I had the distinct opportunity and pleasure to meet and study with Jill Esbaum at the Whispering Woods Retreat in Iowa, last summer. In an amazing picture book focused weekend, Jill and Linda Skeers work with a small group of writers to study, critique, work, and learn about the business. If this sounds amazing to you, this year’s dates are May 4-6 (3 days) and July 16-19 (4 days). A multiple award-winning author, Jill Esbaum has written over 30 children's books. Her picture

I can't recommend this book strongly enough. It is a wonderful depiction of the relationship between Malala and her father and an excellent mentor text for illustrators and authors tackling difficult subject matters. Don't miss this wonderful nonfiction book. Free as a Bird: The Story of Malala Author/Illustrator: Lina Maslo Publisher: Balzer and Bray (2018) Ages: 4-8 Nonfiction Themes: Persistence, family, education of girls, freedom, diversity, and activism. Synopsis (fro

This is my second year participating in the Multicultural Children's Book Day 2018 (1/27/18) and I join numerous reviewers in highlighting books which celebrate diversity. The copy of this picture book, sent me from Sister Girl Publishing, for purposes of this review, will be donated to a classroom in Seattle, WA - through Reading Partners Seattle. Sister Girl and the Training Wheels Author/Illustrator: Nicole Fenner Publisher: Sister Girl Publishing (2016) Ages: 5-7 Fiction

This is my second year participating in the Multicultural Children's Book Day 2018 (1/27/18) and I join numerous reviewers in highlighting books which celebrate diversity. The copy of this chapter book, sent me from Capstone Publishing, for purposes of this review, will be donated to a classroom in Seattle, WA - through Reading Partners Seattle. Katie Woo, We Love You! Author: Fran Manushkin Illustrator: Tammie Lyon Publisher: Capstone Publishing (2018) Ages: 5-7 Fiction The

Before the "She Persisted" movement and mantra overtook the world, Malala Yousafzai stood up to the Taliban and advocated for the education of girls. Today, I have the honor to introduce you to Lina Maslo whose debut picture book about Malala is a beautiful, poignant tribute to this amazing woman and her devoted, enlightened father. Before this book releases tomorrow, I get to give you an inside glance at Lina Maslo, her process, and her amazing book - Free as a Bird. Lina Ma

Ever wish you could just disappear? Either as a child, as an adult, or both? That no one would miss you or that maybe this action would change their behavior? No one who knows me would consider me an introvert (and I was the first born), but I've definitely had times - parents fighting, a teacher making an example of me in class, and an awkward social engagement. In a deceptively simple and touching book, a sensitive, middle-child monster, Bub, deals with an exceptionally boi

During two local book launches, I had the privilege to meet and become friends with a wonderfully talented Pacific Northwest author/illustrator. I'm excited to share with you a peek into her process, inspiration, and art. Elizabeth Rose Stanton began her picture book writing and illustrating adventure a few years ago, after a brief career as an architect, and long career as a parent and fine artist. Her debut book, Henny, starred by Booklist (American Library Association), wa

If you love books and the worlds they open, both fictional and real, then you likely find libraries to be magical places. Where characters seem real and you almost fall into the stories. What if that really where the case, except that the books creep into and play within the libraries? The NEW LiBEARian Author: Alison Donald Illustrator: Alex Willmore Publisher: Clarion Books (2018) Ages: 4-7 Fiction Themes: Magic, libraries, story time, and folk tales. Synopsis (from Barnes

Today, I have the pleasure to introduce you to a picture book author, whose award-winning book is debuting in the United States tomorrow. Born and raised in Ontario, Canada, Alison now lives in Farnham, UK with her British husband and 3 young children. In a great endorsement for SCBWI, she states that "after years of scribbling story ideas on envelopes and scrap paper, [she] finally joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI-BI) in 2014 and with the

A few years ago, my family went camping in British Columbia. We set up our trailer along Lake Okanagan and started exploring. The kids were immediately drawn to a sign and play statute of Ogopogo - a suspected relative of Nessie, the Loch Ness monster. Since we had recently watched the movie WATERHORSE, they were in love with the idea of seeing a lake monster for themselves. They would have loved to be in Hattie's shoes. Even in their twenties, they still smiled at the cover