Today’s the day!
Thanks to my friends at KidLitTV, we all get to see the cover of my next picture book, A Beginner’s Guide to Being Human (Beaming Books, 2022), which arrives everywhere this October!
The official “reveal” takes place at 7am EST at KidLit.TV, so depending on when you’re reading this you might get to watch it happen in real time, or you can check it out after the fact – but either way, I hope you like it and will consider pre-ordering a copy of the book. Many thanks to illustrator André Ceolin for a bright, bold, and inclusive cover!
It’s interesting how some books come to be. I had sent a manuscript to Naomi Krueger, my editor for Once Upon Another Time, and although she liked it, she didn’t feel it was a right fit for Beaming Books. But she said she had an idea for a totally different book, written in a similar style – and asked if I’d be willing to have a go at writing a book based on her concept.
“Beginner’s Guide” is that book!
And the icing on the cake? The original manuscript I sent Naomi – the one she didn’t pick up – eventually DID get picked up by another publisher! (More news on THAT later this year!)

After five delays – yes, FIVE! – my newest picture book, I Am Today (POW! Kids Books) is scheduled to be published next week on Feb. 8! Children are always being told they are “the Future”….but what if a child doesn’t want to wait, to make a difference? Find out more about the book, my process, and what other folks think of the book at any of these links:
The Blog Tour:
- Nov. 14: Unleashing Readers
- Nov. 29: You May Contribute a Verse
- Nov. 30: Picture Book Spotlight
- Dec. 2: Celebrate Picture Books
- Dec. 3: Beyond Literacy Link
- Dec. 4: Vivian Kirkfield’s “Will Write for Cookies”
- Dec. 7: Writer’s Rumpus
- Dec. 20: Maria C. Marshall’s “Picture Book Buzz”
- Dec. 24: Maria C. Marshall’s “Perfect Picture Book Friday”
- Jan. 4: Future Bookworms (Instagram) / The Momma Spot (blog)
- Jan. 19: PB22Peekaboo
.
=====================================================



















=====================================================
I’m now a part of the BOOKROO family!

Create an account to add books to wishlists and be notified of special deals and dates…create custom collections…and discover and follow your favorite authors & illustrators!
Find out more about BOOKROO here!
======================================================
I continue adding to my “Wit & Wordplay” videos ! These videos were created for parents and educators (along with their kids) to learn how to write poetry, appreciate it, and have fun with it. From alliteration and iambs to free verse and spine poetry, I’m pretty sure there’s something in these videos you’ll find surprising! You can view them all on my YouTube channel, and if you have young kids looking for something to keep busy with, I also have several downloadable activity sheets at my website.
=====================================================
Ordering personalized signed copies online? Oh, yes, you can!
You can purchase personally-signed copies of Flashlight Night, (Astra Young Readers, 2017), Don’t Ask a Dinosaur (Pow! Kids Books, 2018), and nearly EVERY book or anthology I’ve been part of!
Click any of the covers below to order!
Just click the cover of whichever book you want and send a comment to the good folks at MainStreet BookEnds in Warner, NH requesting my signature and to whom I should make it out. (alternatively, you can log onto my website and do the same thing) They’ll contact me, I’ll stop by and sign it, and then they’ll ship it! (Plus, you’ll be supporting your local bookseller – and won’t that make you feel good?)
======================================================
Thank you to everyone for your support!
FLASHLIGHT NIGHT:
- NY Public Library’s “100 Best Book for Kids 2017” AND “Staff Pick!”
- KIRKUS Starred review!
- Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Books!
- “Best Reads of 2017,” Unleashing Readers
- Finalist, 2019 New Hampshire Literary Awards
- Positive reviews from Horn Book, School Library Connection, School Library Connection, Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, and Shelf-Awareness!
DON’T ASK A DINOSAUR:
- “Rollicking rhyme!” – Booklist
- “A wild romp!” – Parenting NH Magazine
- “Cute…intriguing…4 out of 5 stars” – Tulsa Book Review
- “Rhythmic…funny and informative” – Unleashing Readers
======================================================
Did you like this post? Find something interesting elsewhere in this blog? I really won’t mind at all if you feel compelled to share it with your friends and followers!
To keep abreast of all my posts, please consider subscribing via the links up there on the right! (I usually only post once or twice a week – usually Tues. and Fri. – so you won’t be inundated with emails every day) . Also feel free to visit my voiceover website HERE, and you can also follow me via Twitter , Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and SoundCloud!