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The Picture Book Buzz

The Picture Book Buzz - PB25 Vibes October 2025

  • Writer: Maria Marshall
    Maria Marshall
  • 2 minutes ago
  • 12 min read

In PB25 Vibes, a group of creators with books launching in 2025, we are all about vibes! Finding that feeling you want to leave with the reader is at the heart of writing a picture book. Our stories are ones that are meant to evoke emotions, and as we drafted our stories, we kept a feeling—a vibe—in mind.


PB25 Vibes composite photo of all members.

Today, I have the opportunity to chat with two authors from the group about her new picture book releasing in July.


Be sure to visit their X/Twitter feed (https://x.com/pb25vibes) for book announcements and writing tips for authors.

Welcome Amanda & Blair,


Tell us a little about yourselves. (For instance, where/when do you write or illustrate? How long have you been writing or illustrating? What is your favorite type of book to write or illustrate?


Photo of author Amanda Davis, sitting behind and hugging her dog.

Amanda Davis – Sometimes Stormy (Free Spirit Publishing 10/7/2025) – I’m a former high school art educator and of course a children’s book author-illustrator. In both my work as a teacher and creator, I want to empower people to learn more about themselves, others, and the world around them. Whether that’s through visual art, writing, or reading. I learned the power of the arts at a young age. After my dad passed away, I turned to art and writing to help me get through. This opened my eyes to the power of the arts and stuck with me ever since. This experience also reminded me that everyone is going through something. We all have stories to tell and stories to learn from others. I’m so grateful that I’m in a profession where I get to share my own stories and help others do the same.


I tend to write and illustrate when the muse hits. Sometimes I feel more inclined to write and other times to draw. And sometimes, I don’t feel in a headspace to do either. Right now, my focus is picture books (both nonfiction and fiction) and I’m dipping my toes in middle grade novel-in-verse.


Photo of author Blair Williamson standing on a dock with water behind her.

Blair Williamson – The Ocean Protectors: Colors of the Coral Reef (Genius Cat Books 11/11/2025) – I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember whether journaling, blogging, or capturing stories through words and photographs. I especially love photo blogging while traveling and photojournalism, which helps me preserve the details of special places and moments so I can revisit them later and weave them into my writing.

I usually write in the early mornings before my family wakes up. Those quiet hours, with a really good cup of coffee, give me the space to focus and create before the day begins. That said, I haven’t been writing much lately—most of my time and energy are going toward preparing for the NCTE conference in Denver, Colorado!

 

It's great to "meet" you both. What helps you to be inspired? (perhaps a certain place, music, activity, etc.)


Amanda Davis – When I’m drawing, I love to listen to music, usually the same song on repeat, ha! In both my writing and art, I’m inspired by my family, other creators/books, nature, and history or current events. I love finding little known stories or subjects and figuring out a way to make them into a compelling narrative.


Blair Williamson – I grew up in Richmond, Virginia, but some of my most formative experiences came from the time I spent on a remote island, completely surrounded by nature, in North Carolina. Being immersed in the tides, the wind, the waves, and seeing how weather shapes the land, gave me a deep fascination with the ocean from the time I was a little girl. That connection to the sea still inspires me every time I write.


Now that we know a little more about both of you, what made you wonder about this topic or inspired you to write your book?


Book cover - boy holding a cat looking over his shoulder at dark, stormy, squiggles on the the left side.

Amanda Davis - Sometimes Stormy (Free Spirit Publishing 10/7/2025) – Sometimes Stormy started as a rhyming poem that I wrote my freshman year of college called, Monster. The poem explored the idea of what it was like to live with a father who struggled with alcohol use disorder. That’s part of my story and an experience that has shaped who I am today and my passion for telling stories that some might consider difficult. I see them as essential. Throughout my journey trying to make sense of this experience, I’ve done much research on the topic to better help me understand the disease and its repercussions on those who it affects. Also, as a former educator, this lived experience helped me relate to my students who were going through similar situations in their homes and helped them use art and writing to navigate the challenges and cope with a situation that is out of their control. All this to say the story took over twenty years to germinate and grow into the book it is today!


