Writing Process Blog Tour

Over a week ago, my good friend Donna Bowman Bratton asked if I’d like to take part in a blog tour to talk about my writing process. Donna writes nonfiction and historical fiction for young readers. Her first two nonfiction books for Capstone Press will be released later this year followed by Step Right Up: The […]

ReaderKidZ Review – Prisoner 88

Over at ReaderKidZ it’s Historical Fiction month, and I couldn’t be happier than to review Leah Pileggi’s debut novel Prisoner 88 (Charlesbridge, 2013) for their many readers! To read the review click HERE. Prisoner 88 is one of those novels that will get under your skin. You’ll feel for Jake and his predicament. The ten-year-old […]

Texas Book Festival 2013 Children’s and Young Adult Lineup Revealed

Today is more than just a hump day. Today, the Texas Book Festival revealed their children’s and young adult author and illustrator lineup for the two day event on October 26 & 27, 2013. I’ve got goose bumps trailing up and down my arm as many local Austin SCBWI and Texas authors and illustrators are […]

ReaderKidZ Review – Books to Celebrate Back-to-School

It’s Thursday and we’re almost knocking on the door of Labor Day weekend! As promised, I’ve reviewed several books to celebrate back-to-school over at ReaderKidZ today and I hope you’ll stop by and check them out. Click HERE. Rufus Goes to School by Kim Griswell, illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev (Charlesbridge, 2013) And don’t stop there! […]

Picture Book Review: The Cat with Seven Names

It’s August. The end of summer is on its way but you wouldn’t know it from the radiating heat here in Texas. Still it’s time to get ready for back-to-school. New shoes. New supplies. New books to uncover. I’m kicking off the last lazy days of summer with The Cat with Seven Names by Tony […]

Book Review – Poison by Bridget Zinn

I don’t normally blog about young adult literature on my blog NOT because I don’t love reading it but because I write for  younger readers who read picture books, chapter books, early readers and middle grade novels. But every once in awhile a book comes along that I feel is a cross-over to those upper […]

Author Interview: Leslie Helakoski

I’m thrilled to invite my friend author/illustrator Leslie Helakoski back to my blog. Not only is Leslie an award-winning author/illustrator but she is also the Co-Regional Advisor of the SCBWI Michigan chapter and she’s part of the team that has orchestrated the Mid Wild, Wild West 2013 SCBWI Multi-State Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana from May 3 – 5, […]

Author Interview: Liz Garton Scanlon

It’s not every day I welcome a bestselling author and poet to my blog so I’m beyond thrilled that Liz Garton Scanlon has stopped by to discuss her latest picture book Happy Birthday, Bunny! with us.  She’s a prolific picture book author and some of her highly acclaimed books include All the World, A Sock is a […]

Monet Paints A Day & Nonfiction Monday

I’m participating in Nonfiction Monday with the breathtaking Monet Paints A Day by Julie Danneburg, illustrated by Caitlin Heimerl (Charlesbridge, 2012). This week’s Nonfiction Monday is hosted by Travis Jonker at 100 ScopeNotes. I was first introduced to Julie Danneburg’s work with the book First Day Jitters, illustrated by Judith Dufour Love, the perfect companion […]

Thankful for Picture Books

Each Thanksgiving I’m reminded of all the wonderful things to be thankful for (family, friends, health, community) and this season is no different, but I want to add to my list this year and say I’m thankful for picture books and the joy they brought to me as a child, the joy they’ve brought to […]