Video Blogs

As I study memoirs, it’s fascinating to see those that come in different formats.  Kristen Mai Giang’s LAST FLIGHT is a picture book recounting her family’s flight from Saigon in 1975.  The title itself is fascinating as the family was read more »

Sneak Peek 2020 Wilde Awards

  This Wednesday, November 18th, at 6pm I will be revealing the 2020 Wilde Awards.  That means, once again, I will do the impossible– talk almost 50 fabulous new books for babies to young adults within an hour.  Here’s the read more »

Finding Home

  Three new books show finding home by refugees from different times and places. Below find a video that describes them all.  You can support me, Indie books and children by clicking on the covers pictured below: Butterflies Belong Here: read more »

Pandemic Relief: Part 2

We recently returned from a looooong drive to Green Bay, Wisconsin. Green Bay is not just the center of Covid, but home of my daughter, son-in-law and Baby Natalie.  When we last saw Natalie, she couldn’t crawl. Now she’s running. read more »

Pandemic Boredom Relief for 14 months to 10 years

Here are links to the two engrossing hands-on books by Page Street Books. You can order them by clicking on their covers. This supports me, Indie bookstores, and the children with whom you share them! and

Reluctant Listener on Long-Distant Read-aloud Sessions? Humor & Hyperbole Works

Right now visiting our 14-month-old granddaughter who backs up into your lap for a read-aloud at least six times a day.  But what do you do if you have a reluctant read-aloud listener and worse yet are trying to read read more »

New discovery in Newbery week

In February, in the week that the Caldecott and Newbery books were announced and Valentine’s Day was a smidge away, I discovered this love of a book, In a Jar by Deborah Marcero. Llewellyn collects buttercups, heart-shaped stones and sky read more »

Pandemic Reading Relief

Any one who knows me, knows I’m a slow reader who avoids long books. But I’ve recently discovered a new author who can engage me, even in the midst of the reading-challenging pandemic! Proof? I leapt right from completing Alix read more »

A Miracle Book

Last week I fell in love with Sophie Blackall’s new book. Watch my raves below, see some of the amazing illustrations and the awe it can inspire.         You, too, can own Sophie Blackall’s new book by read more »

Lucy Knisley’s Perfect Book for New Families

  This is a perfect book to give new families. Order your copy by clicking on the IndieBound link below:   Gotta minute? That’s only my “longer” take on this book lasts!