Today I learned three things. First, I learned that I agree with Mac Barnett: Goodnight Moon isn’t just a kids book. It is a classic of American literature. (If you don’t know Mac Barnett, you should. Stop reading this and go find some of his books. Personally, I would start with Sam & Dave Dig […]
Today I read…
Today I read The Story Factory, by Jam Dong, a 2025 picture book. This is a book that would be good for kids who are older picture book readers, and/or who are already familiar with telling and retelling stories. It tells about a time when all the stories in the world were made in one […]
Today I heard (and reread)
Someone mentioned Blueberries for Sal today, and I realized I hadn’t read it for years. That’s not really a surprise. It came out in 1948, and so was old before I was born. But it is a classic for a reason, and if you don’t know the title, you might know another book by the […]
Today I learned…
Today I learned about Strawberry Freckleface…and its ban. Actress Julianne Moore wrote this gentle little picture book about having freckles. The girl who has the freckles doesn’t like them at first, because she feels different from other kids, but she learns to love them, and herself. (And kids learn a simple lesson about accepting themselves […]
Today I Read…
Today I read Ode to Grapefruit. If that title confuses you, you’re not alone. I was confused too. I only read it when I saw the subtitle: How James Earl Jones Found His Voice. I’ve been Jones fan for decades, ever since he was the voice of Darth Vader, and of course liked him as […]
A few days ago…
Don’t tell the pigeon! That is, don’t tell the pigeon from Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! that I forgot it was Mo Willems’ birthday! It was February 11, and I just forgot. And how could I? Willems has given us the pigeon books, the elephant and piggie books, and other titles. (I just […]
Today is…
Today (2/11) is Jane Yolen’s birthday. If you don’t know Jane Yolen, you should. Newsweek called her “the Hans Christian Anderson of American children’s literature.” However, I have to admit something: I first encountered her as writer of fantasy and science fiction, for adults. It was only later that I learned of her YA classics, […]
Today is…
Today (2/10) is another picture book writer’s birthday: Lucy Cousins. Cousins is known for her Maisy books, and they are so bright, friendly, and popular that you have probably seen them even if you didn’t recognize the author’s name. Happy birthday, Maisy! I mean, Lucy!
Today I read…
Today (2/9/2025) I read Freedom on the Sea: The True Story of the Civil War Hero Robert Smalls and His Daring Escape to Freedom. I picked up this 2024 nonfiction picture book by Michael Boulware Moore because I’m a fan of Robert Smalls, and wanted to see how a picture book handled his story. If […]
Today I Read…
Today (2/8/2025) I read Whales Passing, a 2003 picture book by Eve Bunting. I liked it. Lambert Davis’s illustrations were colorful and engaging, giving readers into the world of the orca (killer whale). Bunting’s story guides readers from the land to the sea, and from distant longing after whales and their beauty to feeling a […]