The third in a four-part series interviewing editors that run their own imprints. Allyn Johnston began her children’s book career as a marketing assistant at Clarion Books and then spent 22 years at Harcourt Children’s Books in San Diego, where she started as an editorial assistant and ended up as Editor-in-Chief. She …
Well, folks, it’s almost December. Can you believe it? Since this is my last post of the year, I thought I’d start by congratulating everyone who accomplished everything you set out to do this year, perfectly and effortlessly, exactly as you envisioned. Bravo! (You can leave now.) This post is for …
With the chilly seasons arriving, there are only three things on my mind; cozy, cozy, and cozy. I guess, if you want to get all technical, that’s only one thing (but just so you know, being technical is not very cozy). Here are a few things that are cozy: Cups of tea. Pillows. Knitting. Tiny villages. …
If you stop by Picture Book Builders occasionally, it’s no secret that I adore picture book biographies, and also love science. Recently, I discovered a new picture book I can’t wait to share — WHOOSH! LONNIE JOHNSON’S SUPER-SOAKING STREAM OF INVENTIONS (by Chris Barton, illustrated by Don Tate.)
I have attended the Annual SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles nine times. One of the very best parts to come out of those wonderful experiences is that I met Kate Dopirak. Kate = joy. Joy, I tell you! Right away, Kate and I became friends. Together, we commiserate, we …
Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer is breathtakingly beautiful and deceptively simple. “Daniel knows all the rocks, trees, and animals in the park.” So when he sees a poster advertising “Poetry in the Park” he sets out to ask his park friends, ‘what is poetry’? He soon learns that …
The second in a four-part series interviewing editors that run their own imprints. Anne Schwartz is an editor extraordinaire! In her distinguished 35-year career, she has worked for many top publishers. Anne was publisher of Apple Soup Books at Random House, spent a decade at Simon & Schuster, where she started …
A new book from Lisa Wheeler is always a treat. But when I saw the cover of The Christmas Boot, I knew it was something special. I asked Dial for a preview, and they were kind enough to send an f&g. Oh, people. Besides feeling like a folktale we should …
I picked up BECAUSE OF AN ACORN at my local indie the other day. I was drawn to it by the cover art. A lone acorn on the ground on what appears to be a perfect fall day in all it’s gray glory. Written by Lola M. Schaefer and her …
I’ve admired David LaRochelle’s books for many years, ever since reading The Best Pet of All, a clever twist on the kid-wants-dog tale. Then there’s It’s a Tiger!, which has to be one of the best read-alouds of all time. (Really. Check it out.) So I’m thrilled that David agreed to …