I believe this is the first time I’ve ever hosted a costumed friend for Friend Friday; maybe we can start a trend? Nancy B. Kennedy’s outfit not only evokes the suffragette era, her smile speaks to the suffragettes’ hopefulness in undertaking the long battle. As Nancy acknowledges below, her wonderful new book, Women Win the… Read more »
There are so many things I love about Amanda Abler’s essay below, but I think my favorite part has to do with an insight she had about nonfiction (I won’t spoil the surprise). I often think our stories choose us and Amanda’s experience with her debut picture book, The Spirit of Springer: The Real Life… Read more »
Today’s guests are supreme examples of writers who have built long, successful careers through hard work and innovation. Joan Holub and I have a special connection (my name inspired one of her chapter books about pen pals!) and Suzanne Williams has been a good friend since we were baby writers. The post below gives you… Read more »
Trudi Trueit does something so important with her Explorer Academy series. She certainly tells a good story, highlights fascinating discoveries and people and brings far-away places to our very own reading nooks. But the true power in her work is that she empowers kid readers, helping them see themselves as protectors of the natural world,… Read more »
A key characteristic of a successful writer is perseverance. Kristin L. Gray might win the prize in that department! As you will discover below, she did not quit when a perfectly brilliant idea did not gain traction. Read on for how she responded to a big obstacle in her writing path, and ended up with… Read more »
There are not many Friend Friday guests with whom I have wrestled a scorpion, but Sara Fujimura is among that select group. I met Sara in the Arizona desert some years back, when I was on the faculty of an SCBWI retreat. I was so impressed by her work ethic and and her positive demeanor… Read more »
What fascinating women Laurie Wallmark has chosen as subjects of her picture book biographies: Ada Lovelace, Grace Hopper, Hedy Lamarr. Her newest biography also offers insight into another determined woman, Sophie Kowalevski. Laurie’s post today also offers insight into the tough decisions a writer makes in bringing complex characters to life within the tight constraint… Read more »
Mr. Rogers advised looking for the helpers in troubled times; clearly, Faith Pray is one of those helpers. Her words today seem perfectly timed and I am grateful for the seed she’s planted in my heart and mind: that we each have a brave gift to share, no matter how small and helpless we feel…. Read more »
Today’s post is about gifts: faithful dogs and faithful friends who walk beside us when we are hurting. Julie Paschkis and Margaret Chodos-Irvine share the poignant story behind the story of their new book together, Where Lily Isn’t, written by Julie and illustrated by Margaret. This picture book will be my new go-to book to… Read more »
I sure wish I’d had Kate O’Shaughnessy’s debut novel when I was a kid because I would’ve loved to read about a character who knew what it was like to move away from friends, as I frequently had to. But Maybelle faces challenges that I certainly never had to, as you will discover when you… Read more »