections!!! Yes, along the way I made a significant revision but 22 of the 55 rejections came after that revision. Then in 2022, after 55 rejections, the right editor read it at the right time, and I signed a contract.

Speaking of the right editor at the right time, working with Godwin Books, an imprint of Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, was an absolute joy. This book landed with the perfect team! This is a quote about Godwin books from the Macmillan website. The imprint is creator driven and we pride ourselves in reaching beyond the traditional author-publisher relationship. From the get-go I saw that the team was very committed to this book and because of their excitement and communication style, I can vouch that they’re successful at reaching beyond the traditional author-publisher relationship.

Q: Though this is a fiction book, what kind of research did you have to do for it?

A: I researched Mars, outer space (in general) and space travel. My research certainly didn’t make me an expert, but it helped me find setting-related vocabulary to use in the manuscript. When I wrote the first draft, I hadn’t done any research and Santa was sucked into a black hole. A few people mentioned that black holes aren’t near Mars. Even though this story is a fantasy, I knew that fact would bother people who were outer space buffs. So after some research, I rewrote the part where Santa runs into a problem. It’s so much stronger!

Also, the names for the Outer Space Rescue Division were found during my research. I’m delighted with their outer space, science-y names and think kids will think they’re fun!

Q:  What do you hope young readers will take away from the story, no matter their background or what they celebrate?

A: Whether it’s a holiday, a tradition, a coming-of-age ceremony or something else, I hope readers will embrace the anticipation and preparation for special days or seasons and find joy as they celebrate with family and friends. 

Q: Can you share some of your favorite spreads? Why are they your favorites? 

A: Oh goodness, that’s tough! Estrela Lourenço’s art blew me away and added so much to the story that every spread is a favorite. But I think there are two specific moments that must be very strong in any story for the story to resonate. Number one, the spread when readers learn what the main character desires/wants. Number two, the spread with the satisfying resolution. 

On this spread we get a glimpse of the main character’s desire in this text.

lent hope to our hearts on the red planet Mars.

I left room for art to convey more, and Estrela did an absolutely, amazing job. Look at the narrator’s expression and the details in art that communicate the desire for Santa to visit Mars for the first time. The entire planet is prepared. The spread conveys the desire so strongly that I believe readers will be invested in the journey. 

’Twas the night before Christmas in far outer space.

The merry ol’ moon wore a smile on his face.

The glitter and twinkle from millions of stars lent hope to our hearts on the red planet Mars.

On this spread, we have the resolution. Again, the text leaves room for art and Estrela does an excellent job of slowing the story down on the left side of the spread by using two panels. First they wave to Santa and next and is a heartfelt moment with the narrator.  

Her art emphasizes the emotions so well. In the first panel we only see the backs of the Martians heads when they wave goodbye, but the expression on the moon’s face says it all. In the second panel, the expression on the narrator’s face with this line is powerful!

And I know in my heart that he’ll visit each year.

Just before we get too choked up, we move to the other side of the spread which is back to fun and humor as Santa zooms away. I believe the resolution will resonate with readers to bring them back to the book again and again. 

He gave me a nod and returned to his sleigh.

It wouldn’t be long till he’d be on his way.

But now he’s space-ready. His reindeer have gear.

And I know in my heart that he’ll visit each year.

Q:  How has being a part of the KidLit community impacted your writing journey?

A: Immensely. If you’re reading this because you’re interested in writing for publication, you should know that the KidLit community will be beside you in meaningful ways. They’ll be generous with their knowledge and experience. They’ll be honest. They’ll tell you that publishing is a tough business, and that you’ll most likely rack up a lot of rejections. They’ll tell you to persevere because it’s worth it. Even better, they’ll support you through all of this. They’ll listen during the tough times and cheer loudly when you share any tidbit of positive news. 

And, hey, if you’re reading this because you’re already a part of the KidLit community, I want to thank you for the support and the cheering! 

Thank you for your kind words, and for joining us, Penny! Readers, do you want to know what we thought of Penny's book? You can find our reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

Q: Would you like to leave a stocking stuffer for our readers?

A: Yes - I'm leaving two stocking stuffers!

From Godwin Books/Holt, a copy of Merry Christmas, Dear Mars. (US addresses only, please.)

From me, a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything!

WOW - thank you Holt and Penny for such sweet treats!

Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter to win one of these AMAZING giveaways, 1) share this post on social media and 2) leave a comment below to thank Penny for stopping by - and let us know which stocking stuffer you're interested in, too! Holiday and Martian-themed pictures and GIFs are always welcomed and appreciated.

BONUS: Those who leave a comment on and share all posts on social media, tagging Heather Macht and Lynne Marie, will be eligible to win their choice of either (1) of (3) SpeedPasses from RYS or critiques from Heather or Lynne Marie.

Heather Macht Tags: X: @AuthorHMacht, IG/Threads: @heatherauthormacht, Bluesky: @authorhmacht.bsky.social

Lynne Marie Tags: X: @Literally_Lynne, IG/Threads: @literally.lynne.marie, Bluesky: @

@literallylynne.bsky.social

Giveaway winners will be drawn on or about 12/15!

Books will be shipped in the US only.

About Penny Parker Klostermann:

Bio: Penny Parker Klostermann is the author of Merry Christmas, Dear Mars, illustrated by Estrela Lourenço (Godwin Books/Holt), There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight and A Cooked-Up Fairy Tale, both illustrated by Ben Mantle (Random House Children’s Books), and coming May 6, 2025, Spider Lady: Nan Songer and Her Arachnid WWII Army, illustrated by Anne Lambelet (Astra/Calkins Creek). 

Penny loves all kinds of books but especially very silly picture books that make her laugh and inspiring nonfiction books that tweak her curiosity. She has been known to hug her favorite picture books and seriously hopes that her books will gain huggable status too.

For more about Penny, check out the below links:

Website: https://pennyklostermann.com/

FB: @penny.parkerklostermann https://www.facebook.com/penny.parkerklostermann/

Insta: @pennyparkerklostermann https://www.instagram.com/pennyparkerklostermann/ 

To purchase Penny's books on Amazon, or to leave a review for them, click here.

---