Exactly 10 years ago this summer, I attended my very first SCBWI New Jersey annual writing conference and realized that Kidlit people were *MY* people! đ On Sun 6/7, I am excited to experience a full-circle moment when I’ll be teaching a hands-on revision workshop called “MAKE YOUR RHYME SHINE! HOW TO GET YOUR RHYMING MANUSCRIPT FROM ‘GOOD’ TO ‘ACQUIRED'”! đ For any writers this neck of the woods, I hope you’ll join me! (There’s also a bunch of other FABULOUS sessions, panels and keynotes as well. Check out the full schedule and register here: https://www.scbwi.org/events/scbwi-new-jersey-conference-journey-beyond-the-page-a-creative-adventure )
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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 donât 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, Iâve had a lot of experience learning how and when to push back, to compromise, and to acquiesce. In this webinar, Iâll 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!
Past Interviews & Appearances:
- Interview about I WISH THAT YOU KNEW on The Simpsonian Muse (10/2/26)
- Interview with Cynsations, Part 2 (10/2/26)
- Interview with Cynsations, Part 1 (10/1/26)
- I WISH THAT YOU KNEW on Perfect Picture Book Friday with Susanna Hill (9/11/26)
- Interview with illustrator Alyssa Russell about I WISH THAT YOU KNEW on Picture Book Builders (8/25/26)
- Interview about I WISH THAT YOU KNEW on Kathy Halsey’s Grog Blog (8/19/26)
- Interview about I WISH THAT YOU KNEW on Jena Benton’s Simply 7 Blog (8/19/26)
- Guest post on Good Reads With Ronna about I WISH THAT YOU KNEW (8/13/26)
- I WISH THAT YOU KNEW review in the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle (8/14/26)
- Interview on Jewish Books For Kids about I WISH THAT YOU KNEW (7/28/26)
- Review of I WISH THAT YOU KNEWÂ on Unpacking The Power Of Picture Books blog (7/21/26)
- 12×12 Picture Book Challenge July Webinar (virtual presentation): “RHYME IS NOT A CRIME: HOW TO WRITE RHYMING PICTURE BOOKS THAT SELL” (7/16/26)
- American Library Association Annual Conference, author signings (in-person) (6/26-6/27)
- Presentation at the Assocition of Jewish Libraries Annual Conference  (in-person), “THE BLESSING OF MEMORY: Recent Picture Books About Jewish Mourning Rituals” (6/23/26)
- NJ SCBWI Annual Conference workshop (in-person): “MAKE YOUR RHYME SHINE! Getting your rhyming manuscript from ‘good’ to ‘acquired’!” (6/7/26)
- AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? review on Toddler Teaches Writing blog (4/22/26)
- Poughkeepsie Children’s Book Festival (3/28/26)
- School Visit to Washington Elementary in W. Caldwell, NJ (11/18/25)
- Reach Out And Read NY in-person event at Settlement Health, NYC! (10/30/25)
- Inked Voices Webinar (10/22/25)
- I WISH THAT YOU KNEW cover reveal on Vivian Kirkfield’s blog (10/20/25)
- SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND on Picture Book Builders (10/14/25)
- Warwick Children’s Book Festival (10/12/25)
- Morristown Festival of Books KIDFEST! (10/11/25)
- Interview about SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND on the Barefoot Books blog (9/25/25)
- Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival (9/26/25)
- FINDING FORGIVENESS on Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday (9/19/25)
- FINDING FORGIVENESS review on The Sydney Taylor Schmooze (9/14/25)
- FINDING FORGIVENESS on the Writing & Illustrating blog (9/11/25)
- Library event at Summit Free Public Library (9/6/25)
- Bookstore event at [words] in Maplewood, NJ (9/6/25)
- FINDING FORGIVENESS included in a holiday book round-up in the Jewish Community Voice (9/4/25)
- FINDING FORGIVENESS in the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle (9/2/25)
- SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND on Jena Benton’s Simply 7 Blog (9/1/25)
- KidLit Love podcast interview (8/28/25)
- FINDING FORGIVENESS interview on Writer’s Rumpus (8/26/25)
- SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND on Kathy Temean’s Writing & Illustrating Blog (8/26/25)
- FINDING FORGIVENESS interview with Barbara Bietz on Jewish Books for Kids (8/21/25)
- FINDING FORGIEVNESS interview on Good Reads With Ronna (8/20/25)
- FINDING FORGIVENESS interview on Julie Ditton’s Storybook Lady (8/11/25)
- FINDING FORGIVENESS interview on Simply 7 with Jena Benton (7/31/25)
- Storytime at Books of Wonder, NYC (7/26/25)
- FINDING FORGIVENESS on Picture Book Builders + interview with illustrator Diana Mayo (7/22/25)
