Tanya Konerman’s August 2025 Kidlit Author Newsletter

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!

August 2025 newsletterDownload

Tanya Konerman’s June/July 2025 Author Newsletter

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!

JuneJuly 2025 NewsletterDownload

Tanya Konerman June 2024 Author Newsletter

It’s finally summer (well, not officially, but close)! It’s a great time to relax a bit and enjoy a great book (or five). And don’t forget…kids who read in the summer do better in school in the fall and retain more of what they’ve learned, so make sure they have a few fun books on hand as well!

june-2024-newsletterDownload

Tanya Konerman’s May 2024 Author Newsletter

Wow…hard to believe it’s already May!

Spring is a wonderful time to get out into nature-in all its freshness and renewed energy-to explore and refill my creative well (I use nature’s stories to inform and inspire my writing). This month’s newsletter focuses on that connection, and on making the most of the always-sifting hourglass we all face in our lives.

Tanya

may-2024-newsletterDownload

Puzzle Review: Springbok’s Sweet Tooth

If you’re looking for a 1,000-piece puzzle* that offers a nice challenge, bright colors, uniquely-cut pieces, and a fun theme, you’ve found it right here with Springbok’s Sweet Tooth. I’m a candy lover myself, so when I first saw this puzzle, I felt a connection right away. The array of hot pinks, greens, oranges, blues, and yellows add to the carnival atmosphere, but also add to the challenge: just when I thought I’d found all the candies of one color or one kind, I’d find another hiding out across the way. The unique, unusual, and never-repeat-shapes puzzles pieces are a nice change from the standard fare (though a couple I found had nearly-straight edges that threw me off when sorting). And as always, I love that Springbok’s puzzles are made in the USA. I recommend this 1,000 piece puzzle for ages 10-12 and up.

*Also comes in 500 pieces

Because I enjoyed this puzzle so much, I am giving this puzzle five out of five puzzle pieces.

Puzzle Review: White Mountain Puzzles: Backyard BBQ

When those long summer days become scorchers, or family comes to visit and you’re just not sure you can handle one more card game, it’s the perfect time to pull out this festive 1,000-piece puzzle from artist Steve Crisp. With brightly colored summer-related details–including flowers in full bloom, a cookout, a spirited game of badminton, a kiddie pool in full use, friends and family gathering, and plenty of decorations–this backyard scene has something for everyone. My only quibble with the scene is the odd choice of tree and birds near the back porch, which don’t really fit with the setting and the colors of which detract from the rest of the sunshine-y scene.

Nevertheless, this is a nice puzzle to have on hand this time of year, and I recommend it for ages 10 and up.

I give this puzzle: 4 puzzle pieces out of 5.