Today, I’m thrilled to talk to illustrator and artist Violeta Encarnación. She is the illustrator for Barbed Wire Between Us, which is the story of my heart. Our picture book is scheduled for release on March 24, 2026. Q1: What was your journey to becoming a children’s book illustrator? I’ve always loved drawing, but it…
I loved the floral arrangements created to reflect a work of art. This is a fundraiser for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA). I think it’s such a challenge to translate a work of art into something three-dimensional, such as a floral arrangement. It gets even tougher when the work of art is also…
I was able to see Salmon Run by Annie Chen at ALA in Philadelphia. It was hot off the presses. Not even the author/illustrator, Annie Chen, had seen it. It felt like a full circle moment because Annie Chen is my oldest daughter’s best friend from college. A dual degree RISD/Brown student, Annie took the…
Eyeglass lenses play a major role in daily life, yet many people overlook how quickly they wear down. Tiny scratches, changing prescriptions, or dull coatings can all reduce clarity. It’s time to replace eyeglass lenses once they no longer deliver clear, comfortable vision or show signs of noticeable wear. Recognizing these signs early can protect…
Dorktales Podcast’s Hidden Hero of History series features Makoto Hagiwara from picture book Fortune Cookies for Everyone! A tale of artistry, innovation, and lasting legacy! Makoto Hagiwara, a Japanese American landscape architect, transformed a World’s Fair exhibit into San Francisco’s Japanese Tea Garden. It’s the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States, still cherished…
Read Your World is celebrating Native American Heritage Month with a free virtual event on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM EST. Meet Xelena González, James Bird, Sherri Maret, and Carla J. S. Messinger, and register for a chance to win 1 of 4 book bundles. Sign up here: readyourworld.org/NAHMVirtual Event p.s. Related…
BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US [STARRED REVIEW!] Author: Mia Wenjen Illustrator: Violeta Encarnación Review Issue Date: November 15, 2025 Online Publish Date: October 10, 2025 Publisher: Red Comet Press Pages: 48 Price (Hardcover): $19.99 Publication Date: March 31, 2026 ISBN (Hardcover): 9781636551920 Section: Children’s Japanese Chinese American author Wenjen and Cuban American artist Encarnación have created a sobering, stupendous reminder of recurring injustice. Wenjen’s reverso…