At the bookstore how could I not pick up this book? Right on the cover are the words “Uh oh…” The Kammie’s-eye-view image tells me
Author: Joyce Audy Zarins
A member of SCBWI, the Writer’s Rumpus, and NEST, Joyce is the author of five books for young readers and illustrator of twenty. She is currently working on new YA, MG and a non-fiction PB. Sculpture is her other passion. Life is a creative experience.
Surviving Your Self
Writing is a solitary profession. You face the page, the words head-on, alone with only your mind to feed your message. Letters accrue into
World of Books: Ecuador, Chile, Lakota
A discouraging event in recent news regarding the American attitude toward our environment inspires a look at children’s books offering another perspective. I’ve chosen to
Realistic Fiction: Hunt, Quick, & Green
This post originally appeared earlier here. Powerful books about kids dealing with major issues. Troubled kids; wise and compassionate kids. Be Someone’s Hero is the
The Emberley Picture-Book Dynasty: Part 2
This is the second part of an interview with the amazingly talented Emberley family, all of whom have careers in the children’s book field. In
The Emberley Picture-Book Dynasty: Part 1
An exhibit at the Worcester Art Museum showcases a career. Ed and Barbara Emberley started a family of successful children’s book creators.
Commitment: Upstream by Mary Oliver
In her book Upstream the Pulitzer Prize winning poet Mary Oliver says of creative commitment, “There is a notion that creative people are absent-minded, reckless,
Grace Lin and the Story That Heals
Grace Lin may not know it yet, but she can heal a tortured heart. This is a power that the best creators of books for
World of Books: Turkey and Germany
As we start this new year 2017 of writing and illustrating books, consider all the children of this earth. Universal themes underlie the best stories
World of Books: Picture Books from Cuba
Recently I traveled almost the length of Cuba on a people to people, educational tour, something only possible recently because I am an American.
Book People Bonding
This is a story about book people, a table, and some croc-a-mole. Once upon a time Ron McCutchan, then Art Director for Cricket Magazine, had
Rick Riordan: Demigod Saving the World
One child at a time, or sometimes en masse, Rick Riordan uses his superstar power to transform kids into readers. In a previous article titled
Rick Riordan is a Demigod!
Look at a picture of Rick Riordan. You can see his quirky sense of humor in those eyes. Although he might feel like he lives
First experiences at ALA
The American Library Association (ALA) annual conference, a ginormous offering for ALA’s 68,000 member librarians, was held this past weekend in Orlando at the
