I am thrilled to get to introduce Cynsations readers to Bea Birdsong and Vivian Kirkfield, two former teachers turned writers.
With their background in education and having spent years reading to children, it is no wonder that their passion is writing the absolute best stories that they can for kids.
By Kim Rogers
For my first interview with Cynsations, I welcome author Traci Sorell! First off, so:ti:c?a to you and Cynthia Leitich Smith for this opportunity. I am thrilled and honored to join Cynsations as a reporter covering Native books for children and teens.
Traci, your debut picture book,
Continue Reading Native Voice: Traci Sorell on At the Mountain’s Base & Indian No More »
Mordicai Gerstein, Caldecott winning author and illustrator, died Sept. 24. He was 83.
Remembering Caldecott Winner Mordicai Gerstein by Kara Yorio from School Library Journal. Peek:
“‘Mordicai Gerstein was a genius, a master of both art and text,’ said Grace Maccarone,
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
A Sailor Meets A Fisherman In 1534: It’s An ‘Encounter,’ Not A Discovery by Samantha Balaban from NPR. Peek: “[Brittany] Luby says. ‘I really just wanted to showcase that Indigenous presence and cultural vitality.’
Books have power. They can make us laugh, cry or keep us up late into the night when we just have to find out what happens. Books can also inspire action or influence other authors, even many years later. In 1873, when Jules Verne published Around the World in 80 Days,
Continue Reading Author & Editor Interview: Caroline Starr Rose & Wendy McClure »
I had the pleasure of interviewing Katia Raina and Sofiya Pasternack, two authors who each have a 2019 debut novel that takes place in Russia and deals with anti-Semitism. Although Katia wrote a realistic young adult novel and Sofiya wrote a middle grade fantasy, these two debut authors each chose this very specific setting because of their own personal or family history.
One word permeated my first year as a full-time writer: “Submit!” I added an exclamation point because it deserves one. I’ll explain….
On June 3, 2018, I left my retirement job (having previously retired from my private practice as a Clinical Social Worker) at a beloved and extraordinary early childhood center to work for the first time in my life as a full-time writer.
Kim Rogers joins the Cynsations team as a reporter covering children’s-YA writing, illustration, publishing and other book news from Indigenous authors and illustrators.
Welcome to Cynsations! Could you tell us about your vision for Native voices coverage here at the blog? Why did you decide to take on this role in the conversation of books?
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
We Are Writing Against Our Own Erasure by Jacqueline Woodson from Electric Lit. Peek: “I wanted the people I loved to have names. And as a child standing in front of that mirror,
September is #WorldKidLit Month, a time to notice if world literature is reaching kids in the form of translations.
The movie “You’ve Got Mail” recently turned 20, with a New York Times critic noting both its staying power and its “dark commentary on how capitalism absorbs its critiques.” After all,