Ever since I can remember, my father had a thermos of hot tea with him. It sat on his desk when he was working, rolled around my feet in the car, and caused alarm when he tried to bring it through airport security after 9/11. (They made him pour it …
I’m not sure what the temperature has been like where YOU live, but in Oklahoma? It’s been HOT. Let’s cool off with a cooler than cool book, shall we? First, let’s talk about this cover. It’s cool, right? Check out those stances! Check out those sunglasses! Check out those fringe-y …
My librarian friend ran up to me a few weeks ago and excitedly said that she had a book on order that she thinks I would really like. Noah’s Seal, written and captivatingly illustrated by Layn Marlow. I trusted my librarian friend, so I ordered it. I’m going to be …
I’ve read a lot of picture book manuscripts — written by current and aspiring authors — during the past year. Some have been from conference critiques I’ve done, some from contests I’ve helped judge and some from mentorship programs or writing seminars I’ve been part of. And, recently, as I …
Whoa, baby. I feel really fortunate to have snagged Kelly Starling Lyons for a chat, because this is one. busy. woman. Prepare to be INSPIRED, people. JE: Welcome, Kelly! After watching your recent SCBWI Zoom, I knew you were perfect for this OUTSIDE THE BOX feature. In that presentation, you …
For my family, August and Maine are synonymous. Well, a few weeks of August anyway. We spend time with my mom in her parents’ old farmhouse in a rural corner of the state, enjoying long soaks in Kezar Lake (to which I dedicated my book Come Next Season) and visiting …
From the vibrant, intriguing cover to the lively story, I’m loving CAT LADIES! Author and illustrator Susi Schaefer is here to tell us all about it. From the book description: “Princess has four ladies. Some cats say that’s too many, but there’s no such thing! Taking care of all these …
Lately, I’ve been reading picture books about “hidden history” as research for a manuscript that I’ve been struggling with. These books cover historical people and events that have been left out of school history books, often deliberately and usually because they involve people of color. Leah Henderson’s moving A DAY …
Hello, Picture Book People. Prepare to get slimed! I invited Frances Gilbert, author/Editor-in-Chief of Doubleday Books for Young Readers, to join us to discuss her latest book, her thoughts on titles, and some funny business. TS: Hi, Frances! Welcome back to Picture Book Builders. Please tell us about your latest …
With a title like that I think I could just stop here? ❤️ This wonderful picture book written by Josh Crute and illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen is sensational indeed. In London, back in the way back days in the mid 1700’s, men did not carry umbrellas. And therefore, London …