I love rhyming stories that employ brevity. I love colorful artwork. I love stories that provide talking points between reader and listener(s). Leslie Helakoski’s Hoot & Honk Just Can’t Sleep delivers all three. And look at this beeee-yootiful cover! A storm upsets two nests, a goose’s and an owl’s. Each …
Otis is a very curious pony. So many questions run through his head. In PONY IN THE CITY by Wendy Wahman, Otis peppers his stable mates into the night with questions about the children that visit and ride them during the day. “do they graze on grass and daisies?” “Do …
Well, here we are—shockingly—in December. ‘Tis the season to be harried, so for everyone’s benefit (including my own), this post will be short and sweet. In fact, I could probably boil it down to one sentence: Read Bonny Becker’s Bear & Mouse books. Which one? Any will do. But, given …
Hello everyone! I believe there are many reasons for writing the stories we do. Maybe it’s a personal adventure we want to share; or a desire to make people laugh or think; or even just the need to create something – I couldn’t possibly guess all the reasons. In Here …
When I was young, science was my favorite subject in school and I was always on the lookout for interesting books on science topics. Today teachers, librarians, and young readers are still hunting for great STEM books. Fortunately, it seems more and more wonderful science titles are being published lately. …
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Do you believe everything you read in the newspaper? Early in August 1937, a newsflash came: a sea monster had been spotted lurking off the shores of Nantucket Island. Historically, the Massachusetts island had served as a port for whaling ships. Eyewitnesses swore this …
Here on Picture Book Builders we love to chat about how beautiful books are created. It’s my opinion that one of the under recognized contributors of the ‘team’ is the art director. I have been fortunate enough to work with Senior Art Director/Creative Director, Christine Kettner on three books. She …
Versatility is one of the characteristics I admire in other writers. It’s awesome when someone can do totally different genres or styles or voices equally well. If you appreciate this too, you’ll want to meet Dashka Slater. I first was introduced to Dashka’s picture books like DANGEROUSLY EVER AFTER, ESCARGOT …
Johnny Mathis crooning The Christmas Song My mom’s Russian Tea Cake cookies The lumpy Santa’s face pillow that’s been propped atop my parents’ sofa every December as far back as I can remember. Those things are guaranteed to put me into a mellow Christmas mood. This year, I’m excited to add …
Ann Whitford Paul is an author, poet, teacher and mentor to many writers (including me). In addition to her acclaimed children’s books, Ann is the author of Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication. Ann’s latest book is If Animals Said I Love You, illustrated by …