Animal characters are a staple of children’s books. In fact, when I think of my Very Most Favorite characters in classic books, almost all of them are anthropomorphic. A quality that I love unique to animal characters is that they can be shown living grown-up, independent lives (sometimes it can …
As you may have figured out from my earlier posts, I’m a huge fan of picture book biographies (which is probably why I write them.) This month I’d like to share a picture book biography gem, Muhammad Ali, Champion of the World (2007) by Jonah Winter (illustrated by Francois Roca.) If I …
Holy moly. There are hundreds of wonderful picture books in store for us in 2016. I want-want-want so many of them. On top of all of the upcoming standalones, I am really excited for some companion books. For instance…. Hotel Bruce Written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins (Disney*Hyperion, October …
Night Animals by Gianna Marino, what a hilarious and beautifully designed romp through the very “scary” night woods. Only the whites of their eyes show on the black end pages and set the stage for the “dark” story to come.The premise that night animals are afraid of the dark …
Some stories stay with you. I don’t remember exactly when I first heard the story of Wilma Rudolph. It was probably sometime in grade school. But I do remember the details of her life. Wilma grew up in a low-income family with 22 children in Clarksville, Tennessee, a segregated town. …
I’m so excited to have author/illustrator Rebecca Bond here today to talk about her gorgeous book, Out of the Woods – A True Story of an Unforgettable Event (FSG, 2015). What a treat! When I read that Out of the Woods was based on a family story passed down from Rebecca’s …
A DOG WEARING SHOES is a delightful and moving book. Written and illustrated by Sangmi Ko, it is a somehow familiar story to me regarding a dog or two from my youth. When Mini and her mother rescue a dog in traffic wearing shoes, they can’t find it’s owner right away …
Hello, all— I’m very excited to share two things today: (1) I have a new book out (stay tuned for the giveaway at the bottom!), and (2) the illustrator of that book, Simona Mulazzani, is visiting us here at PBB—all the way from Pesaro, Italy. Here’s Simona in her studio, and …
I’m currently in the chilly mid-west, in the midst of the last week on a final artwork deadline, creating illustrations for a picture book by Caroline McAlister, JOHN RONALD’S DRAGONS: STORY OF J.R.R. TOLKIEN (MacMillan, Feb 2017). The last stretch of work on picture book artwork especially feels a lot like being in a bunker; social …
Today I’m very excited to share Deborah Hopkinson’s latest book, Beatrix Potter & the Unfortunate Tale of a Borrowed Guinea Pig. I’m a big fan of Deborah’s nonfiction work and her new picture book is simply delightful!