Friends – I’m absolutely thrilled to announce this new book deal and I’m beyond excited to be working with the brilliant and thoughtful Lauri Hornik at Penguin Rocky Pond AND the amazing and wonderfully talented Lynnore Bontigao. Check out Lynnor’s website at https://www.lynnorbontigao.com/ and get ready to melt while you browse her adorable art. Thank… Read more »
jean
A Fun Trio For Your Back-To-School Bookshelf!
Are you looking for fresh reads for your back-to-school bookshelf? Try this trio! This series empowers kids to dream big and be the authors of their own life stories, while growing their social and emotional relationships too. Yes, there’s a lot packed into these sweet, little reads. And check out the FREE curriculum and activity… Read more »
Back to School With TRUMAN!
It’s that back-to-school time of year! And new beginnings take courage. If you have a favorite young reader, teacher or librarian in your life who’s heading back to school, this brave little tortoise, TRUMAN, might be the perfect companion! You can find out more about TRUMAN, purchase your copy or browse the Free TRUMAN Storytime… Read more »
A BOOK ABOUT YOU and the State Fair too!
My summer fun continued at the Illinois State Fair where hundreds of free books were put in the hands of young readers and those who read to them. I was excited and honored that A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO was one of those books selected as a 2024 Illinois Reads title. Huge… Read more »
LITapalooza 2024! A Literary Love Fest Indeed!
LITapalooza 2024 was not just a literary love fest … but an educator, librarian, creator, young reader, young artist, organizer and volunteer love fest as well. I loved participating on panels chatting about SEL, poetry, picture books, writing buddies and more. Plus, I was thrilled to lead the Raise Your Antenna! Rev Your Imagination! Get… Read more »
Wrapping Up the 2023-24 School Visit Year!
Wrapping up my school visit season is always bittersweet. There’s nothing better than the warm welcome of hundreds of sunny, young readers on a rainy day. Or posing with proud young writers and artists for a spread in their local paper (https://triblive.com/local/childrens-book-author-sparks-bethel-park-students-creativity/). Or touring the tremendous talent on display in school hallways, libraries or classrooms…. Read more »
It’s Graduation Season!
Let the Graduation Season Begin! It’s that graduation time of year! And for all your graduates, young and old, I have the perfect gifts. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN A BOOK ABOUT YOU? and A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO can be found wherever books are sold. (Or simply click on the… Read more »
Announcing a New Book Deal!
At the risk of sounding a bit like Bob, I’m so excited to start off a brand new year with a brand new book deal. And I’m thrilled to be bringing this braggy but loveable bear to life along with awesome editor Lauri Hornik at Rocky Pond Books (an imprint of Penguin Random House) and… Read more »
A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO selected for Illinois Reads!
Friends, I‘m beyond excited that A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO (from Joey Chou, HarperKids Books and me!) has been selected for Illinois Reads 2024, and I’m thrilled that this sweet book will be in the hands of Illinois’ youngest readers and listeners at the beginning of their reading journeys. Thank you,… Read more »
TRAD – TRUMAN Read Aloud Day Coming 9/20!
Teachers and Librarians – I’m celebrating the start of a new school year on September 20th with TRAD – TRUMAN Read Aloud Day. Sign up for a free 15-minute virtual visit during which I’ll read this heartwarming, back-to-school story (which the NYT calls “An enchanting tale of bravery, heroism and undying devotion.”) followed by a… Read more »
My Books