- Book signings at the ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition (6/28/25)
- Author Spotlight, Two Writing Teachers blog “If You Write, You ARE a “Real” Writer!”(5/13/25)
- School Visit at Radburn Elementary in Fair Lawn, NJ (5/6/25)
- I WILL ALWAYS BE… on Vivian Kirkfield’s Perfect Picture Book Friday (5/2/25)
- I WILL ALWAYS BE… on Kathy Temean’s Writing & Illustrating blog (5/1/25)
- Interview on The Picture Book Buzz blog along with Rahele Jomepour Bell, about I WILL ALWAYS BE… (4/23/25)
- I WILL ALWAYS BE… on Jena Benton’s Simply 7 blog (4/18/25)
- A video of me reading my poem “GIRAFFE’S ARE TALL BUT THAT’S NOT ALL” on Michelle Schaub’s Poetry Boost blog (4/17/25)
- I WILL ALWAYS BE… on Picture Book Builders (4/15/25)
- I WILL ALWAYS BE… on Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday (4/11/25)
- AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? included in School Library Journal round-up of Best Passover Books (3/25/25)
- Interview on YOU, ME, & THE WRITING JOURNEY podcast, Episode 8: Coping With Anxiety, and Whatever Comes Tomorrow (3/16/25)
- WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW on Celebrate Picture Books (3/5/25)
- Interview on Book Q&A’s with Deborah Kalb about WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW (2/7/25)
- WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW on Kidlit411 (1/24/25)
- WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW on Andrew Hacket’s The Backstory blog (1/22/25)
- WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW on Jena Benton’s Simply 7 blog (1/16/25)
- WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW on Rochelle Melander’s Tales For The Mighty Writer blog (1/15/25)
- WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW on Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday (1/10/25)
- WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW on Picture Book Builders (1/3/25)
- Review of LITTLE DREIDEL on Bookishly Jewish (12/27/24)
- LITTLE DREIDEL read-aloud on “Storytime with Ryan and Craig” (Dec 2024)
- WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW interview, as part of Kathy Temean’s “Holiday Book Extravaganza!” (12/22/24)
- LITTLE DREIDEL included in Good Reads with Ronna’s roundup of Eighteen New Hanukkah Books for Children” (12/16/24)
- “The Puzzle of Writing in Rhyme,” an interview with me on Sara Kruger’s blog (12/9/24)
- Hanukkah program at Summit Public Library (Summit, NJ) with LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN (12/7/24)
- LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN on Jena Benton’s Simply 7 blog (12/6/24)
- LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN on Sara Kruger’s First Lines blog (12/2/24)
- AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? selected by Betsy Bird at School Library Journal as one of her favorite “Transcendent Holiday Picture Books” this year! (12/4/24)
- LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN included in the Jewish Books for Kids Hanukkah Book Roundup 2024 (12/2/24)
- WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW reviewed and featured on the Two Writing Teachers blog (12/2/24)
- LITTLE DREDEL LEARNS TO SPIN included in Library Mom’s New Holiday Books 2024 round-up! (12/2/24)
- Panelist on BOOKS OF WONDER Virtual Hanukkah picture books event! (12/1/24)
- LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN on Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday (11/30/24)
- NCTE (National Council of Teacher’s of English) Annual Convention
In-person signings! Boston, MA (11/21/24 – 11/24/24) - LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN reviewed on the Celebrate Picture Books blog (11/21/24)
- LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN featured on Kathy Temean’s blog Writing & Illustrating (11/12/24)
- BRAINSTORM! featured on Nicole Garrett’s blog + FREE activity sheets for teachers! (11/3/24)
- LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN featured in this round-up of 2024 Hanukkah titles on the Pragmatic Mom blog! (10/21/24)
- Warwick Children’s Book Festival Warwick, NY. (10/13/24)
- Interview about LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN on Picture Book Builders (10/8/24)
- Interview with Nancy Miller on the My Creative Life podcast (9/1/24)
- Presenter at the American Library Association (ALA) 2024 national conference in San Diego on the panel: “The Power of Children’s Poetry in the Classroom and the Community,” with fellow poets/authors Margarita Engle, Chris Baron, and Janet Wong.
