A Guest Review and Interview with Ona Gritz, The Shape of Wings Author

August 19, 2026
goodreadswithronna
Ages 14 and up, Ages 14 and up, Author Interview, Contemporary Fiction, Disabilities, Friendship, Guest Blogger, Guest Post, Health, Novel-in-verse, Teen Disability, YA Fiction, Young Adult Book Review

THE SHAPE OF WINGS

Written by Ona Gritz

(West 44 Books; Available in Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook,
Ages 14-18/Grades 9-12)

GUEST REVIEW BY KAROL SILVERSTEIN:

Newly connected with her biological sisters (having hunted down her sperm donor-dad on Ancestry), C.C. is loving getting to know them. But when talk turns to sports and other physical activities they all enjoy, C.C. chooses not to share that she has cerebral palsy, enjoying the anonymity of the Zoom room. C.C.’s friend group—which includes bestie volleyball star Paige—is all non-disabled. In fact, the only other disabled person C.C. knows is a local woman who’s a wheelchair user. That changes when Jasmine comes to the library where C.C. works. C.C. instantly recognizes Jasmine’s altered gait and assumes, correctly, that Jasmine has CP too. Jasmine’s astonished that C.C. has no disabled friends and is unaware of the nearby Judy Heumann Center, a gathering place for disabled kids and teens that offers adaptive sports and other activities.

Jasmine takes C.C. under her wing, taking her to the Heumann Center and introducing her around. The experience proves to be a revelation for C.C., who begins spending most of her time with Jasmine and the other disabled teens she meets. She even begins a sweet romance with Lucas, who’s blind, and starts learning adaptive volleyball. Meanwhile, C.C.’s been blowing off her other friends, and Paige is hurt and confused by how unavailable C.C.’s been all summer. Like keeping her CP a secret from her sisters, C.C. hasn’t shared her new friends or her budding romance with Paige.

When C.C. does finally hang out with Paige and her old friend group, she meets Paige’s cute cousin Jack, who takes an interest in C.C. Longing to “test the waters” of attracting a non-disabled guy, C.C. allows herself to be swept up in his attention and they kiss a little on her front porch at the end of the night. She instantly regrets her betrayal of Lucas and intends to tell him what she’s done. But Jasmine saw her kissing Jack, and is furious. C.C. knows she needs to come clean with all the secrets she’s been keeping—from Paige, from her sisters and from Lucas. Somehow she needs to reconcile the fences she’s put up and then broken and to bring the separate parts of her world together.

Like author Ona Gritz’s previous book that introduced C.C., The Space You Left Behind, this new novel is a hard-to-put-down page turner. It explores the benefit of leaning into one’s disabled identity and the power of having a community that understands you in a way those who don’t share your experience might not. C.C. swings from a disabled teen with no disabled friends to one who shuts out and nearly loses her long-time, non-disabled friends. Obviously, finding a balance and communicating more openly with her old friend group is essential for C.C. Seeing C.C.’s eyes open to all the disabled community has to offer was a thrill. The Judy Heumann Center was practically in her backyard, yet she didn’t know about—or about the disability activism of the center’s namesake.

Able-bodied parents of disabled kids often think treating their child “just like any other kid,” deemphasizing their disabled identity, is doing them a service. But it can deprive these kids of the opportunity to appreciate a significant part of themselves and to connect with other kids like them—in addition to their non-disabled friends. The Shape Of Wings is a loving, honest look at one teen’s journey of discovery and revelation around a part of herself she had yet to embrace as unique and powerful.

A Q&A With Ona Gritz by Karol Silverstein:

Karol Silverstein: Books are like our children’s. What excites you most about your latest?

Ona Gritz: The Shape of Wings is, in many ways, a love letter to disability friendships and community. I’m excited to share the depth of those connections, the fun to be found there, and how affirming and essential it is for disabled kids to have that particular part of themselves valued and understood from the inside out.

KS: Did you always envision (or hope for) a sequel to The Space You Left Behind?

OG: Not long after I began writing The Space You Left Behind, I realized I wanted more time with these characters. When we meet CC, she’s at the absolute beginning of her journey toward self-acceptance as a young woman with cerebral palsy and, by the end, disability pride and community are possibilities she’s just beginning to envision for herself. She was definitely ahead of me at 16 in that respect, but I hoped for an opportunity to fully immerse her in that world.

KS: Jasmine’s family leaned into her disability early on, connecting with the disability community and making sure she knew other disabled kids. CC’s parents did not. Which side of that coin landed face up for you growing up?

OG: Unfortunately, my family fell on CC’s side of that coin. I was the only disabled kid in my friend group growing up. As a result, I had no sense of disabled identity and tended to see myself as clumsy and lesser than because of the way my body moved and the physical things I couldn’t do. When I finally met my first disabled friend at 25, we had an immediate and breathless finish-each-other’s-sentences kind of connection. Soon after, I asked my mom why she didn’t seek out other families with disabled kids when I was small. She said it had never occurred to her.

KS: What’s your message to misguided disability allies—the “I don’t think of you as disabled” folks?

OG: That it’s not the compliment they think it is. Words like that not only discount our experiences and identity, but communicate a belief that disability is necessarily and solely a negative.

KS: Scoops seems like a fun place. What’s your go-to ice cream parlor order?

OG: Assuming they carry gelato, vanilla stracciatella.

KS: What books, shows, movies or music have you encountered recently that blew you away? Why?

OG: For books, Roxie in Color by Stacy Cervenka and Diane Debrovner is a unique and compelling story of a sighted 7 th grader with blind parents. My husband is blind, and the book felt authentic and true to our experience. It also happens to be a real page-turner. Another MG novel I loved was The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller. There’s something so fresh and surprising about Miller’s voice. She, and therefore her characters, have such a poetic and empathetic way of viewing the world. This is a book about books, friendship, and peer pressure that’s both heartbreaking and hopeful. I also can’t say enough good things about Against Breaking: On the Power of Poetry by Ada Limón. It’s a lyrical and inspiring treatise on the importance of poetry. As a poet and verse novelist, I return to it often for inspiration. A movie I was especially charmed by this year was Eternity. It offers a wonderfully quirky and imaginative version of the afterlife, plus it has a lot of heart. And since we’re KidLit people, I’ll add that I absolutely love the film adaptation of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. It was my first-ever favorite book, and I thought it was beautifully translated to film. Shows I’ve loved recently are Hacks, Shrinking, and All Creatures Great and Small. What all three share in common are dimensional and irresistible characters.

Author Ona Gritz photocredit Wendy Setzer — Ona Gritz, Photo Credit: Wendy Setzer.

AUTHOR BIO:

Ona Gritz holds a master of arts in poetry from the creative writing program at New York University. She is the author of the hi/lo young adult verse novels Take a Sad Song, a Kirkus Reviews’ best YA title; The Space You Left Behind, a Children’s Book Council Disability Pride Month Recommended Read; and its brand-new sequel, The Shape of Wings, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Her books for middle grade readers include If You Find This Letter, recently featured in People Magazine for Disability Pride Month, and August Or Forever, a Reader’s Choice and Wishing Shelf finalist in middle grade fiction. She also writes poetry and nonfiction for adults.
Find out more at her website: www.onagritz.com.

Author socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onagritz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557125428404

Buy the book: Children’s Book World, Haverford, PA for signed copies, or Bookshop.org.

REVIEWER BIO:

Karol Ruth Silverstein (she/her/disabled) is an award-winning children’s book author. She’s
represented by Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary and lives in West Hollywood, California, with
two unmanageably fluffy cats. Check out www.karolruthsilverstein.com for more info.

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An Interview with Author Tami Lehman-Wilzig

November 5, 2025
goodreadswithronna
Ages 4-8, Ages 5-8, Ages 5-9, Author Interview, Guest Post, History, Juvenile Fiction, Transportation

AN INTERVIEW WITH TAMI LEHMAN-WILZIG

A Guest Post by Michelle Orrelle

INTERVIEW:

Michelle Orrelle: Tami, it’s such a pleasure to chat with you today! You and I live in Israel and share a passion for bringing authentic stories about Israel and Jewish life to young readers. Before we dive into your new books, I just want to say how much I admire your commitment to connecting children everywhere with our shared heritage.

Tami Lehman-Wilzig: Thanks so much, Michelle. Jewish content, which includes stories set in Israel, is definitely my niche. I cannot emphasize enough how important books connected to Israel are for young Jewish readers around the globe, especially now, during the troubled times we are living through. I am so grateful to PJ Library for sending out books tied to Israel and for all that they have done throughout our war. And we also have your wonderful initiative – the Am Yisrael Chai Children’s Books project, which you began after the horrendous events of October 7th, 2023, occurred, and Israel-bashing became rampant. Thanks to you, we have close to an additional 10 picture book titles connected to Israel being distributed to thousands of children throughout the United States through The JCC of North America.

MO: Two of your new books – On the Wings of Eagles, and The Henna Helper – are part of what I call your Israel Lineup. Some of these books won awards, like Keeping the Promise and SOOSIE, The Horse That Saved Shabbat. Tell us a little bit about these books.

TLH: What you call my Israel Lineup are stories that are not just about Israel. They take place in Israel, reflect Jewish identity and values, and show Jewish children around the world that Israel is a country they can identify with. Take, for example, my book Stork’s Landing. The Jewish value of kindness to animals is reflected by the members of a kibbutz who nurture a wounded stork. SOOSIE, The Horse That Saved Shabbat has that element as well, but even more so shows how important Shabbat is on the weekly Jewish calendar. My new book, On the Wings of Eagles, reflects the eternal yearning of the Jewish people throughout the ages to return to Zion. Even two of my earliest books – Passover Around the World and Hanukkah Around the World are part of the Lineup because Israel was my open research lab. All of the customs in those books are still being practiced in Israel among the “tribes” that brought them over. By writing stories revolving around these traditions, the customs became accessible to all Jewish children. At the same time, they showed the mosaic that is Israel.

MO: Let’s talk about On the Wings of Eagles—a powerful tale inspired by real events during Operation Magic Carpet, when nearly 50,000 Yemenite Jews were airlifted to Israel in 1949–1950. The story follows Haila, a young girl preparing to leave her village and fly to the Jewish homeland, capturing both the excitement and fear of that historic journey. The book is based on true people and events, and you dedicate it to Leah Ma’Udah, the real “Haila.” Can you share what it was like meeting her and how her memories shaped your storytelling?

