I’m a nerdy but lovable nonfiction writer. More lovable than nerdy, ok? As such, I’m constantly on the lookout for a mind-blowing, heart-hugging real-life story,
Category: Writing – Picture Books
“Oh Deer!” An Interview with Phaea Crede
Hello again, readers. It is my great pleasure to share an interview with Phaea Crede. Unlike an elusive bigfoot, Phaea spottings have been logged all
A Warbler’s Journey: A Picture Book by Noted Naturalist Scott Weidensaul
“No one who reads this can remain unmoved by this tiny bird’s tenacity; this is sure to create avid new bird-watchers.” – Kirkus Imagine a
Meet Cynthia Levinson, a #kidlit Talent
CAROL GORDON EKSTER: I met Cynthia Levinson at Kindling Words East and wanted to share her work with those of you who do not as
Meet Joyce Uglow and her debut picture book, Stuck! The Story of La Brea Tar
Guest Post by Suzy Zemel Joyce and I met in 2022 in a class sponsored by Highlights Foundation. During that time, she was excited about
Interview with Kaz Windness
Hello, readers! I am a new writer to Writer’s Rumpus and will be bringing you interviews, reviews, and more every other month. I am excited
Interview with talented #kidlit author/illustrator, Kari Percival
CAROL GORDON EKSTER: I met Kari when a mutual friend started a critique group. I was instantly impressed by Kari’s writing and illustration talents as
Helping Writers and Readers Cope
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
2025 Caldecott Contender: The Yellow Bus by Loren Long
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!
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
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
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
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
December Picture Book Opportunities
Online events, classes, and contests for picture book writers and illustrators for December, 2024
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