By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole, Mitu Malhotra and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Not He or She, I’m Me by A. M. Wild, illustrated by Kah Yangni (Henry Holt and Co.
Throwback Thursday: Debbi Michiko Florence on Her Path to Publication
Congratulations to Debbi Michiko Florence on the publication of her newest book, Jasmine Toguchi, Great Gardener, illustrated by Elizabet Vukovic (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Sept. 26, 2023.) From the promotional copy:
Eight-year-old Jasmine Toguchi is now an expert on travel and doesn’t want summer to end! In this final book chronicling her family vacation in Japan,
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Debbi Michiko Florence on Her Path to Publication »
Author Interview: Tameka Fryer Brown on Telling the Truth & That Flag
Spotlight Image: Author Tameka Fryer Brown, photo by D.E. Photography
Over the summer I read That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brown, illustrated by Nikkolas Smith (HarperCollins, 2023) and was awed by the story, the art, and how Tameka made this topic so accessible for young readers.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Tameka Fryer Brown on Telling the Truth & That Flag »
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole, Mitu Malhotra and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: The Light Within You by Namita Moolani Mehra, illustrated by Kamala Nair (Two Lions,
Throwback Thursday: Carole Boston Weatherford on Persistence & Poetry
Congratulations to Carole Boston Weatherford on the publication of Kin: Rooted in Hope, illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford (Atheneum, September 19, 2023). From the promotional copy:
Carole and Jeffery Boston Weatherford’s ancestors are among the founders of Maryland. Their family history there extends more than three hundred years, but as with the genealogical searches of many African Americans with roots in slavery,
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Carole Boston Weatherford on Persistence & Poetry »
Cynsations Intern: Mitu Malhotra Reflects on “Where I’m From”
In the foothills of the Himalayas, when the fireflies danced and the moon rose over the sharp silhouettes of the world’s tallest peaks, I listened to my grandfather and father recite Urdu poetry: ghazals, nazms and shers—songs, poems and couplets reminiscing about life. Those are indeed my favorite childhood memories. Those were the long summer holidays before electronic media invaded our lives.
Continue Reading Cynsations Intern: Mitu Malhotra Reflects on “Where I’m From” »
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Bridget George (Roaring Book Press, 2023).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Throwback Thursday: Lupe Ruiz-Flores on Writing From the Heart & Lupita’s Papalote
Congratulations to Lupe Ruiz-Flores on her new picture book, Piece by Piece: Ernestine’s Gift for President Roosevelt, illustrated by Anna López Real (Millbrook, Sept. 5, 2023). From the promotional copy:
During the Great Depression, Ernestine Guerrero’s family didn’t have much. The Mexican American teen was so grateful for the government food aid they received in San Antonio,
Guest Interview: Five in Five with Authors Kerry O’Malley Cerra & Anna Sortino
Spotlight image: Debut author Anna Sortino
Happy Deaf Awareness Month! I’m Kerry O’Malley Cerra, and I’m here with Anna Sortino to help you celebrate September with books representing d/Deaf and hard of hearing experiences. We’re calling this Five in Five (x2).
Continue Reading Guest Interview: Five in Five with Authors Kerry O’Malley Cerra & Anna Sortino »
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: I’m From by Gary R. Gray Jr., illustrated by Oge Mora (Balzer + Bray, 2023).
Author/Illustrator Insights
What Kate DiCamillo Understands About Children by Casey Cep from The New Yorker.