Joanna Cole, the popular and beloved creator of The Magic School Bus Series, died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis on July 12 in Sioux City, Iowa. She was 75.
Joanna Cole, Who Imagined Fantastical Bus Rides, Dies at 75 from The New York Times. Peek: “Her ‘Magic School Bus’
What an honor it’s been to revisit my first few books and to re-envision them for today’s young readers:
David A. Roberton‘s latest release for young readers is The Barren Grounds (The Misewa Saga, #1)(Puffin, 2020). From the promotional copy:
Narnia meets traditional Indigenous stories of the sky and constellations in an epic middle grade fantasy series from award-winning author David Robertson.
Continue Reading Native Voice: David A. Robertson on Worldbuilding & The Barren Grounds »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
Cover Reveal for Jo Jo Makoons: The Used to Be Best Friend by Dawn Quigley, illustrated by Tara Audibert (Heartdrum,
Today we welcome author-illustrators Flavia Z. Drago (whose sketchbook is pictured above) and Nicola Killen, who highlight the importance of having lots of ideas as creators of children’s books. They’ll share the inspirations behind their recent works, Gustavo the Shy Ghost (Candlewick,
Continue Reading Author-Illustrators Flavia Z. Drago & Nicola Killen on Cultivating Lots of Ideas »
By Stephani Martinell Eaton, above photo by Peter Norby
Rudolfo Anaya, groundbreaking and much-celebrated author, died after a long illness on June 28 at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was 82.
Rudolfo Anaya, a Father of Chicano Literature, Dies at 82 from The New York Times. Peek: “His coming-of-age novel ‘Bless Me,
By Gayleen Rabakukk, photo above Cameron Kelly Rosenblum, flanked by her Writers House co-agents Bri Johnston and Allie Levick and foreign rights agents Aless Birch and Cecilia de la Campa.
K.T. Mather
What was your initial inspiration for writing this book?
So my character,
Deborah Wiles is a successful children’s-YA author with a long, distinguished career.
In children’s-YA writing, maintaining an active publishing career is arguably an even bigger challenge than breaking into the field.
Reflecting on your personal journey (creatively, career-wise, and your writer’s heart), what bumps did you encounter and how have you managed to defy the odds to achieve continued success?
Darcie Little Badger is the debut author of Elatsoe (Levine Querido, 2020). From the promotional copy:
Imagine an America very similar to our own. It’s got homework, best friends, and pistachio ice cream. There are some differences. This America has been shaped dramatically by the magic,
Continue Reading Native Voice: Darcie Little Badger on Writing, Persistence & Elatsoe »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramanian, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
Cover Reveal for Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young, cover by Shonto Begay (Heartdrum,