Strong as Sandow
Today I’m excited to share a sneak peek of Don Tate’s upcoming picture book about how a puny, weakling kid grew into a powerful bodybuilder–STRONG AS SANDOW: HOW EUGEN SANDOW BECAME THE STRONGEST MAN ON EARTH.
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A Horse Named Steve
Description from publisher, Kids Can Press: “Steve is a fine horse. But he thinks he could be finer. He wants to be EXCEPTIONAL.” When Steve finds a gold horn in the forest and attaches it to his head, ta-da! Exceptional! His friends are so impressed, they, too, attach objects to …
Welcome, Blue Ethel!!! BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!!!
Blue Ethel took almost ten years to become a book. Someone asked me if that’s because I put it away for a while to work on other things? No, not really. Ethel was just a little pokey in her journey to find the right ‘owner’. She finally found her person …
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For … Cotton Candy!
Some of my favorite summer memories revolve around the carnival’s annual visit to my little Iowa town. Why? -Freedom! My best buddy Teresa and I headed to the park in a euphoric frenzy, saved quarters burning holes in our pockets. Ride tickets in hand, we’d run flat out between the Octopus, …
Knock, knock.
How could anyone not stop, pick up, and thumb through a book called Pete With No Pants. I mean curiosity alone would make me wonder 1) WHY is it a book, 2) is this appropriate, and 3) why doesn’t he have any pants, is he too poor to afford them? Were …
On Teaching Cats to Read, Even Reluctant Ones
Memorial Day weekend may not be the official start of summer, but it sure brings on summery thoughts—about, say, swimming pools, sandy beaches, and—for some of us—lazy days with lots of books. Take Nick, for instance, the title character in Curtis Manley’s book The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to …
Play Time
I’m checking in from this dreamy place – Scotch Hill Farm in upstate New York. Last November, I had a magical email arrive in my inbox, informing me that I was receiving the Sendak Fellowship award, which meant a paid illustrator’s retreat for a month on Maurice Sendak’s former property. …
NextGen Picture Book Writers!
Last weekend I had the privilege of meeting many talented young writers who’d created their own picture books, and other types of books, at the 43rd Annual Illinois Young Authors Conference (Yes, the 43rd!) This fantastic event celebrated exceptional writers in grades Kindergarten through 8th who’d won writing contests at their schools. (Each …
Feeling the feels with…Shorty & Clem
Meet Shorty & Clem! Shorty is a really short dinosaur. A shortysaurus, to be exact. Clem is a blue quail. A quail is some kind of bird. While Clem is out, a package arrives at the door with his name on it. Shorty gets super excited and finds the box irresistible. …
Bob, Not Bob! To be read as though you have the worst cold ever
To be read as though you have the worst cold ever: Bob, Not Bob! written by Liz Garton Scanlon & Audrey Vernick is illustrated by one of my favorite illustrators, Matthew Cordell. The premise is that poor Little Louie has the worst cold ever. “Today, Little Louie’s nose was clogged. …