By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Robin Galbraith,
Gayleen Rabukukk & Kate Pentecost
Author/Illustrator Insights
3 Questions with Sylvia Vardell from Children’s Book Council. Peek:
“ …I’ve always found that kids love poetry—it’s the grownups (who buy books) who have the mental blocks about what they think poetry is or should be.”
Finding Your Way Out of the Margins by Caleb Roehrig from CBC Diversity.
By Traci Sorell
I’m delighted to share my interview with Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, a fellow Epic Eighteen debut author of Mommy’s Khimar, illustrated by Ebony Glenn (Salaam Reads, 2018)).
This cheerful and empowering story which centers on a young Muslim, African American girl who loves wearing her mommy’s khimar (headscarf) received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly.
Continue Reading New Voice: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow on Mommy’s Khimar »
Learn more about Marion Dane Bauer.
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?
By Traci Sorell
I love picture books, especially the ones like Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean: Remembering Chinese Scientist Pu Zhelong’s Work for Sustainable Farming (Tilbury House, 2018) that combine beautiful art and help me learn something new.
Debut illustrator and fellow Epic Eighteen member, Melanie Linden Chan creates a gorgeous visual scrapbook to convey the work of the late Chinese scientist Pu Zhelong,
LoonSong: A Writer’s Retreat is scheduled for Sept. 6 to Sept. 10 at Elbow Lake Lodge in Cook, Minnesota.
Faculty include children’s-YA authors Nikki Grimes, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Bruce Coville, Marion Dane Bauer, Jane Buchanan, Sarah Aronson,
Continue Reading LoonSong: A Writers Retreat & LoonSong: Turtle Island »
Author and illustrator Anne Rockwell died on April 10 in Stamford, Connecticut. She was 85.
Obituary: Anne Rockwell by Shannon Maughan from Publishers Weekly. Peek:
“Christy Ottaviano… worked with Rockwell on four books….describing her as ‘…a visionary in her ability to reach young children through her thoughtful,
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Robin Galbraith,
Gayleen Rabukukk & Kate Pentecost
Author/Illustrator Insights
Mama’s Belly by Kate Hosford by Adi Rule from The Launch Pad. Peek:
“In the winter of 2009, I did an amazing picture book semester with Uma Krishnaswami…The gestation period for this book was very long—nine years,
Kim Ventrella is the debut author of Skeleton Tree (Scholastic, 2017). From the promotional copy:
Twelve-year-old Stanly knows the bone growing in his yard is a little weird, but that’s okay, because now he’ll have the perfect photo to submit to the Young Discoverer’s Competition. Continue Reading New Voice: Kim Ventrella on Improving Your Writing Skills & Skeleton Tree »
By Traci Sorell
I’m overjoyed to feature The Little Red Fort by author Brenda Maier and illustrator Sonia Sánchez (Scholastic, 2018) here on Cynsations.
This new picture book is a contemporary retelling of The Little Red Hen, featuring spunky Ruby and her three brothers who are not interested in helping her build a fort.
Learn more about Louise Hawes.
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?
