Not too long after moving to the Midwest 27 years ago, I learned about an amazing place and put it on my “Must Do List”. A mecca for kidlit lovers, The Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature at the University of Minnesota’s Elmer L. Anderson Library, houses one of, if not …
I love being a picture book author. And, I love talking to other people about what I do. Family. Friends. Students. Teachers. Librarians. Aspiring writers. Bloggers. Journalists. As I talk to these people, there is one question that I get asked in practically every conversation. It is: “Do you get …
If you write for children, you can probably imagine how floored I was to learn, a few years ago, that the amazing Stacy Innerst would be illustrating my JACK KNIGHT’S BRAVE FLIGHT – How One Gutsy Pilot Saved the U.S. Air Mail Service (Calkins Creek/Astra), released just last week. Stacy’s …
I am THRILLED this month to welcome Liz Goulet Dubois. Early in my picture book writing career, I faked my way into an amazing critique group that included Liz and six other talented picture book authors and illustrators. We called the group “Seven Chicks and a Guy.” As the least …
I’m sure my fellow teachers know the feeling. You see a book announcement or a cover reveal and you immediately want to plan that title for tomorrow’s read aloud. But you have to wait. And wait. And wait four more days to be exact, because that’s when Abdul’s Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow …
I’m so excited to welcome Maria Gianferrari back to the blog! I’ve been friends with Maria for over a decade and critique partners with her for almost as long. Needless to say, I’m a huge fan of her work and I’m thrilled that she’s joined me today to celebrate the …
Hello, Picture Book Builders people! I’m in a critique group called PBJeebies. The members include Kim Norman, Janee Trasler, Jessica Young, and, well, me. Today, Janee stopped by Picture Book Builders to tell us allll about a recent master class that she participated in and learned a lot from courtesy …
Welcome to Picture Book Builders, author Sarah Nelson. And welcome to the world of readers, A PARK CONNECTS US! Today is publication day for Sarah’s new picture book, illustrated by Ellen Rooney. I love celebrating book birthdays and am so happy that Picture Book Builders gets to toot the party horn today!🎉 …
Cabbages! Carrots! Cauliflower! IN OUR GARDEN, a new picture book out next week from G.P. Putnam’s Sons, has all those veggies plus a heartwarming story of a student with an idea, a school with a rooftop garden, and plants and people that blossom and bloom. I’m so happy to welcome …
I’m excited today to welcome back our own Suzanne Slade (PBB blogger from 2015-2021), who’s here to give us a sneak peek of her upcoming picture book for older readers, the beautifully told, vibrantly illustrated Blast Off!: How Mary Sherman Morgan Fueled America into Space (Calkins Creek, April 12th). Look …