SARA: In honor of 2025, how about a book celebrating a new year’s tradition? In Legendary Cakes, written and illustrated by Kerisa Greene, a pair of siblings spend Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, with their grandparents. The evening before, they prepare bánh chưng, a dish of leaf-wrapped mung beans, rice, …
My first career was as a newspaper reporter. There, I learned that — to quote former Washington Post journalist Maxine Chesire: “With a roll of quarters and a phone, you can find out anything.” (Side note: If you want a great look at how Maxine overcame sexism and racisim to …
Now, you could say that about all picture books, that they’re works of art. But now and then a book comes along that gobsmacks you with its beauty. This is one of those. Author Sy Montgomery takes us inside the head of a baby hummer who, along with its sister, …
It is not unusual to be sad at times. Sadness happens to all of us. Whether you’re sad about the loss of game or championship by your favorite team, or grieving for the loss of a pet or a loved one, or suffering an unexplained general malaise, it is not …
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! I’m so honored to be kicking off 2025 with you all! I’m especially excited for you to help me celebrate the launch of my new picture book, WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW, illustrated by Andrea Boatta, which released on Jan. 1 with Capstone! WHOOHOO!!! Here’s a little about …
One of my favorite things about Hanukkah is the way it meets the darkest time of the year with light. Here in the northern hemisphere, the days are short, the nights are long, and tonight, the third night of Hanukkah, I am adding another candle to my hanukkiah. Outside it …
The winter solstice has passed. Every year, I look forward to the sense of renewal and hope that comes with the lengthening days, the additional sunlight. Today I want to call attention to people who bring light and hope to others. As author Deidre Havrelock and illustrator Aphelandra share in …
It’s that time again! I hereby give you my list of 25 of the MANY Picture Books I’m Looking Forward to in ’25! Annnnnnd I’m extra excited about Mary Had a Little Jam, illustrated by the amazing Vanessa Brantley-Newton, which debuts in March. This is the third book in our …
I love sharing books with you that combine wonderful artwork with memorable words. Up High by Matt Hunt is about a little boy going for a walk with his Dad. The world looks and feels scary to the small child until his father puts him up on his shoulders. This …
If you’ve got children in your life, you probably want to remind them just how awesome and full of potential they are. If you’re looking for a book to help you do just that, a great candidate is ALL THE GREATNESS IN YOU by Tameka Fryer Brown and Alleanna Harris. …