Hi! We are so excited to share some behind-the-scenes information about our upcoming picture book, The Whatifs. Thanks for hosting us, Nerdy Book Club! How did you come up with the idea for The Whatifs? Emily: The idea first appeared in my second grade classroom back in 2013. My students and I were getting […]
March
19
The Whatifs Cover Reveal Q&A with Author Emily Kilgore and Illustrator Zoe Persico
posted by CBethM
March
18
Cover Reveal: Turning Point by Paula Chase
posted by donalynm
I’ve always thought one of my author super powers was titling my books. The vibe of a book usually speaks to me and the title springs from that vibe. I have successfully (in my opinion) named seven books and had no reason to think that my streak would end. Then in walks, Turning Point. […]
March
17
Seeing My Character For The First Time by Madelyn Rosenberg
posted by CBethM
Whenever I’m in a classroom, kids ask, “Do you illustrate your own books?” The kindergarteners, especially, like using proper terms for things, so they say “illustrate” instead of “make” or “draw,” proudly stretching every syllable. I open my writing notebook and hold up one of my sketches – not bad but not brilliant, almost […]
March
16
The Healing Power of Books by Jodi-Beth Hazel
posted by CBethM
In the past few months, I have experienced a lot of change and trauma, but in the midst of these experiences, one thing has remained constant— books. I have always seen books as powerful tools for escape, change, learning, and building community. Every time I enter a new season of life, I am reminded of […]
March
15
Why Authors Love Editors by Laurie Wallmark
posted by donalynm
We authors love our editors. A lot. When we submit a manuscript, we think it’s pretty darn good. (Otherwise we wouldn’t have submitted it.) But after an editor get ahold of it, we realize just how much better our story can be. They help us polish our manuscripts, so they sparkle. I thought I’d share […]
March
14
10 Ways KidLit + STEM Thinking Stimulates Inclusion by Patricia Newman
posted by CBethM
When I taught remedial math in a rural high school, I knew my students read below grade level. I introduced word problems to help them practice reading comprehension. One freshman named Mark said, “Ms. Newman. What is all this reading $%#@. This is math class.” Mark unwittingly emphasized the boundaries between subject areas that always […]
March
13
What Makes a Successful Writer? One Author’s Approach to Instilling a Love of Writing by Carmen Oliver
posted by CBethM
When I was in the 2nd grade, my teacher Mrs. Graham wanted us to write a story. She told us we could write about anything we wanted. Anything that interested us. Anything we liked. Anything we wanted to make up. I found bears fascinating. Growing up in Canada, my family and I camped and hiked […]
March
12
Be a Keeper of Wild Words by Brooke Smith
posted by CBethM
Dear Reader, Several years ago, I learned that the Oxford Junior Dictionary had decided to remove over 100 natural words from its pages—my namesake, “brook,” being one of them. The editors no longer felt the words had relevance for today’s children. At first I was angry, then disillusioned, and ultimately very sad. But the power […]
March
10
Everything Old Is New Again by Deborah Noyes
posted by CBethM
I once read an article about an eight-year-old girl who had made friends with a crow. The crow would bring her things, shiny things: a paper clip, a rusted hinge, a blue Lego piece. I felt a kinship with that crow. I’ll own it: I’m odd. Or my interests are. And like the crow, […]
March
08
An Ordinary Day Gives Birth to an Extraordinary Story By Elana K. Arnold
posted by donalynm
Five years ago, two things happened. My father died; my friend gave birth. My father died first. He had been suffering with two illnesses, and he went into the hospital for a surgery we hoped would ease his pain. He did not come out. His death was very hard for […]