TLH: Leah is such a special person. She has gone through a lot in her life, starting with her fleeing Rada, Yemen, when she was a little girl. Her entire world was her home and her city, and poof, it was shattered! Suddenly, she found herself being uprooted. That’s not easy for any child, and certainly the trek from Rada to Aden was terrifyingly difficult. It was riveting just sitting and listening to her. She remembered everything about her journey, including the robbery that figures into On the Wings of Eagles. She is a very soft-spoken woman, but her voice was full of intensity and passion while recounting the details of her trek. It helped me recreate her tale with a balance of factual accuracy and emotional storytelling.

MO: In your newest book – The Henna Helper – you revisit the Yemenite-Israeli community in modern-day Israel and in a very different context. What do you hope readers—both Jewish and non-Jewish—will learn about Yemenite Jewry from this story?

TLH: I’m thinking Micro and Macro, so let’s start with the micro level of crafts and customs. The Jews of Yemen were the finest silversmiths in the land, and they brought their outstanding skill with them to Israel. During the early decades of Israeli statehood, Israeli jewelry was synonymous with Yemenite jewelry. Similarly, their gorgeous embroidery became another Israeli symbol. But let’s go to the macro level. The Henna Helper is a universal story about immigration. About new immigrants coming to a country with a totally different day-to-day way of life. Little Gali represents the immigrant who wants to integrate. Why does her cousin Yael have to hold a pre-wedding Henna ceremony? Who needs this old-fashioned custom? After all, Yael is a modern Israeli. Gali is at odds with her grandmother who holds on to tradition, who wisely shows Gali that one can be cool and with it while maintaining honored customs. I think that all children who have descended from immigrants who have contributed to their country can relate to this. Specifically for Israel, Yemenite Jews have made enormous contributions to Israeli culture – from music, jewelry, and fashion to cuisine.

MO: You have three new books. Let’s talk about your third new title, Rembrandt’s Blessing, which just received a fabulous review from CLCD, Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database. I want to quote from it: “This charming picture book gracefully introduces young readers to the world of the incredible master painter, Rembrandt van Rijn, and his unexpected relationship with Amsterdam’s Jewish community at the time … The narrative, grounded in historical fact yet told with a gentle fictional touch, explores themes of curiosity, respect, and cultural intersection.”
How does this story connect to your broader body of work?

TLH: I am in love with my Jewish heritage, and I want readers to understand that Judaism is more than just a religion. It’s a culture and a way of life that has a rich history, and Rembrandt plays into that. Rembrandt loved the bible and created over 300 works – paintings, drawings, and etchings – of biblical scenes. As my book shows, his close friendship with Sephardi Dutch rabbi Menashe ben Israel had a tremendous impact on his work. I discovered Rembrandt’s deep ties to the Amsterdam Jewish community around twenty years ago during my first trip to Amsterdam. I felt it was an important story for children because it shows a cross-cultural, inter-religious friendship that had a very positive effect. I think that Rembrandt’s Blessing fits in beautifully with two other books of mine that have historical connections: The Boston Chocolate Party and Luis de Torres Sails to Freedom.

MO: Let’s talk a bit about craft. You write primarily for older picture book readers, ages 5–9. What do you think first-time authors should know about the process?

TLH: First and foremost, study the market. If you have a book idea, find out what’s out there. Maybe it’s already been done. If that’s the case and you still want to write the story, how will you make it different? Next, Vitamin P: Patience and Persistence. Writing a good story is not, as they say in Israel, “Chick-Chack” – something done quickly.

MO: That leads me to my next question. What has your experience been like working with editors, publishers, and critique groups?

TLH: Let’s start with critique groups: an absolute MUST. Develop the skin of an elephant because you want criticism. You want to know what should be changed, how can your story be improved. And don’t think the critique stops with your group. It is rare that a book is accepted and the editor does not want changes. I have learned so much from my editors. Let me take this opportunity to give a special shout-out to Aviva Lucas Gutnick, who was my editor for all my books at Apples and Honey Press. Her sharp eye and ear added so much to my stories.

MO: What are you working on now? What’s next for you?

TLH: I have a hyperactive brain so I’m juggling a lot of ideas, and even drafts. I’ve just finished the first draft of a bible story revolving around a character who has never been touched but is so very important to the Jewish story. I also have two other stories that I’m working on. One deals with a female Israeli scientist, and the other takes place in Italy. And I’m flirting with a story idea that takes place in Japan.

MO: Tami, thank you so much for sharing your time, insight, and passion with us.

TLH: Thank you for interviewing me. It was a special treat!

GRWR: Thanks to you both for this enlightening discussion! I hope readers will visit their local independent bookstore to purchase the books mentioned, or order online via Bookshop.org.

Author Tami Lehman-Wilzig Photo Credit: Sharon Lapidot — Author Tami Lehman-Wilzig, Photo Credit: Sharon Lapidot

TAMI’S BIO:

Tami Lehman-Wilzig is an award-winning author of sixteen picture books. Originally from Manhattan, she and her husband moved to Israel 48 years ago. She served as one of Israel’s leading English language advertising copywriters for 35 years. Her career as a children’s picture book author began over 20 years ago during the second Intifada, which she hopes no Jew will ever have to go through again. At that time, business was down so she decided to see if she could turn her hobby of writing children’s stories into a second career.
For more on Tami and her books: https://www.tlwkidsbooks.com/

FIND TAMI HERE:

Instagram: @tamilehmanwilzig

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tami.lehmanwilzig

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tami-lehman-wilzig-554b2839/

Author Michelle Orrelle Photo Credit Sarah Raanan — Author Michelle Orrelle, Photo Credit: Sarah Raanan

MICHELLE’S BIO:

Michelle Orrelle is an Australian-Israeli children’s book author. Her debut board book Todah, I Am Grateful, and debut picture book Habima Magic will be published by Kar-Ben Publishing in 2026 and 2027. Along with her husband, she founded Crew 972, an animation production company, and she is also a guide at ANU – Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv, where she helps visitors connect with Jewish history, culture, and tradition.
For more about Michelle: www.michelleorrelle.com

FIND MICHELLE HERE:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.orrelle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelleorrelle/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleorrelle/

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An Interview with Rebecca Gardyn Levington by Jan Epstein Schwaid

August 20, 2025
goodreadswithronna
Ages 4-8, Author Interview, Emotions & Feelings, Family - Siblings, Forgiveness, Guest Post, Holidays & Festivals - Jewish Holidays, Juvenile Fiction, Rosh Hashanah

AN INTERVIEW WITH

PICTURE BOOK AUTHOR

REBECCA GARDYN LEVINGTON

BY JAN EPSTEIN SCHWAID

Written by Rebecca Gardyn Levington

Illustrated by Diana Mayo

(Farrar, Straus & Giroux; $18.99, Ages 4-8)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A loving, heartwarming picture book about empathy, sisterhood, and finding the courage to ask for forgiveness—and having the grace to give it—to others and to ourselves.

INTERVIEW:

Jan Epstein Schwaid: Hi, Rebecca! Longtime fan, first-time interviewer. I loved this book and its sweet, relatable message. What was your inspiration?

Rebecca Gardyn Levington: Thank you so much for your kind words, Jan. Very excited to talk to you!

This story actually started with a call for poems by Ladybug magazine in the summer of 2021. They were looking for poems about “traditions and rituals” and, since I love a good writing prompt, I started brainstorming about various Jewish traditions and rituals that I find meaningful. I’ve always loved the Tashlich ceremony, which takes place on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. It is a ritual that is all about finding forgiveness – by making amends with those we’ve harmed and by giving ourselves grace for our missteps. The original poem was 5 stanzas long and had a little sidebar about the ceremony. I actually remember being happy when Ladybug decided not to publish the poem because I was excited about the idea of playing with it more and maybe turning it into a picture book.

When I was invited to attend the inaugural PJ Library Summer Camp at Highlights for emerging authors in 2022 (where I met YOU!), I knew it was the perfect time to work on this. The feedback I received during that summer helped enormously with the revisions of this book.

Finding Forgiveness int1 Rosh Hashanah service. — Interior spread from Finding Forgiveness, written by Rebecca Gardyn Levington and illustrated by Diana Mayo, Farrar, Straus & Giroux ©2025.

JES: How and why did you decide to add the backdrop of Rosh Hashanah to this story of sisterly forgiveness? Did you consider telling it without the Jewish holiday element?

RGL: No, I never considered telling this story without the Jewish holiday element. As I mentioned, the story started with a poem about Tashlich, and grew from there into a more universal story.

JES: Taschlich was a ceremony I only really learned about in college, where we’d throw bread into the campus fountain. Now, we throw rice paper into a pool! Did you grow up with the tradition of Taschlich? Do you practice it now? If so, how?

RGL: It’s funny, I also never knew about Tashlich as a kid growing up in a Reform temple in the Bay Area of California. I’m not really sure why. My best guess is that after trying to keep two little girls quiet in temple all morning, my parents didn’t have the energy to take us to yet another service, at another location, but I should ask them!

I only learned about Tashlich as an adult because the temple I now belong to (here, in NJ) conducts the Tashlich service immediately after (and in the same location as) their “family service.” We’ve attended every year since my two boys were little. It has always been my and my family’s favorite parts of Rosh Hashanah because it is a short yet very meaningful service, it’s outdoors in a beautiful park setting, and it involves throwing bread into water (and what kid doesn’t like throwing things?)

Finding Forgiveness int2 Tashlich with breadcrumbs in hand. — Interior art from Finding Forgiveness, written by Rebecca Gardyn Levington and illustrated by Diana Mayo, Farrar, Straus & Giroux ©2025.

JES: Your rhyming books flow so incredibly well and feel effortless. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing in rhyme? Do you have resources you’d recommend?

RGL: Thank you for that compliment! Honestly, the best advice I would give to anyone who wants to write in rhyme is to put in the time to learn the craft.

