Holy moly. There are hundreds of wonderful picture books in store for us in 2016. I want-want-want so many of them. On top of all of the upcoming standalones, I am really excited for some companion books. For instance…. Hotel Bruce Written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins (Disney*Hyperion, October …
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! I’m calling today Talk It Up Tuesday. Here’s a quick shout out to ten picture book blasts from the not-so-recent past. Book 1: Zombie in Love by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Scott Campbell This book features a zombie’s quest to find the perfect ghoul. It’s stinking great. …
Want to know what I love? PiBoIdMo, that’s what! Picture Book Idea Month is the brainchild of friend and author Tara Lazar. Each November, Tara encourages picture book writers and illustrators to jot down one idea for each day in the month of November. That’s it. We don’t have to …
While at the 2015 SCBWI-OK Fall Retreat, I participated on a first page/first fifty panel. The other panelists, Anna Myers and Sonia Gensler, offered feedback on the first pages of novel manuscripts. My job was to offer feedback on the first fifty words of picture book manuscripts. No small task. …
In just a few days, ROAR!, my book with Liz Starin, releases. To celebrate, I wanted to share the trailer as well as some scoop on how the trailer came to be. The Trailer: ROAR!‘s trailer includes cameo appearances from some of today’s fiercest authors and illustrators. You’ve been warned. Please view responsibly. …
Attention, children, grownups, and dragons! Liz Starin and I have a book that will be roaring onto the scene on October 6. ROAR! stars a little boy and two dragons who discover what it takes to start a friendship. This, by the way, is what Kirkus said about our book: “Big …
Kim Norman’s latest picture book is the oh-so-groovy This Old Van (Sterling, August 4). Kim is one of the members in my critique group, the PBJeebies, and, let me tell you, there is so much to love about this book. It’s a real deal story based on a catchy and …
I am a huge fan of Hannah E. Harrison’s Extraordinary Jane, so I had high expectations for Bernice Gets Carried Away. Well, I got just as carried away with this book! It’s better than getting a frosting rose on your piece of cake! Really. Hannah, tell us about Bernice Gets Carried Away. Bernice is …
Hey, buckaroos! June 16 is the release date for Ginny Louise and the School Showdown (Disney*Hyperion). *throws marshmallows* (<–Psst. You’ll have to read the book to find out why.) I am honored and thrilled to have a book with THE Lynn Munsinger. The Skinny… The Truman Elementary Troublemakers are a bad …
A Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina’s Dream by Kristy Dempsey, illustrated by Floyd Cooper This book has not left my office since I first brought it home. It’s especially nice to have around when I’m struggling with an idea, a sentence, a story. I love the elegant language, the poignant …