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for us to discover and love, but I hope the worthy, stand-out titles that came before are not allowed to languish or be withdrawn from library shelves.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.
It’s been a tough year. Over Christmas, while thinking about the reason for the season, I was reminded of the importance of joy and how I sometimes lost sight of this in 2020. Regarding a manuscript I am working on,
In these pandemic times, we need the joy and inspiration the children’s book community brings to us. The 35th Anniversary of the Ezra Jack Keats Award is certainly one reason to celebrate. April 2021 marks the event, but it’s not
November 14, 2020, will mark the 60th Anniversary of school desegregation in New Orleans. This historic event became more personally meaningful to me when, in 2018, I learned of an undertold part of the story — the subject of my
A book well-worth rereading and a keeper in my personal library is The Lemming Condition by Alan Arkin, published in 1976. It came into my hands again when COVID restrictions led me (like many others) to do some reorganizing. In
There are always wonderful new books for us to discover and love. But I hope the amazing, stand-out titles that came before are not allowed to collect dust or be withdrawn from library shelves. I hope they are still being
Veterans Day seems the perfect time to sing praises for Ashley Bryan’s remarkable new release, Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace. Ashley has given us many marvelous books over the years and, in all
I got the chance to attend my first Pendleton Round-Up* — my first rodeo ever. Boy, howdy, what a ride! I visited Pendleton, Oregon in the spring of 2017 to do research for LET ‘ER BUCK!* George Fletcher, the People’s