One of my favorite things about storytelling is establishing a sense of cause and effect. This happened because this happened. Not just this happened, this happened, and this happened…. As storytellers, we get to use our creativity to make decisions about how we organize the events in our story, including …
A few years ago, I let Kelly DiPucchio know that SUPER MANNY STANDS UP! struck a chord for me. It brought back memories from when I was in elementary school and witnessed bullying. It always bothered me to see bullies target certain students repeatedly and with such meanness. And while …
Recently, I rediscovered the value of making time for critiques. How did that happen? Well, two critique groups I’d belonged to years ago (and had disbanded), both decided to get back together via Zoom. In the few times we’ve met since then, I’ve received a wealth of awesome feedback on …
Get your tickets, Picture Book Builders readers! On August 11, there’s a way off-Broadway production coming to bookstores, libraries, and barnyards near you. It’s called The Farm that Mac Built. But Mac doesn’t deserve all the credit for building this farm. Nope. He had a little help. I wrote the …
Fish Everywhere by Britta Teckentrup. Oh my goodness this is a gorgeous book ?? Seriously, the cover alone with its raised fish and metallic gold pattern. The shimmer of the shiny texture makes the fish come alive. Layers of them. Just exquisite! May I please have wallpaper with these end …
If you’re a picture book writer — aspiring or published — you’ve likely heard someone say: “Don’t write your story in rhyme. Editors say they don’t want that.” Then, arguments often ensue, with some people talking about how rhyme helps beginning readers learn to process language, and other people talking …
This is one of those books that I read and immediately couldn’t wait to share with my grandkiddos, because 1) it’s beautiful, and 2) it’s the first time I’d seen this subject–light pollution–in a book for kids, and they need to know about it. The combination of Marsha Diane Arnold’s …
I am currently working on the illustrations for the third book of a four-book series by Dori Hillestad Butler. When asked if I’d be interested in illustrating them, I jumped at the opportunity. First of all, it was Dori Hillestad Butler! And secondly, I had never illustrated an early chapter …
I am so very impressed by Miranda Paul’s latest book, SPEAK UP (Clarion, illustrated by Ebony Glenn). This one is an excellent tool for teaching kids the whens and hows, but what I’m most impressed by is that Miranda manages to give the subject the depth it deserves (in rhyme!) …
If you were a polar bear, and let’s just say you were put in charge of watching over the moon – how would you handle this big job? What would your approach be? And what would your concerns be? Imaginative questions like these make me totally love picture books! For …