Today, I am excited to welcome Miriam Chernick to share her writing journey with Cynsations. Her debut The Zuzu Secret (Charlesbridge, 2025) is a heartwarming story about spunky Josie, her older brother Abe, and a bearded dragon. Two real life icons: James Herriot the British veterinary surgeon and author,
Anita Fitch Pazner and I studied at the Vermont College Of Fine Arts together. I saw earlier drafts of this brand new book, and I’m thrilled for its release. Words Matter is coming to us from Groundwood Books in September 2025. It’s an honor to welcome Anita to the Cynsations blog.
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!
Janet Nolan is a successful children’s author with a long, distinguished career.
In children’s-YA writing, maintaining an active publishing career is arguably an even bigger challenge than breaking into the field.
Continue Reading Career Achievers: Janet Nolan Focuses on Positives to Build a Picture Book Career »
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!
Spotlight image: Elisabeth Norton and Publisher Prashant Pathak in Wonder House Books’s booth at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, photo by Melanie Rook Welfing.
The 61st edition of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair took place April 8 – 11 in Bologna,
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!
Spotlight image: Jacinta Liu in the exhibition of the 2024 featured country, Slovenia, at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
The 61st edition of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair took place April 8 –
In the foothills of the Himalayas, when the fireflies danced and the moon rose over the sharp silhouettes of the world’s tallest peaks, I listened to my grandfather and father recite Urdu poetry: ghazals, nazms and shers—songs, poems and couplets reminiscing about life. Those are indeed my favorite childhood memories. Those were the long summer holidays before electronic media invaded our lives.
Continue Reading Cynsations Intern: Mitu Malhotra Reflects on “Where I’m From” »
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,
Spotlight image: Sarah Baker and Jess Racklyeft at the SCBWI booth at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
This year Bologna Children’s Book Fair celebrated its 60th fair. I asked three visitors to this year’s fair to share more about their experiences with the readers of Cynsations.
Continue Reading Bologna 2023: Visiting the Bologna Children’s Book Fair as it Celebrates 60 »
Spotlight image: Jess Racklyeft and Anden Wilder at Bologna Children’s Book Fair, photo courtesy Anden Wilder.
This year, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) was thrilled to be back at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair!
Continue Reading Bologna 2023: SCBWI Scholarship Winners Anden Wilder & Jess Racklyeft »
Spotlight image: Shachi Kaushik celebrating Diwali with her new book.
I love sharing the success stories of Austin authors with Cynsations readers. Today I’m interviewing two debut picture book authors, Shachi Kaushik and Susan Johnston Taylor, about their paths to publication and advice for aspiring writers.
Continue Reading New Voices: Shachi Kaushik & Susan Johnston Taylor Share Picture Book Advice »