What do you think of when you hear the word, "footprint"? If your name is Jennifer Swanson, then it means many things. This simple yet eloquent text is accompanied by amazing photographs which convey that definition onto every page. Take a peek at Footprints Across the Planet (Reycraft Books, August 2022) and discover some amazing footprints.REVIEWThe book opens… Continue reading FOOTPRINTS ACROSS THE PLANET: A Nonfiction Picture Book Review and Giveaway
Sounds All Around: The Science of How Sound Works (Kids Can Press, 2021) written by Susan Hughes and illustrated by Ellen Rooney, is exactly what the title says it is: an accessible STEM book for young readers about the science of sound. An unnamed protagonist and his dog guide the reader through the book.Here is the opening… Continue reading SOUNDS ALL AROUND: A Nonfiction Picture Book and Giveaway
I'm always impressed with the scope of picture books that Sleeping Bear Press publishes. Today's book is no exception. SAGUARO's GIFTS should adorn elementary school classrooms and family bookshelves with its evocative yet child-friendly poetry by Kurt Cyrus and gorgeous illustrations by Andy Atkins. REVIEWThat opening page is followed by The world is dark. The bloom is white.A bat emerges from… Continue reading SAGUARO'S GIFTS: A Informational PIcture Book Review and Giveaway
"I don't know but I may succeed in governing the nation, but I do believe I shall fail in ruling my own household." Abraham LincolnAuthor Beth Anderson uses that quote to draw readers into the life of Abraham Lincoln's boisterous son, Tad. You'll see why that quote is a fitting preface to another great picture book published by… Continue reading TAD LINCOLN'S RESTLESS WRIGGLE: A Informational Picture Book Review, Giveaway, and Author Interview
I'm following my own advice, "If you want to write, READ!" Since I'm exploring writing picture book biographies, I recently read several of Nancy Churnin's excellent picture book biographies. When I saw that she had a new book coming out, I requested a review copy from Albert Whitman. Dear Mr. Dickens is illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe and a… Continue reading Dear Mr. Dickens: A Picture Book ARC Review and Giveaway
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I have a shelf full of picture books to review, use as mentor texts, and to give away. In honor of Women's History month, here's my next one, Born to Swing (Calkins Creek, 2018) by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Michele Wood. (Images courtesy of Calkins Creek.)"I was born… Continue reading Born to Swing: A Picture Book Review and Giveaway
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 Connie Saunders for winning THROUGH THE WARDROBE from last week's blog. Here's a tip to win a book. Whenever Connie enters my giveaway, she ALWAYS shares it on social media. This earns her more chances to win a book--and it works! "This book is for every kid. Whether they pay for their lunch… Continue reading FREE LUNCH: An Audiobook Review
One of the cool things about writing historical fiction is the people I have "met" in my research. Some are relatively well-known, some are names buried in history. It is especially cool if I'm able to include their stories in my WIP, Half-Truths. HALF-TRUTHS For those of you who are unfamiliar with the plot, Kate Dinsmore, my… Continue reading Including "Real" People In Historical Fiction And A Book Review of WAR IN KOREA
Most of my faithful blog readers know that I've been working on a novel for many years. What you might not know is that novel started as a picture book. Although that is another story, I continue to love picture books. Recently, I've reviewed a number of nonfiction picture books including some biographies. It appears to be a growing… Continue reading Two Picture Book Workshops at SCBWI-C