Robbie is an illustrator and storyteller living in Bristol, UK, where he creates fun and lively work from his desk in The Island Studios. He loves bright colors, limited palettes, atmospheric textures, and layered characters. His work is inspired by animation he loves, folk tales, as well as the small stories he finds in his day-to-day life. He has worked with Airbnb, The Sunday Times, The Natural History Museum, Aquila Magazine and Anorak Magazine, where he has produced children’s activity spreads, editorial imagery and illustrated narratives. Robbie loves nothing more than getting a brief t ..read more

Amy Nielsen The Purcell Agency Amy’s  Wish List Picture Books I’ll be looking for hyperbolic, zany storylines that teach a life lesson (even subtle) or ones with laugh-out-loud moments written simply to entertain. Check out the legendary Robert Munsch and Michael Marchenko for what I’m hoping to see in my inbox. Middle Grade I’ll be looking for fast-paced stories mostly set in a contemporary setting that feature characters that think, act, and talk like real middle graders. Young Adult I’ll gravitate toward contemporary issue-driven plots where teens find themselves in situatio ..read more

Amalia Hoffman has written and Illustrated a new board book, FIRST FRUIT, was published yesterday with PJ Library on May 1st. Amaila has agreed to send a copy to one lucky winner in the US. All you have to do to get in the running is leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know other things you do to share the good news, so I can put the right amount of tickets in my basket for you. Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or reblogging really helps spread the word about a new book. So, thanks for helping Amalia. If ..read more

BOOK WINNERS: T Lynn won I AM GRAVITY by Henry Herz Gayle Krause won A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING by Meghana Narayan Ryann Jones won CURLILOCKS AND THE THREE HARES by Andrew Hacket *******   KUDOS: Vivian Kirkfield’s FRIENDS COUNT, in which toddlers make music, fill donuts, and spin dreidels at their home daycare, celebrating diversity, friendship, and the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, illustrated by Savannah Allen, to Naomi Shulman at PJ Publishing, for publication in November 2026, by Essie White at Storm Literary Agency for the author, an ..read more

Kim Michele Richardson’s debut picture book, JUNIA , illustrated by David Gardner was published by Sleeping Bear Press on March 15th. Sleeping Bear Press has agreed to send a copy to one lucky winner in the US. All you have to do to get in the running is leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know other things you do to share the good news, so I can put the right amount of tickets in my basket for you. Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or reblogging really helps spread the word about a new book. Thanks f ..read more

Hi there Kathy Temean readers, it’s Mira Reisberg again and I’m so excited to be back to share some tips and techniques for writing great children’s book titles. Before a reader opens your book, the very first thing they read is the title. It’s the first impression, the beacon that draws readers into the wonderful world that you’ve created. And while it doesn’t always make or break whether an editor or agent says, “Yes!” to you or your story, your title can make a huge difference. And then of course, once your story is made into a book, ready to sell and get into children’s hands, your title i ..read more

Author David McMullin’s debut picture book, FREE TO BE FABULOUS!, illustrated by the fabulous Robbie Cathro, comes out on April 30 with Clarion Books. They have agreed to send a copy to one lucky winner in the US. All you have to do to get in the running is leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know other things you do to share the good news, so I can put the right amount of tickets in my basket for you. Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or reblogging really helps spread the word about a new book. So, thanks ..read more

Designer and Illustrator Sharisse Steber has collected more than 30 respected industry awards, including eleven Addys, three honors from the Washington DC Art Directors Club and numerous honors from the Washington DC Illustrator’s Club – including Best of Category. Her creations have hung in the Art Institute of Washington and been featured in the Washington Post and Publish magazine. Her work has appeared in numerous publications that include Print Magazine’s Design Annual, Step by Step, Graphis Design Annual, and HOW Magazine’s Self-Promotion Annual, and in several commercial art books, inc ..read more

  Edgar the Dragon and the Iced Buns by Suzanne Bowditch – Contemporary Fantasy. Edgar the dragon’s cave was always damp and cold. It smelled awful too, of stale sardines and mildew. He barely noticed it, but it was strong, like stale socks and wet things. [DK: Can you give a more specific noun here? You’ve done a great job of conjuring very distinctive images and scents so far, which is great because it helps your first page to make a strong impression!] One [DK: I’d suggest a paragraph break here to allow your opening lines and sensory writing to stand on their own, with readers being A ..read more

Suzanne Slade has a new picture book, SOMEDAYS ARE YELLOW, illustrated by Michelle Lee and published by Sleeping Bear Press on April 15th. Sleeping Bear Press has agreed to send a copy to one lucky winner in the US. All you have to do to get in the running is leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know other things you do to share the good news, so I can put the right amount of tickets in my basket for you. Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or reblogging really helps spread the word about a new book ..read more