Several years ago, I was overwhelmed with life. I had moved with my husband from Washington D.C. to a small beach town in Delaware. I felt excited about living in a beautiful, new place, but I was having trouble adjusting to multiple changes all at once. In addition to the …
Last week I randomly selected ten fresh, hot-off-the-presses picture books from my library’s “New Books” cart. My plan was to feature my favorite in this month’s post. And the winner is . . . Greta and the Giants (by Zoe Tucker, illustrated by Zoe Persico)! This sweet, fictional story begins …
Synopsis: It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so darn delicious! Hello and welcome to Picture Book Builders. If you ask me, We Don’t Eat Our Classmates, by Ryan T. Higgins …
Have any of you had the pleasure of reading Deborah Marcero’s stunning new picture book, IN A JAR? I bought one for myself. I bought one for a friend. It is that pretty. That precious. That special. Llewellyn, aside from being a darling little white bunny in a hooded sweatshirt, …
A question that picture book writers often ask is: “Should I paginate my picture book before I send it to an editor or agent?” Today, Carol Hinz, editorial director at Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books at Lerner Publishing Group, shares a post she wrote addressing that very topic. Take it …
Gifted illustrator Dorothia Rohner has been my friend for a long time, and I couldn’t be happier to showcase her debut book, I AM GOOSE! (Clarion). From the publisher: “A simple, friendly game of Duck, Duck, Goose goes off the rails in giggle-inducing confusion when a silly goose tries to …
I am asked often about where my stories come from. I’m sure each and every writer out there is quizzed on this—and frequently. It can be a difficult question to answer, employing self examination and introspection, or an easy one with a flippant—yet true—“I’ve no idea.” Sometimes, depending on the …
The crazier the world gets—and it’s been especially crazy lo these past few years—the more I crave simplicity. Based on my first two posts of 2020, this longing applies to picture books as well. This month’s pick? The Perfect Seat by Minh Lê, illustrated by Gus Gordon (Disney-Hyperion, 2019). Like …
Bruce Hale is here to talk with us about CLARK THE SHARK and irresistible characters. Bruce and I both love cool hats, Latin jazz, movies, chocolate chip cookies, and talking animals. My first introduction to Bruce’s work was through his award-winning CHET GECKO MYSTERY series for ages 8-12. Chet is …
Being a picture book author or illustrator can feel like a rather lonely occupation at times. I suppose that’s why many of you visit Picture Book Builders — to learn, share, encourage, and connect with other book creators. In recent years it seems authors and illustrators are gathering together for …