I’m thrilled to introduce you to Jama Kim Rattigan on this month’s author spotlight. Jama caught my attention not only with her lovely picture books, but with her delightful, colorful blog. There is a wonderful variety of interesting information on her blog including art, books, and novelties, along with members of her adorable teddy bear collection…. Read more »
Children’s Books
Lucy Maud Montgomery
I’ve just realized today is beloved author Lucy Maud Montgomery’s birthday. As many of you already know, she was the creator of Anne of Green Gables and all of the Anne books that followed. The stories take place on beautiful Prince Edward Island in Canada. The first book was published in 1908 and its popularity—immediate. Against… Read more »
Holiday Reading and a Recipe!
Happy Anniversary to Amy’s Choice! It’s been just over a year now since Amy’s Choice was released. It’s fitting that the sequel to Call Me Amy was published in November since the final chapter takes place on Thanksgiving day. And what better location to spend a cozy holiday than in a little fishing village on the… Read more »
November Author Spotlight
For today’s author spotlight we have a talented painter (who also happens to write). Pierr Morgan has illustrated a host of beautiful books for children. Scroll down for a tree-house view from her studio on Bainbridge Island, as well as a sneak peek of her current work-in-progress! Please share a little about your books. I’ve illustrated 22 picture… Read more »
Picture Story Books
Once upon a time, when I first started out writing for children, it was picture books I wanted to create. I wrote numerous manuscripts, polished them, and sent them out to publishers. But for many of us authors, 32-page picture books can be an even harder sale than novels. Picture books may look easy to write, but… Read more »
October Author Spotlight
This month it is my pleasure to have Carolyn Coman join us. Her books have received many awards including a Newbery Honor and Michael L. Printz Honor, as well as being National Book Award finalists. She has been on the faculty of the Vermont College and Hamline University MFA writing programs. Please share a little about your… Read more »
September Author Spotlight
I’m excited to have award-winning author Phoebe Stone share her thoughts on this month’s author spotlight. Not only is Phoebe a prolific author, but she is an amazing painter, as well. Be sure to visit her website after viewing the beautiful photograph of her with a few of her paintings at the end of this post. Meanwhile,… Read more »
August Author Spotlight
Next up is Rebecca Colby, a picture book author and poet from England. Before writing for children, Rebecca inspected pantyhose, taught English in Taiwan, worked for a Russian comedian and traveled the world as a tour director. We’ve included a link to a fun scavenger hunt at the end of this post, so be sure to… Read more »
July Author Spotlight
This month I’m happy to introduce Laurie J. Edwards. Laurie started out as a librarian, but then began writing picture books and easy readers. Now she’s busy with YA novels. I don’t usually include the author’s baby pictures, but oh, my gosh, wait until you see the two below of Baby Laurie in Africa! Let’s… Read more »
Pickity Place and Little Red
Back in 1786 a small cottage was built in the scenic hills of Mason, New Hampshire. Many years later, Caldecott Medal winner Elizabeth Orton Jones (1910-2005) lived in the quaint little red house. She used it as a model for her illustrations in Little Red Riding Hood, (Little Golden Books, 1948). I recently visited this idyllic setting–now called Pickity Place–with a group of… Read more »
