Category: picture books

Especially for Educators: “’Riding a Bike with No Hands:’ Using Sensory Imagery to Infuse Writing With Emotion” by Lisa Rogers

February 21, 2025

Here’s a great writing activity for the classroom from author Lisa Rogers! Bringing emotion to the page can be a challenge for any writer, but it’s that emotion that connects a reader. Springboarding from her latest book, JOAN MITCHELL PAINTS A SYMPHONY: LA GRANDE VALLÉE SUITE, young writers use sensory imagery to bring emotion to … More Especially for Educators: “’Riding a Bike with No Hands:’ Using Sensory Imagery to Infuse Writing With Emotion” by Lisa Rogers

Behind the Scenes: “Going Off Script” by Janice Hechter

February 14, 2025

Ideas for books are everywhere, and sometimes arise from a question. In this post, author/illustrator Janice Hechter shares her process of gathering information, which ended up stretching her beyond what she’d anticipated.  GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below to get in the drawing for a copy of WHERE ARE THE WOMEN by Janice Hechter.  You’ve got … More Behind the Scenes: “Going Off Script” by Janice Hechter

Especially for Educators: “Trading Places: Connecting Story Elements Across Texts and Time” from Beth Anderson and Vivian Kirkfield

February 7, 2025

Don’t you wonder sometimes if historical figures in the same time period knew each other? or knew about each other? I thought about that a lot when I was working on stories of Prudence Wright and Deborah Sampson. They lived in the same colony, at the same time, both animated by the revolutionary spirit. With … More Especially for Educators: “Trading Places: Connecting Story Elements Across Texts and Time” from Beth Anderson and Vivian Kirkfield

Behind the Scenes: “Telling Your Story” by Selene Castrovilla

January 24, 2025

I’m a fan of Selene Castrovilla’s writing…and the ways she finds to tell stories. I know how hard it is to take a snippet of history, dig out the information, and create a story that’s engaging and meaningful! Her new book, GEORGE WASHINGTON’S SPECTACULAR SPECTACLES: THE GLASSES THAT SAVED AMERICA is fabulous! Here Selene shares … More Behind the Scenes: “Telling Your Story” by Selene Castrovilla

Mining for Heart: “Writing Nonfiction with Kid Appeal” by Lydia Lukidis

January 17, 2025

Today’s nonfiction picture books invite young readers in with a huge range of creative ways to share information. Here’s how author Lydia Lukidis went after finding an effective format, point of view, and structure for her newest release, UP, UP HIGH: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere. Writing Nonfiction with Kid Appeal by Lydia Lukidis Thanks … More Mining for Heart: “Writing Nonfiction with Kid Appeal” by Lydia Lukidis

Mining for Heart: “The Inspiring Fabric of Community…and Underwear!” by Jonathan Roth

December 13, 2024

Author-illustrator Jonathan Roth found a unique and fascinating object to take a reader on a special journey through time. But ALMOST UNDERWEAR: HOW A PIECE OF CLOTH TRAVELED FROM KITTY HAWK TO THE MOON AND MARS has more than a piece of cloth tying history together, Jonathan found a special emotional element to pull through … More Mining for Heart: “The Inspiring Fabric of Community…and Underwear!” by Jonathan Roth

Behind the Scenes: “Momentos for Momentum” by Julie Rowan-Zoch

December 6, 2024

 I love to hear about how the illustration process happens. I didn’t know about “Easter eggs” in illustrations until I saw the sketches and ideas from Sally Wern Comport for HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT. Indeed, it’s a thing!  Here, local critique partner Julie Rowan-Zoch shares some of her own special touches and a bit of … More Behind the Scenes: “Momentos for Momentum” by Julie Rowan-Zoch

Behind the Scenes: “Making Your Book Stand Out in a Crowded Market” by Suzanne Lipshaw

November 15, 2024

One of the great changes in nonfiction for kids is that, unlike the old days with a standard, sterile, informational text format, now we see all kinds of engaging nonfiction, including informational fiction, creative nonfiction, and narratives. Creative approaches broaden understanding by allowing kids to see a familiar topic in new ways, as well as … More Behind the Scenes: “Making Your Book Stand Out in a Crowded Market” by Suzanne Lipshaw

Behind the Scenes: “The Importance of Wonder and Play” by Jami Gigot 

November 8, 2024

The words “wonder” and “play” make us think of kids. But, guess what? Wonder and play are beneficial for all of us! Here’s how author/illustrator Jami Gigot found an engaging path into story by following the wonder and freeing up her imagination to play with how she saw the real world around her. Giveaway! Jami … More Behind the Scenes: “The Importance of Wonder and Play” by Jami Gigot 

Behind the Scenes: “The Ins and Outs of Writing Early Readers” by Kim Larson

November 1, 2024

Are you considering writing an early reader? Wondering where to start? Here’s an informative post from author Kim Larson on how she took what she learned from a webinar, did her research on the form, and worked her way to a published book.  Leave a comment below to get in on the GIVEAWAY for a … More Behind the Scenes: “The Ins and Outs of Writing Early Readers” by Kim Larson