Some people think “cat” rhymes with “hat,” so what’s so hard about “that”? But in order to write a story in rhyme that FEELS easy and can be read flawlessly by ANYONE, it requires an understanding the mechanics of meter — how words have natural stressed and unstressed syllables and that by placing words in a particular order, you can create specific rhythms. Writing picture books (as opposed to poems) increases the difficulty because the story ALWAYS has to come first. You can have the most wonderful rhymes and perfect rhythms, but if the story doesn’t make sense or goes off on unnecessary tangents, it isn’t going to fly.

I’ve worked really, really, really hard over the last decade – taking classes, reading and studying thousands of rhyming picture books and poems, swapping manuscripts with other incredible rhyming authors, getting professional critiques, etc. — to truly master the ins and outs of rhyme, meter, and lyrical language. For those who want to put in the work, I will say that the absolute BEST thing I ever did for my career was to take Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab class. Renee also has a fabulous FREE YouTube channel. (And no, I don’t get any kickbacks from Renee. I’m happy to spread the word because I absolutely believe her class helped me take my writing to an entirely different level).

I would also say that if you don’t absolutely LOVE writing in rhyme, don’t. To me, a rhyming poem or picture book is one big puzzle. When, after hours of tinkering, I’m able to uncover the perfect word that exactly encapsulates the meaning and feeling I’m after AND perfectly slides into my meter, I get SUCH a high! But if you don’t feel this way, don’t make your life harder. It is more difficult to get an agent and more difficult to sell a rhyming picture book (for many reasons I don’t have time to go into here). So why put yourself at a disadvantage if it isn’t something you love?

Finding Forgiveness int3 embarrassed by my actions. — Interior spread from Finding Forgiveness, written by Rebecca Gardyn Levington and illustrated by Diana Mayo, Farrar, Straus & Giroux ©2025.

JES: Do you ever write non-rhyming versions of your stories? Do editors ever ask for non-rhyming versions?

RGL: Because, as I said, story ALWAYS needs to come first, I know some people suggest writing out manuscripts in prose before “translating” it into rhyme, but that’s never really worked for me. These days I tend to write all my stories in rhyme from the beginning. Oftentimes that means I end up killing a lot of darlings along the way, as I realize that a certain stanza isn’t moving the story forward. It’s a bit torturous, but it’s just how I work.

That said, I definitely have written stories in prose that I intend to remain in prose. But doing so feels less comfortable than writing in rhyme, and none of those stories have ever sold. There’s something about the constraints of meter and rhyme that helps me focus. Having unlimited space and unlimited words to tell a story feels very overwhelming to me.

Actually, several people who critiqued early drafts of FINDING FORGIVENESS told me to take it out of rhyme. They felt like maybe the subject matter was a little too heavy for a rhyming story. So, I tried to change it into prose, but it never felt like “me.” So, I returned to the rhyme. It was definitely a challenge to get it right (I count 31 drafts) but I’m glad I stuck with it.

And no, I’ve never had an editor ask me for a non-rhyming version of a story they’ve acquired. All the editors I’ve had the pleasure of working with have been super enthusiastic about my work (which is why I love working with them!). That said, I have had editors pass on submissions because they didn’t “connect with the rhyme.” That kind of feedback stings a bit, but I’ve grown a pretty tough skin.

JES: You’ve written books about Passover, Hanukkah, and now, Rosh Hashanah! Are there other holidays you’d like to explore?

RGL: Indeed, there are! In fact, I have a book about Shabbat, LOOKING FOR LIGHT, which is also illustrated by Diana Mayo (the same illustrator as FINDING FORGIVENESS) and comes out in early 2027, again with Farrar, Straus, & Giroux. And I have a book about Purim, BRAVE LIKE ESTHER: A Purim Story, illustrated by Asya Aizenstein, which comes out from Kalaniot Books in January 2027!

JES: Your moving books all evoke strong emotions. With what feelings do you hope young readers come away from this book?

RGL: Thank you again for the compliment. I really hope that readers will come away from this book with feelings of empathy and understanding for both characters in the story.

Like the main character in this book, I too have a younger sister and our relationship as children was filled with arguments like the one depicted. I also now have two boys of my own and see similar frustrations and miscommunications creep up between them as well. Sibling relationships are tough for anyone to navigate, and it is particularly hard for kids, who are still learning that the world doesn’t always revolve around their own experience and point of view. One of the reasons I often write in the first person is because I want my readers to walk in my character’s shoes and try on all the feelings they are feeling, and find understanding for others when they encounter similar situations in their own lives.

JES: Do you have any advice for new picture book writers?

RGL: Oh, I have a TON of advice! (Allow me to shamelessly plug my monthly newsletter, where I answer questions from subscribers and offer LOTS of advice every single month! You can sign up on my website and read all past archives on my “Resources for Writers” page here: https://rebeccagardynlevington.com/resources-for-writers/)

For now, I’ll offer these three nuggets:

Write the books YOU love to write. I love writing rhyming (often plotless) poem-picture books. But initially when I was starting out, I didn’t write these types of books because I thought I had to follow the “rules” — ex: “have a main character with a problem who tries 3 times to solve it,” “don’t write in rhyme,” etc. Not surprisingly, none of those drafts ever sold. It wasn’t until I listened to my heart (cute the 80s tune!) that my writing finally started feeling authentic and I began selling books.

Publishing is a BUSINESS. As I say in #1, first and foremost, write what you love! BUT, at the end of the day, you also need to think about how you will SELL that book to a publisher. So, what are your “hooks”? (Can it be sold during a particular holiday? Is it about a certain type of relationship? Is it SEL? STEM? Can you add sidebars or back matter?) Who will buy your book and WHY? (Can teacher’s use it in their classroom, for example.) After writing a first draft, I recommend writing your pitch and researching comp titles (other books with similar themes or styles). It will help you revise when you have a solid idea of what holes you feel your book fills in the marketplace.

Put yourself and your work out into the world as much as you can! You NEVER know where opportunity will arise. Enter ALL the contests, join ALL the groups, go to ALL the conferences and webinars you can, and enter ALL the mentorship programs. If I hadn’t applied for the (now defunct) #PB Chat Mentorship Program in 2019, I wouldn’t have connected with my mentor, author Lori Degman, and she wouldn’t have connected me with my editor at Sleeping Bear Press who ultimately bought and published my first book, BRAINSTORM!

JES: What’s coming up next for you?

RGL: Thank you so much for asking!

My next two books, both out on Sept. 9^th, are SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND (Barefoot Books), illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova, and DINOSAUR SURPRISE! (Highlights Press), illustrated by Teresa Bellon. Here are the blurbs:

SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND is a lyrical picture book that encourages kids to be true to who they are, even when “who they are” is constantly changing. Like the wind, which on some days is “whirling and wild” and on others “mellow and mild,” we cannot be described, defined, or labelled in any one way. Each day, our moods, feelings and reactions to the world inevitably shift and drift depending on our circumstance, but we are always, on all days, uniquely ourselves.

DINOSAUR SURPRISE! is an interactive board book about… dinosaurs, of course! Babies and toddlers will delight in joining real dinosaurs in a rhyming story, and then—surprise!—lift the felt flaps to reveal silly ones. The last page features a mirror under the flap where little “babysaurs” can practice their silliest faces. This is the perfect book to help little ones develop early humor and fine-motor skills while they laugh and play with caregivers.

BUY THE BOOK:

[Words] Bookstore in Maplewood, NJ (my local indie, where I’ll be doing a Storytime and signing event on Sept. 6th at 11am for anyone who wants to stop by!): https://wordsbookstore.com/item/rLqtcQ170gxe_gcaB_Y1pw

Bookshop: https://tinyurl.com/3wjd3c6y

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0374392021?tag=macmillan-20

B&N: https://tinyurl.com/2jxm89pc

Rebecca Gardyn Levington Photo Credit: Joy Yagid.

REBECCA’S BIO:

Rebecca Gardyn Levington is a children’s book author, poet, and journalist with a particular penchant for penning both playful and poignant picture books and poems – primarily in rhyme. She is the author of WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW (which has been translated into nine languages and is the winner of a Crystal Kite Honor and a Northern Lights Book Award), AFIKOMAN WHERE’D YOU GO? and FINDING FORGIVENESS (both PJ Library Selections), BRAINSTORM!, LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN, WRITE HERE WRITE NOW, SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND, DINOSAUR SURPRISE!, and I WILL ALWAYS BE… with many more books forthcoming. Rebecca blogs monthly for the Picture Book Builders and her award-winning poems and articles have appeared in numerous anthologies, newspapers, and magazines. She lives with her family in Summit, NJ, where she enjoys bouncing on a mini-trampoline, playing Mah Jongg, and eating chocolate-peanut butter ice cream (although not usually at the same time!). Find out more and sign up for Rebecca’s monthly newsletter at www.RebeccaGardynLevington.com.

Jan Epstein Schwaid Photo Credit: Just Maggie Photography.

JAN’S BIO:

A graduate of the University of Southern California’s screenwriting program, Jan Schwaid is an award-winning writer of short films, television, video games, podcasts, and children’s books. She currently writes for PJ Library’s scripted children’s podcast Beyond the Bookcase, now in its fifth season. Her debut picture book, The Shabbat Flood: A Texas-Sized Tall Tale, will be published in Fall 2026. She also teaches screenwriting at the Los Angeles branch of the New York Film Academy. Jan lives in Los Angeles with her husband, young daughter, a rescue pup Taco. Visit her online at janschwaid.com or on Instagram at @jan_schwaid_writing.

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A Guest Post by Author Cathy Ballou Mealey About Summer Reading

August 5, 2025
goodreadswithronna
Ages 4-7, Animals, Animals - Sloth, Animals - Squirrels, Compromise, Cooperation, Emotions & Feelings, Friendship, Friendship Stories, Guest Blogger, Guest Post, Humorous Stories, Juvenile Fiction

SOME READING ABOUT SUMMER READING

By Cathy Ballou Mealey,

Author of Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation

GUEST POST:

I’m celebrating summer, my favorite time to read, read, read. The sun lingers high in the sky, my deck chair is comfy, and the next thing I know my family is asking if or when we are having dinner. Just let me reach the end of this chapter…

But I don’t become that engrossed in every book. This summer, I’ve put down three promising novels that simply did not engage me. Which makes me worry – how many books should I bring on vacation? I am definitely the donkey in this illustration, with a giant tote of extra books propped just out of view!

Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation int1 Turtles and Donkey at beach. — Interior spread from Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation, written by Cathy Ballou Mealey and illustrated by Kelly Collier, Kids Can Press ©2025.

In Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation, the unlikely friends are going on a trip to Paradise Park, but of course, they prepare in very different ways. Sloth, usually the slower of the two, is ready in a flash, bringing only a tiny polka-dotted bindle. Squirrel is a fast and massive over-packer, tossing everything but the kitchen sink into an overstuffed suitcase. Did either of them pack even one book?

Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation int2 sloth was ready first. — Interior art from Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation, written by Cathy Ballou Mealey and illustrated by Kelly Collier, Kids Can Press ©2025.

Well, Sloth and Squirrel did consult a travel magazine when deciding where to go, and that definitely counts as summer reading. Also, audiobooks, graphic novels, comic books, cookbooks, museum placards, seed packets, cereal boxes, and even blog posts count as summer reading. At least they do for me!

Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation int3 Squirrel opened a travel magazine. — Interior spread from Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation, written by Cathy Ballou Mealey and illustrated by Kelly Collier, Kids Can Press ©2025.

I recently took a peek at the summer reading lists for students in my hometown. For elementary students, there are suggested titles and a recommendation to read as much and as widely as possible. For older students, there are selected texts, worksheets to complete, and assignments due on the first week of school. I felt grateful, remembering those three novels I chose to put down, that I did not have to puzzle out their exposition and themes, or draw a plot diagram. It’s empowering to have a choice in reading material, and it’s essential that we do our utmost to ensure everyone has access to books that are just right for them.

I hope all students are rewarded with a pizza party, sparkly stickers, or extra recess for completing their summer reading, math packets, and All About Me assignments. If you need a funny, sweet story about compromise, friendship, and exciting summer activities, I hope you will look for SLOTH AND SQUIRREL ON VACATION. And if you’ve found the most perfect, un-put-downable summer read for you, I hope you’ll tell me all about it!

BIOGRAPHY:

Cathy Ballou Mealey is a scone lover and picture book author. SLOTH AND SQUIRREL ON VACATION and SLOTH AND SQUIRREL IN A PICKLE are two books illustrated by Kelly Collier, out now from Kids Can Press. MAKE MORE S’MORES, illustrated by Ariel Landy, was published in 2023 by Sleeping Bear Press. Cathy lives north of Boston with her family, where she has seen plenty of squirrels and one moose.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CATHY:

Website: https://cathyballoumealey.wixsite.com/author

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/catballoumealey.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catballoumealey/

Description of Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation

Finding a destination that best friends Sloth and Squirrel can agree on for their vacation is tough, until they learn that Paradise Park has “Something for Everyone!” Perfect! While Sloth happily lazes on the sand, Squirrel enjoys rock climbing, kayaking, paragliding, ziplining… until he starts to miss Sloth, and heads back to find him. Meanwhile, Sloth, finished with his nap, is missing Squirrel, and begins searching for him—in all the places Squirrel has just been! Will the friends ever have fun together? Young readers will appreciate how the two lovable, mismatched friends always find a way to work things out. This endearing story makes a funny and engaging read-aloud, offering lessons on caring for others and being adaptable.

BUY THE BOOK:

Purchase links for ISBN: 9781525312564

Bookshop

https://bookshop.org/p/books/sloth-and-squirrel-on-vacation-cathy-ballou-mealey/21777970?ean=9781525312564

Barnes&Noble

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sloth-and-squirrel-on-vacation-cathy-ballou-mealey/1146246297

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Sloth-Squirrel-Vacation-Ballou-Mealey/dp/1525312561

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Picture Book Review Guest Post – The Bagel Who Wanted Everything

July 31, 2025
goodreadswithronna
Ages 3-7, Children's Books > Social Situations > Family Life > New Experiences, Guest Post, Humorous Stories, Juvenile Fiction

GET THE SHMEAR
BECAUSE SCOOPS ARE FOR ICE CREAM!

AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATOR
ALAN SILBERBERG

BY LAUREN KASIARZ

THE BAGEL WHO WANTED EVERYTHING

Written and illustrated by Alan Silberberg

(Viking Books for Young Readers; $18.99; Ages 3-7)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

“The Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast series meets The Food Group books in this tale of a plain bagel who dreams of being more!“

FROM KIRKUS:

“With charm and a lesson of self-empowerment, this bagel book has lox to recommend it.”

THE INTERVIEW:

Lauren Kasiarz: Let’s welcome today’s guest, Alan Silberberg. His most recent book, The Bagel Who Wanted Everything, is sweet, silly, and full of self-discovery.

Now let’s learn more about The Bagel Who Wanted Everything!

LK: What feels most unique to you about this story compared to ones you’ve previously written?

Alan Silberberg: The others are silly stories about Jewish holidays and funny food characters. In this book, though, it’s funny food characters, but I feel like I’m able to put more of my heart into it and say more about the human condition. It’s more of a heartfelt story for me.

The Bagel Who Wanted Everything int1 plain bagel and plain parents. — Interior art by Alan Silberberg from The Bagel Who Wanted Everything, written and illustrated by Alan Silberberg, Viking BYR ©2025.

LK: How did you come up with the idea for The Bagel Who Wanted Everything?

AS: This book came about as most of my books do – as a title. So then, I had to figure out the story and I didn’t want it to be a story about “plain is no good because plain is just plain.” I really struggled with telling this individualization story without denigrating being plain because plain’s awesome! And so, when I wrote up these other types of bagels, it took me a while to find that bagels are just one thing. And one isn’t better than the other.

LK: What was the most difficult aspect of writing The Bagel Who Wanted Everything?

AS: The hardest part for me is that I knew the sentence, “In a world of everything, why do I have to be one thing?” But I struggled with the ultimate message. How do I say it’s ok to be everything? By everything, I mean any combination or non-combination. I didn’t want to be judgey. And drawing, when you’re playing with a lot of brown tones, it was hard for me to get color into the book.

The Bagel Who Wanted Everything int2 each type of bagel was what it was meant to be. — Interior art by Alan Silberberg from The Bagel Who Wanted Everything, written and illustrated by Alan Silberberg, Viking BYR ©2025.

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LK: Did you have any surprises while crafting this book?

AS: I didn’t have any surprises but I did have a moment where I said, “this isn’t funny. I’ve got to be funny.” And going back through it and saying, “well, I can’t really have a grandmother bagel be moldy and old. And then I went, well, maybe that’s funny.” So I had to push myself, not that it’s not a funny book, but I didn’t want it just to be cute.

The Bagel Who Wanted Everything int 3 confused bagel asks why be just one thing. — Interior art by Alan Silberberg from The Bagel Who Wanted Everything, written and illustrated by Alan Silberberg, Viking BYR ©2025.

Author Lauren Kasiarz Photo Credit Ann Marie Collins. — Lauren Kasiarz Photo Credit Ann Marie Collins.

Today’s guest post is by Lauren Kasiarz.
Watch the extended video interview with Alan Silberberg,
hosted by Lauren Kasiarz of @diversejewishbooks, on YouTube.
You can also find Lauren on IG here.

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How I Published a Graphic Novel as an Author by Lydia Lukidis

July 17, 2025
goodreadswithronna
Action & Adventure, Ages 6-8, Animals - Groundhog, Books & Libraries, Education & Reference, Graphic Novel, Guest Post, How to Write a Graphic Novel, Humorous Stories, Juvenile Fiction

HOW I PUBLISHED A GRAPHIC NOVEL
AS AN AUTHOR
—AND HOW YOU CAN TOO

A GUEST POST BY LYDIA LUKIDIS

THE INSIDE SCOOP:

If you’re an author dreaming of publishing a graphic novel but you’re “just” the writer, I’ve been there—and I’m here to say it can be done, though it may be challenging. My graphic novel Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog (book 1- Pancake Panic) hit shelves on July 15^th, and it’s the culmination of a journey that began way back in grade five when I was editor of my elementary school newspaper, Pizzazz. Inspired by Garfield comics, I created a grouchy comic strip character who—believe it or not—started as a dog named Squeak. Years (and many revisions) later, he evolved into Groucho, the grumpy groundhog crime-fighter of Critter Creek.

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog int1 Good Morning Neighbor! — Interior art from Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog, written by Lydia Lukidis and illustrated by Tara J. Hannon, Andrews McMeel Publishing ©2025.

The road to publication wasn’t quick. It took about three years to fully develop Groucho’s character before I even began scripting the book. For this book, character came before plot—I had to know exactly who Groucho was before telling his story. The manuscript itself took about a year to write, and the second volume came a bit quicker at eight months.

As a writer only, submitting a graphic novel can be tricky. Publishers often prefer to work with author-illustrator packages, since GNs are labor-intensive. After receiving a helpful rejection from a major publisher, I decided to take that feedback and apply it to my work. Then I decided to team up with an illustrator. I already knew and admired Tara—she’d illustrated a previous book of mine, No Bears Allowed—and when I pitched Groucho, she jumped onboard and created character sketches and sample pages. That collaboration was key. Keep in mind, she did all that for free so she had to feel passion for the project. She took a chance, as did I. Anytime we submit our work, we’re taking a chance. That’s part of the journey.

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog int2 Critter Creek is in BIG trouble. — Interior art from Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog, written by Lydia Lukidis and illustrated by Tara J. Hannon, Andrews McMeel Publishing ©2025.

Tara and I both have agents, and they submitted the project together. We included a thorough proposal: character sketches, a synopsis, a chapter breakdown, and sample spreads. After some rejections and radio silence, we got an offer from Andrews McMeel Publishing six months later. It was a two-book deal. I found out while sitting at my daughter’s swim meet at 9 pm—proof that publishing news rarely arrives at a glamorous moment!

Here’s the truth: being the author-only of a graphic novel means your advance may be smaller than the illustrator’s. That’s fair—illustrators spend months, even years, creating visuals. But I was thrilled just to bring Groucho to life. The revision process, which included input from critique partners, agents, and editors, was extensive and collaborative. And though I obsessed over formatting (there’s no one “right” way), clarity and consistency are key when writing a GN script.

