Book Reviews – Page 4 – WRITERS' RUMPUS

Helping Writers and Readers Cope

February 4, 2025 Joyce Audy Zarins

The themes in picture books are intended to assist children in dealing with the world around them, and authors benefit in the same way. These

Banner showing author Lydia Lukidis and covers of two of her books

Atmospheric Poetry: New STEM picture book Up, Up High joins Deep, Deep Down

January 28, 2025 Marianne Knowles

Lydia Lukidis’s STEM picture books, Up, Up, High and Deep, Deep Down, blend poetic storytelling with scientific information, offering engaging journeys through Earth’s atmosphere and ocean depths for readers of all ages.

2025 Caldecott Contender: The Yellow Bus by Loren Long

January 14, 2025 Keri Demers

School buses have been an inspiration for lots of picture books over the years. Just peruse any children’s library and you’ll find stories about nervous

Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall Are Back At It…With STELLA & MARIGOLD!

January 7, 2025 Hilary Elizabeth Margitich

One of the great highlights of my summer, besides attending a fantastic writing retreat in the green mountains of Vermont, was receiving an advanced reader copy of Stella & Marigold from Chronicle Books (thank you from the bottom of my book-loving heart, Chronicle). It’s the first book in a brand-new early reader series for children 6-9 years old, by the magical author-illustrator duo Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall.

The 2024 Writers’ Rumpus Year in Review

December 24, 2024 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, you’re invited to peruse my 2024 Writers’ Rumpus Year in Review! As another year draws to a close, I continue to marvel at the variety and quality of our posts, and thank all of our authors and readers for your commitment to our kidlit blog. Once again, I’ve been honored and challenged to highlight one post from each of our talented contributors with an image, date link, and brief summary. Enjoy!!

Interview with Cathy Stefanec Ogren, #kidlit talented author

December 10, 2024 Carol Gordon Ekster

CAROL GORDON EKSTER: Cathy Ogren is one of those talented writers we’re all glad to have in our critique groups. Lucky me! She’s in two of my groups. And she’s an inspiration. She has hung in there for many years while she waited for her next book contract. Let’s get inspired!

World of Books 13: Spain

December 3, 2024 Joyce Audy Zarins

Here are two picture books by different author-illustrators from Spain that encourage individuality and whose characters are insects and other arthropods. Coincidentally, among the protagonists

The Do More Club by Debut Author Dana Kramaroff

November 19, 2024 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Every so often, a book rocks me to my core. THE DO MORE CLUB, a middle grade novel in verse by Dana Kramaroff, is just such a book. I’m not typically drawn to books in this style, but I’m so glad the tag line, “Spread Kindness So Hate Can’t Win” made me overcome my hesitation.

Herve Tullet’s Newest Picture Book: “Dot! Scribble! Go!” is a Must-Buy Book for Kids on the Nice List this Holiday Season!

November 12, 2024 Keri Demers

Renowned French multi-disciplinary artist, performer, illustrator and children’s author, Herve Tullet, is a true creative genius. Amongst his many artistic talents, he’s written more than 80 books for children which have been translated into more than 30 languages.

Interview With Debut Picture Book Author Madhu Messenger…And a Giveaway!

November 5, 2024 Hilary Elizabeth Margitich

There’s not a social event I love more in this world than a wedding–the exquisite clothes, mouth-watering morsels of food, music, dancing, and beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime moments between family and friends.

Picture Books for the Delightful, Frightful, Celebratory Fall Season

October 22, 2024 Laura Fineberg Cooper

October is my favorite month, with leaves creating a tapestry of glorious colors, pumpkins popping up here, there, and everywhere, costumed kiddos knocking at my door, and the cool temps inviting me to break out my sweater collection. I hope you enjoy three picture books I’ve chosen to honor delightful, frightful, celebratory October.