WRITERS' RUMPUS

Writing Side by Side: Adriana Mather and James Bird on Books, Family, and Finding the Magic

July 7, 2026 Hilary Elizabeth Margitich

Writing is often described as a solitary pursuit. Most of us spend our days alone with our thoughts, our characters, and a blinking cursor. Yet

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Celebrating America’s Birthday with a talented author/illustrator team!

July 3, 2026 Marcia Strykowski

We’re just in time to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with Roxanne Troup and Jennifer Doehring. They have a beautiful new picture book, Happy Birthday America,

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#kidlit Interview with the Awesome and Talented Caroline Perry

June 30, 2026 Carol Gordon Ekster

Carol Gordon Ekster: Welcome, Caroline! I’m so excited to highlight you here at Writers’ Rumpus. Can you tell us about your journey into becoming a

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Ooh! Ahhh! Whoaa! Interview and Giveaway with Chana Stiefel and Susan Gal, the AWEsomely Creative Team Behind AWE!

June 16, 2026 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Yes, the title of this post borrows from this gloriously AWEsome picture book (published March 3, 2026 by Scholastic Press), but I totally couldn’t resist! Both a visual treat (thank you, Susan) and an inspiring read (thank you, Chana), what makes AWE! vault into being one of the best picture books I’ve ever read is how the words and pictures meld together to create a memorable, soul stirring, heart lifting experience.

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Interview with #Kidlit Coauthor of Unbreakable – Jolene Gutiérrez

June 9, 2026 Monica Acker

Storytelling unites generations, preserves culture, and shares the human experience. It can connect us to the past in the hope of a better future. This

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When Narration and Puzzles Intertwine: Creating Storified Puzzle Books

June 5, 2026 Alumni & Guests

Guest Post by Derek Reid I’ve always dealt in the truth and glory of the real universe. When I was five or six years old,

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Picture Book Review: In The World of Whales

June 2, 2026 Genevieve Rossi

In The World of Whales, written by Michelle Cusolito and illustrated by Jessica Lanan, was published by Neal Porter books on June 17, 2025. Upon

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I Wish I Didn’t Have To Tell You This

May 26, 2026 Marti Johnson

I WISH I DIDN’T HAVE TO TELL YOU THIS was written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin, a Russian-born American author and an artist of many

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Book Review: A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

August 28, 2020 Marti Johnson

Blazer & Bray, a Harper Collins Publishing Imprint 2020 An intriguing debut novel with a sequel in the works! A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN

Interview of Cheryl Schuermann, Author of A Boy Called Preacher

August 25, 2020 Lexi Donahue

A Boy Called Preacher by Cheryl Schuermann is a middle-grade historical fiction novel that celebrates resilience, the childhood call to uncover mysteries, and the power

Middle Grade Book Review: The Unready Queen (The Oddmire #2) by William Ritter

August 21, 2020 Rebecca Moody

A fast-paced fantasy adventure about a family, a goblin, and a world whose magic is slowly dying…

Interview of Laurel Neme, Author of The Elephant’s New Shoe

August 18, 2020 Kirsti Call

I first met Laurel Neme at a Picture Book Boot Camp Alumni lunch several years ago and I’ve been grateful to know her ever since.

The New Podcast in Town

August 14, 2020 Kim Chaffee

I’m a huge fan of podcasts and their wealth of free content available at just the tap of the screen. Last November I even wrote

Charnelle Barlow, #Kidlit Debut Illustrator

August 11, 2020 Carol Gordon Ekster

CAROL GORDON EKSTER: Charnelle, what beautiful illustrations you created for Alice Faye Duncan’s text, JUST LIKE A MAMA, a lyrical read aloud celebrating adopted children,