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog int3 the new plan. — Interior art from Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog, written by Lydia Lukidis and illustrated by Tara J. Hannon, Andrews McMeel Publishing ©2025.

So, if you’re writing a graphic novel without illustrating it, don’t give up. Find a creative partner, lean into feedback, be patient, and keep submitting. It took me about five years from seriously diving into graphic novels to selling my first one. And remember that rejection isn’t failure—it’s redirection. Every “no” sharpens your “yes.” Keep going!

Author Lydia Lukidis Photo Credit Magenta Studios. — Lydia Lukidis Photo Credit: Magenta Studios.

BIOGRAPHY:

Lydia Lukidis is an award-winning author of 60+ trade and educational books for children. Her titles include UP, UP HIGH: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere (Capstone, 2025), DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights (Albert Whitman, 2024), and DEEP, DEEP, DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench (Capstone, 2023) which was a Crystal Kite winner for the Canada and North America division, Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Honor, a Cybils Award nominee, and winner of the Dogwood Readers Award.

A science enthusiast from a young age, Lydia now incorporates her studies in science and her everlasting curiosity into her books. Another passion of hers is fostering a love for children’s literacy through the writing workshops she regularly offers in elementary schools across Quebec with the Culture in the Schools program. Lydia is represented by literary agent Miranda Paul from Aevitas Creative Management.

e
BUY THE BOOK:

Here’s a link for U.S. purchases.

https://bookshop.org/p/books/groucho-the-grouchy-groundhog-volume-1-lydia-lukidis/21883985?ean=9781524898397&next=t&affiliate=1688

Here’s a link to Lydia’s fave bookstore for Canadians:

https://livresbabarbooks.com/item/pTAB62uRFDrUgOXAvK0QEQe

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website: http://www.lydialukidis.com/

Blog: https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/LydiaLukidis

FB: https://www.facebook.com/LydiaLukidis/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lydialukidis.bsky.social

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Once Upon a Time Bookstore Weighs in on Father’s Day Books

June 9, 2025
goodreadswithronna
Ages 0-3, Board Books - Interactive Books, Children's Book Reviews, Fantasy, Father's Day, Guest Blogger, Guest Post, Holidays & Celebrations, Humorous Stories, Juvenile Fiction, Novelty

CHILDREN’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

FOR FATHER’S DAY 2025

FROM

ONCE UPON A TIME BOOKSTORE

We’re delighted that Maureen Palacios, owner of the nation’s oldest children’s bookshop, Once Upon a Time Bookstore, an independent bookseller in Montrose, California, has curated this Father’s Day Books trio for our blog. Stop in and meet the warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable staff if you live nearby. If you’re not local, order online. Purchase links are provided in red.

#1 DAD
(a Mugs & Kisses book)
Written and illustrated by Teresa Bonaddio
(Little Bee Books; $9.99, Ages 0-3)
9781499817171

This is a perfect board book for a toddler with its die-cut pages in the form of a mug. It has colorful graphic-style affirmations (SUPER DAD, #1 DAD) and fits right in the hands of a small and curious toddler. What a terrific book for the youngest child!

MY DAD IS A UNICORN!
Written by Bill Canterbury
Illustrated by Jeff Harter
(Doubleday BYR; $12.99, Ages 3-7)
9780593807873

Local author Canterbury has a great picture book series called My Life Is Weird!, and this second title (others are My Mom is a Mermaid! and My Teacher is a Dinosaur!) is about a dad who is a unicorn. He outwits bad guys with glitter bombs, flies away (just in time) from the fire-breathing dragon, comes home to a lasagna dinner, and then has a wonderful sparkle bath to rest up. This is pure silliness told with gentle warmth and energetic illustrations, plus the book comes with stickers. A real winner!

DAD JOKES: The Cheesiest, Corniest Joke Book Ever
(Highlights; $9.99, Ages 6-9)
9781639621538

This book, “packed with over 900 jokes” and puns, may be more for children than dads, but laughs are guaranteed regardless of your age! Kids can never get enough of corny, silly jokes, meaning it’s SURE to be a winner with kids (and their grown-ups). How can you resist a book chock-full of groan-worthy jokes? A Father’s Day gift to crack up even the most joke-averse reader, so add it to your joke book collection today.

“Why was the mummy upset? … She made a grave error.” Cheesy, right?

Also available:

LOVE DAD: Inspiring Notes from Fathers to Kids
Written by Dr. Joel Warsh and Andrew Gardner
Illustrated by David Cooper
(Random House BYR; $14.99, Ages 3-7)
9780593572160

Publisher Description:

This illustrated collection of heartfelt letters is about the many beautiful hopes and dreams that fathers have for their children. A perfect gift for any dad!

When you grow up, I hope you…

…let your smile change the world
…feel you are loved, in every cell of your body
…learn how to help those who need a hand

Eighteen dads from different walks of life took turns finishing that sentence. Some of them expressed hope that their children would dream big and be kind. Others wanted their kids to have love and respect for themselves and others.

PAPA’S COMING HOME
Written by Chasten Buttigieg
Illustrated by Dan Taylor
(Philomel Books; $19.99, Ages 4-8)
9780593693988

Publisher Description:

A charming picture book about unconditional love from New York Times bestselling author Chasten Buttigieg, perfect for Father’s Day and for families who love each other the whole year through.

Jojo and Rosie’s papa has been away on a trip, and they can’t wait to welcome him home! They make signs, they pick flowers, and with Daddy’s help, they bake a cake and pack the car with absolutely everything Papa might have missed while he was away.

When Papa’s plane arrives, they give him a huge hug—but when they bring him to the car, they realize there’s one small problem: Where will Papa sit?

Delightfully illustrated by Dan Taylor, this charming story filled with love celebrates dads and familial bonds. Chasten Buttigieg shines a beautiful light on the humorous musings of toddlers and a parent’s unconditional love for their child.

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The See-You-Soon Spice Box: A Guest Post by Pamela Ehrenberg for Jewish American Heritage Month

May 22, 2025
goodreadswithronna
Ages 3-8, Culture and Customs, Family & Relationships, Guest Blogger, Guest Post, Havdalah, Havdalah, Holidays & Celebrations, Jewish American, Jewish American Heritage Month, Juvenile Fiction, Multicultural stories, Multigenerational, Religious, Shabbat

THE SEE-YOU-SOON SPICE BOX

Written by Pamela Ehrenberg

Illustrated by Gabby Grant

(Kar-Ben Publishing; $18.99, Ages 3-8)

PICTURE BOOK SUMMARY:

Silas and Great-Grandma Faye always end their video calls with “See you soon!” Great-Grandma Faye says that Havdalah, which separates Shabbat from the rest of the week, is like saying “See you soon!” to Shabbat. She shows Silas a spice box made by his great-grandpa, who used to say, “Havdalah is the time between Shabbat and ordinary days, when we get to feel both kinds of magic at the same time.” Great-Grandma Faye suggests she and Silas make Havdalah together over the internet until they can be together again. Silas makes his own spice box. When Great-Grandma Faye finally comes to visit, they say Havdalah with both spice boxes.

GUEST POST BY AUTHOR PAMELA EHRENBERG:

It’s such an honor to be here as a guest on Good Reads with Ronna—thank you so much for having me!

When I realized that your blog celebrated its 13th (b’nai mitzvah!) year sometime during the pandemic (belated mazel tov!), it made me think about all the ways that different cultures and traditions have come up with for keeping people connected—even in our world where so often we’re pulled by opportunities and experiences to end up living far away from people we love.

The See-You-Soon Spice Box is a modern take on a boy and his great-grandma who meet every week over video call for the Jewish ceremony of Havdalah, which is about saying goodbye (or “see you soon,” until next week!) to the Sabbath.

The See-You-Soon Spice Box int1 grandson great grandma chat on video call. — Interior art from The See-You-Soon Spice Box written by Pamela Ehrenberg and illustrated by Gabby Grant, Kar-Ben Publishing ©2025.

As a single parent (like the dad in The See-You-Soon Spice Box!), I had many years where in-person connections, especially with far-away friends and family, were super-difficult to schedule. And I think the pandemic made clear that there are a lot of people, for all sorts of reasons—disability, caregiving, job responsibilities, the challenges of life!—who can’t connect in person as often as we’d like.

The See-You-Soon Spice Box int2 what I like best about Shabbat activities. — Interior art from The See-You-Soon Spice Box written by Pamela Ehrenberg and illustrated by Gabby Grant, Kar-Ben Publishing ©2025.

But the pandemic also reminded us that connections helped by technology are nonetheless real connections with real humans. And that’s one of the wonderful things you’ve done all these years with your blog: you’ve connected creators at all stages of our creative journeys—pre-published, published, re-published, and those of us facing all kinds of uncertainties as we wonder what the next step will bring—and connected us with readers, who have realized all along that stories are one of the main ways that humans have always connected with one another.

The-See-You-Soon Spice Box int3 great-grandma Faye Havdalah items. — Interior spread from The See-You-Soon Spice Box written by Pamela Ehrenberg and illustrated by Gabby Grant, Kar-Ben Publishing ©2025.

At the end of The See-You-Soon Spice Box, when the great-grandma travels for an in-person visit, I think it’s a happy time for the family, to be able to connect in person. But I don’t think it changes their relationships, from the already-strong connections they’ve built across distances. Sometimes I forget that you and I haven’t yet met in person, since your blog makes me feel like I know you so well, even though we live 3000 miles away! Thank you so much for everything you do to keep readers, writers, illustrators, and stories connected in spite of everything!!

BUY THE BOOK:

Click this Bookshop.org link to purchase The See-You-Soon Spice Box or purchase a copy at your favorite independent bookseller.

