A lot of beginning picture book authors write stories told from the view of an inanimate object. A toaster named Timmy. A chair named Charlie. A flower named Flora. While these authors’ intentions are good, their stories often aren’t. It is exceedingly hard to write a story that works using …
Recently, I was online looking — not at all compulsively — for news or reviews of my latest picture book ONE CAN BE. I found my book, but I also found a picture book I hadn’t heard of before called ONE CAN written by Lana Button and Eric Walters and …
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 …
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 …
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 …
It’s a special day, Picture Book Builder folks! It’s pub day for the adorable TIC, TAC, AND TOE, written by my dear friend Sheri Dillard! 🎉🎉🎉 Sheri and I first met when I joined the online critique group that she was in, about fifteen years ago now. 🥰 I’m so …
Hi Everyone! Last month, I celebrated the release of my 9th picture book, SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND, illustrated so beautifully by Dinara Mirtalipova (WhooHoo!). So, I thought this month I’d share with you a little behind the making of this book (and, of course, offer a giveaway! More on …
Horses and books — what more could you ask for? I’m excited to chat with dear friend Maria Gianferrari today about her latest book, RAIN AND THE READING HORSE, illustrated by Hannah Salyer. The book publishes today! Here’s the description from the flap copy: “When a shy girl attends a …
Despite being a writer, grammar is *not* my strong suit. Aside from the basic parts of speech, I can’t remember what anything is called or what most of the rules are. Mostly, I rely on intuition and whether something sounds right, based on decades of reading. That’s why I’m so …
One of my absolute favorite parts of creating picture books is discovering which illustrator will be working on a manuscript I’ve written. No matter who it is, I’m guaranteed to have one more creative, talented person in my mental Rolodex. I recently got to know Annie Cron, who illustrated One …