One of my absolute favorite parts of creating picture books is discovering which illustrator will be working on a manuscript I’ve written. No matter who it is, I’m guaranteed to have one more creative, talented person in my mental Rolodex. I recently got to know Annie Cron, who illustrated One …
It’s publication day for my latest book, a story born on the seat of a tractor, It’s Corn Picking Time! (Neal Porter), stunningly illustrated by Melissa Crowton. Here’s the eye-catching cover! And here’s Kirkus’s starred review of our book: “A rhyming introduction to an essential but often-invisible agricultural process. Dawn …
Today I am extremely excited to be chatting with an incredibly talented UK-based illustrator whose work I’ve admired for a very long time, Diana Mayo! I was so thrilled when Diana agreed to illustrate my latest picture book, FINDING FORGIVENESS, which releases from Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers …
The American Library Association Annual Conference is a joyful long weekend of lively reunions and insightful panels, library advocacy and celebrations of outstanding books. A highlight is walking the exhibition hall, arms full of FREE books. My school library hosts an annual Free Book FAIR and the ALA giveaways, often …
Hi, friends! I’m currently attending a family reunion in Taiwan, so I’ve invited Sue Soltis to share about her and illustrator Sonia Sánchez’s new book, The Moon Moved In. Thank you, Sue! Here is a snippet from the publisher’s description: What would happen if the moon moved in next door? …
Hello, Picture Book Builders people. I’m here with a warning…THE BEAR IS OUT THERE. This picture book, written and illustrated by Jess Hannigan, is a delight. I’m not the only one who thinks so. These are a couple of the reviews: ‘Kids will be drawn in by the friendly, colorful …
Codebreaker Charlotte, by Cedar Wang is a fascinating educational historical picture book— and is lots of fun at the same time! Win-win-WIN! Every year on her birthday, Charlotte looks forward to her gift from her Nana because it always involves solving a code. Kids will be intrigued, and enjoy going …
It’s a happy day when two of my favorite things come together: 1) seeing a story I wrote become an actual book, and 2) giving away a copy to one of our fellow picture book lovers! This time it’s the third book in my and illustrator Bob Shea’s informational fiction …
Suzanne Kaufman is the illustrator of the the New York Times Bestseller ALL ARE WELCOME series, written by Alexandra Penfold. They are wonderful, beautiful, and inclusive books that I imagine make DEI haters combust with nonsense and anger. Penfold’s text celebrates the joy of differences, and Kaufman’s characters pepper every …
Hello everyone! So… I have a confession to make. Before I read the book I’m sharing with you today, I had NO idea there was a difference between alpacas and llamas (granted, I don’t get out much!) But this book answered all the questions I had about these adorable animals …