The Neuroticism of Accomplishment (#16 in a series) In the picture book world, for those unfamiliar, authors and illustrators are given the opportunity to have a look-see at what their soon-to-be, real-life book will look like. It is an assemblage of pages called an F&G, which stands for folded and …
I occasionally teach a workshop on “Writing the Rollicking Read-Aloud,” so I’m always on the lookout for books to add to my resource list. I’m happy to share with you the latest addition to that list : WHOOPS! by Suzi Moore and illustrated by Russell Ayto (Templar/Candlewick, 2016). It starts …
The Picture Book Builders blog has a new picture book writer and illustrator joining us this summer, so get ready, because it’s . . . MIKE BOLDT!!! If you’re not yet familiar with Mike’s work, you are in for a treat. A few of his own books include 123 VERSUS ABC, …
Hooray! Today I get to introduce an adorable new picture book–ALL ABOARD THE LONDON BUS by Patricia Toht (illustrated by Sam Usher) which releases next week (May 4th!) It’s the delightful story of a family exploring the exciting sights of London (Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Big Ben, and much …
Have you ever ordered a kitten, but the pet delivery truck dropped off a lion instead? Then this book is for YOU! (It’s also for everyone else.) CARING FOR YOUR LION (Sterling), my latest book, is illustrated by the oh-so-fierce Troy Cummings. Troy’s art is warm, wonderful, and, well, purrrr-fect. …
Niko Draws a Feeling, written by Bob Raczka and beautifully illustrated by Simone Shin. How much of why I love this book is because I’m an artist? Because as an artist I have felt dear Niko’s frustration watching blank faces staring at my masterpieces? Well… perhaps a lot of it. But Niko …
Recurring elements are one of my favorite features in picture books. Picture books are shorter affairs, so the writer has to fit a plot into a tighter-than-normal space. To make the story hang together and feel like a coherent whole, there often are words, phrases or themes that repeat throughout …
Today’s post is a two-parter. Part 1: If you haven’t yet seen the loveliness that is Deborah Freedman’s newest book, This house, once (Atheneum), I hope you’ll find it. The pencil, pastel, watercolor illustrations are soft and dreamy and so cozy I wanted to live inside each spread. The publisher’s …
Hello, all, and happy April! I’m so pleased to have my fabulous agent, Jennifer Mattson, with us today. Before joining Andrea Brown Literary in 2008, Jennifer held various positions as an editor, book reviewer and bookseller—excellent preparation for her current profession (you’ll find her bio and literary tastes here). I …
Author-Illustrator Mary Peterson, a critique group pal of mine, has a new book out to get us excited about our gardens and new tasty growing things! The book is called SNAIL HAS LUNCH, and is in a unique format that I hope to see a lot more of in children’s books these …