Children's Author & Educator
It was such a joy to spend time talking books with authors, educators, and kids at the first virtual nErDCampPA! I ended up on three panels, one about nonfiction, another about teaching activism through picture books and a storytime panel reading to the kids I write for.
Already looking forward to next year to talk about my new book!
Register for Picture Book Summit to hear the very talented author and illustrator Sophie Blackhall! I was honored to write about her books. Read my author study to learn more about her and while there register for the virtual conference.
It’s time for another Coronavirus Creative Mentor Text Author Study post!
In August 2018, I wrote a mentor text author study featuring poet and author Nikki Grimes. Since then, Grimes has released two new picture books this year. Let’s look at those books. Read more at the Reading for Research blog.
Happy reading! Stay safe!
The book trailer of the day on Shelf Awareness is NO VOICE TOO SMALL: Fourteen Young Americans Making History! Video by Jeanette Bradley.
Jeanette, Lindsay, and I are so excited to get this book into the hands of kids. 
Releases September 22 from Charlesbridge Publishing.
You can preorder the book today anywhere books are sold!
Bookshop | Charlesbridge | Amazon | B&N
Book trailer created by Jeanette Bradley
Charlesbridge Publishing, September 22, 2020
Nonfiction picture book for ages 5-9
ISBN: 978-1623541316
This month I discussed informational picture books and looked at at Give Me Back My Bones by Kim Norman, illustrated by Bob Kolar over at the Reading for Research blog. What a fun read!
I took a look at Lesléa Newman’s latest book for our May Reading for Research mentor text author study!
Happy reading!
Children’s picture book, middle grade, and young adult authors and illustrators are rallying to help during a time when schools are closing and students are challenged to study remotely due to COVID-19. We know parents will be challenged, too.
In addition to what schools are providing, here are some additional resources and homeschooling help.
I hope you find something useful!
Check back for updates!
Story Seeds kids use their own story ideas and pair up with real authors. Together they collaborate and “grow” their ideas into original short stories.
Picture book and middle grade author Kate Messner created Read, Wonder, and Learn! Favorite Authors & Illustrators Share Resources for Learning Anywhere are videos featuring picture book and middle grade authors and illustrators on her website. And it’s growing daily.
Authors Everywhere! is a YouTube Channel focused on providing content for kids like read alouds, writing prompts and writing exercises.
Author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka created “Draw with JJK” that will air every weekday at 1:00pm Central or catch the videos on his YouTube channel.
Picture book and chapter book author Grace Lin created Ask Authors podcast, that launches March 17th. She plans to have a weekly 5-10 minute podcast featuring a guest author who will answer one question from a child reader. Episodes will end with a book review or a joke. Read more about the podcast in this article from the Daily Hampshire Gazette.
Nonfiction science Picture book author Melissa Stewart created mini-lessons on her website addressing content from her nonfiction picture books.
Musician Emily Arrow creates fun songs for many popular picture books.
#StoryMarch includes illustration prompts by The Greater Boston Illustrators Group.
And I created a study guide for my picture book, The King Cake Baby that includes activities comparing and contrasting it to it to the classic Gingerbread Man story. And here’s an easy kid-friendly king cake recipe and the movement and song 5 Little King Cake Babies for preschool and Kindergarten aged children.
Explore the world of children’s literature on KidLitTV. Read alouds, author and illustrators interviews, crafts and cooking.
Picture book author Mac Barnett will begin reading his picture books on InstagramLive out loud at noon Pacific Time on March 15, 2020. The recording will be up for 24 hours.
Picture book author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers will read one of his picture books online starting this Monday, 2pm EST. Details coming!
Picture book author-illustrator Arree Chung will offer a month long Creativity Camp and focus on writing, drawing and storytelling if he gets enough interest. Find the details on his Facebook post here.
Picture book Author Tara Lazar will broadcast LIVE from her YouTube channel daily at noon Eastern time reading her books and giving writing tips.
Author/illustrator Mo Willems hosts LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems on his YouTube channel. Go check out Mo’s Studio!
Author/illustrator Katy Kelly is hosting virtual author visits to 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade classes reading one of her books every day until it’s finished. Connect with her at http://www.katykellyauthor.com/.
FREE Young Writer’s course for ages 6-10 from the fabulous folks who teach writing at Children’s Book Insiders!
Scholastic Learn At Home offers activities to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing while at home.
Picture book author and dance instructor Connie Dow has ideas for learning through movement activities, built around picture books for young children on her blog.
Picture book author/illustrator and former homeschool mom Danna York’s blog has ideas that incorporate books, nature, classic movies, art and more.
Find MORE resources on this Google Doc with of other creatives helping out. And check out the hashtag #kidlitquarantine on Twitter.
