Thank you to Poetry for Children for including Barbed Wire Between Us in Sneak Peek list of Poetry for Young People 2026! Here is the list: Sneak Peek list of Poetry for Young People 2026 Adjoa, Delali. 2026. The Free Verse Society. Peachtree Teen. Alexander, Kwame. 2026. The Mighty Macy. Ill. by Kitt Thomas. Little, Brown. Arango,…
Category: Reading Lists: Picture Books
Best picture books for kids including Caldecott and other award winning books for children.
GREEN HOMES HAPPY PLANET Cover Reveal
My picture book, Green Homes, Happy Planet, has had quite a journey. It started out with the title A Place to Call Home. I failed to check for other books by this same name when I titled it. My editor, agent, and I brainstormed alternative titles. I even used ChatGPT for ideas, but it didn’t…
12 Diverse Picture books about Art and SEL & #Giveaway
My guest author today is Erin Dealey, whose upcoming book Squirrel Draws Big Feelings (illustrated by Luciana Navarro Powell/ Beaming Books, available April 7, 2026) shows young readers how Squirrel, Porcupine, and Bear calm their BIG feelings with chalk art and friendship. Together they learn that, even when we don’t have the words to express…
BARBED WIRED BETWEEN US: Kirkus The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026
I am excited to announce that Barbed Wire Between Us made Kirkus’ list of The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026! BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US by Mia Wenjen ; illustrated by Violeta Encarnación ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026 A significant portrayal of ongoing U.S. civil rights violations, exposed through the experiences of young children. Japanese Chinese American…
Josh Funk’s WHO DONUT? Book Launch at Porter Square Books
Josh Funk’s book launch for his potentially last book in the Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast series was a lot of fun! You can experience it here: p.s. Related posts: FOOD FOR THE FUTURE Book Launch with Josh Funk at Hummingbird Books Josh Funk and Carrie Finison at Brookline BookSmith Josh Funk’s Top…
ALA and Meeting Simon Tam
Simon and I met years ago when he was seeking letters of support for the appeal to trademark his band’s name. At that time, we met over the phone. During the creation of We Sing from the Heart, we met over Zoom and via email. I also follow him on social media, so it feels…
Activities for We Sing From the Heart
We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Victor Bizar Gomez ALSC Notable Children’s Book 2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book Junior…







