Category: picture books

Behind the Scenes: “Finding My Agent on Twitter + Social Media Tips” by Margaret Aitken

June 24, 2022

Ahhh, social media…love it? hate it? Social media elicits a full range of emotions! Here’s Margaret Aitken’s positive approach and how she found her agent on Twitter. Congratulations to Margaret on her debut picture book OLD FRIENDS!  Margaret is offering a GIVEAWAY of a picture book critique. If you’d like to enter, just leave a note in … More Behind the Scenes: “Finding My Agent on Twitter + Social Media Tips” by Margaret Aitken

Behind the Scenes: “A Perfect Symphony, Mining for Gold in The Greatest Song of All” by Megan Hoyt

June 17, 2022

I can totally identify with the problem of finding so much goodness in a story that it becomes overwhelming! Megan Hoyt shares how she pulled multiple threads into one in THE GREATEST SONG OF ALL: HOW ISAAC STERN UNITED THE WORLD TO SAVE CARNEGIE HALL (releases 7/5/22). Megan is offering a GIVEAWAY of a picture … More Behind the Scenes: “A Perfect Symphony, Mining for Gold in The Greatest Song of All” by Megan Hoyt

Especially for Educators: “Climb Aboard the Yellow Submarine: A Study in Research and Activism” by Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw

June 10, 2022

Here’s a great story of the birth of MIGHTY MAHI from Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw, a story that sprang from project-based learning with excited and engaged  students. Authors will enjoy learning about the genesis of the book, and educators will surely find inspiration for their own classrooms. While Suzanne wrote the book as a result of … More Especially for Educators: “Climb Aboard the Yellow Submarine: A Study in Research and Activism” by Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw

Behind the Scenes: “Building Layers from Life” by Helen Wu

May 13, 2022

This week’s guest blogger, Helen H. Wu, shares how she found the layers in TOFU TAKES TIME. When you write from a personal experience, paying attention to emotions and details can contribute to the creation of a multi-layered story. Helen has a special giveaway, too—a signed bookplate and a limited edition art print! Just leave … More Behind the Scenes: “Building Layers from Life” by Helen Wu

Mining for Heart: “Finding the Manuscript’s Mission” by Elisa Boxer

May 6, 2022

Welcome, Elisa Boxer, and thank you for this wonderful post with another way of viewing the HEART of a story!  Giveaway! Elisa is offering a signed copy of one of her books—your choice! Just leave a comment below for a chance to win! Congratulations to Donna Gwinnell Lambo-Weidner, winner of FRANZ’S PHANTASMAGORICAL MACHINE from my … More Mining for Heart: “Finding the Manuscript’s Mission” by Elisa Boxer

Behind the Scenes: “Building Franz’s Phantasmagorical Machine”

April 29, 2022

This post is another in my author’s journey. Though my initial attraction to Franz Gsellmann’s story came from the child within, and the writing brought more layers of connection, as I reflect back on it now, I’ve found something deeper.  To celebrate the release of FRANZ’S PHANTASMAGORICAL MACHINE, we’ve got a GIVEAWAY! Just leave a … More Behind the Scenes: “Building Franz’s Phantasmagorical Machine”

Mining for Heart: “Finding a Fresh Angle on a Famous Figure” by Meeg Pincus

April 22, 2022

I remember being amazed by Helen Keller’s story as a child. Such a fascinating person! It’s no surprise we have multiple books on her for children…so do we need more? Absolutely! But not more of the same. Finding a fresh angle is part of the challenge when writing about such a major figure. Here Meeg … More Mining for Heart: “Finding a Fresh Angle on a Famous Figure” by Meeg Pincus

Mining for Heart: “Weaving in the Story’s Layers” by Elizabeth Brown

April 1, 2022

I met Elizabeth Brown at a nonfiction retreat in 2016, and, in a round table session with an editor, I saw the beginning of this story. I’m so thrilled it’s now as a picture book! Thank you, Elizabeth for sharing your process of ensuring the balance of layers while also keeping your focus. And Elizabeth … More Mining for Heart: “Weaving in the Story’s Layers” by Elizabeth Brown