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
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Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall Are Back At It…With STELLA & MARIGOLD!
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.
SPECIAL MOMENTS
Around the globe people are celebrating. Why December in particular? I can only speculate. AI suggests that as darkness comes earlier each day, we all need a reason to seek joy.
Interview with Cathy Stefanec Ogren, #kidlit talented author
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!
The Do More Club by Debut Author Dana Kramaroff
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!
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!
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 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.
THE CURSE OF WILLOW COVE by Josh Roberts
Owl Hollow Press, 2024 THE WITCHES OF WILLOW COVE is a wonderful MG debut released in 2020 and I am delighted that the girls and
A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga: an unforgettable novel brimming with heart, humanity, gratitude, and perseverance
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll hope, you’ll dream. Resilience, a fictional Mar’s rover, is so full of humanity, he will leap off the pages and right into your hearts.
Where to Begin with “Back to School” Picture Books?
Morning alarms are set once again. Backpacks burst with new notebooks and freshly sharpened pencils. School buses buzz around town. “First day of school” photos
This is How You Do It: A Look at Real Children’s Lives and Stories
I have a confession to make—I’ve been spending scandalous amounts time this summer sipping tea (sometimes a probiotic soda) out on my back patio, reading
Interview with Poet, Scientist, Adventurer, and Kidlit Author Leslie Bulion…with a giveaway of her amazing book, Galápagos: Islands of Change!
If you read my earlier post, When Truth is Stranger than Fiction, you likely noticed the featured image, a Blue-Footed Booby whose picture I snapped
Meet the Amazing HELEN KAMPION, Debut #Kidlit Author
CAROL GORDON EKSTER: I met Helen at one of my book launches in 2017. She’s an amazing supporter of other authors and reached out to
WRITERS' RUMPUS 