Book cover - two girls, snorkeling near a reef, looking at colorful coral and many fish.

Blair Williamson – The Ocean Protectors: Colors of the Coral Reef (Genius Cat Books 11/11/2025) –

As a former scuba diving instructor and boat captain, the location of my job was under the ocean. I spent years exploring coral reefs around the world—and witnessing, firsthand, the heartbreaking effects of coral bleaching and plastic pollution. I felt a responsibility to speak up about what I was seeing and to get creative about how to share that message with others.


People care most about the things they know and understand, and I believe awareness is the first step toward change. Through The Ocean Protectors: Colors of the Coral Reef, I hope to help young readers fall in love with the underwater world, so they’ll be inspired to protect it.


Thank you both for sharing your personal experiences which created these books. What do you like to do outdoors - either by yourself or with your family and friends?


Amanda Davis – I love doing just about anything outdoors. We have an almost four-year-old and two pups, so we try to remain very active to get everyone’s wiggles out. In the summer, we like to visit the beaches in our town, utilize the many hiking trails in our area and we just got a Jeep Rubicon, so we hope to get some 4x4ing in next year. I also like to do yin yoga and run road races. I did my first half marathon last year and am making it a goal to do another one in 2026. My favorite thing though, is when I need some time to be alone and calm my thoughts, I like to head to the beach with a chair, my gratitude journal, and a good book to appreciate the beauty of the ocean. I tend to enjoy this most on crisp fall days when there aren’t the crowds and when I can bring a blanket and cozy up with a warm drink, yummy snack, and hoodie.


Blair Williamson – Outdoors, I love slowing down and paying attention. There’s something magical about observing nature, whether it’s watching animals in their natural habitat while scuba diving, feeling the wind and current while sailing, or simply looking up at the stars. I really just love being outside. I also enjoy playing sports like tennis, soccer, and field hockey, though I don’t get as much time for that these days.


Great ideas for slowing down and taking time to recharge ourselves. Is there anything special you want your readers to know about your book? Do you have a favorite spread?


Amanda Davis - Sometimes Stormy (Free Spirit Publishing 10/7/2025) – Sometimes Stormy is my first book as both author AND illustrator. It was a labor of love and I learned SO much. The team at Free Spirit was amazing and patient throughout. I want people to know that even though this is a book about alcohol/substance use disorder, and you may think it doesn’t affect you, statistics show it’s most likely affecting someone around you. Many times, children and families struggle in silence and alone. It’s beneficial for all of us to understand the disease and learn how we can help. Some current statistics include:


o   An estimated 12 million children live with a parent struggling with alcohol use disorder.

o   Alcohol use disorder is the most common parental substance use disorder, affecting more children than cannabis or opioid use disorders.

o   1 in 4 children (around 19 million in 2023) live with a parent with any substance use disorder.

o   Children in these households are at increased risk for developing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, as well as substance use issues themselves.


Internal spread - a boy and cat, peaking around a corner standing on a mass of squiggly blue, look at dad sitting in a chair, holding a bottle with his chin resting in one hand and a beam of light shinning on him from the window.

Text & Image © Amanda Davis, 2025.


My favorite spread is the one that reads “the storm comes back, it always comes back. It billows in. Looking for Dad, looking for its favorite thing.” Although this spread is sad, it’s also a reality. It’s not easy for someone to get help or for things to get better right away. Often it takes time. This spread also shows how conflicted Dad is. The rest of the room is dark, and the spotlight is on him. He’s gone back to where he hid the alcohol and is struggling with the disease—does he take a sip or not? This is a constant struggle and hopefully highlights the rawness of the disease and addiction. The constant inner conflict and turmoil that many people like my dad face. All the while, we see Ezra looking on, reminding us that our children are always watching and our kids take in more than we might ever know. We must not forget this and not be afraid to have hard discussions with them and offer them books and other resources to help them process and cope with their experiences. 


Internal spread - three girls in swim masks, follow a sea turtle around a school of fish and toward beams of light coming coming down from the surface.

