By Bree Rae
Award-winning author and illustrator Lois Ehlert has died at the age of 86.
‘Chicka Chicka Boom Boom’ Illustrator Lois Ehlert Dead at 86 by Hannah Frishberg from the New York Post. Peek: “Before her career in children’s books,
Awesome Authors: Erin Dealey on How Her Inner Teacher & Theater Director Inform Her Writing
I’m excited to welcome my dear friend Erin Dealey to Cynsations. I met her at SCBWI and gained valuable writing insight from her when we belonged to the same critique group for a while. Combining her teaching and drama experiences, Erin delights young readers with creatively fun picture books,
Interview: Author Julie Berry Talks About Opening a Hometown Bookstore
I am excited to welcome author Julie Berry to Cynsations today. Some of Julie’s titles include the Printz Honor Award book, The Passion of Dolssa (Viking, 2016), Lovely War (Viking, 2019), and The Emperor’s Ostrich (Roaring Brook Press, 2017).
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In Memory: Arnold Adoff
Arnold Adoff—noted anthologist, poet, and author—died on May 7 at home in Yellow Springs, Ohio surrounded by family after a brief illness. He was 85.
Obituary: Arnold Adoff from Publishers Weekly by Shannon Maughan. Peek: “Children’s poet, author, and anthologist Arnold Adoff, widely noted for his inventive poetry style and for depicting African American experiences in his work,
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: A Boy Named Isamu: A Story of Isamu Noguchi by James Yang (Viking Books for Young Readers,
Native Voices: Author Dawn Quigley on Humor, Chapter Books & Decolonizing Grading
By Kim Rogers
Today, we are thrilled to have Dawn Quigley join us on Cynsations. Dawn is a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe, ND and the author of the hilarious chapter book series published with Heartdrum/HarperCollins (May 11, 2021). The first book in the series is Jo Jo Makoons: The Used to Be Best Friend.
Continue Reading Native Voices: Author Dawn Quigley on Humor, Chapter Books & Decolonizing Grading »
Author Interview: Alyson Gerber on How Struggles & Strength Factor into Her Writing
Alyson Gerber talks about struggles and strength and her upcoming novel, Taking Up Space (Scholastic, 2021). I’ve enjoyed all of Alyson Gerber’s work since I had the opportunity to review her debut, Braced (Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine 2017), and I continue to be a fan. Her second novel, Focused (Scholastic 2019),
Author Interview: Bruce Hale on Dogs, Doing the Work & Book Promotion
Bruce Hale joins us today to talk about the dog who inspired his newest book Switched (Scholastic Press, 2021), and what he’s doing to promote the book.
Could you tell us about your new release?
Switched is a tale that’s particularly close to my heart because it was inspired by my late dog,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Bruce Hale on Dogs, Doing the Work & Book Promotion »
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: We All Play by Julie Flett (Greystone Kids, 2021).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Author-Translator Interview: Lawrence Schimel Talks Process, Market, & Access
Today I’m talking with author and translator Lawrence Schimel. He writes in Spanish and English and has published over one hundred twenty books in a wide range of genres. He is also a prolific literary translator.
Lawrence, can you tell us more about how you became both an author and a translator?
Continue Reading Author-Translator Interview: Lawrence Schimel Talks Process, Market, & Access »