LIFE IMITATES ART  Throughout the pages of my latest picture book, THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOPE, illustrator Tamisha Anthony created heartwarming scenes of kindness, caring, and community to complement my text. One spread shows a...

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...

Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface and are home to fascinating animals. Celebrate World Ocean Day, June 8, with my favorite one— the walrus! Enjoy a few cool Arctic Ocean moments with a...

Today is Marine Mammal Rescue Day!  Speaking of marine mammals, it seems a good time to share the cover of my upcoming picture book WALRUS SONG. Timothy Basil Ering (illustrator of Kate DiCamillo’s Tale of...

In late December, I completed work on a nonfiction project and found myself feeling a bit drained. Maybe from my creative efforts, maybe from the swirling stresses and emotions caused by a very difficult 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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

  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....

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...