Since Election Day was last week, I started thinking about “theme” books geared for certain holidays. So I decided to take a look at several picture books about Election Day and compare how various author handled the topic and what each did to make their book special.
While at the 2015 SCBWI-OK Fall Retreat, I participated on a first page/first fifty panel. The other panelists, Anna Myers and Sonia Gensler, offered feedback on the first pages of novel manuscripts. My job was to offer feedback on the first fifty words of picture book manuscripts. No small task. …
A few weeks ago my family came home to a very grumpy me. Over the next several days my mood worsened. As I explained the magnitude of my situation to my compassionate loved ones, I became aware that most people don’t know the importance of something which is absolutely critical to an illustrator’s vocation— paper. My …
If you’ve read previous posts of mine, you’ll know I’m a fan of picture books that make me say, “Awww.” Somehow, some way, they have to touch my heart and remind me of an emotion I thought I’d forgotten. There are lots of ways picture books can do this. And …
One of my favorite books of 2014 is Froodle, by Antoinette Portis. Delightful wordplay is the star here, and I’m not sure who would have more fun with it – the kiddos listening or the adult reading/performing it aloud. …
Hi, everybody. Instead of a post today, we’d like to direct you to the TeachingBooks Blog. During the month of October, they’re giving away a BUNCH ‘o books for kids of all ages, and we wanted to make you aware. Here’s a partial list to give you an idea of …
Three years ago, my Sterling editor, Meredith Mundy, asked me to rewrite the holiday song Over the River and Through the Wood with “plenty of chaos and wackiness” as family members travel to Grandma’s house using various modes of transportation. We agreed that the characters should be a reflection of most …
In a previous post I shared about books with personal stories that are told in universally appealing ways, and I recently noticed that one of my favorites of recent years also has this quality in spades. Grandpa Green, by Lane Smith, is a visually and emotionally beautiful book – the story of …
You know you’ve found a real jewel when you read a rhyming picture book that sings and hums. And Cock-a-Doodle Oops!, written by Lori Degman, is a rhyming book that hums just right!
In just a few days, ROAR!, my book with Liz Starin, releases. To celebrate, I wanted to share the trailer as well as some scoop on how the trailer came to be. The Trailer: ROAR!‘s trailer includes cameo appearances from some of today’s fiercest authors and illustrators. You’ve been warned. Please view responsibly. …