Category: picture books

Behind the Scenes: “Fume, Flounder, Fix – How Editors Opened the Door for Emily….and Me” by Mel Rosenberg

March 6, 2026

It’s hard to put your writing out there. So personal. And then when the feedback comes…OUCH! Here’s a great post from author Mel Rosenberg on his path to trusting the experts as he found his way through EMILY SAW A DOOR. GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of EMILY … More Behind the Scenes: “Fume, Flounder, Fix – How Editors Opened the Door for Emily….and Me” by Mel Rosenberg

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

February 27, 2026

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

February 13, 2026

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

February 6, 2026

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

January 23, 2026

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

January 9, 2026

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.

October 17, 2025

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.

Especially for Educators: “From Story to STEAM: Building Project-Based Learning from Picture Books” by Lindsay Moretti

October 3, 2025

If you’re not familiar with Lindsay Moretti’s endeavor for educators called KIDLIT GROVE, please…read on! In this post, she shares her process of using picture books as a springboard for creating Project-Based Learning (PBL) units. I totally agree with her—books don’t end with the last page! GIVEAWAY! Lindsay is offering winner’s choice: a free 1-month … More Especially for Educators: “From Story to STEAM: Building Project-Based Learning from Picture Books” by Lindsay Moretti

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

September 26, 2025

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

Especially for Educators: “Who Helps You Shine? Embracing a Growth Mindset to Reach Your Dreams” by Lisa Rogers

September 19, 2025

Here’s another fantastic book from one of the Kid Lit for Growing Minds members! In this post for educators and librarians, author Lisa Rogers, a former library teacher, shares how WOODY’S WORDS: WOODROW WILSON RAWLS AND WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS can be used as a springboard for students to practice a growth mindset. GIVEAWAY! … More Especially for Educators: “Who Helps You Shine? Embracing a Growth Mindset to Reach Your Dreams” by Lisa Rogers