Friend Friday

It is such a treat to once again celebrate Donna Janell Bowman and her books. We obviously share a passion for history; but what I especially love about Donna’s work is that it often introduces us to little known stories, as is the case with her newest title, King of the Tightrope: When the Great… Read more »

Friend Friday

A huge thank you to Andrea Wang (a recent Friend Friday guest) for introducing me to Sheri Dillard, so that we could celebrate the publication of Sheri’s first picture book, Cowhide-And-Seek, illustrated by Jess Pauwels (Running Kids Press) today for Friend Friday. I always love learning about a particular book’s story seeds – and Sheri’s… Read more »

Friend Friday

There are two things I love about Lisa Robinson’s story below. The first is that she saw a need in children’s literature and got the idea to fill that need. The second is that, even though it took her twelve years, she did not give up. Perseverance is an essential trait for book creators and… Read more »

Friend Friday

What a pleasure it is to once again host Nancy Churnin here at Friend Friday. Today we are celebrating her newest picture book, Martin and Anne: The Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Anne Frank, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg (Creston Books/Lerner Books). One of the great joys of being a writer is… Read more »

Friend Friday

I am so grateful to all the friends who share the story behind their books here at Friend Friday. But some book creators I am extra grateful for because of the good they do in the world beyond their books. Maria Gianferrari, dog rescuer extraordinaire, is someone who falls in that category! Join me in… Read more »

Friend Friday

As a Leo and a firstborn, I can be a bit bossy at times. I even remember bossing today’s guest, Kevan Atteberry, around at an SCBWI International conference. He had not brought his portfolio and was regretting it. I told him to have it Fed-Exed. . .and he did! While his subsequent success has had… Read more »

Friend Friday

In addition to being an incredibly talented book creator, Dana Sullivan is also a great dancer. We cemented our friendship on the dance floor several summers back at the International SCBWI conference in LA; we also share a love of rhubarb pie. He is unwaveringly generous, creating fun illustrations to celebrate his friends’ books at… Read more »

Friend Friday

I love learning new things and I’ve found children’s books a rich resource for providing glimpses into times, places and people I hadn’t been previously aware of. Today, Friend Friday is shining the spotlight on Michelle Markel and her wonderful picture book, Out of this World: The Surreal Art of Leonora Carrington (HarperCollins). I was… Read more »

Friend Friday

Who doesn’t love old favorites dressed up in fresh new ways? No one! That’s why it’s such a treat to host B.J. Lee today in celebration of her picture book, There Was an Old Gator Who Swallowed a Moth (Pelican Press), illustrated by David Opie. This romp of a story is even made funnier by… Read more »

Friend Friday

I am “quackers” about today’s guest, Liz Wong, and her work. As a volunteer in my granddaughter’s school library, I’ve noticed that Liz’s first picture book (Quackers/Knopf) is one that students wrestle over weekly. So I am delighted that we are celebrating her newest picture book, Goose Egg (Knopf Books for Young Readers). And even… Read more »