Author Interview: Bread, Love, and the Art of Showing Up with Pooja Makhijani

By Suma Subramaniam

I met Pooja Makhijani a few years ago through an online South Asian children’s book group, and we’ve stayed friends ever since. Pooja is an incredible baker. She taught me how to make naan. When I heard about her forthcoming picture book celebrating bread, I couldn’t wait to cheer for her and share it with the world.

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Cover Reveal & Author Interview: Maria Marianayagam On Her Upcoming Picture Book & Her Writing Life

By Suma Subramaniam

Maria Marianayagam and I connected on social media over our common love for children’s books and South Asian children’s literature a few years ago.  I’ve been a fan of her writing for a while now. Although we live miles apart from each other, she is fun to interact with.

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Illustrator Interview: Kavita Ramchandran Discusses Her Illustration Process

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 Suma Subramaniam

I’m thrilled to welcome Kavita Ramchandran to Cynsations today. Kavita talks about her illustration process for her most recent book, When I Visited Grandma,

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Author Interview: Srividhya Venkat Discusses Writing Cultural Stories & Nonfiction

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 Suma Subramaniam

Today we welcome author Srividhya Venkat back to Cynsations to discuss her first picture book biography.

Tell us about your newest nonfiction picture book biography,

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Author Interview: Shirin Shamsi Reminisces on Her Writing Journey & Winning the South Asia Book Award

By Suma Subramaniam

I am thrilled to welcome Shirin Shamsi to Cynsations today!

Congratulations on winning the South Asia Book Award! How has winning the award changed or affected your creative life? What hasn’t changed?

Thank you Suma. It truly is an honor that means so much to me.

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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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Guest Interview: Book Dash Increases Book Ownership for Children in Africa … & Beyond

By Elisabeth Norton

Spotlight image: Book Dash teams creating books at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy: Job Mubunya (Kenya), Fiske Nyirongo (Zambia) and Jess Jardim-Wedepohl (South Africa)

At the 2023 Bologna book fair, I had the pleasure of meeting two creators who were attending on behalf of an organization called Book Dash.

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Guest Post: Sandra Nickel & Kathi Appelt on Picture Book Magic & Big Bear and Little Fish

By Sandra Nickel & Kathi Appelt

Spotlight image: Sandra Nickel and Kathi Appelt talking at the Château de Chillon in Switzerland in 2019, photo by Ken Appelt.

After receiving her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, Sandra Nickel studied an extra semester with Newbery Honoree and two-time National Book Award Finalist,

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Author Interview: Laurie Goodluck Reflects on her Influences & Forever Cousins

By: AJ Eversole

Today on Cynsations we are chatting with Laurie Goodluck. I had the pleasure of meeting her during We Need Diverse Book’s Native Writing Intensive in its debut year, 2020. Seeing her career move forward since that time has been absolutely beautiful.

What is the heart of Forever Cousins?

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