Who hasn’t felt overwhelmed by emotions this past year? Toni Yuly has created a sweet character with whom we can all identify in that regard. I so appreciate the glimpse she’s giving us below about how the idea for Ollie Octopus came to her — I’m fascinated by others’ creative processes. Tony’s inspired me to… Read more »
Sometimes I chat with folks outside the kid lit world who think because picture books are so short that they are easy to write. I personally think they are the most difficult of all genres because each precious word must earn its way into the story. Though I would love to write more picture books,… Read more »
It is my huge honor and delight to host Newbery Honor award winner, Margi Preus (Heart of a Samurai). Margi and I clearly share a passion for historical fiction, and we share some wonderful mutual friends (talking about you, Mary Casanova!) In the pandemic, I somehow missed Margi’s latest novel, Village of Scoundrels (Harry N…. Read more »
Friendships begin in many ways; mine with Barbara O’Connor started with a fan letter sent in response to one of Barbara’s books (NOT Greetings from Nowhere, where the bully is named Kirby. But she didn’t know me then.) Not too long after those initial email exchanges, we met in person at ALA in Orlando and… Read more »
Not many of my Friend Friday guests have run away to join the circus, but Lisa Robinson has! Well, perhaps she didn’t exactly run away, but click here to be amazed at her aerial skills. She’s also pretty darned good at keeping her feet on the ground, writing picture books on a varied number of… Read more »
I have been blessed to have been embraced into the classrooms and hearts of so many teachers, including the amazing Katy Van Aken. Katy (who lives in Indiana) emailed me one August having just finished The Fences Between Us, writing that she couldn’t wait to share the book with her “angels.” A lively correspondence ensued,… Read more »
I have been the beneficiary of many touching acts of kindness and one of my most cherished was gifted me by today’s Friend Friday guest, Irene Latham. She has a stunning book, written with Charles Waters, entitled Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes and Anecdotes from A to Z , illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini… Read more »
I’m grateful to recent Friend Friday guest, Margo Sorenson, for introducing me to Bonnie Graves, fellow historical fiction lover. As Bonnie shares below, historical fiction gives us great tools for looking at tough issues through the lens of the past. I am eager to read Catch Me When I Fall (Fitzroy Books), her latest book…. Read more »
Okay; I’m going to admit that I am completely jealous that Margo Sorenson was voted “Walking Dictionary” in 9th grade. Who wouldn’t want to have every word at her/his/their command at such a vulnerable age? Now that she’s a grown-up, I admire how Margo has spun her word-love into a sibling rivalry picture book that… Read more »
We do get by with a little help from our friends! I am so grateful to Lesa Cline-Ransome for connecting me with today’s guest, Ann E. Burg, one of her BFFs. Ann’s novel, Flooded, Requiem for Johnston (Scholastic) is an inventive approach to exploring an historical event. Read on to find out more of the… Read more »