All picture books, all the time

Five Things about FIVE MINUTES

Got five minutes? Is that a lot of time? Or a little? Depends on what you’re doing, right? That’s the concept behind FIVE MINUTES (That’s a lot of time) (No, it’s not) (Yes, it is) written by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick and illustrated by Olivier Tallec (Putnam, 2019). …

HAZEL AND TWIG: Interview with Brenna Burns Yu (+Giveaway)

Join me in welcoming author-illustrator Brenna Burns Yu! With one look at the book covers, I fell in love with Hazel and Twig – adorable mouse sisters who have cozy adventures in a woodland setting. Here’s the rundown on both books: HAZEL AND TWIG: THE LOST EGG – Hazel and …

ME & MAMA by Cozbi A. Cabrera

Last month, ALA awarded ME & MAMA, written and illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera, a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Honor. I’m so excited to share this lovely title on PBB today! (Fyi – Cozbi also won a Coretta Scott King Honor and Sibert Honor for EXQUISITE this …

I’ll Meet You in Your Dreams by Jessica Young (+GIVEAWAY)

Oh, Picture Book Builders people. Prepare to be a little bit mesmerized. Jessica Young and Rafael López have teamed up to create a masterpiece of a book. Going through the pages is like getting lost in a poem and an art gallery at the very same time. This is what …

Creating Space

I’m taking a little break from talking about book-making in this post. I’m busy making heads. My studio is a bright and sunny upstairs bedroom. The walls are covered with eclectic art by friends, family, and people whose work I love. Antique furniture holds up my printer and scanner. Two large …

A new book pops on the scene — and a GIVEAWAY

I love it when new picture books pop on the scene. In fact, finding them and reading them is one of my favorite things to do. And, when, a cool new picture book is written by a friend who’s worked hard to be the best writer possible for years, well, …

OUTSIDE THE BOX with Editor/Author/Wearer of MANY hats, Alli Brydon

When I decided to use my 2021 posts for inspirational chats with picture book authors/illustrators who think OUTSIDE THE BOX, I knew I’d be talking with one of my favorite people in publishing, Alli Brydon. I first met Alli at an Iowa SCBWI conference in … 2012? In 2013 she …

Cliff the Failed Troll

The new book by Barbara Davis-Pyles (Stubby the Fearless Squid, Grizzly Boy), illustrated by Justin Hillgrove, is Cliff the Failed Troll. It stars a stocky, young troll named Cliff. Cliff is attending Troll School to become a proper troll. He is a likable enough student, though he is not welcomed …

A Chat with Brandon Reese (plus CAVE DADA Giveaway!)

Hello, all! Today I’m thrilled to welcome Brandon Reese to the blog. Brandon is the author and illustrator of several picture books, including, most recently, CAVE DADA (Chronicle Books, 2020)—a classic bedtime story with a Stone Age twist. When Baba asks for his favorite book, his weary father resists. But …

WISH: Interview with Matthew Cordell (+BEAR ISLAND GIVEAWAY)

Hooray for animal families! I was lucky enough to be paired with Matt Cordell several years ago for our picture book ITSY BITSY BABY MOUSE, a story about a mouse who gets lost. ITSY BITSY is still twirling and whirling; teachers tell me they use the book to teach kids …