Friend Friday

Sometimes you just got to go for it! And that’s what I did when I summoned my courage to email a literary hero of mine, Lynne Rae Perkins to invite her to be a guest on Friend Friday. Her novel, Criss Cross, changed my thinking about what novels can be AND contains one of my… Read more »

Friend Friday

In this dark and cold (and for some people, incredibly snowy!) time, it’s such a treat to host Amalia Hoffman, who brings vibrancy and color to the world through her books. It’s a pleasure to host Amalia today, in celebration of her newest picture book, My Monsterpiece (Yeehoo Press). My inspiration for My Monsterpiece (Yeehoo… Read more »

Friend Friday

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 »

Friend Friday

What a treat to host Robert Pizzo today in celebration of his newest books, Let’s Fix Up the House and Let’s Fix Up the Yard (Schiffer Publishing). As a grandma to a granddaughter who was obsessed with machines and tools, I think Robert is on to something here! I would’ve loved to have something so… Read more »

Friend Friday

Just looking at Amalia Hoffman’s author photo lifts my spirits! I think we are all hungry for the bright and cheerful these days. That makes it especially delightful to host Amalia today in celebration of her new board book, All Colors (Schiffer Publishing). In 2017, I started experimenting with pastel pencils. I loved the textures… Read more »

Friend Friday

A big shout out to Dana Sullivan for introducing me to the work of Julie Hampton. I was thrilled when Julie agreed to be my Friend Friday because illustrators are less frequent contributors to this blog (a situation I would love to change, hint, hint). And I am always grateful when someone shares about their… 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 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 »

Friend Friday

Suzanne has the warmest smile and biggest heart and it is an honor to know her. Her newest book, All Are Welcome, (Penguin Random House) is illustrated by Suzanne, with text by Alexandra Penfold. As an example of Suzanne’s generosity, she has offered to giveaway one of her prints (pictured just below.)! To enter please… Read more »