Author Pamela Ehrenberg Photo Credit Alexandra Taylor — Pamela Ehrenberg Photo Credit: Alexandra Taylor

BIOGRAPHY:

Pamela Ehrenberg’s previous picture books include Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas and Planting Parsley. Her middle-grade novel Detour Ahead (co-authored with Tracy López) was a National Jewish Book Award finalist. She and her children live in Washington, D.C., and she can be found online at www.pamelaehrenberg.com, and on Instagram & FB: @PamelaEhrenbergAuthor

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Something Wild by Molly Ruttan – A Guest Post + Giveaway

March 2, 2023
goodreadswithronna
Ages 3-7, Blog Tour, Book Launch, Emotions & Feelings, Fears, Guest Blogger, Guest Post, Juvenile Fiction, Self-Confidence

A GUEST POST

BY AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATOR MOLLY RUTTAN

FOR

SOMETHING WILD BLOG TOUR

Author-illustrator Molly Ruttan deftly explores the butterflies of anxiety that come with stage fright as well as the joy and magic that comes with facing our fears in SOMETHING WILD (Nancy Paulsen Books; on sale February 28th, 2023; ISBN: 9780593112342; Ages 3 – 7; $18.99), a delightful picture book that depicts a young girl’s preparation for her first violin recital. —Penguin Young Readers

Praise for Something Wild:

★ “The denouement is a lovely testament to the best magic of which we are capable… combines sweetness, imagination, and gentle humor. Though this tale will appeal to all readers, it will especially resonate with introverts. Brava!” – Kirkus Reviews, starred reviews

INTRO:

What a thrill to have a guest post by Molly Ruttan on GoodReadsWithRonna. I marvel at her constantly evolving creativity, enthusiasm, and tireless support of pre-published (me) and published authors, illustrators, and like her, author-illustrators. I hope you will enjoy this candid recollection of how her childhood experiences helped inform Something Wild. And don’t forget to visit all the other sites on Molly’s blog tour and enter our great giveaway. So, without further ado, HEEEEEEEERE’S MOLLY!

GUEST POST:

Hi Ronna!

Before I begin, I would like to take this moment to thank you for inviting me onto your blog, and to acknowledge the hard work you put into it every day. It shows! Your blog has great reviews and amazing roundups. I am truly awed by you, and all the other excellent bloggers out there—you really make a difference in the KidLit community. What would we all do without you?? A big Hats Off to you!

In today’s guest post, I’m going to tell the personal story behind one of the questions I get asked a lot regarding my new picture book, Something Wild: Did the idea for it come from my own experience as a musician? Short answer— Yes, as a matter of fact, it did!

It is often said that, as children’s book writers and illustrators, we should write about what we know. Something Wild is about stage fright, and this is something I have absolutely known from the time I was quite small. I’m not sure why I was so shy, although it might have had something to do with being a twin, and being slightly behind other kids in social skills when I entered school. In any case, one of my earliest memories is freezing up during a class play in kindergarten—I was so scared I couldn’t speak. I even remember the line I was supposed to say: “It’s a hamburger.” One of the other kids had to improvise and say it for me!

When I entered second grade my mom signed me up for violin lessons. I loved playing, but then in third grade, the recital came along. Even though I was hidden in the orchestra, I was terrified. But what really upset me was after it was over. My dad proudly told me I was the only one in the orchestra that was swaying to the music as I played. I guess he thought I would feel special —but I was completely horrified and mortally embarrassed that I had stood out. I quit the orchestra and stopped taking lessons. My poor parents never knew why; if only I had had a book that could have given me a way to talk to them about it! The silver lining to this story is that my mother started playing the viola for herself, (she had played cello as a child.) When I quit, I think she realized she had wanted it for herself the whole time!

Molly, Linda & Linda Whitehead playing music circa 1969 — Playing violin with my twin sister (on French horn) and our friend, Linda Whitehead.

The stage fright did not go away as I got older. In middle school, I was failing French class because when I would get up in front of the class to do the required skits, my mind would go blank and I couldn’t speak. The fails were bringing down my grade-point average, so my art teacher convinced the school and my parents to let me and my sister bypass taking a language. (It was clear by then that we would be going to art school, and art schools didn’t require foreign language credits, at the time.)

When I was a teenager, I started playing drums. I would joke that even though it was loud, the drum kit was my armor (plus I was always in the back!). Still, stage fright was no fun and no laughing matter. I used to get so nervous before shows that I would be physically sick. But I loved the music and the camaraderie. Once I started playing, the intense physical nature of drumming would channel the nervous adrenaline out of my system, so I was able to keep performing into my adulthood.

03 Ruttan Sally-Dick-Jane circa-1980s — Playing drums in my art-punk band Sally Dick & Jane, in the 80s. Photo by JPRKenny.

02 Ruttan bands GV&PX2 — Here I am (top), a singer/drummer in my eclectic-folk rock band GARDEN VARIETY, circa 1997 (left) and a backup singer & percussionist in the art-rock band PHIDEAUX, circa 2011. Photo by Esa Ahola.

Many people have stage fright, and there are many tips and tricks out there that are supposed to help. What helped me was when I realized that I could rely on my body and my discipline to pull me through, in spite of my mind, which was busy spinning out! This awareness gave me a great sense of comfort. It helped the stage fight dissipate, especially once I was on stage. All I had to do was remember to get out of my own way—let my hands and my body take over, focus on feeling love for the music—and something wild would happen!

I also came to realize the truth that any time we have practiced, prepared ourselves, and then truly faced our fears, the resulting feeling of joy and magic, and the promise of coming out the other end more empowered, comes into view. This is the place I aspire to, and the place I wanted my main character, Hannah, to land.

As an adult, I still have stage fright but writing and illustrating Something Wild has helped me process it, and when I feel it coming on, it always helps me to remember my own book! As a kid, I would have also greatly benefitted from a book like this. My biggest desire is that Hannah’s story will provide a comforting and entertaining journey for other anxious kids (and adults) to embrace — and hopefully, something wild will happen for them, too!

Ruttan SomethingWild pp6-7 300 — Interior art from Something Wild written and illustrated by Molly Ruttan. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House ©2023.

Ruttan SomethingWild pp8-9 300 — Interior spread from Something Wild written and illustrated by Molly Ruttan. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House ©2023.

Ruttan SomethingWild pp10-11 300 — Interior art from Something Wild written and illustrated by Molly Ruttan. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House ©2023.

Ruttan SomethingWild pp12-13 300 — Interior spread from Something Wild written and illustrated by Molly Ruttan. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House ©2023.

Molly playing viola 2023 cropped — When it got time to create the final art for *Something Wild*, I began listening to a lot of violin music to get into the flow, (mostly Irish fiddle & country folk.) I became totally inspired to pick up where I left off in third grade and start playing again! I still had the viola my mother had played when I was a kid, so I started taking lessons! It’s harder than I remember, but I’m enjoying it! I’ve been learning now for about a month.

BUY THE BOOK:

To contact Molly, purchase books, and view her book trailers, go to https://linktr.ee/mollyruttan

BIO:

Molly Ruttan is an author/illustrator of children’s books. She grew up making art and music in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, and earned a BFA from the Cooper Union School of Art. Molly now lives in the diverse and historic neighborhood of Echo Park in Los Angeles, where her family has recently grown with the joyful addition of a granddaughter. She played violin as a child, and now plays drums, sings in a community choir, and has just started learning the viola. She loves exploring all kinds of fine art and illustration mediums, including making her own animated book trailers. Her life is full of art, music, family, friends, and all kinds of pets and urban animals.

Molly’s titles include her author/illustrator debut, The Stray, (Nancy Paulsen Books); I Am A Thief! by Abigail Rayner, (NorthSouth Books); and Violet and the Crumbs: A Gluten-Free Adventure by Abigail Rayner (NorthSouth Books). Something Wild is Molly’s second author/illustrated book and has received a starred Kirkus review. She has two additional books forthcoming. Molly is represented by Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency, www.prospectagency.com

Find Molly on Social Media:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mollyruttanillustration/

Twitter:

@kidlitcollectiv

@picturebookgold

IG:

@kidlitcollective

@picturebookgold

@hellomulberries

Other websites to visit:

https://hellomulberries.com/
https://picturebookgold.wixsite.com/website

EXCLUSIVE TWITTER ONLY GIVEAWAY

Enter our Twitter giveaway for a chance to win a special Prize Package from Molly Ruttan! This exclusive opp includes a 12×12 art print; a 4×6 sticker sheet; a “2” round sticker & a tote bag! Follow @molly_ruttan & @goodreadsronna on Twitter, comment about what you do to soothe your anxiety, & RT. We’d love to hear from you! The giveaway ends at 11:59pm on 3/9/23. One winner will be chosen at 6pm PST on 3/10/23. Eligible for US & Canada only.

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Picture Book Review by Tracy C. Gold – If Your Babysitter is a Bruja

September 13, 2022
goodreadswithronna
Action & Adventure, Ages 4-8, Children's Book Reviews, Foreign Language learning, Guest Blogger, Guest Post, Halloween, Holidays & Celebrations, Juvenile Fiction, Spanish, Spanish Language, Witches & Witchcraft

IF YOUR BABYSITTER IS A BRUJA

Written by Ana Siqueira

Illustrated by Irena Freitas

(Simon & Schuster BYR; $18.99, Ages: 4-8)

REVIEW:

If Your Babysitter Is a Bruja starts as a spooky Halloween tale and then develops layers as it goes on. Written in second person, If Your Babysitter Is a Brujachronicles how a child is scared of her babysitter. Clever illustrations by Irena Freitas show how a terrifying “bubbling cauldron” is actually a bathtub, a magic broomstick is a bicycle, and a slide is a magic castle. A clever scene showing the babysitter’s hat in a pile of water worries the child that her babysitter has melted, but the babysitter lives on … with delicious Pan de Muerto to ease the relationship.

Bruja int spread pg9 bate bate chocolate — Interior spread from If Your Babysitter is a Bruja written by Ana Siqueira and illustrated by Irena Freitas, Simon & Schuster BYR ©2022.

From there, the babysitter and child become BFFs (or perhaps best brujas), and the night ends with the child looking out the window, sad the babysitter has left. This book will be perfect for kids anxious about being left with a babysitter or for those who are shy about making friends with new people. Certainly, that is something many families will struggle with following lengthy Covid lockdowns.

Bruja int spread pg19 Cocodrilos — Interior art from If Your Babysitter is a Bruja written by Ana Siqueira and illustrated by Irena Freitas, Simon & Schuster BYR ©2022.

Ana Siqueira’s rhythmic text smoothly incorporates Spanish words and intertwines cultures with tasty treats from Dia de Los Muertos combined with Halloween decorations. The illustrations are quirky and sweet.

