Mining for Heart: “The Promise of the Packhorse Librarians” by Lauren Kerstein

I’m hopping on The Children’s Book Review blog tour bandwagon for author Lauren Kerstein and her amazing new release: HOPE RODE: THE PROMISE OF THE PACKHORSE LIBRARIANS! GIVEAWAY! Don’t miss the special opportunity below to win a signed copy of HOPE RODE from Lauren Kerstein! Congratulations to Teresa Robeson, the winner of a copy of … More Mining for Heart: “The Promise of the Packhorse Librarians” by Lauren Kerstein

#AmericanRevolution250: “Remember the (REVOLUTIONARY) Ladies!” by Barb Rosenstock

When we widen the scope past the usual events and people featured in textbooks and traditional stories of the American Revolution, we see diverse contributions to liberty across society that allow us to understand a reality that makes history relatable and meaningful. In this post, true to the words of Abigail Adams, author Barb Rosenstock … More #AmericanRevolution250: “Remember the (REVOLUTIONARY) Ladies!” by Barb Rosenstock

Behind the Scenes: “What Are You Willing to Change?” by Jilanne Hoffmann

In this post, author Jilanne Hoffmann takes us through the submission process for THE OCEAN’S HEART: THE TINY CREATURES ESSENTIAL TO LIFE and the question of what she was willing to change to get this book published. GIVEAWAY! For a chance to win a copy of THE OCEAN’S HEART, leave a comment below after the … More Behind the Scenes: “What Are You Willing to Change?” by Jilanne Hoffmann

#AmericanRevolution250: “How George Washington’s Engineer Won a Battle Without Firing a Shot” by Darcy Pattison

We’ve got another revolutionary true story for you! Another example of how children’s books widen understanding, engage all ages, and invite us to consider the range of people who contributed to the American Revolutions and the challenges they faced. GIVEAWAY! For a chance to win a copy of GEORGE WASHINGTON’S ENGINEER: HOW RUFUS PUTNAM WON … More #AmericanRevolution250: “How George Washington’s Engineer Won a Battle Without Firing a Shot” by Darcy Pattison

Behind the Scenes: “Fake News?” by Patricia Newman

It’s a nonfiction writer’s worst nightmare! All your research, meticulous questioning, and writing suddenly hit with a sledgehammer of doubt…YIKES! It’s stressful just to think about it! But fortunately author Patricia Newman and her editor found their way through, and even added another layer of “interesting” to a gorgeous book! Fake News? by Patricia Newman … More Behind the Scenes: “Fake News?” by Patricia Newman

#AmericanRevolution250: “Revolutionary Virtue: How George Washington’s Weakness Saved a Nation” by Selene Castrovilla

Like a liberty bell, the relevance of history rings loud and clear in this timely post from author Selene Castrovilla. I absolutely love GEORGE WASHINGTON’S SPECTACULAR SPECTACLES and the deeper understanding it brings to the Revolutionary War on a personal level. GIVEAWAY! Q&A VIRTUAL VISIT with Selene! Leave a comment below for a chance to … More #AmericanRevolution250: “Revolutionary Virtue: How George Washington’s Weakness Saved a Nation” by Selene Castrovilla

Behind the Scenes: “Should I Write This as a Picture Book or a Middle Grade?” by Elizabeth Brown

It’s so exciting to see budding authors I met at a retreat in 2016 releasing books like this! The title of this post by author Elizabeth Brown is a question I’ve heard often from writers. I was surprised by the length of this amazing book, but I have to say, the pace never faltered. Such … More Behind the Scenes: “Should I Write This as a Picture Book or a Middle Grade?” by Elizabeth Brown

#AmericanRevolution250: Cover Reveal—The Patriots and the Pox by Beth Anderson

Welcome to 2026!  I’m kicking off the #AmericanRevolution250 blog series with a cover reveal—your first peek at THE PATRIOTS AND THE POX: GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BATTLE TO SAVE THE CONTINENTAL ARMY, illustrated by Ashley Yazdani, who came up with creative ways to depict disease, contagion, and immunity! Releasing September 29, 2026, it’s up online now! While … More #AmericanRevolution250: Cover Reveal—The Patriots and the Pox by Beth Anderson

Behind the Scenes: “The Evolution of a Picture Book Biography from Sub to Pub” by Danna Zeiger, Ph.D.

Looking back over the process of a book can be really informative. So much is forgotten over the course of the several years it takes from idea to published. Here’s an interesting post from debut author Danna Zeiger on the journey of REWRITING THE RULES: HOW DR. KATHLEEN FRIEL CREATED NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR BRAIN RESEARCH … More Behind the Scenes: “The Evolution of a Picture Book Biography from Sub to Pub” by Danna Zeiger, Ph.D.

Mining for Heart in the Absence of Compassion: WORTHY: THE BRAVE AND CAPABLE LIFE OF JOSEPH PIERCE by Andrea Wang

Author Andrea Wang’s latest book is beautiful in text and art, and at the same time heartbreaking and inspiring. The path to the heart of WORTHY: THE BRAVE AND CAPABLE LIFE OF JOSEPH PIERCE she shares here is such a perfect example that shows how “heart” arises from the connection between author and research, that … More Mining for Heart in the Absence of Compassion: WORTHY: THE BRAVE AND CAPABLE LIFE OF JOSEPH PIERCE by Andrea Wang