- AFIKOMAN reviewed on Good Reads With Ronna (4/15/24)
- Article featuring AFIKOMAN in the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle (4/17/24)
- Article featuring AFIKOMAN in HubPages (4/14/24)
- Interview on Writer’s Rumpus (4/12/24)
- HubPages feature and review of AFIKOMAN (4/11/24)
- Article in the School Library Journal: “Two Buzzworthy Picture Books About the Afikoman, In Time for Passover,” (4/5/24)
- Reading at The Curious Reader bookstore in Glen Rock, NJ (4/7/24)
- Reading at the Summit Free Public Library (4/6/23)
- Author Visit at Congregation Ohr Shalom in Summit, NJ (4/4/24)
- AFIKOMAN reviewed by the Sydney Taylor Schmooze (4/3/24)
- AFIKOMAN reviewed by the Jewish Book Council (4/2/24)
- Author Visit at Temple Sinai Early Childhood Education Program in Summit, NJÂ (4/2/24)
- Poughkeepsie Children’s Book Festival (3/30/24)
- Interview on The Picture Book Buzz blog with Maria C. Marshall (3/25/24)
- AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? included in  School Library Journal article: “41 Standout Books! Starred Reviews!” (March 2024)
- AFIKOMANÂ included in a roundup of new Passover books in The Forward (3/18/24)
- Interview about AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? with Jena Benton on her Simply 7 blog (3/6/24)
- Interview on Jewish Books For Kids…And More! blog with Barbara Bietz (3/3/24)
- AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? featured on Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday (2/23/24)
- Interview on the YA(&Kids!) Books Central blog (2/22/24)
- AFIKOMAN’S Book Birthday post on Vivian Kirkfield’s blog (2/20/24)
- Q&A about AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? on Deborah Kalb’s blog (1/20/24)
- AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? featured on Kathy Temean’s blog (2/13/24)
- YouTube/podcast interview with Mel Rosenberg of the Children’s Literature Channel of the New Books Network (2/8/24) (or listen to the Podcast Version HERE)
- Picture Book Builders interview (with myself!) about AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? (1/30/24)
- Guest on the Why We Write Podcast with Gina Soldano-Herrle (1/18/24)
- In-Person Author Visit and Presentation for the Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs as part of their All Kids Included District-Wide Art Competition Kick-Off! (1/13/24)
- Guest Blog Post on GilaGreenWrites.com: “Debunking the Myth That ‘Editors and Agents Don’t Like Rhyme'” (12/20/23)
- Interview on You May Contribute A Verse podcast (11/7/23)
- Warwick Children’s Book Festival, Warwick, NY (10/7/23)
- Maplewood/South Orange Children’s Book Festival, Maplewood, NY (10/1/23)
- Rye Children’s Book Festival at the Westchester Children’s Museum in Rye, NY (9/23/23)
- Whatever Comes Tomorrow featured in School Library Journal’s “30 Picture Books to Celebrate the Diversity of Latinx Heritage (9/14/23)
- NeRd Camp PA presentation: Literature for Hope and Change. Panel: “Picture Books to Empower Kids” (7/14/23)
- Whatever Comes Tomorrow is included on the Academy of American Poets’Â Poets.org 2023 Summer Book List for Young Readers
- Whatever Comes Tomorrow is read as part of the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly service (6/25/23), scroll to the 32:20 minute mark.
- BRAINSTORM! featured on Carol Baldwin’s blog (6/26/23)
- Interview on Vivian Kirkfield’s Blog with KidLit Caravan Members (6/17/23)
- Full Day Author Visit at Tuscan Elementary School, Maplewood, NJ (6/8/23)
- Interview and review on Maria C. Marshall’s The Picture Book Buzz (5/30/23)
- Interview on Cynsations blog (5/25/23)
- Whatever Comes Tomorrow on local TV station Fox43, Topeka, KS (5/24/23)
- Cover Reveal of AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? Â on Vivian Kirkfield’s blog (5/22/23)
- 12×12 Book Chat with Julie Hedlund (5/2/23)
12×12 May Featured Author blog post (5/1/23) - Westchester Children’s Book Festival, White Plains, NY (4/29/23)
- Interview in The Nueva School Alumni Magazine (Fall/Winter 2023 issue)
- Interview and Review of Whatever Comes Tomorrow on Kathy Temean’s Writing & Illustrating (4/4/23)
- Whatever Comes Tomorrow Book Birthday Celebration at the Summit Free Public Library! (3/11/23)
- Vicinity Magazine (March 2023 issue), p.6
- Interview on Barefoot Book’s Website
- Interview and Review on Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday (2/10/23)
- Interview on Picture Book Builders with Jill Esbaum (3/7/23)
- Interview on Jena Benton’s Simply 7 blog (3/2/23)
- Interview on Andrew Hacket’s The Backstory (2/23/23)
- TV interview with Rocco Staino on the LIVE! Publisher Spotlight Spring 2023 KidLit Showcase! Â Interview is at the 25 min mark. (2/7/23)
- Guest post on The Writer’s Rumpus (1/27/23)
- Guest post on Tara Lazar’s STORYSTORM 2023, Day 15 (1/15/23)
- Poet Feature on The Dirigible Balloon, (1/1/23)
- Interview on Ellen Leventhal’s blog (1/1/23)
- Interview with the Summit, NJ Patch (12/13/22)
- NJ Association of School Librarians Conference, Atlantic City, NJ. 12/4-5/22
- WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW Cover Reveal on Vivian Kirkfield’s blog.