Other children’s book resources:
Storyline Online has picture books being read by celebrities. Each book includes supplemental curriculum developed by a credentialed elementary educator, aiming to strengthen comprehension and verbal and written skills for English-language learners.
Brightly Storytime is a read-aloud video series for Babies and Toddlers to Teens.
Free access to ebooks and audio books at Mims House books during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Librarian Bookends presents all things books! #UnitedByBooksCOVID19 – brilliant elementary and middle grade book resources from authors and illustrators, and publishers.
An Open Book Foundation is a nonprofit that brings authors and illustrators to qualifying D.C. schools to support literacy created a list of resources here.
Hope you found this post helpful. And feel free to share with others who have kids affected by these recent school closings.
Stay healthy!
GREEN LIGHT!
I am so excited to announce my latest book deal! And I am thrilled to be working with my agent Dawn Frederick at Red Sofa Literary, Beaming Books, editor Naomi Krueger and the talented illustrator Alleanna Harris to bring the story of Victor Hugo Green and his Green Book to young children. Stay tuned.
BEEP! BEEP!
Coming to a shelf near you on January 19, 2021
Ever wonder why there’s a baby in a King Cake? Or how the tradition of eating King Cake during the Carnival season came about? Read my guest post over at Alphabet Soup to find the answers.
Comment and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for a signed copy of my picture book, THE KING CAKE BABY!
Happy Mardi Gras!
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.
Seven years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues. All kids should have access to diverse books like the one I reviewed this year.
FREEDOM SOUP by Tami Charles and illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara was sent to me Candlewick Press at no cost in exchange for an honest review. Published December 10, 2019, the book has earned four starred reviews! Read those reviews from Kirkus, SLJ (School Library Journal), Shelf Awareness, and Publishers Weekly.
Food is a wonderful way to celebrate culture and history. That’s exactly what Charles does in her story about the Haitian dish, Soup Joumou, also known as Freedom Soup. An intergenerational story, readers follow along as a young child and her grandmother cook together.
Every New Year’s Day Ti Gran makes Freedom Soup but on this day she is teaching Belle how to make the soup, just like she was taught when she was a little girl.
Readers can sway to the rhythm of Charles’ lyrical language and Alcántara’s colorful, expressive illustrations filled with movement. Both text and art will entice children to dance like Belle and tap their toes like Ti Gran while imagining the sounds of the Haitian kompa music.
As they cook, Ti Gran teaches Belle the history of Haiti, the place where she was born.
“Know why they call it Freedom Soup” Ti Gran asks.
“Because it’s free?
It’s the same answer I always give. Ti Gran laughs her loud, belly-deep laugh.
“Oh, Belle. Nothing in this world is free, not even freedom.”
Charles recounts the country’s history of slavery so children understand what it meant to be enslaved. Ti Gran explains, “Freedom Soup was only for the free.”
As the soup cooks Belle and Ti Gran dance their way through the rebellion that lead to the revolution and cheer for Haiti’s independence. Charles provides a recipe for Freedom Soup and an author’s note with background information on Haiti and her personal family connection to the story. FREEDOM SOUP is a fun and engaging story but it also introduces young children to the true history of a country and the people who resisted slavery and won their freedom.
FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day
TWITTER PARTY! Register here!
MCBD 2020 is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board
Super Platinum
Make A Way Media/ Deirdre “DeeDee” Cummings,
Platinum
Language Lizard, Pack-N-Go Girls,
Gold
Audrey Press, Lerner Publishing Group, KidLit TV, ABDO BOOKS : A Family of Educational Publishers, PragmaticMom & Sumo Jo, Candlewick Press,
Silver
Author Charlotte Riggle, Capstone Publishing, Guba Publishing, Melissa Munro Boyd & B is for Breathe,
Bronze
Author Carole P. Roman, Snowflake Stories/Jill Barletti, Vivian Kirkfield & Making Their Voices Heard. Barnes Brothers Books, TimTimTom, Wisdom Tales Press, Lee & Low Books, Charlesbridge Publishing, Barefoot Books Talegari Tales
Author Sponsor Link CloudJerry Craft, A.R. Bey and Adventures in Boogieland, Eugina Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing, Kenneth Braswell & Fathers Incorporated, Maritza M. Mejia & Luz del mes_Mejia, Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom, SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, Josh Funk and HOW TO CODE A ROLLERCOASTER, Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove, Lauren Ranalli, The Little Green Monster: Cancer Magic! By Dr. Sharon Chappell, Phe Lang and Me On The Page, Afsaneh Moradian and Jamie is Jamie, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, TUMBLE CREEK PRESS, Nancy Tupper Ling, Author Gwen Jackson, Angeliki Pedersen & The Secrets Hidden Beneath the Palm Tree, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 by Mia Wenjen, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher (Founders of Inner Flower Child Books), Ann Morris & Do It Again!/¡Otra Vez!, Janet Balletta and Mermaids on a Mission to Save the Ocean, Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo & Bruna Bailando por el Mundo\ Dancing Around the World, Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries, Sarah Jamila Stevenson, Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series, Teresa Robeson & The Queen of Physics, Nadishka Aloysius and Roo The Little Red TukTuk, , Nadishka Aloysius and Roo The Little Red TukTuk, Girlfriends Book Club Baltimore & Stories by the Girlfriends Book Club, Finding My Way Books, Diana Huang & Intrepids, Five Enchanted Mermaids, Elizabeth Godley and Ribbon’s Traveling Castle, Anna Olswanger and Greenhorn, Danielle Wallace & My Big Brother Troy, Jocelyn Francisco and Little Yellow Jeepney, Mariana Llanos & Kutu, the Tiny Inca Princess/La Ñusta Diminuta, Sara Arnold & The Big Buna Bash, Roddie Simmons & Race 2 Rio, DuEwa Frazier & Alice’s Musical Debut, Veronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book seriesGreen Kids Club, Inc.
