Generally, I write an introduction here which shares my connection with my Friend Friday guest. Today that is Jeff Gottesfeld, the author of TWENTY-ONE STEPS: GUARDING THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, illustrated by Matt Tavares (Candlewick). His piece below is so moving, I just want to let it speak for itself. Until exactly three… Read more »
Sometimes fortune does favor the bold! I was very bold in reaching out to a writer whose work I have long admired with an invitation to be my Friend Friday guest — and Virginia Euwer Wolff agreed! My excitement is understandable: She’s won two Golden Kites (SCBWI), two Oregon Book Awards, a Jane Addams Book… Read more »
Oh boy: Alice Kaltman’s essay below comes at the perfect time for me. We hear many messages about perseverance (and it certainly is an important trait) but she really has me thinking about how I view my “limitations,” my “I can’t do thats” in combination with stick-to-it-tiveness. Once again, I’m in awe of a writer… Read more »
I have many jobs related to books; I’m a librarian, a book buyer for a bookstore and have served on many book award committees. Now I have one more job: children’s book author. It has been perhaps the most elusive title to get. When I was a child, I loved listening to the books that… Read more »
I have a strong memory of being sent a Linda Oatman High book or two by my editor when I was first published at Holiday House, as examples of what to strive for. She was one of many authors I read as I tried to figure out how to be a writer. So it is… Read more »
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 »