Review by Tracy C. Gold

ORDER COPIES:

For signed copies –

https://www.portkeybooks.com/

https://tombolobooks.com/

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR HERE:

You can learn more about Ana, by following her.

Website: https://anafiction.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SraSiqueira1307

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asiqueira1307/?hl=en

FOLLOW THE ILLUSTRATOR HERE:

You can learn more about Irena by following her.

Website: https://www.irenafreitas.com/

Twitter: @irenafreitas

Instagram: @irenafreitas

FOLLOW THE REVIEWER HERE:

Learn more about Tracy C. Gold, writer, and editor by following her.

Website: tracycgold.comTwitter: @tracycgold

Tracy’s Books: Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby, and Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat

ANA’S OTHER BOOKS:

EL PATO QUIERE UVAS

Order here: Teacher’s Discovery 2019

BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS –

Order here: Beaming Books- July 2021

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Kids Picture Book Review – Princesses Can Fix It!

PRINCESSES CAN FIX IT!

Written by Tracy Marchini

Illustrated by Julia Christians

(Page Street Kids; $17.99, Ages 4-8)

If you’re looking for an empowering new take on fairy tale princesses, look no further than Tracy Marchini’s picture book Princesses Can Fix It! This homage to The Twelve Dancing Princesses shows readers that princesses (and princes) can do whatever they set their minds to, no matter what anyone else thinks.

Workshop PRINCESSES int1 — Interior spread from Princesses Can Fix It! written by Tracy Marchini and illustrated by Julia Christians, Page Street Kids ©2021.

At the start of the book, we learn that there is a problem in the King’s castle. The alligators from the moat have escaped and are now running about inside! The three princesses, Margaret, Harriet, and Lila, have an idea how to help. Unfortunately, the King wants them to only focus on proper princess activities rather than their passion for inventing and building. Throughout the book, the girls secretly work on their creation to fix the problem and prove their father wrong.

Splash_PRINCESSES_int2-3 — Interior art from Princesses Can Fix It! written by Tracy Marchini and illustrated by Julia Christians, Page Street Kids, ©2021.

Julia Christians’ colorful and dynamic illustrations bring the characters to life and give the book a whimsical flair on every page. This, combined with the book’s poetic structure and use of repetition also gives the book excellent read-aloud potential.

Workbench to workbench PRINCESSES int4 — Interior art from Princesses Can Fix It! written by Tracy Marchini and illustrated by Julia Christians, Page Street Kids, ©2021.

Most of all, what I love about Princesses Can Fix it! is how it manages to be both silly and meaningful at the same time. This charming picture book is about three clever and committed young girls building a contraption to solve their alligator infestation. At the same time, it’s also about how they stand up for themselves and persevere, something that should motivate little girls and boys eager to pursue their passions in the face of societal expectations.

Guest Review by Mary Finnegan

Click any of the below links to purchase the book:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/

https://bookshop.org/

https://www.indiebound.org

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Picture Book Review – Isobel Adds It Up

July 6, 2021
goodreadswithronna
Ages 3-7, Animals - Elephants, Children's Book Reviews, Friendship, Fun With Math, Guest Post, Humorous Stories, Juvenile Fiction, STEM

ISOBEL ADDS IT UP

Written by Kristy Everington

Illustrated by AG Ford

(Random House Studio; $17.99, Ages 3-7)

REVIEW:

As a former teacher, I was immediately intrigued by the cover of Isobel Adds It Up written by Kristy Everington with illustrations by AG Ford. A girl with a pencil in her hand, and an elephant with a pencil in its trunk solve math problems with smiles on their faces!

Isobel, a math-loving girl, can’t concentrate with noisy neighbors!

Disrupted by loud bangs and shaking walls, she imagines acrobats, marching bands, a basketball team, and definitely big feet! Solving math problems is nearly impossible. Isobel tries battling music with music. That only incited more noise—and dancing! Isobel is at her wit’s end when she can’t make sense of her numbers. So she comes up with a plan to meet the culprits. Was she right about the neighbors having big feet? Yes! But her plan brings a solution much bigger and better than she expected. You might say that the neighbor was a very BIG number-lover too!

isobel interior spread 1 — Interior spread from Isobel Adds It Up by Kristy Everington with illustrations by AG Ford, Random House Studio ©2021.

Underneath the rumbling ruckus and soaked subtractions, a budding friendship multiplies into a measured success! Each illustration brings flow and movement, with Isobel’s imaginings represented in monochromatic images and lively numbers. Kristy Everington and AG Ford make numbers and math look and sound fun!

isobel interior spread 2 — Interior spread from Isobel Adds It Up by Kristy Everington with illustrations by AG Ford, Random House Studio ©2021.

What I love most about this story is the message that we can ask for what we want in a kind and respectful way. We might be surprised by the kindness we receive back and discover something new about the people that live around us. Kids, teachers, parents, and neighbors everywhere will love this book!

Guest Post Review by Moni Ritchie Hadley
Author of THE STAR FESTIVAL

GIVEAWAY:

Head to Twitter for a signed book giveaway of Isobel Adds It Up beginning today (just retweet our tweets and tag a friend to enter). Find Kristy there @kmeverington.
Find GoodReadsWithRonna on Twitter: @goodreadsronna. This giveaway ends on 7/13 and a winner will be announced on 7/14.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Author Links:

Kristy’s website: https://www.kristyeverington.com

Twitter: @kmeverington

Instagram: @kristyeverington

Twitter: @21forthebooks

Instagram: @21forthebooks

Illustrator links:

AG Ford’s website: http://www.agfordillustration.com/

Twitter: @AGFordArt

Instagram: @agfordart

WHERE TO BUY ISOBEL ADDS IT UP:

Support indie bookstores and order your copy here at BooksInc.

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Guest Post by Stephanie Wildman, Author of Brave in the Water

BRAVE IN THE WATER

Written by Stephanie Wildman

Illustrated by Jenni Feidler-Aguilar

(Lawley Publishing; $16.99, Ages 2-8)

Swimming season is upon us so I’ve invited author Stephanie Wildman to talk about her new picture book, Brave in the Water, for parents and caregivers of reluctant swimmers to share with children.

Intro:

Thank you so much, Ronna, for having me on your blog. I’m excited to tell your readers about my debut picture group Brave in the Water and to encourage them to get in the water!

Learning to swim can be daunting. I should know – I didn’t learn until I was twenty-six years old! I didn’t want my own children to grow up afraid, so I took them for swim lessons at an early age. They both became competitive swimmers. One founded and coached an award-winning swim program for vulnerable youth. One swam for Team USA in the 2008 Olympics, winning a gold medal. So getting them in the water was one thing I did right as a parent, not passing on my own fear. I hope this book reaches children who might be afraid like I was and shows them that they can have fun in the water.

More about the book:

Diante is afraid to put his face in the water, but he is torn because he would like to play in the pool with other children. He’s not afraid to hang upside down on the monkey bars, though, and he’s surprised to learn his grandma is afraid to be upside down in an inverted yoga pose. Can Diante help Grandma and become brave in the water?

Spoiler alert: He can and he does. Grandma tells Diante about the feathered peacock yoga pose that she aspires to do. Diante wants to try it. Grandma explains that “Breathing is important for trying something new.” They practice slow, deep inhalations and exhalations together.

BravePracticePranayama image of the pair practicing pranayama pose — Interior spread from Brave in the Water written by Stephanie Wildman and illustrated by Jenni Feidler-Aguilar, Lawley Publishing ©2021.

Before trying the pose Diante learns to control his breathing (pranayama).

He wonders if pranayama can help him put his face in the water. He goes back to the pool to try and thinks for a long time, finally remembering pranayama. Finally, step by step, slowly breathing Diante enters the water and puts his face in. He is on his way to learning how to swim.

PeacockWatchesDianteinPool — Interior spread from Brave in the Water written by Stephanie Wildman and illustrated by Jenni Feidler-Aguilar, Lawley Publishing ©2021.

Here is what Bonnie Tsui, New York Times best-selling author of Why We Swim and Sarah and the Big Wave, said about Brave in the Water in her back cover blurb:

“Being brave is something we work on all our lives. Stephanie Wildman shows us how to help each other through — one breath at a time — to reach the essential joy of the water.”

By the way, I would love you to check out my debut group NewBooksforKids.com. I have been lucky to meet this group of kidlit debut authors, all with books I want to buy and read. Remember you can always support children’s books by requesting your local library to order them or by buying one for a Little Free Library. This group will give you some great ideas.

Thanks again Ronna. See you in the water!

WildmanAuthorShot — Author photo ©Nancy Martin

About the Author:

Stephanie M. Wildman served as John A. and Elizabeth H. Sutro Chair at Santa Clara Law and directed the school’s Center for Social Justice and Public Service before becoming Professor Emerita. Her books include: Brave in the Water (2021); Privilege Revealed: How Invisible Preference Undermines America 2d (2021) (with contributions by Armstrong, Davis, & Grillo); Race and Races: Cases and Resources for a Diverse America 3d (with Delgado, Harris, Perea, & Stefancic) (2015); Social Justice: Professionals Communities and Law (with Mahoney & Calmore) (2013); Women and the Law Stories (with Schneider) (2011). She is a member of the Writers Grotto. She is a grandmother, mother, spouse, friend, good listener, and she is able to sit “criss-cross apple sauce” thanks to her yoga practice.

Where to buy the book:

The book is available for order anywhere books are sold. Here are some links for purchasing online:

Click here to order from the publisher

Click here to order from Bookshop.org

We’d love you to support your local independent bookseller by placing your order there.

ValienteenelAqua cover art for Spanish version

Green Apple Books may still have signed copies. And a Spanish language version – Valiente en el Agua (translated by Cecilia Populus-Eudave) is also available from booksellers.

Social Media:

Website: Stephanie Wildman.com
Twitter: @SWildmanSF
Instagram: @stephanie_wildmansf

Website: Art with ~Mrs. F~ (google.com)
Twitter: @jennifeidlera
Instagram: @artwithmrsf
YouTube: Art with Mrs. F – YouTube

Website: Newbooksforkids.com
Twitter: @NewBooksForKid1

Instagram: @newbooksforkids

Facebook: NewBooksForKids

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Board Book Review – Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby

EVERYONE’S SLEEPY BUT THE BABY

Written by Tracy C. Gold

Illustrated by Adèle Dafflon

(Familius; $8.99, Ages 0-3)

e
Awwwww! That was my reaction after reading Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby, a new 16-page board book for naptime, bedtime, or anytime really.

