Jun
23
2020
Today is the official “book birthday” of Good Night, Little Engine!
A year or so ago, Grosset & Dunlap contacted me about writing a rhyming bedtime story featuring the Little Engine. The book would be part of the publisher’s celebration of the 90th...
Feb
07
2020
I am thrilled to reveal the wonderful cover created by illustrator Geraldine Rodriguez for KINDERGARTEN HAT, my upcoming picture book. KINDERGARTEN HAT will be published by Little Bee Books on May 26th!
The “seed” for this story was planted many...
Oct
28
2019
When I visit schools, I like to share with kids that my book-writing process is often lengthy. I emphasize the role of revision in all good writing—and that revision takes time but is fun. However, I must admit that...
Sep
23
2019
If you’re writing fiction, you don’t have to worry about facts, right? Not necessarily. For some strange reason, if an author doesn’t create and maintain a smooth interface between make believe and real facts, a reader may say, Wait,...
Mar
06
2019
Crazy Questions
Children’s writers ponder all sorts of crazy questions and often go to great lengths to find out the answers. I love sharing weird facts, hopefully fostering innate wonder and a desire to read and explore more.
A while ago,...
Nov
24
2018
I have always been fascinated by little things, especially those that are alive. Which is why I halted abruptly several weeks ago while walking my dog on a well-traveled footpath along the Farmington River. The tiniest snapping turtle sat...
Sep
13
2018
How soon should you start reading to a child? I think the answer is, it is never too soon…
I once received an e-mail from a young mother. She told me that colleagues had given her my picture book If...
