I am pleased to introduce Cynsations readers to our newest reporter, Rebecca Kirshenbaum, pictured above with one of her sons. She will cover books by neurodiverse authors reflecting neurodiverse characters as well as their work more globally.
Welcome to Cynsations! Could you tell us about your vision for covering books written by neurodiverse authors here at the blog?
Continue Reading New Cynsations Reporter Rebecca Kirshenbaum »
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!
Congratulations to Sally J. Pla on the publication of Invisible Isabel, illustrated by Tania de Regil (Quill Tree, 2024)! From the publisher’s website:
…an illustrated middle grade novel about introverted Isabel Beane,
Happy Holidays, Cynsational readers!
Effective immediately, Cynsations is on winter hiatus. We’ll return after the ALA Midwinter Conference with more inspiration, insights, and info on children’s-YA writing, illustration, literature, and publishing. In the meantime, you’re welcome keep up on those topics with me at Facebook,
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Thank you to everyone who joined us over the 2022-2023 academic year!
We dearly appreciate the authors, illustrators, gatekeepers, and industry professionals who shared their insights and inspirations.
Today I talk with Jenn Bailey, the Schneider Award-winning writer of one of my very favorite picture books A Friend for Henry (Chronicle, 2019), illustrated by the wonderful Mika Song.
I’m so excited to see that Henry’s journey continues in Henry,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Jenn Bailey on Writing Early Readers & Henry, Like Always »
Happy Holidays, Cynsational readers!
Effective immediately, Cynsations is on winter hiatus. We’ll return after the ALA Midwinter Conference with more inspiration, insights, and info on children’s-YA writing, illustration, literature, and publishing. In the meantime, you’re welcome keep up on those topics with me at Facebook,
Today I’m talking with Chaz Hayden, the author of The First Thing About You (Candlewick, 2022). Chaz’s debut young adult novel is a deeply personal novel about a high school student, Harris, who just wants to fit in, find love, and be a “normal” teenager despite having spinal muscular atrophy and being confined to a wheelchair.
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Rae, A.J. Eversole, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Thank you to everyone who joined us over the 2021-2022 academic year!
We dearly appreciate the authors, illustrators,
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender, AJ Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Uncle John’s City Garden by Bernette Ford, illustrated by Frank Morrison (Holiday House,
Photo credit: Bill McGuinness
The children’s literature world lost a giant when celebrated illustrator and author Ashley Bryan died on Feb. 2, 2022 in Sugar Land, Texas, at the home of his niece Vanessa Robinson. He was 98.