March 2017

2017 March

SNAIL HAS LUNCH with Mary Peterson

Author-Illustrator Mary Peterson, a critique group pal of mine, has a new book out to get us excited about our gardens and new tasty growing things! The book is called SNAIL HAS LUNCH, and is in a unique format that I hope to see a lot more of in children’s books these …

Announcing: the American Writers Museum!

Big news! (And I mean really big.) In a few weeks — May 16th to be exact — the American Writers Museum opens in Chicago. That’s right. The first national museum featuring American writers and their works is making its home in the windy city. Talk about a must-see museum! So when AWM Program Director, Allison Sansone, recently invited me to visit, I jumped at the chance. Hope you enjoy this sneak peek of the museum.

Vampirina takes on the beach AND her very own Disney Junior Animated Series

I have known Anne Marie Pace since the glory days of LiveJournal, and I have valued her friendship for more than a decade. Anne Marie is the author of a number of pictures books including her popular Vampirina Ballerina series, illustrated by the spooktacular LeUyen Pham. Anne Marie was …

Who What Where? Who Done It? (and giveaway winner announced!)

When in doubt, ask a librarian. I was chatting with my librarian friend, Sara, and asking about book shapes. I’m at that beginning stage with my next picture book and I wanted her thoughts on how different shapes work on the shelf. Sara mentioned that small books often get pushed …

A kiss for Amy Krouse Rosenthal

If you love picture books, you’ve probably read one or two from Amy Krouse Rosenthal. She’s written a ton — well — more than 20. And her books are universally lovely. Often funny. Always moving. Deceptively simple. Amy has been in the news twice recently. First, when an essay she wrote …

My Busy Green Garden, Author Interview + a Giveaway!

What first drew me to My Busy Green Garden (Tilbury House Publishers), by author Terry Pierce and illustrator Carol Schwartz, was its colorful cover. On it were some of my favorite flowers – daisies, lilies, a purple coneflower. Oh, wait. There were insects, too? A praying mantis, a honeybee, a …

Under the sea…

Narwhal, Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton is a marvel. An undersea romp with confidence and joy and a little bit of absurdity. The opening line, “NARWHAL IS REALLY AWESOME,” pretty much nails this terrific little book. It contains short tales, natural history facts, and even a song …

Little Red Riding Hood Redux

I loved fairy tales as a kid, and for the most part was happy to suspend disbelief no matter how bizarre the concept. Magic seeds? Sure. Talking mirrors? All right. Gold spun from straw? Why not? But there was one story that strained plausibility beyond even my generous standards. Could …

Researching J.R.R. Tolkien and His Dragons

Last year, I shared this post while in the thick of final art for the picture book by Caroline McAlister, JOHN RONALD’S DRAGONS: THE STORY OF J.R.R. TOLKIEN (Roaring Brook/MacMillan). This month, on the 21st of March, the long-awaited release of that project will be here! I can’t wait to share it …

Month: March 2017

SNAIL HAS LUNCH with Mary Peterson

Announcing: the American Writers Museum!

Vampirina takes on the beach AND her very own Disney Junior Animated Series

Who What Where? Who Done It? (and giveaway winner announced!)

A kiss for Amy Krouse Rosenthal

My Busy Green Garden, Author Interview + a Giveaway!

Under the sea…

Little Red Riding Hood Redux

Researching J.R.R. Tolkien and His Dragons

Recent Posts

Archives

Meta

Subscribe to Our Posts