Text © Blair WIlliamson, 2025. Image © Svitlana Holovchenko, 2025.


Blair Williamson – The Ocean Protectors: Colors of the Coral Reef (Genius Cat Books 11/11/2025) – Yes! The illustrations are absolutely stunning—hand-painted watercolors by the incredibly talented Svitlana Holovchenko. In a market filled with digital art and computer graphics, Svitlana’s work stands out as something truly unique. Her paintings bring a warmth and depth to the story that can only come from traditional art. Every page feels like a piece of fine art that readers of all ages can appreciate and treasure.


It's so true, "kids are always watching (& listening)." And I think both of these illustrations are stunning! What was the hardest, or most challenging, part of writing or researching, your book? How long did it take from first draft to publication?


Amanda Davis - Sometimes Stormy (Free Spirit Publishing 10/7/2025) – As I mentioned, the idea began as a poem I wrote in college over twenty years ago. I can’t remember when I decided to translate it into a PB dummy but at some point, that happened, and it was one that I showed my agent when I signed with her, so I knew she was open to submitting it to publishers. My agent and I started querying the story in June of 2022. We submitted to a long list of publishers who all said it was a necessary story but ultimately passed. After several rounds of submissions, I asked my agent if I could submit to Free Spirit Publishing/Teacher Created Materials. I knew a few other authors who had books with them, and I knew they create beautiful books on tough but necessary topics. I submitted to them on my own and several months later heard back with interest. I passed that email onto my agent and we later signed a deal for the book, which released October 7th of this year. Once edits and the art got underway, the hardest part was separating my personal story from the manuscript. My critique partners and the team at Free Spirit helped me accomplish this.


Blair Williamson – The Ocean Protectors: Colors of the Coral Reef (Genius Cat Books 11/11/2025) – The hardest part of writing, for me, is knowing when to stop revising. A manuscript can always be tweaked or improved, and it’s easy to get caught in an endless cycle of edits. Deciding when it’s “ready to submit” is one of the toughest calls to make.


From first draft to publication, The Ocean Protectors: Colors of the Coral Reef took about two and a half years—a journey filled with revisions, collaboration, and a lot of learning along the way.


Separating yourself from your story and knowing when to stop fiddling with it can be some of the hardest parts of writing books. Who was a favorite/special author, illustrator, and/or your favorite book as a child?


Amanda Davis - When I was teaching and early in my children’s book career, I had author-illustrators, Bryan Collier and Selina Alko visit my art classes. I was so inspired listening to both their journey’s and seeing the meaningful books they were creating. I also remember Bryan encouraging me to put my art up in cafés and coffee shops. I printed some postcards and framed them as he suggested. Later, those same artworks found their way into a local coffee shop. I feel like this action step was scary and vulnerable but it was the start of me feeling more confident in my work as an artist. 


Blair Williamson – As a child, I was always drawn to National Geographic and Highlights magazines. They fed my curiosity about the natural world and sparked my imagination. In terms of books, I adored the cozy magic of Margaret Wise Brown, who wrote Goodnight Moon, and I was completely captivated by the incredible illustrations of Jan Brett. Their work showed me how words and pictures together can create worlds you never want to leave.


What a wonderful experience, Amanda. And I adore Jan Brett, too! What makes you passionate about being a children’s author?


Amanda Davis - The fact that we get to help kids navigate and validate their experiences and the world around them. We can be a safe place for a child to laugh, cry, or escape. We have one of the best and most important jobs around!


Blair Williamson – What makes me passionate about being a children’s author is the opportunity to introduce kids to big, important topics in a way that feels fun, accessible, and inspiring. Through stories, children can begin to understand issues like coral bleaching, climate change, plastic pollution, or how even small actions—like helping save the turtles—can create a BIG impact. I feel a deep responsibility to use my platform to spark curiosity and care for our planet. I’m especially excited to share the magic of the ocean with children who may never get the chance to experience it firsthand. It’s an entire world waiting for them to discover, study, enjoy, and protect.


