As I’ve no doubt mentioned before, I love historical fiction based on a family story. And Michelle Barker’s A Year of Borrowed Men (Pajama Press), with luminous art by Renné Benoit, had me from the first page. Why? The voice. Told as though we’re hearing it straight from Gerda, Michelle’s …
Maybe it’s because my own kids had glow-in-the-dark space stickers (that, honestly, I think impressed me more than them). Maybe it’s because I like penguins. (Who doesn’t?) Wait. I think the real reason I’m loving Ella and Penguin Stick Together, by debut author Megan Maynor (with darling illustrations by Rosaline …
Spring is right around the corner, and I can’t wait to watch my flowerbeds unfold, leaf by leaf. The weeding that soon follows? Meh. But that dirty work is rewarded when I come upon a toad hiding in a shady spot. Good to know they’re in there, eating the slugs …
I’m so excited to have author/illustrator Rebecca Bond here today to talk about her gorgeous book, Out of the Woods – A True Story of an Unforgettable Event (FSG, 2015). What a treat! When I read that Out of the Woods was based on a family story passed down from Rebecca’s …
Happy new year, picture book lovers! I wanted to start the year on a cheerful note. So here you go. A book that made me laugh out loud I don’t know how many times. I was first attracted to Ragweed’s Farm Dog Handbook, written and illustrated by Anne Vittur Kennedy, because …
Ever had something slip out of your mouth that you immediately wished you could call back? Join the club. As adults, we know how embarrassing it feels to open mouth, insert foot. We also know it isn’t the end of the world. Well, we eventually know that. But when it happens …
One of my favorite books of 2014 is Froodle, by Antoinette Portis. Delightful wordplay is the star here, and I’m not sure who would have more fun with it – the kiddos listening or the adult reading/performing it aloud. …
Hi, everybody. Instead of a post today, we’d like to direct you to the TeachingBooks Blog. During the month of October, they’re giving away a BUNCH ‘o books for kids of all ages, and we wanted to make you aware. Here’s a partial list to give you an idea of …
I’m choosing to talk about John, Paul, George & Ben today – what I suppose has to be classified as an oldie, but goodie, since it was published in 2006 – only because I keep running into newish writers who aren’t familiar with it. In my opinion, every writer (and …
At book signings there’s always somebody who, after flipping through a book, looks at me to ask, “Where’d you get this idea?” Honestly, it isn’t always easy to remember, 3-5 years after the fact, what sparked a story idea. But if they ask that about my newest book, Elwood Bigfoot: …