Boy, howdy, am I excited about today’s Friend Friday. About twelve million years ago, I wrote a fan letter to an author whose work I truly admired. And she wrote back! To steal a line from Casablanca, that was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Just because I can now count Barbara O’Connor as a… Read more »
She gets all the credit but I do all the hard work, digging through old newspapers and archives. I guess that’s why I’m this writer’s best friend. But it doesn’t seem arf-fully fair.
I am delighted to host Melissa Stewart today in celebration of her newest book, Can an Aardvark Bark?, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Beach Lane Books ). She is the author of over 160 science books and has been honored countless times for her ability to share science topics in kid friendly ways. Learn more from Melissa… Read more »
Tracey Baptiste looks sweet and innocent but she can write one heck of a creepy story, as her first book, The Jumbies, proved. Now, she’s back with a sequel, Rise of the Jumbies (Algonquin Young Readers), though you will have to wait until September 17, 2017 to read it, unless you can get your hand… Read more »
I have long admired Deborah Hopkinson’s writing and if you have ever heard her speak, she does an amazing job of giving the story behind the story of her books. If she’s ever at a conference near you, attend her session. I really love the way she gives teachers concrete ways to use her work… Read more »
Nanci Turner Steveson is a repeat Friend Friday essayist. Her new book, Georgia Rules (Harper Collins) is not out for a few more months (don’t worry; I’ll remind you closer to the time. But I’m sure it’s possible to preorder her book from your favorite indie bookstore!). I’m delighted to host Nanci once again! You… Read more »
Augusta Scattergood (Glory Be, Making Friends with Billy Wong) emailed me awhile back, raving about a friend’s new book. “It’s sooo good,” she said. Well, if Augusta recommends something, that’s the gold standard! I immediately asked for the friend’s email address and that friend — Linda Williams Jackson — agreed to be today’s Friend Friday guest…. Read more »
I’m doing something a tiny bit different for the next few weeks; instead of shining the spotlight on friends’ new books, I’m going to shine a spotlight on readers. (If that’s not your thing, be sure to come back Friday, December 30 for a guest post written by the amazing Nikki Grimes!). A dad in… Read more »
Though Erin Hagar and I have never met, I know we would be fast friends over our shared love of history. When I learned about her new book, Doing Her Bit: A Story about the Woman’s Land Army of America, illustrated by Jen Hill, (Charlesbridge), I begged her to be a guest for Friend Friday. Lucky us!… Read more »
Generally on Fridays, I introduce you to new books and the writers behind them. I guess the birth of my fourth grandchild this week has made me nostalgic. Today, I’m thinking of the writers who blazed the trail for us, and for me in particular. As a newbie writer, I first fell in love with middle… Read more »