Spotlight photo: Authors Rebecca Gardyn Levington and Naomi Gruer with editor Lili Rosenstreich from Kalaniot Books.
Today we welcome two picture book authors to talk about their new releases. Rebecca Gardyn Levington’s I Wish that You Knew, illustrated by Alyssa Russell (Little Bee Books,
By AJ Eversole
Today we welcome author Byron Graves (Ojibwe/Lakota) whose debut novel, Rez Ball (Heartdrum, 2023) won the William C. Morris Award, the American Indian Youth Literature Award and multiple student-choice state awards. His new book, Medicine Wheels, publishes June 2 from Heartdrum.
What drew you to explore skateboarding culture after the success of Rez Ball?
Spotlight image: Authors A.S. King, Mitu Malhotra, Jane Houng and Heather Demetrios at the 2024 Highlights Retreat.
In the spring of 2024, I attended a Highlights Foundation In-Community Retreat organized by the Rebecca Dykes Writers. This transformative retreat, designed for authors crafting books for children and teens,
Today we welcome author Debbie Zapata and her editor, Kristine Enderle of Magination Press to discuss writing about tough topics, bilingual books, and Debbie’s latest book, Abuela’s Letter, illustrated by Alejandra Ruiz (Magination Press, October 2024).
Debbie Zapata, author and Licensed Clinical Social Worker
When considering picture book topics,
Today we welcome author Tamara Ellis Smith and illustrator Nancy Whitesides to Cynsations to discuss the joys and challenges of creating a book that’s close to the heart. Their new book, Grief is an Elephant (Chronicle, 2023) is available now. It’s Nancy’s debut book, so Tamara kicks off the interview with questions about Nancy’s path to publication.