By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan (Harry N. Abrams,
Picture Book Biographies: Gloria Amescua & Carol Kim Discuss Mentors on the Path to Publication
We’re wrapping up our picture book biography series with two more Austin authors, Gloria Amescua, author of Child Of The Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter Of The Nahua, illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh (Abrams, 2021) and Carol Kim, author of King Sejong Invents an Alphabet,
Picture Book Biographies: Candy Wellins & Philip Hoelzel on the Importance of Critique Groups
Critique partners can play a huge role in taking a manuscript to the next level. Today we’re chatting with critique partners Candy Wellins and Philip Hoelzel about their picture book biographies.
Candy’s book is The Stars Beckoned: Edward White’s Amazing Walk in Space,
Picture Book Biographies: Azadeh Westergaard & Meghan P. Browne Reveal Their Writing Processes
By Stephani Martinell Eaton and Gayleen Rabakukk
Azadeh Westergaard
We are delighted to welcome author and illustrator Azadeh Westergaard to Cynsations today. Azadeh’s debut picture book, A Life Electric, illustrated by Júlia Sardà (Viking, 2021), focuses on the life of Nikola Tesla.
Picture Book Biographies: Bethany Hegedus Explores Social Emotional Learning in Nonfiction
At Cynsations this week we’re taking a deep dive into picture book biographies by interviewing eight debut biography authors. But first, today we’re kicking things off by featuring Bethany Hegedus, author of five published picture book biographies and more on the way.
Earlier this year I attended an SCBWI workshop where you discussed Social Emotional Learning.
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: The Cot in the Living Room by Hilda Eunice Burgos, illustrated by Gaby D’Alessandro (Kokila,
Teacher’s Guides: Adrianna Cuevas & Andrea M. Page on Creating Guides as Freelancers
Today we’re talking with two authors who created educator guides for their own books, but have also made teacher’s guides for other authors.
Adrianna Cuevas
As a former teacher, did you use teaching guides in the classroom?
I was a Spanish and ESOL teacher,
Teacher Guides: Lee & Low’s Katie Potter Offers a Publisher’s Perspective
Today we’re chatting with Katie Potter, Senior Literacy Specialist at Lee & Low Books, to get a publisher’s point of view on teacher guides.
Does Lee & Low create an educator guide for every book you publish?
Yes! Lee & Low Books offers free,
Continue Reading Teacher Guides: Lee & Low’s Katie Potter Offers a Publisher’s Perspective »
Guest Post: Laurie Morrison on Creating Balanced, Flexible Teacher Guides for Her Books
Photo Credit: Laura Billingham
Before my first middle-grade novel with Cordelia Jensen, Every Shiny Thing (Amulet, 2018), was published, I taught middle school for ten years, and those two identities—author and teacher—still feel intertwined. I’d never tried to write fiction until I became a teacher and got inspired by my students and the books I read alongside them.
Cynsational News
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,