By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender, AJ Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Dear Reader: A Love Letter to Libraries by Tiffany Rose (little bee books,
In Memory: Steve Jenkins
Photo courtesy of Melissa Stewart
Steve Jenkins, award-winning author and illustrator of books featuring torn-paper collages about the natural world, died on Dec. 26 of a splenic artery aneurysm. He was 69.
Steve Jenkins, 69, Dies; His Children’s Books Brought Science to Life by Penelope Greener from the New York Times.
Linda Joy Singleton & Richard Smythe Discuss Their Inspiration & Collaboration on Sun & Son
As a reporter for Cynsations, I love sharing articles and interviews. This is the first time I’m turning the tables and sharing an interview between myself and my illustrator, Richard Smythe, as we celebrate the March 2022 release of our second book together, Sun & Son (Amicus Ink).
In Memory: Ashley Bryan
Photo credit: Bill McGuinness
The children’s literature world lost a giant when celebrated illustrator and author Ashley Bryan died on Feb. 2, 2022 in Sugar Land, Texas, at the home of his niece Vanessa Robinson. He was 98.
Native Voice: Natasha Donovan Talks About Her Artistic Journey
By: AJ Eversole
I am happy to welcome Natasha Donovan to the blog today! Natasha is the illustrator of children’s books such as Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer by Traci Sorell (Lerner, 2021) and the forthcoming A River’s Gifts: The Might Elwha River Reborn by Patricia Newman (Lerner,
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Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Rae, AJ Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Where Butterflies Fill the Sky: A Story of Immigration, Family, and Finding Home by Zahra Marwan (Bloomsbury Children’s Books,
Author Interview: Traci Sorell Reflects on Powwow Day
By: AJ Eversole
Traci Sorell is an award-winning author of children’s books, notably We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, illustrated by Frane Lessac (Charlesbridge, 2018), We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know, illustrated bv Frane Lessac (Charlesbridge, 2021), At The Mountains Base,
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Author Interview: Sundee Frazier Talks About Mighty Inside & Her Writing Journey
I am thrilled to welcome Author Sundee Frazier to Cynsations today! Welcome, Sundee!
Could you tell us about your latest book?
Mighty Inside (Levine Querido, 2021) was inspired by the true story of how my grandparents acquired their first and only home. It was the 1940s,
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In Memory: Mark Karlins
Mark Karlins, author and poet, died Jan. 1, 2022. He was 74.
He was born Sept. 19, 1947. He was originally from New York City, and many of his picture books are set there. In a Children’s Book Review interview with Luisa LaFleur he said,
New Cynsations Reporter for New England Helen Kampion
By Gayleen Rabakukk and Stephani Martinell Eaton
We are thrilled to welcome Helen Kampion to Cynsations as a reporter covering the New England area.
Helen is very active in the children’s-YA literature community and we’re excited about the posts she will contribute!
Welcome, Helen! You’ll be covering the New England youth literary scene.
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