What child hasn’t pretended to be a circus performer? Taming lions! Walking tightropes! Flying on the trapeze! Today, for Perfect Picture Book Friday, in the center ring, all the way from France, in the midst of a revolution, with captivating illustrations and the wonder of well-chosen words….I give you Madame Saqui! Title: Madame Saqui: Revolutionary … More Madame Saqui: Revolutionary Rope Dancer
Stories begin in all sorts of places, and often, I think, they begin with an emotional reaction to something we see or hear. Thank you, Julie Abery, for sharing how YUSRA SWIMS came to be. Thank you so much, Beth, for inviting me on your blog to share my debut picture book biography, Yusra Swims … More Behind the Scenes: “Where does a story start?” by Julie Abery
Get ready for Women’s History Month! I’ll start you off with this week’s pick for Perfect Picture Book Friday, about a woman I’m willing to bet you’ve never heard of! But first, it’s time to announce some winners in the giveaways….. Winner of Beautiful Shades of Brown from Nancy Churnin…Patricia Tilton! Winner of Patricia’s Vision … More Wood, Wire, Wings
Another Perfect Picture Book for Black History Month and Women’s History Month! It’s exciting to see so many excellent books for kids about people that have changed our lives and provide outstanding role models. Today, a peek at the the inspiring story of Dr. Patricia Bath by Michelle Lord. MICHELLE LORD HAS GENEROUSLY OFFERED A GIVEAWAY!!! … More Patricia’s Vision
Here’s another Perfect Picture Book for Black History Month and Women’s History Month. Laura Wheeler Waring spoke through her art, painting people she saw in her life but absent from galleries. Nancy Churnin’s latest picture book, gorgeously illustrated by Felicia Marshall, tells how Waring persevered to find her place in the art world. NANCY CHURNIN … More Beautiful Shades of Brown
Today’s Perfect Picture Book is truly a treasure—the story of Mary Walker’s 121 years of perseverance, all the while holding onto her dream to learn how to read. Don’t miss it! And come back next Friday to hear from author, Rita Lorraine Hubbard. A momentary pause here to congratulate PATRICIA NOZELL, the winner from last … More The Oldest Student
Vivian Kirkfield had a tremendous 2019 with three books releasing, and she’s off to a busy 2020! Like the women she writes about in MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD, she has found her voice and is making it heard in the kid lit world! Writing a story with two main characters, means not only connecting the … More Mining for Heart: “The Voice of Heart” by Vivian Kirkfield
It’s so exciting to see a critique partner’s books come out—manuscripts you’ve watched develop from the early stages, take shape, and find their polished form. Michelle Lord and I must have both started investigating Maria Toorpakai Wazir about the same time, unbeknownst to each other. I set it aside, but Michelle kept on it. I … More Behind the Scenes: “Write What You Know?” by Michelle Lord
Today’s Perfect Picture Book is A GIRL CALLED GENGHIS KHAN by Michelle Lord and illustrated by Shehzil Malik. It provides a peek into culture, sports, and one girl’s dream to be free to follow her heart. Next week, the author and illustrator will share their process of finding a bit of themselves in the story. … More A Girl Called Genghis Khan
Today we go Behind the Scenes with author Anne Renaud as she explores the writer’s all important decision of whether to go ahead with a picture book biography or not. Heading down the rabbit hole of research involves a lot of time and effort. I love historical figures that have been lurking in the shadows, … More Behind the Scenes: “Writing a picture book biography – Stop or Go?” by Anne Renaud
