Well, it’s been almost 10 years of This Picture Book Life. 10 years! (Last year’s anniversary post, number 9.) And I’ve decided to retire it in order to give more time to my writing projects. It’ll stay here as an archive and resource, and I may pop in once in a while too. Thank YOU for reading all these years! This space has brought me so much joy in diving into my favorite form, what feels like my second language, my picture book passion. And it’s brought me so much joy showcasing and sharing beautiful, meaningful, outstanding picture books while making connections with authors, illustrators ..read more

Because the first one was so fruitful, I’m happy to be offering another Picture Book Group for Writers online for this new year! This time, a Saturday slot! Over a month, we’ll meet Saturdays from 10am to noon Pacific with a bonus 15 minute mingle at the end: Saturdays January 14, 21, 28 and February 4 via Google Meet.    I’ll facilitate two components: A reading and discussion of a recent picture book title in which we illuminate what makes it sing. A supportive feedback session (like a critique group) with positive comments as well as a dialogue of our constructive responses and ..read more

Our Day of the Dead Celebration by Ana Aranda (2022). This picture book is a total celebration—of family, of memory, of tradition, and of joy itself. Its cover embodies the way the book invites engagement with the dear departed in a bright and buoyant way. The characters may be looking back at the particulars of those they’ve lost, but they are fully in the present of the party too—mingling with them as represented by delightful, dancing (not-at-all scary) skeletons!       You can always spot a book illustrated by Ana Aranda because of her signature vibrance, whimsy, washes of ..read more

It’s a magical time of year, so  here are 13 picture books that capture a variety of mysterious or marvelous stories, tricks, happenings, places, creatures—magic that only picture books can conjure.   Magic: Once Upon a Faraway Land by Mirelle Ortega (2022). This picture book is a beautiful account of a place and the people who live there, inspired by the author-illustrator’s home in Veracruz, Mexico. It infuses Mirelle Ortega’s heart and art and story with the magic that’s uniquely home. “I learned that magic isn’t good or bad, it just is. Sometimes it gives. Sometimes it take ..read more

It’s back to school, and this time around I’ve got a new book to share!   That’s where author visits come in! One of my favorite things is spending time with children while helping them tap into their unique voices and imaginations, inspiring them to read, write, create, and make! You’ll find all the info about my offerings in one place right here. If you’re part of a school or library community, I hope you’ll get in touch if you’d like to arrange one!   And whether or not I visit your students, I have something special to share with you for the school year ahead!    ..read more

For This Picture Book Life’s 9th anniversary, I’m giving away two bundles of new, some summery and some fall-feeling, picture books with this theme: people and places. Summer adventures, special relatives, trips, swimming, biographies, first days of school, belonging, identity, siblings, pizza, and more!     The giveaway for Bundle One will be right here! (Rafflecopter below.) The one for Bundle Two will be on Instagram—here instead!     The First Bundle: Climb on! Illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara, written by Baptiste Paul (2022). Ready for the Spotlight! by Jaime Kim ..read more

To Make, with art by Mags DeRoma is out today!       I’m filled with joy to be able to share our book with you and with children, all of whom are makers too! It inspires and is an ode to the creative process with these steps: gather, make, wait. Those building blocks of making have meant so much to me and my own process, and this book reflects a lot of making and fifteen years specifically of my own work making picture book manuscripts. So today is the birthday of the first one of those to be an actual book! Honestly, and thankfully, the timing feels exactly ri ..read more

I give you 16 creativity-packed picture books that inspire me.  I’ve chosen them specifically from my own life as a writer because they have spoken to me, either years ago or else become recent favorites. I hope you’ll add one of your favorite picture books on the topic in the comments! Here’s to creativity and the picture books that inspire more of it!   Show the World! written by Angela Dalton illustrated by Daria Peoples (2022). Picked because it’s super packed with self-expression of all different kinds and centers Black children shining as they show the world what th ..read more

Kamal’s Kes by Baljinder Kaur (2021). This picture book absolutely blooms, like the flower of the main character’s name and the ones that grace her comb, hair, and surroundings in the pages. Kes (kay-s) in Panjabi means hair. And this story is about Kamal’s hair. It blossoms with honesty about Kamal’s feelings about her hair, her difficult but ultimately welcoming feelings. It blossoms with a captivating blend of text and design. It blossoms with evocative artwork, with colors that reflect the earth and flowers. It blossoms with imagination. And it blossoms with a journey toward self-love that ..read more

We all can learn so so much from picture books (I know I do!). So here’s a list of 18 standout non-fiction picture books that illuminate historical figures, events, science, nature, culture, math, art, and more! I hope you get to check out some of these because all of them will speak of our world and inspire kids (and you) to know more, to care more, to experience more.   Nina: A Story of Nina Simone words by Traci N. Todd pictures by Christian Robinson (2021). This treasure of a book pops and sings and draws you in. “Nina was done with being polite. As far as she could tell, polit ..read more