I grew up with two younger siblings. There were times when two of us against banded together against the other one. But the times I remember most are the ones where it was the three of us against the world. I think just about every child can relate to dealing with a younger child, whether that's a sibling, cousin, or neighbor. And while there are many picture books about siblings and dealing with a younger brother or sister, the added elements of a superhero and a "cause-and-effect" narrative make this a fun and inventive way to examine sibling relationships. And I get to give you all a sneek peek at this creative picture book which releases next week - on June 2nd. Superheroes Don't Babysit

I believe our children are shaped by the books they read. ~ Carolyn Leiloglou Carolyn Leiloglou (lay-LAW-glue) lives with her husband and four kids in San Antonio, Texas, home to the Alamo and the world’s largest pair of cowboy boots. Carolyn was a finalist for the 2018 Katherine Patterson Prize, and her poems and stories have been published in magazines around the world including Ladybug, Clubhouse Jr., and Highlights. Carolyn is the author of the chapter book Noah Green, Junior Zookeeper series illustrated by Jay Guida (2018). Her debut picture book, Library’s Most Wanted, released Monday. Welcome Carolyn, thank-you so much for stopping by to talk about your newest picture book and writing

Born and raised in the Midwest, Amber Hendricks grew up reading everything she could get her hands on- including the morning cereal boxes. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, with an emphasis on Visual Merchandising, from Northwest Missouri State University. Amber has worn many hats in her career: Army wife, Mother, Visual Merchandiser, Certified Pharmacy Technician, and most recently, Childcare Professional. But she has always circled back to her first love of telling stories. She currently resides in Missouri with her husband and two children. She's the author of Sophie and Little Star (2018) and Extraordinary Ordinary Ella (Feb. 2020). Her newest picture book, Superheroes Don

Were you the kid who brought home stray cats, dogs, squirrels, rabbits, . . .? Or maybe you rescued small wild animals - squirrels or birds? Snails or slugs? One time when we were camping, my brother and I once brought goats to our campsite (though I honestly can't tell you where we found them, I only know they followed us back). Surprisingly, my father didn't want to adopt them! Though he did later adopt a stray dog that refused to leave our front porch. Most people, thinking about "adopting" or bringing home a stray, envision a lost cat, puppy, or perhaps a bird. Helping these lost or needy animals is commendable. Though, it is advisable to have them evaluated by a veterinarian. Otherwise

Molly Ruttan grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY and holds a BFA from The Cooper Union School of Art. Upon graduation she moved to Los Angeles and established a career as a graphic designer and illustrator. Molly and her family currently have the pleasure of caring for five strays and rescues (three dogs, a cat, and a rabbit) in their home. In addition to her work, she plays drums & sings in the eclectic-folk rock band New Garden, creates artwork for, records and performs in the art rock band Phideaux, and sings in a community choir. Her debut picture book as an illustrator, I am a Thief! by Abigail Rayner (2019), earned a star in Kirkus Reviews. A member of SCBWI, Molly holds the honor of bei

Today, I have the distinct pleasure of talking with Eileen Ryan Ewen. She is the award-winning illustrator of 4 children’s books published by Sleeping Bear Press - Nature’s Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story by Lindsey McDivitt (2018), Symphony of Cowbells by Heather Preusser (2017), Mr. McGinty's Monarchs by Linda Vander Heyden (2016), and Miss Colfax's Light by Aimee Bissonette (2016). Eileen Ryan Ewen first fell in love with stories and art listening to her storyteller father, watching him draw on paper sprawled across their nicked kitchen table. She earned a BFA in painting from Miami University in Ohio and an MFA in creative writing from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She has lived i

In this time of uncertainty and isolation, books can help provide an escape and an inspiration for creativity. Provide a special family time. And offer a safe place to explore emotions and fears. Books can show us more about ourselves and provide a window into other's motivations. The Chronicles of Narnia, written from 1950 to 1956, provided both C.S. Lewis and his many fans a doorway into a magical place. I get the distinct privilege to be able to give you all a sneak peek into Lina Maslo's beautiful new book - Through The Wardrobe: How C.S. Lewis Created Narnia - which releases May 19th. As a big fan of C.S. Lewis and The Chronicles of Narnia, I think Lina Maslo has created a beautiful tri

Today I have the pleasure to introduce you to three authors from the STEAM Team 2020 with books releasing in May. I do hope you enjoy this look at some great books and fascinating creatives. "STEAM Team 2020 is a group of authors who have a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math books releasing in 2020. It includes fiction & nonfiction, trade or educational books.” Welcome everyone, Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you write? How long have you been writing? What is your favorite type of book to write? What drew you to STEAM books?...) Alexis O’Neill – Jacob Riis’s Camera: Bringing Light to Tenement Children (5/5/2020) - I’m an eclectic writer -- which makes me hard to

Lina Maslo is an award-winning author/illustrator with a Degree in Art from New College of Florida. Born in Ukraine, she moved to the United States at the age of five and spent most of her childhood in Florida. She lives with her husband and children in South Carolina. Her debut book, Free As A Bird: The Story Of Malala, is a Library Guild Selection, as well as a 2019 CCBC Choice, and the winner of the Living the Dream Book Award. Her second book, Through The Wardrobe: How C. S. Lewis Created Narnia, releases on May 19th. ​For more general information and a bit about Free As A Bird, see our earlier interview [here]. Welcome back, Lina. Did your experience with Through The Wardrobe: How C. S.

It's hard to believe that just eight months ago, I travelled to London. It seems like a lifetime ago. A big fan of Beatrix Potter, I wandered around Kensington, Kew Gardens, and the Victoria & Albert Museum. In addition, of course, to the Dr. Who Museum, a few castles, and King's Cross Station. I was so excited when the trip included time in the Lake District, visiting Beatrix Potter's houses and spending time learning about the Herwick sheep that were special to her and the local art dry stonewalling. Our tour guide even indulged me and dropped me off at the Armitt Museum for an afternoon. So, I was really excited to read and experience Linda Marshall and Ilaria Urbinati's book about Beatr

I love writing, reading, and travelling to faraway places. ~ Linda Marshall Linda (Elovitz) Marshall has been an early childhood educator, studied Cultural Anthropology, owned her own bookstore, done freelance writing and ghost writing, and raised four children and a small flock of sheep. Linda’s the author of 16 books, with 5 of these books releasing this year - Shalom Bayit: A Peaceful Home, Have You Ever Zeen a Ziz? (April), The Polio Pioneer: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine (August), and Anne Frank: The Girl Heard Around the World (September). Linda writes board books, picture books, chapter books and Middle Grade novels as well as occasional essays for newspapers and magazines. Sh

I remember reading lying upside down on the couch, my head dangling toward the floor, as I read Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books by Betty MacDonald. I loved the description of her upside-down house and would spend hours imagining what it would be like to live there or what my house would be like upside-down. Perhaps that's why I found this week's #PPBF choice so funny. Or maybe it's because I have a soft spot for giraffes and penguins. Either way, in addition to playing with the character's physical perspectives, this book opens the possibility for discussions about differing perceptions of one's actions, comments, or beliefs. This Book is Upside Down Author: Erin Rose Wage Illustrator: Simona Cecca