INTRODUCTION My writing “to-do” writing list includes a graphic novel, Nightmare in Nuremberg, based on an event in my German family’s history. So, when Rosi Hollinbeck offered Risk, Resilience, and Redemption on her blog, I grabbed the chance to win it. Written by a friend of the author, Frank W. Baker, is the story of how Bluma… Continue reading Exploring Risk, Resilience, and Redemption in Holocaust Literature
If you've been following my blog for a while, you may remember my post on Shannon Hitchcock's book, Saving Grandaddy's Stories. I'm happy to share two more books that Shannon has written about unsung Appalachian artists. I love these books so much that I'm saving one for my granddaughter who I'm teaching to sew. The illustrator… Continue reading 2 Picture Books by Shannon Hitchcock, 1 Giveaway
Last week I introduced you to Claudia Friddell's book, Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls. Today you're going behind the scenes on the story as well as learn interesting tidbits about the illustration process from the illustrator, Elizabeth Baddeley. There is one thing that all of the nonfiction authors I have interviewed have in common: curiosity. Claudia's… Continue reading GRACE BANKER AND HER HELLO GIRLS ANSWER THE CALL- Part II. Author & Illustrator Interviews + Giveaway
I am happy to be part of the Calkins Creek blog tour for Larry Dane Brimner's new informational book, Without Separation. INTRODUCTIONSince I'm interested in writing nonfiction picture books, I've taken several webinars recently with The Writing Barn. (BTW, they're affordable and a fantastic way to learn a new genre!). The last one I took was… Continue reading Without Separation: Prejudice, Segregation, and the Case of Roberto Alvarez- Picture Book Biography and Giveaway
I hope you are enjoying hearing about terrific curriculum resources as much as I am enjoying sharing them. It's a win-win! I learn about how to write an inspirational and informative nonfiction picture book, and you have a chance to win one! Today's selection, Dorothea's Eyes (Calkins Creek, 2016) features iconic photographer, Dorothea Lange, and is written by talented… Continue reading DOROTHEA'S EYES: A Picture Book Biography and Giveaway
Congratulations to Kathleen Burkinshaw and Carolyn Frazier who won autographed copies of Halli Gomez's book, LIST OF TEN from last week's blog. *******In Lincoln Clears A Path (Calkins Creek, 2021) a new picture book by talented picture book author Peggy Thomas, our 16th… Continue reading Lincoln Clears A Path: A Picture Book Biography
Congratulations to Rosi Hollenbeck who won OUR WORLD: A First Book of Geography. (Psst, children's writers, if you haven't discovered Rosi's blog, you need to head on over there. She is my west coast counterpart with book reviews as well as links to other great writing blogs.) ****** I started chatting with Kirsten Larson, the… Continue reading Author Interview with Kirsten Larson + Another Opportunity to win WOOD, WIRE, & WINGS!
Congratulations to Jo Lynn Worden who won Will You Be My Friend? from last week's blog. I have received a number of picture books from publishers recently, so if you love picture books...stay tuned! WOOD, WIRE, WINGS: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane by Kirsten W. Larson (Calkins Creek, 2020) is a picture book biography that will… Continue reading WOOD, WIRE, WINGS: A Review and a Giveaway
Congratulations to Sarah Maury Swan who won ORDINARY HAZARDS off last week's blog. **** REVIEW Last fall I attended the SCBWI-Carolinas panel in which Lina Maslo co-presented "Bringing Your Voice to Non-Fiction." I heard about her forthcoming book, THROUGH THE WARDROBE which she wrote and illustrated. Immediately I knew I wanted to share it with all of you--and… Continue reading THROUGH THE WARDROBE: How C.S. Lewis Created Narnia
Congratulations to Danielle H. who for a second week in a row won a book from my blog. The Wizard's Daughter is on its way to her! ************* Back in November I promised you a review of another book by Alice Faye Duncan. Several blog posts later and in anticipation of National Poetry Month in April,… Continue reading A SONG FOR GWENDOLYN BROOKS: A Review and Picture Book Giveaway