I’m thrilled to welcome Jennifer Li Shotz to Cynsations today to talk about her new series of books featuring rescue dogs. Don’t we all love a good dog story?
Congratulations on your new rescue dog series American Dog (HMH Books). What can you tell us about the inspiration behind these stories?
Thank you!
Continue Reading Author Interview: Jennifer Li Shotz Talks About her New Rescue Dog Series »
By Kim Rogers
Today, we’re chatting with Carole Lindstrom (Anishinaabe/Métis) author of We are Water Protectors (Roaring Brook, 2020) and Michaela Goade (Tlingit), who is the book’s illustrator. I met Carole and Michaela at Kweli in New York City in 2018.
Carole is also the author of Girl’s Dance, Boys Fiddle, illustrated by Kimberly McKay,
Continue Reading Native Voices: Author & Illustrator Interview: Carole Lindstrom & Michaela Goade »
It’s time for summer reading!
For over a decade, I had the pleasure of creating the award-winning Tantalize series and spin-off Feral trilogy for YA lit fans of horror, humor and romance.
This month, I’m pleased to host a book giveaway, sponsored by Candlewick Press, of two complete sets of each of these prose novels in paperback.
Continue Reading YA Book Giveaways! Tantalize & Feral Series »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
Author Interview: Up Close and Personal with Tonya Bolden by Mrs. G from Here Wee Read. Peek: “[M]y first love is writing for children. History is my passion…[I]f we hook our young people on history—if we make history come alive for them—we really put them on the path of lifelong learning,
Illustrators. To me, very much a writer, they are magical. They take the visions in our heads and make them real.
Or, they take the visions in our heads and say, “Well, those visions are pretty cool, but check this out.”
And, Surprise! They bring a book’s words to life in a way you never would have imagined. I’m in awe.
Continue Reading Guest Interview: Author Lindsay Leslie Interviews Illustrator Ellen Rooney »
Robert Kimmel Smith, award-winning children’s author, died April 18 in Manhattan, New York of natural causes. He was 89. Since 2015, Smith had been living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Obituary: Robert Kimmel Smith by Shannon Maughan from Publishers Weekly. Peek: “…known for such popular middle grade novels as Chocolate Fever (1972) and The War with Grandpa (1984) died April 18 at his home….”
Smith was born on July 31,
I’m excited to welcome author Supriya Kelkar to Cynsations.
Her debut middle grade historical novel, Ahimsa (Tu Books, 2017) received starred reviews and made the Amelia Bloomer Top Ten list from the American Library Association.
Her picture book, The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh, illustrated by Alea Marley (Sterling, 2019), was named to the ALA’s Notable List for 2020 and her newest title,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Supriya Kelkar on Writing Personal Stories »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
Away From the Wall: Ashima Shiraishi by Owen Clark from Rock and Ice. Peek: “[T]he process of climbing and failure, challenging a climb that’s at your limit…sometimes you succeed and sometimes you don’t, but when you push through and give 110% effort and see that success…it’s the best feeling in the world.
By Kim Rogers
Today, I’m excited to introduce you to debut author Andrea L. Rogers.
I met Andrea at Kweli’s Color of Children’s Literature Conference in New York City in 2018. Andrea is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
Her debut middle grade book is Mary and the Trail of Tears: A Cherokee Survival Story (Capstone,
Continue Reading Native Voice: Andrea L. Rogers on Writing about the Trail of Tears »
Washington, DC — We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) is excited to announce an online Native Children’s and YA Writing Intensive that will take place from Aug. 13, to Aug. 16. The theme for the Writing Intensive is elevating and empowering Native voices and it will offer an opportunity for reflection, conversation, celebration, and manuscript and career development for participants.
“The Native Intensive Workshop will be a deep dive into the craft of writing and into publishing considerations,
Continue Reading We Need Diverse Books Announces Online Native Children’s and YA Writing Intensive »