Many kidlit writers write some, mostly, or all nonfiction. Today’s world needs us now more than ever to use our talents and skills to help kids of all ages learn about our changing world, how it affects them, and what they can do to create change for the better in areas that are important to them, their friends and families, and their communities.
Read on for more in this issue of my author newsletter!
Posted in Animals, Babies, Books, Creativity, Environment, Family, Illustrations, Inspiration, Kidlit, Kidlit, Middle Grade, Nature, Newsletter, Parenthood, Parenting, Picture Books, Picture Books, reading, Writing, Writing
Tagged Author Visits, Books, Change, Environment, Kidlit, Middle Grade, Nature, Newsletter, nonfiction, Nonfiction Fest, Parenting, Picture Books, reading, Writing, Writing for Change
As we fall back into a gentler season, don’t forget to let books be a part of your days, weeks, and months ahead. I definitely will be…find out more in my latest newsletter!
Posted in Books, Environment, Family, Gifts, Illustrations, Kidlit, Kidlit, Newsletter, Parenting, Picture Books, Picture Books, reading, Writing, Writing
Tagged Authors, Book Fairs, Books, Events, Family, Gifts, Illustrations, Kidlit, Nature, Newsletter, Picture Books, reading, Writing
It’s my favorite time of the year! Cooler weather, gorgeous colors, back-to-school in full swing…what’s not to love?! This issue covers the best of fall, plus my upcoming book events and more! Enjoy!
Posted in Animals, Books, Creativity, Environment, Family, Gifts, Illustrations, Kidlit, Kidlit, Middle Grade, Newsletter, Parenting, Picture Books, Picture Books, reading, Writing, Writing
Tagged Author Visits, Book Festivals, Books, Fall, Family, Kidlit, Librarians, Middle Grade, Nature, Newsletter, Picture Books, Teachers, Writing
Summer is in full swing, even if some kids have already started back in school (hello, Midwest!). One way to make summer magical and full is through reading and books. I cover this and more in my latest newsletter!
Posted in Animals, Books, Entertainment, Illustrations, Kidlit, Kidlit, Middle Grade, Nature, Newsletter, Parenting, Picture Books, Picture Books, Poetry, reading, Summer, Writing, Writing
Tagged Books, Events, illustration, Kidlit, Middle Grade, Nature, Newsletter, Parenting, Picture Books, Poetry, reading, Summer, Writing
The year keeps rolling on, each nice day going by faster than the last as we approach the summer solstice. I’m keeping busy, rolling on too, marketing my new book, researching, and writing more. Here’s to sweet, sweet summertime!
Posted in Books, Creativity, Illustrations, Kidlit, Kidlit, Nature, Newsletter, Parenting, Picture Books, Picture Books, reading, Writing, Writing
Tagged Author, Books, Kidlit, Nature, Newsletter, nonfiction, Picture Books, reading, Research, Summer, Writing
This is a big and exciting month for me…my debut picture book releases on May 20th! Read on for how you can get a signed copy and enter to win a book bundle!
Posted in Animals, Books, Environment, Gifts, Illustrations, Inspiration, Kidlit, Kidlit, Nature, Newsletter, Parenting, Picture Books, Picture Books, Poetry, reading, Writing, Writing
Tagged Animals, Book Launch, Books, Environment, Gifts, Illustrations, Kidlit, Nature, Newsletter, nonfiction, nonfiction picture books, Picture Books, Poetry, Writing
No fooling, it’s hard to believe we’ve made it to April…read on for kidlit news and more!
Posted in Animals, Birds, Books, Creativity, Environment, Family, Gifts, Illustrations, Kidlit, Kidlit, Middle Grade, Nature, News, Newsletter, Picture Books, Picture Books, Poetry, reading, Reviews, Writing, Writing
Tagged April, Creativity, Environment, Gifts, Kidlit, Middle Grade, Mud to the Rescue!, Nature, News, Newsletter, Picture Books, reading, Writing
February is a fabulous months for books! Read on to discover ways you can celebrate your love of books this month.
Posted in Books, Creativity, Illustrations, Inspiration, Kidlit, Kidlit, Middle Grade, Nature, News, Newsletter, Parenting, Picture Books, Picture Books, Poetry, reading, Writing, Writing
Tagged Books, February, Illustrations, Kidlit, Middle Grade, Nature, News, Newsletter, Picture Books, Poetry, Writing
With autumn in full swing and colder weather on the way, it’s a great time to celebrate books! November is a big month in the kidlit world, with Children’s Book Week, Nonfiction November, and other fun events, but I also have big news to celebrate. Read on for all the details!
Posted in Animals, Books, Creativity, Environment, Family, Goals, Illustrations, Inspiration, Kidlit, Kidlit, Middle Grade, Nature, Newsletter, Parenting, Picture Books, Picture Books, Poetry, reading, Writing, Writing
Tagged Animals, Authors, Books, Brainstorming, Creativity, Family, Goals, Illustrations, Inspiration, Kidlit, Middle Grade, Nature, Newsletter, Parenting, Picture Books, Poetry, reading, STEM, Writing
A change in seasons is a good time to change up your creative routine or discover new things. This month’s newsletter has some ideas for how I’m doing that, along with some of my favorite kidlit resources that have helped me in the past (and still do!) in my journey. Enjoy!