Are there any projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?


Amanda Davis - In addition to Sometimes Stormy, I have a Northern Lights inspired picture book titled, Chasing the Light, illustrated by Faryn Hughes, slated for fall of 2026 with Marble Press, a paperback version of my 2021 debut 30,000 Stitches is set to be released in summer of 2026 with WorthyKids/Hachette Book Group and two nonfiction bios in the works: The Memory March, illustrated by Sarthak Sinha, slated for 2027 and another unannounced PB bio, both releasing with Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Young Readers. I’m working on a third PB bio right now that I’m excited about and plugging away at a middle-grade novel-in-verse. Stay tuned!  


Blair Williamson – With two book launches coming up this fall, most of my focus right now is on PR and marketing—which, if I’m being honest, isn’t my favorite part of being an author, but I know how important it is. When I do find a little extra free time, I’ve been diving into a new project: a new adult novel inspired by my years working on yachts. It’s titled My Salty Soul, and it’s a fictional memoir that’s adventurous, thrilling, and, well… saltyyyy!


Wow, these all sound intriguing. We will definitely have to keep our eyes open for these books! Last question, what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why?

Photo of towering redwoods in Muir Woods National Park.

Amanda Davis - One of my favorites is Muir Woods National Monument in California. Walking amongst hundred-year-old giant redwoods is a majestic feeling. I recently visited Zion National Park, in Utah, which was stunning and flew in a helicopter over the Grand Canyon. Both were experiences I will never forget! So much beauty out there!

Photo of a hot springs in Yellow stone National Park.

Blair Williamson – My favorite national park is Yellowstone in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful, but it’s also where my sister lives, and since she’s so far away, visiting there feels extra special. Jackson Hole has become a really meaningful place for our family, and we try to get out there and spend time together as often as we can.


Thank you both for giving us a little peek into you and your books. Wishing you both enormous success.


To learn more about these writers and illustrators, visit PB25 Vibes @ https://x.com/pb25vibes.


Here's a little more information on these books:


Book cover - boy holding a cat looking over his shoulder at dark, stormy, squiggles on the the left side.

Synopsis: Sometimes Stormy explores what it’s like to live with a parent struggling with alcohol use disorder. A young boy named Ezra realizes his dad is plagued by a troubling storm―the Sometimes Storm―that sometimes visits their home and changes Dad. He goes searching for the storm’s favorite thing, hoping that he can make it go away. But when the storm persists, Ezra turns to caring adults, who help him discover how to live with the Sometimes Storm instead.


This empathetic book includes a note from author Amanda Davis, relaying her inspiration for the story and setting the stage for a difficult but necessary topic. The book includes additional support materials, including a glossary, a message to adults, and online resources. With Sometimes Stormy, children can gain the skills and understanding to cope with a situation that is out of their control.


Offers an age-appropriate explanation of alcohol use disorder

Models strategies for coping with a stressful home situation

Teaches children to seek support from a trusted adult

Explains that adult addiction is not a child’s fault or responsibility to fix

Contains helpful resources for children and families


Sometimes Stormy is for children from all backgrounds and the adults who support them. It’s an excellent resource for parents, teachers, mental health professionals, and others who need to help children understand that substance use is not their fault and how to find calm and stay safe when the storm surges.


Book cover - two girls, snorkeling near a reef, looking at colorful coral and many fish.

Synopsis: Small voices can spark big change.


When sisters Sadie and Josie discover their once-vibrant coral reef has transformed into a graveyard of bleached coral, they are determined to save it. Fueled by their love for marine life, the girls rally their community to confront the warming oceans threatening their friends’ underwater homes. Together, they race against time to restore the Coral Gardens, proving that small voices can spark big change.


A climate fiction picture book with strong commercial appeal and a high-concept STEM hook, The Ocean Protectors: Colors of the Coral Reef is a transformative way for readers of all ages to visualize climate change as they experience a bleaching event unfold through the illustrations in the story while highlighting the power of even the youngest voices to inspire action.

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Maria Marshall

 Photograph © A. Marshall

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