Welcome, friends, to Day 2 of my BUSY BUILDERS, BUSY WEEK! Book Bash. In my latest book, each day of the week features a colorful cast of animal characters and a different construction activity as the digging, dumping and ‘dozing lead up to one stupendous surprise! So, it seemed only fitting that for a days-of-the-week… Read more »
Picture Book Peeks
A Holly Jolly Picture Book Peek: Win a Free Critique!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! So for all my writer friends out there I’m holding a HOLLY JOLLY PICTURE BOOK PEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2014 Win a free critique of a selected picture book manuscript. Here’s how it works: Sign up for a critique by entering your picture book WORKING TITLE in… Read more »
Happy Birthday to Me, an NYC Editor Critique for YOU, and the Gift of Literacy for ALL!
Happy Birthday to me … 8 months late. But no matter, I’m still 55 and it turns out that 55 is a very special number. It was the highest speed limit allowed in the United States between 1974 and 1986. So slow! It is the largest Fibonacci number to also be a triangular number. Whatever… Read more »
Coming in October! WIJ SAMEN OP STAP

Thanks to Leo Timmers, Bart Moeyaert and Bloomsbury, look what’s coming out in October! The Dutch edition of ALL THROUGH MY TOWN. The title translation is “We Go Out Together.” Adorable! Rarely do I get to see my foreign rights books, so this is exciting! Proost!
TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! CBA Celebration: Giveaways, Critique Contest, Teacher Freebies and More!

WHEEE! I’m so thrilled and honored that TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS is the 2013 winner of the Colorado Book Award for Children’s Literature. Let’s celebrate! Time Out for Picture Books Critique Contest – Picture Book Writers, do you have a manuscript that needs a fresh read? Here’s a chance to win a free critique, coming… Read more »
TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! Picture Book Critique Contest

Last summer, TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! made a monster appearance on bookstore and library shelves everywhere. And now it’s won the COLORADO BOOK AWARD! That’s something to celebrate!So for all my writer friends out there I’m holding a TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! PICTURE BOOK PEEK MONDAY, JULY 29TH Win a free critique of a selected… Read more »
Picture Book Critiques Auction for One Fund Boston

Today, I heard about a young, self-employed carpenter whose hands were incinerated in the blast at the Boston Marathon. So many lives were greatly touched by this tragedy. How can we not help? I’ve already donated to One Fund Boston. But now I’m challenging you to do the same. And as my way of saying… Read more »
ALL THROUGH MY TOWN Picture Book Peek 3/11/13!

ALL THROUGH MY TOWN is out in bookstores and libraries throughout my town AND YOURS! “This adorable trip around town will be a big hit with any toddler who has ever been a passenger alongside a busy grownup with errands to run. With fun-packed illustrations for little ones to look at again and again and a… Read more »
TOO PRINCESSY! Picture Book Peek 2/11/13!

This month, “the princess” is making her royal appearance once again in bookstores and libraries everywhere when the TOO PRINCESSY! Board Book hits the shelves. “This high-energy outing sends a clear message: sometimes the simplest toy is the best one.” Publishers Weekly “… kids will want re-reads.” Kirkus Now that’s something to celebrate! So for all… Read more »
Why Picture Books Are Important
Reprinting my post from National Picture Book Month for those of you who missed it. Have you ever seen kids with picture books they love? They carry them around like security blankets. They chew on them. They sleep with them. They wake with them. And in turn, those beloved books awaken in children a love… Read more »