Twenty years ago today, my very first picture book, If Kisses Were Colors, illustrated by Alison Jay, was published by Dial Books for Young Readers. Time flies, but timeless themes endure, and If Kisses Were...

Here’s the gorgeous cover of my next picture book, THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOPE. Tamisha Anthony has captured child moments of hope with beautiful story-telling illustration vignettes. THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOPE will be published...

I’ve been cleaning out files and streamlining my workspace as I move toward exclusive use of virtual document storage. The other day, I pulled out a fat file entitled Fan Mail. I paused and made...

When I give workshops for beginning picture book writers, I always urge them to be brave—to leave room for an illustrator to help tell the story. I describe the picture book genre as a “linear...

  I am fascinated by walrus, which is why I researched and wrote WALRUS SONG (Candlewick, 2021). But when I recently saw a web link entitled Walrus from Space, I scratched my head. Large sea...

Today I’m getting ready for an in person library visit that will launch OCEANS OF LOVE. I am very excited to be able to share my latest book with a group of kids (socially distanced...