By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Time for Bed, Old House by Janet Costa Bates, illustrated by A.G. Ford (Candlewick Press,
In Memory: Teri Lesesne
Dr. Teri Lesesne, educational trailblazer and literacy advocate, died Aug. 31 surrounded by family at her home after a long battle with cancer.
Lone Star Remembers: Dr. Teri Lesesne from Lone Star Literary Life. Peek: “She touched the lives of many young authors, current and future librarians,
Author & Illustrator Interview: Kavita Ramchandran & Srividhya Venkat talk on Dancing in Thatha’s Footsteps
We are pleased to welcome the author-illustrator team of Dancing in Thatha’s Footsteps (Yali Books, June 2021) to Cynsations!
Written by Srividhya Venkat and illustrated by Kavita Ramchandran, Dancing in Thatha’s Footsteps (Yali Books, June 2021) is a story about staying true to yourself and following your heart.
Guest Post: Holly Green & Emma Kress Talk About Writing Fierce Girls in YA Fiction
By Holly Green and Emma Kress
Cynsational Note: Today we are honored to welcome two YA debut authors, Holly Green and Emma Kress, who talk about their debut year and the importance of writing strong, fierce female characters.
Emma: Hi, Holly! I’m so excited we get to chat about our books together for Cynsations!
Native Voice: Daniel Vandever Shares His Inspirations
Welcome to Cynsations, Daniel! You are the author-illustrator of Fall In Line, Holden! (Salina Bookshelf, 2017), which was an American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award Honor Book, and the author of a new book Herizon, illustrated by Corey Begay (Diné)(South of Sunrise Creative,
Continue Reading Native Voice: Daniel Vandever Shares His Inspirations »
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Everybody in the Red Brick Building by Anne Wynter, illustrated by Oge Mora (Balzer + Bray,
Interview: Sylvia Vardell on the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)
Many of you might know the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) best as that organization that awards the Hans Christian Andersen Award biennially to an author and an illustrator whose complete works have made a lasting contribution to children’s literature. But there is so much more to the organization.
In Memory: Eloise Greenfield
Eloise Greenfield, the award-winning and prolific children’s author died Aug. 5 in Washington, D.C.
Eloise Greenfield, Who Wrote to Enlighten Black Children, Dies at 92 by Richard Sandomir for The New York Times. Peek: “In 48 books, she wrote about everyday subjects (the things a young girl loves,
Author Interview: Elana K. Arnold On Writing & Containing Multitudes
Today on Cynsations we welcome the prolific Elana K. Arnold, who talks neuroatypicality, her new book, and how she—and all of us—contain multitudes.
I am a big fan of your work, and I’m also in awe of your range in writing picture books, chapter books, middle grade,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Elana K. Arnold On Writing & Containing Multitudes »
In Memory: Patricia Reilly Giff
Patricia Reilly Giff, beloved and prolific author, died June 22 at her home in Trumbull, Connecticut from cancer. She was 86.
Obituary: Patricia Reilly Giff by Shannon Maughan from Publishers Weekly. Peek:
“Patricia Reilly Giff [is] widely known for her Newbery Honor-winning novels Lily’s Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods,