It seems to me that, eventually, everything comes full circle.  And every once in a while, something happens to reinforce this belief, to make it more real. Back in 1994, a freckle-faced, 9-year-old girl named Taylor, walked into the library

Kindness should be in our hearts always, but there is no better time than the Christmas season to give it some extra focus. I recently discovered a delightful picture book that fits the bill — Bear Wants to Sing, written

As Thanksgiving approaches, I think of my maternal grandfather.  Back in the day, Christmas lights didn’t show up on houses and holiday shopping didn’t begin in earnest until after Thanksgiving.  The following Friday was the official beginning of the Christmas

Raymond likes to do things fast, but today he is moving in slow motion.  Is he sick?  No.  It’s his birthday, and he wants his special day to last.  Ready? Set. Birthday! is just out (September 20, 2022), and I

Regular readers of my blog know I’ve been focusing on the positive this year.  Although there are great new books to discover and love, I find myself revisiting titles that should not be forgotten. One that never fails to fill

“Imagine that your home is on fire. You’re allowed to save one thing. Your family and pets are safe, so don’t worry about them. Your Most Important Thing.  Any size.” In her thought-provoking verse novel, The One Thing You’d Save,

Since Ashley Bryan went home to join the rest of the angels this year, I’ve been appreciating my great fortune in having known him and finding joy in remembering.  As I prepare to travel back to Islesford, Maine, to attend

Back in 2002, Random House Books for Young Readers published my Ready? Set. Raymond! for their classic Step Into Reading series.  Three jaunty stories with upbeat illustrations by Derek Anderson show Raymond dashing through life surrounded by family and his

This month I’m returning to my New Year’s resolution to: Be less earnest—Seek more levity.  Pets bring joy into our lives in a way nothing else can.  They love us, sooth our sadness, relieve our stress, and bring us to

Many already know that my great uncle Lewis H. Michaux (known as the Harlem Professor) was the founder of Harlem’s historic National Memorial African Bookstore.  I am proud and excited to say his message to the black community—that education is

American Library Association Conference 2012 “I have been painting outdoors in my neighbor’s garden . . . dipping into the jars of acrylic color and touch touch touch till a composition is formed . . . quite unlike the standing-up

Most of us have experienced loss and have had to find our way through grief.  Often it is through death, but loss comes in many forms — a going away, a change or end to something that leaves us brokenhearted,

Although it doesn’t really need promoting, to kick off the new year, I want to revisit a classic that remains high on my list of favorite books.  A powerful portrait of racism (and “otherism”) in the 1930s, To Kill A

With the Season upon us and books in my heart, I am encouraging families to read favorite stories aloud together at Christmas and to make this a holiday tradition. A “keeper” in my personal library and one well worth rereading

Since my last post, I’ve been thinking a lot about words. These thoughts led me back to the marvelous essays of Lewis Thomas.  Thomas was a brilliant and witty scientist, a keen observer, and a great thinker.  I love this

When authors visit schools, we are likely to hear many of the same questions.  What inspired you to become a writer?  Where do you get your ideas?  What’s your favorite book?  How much money do you make? I am generally

Yee! Haw!  Last weekend (July 23 & 24), I did my first in-person author event since before the lockdowns.      Boy howdy, it felt good to be back in the saddle. I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the

There are always wonderful new books for us to discover and love, but I hope the worthy, stand-out titles that came before are not allowed to languish or be withdrawn from library shelves.  I hope they are being recommended and

June 19th, 1865, began as another hot day in Texas. Enslaved African Americans were busy working in the fields and homes of the people who owned them when a message arrived in Galveston.  The message raced from ear to ear

To follow up on last month’s post, I want to celebrate a wonderful new book that offers its own kind of poetry break.  In Kiyoshi’s Walk, by Mark Karlins (Lee and Low Books), young Kiyoshi’s question, “Where do poems come

April is the perfect month for a Poetry Break. Children’s literature champion Caroline Feller Bauer was a major role model for me during my career as a children’s librarian.  Through workshops (where I first met Caroline) and her books, she

Covid concerns have kept many from gathering with family and friends for special celebrations.  Still, we’ve all found ways to express and share our joys.  Please do a little happy dance for Let ‘er Buck! George Fletcher, the People’s Champion

As part of my celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Ezra Jack Keats Award, I have been revisiting and beating the drum of past winners.  One of my favorites is Layla’s Happiness which received the illustrator award in 2020.