Author Interview: Kate Hosford Discusses Poetry in Picture Books, Teaching Poetry & You’ll Always Be My Chickadee

Cynsations is celebrating its 20th anniversary by switching to a quarterly publishing schedule, featuring in-depth interviews and articles. Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm!

By Gayleen Rabakukk

Today I’m thrilled to share an interview with one of my fellow Vermont College of Fine Arts classmates, author Kate Hosford.

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Creative Team Dierdre Havrelock & Aly McKnight on Their Creative Processes & New Picture Book, Why We Dance

Cynsations is celebrating its 20th anniversary by switching to a quarterly publishing schedule, featuring in-depth interviews and articles. Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm!

By AJ Eversole

I am excited to introduce the creative team behind the picture book, Why We Dance (Abrams, 2024) author, Deidre Havrelock (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) and illustrator,

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Kidlit Caravan Authors Kimberly Wilson, Robyn McGrath & Suma Subramaniam Discuss Their Sophomore Books

By Suma Subramaniam

Cynsations welcomes Kidlit Caravan members, Kimberly Wilson, Robyn McGrath , and Suma Subramaniam today!

Why did you write this picture book?

Kimberly: A Dollar’s Grand Dream, illustrated by Mark Hoffmann and published by Page Street Kids,

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Cover Reveal & Author Snapshot Suma Subramaniam on My Name Is Long As A River

Check out the cover for a new picture book by Cynsations own Suma Subramaniam, My Name Is Long As A River, illustrated by Tara Anand, due out from Penguin Workshop on May 28, 2024. From the publisher’s description:

In this sweeping picture book, an Indian girl discovers the power of her name as she travels along the river she was named after.

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Cover Reveal & Author Snapshot: A Bindi Can Be… by Suma Subramaniam

Spotlight image: Suma Subramaniam and Kamala Nair

Check out the cover of A Bindi Can Be … written by Cynsations very own Suma Subramaniam and illustrated by Kamala Nair (Kids Can Press May 7, 2024).

From: the Kids Can Press’ website.

A young girl discovers that a bindi is more than just a dot that goes between her brows.

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Kidlit Caravan Authors Carrie Tillotson, Harshita Jerath & Rebecca Gardyn Levington on Sophomore Book Inspiration

By Suma Subramaniam

I’m thrilled to welcome Kidlit Caravan members, Carrie Tillotson, Harshita Jerath, and Rebecca Gardyn Levington to Cynsations today!

Why did you write this picture book?

Carrie: The short answer is that my editor asked me to! The long answer is a bit more involved.

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New Voices: Doan Phuong Nguyen & Patricia Tanumihardja Share Inspirations & Publishing Journeys

By Gail Vannelli and Gayleen Rabakukk

Spotlight image: Doan Phuong Nguyen celebrates the release of her new book.

Today Cynsations is excited to share the publishing journeys of two children’s authors, Doan Phuong Nguyen and Patricia Tanumihardja. Doan Phuong is the author of Mèo and Bé (Tu Books,

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Author Interview: Carmen Oliver Shares Insights on Nonfiction, Balance & Building an Orchestra of Hope

By Gayleen Rabakukk

I recently chatted with Austin author Carmen Oliver about her latest release—Building an Orchestra of Hope: How Favio Chavez Taught Children to Make Music from Trash, illustrated by Luisa Uribe (Eerdmans, 2022)—and finding balance, given the many hats she wears. In the photo above,

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Author Interview: Kim Rogers Finds Inspiration Everywhere, Plus Her Debut Picture Book: Just Like Grandma

By AJ Eversole

I’m excited to feature past Cynsations reporter Kim Rogers in celebration of her debut picture book! We love to see our team succeeding. 

What is the heart of Just Like Grandma?

I call it the “beating heart” because it creates palpable emotion that you can feel.

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New Voices: Alda P. Dobbs & Debbie Zapata Create Books Inspired by Family

By Gayleen Rabakukk

Spotlight image: Debbie Zapata reads Up and Adam, illustrated by Yong Ling Kang (Kids Can Press, 2022) with the assistance of an American Sign Language Interpreter for a group at an Austin park.

Today we welcome two Texas authors to Cynsations to share their path to publication for books inspired by their own families.

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