By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Thank you to everyone who joined us over the 2020-2021 academic year!
We dearly appreciate the authors, illustrators, gatekeepers and industry pros who shared their insights and inspirations. We’re so grateful to our readers,
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: How to Wear a Sari by Darshana Khiani, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (Versify, 2021).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Interview: Randi Pink by Edith Campbell from CrazyQuiltEdi.
I’m excited to welcome my dear friend Erin Dealey to Cynsations. I met her at SCBWI and gained valuable writing insight from her when we belonged to the same critique group for a while. Combining her teaching and drama experiences, Erin delights young readers with creatively fun picture books, including Snow Globe Wishes, illustrated by Claire Shorrock (Sleeping Bear Press,
I am excited to welcome author Julie Berry to Cynsations today. Some of Julie’s titles include the Printz Honor Award book, The Passion of Dolssa (Viking, 2016), Lovely War (Viking, 2019), and The Emperor’s Ostrich (Roaring Brook Press, 2017). Most recently her picture book Cranky Right Now, illustrated by Holly Hatam (Sounds True) hit shelves this month.
Continue Reading Interview: Author Julie Berry Talks About Opening a Hometown Bookstore »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: A Boy Named Isamu: A Story of Isamu Noguchi by James Yang (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2021).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Be a Tree, Q&A With Maria Gianferrari by Jennifer Black Reinhardt from Picture Book Builders.
Alyson Gerber talks about struggles and strength and her upcoming novel, Taking Up Space (Scholastic, 2021). I’ve enjoyed all of Alyson Gerber’s work since I had the opportunity to review her debut, Braced (Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine 2017), and I continue to be a fan. Her second novel, Focused (Scholastic 2019), tackles ADHD with sensitivity and honesty. I was thrilled to get the opportunity to discuss Alyson Gerber’s upcoming novel,
Bruce Hale joins us today to talk about the dog who inspired his newest book Switched (Scholastic Press, 2021), and what he’s doing to promote the book.
Could you tell us about your new release?
Switched is a tale that’s particularly close to my heart because it was inspired by my late dog, Riley. One morning when she was young,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Bruce Hale on Dogs, Doing the Work & Book Promotion »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: We All Play by Julie Flett (Greystone Kids, 2021).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Q&A With Dahlia Adler, Cool for the Summer by Alaina Leary from We Need Diverse Books.
Today I’m talking with author and translator Lawrence Schimel. He writes in Spanish and English and has published over one hundred twenty books in a wide range of genres. He is also a prolific literary translator.
Lawrence, can you tell us more about how you became both an author and a translator?
I was and still am a voracious reader.
Continue Reading Author-Translator Interview: Lawrence Schimel Talks Process, Market, & Access »
Today we welcome Karen Cushman to Cynsations. She is the author of Newbery Medal winner The Midwife’s Apprentice (Clarion, 1995), the Newbery Honor book Catherine Called Birdy (Clarion, 1994) among many other prize-winning historical fiction novels. Today Karen will talk to us about her newest book, War and Millie McGonigle (Knopf, 2021).
Congratulations on the release of War and Millie McGonigle.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Karen Cushman on What Sparks Her Inspiration »
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