A Life Made by Hand

A Life Made by Hand, The Story of Ruth Asawa, written and illustrated by Andrea D’Aquino. I am extremely grateful for the recent publication of several non-fiction books about artists. Especially those books which highlight the work of lesser known visionaries, yet artists’ whose work has contributed and influenced the …

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A timely title: I AM THE STORM

2020 has — unarguably — been a difficult year. We’ve been tossed and turned by a pandemic, a contentious presidential election, racial injustices and a variety of natural disasters. That makes I AM THE STORM, a picture book written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple and illustrated by Kristen …

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The perfect treat for the gift-giving season: THE PURPLE PUFFY COAT + a chat with author Maribeth Boelts

When a book makes me laugh out loud a time or two, that’s a book I’m going to love. When I can’t stop giggling/smiling through an entire book that also emits massive doses of that elusive element we call HEART, that’s a keeper—a book I’m adding to my permanent collection. …

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Chatting with Sue Soltis about THE STARS JUST UP THE STREET (+Giveaway!)

Hello! I’m so pleased to have author (and fellow Chapel Hill resident) Sue Soltis here today to chat about her beautiful new book The Stars Just Up the Street, illustrated by Christine Davenier (Candlewick Press, 2020). In the book, young Mabel—with assistance from her grandfather—convinces neighbors and town officials to …

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21 Picture Books I’m Looking Forward to in ’21!

Like most of you, I am ready to shut the door on 2020. Let’s go ahead and take a peek at some of the good stuff 2021 has in store for us…. I also have three books coming out in 2021 that I’m pretty excited about: Not Now, Cow illustrated …

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Gifting a signed Book

I have noticed a happy trend of many book makers teaming up with their local Independent Bookstores to offer signed books this holiday/pandemic season. It does take some extra effort on both people’s parts. It usually requires that the bookstore is close enough that the author/illustrator doesn’t mind stopping in …

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