Kidlit Distancing Social #44 Replay: Picture Book Author Tameka Fryer Brown on Rhythm, Rhyme & Celebrating Community

In this episode, meet picture book writer Tameka Fryer Brown, author of Brown Baby Lullaby (Farrar, Straus & Giroux), named by Parents Latina Magazine as one of the Best Latino Children’s Books of 2020 and one of NPR’s 100 Favorite Books for Young Readers.

Laura and Tameka talk about using rhythm and rhyme to pen stories for picture book readers that celebrate family and community, and how Tameka’s books showcase diversity in a way that is accessible and relatable to any reader.

Kidlit Distancing Social #40 Replay: Jennifer Swanson, Melissa Stewart & Cynthia Levinson on Why Kids Love Nonfiction a *Lot* More Than You Probably Think

Three top children’s nonfiction authors talk about the growing significance of nonfiction and why “the nonfiction books of today are not the textbooks of yesteryear”.

Kidlit Distancing Social #39 – Overcoming Self-Doubt & Finding the Courage to Put Your Work Out Into the World

Meet Jennifer Vassel, an inspiring self-publishing success story. Jennifer is the author and founder of “I Am Unique!”, a children’s book series and self-love brand aimed to inspire kids and adults to rise above their insecurities and share their unique gifts with the world.

Her work has been featured in national media such as Forbes, Black Enterprise, Thrive, Essence, and
Today.

Join us to find out how Jennifer has overcome self-doubt and insecurity to build a thriving writing career. She’ll also share some excellent self-publishing and marketing advice.

Kidlit Distancing Social #33 Replay – Newbery Honoree Steve Sheinkin on Making History Exciting

In this episode of the Social, we welcome Steve Sheinkin, author of Newbery Honoree and National Book Award finalist Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon.

Steve’s hugely popular books make history accessible, fun and exciting for young readers. With wildly diverse topics – from Jim Thorpe and Benedict Arnold to Daniel Ellsberg and the women pioneers of aviation – Steve proves that history can be massively entertaining. And his Time Twisters series bends time to allow for wild adventures – like Abraham Lincoln, Pro Wrestler.

Kidlit Distancing Social #32 Replay – An Evening with Author/Illustrator Lea Lyon

In this episode of the Social, we welcome author/illustrator Lea Lyon, co-author of Ready To Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina (HarperCollins), and illustrator of seven books including It Rained Warm Bread (Henry Holt) and Lailah’s Lunchbox (Tilbury House). 

Among her honors are a Teachers’ Choice Award, ILA-CBC Children’s Choices list, Skipping Stones (twice), and Moonbeam award (twice.) If you’re an illustrator, a writer who wants to learn more about illustration or just a kidlit fan who enjoys learning about the creative process, Lea is someone you absolutely want to meet.

Kidlit Distancing Social #22 Replay – Candice Ransom, Author of 150+ Children’s Books

Candice has written more than 150 books, including 18 books for The Boxcar Children series, The Time Spies series and the Sunfire series. She wrote the Dungeons & Dragons novel, Key to the Griffon’s Lair. Her work includes picture books, easy readers, middle grade fiction, biographies, and nonfiction. Laura and Candice discuss her fascinating career, and then open the floor for a freewheeling “Ask Us Anything” session!

Kidlit Distancing Social #21 Replay – An Evening with Legendary Children’s Poet David Harrison

This week, we welcome a children’s book legend – poet David Harrison, who is about to see his 100th book in print. He is Drury University’s poet laureate. David Harrison Elementary School in Springfield, MO is named for him, and he was recently chosen to receive the first Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Medal for his body of work.

Tuesday August 25: How to Add Emotion, Compassion & Heart to Create a Truly Magical Picture Book Manuscript

There’s a magic ingredient that makes an editor take notice, stops an agent in her tracks and makes a delighted child say “Read it Again!” What if you had this magic ingredient at your fingertips, ready to sprinkle it throughout your next picture book manuscript? How different would your writing career be?

Kidlit Distancing Social #13 – Josh Funk on Creating Successful Kidlit Series

In this episode, Josh Funk brings his special brand of fun to the Social. Josh has created one successful children’s book series after another, and he’ll share how he did it, and how other writers can follow the same path. This is really powerful insight for any writer seeking to build a long-term successful writing career.

Kidlit Distancing Social #12 – Laura Backes on What Picture Book Writers Need to Know About Illustrations

On this week’s Kidlit Distancing Social, CBI Publisher Laura Backes discusses the interplay between words and illustrations in picture books, and shares how writers can create picture book manuscripts that are optimized for illustrations.