It’s always a warm hug to hear Rajani LaRocca present on her newest book. I always find it encouraging and motivating when she talks about her writing process. In this particular event, she talked about “tricking yourself” into writing by telling yourself it’s just for fifteen minutes. I was deep into procrastination on a picture book manuscript that needed a total rewrite and had been sitting on my desk staring pensively at me for months. Her fifteen-minute advice really did the trick for me! Rajani’s event included homemade Masala tea. It was delicious! I hope you find her charming picture b ..read more

Boxing is currently the number one fitness trend in America! I can personally attest to the allure of boxing as a complete workout that is never boring. I also like the addition of learning a self-defense skill. In recent years, there has been a remarkable surge in the popularity of boxing fitness, especially among women. No longer confined to the realm of professional fighters, boxing has evolved into a powerful workout that combines physical conditioning, self-defense techniques, stress relief and so much more. from Austin Fit Magazine I have been training with Marc Gargaro of Nonantum Box ..read more

I am so glad that I found the courage within myself to submit three haiku to be part of The Writers Loft poetry anthology. I missed the first two even though I was a member of The Writers Loft because I simply did not think of myself as a poet. It wasn’t until there was a call out for haiku in particular, coupled with the topic, mythical creatures, that I decided to give it a shot. I submitted three haiku on Asian mythological creatures and crossed my fingers.   I found the two rounds of critique groups for the poems very helpful. Lisa Rogers and Lisa Perron Varchol were particularly kin ..read more

Thank you to Read Teach Write for reviewing Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! “This is a review of the hardcover edition. From the opening pages, the book reminded me a little bit of Kate Beaton’s King Baby, of which I am a huge fan, so that’s a compliment to both the sass in Wenjen’s writing and the exuberant illustrations of Boxer Baby herself by Gietzen. The story is a straightforward narrative: Dad is tasked with putting Boxer Baby down for a nap. As you can guess from the title…Boxer Baby does not go willingly! The story is told in the voice of a sports reporter, commenting on the action, as B ..read more

Looking for baseball chapter books that your child will love? Check out our top selection, perfect for kids who love baseball! It’s baseball season in Boston! That can only mean checking the schedule to see when the Red Sox home games are because traffic is brutal in the Fenway on game days. My kids chuckle to see adults pouring off the subway decked out in Red Sox gear, happy and giddy as kids on their way to a game. But that’s the beauty of baseball games. It makes everyone young again. Win, lose, or draw, you can always count on the food at Fenway Park and hearing Sweet Caroline at the seve ..read more

I’m thrilled to be part of the Greater Roxbury Book Fair on Saturday, May 18th, from Noon to 5 pm! Greater Roxbury Book Fair  The Fair will take place on Saturday, May 18th, from noon to 5 pm, and will spotlight best-selling, award-winning keynote authors Ibram X. Kendi and Jacqueline Woodson. It will have panels, workshops, and local author and literary organization exhibitors. Additional authors featured include Abria Smith (Somebody Soup), Anna Staniszewski (My Cousin’s Mermaid), Arthur Collins (Soapbox Sermons), Carlos Hernandez (Sal and Gabi Break the Universe), Delanda Coleman (Mor ..read more

I am humbled and thrilled to announce that We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants®  Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court, illustrated by Victor Bizar Gomez, is a Junior Library Guild Gold selection. It comes out on November 12, 2024, through Red Comet Press   p.s. Related posts: We Sing From the Heart picture book featured in THE FIRE Picture Book Announcement: We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court (out Fall 2024 through Red Comet Press) FOOD FOR THE FUTURE is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection! ‘Food for th ..read more

Please welcome my guest authors today Lydia Lukidis and Mélina Mangal with their list of children’s books featuring Black women in STEM. We are giving away a copy of Dancing Through Space. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom. p.s. Related posts: 31+ STEM Books to Inspire Girls 30 Black Joy Picture Books and Chapter Books Resources for Black History Month 10 Picture Book Biographies to Celebrate Women’s History Month 8 STEM Books on Scientific Minds, Methods, & Discovery ——- Nonfiction STEM books are becoming increasingly popular in the kidlit market. Books that celebr ..read more

Read Your World is celebrating LGBTQIA+ during Pride Month with a virtual event featuring Michael Genhart, Ph.D., Afsaneh Moradian, Federico Erebia, and C.K. Malone. Join us as we chat with authors and allies from the LGBTQIA+ community, unveil our classroom kit: Creating Inclusive Classrooms: LGBTQIA+ Classroom Kit, give away books and so much more. Save the date and be part of this enriching and educational experience! Register now to secure your spot! Monday, June 3, 2024 / 7 p.m. EST Register here: Read Your World Celebrates LGBTQIA+ Virtual Event   Michael Genhart, Ph.D. is a licens ..read more

This is my third bilingual Spanish book list. Author Derek Taylor Kent wrote the first one. The second bilingual Spanish picture book list is from illustrator Wendy Martin. Today’s list is my own, the result of a pile of bilingual books that I’ve been saving for six months, and the books I read to create a Mexico picture book list. Here are 19 Wonderful Bilingual Spanish Picture Books. What bilingual Spanish books do you recommend? Thanks for sharing!   19 Wonderful Bilingual Spanish Picture Books Spectacular Spots/Magnificas Manchas by Susan Stockdale A beautifully illustrated nonfiction ..read more