Tanya
Posted in Animals, Birds, Books, Creativity, Environment, Goals, Illustrations, Inspiration, Kidlit, Kidlit, Nature, Newsletter, Picture Books, Picture Books, Writing, Writing
Tagged Birds, Books, Creativity, Environment, Goals, illustration, Inspiration, Kidlit, Nature, Picture Books, Seasons, September, Writing
Happy July!
I hope your summer is “going swimmingly” and you are enjoying all that this time of year offers! I’m excited to be launching the middle grade anthology, The Haunted States of America, on July 9th at Morgenstern Books in Bloomington. Full details are on page 2 of this issue…hope you can join me!
Tanya
Posted in Books, Creativity, Family, Ghosts, Gifts, Goals, haunting, Illustrations, Inspiration, Kidlit, Kidlit, Middle Grade, Nature, Parenting, Picture Books, Picture Books, reading, Summer, Supernatural, Writing, Writing
Tagged Books, Creativity, Family, Ghosts, Gifts, Goals, haunting, Inspiration, Kidlit, Libraries, Middle Grade, Nature, Newsletter, Picture Books, reading, Writing
Posted in 31 Days of Horror, Birds, Books, Creativity, Entertainment, Family, Halloween, Horror Movie, Illustrations, Inspiration, Kidlit, Kidlit, Middle Grade, Nature, News, Newsletter, Picture Books, Picture Books, Poetry, reading, Writing, Writing
Tagged 31 Days of Horror, Autumn, Banned Book Week, Birds, Books, Children's Books, Entertainment, Freedom to Read, horror movies, Illustrations, Kidlit, Nature, Picture Books, scary movies, Women of Kidlit, Writer's Block, Writing
One Summer Up North
by John Owens
One Summer Up North is a wordless picture book about one family’s adventure in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of northern Minnesota, a “place of wordless wonder,” according to the author. As Alex and her parents canoe through the summer in this tranquil setting of one thousand lakes, distant from humans while communing with nature, they experience the bounty of the water, the thick and wild forests, and the seemingly-endless sky itself. John Owens’ pencil-style illustrations rely on the colors of this natural world—brown, green, and blue—as the backdrop to Alex’s red hat and the family’s colorful red canoe, while capturing the serenity and vastness of this national treasure. And while it might have been nice to see Alex’s growth throughout the summer stemming from her incredible adventure (going from her seeming boredom upon arrival to eventually helping with the canoe portaging, perhaps?), this quiet but lovely story does portray a close family in tune with nature and each other for One Summer Up North.
Hike
by Pete Oswald
Grand adventures in nature don’t have to take weeks: one day is enough when you have dreamed and planned, and get up early to explore a mountain with your father by your side! In Hike, Oswald’s gently lush panoramic scenes alternate with more detailed close-up panels to highlight this child and parent’s exploration, while text is kept to just a few onomatopoeic words. The duo’s close relationship is easily felt through facial expressions and actions (small adversities are overcome together) and the majesty of nature is easily felt through perspective and chosen scenery. One caveat to the story, though, caught my eye (indeed, a disclaimer on the copyright/dedication page addresses this issue): the pair bring a sapling with them to plant on the mountain. While this story line is promoted as helping to play a small role in the forest’s survival, it can also be illegal to plant in public spaces, as well as dangerous through the possible spread of diseases. Nevertheless, this warm tale is a loving story of bonds with both nature and each other, and of a memorable adventure experienced all in one day.
At the Pond
by Geraldo Valerio
Geraldo Valerio gently, yet powerfuly, explores themes of friendship, love, nature, empathy, and ownership in this wordless picture book. When a young boy walks his dog-who is wearing a bright yellow chained collar-on a dreary, colorless day, he discovers a beautiful blue pond full of white swans who befriend him. As the boy, his dog, and the swans explore, full-bleed spreads of the nearby vivid pink, yellow, and green flora and fauna help spread the message of paradise, where animals roam free to frolick. But when the boy unchains his dog so it can play, then chains instead the swan he is riding, the sky turns bleak and stormy. Realizing the swan’s sadness, and shedding a tear himself, the boy releases the swan and throws away the chain forever. A lovely picture book to help young children begin to realize their responsibilities when engaging with the natural world.
*Note: I usually limit my themed picture book reviews to 50 or 100 words, but because these are wordless picture books, I decided to use more words than usual to provide a more thorough synopsis of the storyline in each book.
Posted in Books, Gifts, Illustrations, Nature, Picture Books, Picture Books, Summer
Tagged Books, Children, Family, Illustrations, Nature, Picture Books
Tanya Konerman, Author 