Today is the much awaited publication of Get Real, Lucille written and illustrated by Laura Petrisin, a fellow Monarch Educational Press author. How can a young reader not be hooked into turning the page with a cover like that? FROM THE PUBLISHER Lucille is just a rubber chicken in a circus act... or is she?… Continue reading Laugh and Learn with ‘Get Real, Lucille’ and an Author Interview
Here are some upcoming writing events that might interest you or the teen in your life.Ten Steps on Your Path to PublicationWhen I moved to Matthews, NC a few years ago I was delighted to discover Matthews Christian library walking distance from my home. Of course, I introduced myself to the librarian, Tiffany Slack, and… Continue reading UPCOMING EVENTS!
I'm going to end my blogging for 2023 with some delicious word morsels from two writer friends. They'll take you less than a minute to read, yet I suspect it took Jo Hackl and Michelle Nott hours to craft them. Savor each verb and taste every image. Let the flavor of their figurative language roll around… Continue reading A Holiday GIft: Haikus from Two Friends Plus Two Announcements
It's time for another double review and giveaway courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press!LUNA'S Green PetThis is a delightful debut picture book by Kirsten Pendreigh and illustrated by Carmen Mok about a girl who feels left out because no pets are allowed in her apartment.Her friends make suggestions but none of them felt right. Until one day Luna… Continue reading TWO FRIENDSHIP PICTURE BOOKS BOOKS + TWO GIVEAWAYS + ONE AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Dorothy Price and I go way back. We were members of the Charlotte SCBWI critique group I don't know how many years ago! I was delighted to share her debut picture book, Nana's Favorite Things, and today I'm happy to share her new chapter book series, JALEN'S BIG CITY LIFE (Capstone: August 2022). The bright, lively illustrations are… Continue reading JALEN'S BIG CITY LIFE: Four Chapter Books, an Author Interview, and a Giveaway
"Hot off the minting press, Penny sparkled." That's the first line of Kimberly Wilson's debut picture book, A PENNY'S WORTH (Page Street Kids, 2022). With engaging illustrations by Mark Hoffman, this STEM story of a pretty copper penny will find a special place in a preschool - second grader's heart. REVIEWPenny launches into life ready to be… Continue reading A PENNY'S WORTH: A Picture Book Review, Giveaway, and Mini-Author & Illustrator Interviews
I'm delighted to introduce you to a new author friend of mine, Nancy I. Sanders. Nancy has published scads of books and her blog is full of information for writers, teachers, and readers. Take your time to look around her site and you'll be impressed as I am with her experience and generosity! If you want to… Continue reading THE VERY OLDEST PEAR TREE: A Picture Book Review, Mini-Author Interview, and Giveaway
Thanks for returning to my blog for this second post featuring JACKIE AND THE MONA LISA. (Click here if you missed Part I). Deborah Robin Murphy graciously agreed to answering a few questions about her debut picture book, and I'm happy to also have illustrator Jen Bricking join the conversation. Deborah Rovin Murphy, AuthorCarol: How did you… Continue reading JACKIE AND THE MONA LISA- PART II: An Interview with the Author and Illustrator
Last week in Part I, I reviewed Christine Kindberg's debut novel, The Means That Make Us Strangers. Today she shares her passion for racial equality and her path to publication. And as promised, I'll tell you how she and I are connected. AUTHOR INTERVIEWCAROL: Everyone always wants to know how author’s get their ideas for their… Continue reading THE MEANS THAT MAKES US STRANGERS: Author Interview with Christine Kindberg and Giveaway–Part II
I always consider it an honor when a friend asks me to host their cover reveal. In Viviane Elbee's case, this is a double pleasure because "back in the day" we were members of the same SCBWI-Carolinas critique group in Charlotte AND I got to post the cover of her first picture book, Teach Your Giraffe to… Continue reading You Heard It Here First: Viviane Elbee's SECOND Picture Book, a Cover Reveal, and a Giveaway!