Title: Ira’s Shakespeare Dream Written by: Glenda Armand illustrated by: Floyd Cooper Published by: Lee & Low, May 2015 Themes: African Americans, biography, Ira Aldridge, Shakespeare, acting, diversity, abolition of slavery in the USA Ages: 7-11+ Genre: Picture Book Biography Opening: IRA COULD NOT KEEP STILL as he waited in the balcony of … Continue reading →

What a great way to celebrate the UN’s World Wildlife Day, than to introduce the second book in this series about children caring for animals. Title: Tortuga Squad-Kids Saving Sea Turtles in Costa Rica Written and photos by: Cathleen Burnham Additional photos by: … Continue reading →

I encountered Rahele’s work through this year’s Tomie de Paola SCBW illustrator competition where the prompt was: to illustrate a moment from a passage from Philip Pullman’s version of “Little Red Riding Hood” from FAIRY TALES FROM THE BROTHERS GRIMM (Viking, … Continue reading →

Title: This is My Home, This is My School Author & Illustrator: Jonathan Bean Publisher: Farrar, Strauss, Giroux, 2015 Themes: Homeschooling, family life, concept book Ages: 3-7 Opening: This is my home.             And this is my school. Synopsis: Drawing from his own childhood experiences, Jonathan Bean takes … Continue reading →

Jonathan Bean has a knack of writing picture books with families I want to belong to and characters I want to be. Such levels of identification are rare for me with picture books compared to MG and YA novels. I … Continue reading →

Another book for Black History Month. Title: the First Step, How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial Written by: Susan E. Goodman illustrated by: E. B. Lewis Published by: Bloomsbury, 2015 Genre: historical fiction, 40 pages Themes: segregation, discrimination in education, Boston, Sarah C Roberts, African Americans Ages: 7-11 Opening: Sarah Roberts was four … Continue reading →

It was my friend, Emma Dryden, who first got me interested in Katherine, Apifera and her art when she published The MisfIts of Love in 2013. I have been following The Head Troll, Rosie and Ernest, two pigs, the arrival … Continue reading →

There’s humor, there’s heart, there’s connection, there’s love. It’s a winner, Patricia!

This looks like a Fabulous book, Joanna. Can’t wait to read this soon!

[…] Check out my interview with Mike Curato here.  […]

Title: Poet: Worm loves Worm Written by: J. J. Austrian illustrated by: Miike Curato Published by: Balzer & Bray, Jan 5th, 2016 Themes: celebration of love, marriage, wedding, worms Ages: 3-7 Opening: Worm loves Worm. “Let’s be married.” says Worm to Worm. Synopsis: A worm meets another worm and falls in love. One proposes; … Continue reading →

Title: The Green Bicycle Author: Haifia Al Mansour Publisher: Dial Books for young Readers, 2015 Age: 9-13 Themes: family, dreams, life in Saudi Arabia as a girl, coming of age, role of women/girls Opening: Wadjda wasn’t thinking about her ticket to heaven. You could see it on … Continue reading →

  Celebrating Black History Month! Title: Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses HortonPoet: Author and illustrator: Don Tate Publisher: Peachtree Books, 2015 Themes: slavery, illiteracy, poetry, African American, perseverance, Genre: biography Ages: 6-9 Opening: GEORGE LOVED WORDS. He wanted to learn how to read, but George was enslaved. He and his family lived … Continue reading →

I have been following Jen for quite a while now on social media and as I am a huge Darwin fan, I wanted to highlight her on my blog before her next picture book comes out! [JM] Illustrator or author/illustrator? If … Continue reading →

Title: Big Snow Author & Illustrator: Jonathan Bean Publisher: Farrar Strauss Giroux, 2013 Themes: Anticipation, excitement, first snowfall of season Awards: Charlotte Zolotow Award Nominee for Highly Commended Title, 2014 Ages: 3-5 Opening: “Mom,” said David, “when will it snow?”                                                                                                                  “I think soon,” said Mom. “Why don’t you help … Continue reading →

Title: Be A Friend Author & Illustrator: Salina Yoon Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books, January 2016 Themes: individuality, imagination, friendship Ages: 3-7 Opening: Dennis was an ordinary boy …who expressed himself in EXTRAORDINARY ways. Synopsis: Dennis is an ordinary boy who expresses himself in extraordinary ways. Some children do show-and-tell. Dennis mimes his. … Continue reading →

In 2011, the year I began this blog, I took part in a month of bloggers/authors connecting with one another through a whole host of activities. As part of this, I chose to participate in the book launch for an … Continue reading →

Title: Peddles Author & Illustrator: Elizabeth Rose Stanton Publisher: Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster, 2016 Themes: pigs, dreams, dancing Ages: 3-7 Opening: Peddles was just a pig. He lived on a farm with other pigs, doing the usual pig things: eating and sleeping and oinking and rooting and wallowing and… Synopsis: Have you ever been … Continue reading →

I know, I know, I promised you interviews on Tuesdays and here I come with a book review. This is a book of passion and courage; a book championing, as I often do on my blog, the rights of other … Continue reading →

Title: Mango, Abuela and Me Author: Meg Medina Illustrator: Angela Dominguez Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2015 Themes: love, learning new language, making friends Awards: Belpre (Author and illustrator) Honor Books, 2016 Ages: 3-7 Opening: SHE COMES TO US in winter, leaving behind her sunny house that rested between two snaking rivers.         … Continue reading →

What do you do when you are at a posh reception at the French embassy to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of one of the top French Children’s publishing houses, ”Ecole des Loisirs, and you spot one of your favorite author/illustrators … Continue reading →

I am shuffling my blogging schedule around a little this year. With my new job and a desire to have this next novel’s first draft finished by June, I shall be reducing my posts to twice a week. Tuesdays will … Continue reading →

I first met Lee at in August 2011 at the poolside LGBTQ meeting during the annual SCBWI summer conference in Los Angeles. If my memory is correct, this is also where I fist met Emma Dryden, Jane Yolen and Judy … Continue reading →

As I reflect on 2015, while my future is still uncertain beyond June, that elusive soul-mate is well, still elusive and my best-fit agent is yet to materialize, I have a boatload of things for which to be grateful! I hope … Continue reading →

I am committed to being open with my readers so let me just say that I picked up a copy of Miss Maple’s Seeds in 2012 solely because of the title! I was so glad I did. It is a … Continue reading →