By Cynthia Leitich Smith,
Gayleen Rabakukk & Robin Galbraith
Author/Illustrator Interviews
An Interview with Author Christina Soontornvat by Michele Weber Hurwitz from Smack Dab in the Middle. Peek:
“At its heart, a story has to be about what these characters want and need,
Liara Tamani is the debut author of Calling My Name (Greenwillow/HarperCollins, 2017). From the promotional copy:
This unforgettable novel tells a universal coming-of-age story about Taja Brown, a young African American girl growing up in Houston, Texas, and it deftly and beautifully explores the universal struggles of growing up, Continue Reading New Voice: Liara Tamani on Calling My Name »
Check out the book trailer for Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Monica Brown, illustrated by John Parra (NorthSouth, 2017). From the promotional copy:
The fascinating Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is remembered for her self-portraits, her dramatic works featuring bold and vibrant colors.
Traci Sorell joins the Cynsations team as a reporter covering children’s-YA writing, illustration, publishing and other book news from Indigenous authors and illustrators.
Traci writes fiction and nonfiction for children featuring contemporary characters and compelling biographies for the trade and educational markets. She has been an active member of SCBWI since August 2013.
Cynsations is going on hiatus for the rest of the week. We’ll be back on Nov. 27.
Happy feasting to those who do so at this time of year!
Check out the book trailer for The People Shall Continue by Simon Ortiz,
By Cynthia Leitich Smith,
Gayleen Rabakukk & Robin Galbraith
Picture Book Month: “Every day in November, there is a new post from a picture book champion,” explaining why they think picture books are important. This initiative was founded by author-storyteller Diane de Las Casas,
By Beth Bacon
This is the third post in a series honoring reluctant readers.
Writing conveys a full spectrum of experiences and emotions—but are there limits to what words alone can do? When digging deeper into the building blocks of literacy, you realize that letters and words are more than the ideas the represent.
by Beth Bacon
Editor Tracey Keevan
This is the second post in a series honoring reluctant readers.
Two out of three fourth graders in the United States failed to read with proficiency, according to a 2015 Kids Count survey.
The fundamental skill of reading is not an easy one to master.
Continue Reading Guest Post: Beth Bacon & Editor Tracey Keevan on Encouraging Reluctant Readers »
By Beth Bacon
This post is the first in a series honoring reluctant readers.
Reading is the closest thing we have to magic in the real world.
Is there any other explanation for the way those small, squiggly symbols on the page transform into meaning in our minds?
By Cynthia Leitich Smith,
Gayleen Rabakukk & Robin Galbraith
Author/Illustrator Interviews
Cherie Dimaline On Ersaure, the Power of Story, and The Marrow Thieves by Shelley Diaz from School Library Journal. Peek:
“I very strongly believe that with the current state of the world,