Co-Hosts and Global Co-Hosts
A Crafty Arab, Afsaneh Moradian, Agatha Rodi Books, All Done Monkey, Barefoot Mommy, Bethany Edward & Biracial Bookworms, Michelle Goetzl & Books My Kids Read, Crafty Moms Share, Colours of Us, Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes, Educators Spin on it, Shauna Hibbitts-creator of eNannylink, Growing Book by Book, Here Wee Read, Joel Leonidas & Descendant of Poseidon Reads {Philippines}, Imagination Soup, Kid World Citizen, Kristi’s Book Nook, The Logonauts, Mama Smiles, Miss Panda Chinese, Multicultural Kid Blogs, Serge Smagarinsky {Australia}, Shoumi Sen, Jennifer Brunk & Spanish Playground, Katie Meadows and Youth Lit Reviews
If you want to host an Easy Peasy King Cake Party for Carnival…
See my earlier post for the recipe.
Who’d like to help?
You’ll need three Pillsbury Crescent Dough Sheets.
Roll out each dough sheet into a rectangle
Mix cinnamon and sugar for the filling and divide among each dough sheet.
Gently roll each from the shortest side of the rectangle.
I can do it myself!
Connect here, here, and here to create an oval shape.
And place the cake into the oven to bake.
Whoever finds the baby will need a crown! The origami crown was easy peasy for the 10-year-old but a challenge for the younger kids. But I had a plan B!
Make a paper plate crown. Here’s a video. Easy peasy!
Don’t forget the baby!
Soften the icing while the cake cools…
Soften the icing while the cake cools…
…so it spreads easily.
…so it spreads easily.
Easy peasy!
See! I can do it all by myself!
Let it flow! Let it flow!
Allow the icing to pour over the sides of the cake. YUM!
Add the sugar sprinkles in a pattern- purple, green, and gold.
I picked purple. I’m first!
What’s next?
Then…
My turn!
And one more round of sprinkles.
There’s more than one way to get the job done.
Easy peasy!
Voilà. It’s a king cake!
Let’s eat!
Time to cut the cake.
Check your piece for the baby before you eat.
I didn’t get the baby.
Who got the baby?
All hail to the Queen!
What an easy peasy and fun king cake party!
Find the recipe here. If you can’t find dough sheets, here’s an Easy Peasy Crescent Roll King Cake Recipe.
Why is there a baby in a king cake? How did the tradition of eating king cake during the Carnival season come about? Read my guest post over at Alphabet Soup to find the answers.
HAPPY MARDI GRAS!
Today I looked at books by Julie Abery for my January Reading for Research Month post. What a wonderful way to start 2020!
Head over to the Reading for Research Month blog to read about the stories ReFoReMo contributors picked for best picture book mentor texts of the year! Read on!
Newbery Honor–winning author-illustrator Cece Bell is well known for her graphic novel El Deafo, the autobiographical book about living with her hearing loss from childhood. In this post, I look at Bell’s picture books and how she uses imagination and more to connect with a younger audience.
Read more at the Reading for Research Month blog…
With the knowledge that schools are reopening differently in every district – some online, some in person, some hybrid – Lindsay H. Metcalf, Jeanette Bradley and I have created a flexible school author visit package for NO VOICE TOO SMALL.
Available September 22, 2020!
Charlesbridge | ISBN: 978-1-6235-4131-6
40 pages | ages 5-9
Featuring poems by: S. Bear Bergman | Joseph Bruchac | Nikki Grimes | Hena Khan | Andrea J. Loney | Guadalupe García McCall | Lindsay H. Metcalf | Fiona Morris | G. Neri | Lesléa Newman | Traci Sorell | Charles Waters | Carole Boston Weatherford | Janet Wong
Order where ever books are sold.