Author Tracy C. Gold calls her debut a non-fiction book since this story was based on her life as a sleep-deprived mom, and I’m sure this is a true story for many other parents.

Everyones Sleepy gold Internal Bath — Interior spread from Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby written by Tracy C. Gold and illustrated by Adèle Dafflon, Familius ©2021.

Even being sleep-deprived, Tracy found time to write this gem. With the help of her editors Laurie Duersch and Brooke Jorden at Familius, she was able to make this book even more lyrical and musical.

And the final product – a sweet and funny lullaby. The rhythm and the repetition of the words make this book fun to read aloud. And I can imagine little children giggling while trying to repeat some words.

And Adèle Dafflon’s illustrations? Wow, perfect! They are soothing and relaxing while funny. My favorite spread is the one where the animals sleep in a tree while the baby, still awake, looks through the window, and it says, “Everyone’s sleepy, but the baby, why, why, why?” So many parents all around the world ask this question every night.

Everyones Sleepy Gold int spread — Interior spread from Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby written by Tracy C. Gold and illustrated by Adèle Dafflon, Familius ©2021.

This charming board book conveys a message of love and peace, and I can imagine parents reading this to their babies to get them ready for bed, but … There is a problem! … The babies will say, “Again, again and again.” And then everybody will be sleepy, but the baby. Hopefully, after a few more times, this lullaby-story will put your baby to sleep too.

Sweet Interesting Fact related by Tracy – “As I was working on revisions, my dog was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I mentioned it to Laurie, and she and Brooke at Familius sent pictures of my dog to the illustrator. So, now the dog in the book looks like my late dog, Ollie. This is incredibly meaningful for me, and I’m so thrilled he will live on in the pages of this book.”

Guest Review by Ana Siqueira
e
Click here to order Tracy’s book.

About the Reviewer

Ana Siqueira

Children’s Book Writer and Educator

EL PATO QUIERE UVAS

Teacher’s Discovery 2019

BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS –

Beaming Books (Summer 2021)

IF YOUR BABYSITTER IS A BRUJA –
Simon Kids (Summer 2022)

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Cover Reveal for Picture Book Chicken Frank, Dinosaur!

Cluck,

ROAR!!!

It’s a bird,

It’s a dinosaur!

See for yourself in …

CHICKEN FRANK, DINOSAUR!

Written by S.K. Wenger

Illustrated by Jojo Ensslin

(Albert Whitman & Co.; $16.99, Ages 4-8)

Chicken Frank Dinosaur cover reveal

Guest post by Moni Ritchie Hadley
Author of The Star Festival
@bookthreader

e

MY REACTION:

It’s a cover reveal for picture book Chicken Frank, Dinosaur! and it definitely invites intrigue!

A chicken steps into the imprint of a gigantic claw. The white bird takes center stage with a body resembling a halved teardrop composed against a green, feathered-grass background. Tying in the white of the chicken, the quirky, bold lettering in the title, shouts, read me! The cover clearly portrays a bird with an investigative mind on a mission. Illustrator Jojo Ensslin’s simple shapes, contrasting colors, and gentle shading offer young readers the perfect engagement.

SHAUNDA’S REACTION:

“I fell in love with the cover as soon as I saw it! I think it captures Chicken Frank’s perception of his connection to a T. rex perfectly, as well as his interest in exploring and accepting the belief that he IS a modern dinosaur! Jojo Ensslin did a fantastic job of bringing Chicken Frank and his friends to life.”

STORY INSPIRATION:

One of Shaunda’s first jobs out of college involved capturing, banding, and tracking wild birds for a research study. At the time, she didn’t realize that all the different birds were actually modern dinosaurs!

Fast forward to a change in career, and an idea was born!

“Inspiration for Chicken Frank, Dinosaur! came from a fun class discussion after watching Jack Horner’s Ted Talk video about dinosaurs and birds. My students were enthralled and amused by the idea that dinosaurs still walk among us … in the form of a chicken! Some students bought into it. Others didn’t. A lively debate followed, and the sparks for Chicken Frank, Dinosaur! began to stir.”

A PEEK INTO THE WRITING PROCESS:

“After being inspired to write Chicken Frank, Dinosaur!, it took me about a year to get the story into shape and submission-ready, another 6 months or so of R&R with the publishing editors, 1 day to get that R&R rejected, 1 hour at 3 am to completely rewrite the story in a different structure, and another 3 months to find the courage to resubmit the manuscript, which was ultimately accepted for publication. Thank goodness for strong beliefs and second chances!”

ABOUT THE STORY:

Cluck-a-doodle-ROAR! Chicken Frank is on a mission to prove to his fellow farm animals that he’s related to a T. rex because of evolution! But no one believes him—until DNA test results show Alligator Ike on Frank’s family tree. What will happen when he shows up at Frank’s family reunion? Complete with chicken and dinosaur tidbits, this 32-page picture book blends information with a fictional, humorous, comic style. The creators made sure to add just what young readers crave, chuckles and heart.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I have the pleasure of being in a debut picture book group with Shaunda, and here’s what I know about this fascinating author. Not just a writer, she also holds a degree in a self-designed major in environmental and social sciences from the University of Vermont. As a high school teacher, Shaunda has been honored with educational awards. While Chicken Frank, Dinosaur! is her first picture book, kids may have seen some of her writings about science published in the educational market. A nature lover at heart, she is an avid hiker, swimmer, and plant lover. Visit her website for more fun facts and to find out more about her debut in October 2021.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter: @SKWenger

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SKWengerChildrensAuthor

When preordering your copy of Chicken Frank, Dinosaur! please support your favorite local independent bookshop.
e

GIVEAWAY:

Head over to S.K. on Twitter to enter her generous picture book manuscript critique giveaway!

Click here to see the cover reveal for picture book, The Star Festival, Moni’s debut.

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Written by Ona Gritz

(West 44 Books; Available in Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook, Ages 14-18/Grades 9-12)

GUEST REVIEW BY KAROL SILVERSTEIN:

A Q&A With Ona Gritz by Karol Silverstein:

AUTHOR BIO:

Author socials:

REVIEWER BIO:

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A Guest Post by Michelle Orrelle

INTERVIEW:

TAMI’S BIO:

FIND TAMI HERE:

MICHELLE’S BIO:

FIND MICHELLE HERE:

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PICTURE BOOK AUTHOR

REBECCA GARDYN LEVINGTON

BY JAN EPSTEIN SCHWAID

Written by Rebecca Gardyn Levington

Illustrated by Diana Mayo

(Farrar, Straus & Giroux; $18.99, Ages 4-8)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

INTERVIEW:

BUY THE BOOK:

[Words] Bookstore in Maplewood, NJ (my local indie, where I’ll be doing a Storytime and signing event on Sept. 6th at 11am for anyone who wants to stop by!): https://wordsbookstore.com/item/rLqtcQ170gxe_gcaB_Y1pw

Bookshop: https://tinyurl.com/3wjd3c6y

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0374392021?tag=macmillan-20

B&N: https://tinyurl.com/2jxm89pc

REBECCA’S BIO:

JAN’S BIO:

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By Cathy Ballou Mealey,

Author of Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation

GUEST POST:

BIOGRAPHY:

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CATHY:

Description of Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation

BUY THE BOOK:

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GET THE SHMEAR BECAUSE SCOOPS ARE FOR ICE CREAM!

THE BAGEL WHO WANTED EVERYTHING

Written and illustrated by Alan Silberberg

(Viking Books for Young Readers; $18.99; Ages 3-7)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

“The Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast series meets The Food Group books in this tale of a plain bagel who dreams of being more!“

FROM KIRKUS:

“With charm and a lesson of self-empowerment, this bagel book has lox to recommend it.”

THE INTERVIEW:

Lauren Kasiarz: Let’s welcome today’s guest, Alan Silberberg. His most recent book, The Bagel Who Wanted Everything, is sweet, silly, and full of self-discovery.

Now let’s learn more about The Bagel Who Wanted Everything!

LK: What feels most unique to you about this story compared to ones you’ve previously written?

Alan Silberberg: The others are silly stories about Jewish holidays and funny food characters. In this book, though, it’s funny food characters, but I feel like I’m able to put more of my heart into it and say more about the human condition. It’s more of a heartfelt story for me.

LK: How did you come up with the idea for The Bagel Who Wanted Everything?

LK: What was the most difficult aspect of writing The Bagel Who Wanted Everything?

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LK: Did you have any surprises while crafting this book?

Today’s guest post is by Lauren Kasiarz. Watch the extended video interview with Alan Silberberg, hosted by Lauren Kasiarz of @diversejewishbooks, on YouTube. You can also find Lauren on IG here.

Like this:

HOW I PUBLISHED A GRAPHIC NOVEL AS AN AUTHOR —AND HOW YOU CAN TOO

A GUEST POST BY LYDIA LUKIDIS

THE INSIDE SCOOP:

BIOGRAPHY:

e BUY THE BOOK:

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

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FOR FATHER’S DAY 2025

FROM

ONCE UPON A TIME BOOKSTORE

Also available:

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Written by Pamela Ehrenberg

Illustrated by Gabby Grant

(Kar-Ben Publishing; $18.99, Ages 3-8)

PICTURE BOOK SUMMARY:

GUEST POST BY AUTHOR PAMELA EHRENBERG:

BUY THE BOOK:

BIOGRAPHY:

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BY AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATOR MOLLY RUTTAN

FOR

(West 44 Books; Available in Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook,
Ages 14-18/Grades 9-12)

GET THE SHMEAR
BECAUSE SCOOPS ARE FOR ICE CREAM!

Today’s guest post is by Lauren Kasiarz.
Watch the extended video interview with Alan Silberberg,
hosted by Lauren Kasiarz of @diversejewishbooks, on YouTube.
You can also find Lauren on IG here.

HOW I PUBLISHED A GRAPHIC NOVEL
AS AN AUTHOR
—AND HOW YOU CAN TOO

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BUY THE BOOK: