I am in SHOCK! I just found out that I WON the Society for Children’s Book Writer’s and Illustrator’s 2021 Magazine Merit Award in the poetry category for my poem, “Lemons!” which first appeared in Countdown/The School Magazine. What a cool and super unexpected surprise! What’s so amazing about this is that (some of you… Read more »
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The cover for BRAINSTORM! is finally here!!!
YAY! I’ve been waiting forever to share the cover of my upcoming debut picture book BRAINSTORM! with you all and it’s finally here!!! Whoo-Hoo!!! Didn’t illustrator Kate Kronreif do an incredible job? I’m so in awe of her talents! And if you like this, you’re going to LOVE the rest of the book. She’s a… Read more »
My book, BRAINSTORM! is featured today on Tara Lazar’s blog! :)
Hi Everyone! I hope you are all doing well and having a great week! So, I may have mentioned that I’m part of a phenomenal group of authors and author/illustrators who have picture books debuting this year. And today, our group, KidLit Caravan (www.KidLitCaravan.com), is featured on Tara Lazar’s blog, where we each talk a… Read more »
BRAINSTORM! is available for pre-order! (And there’s a SALE today on B&N if you’re interested!)
FRIENDS! I just found out that my debut picture book BRAINSTORM! is now available for pre-order! It doesn’t publish until July 15th but you can order it NOW from anywhere books are sold! YAY! FYI if you are interested, B&N is having a PREORDER SALE that ends TODAY for 25% off! Use code: “Preorder25” here:… Read more »
HOP TO IT wins a “Kids Book Choice Award”!
Hey Everyone! I know it’s been a minute since I posted anything new, but don’t think that means I haven’t been working hard behind the scenes. In FACT, I actually do have several bits of amazing news that, hopefully, I’ll be able to share with you very soon. 🙂 In the meantime, check this out…… Read more »
Another poem out in the wild!
Hi Everyone! Hope you are having a fabulous week! I know I’ve had a lot to share lately, but sometimes things work out that way, I guess. 🙂 This week, I’m excited to share that one of my poems, “LEMONS!” is featured in the current issue of Countdown, a magazine for 7 to 9 year… Read more »
My poem “The Coolest Ghoul In School” was published in the Autumn 2021 issue of The Caterpillar
I know, I know, TWO posts in ONE week?! What is HAPPENING?! Well, all I can say is, sometimes good news comes in spurts! So, I just received my author copies of The Caterpillar, an amazing magazine for children ages 7 to 11 that is chock full of poetry, art, and stories, and I had… Read more »
My 2nd book deal, with HarperCollins, is officially “official!”
Hey Everyone! I am SO excited to announce my second book deal! My next picture book, called “I WILL ALWAYS BE…” will be published by HarperCollins in spring 2024, just in time for graduation season! See the announcement in Publisher’s Weekly below… “This rhyming picture book encourages kids to always celebrate their passions — whether… Read more »
Ahh… I just returned from an incredible writing retreat…
Hello Friends! I’m sorry it’s been so long since I last poked my head in. It was a whirlwind end of summer, with lots of fun with the fam, but not tons of writing time. With the kids finally back in school and things going back to a more “normal” routine (although, not quite “normal”… Read more »
Upcoming Events
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2026
Warwick Children’s Book Festival
11AM-4PM
Warwick Valley Middle School Gymnasium
225 West Street, Warwick, NY
FREE Admission!
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2026
7-8:30PM EST
Webinar hosted by The Writing Barn
SHOULD I SAY SOMETHING? How to Make Room for The Illustrator While Also Advocating for Your Own Picture Book Vision
REGISTER HERE!
Once your picture book is acquired and an illustrator is assigned, it is no longer yours alone. Now, suddenly, you are just one of a team of people who have strong opinions about the vision for your book. But what if you don’t always agree? When and how should you communicate your concerns and preferences? And should you always? As someone who has worked on 18 books with 11 different publishers, I’ve had a lot of experience learning how and when to push back, to compromise, and to acquiesce. In this webinar, I’ll share my experiences and offer tips for making sure your voice is heard while also listening to and making room for the opinions of others. Because, in the end, picture book making is a TEAM sport!
