So … this blog has been a little quiet lately. Well, actually A LOT quiet. My last post was June of 2018. Yikes. To say it’s been a rough few years is an understatement. Flashback to 2016 when things were going really well for me as an aspiring children’s book author. In February, I received […]
At the end of June, I always look forward to my week at The Children’s Literature Conference at Shenandoah University. As a teacher and children’s book writer, I am completely in my element and end up buying way more books than I think I will! Here are some of my favorite books by the authors […]
I only read one children’s book this month, but it was pure gold. Hello, Universe by Erin Estrada Kelly is the 2018 winner of the Newbery Medal. Put this on your reading to do list ASAP! Middle Grades (8-12 years):
I’m gearing up for Reading for Research Month (ReFoReMo) in March and have started reading some great books. Here are some of my favorites so far: Preschool (ages 3-5 years) & Early Elementary (5-8 years):Early Elementary (5-8 years): Middle Grades (8-12 years):
If you are considering writing books for children, the first piece of advice I would give is to read LOTS and LOTS of books for children. Simple, right? For the past ten years, I have been reading children’s books like a part-time job. Seriously. I almost always have a bag full of library books in […]
Children’s author and blogger, Susanna Leonard Hill, is in the third year of her Valentine’s Day contest, affectionately known as “Valentiny.” The tiny part is for the tiny humans your story should be written for and because of the tiny word count…only 214 words or less! This year’s entries must include a character who is hopeful. […]
Happy Valentine’s Day! What better way to celebrate this day of love with Matt de la Pena’s newest book, LOVE. The New York Times Book Review says this of LOVE: “Everything that can be called love — from shared joy to comfort in the darkness — is gathered in the pages of this reassuring, refreshingly […]
The John Newbery Medal and Randolph Caldecott Medal winners, along with the Honor books, have been announced! I already placed them on reserve at my local library. Of course, now that these books are famous, it will be much harder to find them! John Newbery Medal Awarded for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature. This […]
Storystorm, formally know as PiBoIdMo, or Picture Book Idea Month, has come to a close. I am proud to say that I completed the challenge on time this year! Storystorm is an annual on-line event run by author Tara Lazar. She has written some awesome picture books, such as The Monstore, Little Red Gliding Hood and Normal […]
Life at my house has been a little crazy lately. School is overwhelmingly busy, basketball season is in full swing AND we got a Great Dane puppy in November! As you can imagine, my writing and reading time has been pretty much nonexistent this month. However, I did manage to revisit an old Steven Kellogg […]
I’m a mother and teacher by day and wannabe children’s book author by night. Read more about me