The Picture Book Buzz - Interview w/Carolyn Bennett Fraiser and Review of M is for Mason Jar
- Maria Marshall
- Aug 11
- 9 min read
Carolyn Bennett Fraiser grew up just south of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and has been fascinated with astronomy since she was a child.
After years of writing for the adult market, she now writes for kids of all ages, where she brings her passion for the natural world and history to the pages of children’s books. Carolyn and her husband currently manage a small homestead in western North Carolina where she continues to write for the non-profit sector and encourages local youth to discover a passion for writing. When she is not reading, writing, or researching a new topic, Carolyn enjoys playing the piano, hiking, photography, and snuggling with her rescued furbabies.
Carolyn is the author of Moon Tree illustrated by Simona Mulazzani (2022).
Her newest picture book, M is For Mason Jar: A Homesteading Alphabet, releases on August 12th .
Carolyn, thank you so much for stopping back by to talk about your newest book and your
writing.
Thank you so much for hosting me again, Maria.
Having written a couple of nonfiction picture books, what is your research process? Did it change at all for M is for Mason Jar: A Homesteading Alphabet?
Every project takes me on a slightly different research journey. But M is For Mason Jar was much more different than most since my research was based upon a cumulation of years of experience on my own homestead and in the homesteading community. Since my husband is my homesteading partner, we worked closely together to come up with the words and activities on each page. It truly was a collaborative process.
I'm sure that makes this book even more precious for you! What was your inspiration or spark of interest for M is for Mason Jar?
It was two things. First, someone in one of my homesteading groups had posted a thread about the ABCs of homesteading. It was early in the pandemic, and everyone was a bit bored. The thread was actually hilarious—I wish I had kept it. After I shared it with my husband, I casually mentioned that I could write something like for kids, and he dared me to do it! I didn’t’ take it seriously at the time. But then, I saw a couple of blog posts from homesteading parents that shared how frustrated they were by the lack of children’s books about modern-day homesteading, and I thought maybe I was onto something.
Funny how the universe is determined to get us to do something at times! How long did it take from the first draft to publication for M is for Mason Jar?
Well, I wrote the first draft pretty quickly after that—sometime in 2020. I ran it through a few revisions. I hesitated to send it out because I felt it was too niche—I honestly didn’t think anyone would pick it up. Then I saw a call out for submissions later that year from Familius and it sounded like the perfect book for them, so I sent it. It was the only submission I made for this project. I got the contract the next spring. The schedule was bumped a few times, but here we are in 2025, and it’s a beautiful book!
I think it was meant to be - everything just lined up. What has been the most rewarding part of the publishing process for M is for Mason Jar?
Oh, that’s a hard one. There were so many highlights along the way. Usually, I’m very analytical about a project and worry about whether it will sell. But I initially did this project just for fun. I love playing with words, so the book is full of alliteration and fun word play. I didn’t put pressure on myself to sell it. I just enjoyed the process, and I think that really comes through. But when I saw the first round of Sally’s illustrations, it finally became real to me. And I was like, “Wow! This is really going to become an actual book!”
That must have been a relief and a bit of a fun experience. What was the toughest or most challenging aspect of writing or researching M is for Mason Jar?
Well, at one point, I decided to challenge myself to take the project a step further and write it in rhyme (on top of all the internal alliteration). My critique partners were very quick to tell me that it was WAY too much. Rhyming is not one of my strengths. So, I pulled back and focused on how I write best, and it worked!
Ha! Thank God for critique partners. When you first saw Sally Garland’s illustrations did anything amaze, excite, or surprise you? Which is your favorite spread?
Oh, my goodness. Sally’s illustrations blew me away. She captured the essence of the book so perfectly and gave it a story with characters that I know readers are going to fall in love with! They are just so incredibly adorable! The colors are warm and inviting. You just feel a part of the family. That’s the whole point, right?
Text © Carolyn Bennett Fraiser, 2025. Image © Sally Garland, 2025.
But I have to admit that my favorite spread was Z. She shifted from warm to cool tones to depict the end of the day and the moon glow reminded me so much of Moon Tree that it captured me right from the start!
BUT, since that is the last spread of the book, We are going to show you all one of her other favorite spreads. Is there anything you want your readers to know or hope they discover about M is for Mason Jar?
M is For Mason Jar is not just for homesteading families. It’s about exploration and being a part of a family. Kids who live in urban areas and learn more about farm life through the book. There are practical activities on each page (and a comprehensive list in the back matter) that kids can engage in wherever they live. Not every family will have chickens, but kids can still explore baking, growing seeds in pots, reading cookbooks, or even simply getting out in nature.
I love all the universal elements and themes in the book. Are there any projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
Sure! I just signed a contract for a new book with the same publisher (Familius). Fire Seeds is about the life cycle of a seed that can only grow with the help of a forest fire. It’s fun, interactive, and includes a lot of sound-play. Right now, it’s on the schedule for release in 2028, so be on the look-out for more information!
Congrats! And I can't wait to see this book! Last question, what animal or natural feature (place) do you want to learn more about? Why?
Oh, I’m curious about so much. But a friend recently asked me if I would consider writing a book with penguins, so that has been on my mind a lot lately. LOL. I honestly don’t know a lot about penguins, but they DO fascinate me. Maybe something will simmer to the surface, or I’ll stumble across some fun fact that I can explore deeper. Who knows? It’s always fun seeing where ideas might lead.
