When writing a picture book, I sometimes like to focus on a main character’s defining trait. In Mostly Monsterly, Bernadette is a monster who has a sweet side. In Mary Had a Little Glam, Mary, well, she has a thing for glam. In Quiet Wyatt (Clarion, Sept. 25, 2018), my …
I know we have many fans of Jessixa Bagley’s books around here (see this post and this one), so I’m thrilled to have Jessixa and her husband and collaborator Aaron Bagley visit us to chat about their recent book Vincent Comes Home (Roaring Brook Press)—and, well, lots of other good …
Hello! In today’s post I am writing about THE ROUGH PATCH by NYT bestselling author Brian Lies. This is a beautiful book about friendship, loss, and grief, and sort of unpacking how we go through that process to find what’s on the other end. It’s not the normal subject matter most …
A week ago I attended an outstanding event for book lovers — the National Book Festival in Washington DC. For those of you who’ve never attended this colossal event, here’s a brief fly-on-the-wall summary. But first, let’s start with the Author Gala on the Friday night before the festival. The …
One of my favorite books of 2017 is this quirky little number by Kenneth Kraegel. Green Pants (Candlewick) found a place in my heart because it’s a story in which every kiddo can see him/herself. Heck, every adult can, too. Jameson has these green pants, see, and they’re his favorite …
Today I’m thrilled to welcome debut author, Traci Sorell, to PBB to share her incredible new book, We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga (illustrated by Frané Lessac.) This lovely picture book releases today, September 4, from Charlesbridge. As an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Traci provides an authentic look at modern Native …
It seems some story ideas take longer than others to turn into books. COUNTDOWN: 2979 DAYS TO THE MOON (illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez) was one of those ideas. Ironically, my journey to create this book was about 2979 days. And it’s finally releasing tomorrow—September 1st! Of course, the “2979 Days” subtitle doesn’t refer …
I have a lot to talk about in a short post today. First of all, I want you all to see this gorgeous picture book: ROSA’S ANIMALS is Maryann Macdonald’s newest, from Harry N. Abrams. It’s a lush biography of French painter Rosa Bonheur (1822-1899) that you really shouldn’t miss. …
Remember the book I’m Bored from a few years ago? You know, the one by Michael Ian Black and Debbie Ridpath Ohi in which a young girl, who is bored, tries to prove to a potato, also bored, that kids are not boring. Despite all her creative efforts—spinning, singing, pretending she’s …
A few years ago I had signed a two book deal with Simon & Schuster for A TIGER TAIL and a second TBT title. Long before I had finished off A TIGER TAIL I had been thinking and planning for what the second book could be, as I usually have …