Hello Picture Book Builder Fam! I’m very excited to share yet another FANTASTIC poetry collection, TORRIBLE PUNS, written by Tricia Torrible, and illustrated by Robert Dunn. Here’s my review: This poetry collection is HILARIOUS and the concept is absolutely brilliant. Each poem tells a little story that leads the reader …
As 2025 wraps up, I will keep this post short and sweet. After four years of writing for Picture Book Builders, I am stepping away to focus on other work. Thank you for sharing your reading lives with me, and thank you especially to Jill Esbaum for being a wonderful …
December is a month full of lists: to-do lists; wish lists; gift lists; and, of course, book lists of every category and description. So I’m jumping on the listicle bandwagon with six picture books that I read this year and why I think they’re great for this holiday season (as …
Howdy, Picture Book Builder people. This November, Cowboy Camp, my very first book, turned 20! The idea for this book literally knocked on my door. One night, years and years ago, my husband and I tucked our kids into bed for the night. We were getting ready to sit down …
Need a laugh? Need an unexpected, unpredictable, highly enjoyable read? Yes, yes we do! So here is DON’T EAT EUSTACE written and illustrated by Lian Cho. Bear lives in alone in their lighthouse. One day they catch a fish named Eustace, and it’s obvious that Bear is going to enjoy …
When my family gathers for Thanksgiving, we have food and games. This year, we’ll also have a story. The idea to share a story for the holiday came when I first saw GATHER GRATEFUL (Candlewick Press, 2025), written by Megan Litwin and illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey. And, yes, in my …
Warm and cozy. That’s the first thought I had when I saw this cover. Author Robin Currie kindly sent me a PDF of this one, and I was happy to see that it was as charming as the animals featured on this warm, cozy cover. The text is short (yet …
Every once in a while you find a picture book that is nuthin’ but fun. WALLY MAMMOTH: THE SLED RACE by Corey R. Tabor and illustrated by Dalton Webb is one of those books. First of all…Wally Mammoth? How freakin’ clever is that? It is a simple and delightful story …
As a lifelong theater lover and a HUGE fan (bordering on stalker) of Renée LaTulippe’s, I knew from the moment I heard about LIMELIGHT that I had to not only get my hands on a copy but I HAD to secure an interview with Renée for this blog. As anyone …
As the weather chills, let’s take a look at a great picture book for winter: COME CATCH A DREAM by Brittany J. Thurman and Islenia Mil. In this story, a boy walks home every day with his mother, always passing the ice skating rink. Most of the year the rink …