Thank you, Carolyn for stopping by and sharing your time and thoughts with us. It’s always wonderful to chat with you.
To find out more about Carolyn Bennett Fraiser, or contact her:
Website: https://carolynbfraiser.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolynBFraiser
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolynbfraiser/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolynbfraiser
Review of M is for Mason Jar
A gorgeous and lyrically fun A to Z picture book ode to homesteading, family time, and enjoying all that nature has to offer us. It is a wonderful book to encourage kids to learn about growing food, helping out, and learning new skills, no matter where they live.
M is for Mason Jar
Author: Carolyn Bennett Fraiser
Illustrator: Sally Garland
Publisher: Familius
Ages:
Fiction
Themes:
Homesteading, family, outdoor activities, and the alphabet.
Synopsis:
Children are an essential part of any homestead. From canning creamed corn and cucumbers to scattering seeds in the soil, explore a fun modern-day homesteading activity for every letter of the alphabet, just for young homesteaders. With alliterative text by Carloyn Bennett Fraiser and sweet illustrations by Sally Garland, M Is for Mason Jar is a mix of nostalgia and modernism. Whether in the country or the city, the time-honored practices of the homestead will encourage kids to be more self-reliant and to be thankful for the bounty of the earth and the work of their hands. Includes one page of backmatter to help kids get involved in homesteading activities.
Opening Lines:
A is for attic
and armfuls of aprons
our aunties once made.
B is for baking
the batter for buttermilk biscuits. Yum!
What I Loved about this book:
Soft watercolor illustrations team up with wonderfully lyrical and alliterated text in this sweet alphabet book which follows three kids and their extended, bi-racial family through a year of chores and activities on a homestead. I love how Sally Garland added and created a touching and playful family story through her illustrations. The three kids are absolutely adorable.
Text © Carolyn Bennett Fraiser, 2025. Image © Sally Garland, 2025.
While the text explores homesteading, through the lens of the alphabet, Sally Garland's images beautifully capture the joys and playfulness of the dog and three generations of the family. Homesteading is work, but it's also filled with family time at meals, activities, and quiet moments together.
Text © Carolyn Bennett Fraiser, 2025. Image © Sally Garland, 2025.
D is for dough
to make donuts with a dusting of sugar for dessert.
E is for eggs,
gathered extra early from excited hens.
For urban and suburban readers, it offers a glimpse of some familiar farm activities (like gathering eggs, plowing, and caring for animals) and some that may be less well known (like a root cellar, canning, and saving your own seeds). As well as other activities that are universal to everyone (baking, cooking, sewing, and gardening). I love the playful moments, like hiding under the quilt on grandma's lap as she sews, sneaking food to the dog from the table, the three siblings gazing in wonder at a yule log, and stargazing as a family which Sally Garland wove through the images showing not just the needed teamwork and effort to run a homestead, but the love and special times within a family as well.
Text © Carolyn Bennett Fraiser, 2025. Image © Sally Garland, 2025.
It's a loving, gentle, and fun way to celebrate family and homesteading. The last page provides a list of 26 activities that kids, homesteading or otherwise, can do to participate or help out at home. Such as finding "an apron that fits just right. [measuring] the ingredients for batter, [carrying] a basket of supplies to the garden, or [volunteering] to feed the animals." It is a wonderful book which will appeal to kids (and parents), whether practicing homesteading, dabbling in gardening, or enjoying family time wherever they are.
Resources:
visit a U-pick berry, fruit, or vegetable farm and help your family gather fresh farm food.
help plant this year's garden. If you don't have space of a garden, pick out some seed packets, pots, and soil with your parents and plant some herbs and favorite veggies. Water, weed, and watch them grow.
how many of the activities at the back of the book can you do? Check out Mason Jar Science by Jonathan Adolph for some more fun activities.
pair this with It's Corn Picking Time! by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Melissa Crowton, Seasons on the Farm by Chelsea Tornetto, illustrated by Karen Bunting, Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm by Lindsay H. Metcalf, illustrated by Xin Li, In Our Garden by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Melissa Crowton, and Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals, illustrated by Ashley Wolff.
If you are in the area, check out all places you will find Carolyn Bennett Fraiser this fall:
M is for MASON JAR Orchard & More Tour:
August 23: Mason Jar Day, 1 - 3 pm, at Mary C. Jenkins Community Center in Brevard, NC,
August 30-September 1: Labor Day weekend at Grandad’s Apples in Hendersonville, NC
September 6: NC Honey Festival - 618 S. Madison St, Whiteville, NC 28472
September 13: Young Readers Series at The Hop Ice Cream w/Malaprop's Bookstore, 2 - 4 pm - 640 Merrimon Ave Asheville, NC 28804
September 27: Book signing at GG’s Library - 206 S Main St, Prosperity, SC 29127
October 10-11: Homesteaders of America Conference - 26 Fairgrounds Road, Front Royal, VA 22630
October 16: Cabarrus County 4-H Event in Concord, NC
October 18: J and M Orchards - 3016 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792
October 25: Book Signing at the Appalachian Women's Museum - 100 W. Hometown Place, Dillsboro, NC 28725
November 1: Fall Fiesta at Brevard College, Brevard, NC 28712
