23 of the MANY Picture Books I’m Looking Forward to in 2023
It’s that time again! 🙂 I hereby give you my list of 23 of the MANY Picture Books I’m Looking Forward to in ’23! WINNER:
Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
I keep seeking out character books because these days I find them few and far between. Here’s one for everyone’s bookshelf, Knight Owl, by Christopher Denise. We are all probably familiar with Christopher Denise’s glorious artwork from the Redwall series, Bunny in the Middle, Firefly Hollow, just to name a …
WRITING ADVICE: Repeating elements can create picture book magic
The magic of picture books is how they tell a complete story in few words. To help that happen, picture book authors often use repeating elements. Repeating elements are words, phrases or sentence structures that occur several times in the story. They provide a strong framework and help the plot …
BRIGHT WINTER NIGHT + a chat with author Alli Brydon
I’m always happy for the opportunity to catch up with one of my former editors, now an author herself many times over, Alli Brydon. Her new book with Two Lions, BRIGHT WINTER NIGHT, is a stunner. The story features Alli’s lovely poem detailing how a group of forest friends work …
MaDO
Time for another self-serving post. Apologies. I’ve written about my Monster a Day October in the past, but feel a need to share again. Because, honestly, I think this may have been my best year yet. Scratch that—it IS my best year yet. As a brief description for those new …
Making a change with Young Change Makers
Even though I’m mostly traditionally published, I’m fascinated by the evolution of self-publishing in the past decade. A couple of years ago, I did manage to stick with a manuscript long enough to write a nonfiction book for children’s writers about how to do author visits. In such a tiny …
BONNIE’S ROCKET by Emeline Lee and Alina Chau (+GIVEAWAY)
My students are really into inventing lately, filling my classroom with incredible oddities. For anyone who ever wished turtles came with more cuddly shells, please take note of Feel Good Turtle, lovingly built with pom poms and feathers. And if you want to house two distinct beverages in a single …
WALLY THE WORLD’S GREATEST PIANO-PLAYING WOMBAT- Interview with author Ratha Tep (+giveaway)
Wally was the world’s greatest piano-playing wombat—until he realized there was an even more talented piano-playing wombat in town! This funny picture book’s bright colors and imaginative musical scenes teach children to have self-confidence when faced with competition. ~Wally the World’s Greatest Piano-Playing Wombat, flap copy Andrea: Hi Ratha! Thank …
Twelve Dinging Doorbells by Tameka Fryer Brown (+ GIVEAWAY!)
Hello, wonderful Picture Book Builders people. I have a treat for you that is as delicious as sweet potato pie! Tameka Fryer Brown, author of Twelve Dinging Doorbells, dropped by to give us 12 facts about this warm and wonderful book that was illustrated by Ebony Glenn. Get comfortable so …
Donut~The Unicorn Who Wants to Fly
This book, was an easy YES, PLEASE! for me. I’m an Andrea Zuill fan and was excited to get my hands on this one. Written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Andrea Zuill, Donut, The Unicorn Who Wants to Fly, doesn’t hit you over the head with layers of moral …