- BRAINSTORM! on Sara Kruger’s “First Lines” blog. (Nov. 2022)
- Authorâs Day at Chester Public Library (11/5/22)
- Summit Free Public Library BRAINSTORM! event (10/22/22)
- West Jersey Reading Council Fall Conference (10/19/22)
- Maplewood/South Orange Book Festival, Maplewood, NJ (10/2/22)
- Rye Children’s Book Festival, Rye, NY (10/1/22)
- Story time & Signing at Indigo Books, Short Hills (9/24/22)
- Interview with Rochelle Melander on Tales for The Mighty Writer
- Interview with fellow KidLit Caravan authors on Cynsations
- Interview on Andrew Hackett’s The Backstory
- Review from Dianne White on ReaderKidz.com
- Interview on Picture Book Spotlight
- Interview on Writer’s Rumpus
- Interview on Susanna Hill’s Tuesday Debut
- Interview with Jena Benton on her “Simply 7” blog
- Interview with fellow KidLit Caravan authors on The Picture Book Buzz with Maria C. Marshall
- Interview with illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi
- Interview on the KidLit Creatives blog
- Interview on the Picturebooking Podcast with Nick Patton
- BRAINSTORM! on Picture Book Builders with Jill Esbaum
- BRAINSTORM! on Writing & Illustrating with Kathy Temean
- BRAINSTORM! on #FirstDraftFriday, Hollie Wolverton’s Blog
- Cover reveal for BRAINSTORM! on author Vivian Kirkfieldâs blog.
- BRAINSTORM! and KidLit Caravan featured on Tara Lazarâs blog, Writing for Kids (While Raising Them).
- Watch me read my poem, âOur Walk To School,â on Michelle Schaubâs blog, Poetry Boost.
- Watch the mini-movie of my poem, âOur Walk To School,â on Sylvia Vardellâs blog, Poetry for Children.Â
Awards & AccoladesÂ
- SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND is named a 2026 Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts by the The Childrenâs Literature Assembly of the National Council of Teacherâs of English!
- SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND and DINOSAUR SURPRISE! are both named to the 2026 Children’s Book Council Librarian Favorites List!
- I WILL ALWAYS BE… nominated for the 2026-2027 Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Awards for 2026-27 (Pennsylvania)
- Prize Winner in Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words Contest, 2026 for “The Perfect Nest”
- Honorable Mention for Humor in Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words Contest 2025
- AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? listed on Bookishly Delightful’s Best Books of 2024 (1/7/25)
- LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN is named one of the “Best Jewish Children’s Books of 2024” by Tablet Magazine (12/9/24)
- AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? selected by Betsy Bird on her end of year School Library Journal list of favorite holiday picture books! (12/4/24)
- WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW is the WINNER of the 2024 SCBWI Crystal Kite Honor Award for the Atlantic Division! (6/26/24)
- My poem, “Centipedes Make Peculiar Pets” won 2nd place in the Institute for Children’s Literature’s Rhyming Animal Poetry Contest! (6/13/24)
- Afikoman, Where’d You Go? selected by the Association of Jewish Libraries for their Holiday Highlights list as one of the “Best Jewish Holiday Books, Spring 2024”
- Brainstorm! selected for the 2024-25 Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award List Grades K-3!
- Afikoman, Where’d You Go? received a STARRED review from School Library Journal! (March 2024)
- Whatever Comes Tomorrow chosen as one of the Best Spiritual Children’s Books of 2023 by Spirituality & Practice
- Whatever Comes Tomorrow is a WINNER of the 2023 Northern Lights Book Award in the Picture Book 4-8 Category!
- Pase lo que Pase Mañana received a STARRED review from School Library Journal!
- Chosen as one of 20 picture book authors (out of 120!) to attend the PJ Library Picture Book Summer Camp for Emerging Jewish Authors at the Highlights Foundation
- Winner of the 2021 SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for my poem, âLemons!âÂ
- âElite 8â Finalist (out of 64 childrenâs poets!) in the Madness!Poetry Tournament, 2021
- Honorable Mention in Vivian Kirkfieldâs #50PreciousWords contest, 2021
- Second Place, Susanna Hillâs Holiday Contest for Childrenâs Writers, 2020
- First Place, Susanna Hillâs Holiday Contest for Childrenâs Writers, 2019
- #PBChat Mentee, chosen by Lori Degman, 2019
- #PBParty Finalist, 2019
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