Bookshop | Charlesbridge | Amazon | B&N
We have built both on-demand (asynchronous) and live (synchronous) options, suitable for classroom or at-home use.
Many of the poets who contributed to NO VOICE TOO SMALL have created mini writing workshop videos, some have also recorded themselves reading their poem. We have learned so much from watching these master craftspeople talk about their creative process, and we hope you and your students will as well.
Live Virtual Author Visits
If you are interested in hiring one or all of us for a live (synchronous) virtual school visit, and/or and interactive flip grid classroom visit, please contact me for packages and pricing.
ROAR! Individual Classroom, Grade Level, or School-Wide visit: Students will learn about community activism through the poems featured in NO VOICE TOO SMALL.
POETRY WORKSHOP: Using NO VOICE TOO SMALL as a mentor text to write poetry, students will learn about process, research, and revision required for writing nonfiction poems.
On Demand Distance Learning Resources
Because schools and families are in unique situations in 2020, we have developed multiple ways for you to access and use these On Demand materials in your classroom or for distance learning or homeschool classrooms at home.
Flipgrid Book Club
Check out our NO VOICE TOO SMALL Flipgrid Book Club, featured in Flipgrid’s Discovery Library. Parents and educators can access videos, mini writing workshops, art class with Jeanette Bradley, and the No Voice Too Small pledge. Readers can watch and respond to the videos with their own recordings and writings! For privacy, teachers can copy this module into their own classroom Flipgrid sites.
Educational Guide
Click here to download the standards-aligned (K-4) Educational Activity Guide.
Links for Use in Google Classroom
If you prefer to embed links into your own Google Classroom documents, we have gathered the links to all of the Writing Workshops and Poetry Reading videos that are currently live on You Tube into one google doc. Click here for NO VOICE TOO SMALL Distance Learning Links.
Book trailer
NO VOICE TOO SMALL book trailer, featuring the voices of some of our young activists.
YouTube playlists
NO VOICE TOO SMALL Writing Workshops Poets from NO VOICE TOO SMALL share their inspiration and writing tips with young readers.
NO VOICE TOO SMALL Young Activists Speak A collection of videos of the young activists featured in NO VOICE TOO SMALL. Some were created just for readers of this book, others are news videos, speeches, or performances given by the young activists in the past.
NO VOICE TOO SMALL Poetry Readings A rotating selection of poets read their own poems aloud.
Wishing you a safe and productive school year,
Jeanette, Lindsay, and Keila
Co-editors:
Jeanette Bradley has a background in fair housing and fair lending work. She is the author/illustrator of Love, Mama and the illustrator of When the Babies Came to Stay.
Keila V. Dawson is a New Orleans native, former community organizer and author of The King Cake Baby and the forthcoming Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book. She’s worked as a teacher, school administrator, and educational consultant and advocate in the U.S., the Philippines, Japan, and Egypt.
Lindsay H. Metcalf has been a writer and editor at publications including The Kansas City Star and Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World and has covered a range of change-makers in politics, education, and communities. She is the author of the forthcoming Beatrix Potter, Scientist, and Farmers Unite! Planting a Protest for Fair Prices.
Read about the talented author and storyteller Rukhsana Khan. I was honored to write about her books. We will hear from her tomorrow and many others at this year’s fifth anniversary of Picture Book Summit!
We’re celebrating Latin culture and Latinx Heritage Month over at the ReFoReMo blog today using books by the talented Yuyi Morales!
This month I look at picture books by by word whiz David Michael Slater over at the Reading for Research blog! His word play is filled with puns and idioms. And his humor is delightful.
This month’s Reading for Research author study takes a look at books by Susan Verde. Read how she connects with kids and invites them to learn and grow. Her books address compassion, empathy, mindfulness and community.
Coming this October: Picture Book Summit – all the content of a conference, in the comfort of your home! I took a look at the books by this year’s presenters and was honored to write about them. Join me as I look at books by Matthew Cordell!
Register here for Picture Book Summit 2019. See you there!
Coming this October: Picture Book Summit – all the content of a conference, in the comfort of your home! I took a look at the books by this year’s presenters. Read about the work of author Samantha Berger.
Register here for Picture Book Summit 2019. See you there!
In this month’s Reading for Research Author Study I took a look at picture books by Ashley Spires. She is one witty woman!
Head over to my June post on the ReFoReMo blog where I take an in-depth look at books by the amazing Lesléa Newman!
My picture book mentor text author study features the very versatile and talented writer Anika Aldamuy Denise. Check out my post on the Reading for Research (RefoReMo) blog here.
Anika writes fiction, nonfiction, and diverse books. What a package!
