Finding joy in books can feel like an uphill battle for children who struggle with reading. They may feel anxious about mispronouncing words or embarrassed about reading aloud in front...
Creating a strong sense of community within the classroom creates a positive and productive learning environment. Students who feel connected to their peers and teachers are more engaged, motivated, and...
Square pegs in a round hole—an expression you may have heard before. Usually referring to someone or something that, for one reason or another, doesn’t ‘fit’. It’s a square peg...
I don’t do New Year's resolutions, but I still have goals. As a busy teacher, writer and mother, I need something more simplified; which is why I write themes for...
Storytime is a precious gift we can give to children, fostering their imagination, language development, and emotional growth. It creates a strong bond between children and caregivers, providing an opportunity...
Recently, the whole world celebrated a global holiday called World Kindness Day. This holiday is all about celebrating kindness and small acts of generosity that can change the world. Schools...
In the fast-paced world of literature and book-related professions, productivity and organization are essential ingredients for success. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a seasoned author, a dedicated bookseller, or a...
I am honored today to share a few of my favorite picture books that showcase positive, loving relationships between children and grandparents. With the growing population of kids who live...
The back-to-school season is upon us, alive with excitement and anticipation! New clothes, new school supplies, and–let’s not forget–wonderful books. For some kids, it’s their first venture into school. If...
Here’s a phrase that took me over a decade to be able to say out loud: I’m disabled. Why? I think it was a mix of societal stigma and naivete...
Children's illustrated books like Winnie the Pooh have not been fully accessible to over eight million children with special needs in the U.S., until now. Children ages 3-8 who are...
“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt” -John Muir Travel with me in your mind for a moment as we walk...
It's getting close to the end of the year which means you may be experiencing teacher burnout at an all time high level of the school year. The stress of...
If you’re a planner like me, then odds are you like to approach your creative projects with a firm idea of where you’re going and what steps you need to...
As a child, I always begged my parents for just one more bedtime story, never wanting to go to sleep. The magic of children's books transported me to such wonderful...
Families can’t go anywhere without being exposed to screens. Kids can watch TV while waiting to see a doctor or dentist, there are screens in the majority of school classrooms,...
If you’d have asked me back in 2020 if I read poetry that would have been the response that you would have received from me. I wasn’t even sure I...
When you submit a picture book manuscript, it’s important to have a strong hook. Or preferably, multiple hooks. The “hook” is what will motivate a reader/buyer to choose your book....
In this blog you’ll discover my best (& easiest!) strategies to encourage creative writing in young children and students: Encourage Reading Invite Local Authors into the Classroom Provide the Necessary...
Multicultural Children’s Book Day is celebrating its 10th Anniversary! We are thrilled to welcome Cardinal Press Rule as our Silver Sponsor! Cardinal Press Rule is a publishing company focused on...
