New Home for Bottom Shelf Books

FYI: In a effort to consolidate things, I'm going to start posting blog entries directly on the new author website.  I'll still keep this site up, but please go here if you want to check out new stuff!

Thank you!

Author Spotlight at KidLit411

Thanks to the team at KidLit411 for having me over on their blog to discuss the path to publication (including the all important step of getting out of your own way). Thanks, Sylvia and Elaine!

Click here for the interview.

Review for the New York Times Book Review

I was recently invited to review four books for the New York Times Book Review, which went online on May 5 (May 7 in the print edition).

Click here to read my review of The Opposite Zoo, Yaks Yak, There Is a Tribe of Kids, and (my 2016 favorite so far) Thunder Boy Jr.

Extreme Caldecott Placement: 2016 Edition

The ALA Youth Media Award winners were just announced, which means it's time for EXTREME CALDECOTT PLACEMENT!

This started last year when I wondered, why stop with placing the Caldecott on the book's cover? With such a huge honor, why not sprinkle it throughout the actual book?

So, now that we have our latest batch of newly-minted award winning books, here is the 2016 edition of  Extreme Caldecott Placement.

First, the distinguished honorees:

TROMBONE SHORTY

illustrated by Bryan Collier (words by Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews)

WAITING

by Kevin Henkes

VOICE OF FREEDOM: FANNIE LOU HAMER: THE SPIRIT OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

illustrated by Ekua Holmes (words by Carole Boston Weatherford)

LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET

 illustrated by Christian Robinson (words by Matt de la Peña)

and finally, the illustrious (pun intended) Caldecott Medalist:

FINDING WINNIE: THE TRUE STORY OF THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS BEAR

 illustrated by Sophie Blackall (words by Lindsay Mattick)

I mean, what better excuse for a elementary school style class photo than winning the coveted medal? Everyone say CHEESE CALDECOTT!