This morning Tulsi whispered in my ear, “Pssssst, let’s go for a ride on a butterfly.” “Let’s,” I replied. In case you didn’t already know, you know now who keeps me in check. And busy. There is much I want to share from the past couple months! Where to begin? I’ll start with Hattiesburg, Mississippi…I [...]

OH Wow! It has been an ongoing joke in our house that Tulsi says, “Mama, your books have no Caldecott Medals, but someday you’ll get a sticker!” I smile and give her sweet head a kiss. Well, I am beyond excited to share some news — The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation awarded me the Ezra [...]

I just created a page “FOR KIDS” (and parents, teachers, big kids…) — it is now in my menu above. I think it’s super fun, and I hope it will inspire young authors and illustrators. At the top is an interactive page with 27 different “clicks” that shares some of my writing & art process [...]

A few months ago, I shared my new picture book, Same, Same but Different, with my long-time client Karen Capp of Oopsy Daisy Fine art for Kids. She had an idea to host a craft to connect young artists with my book and my travel-inspired Oopsy Daisy art, while encouraging children to create art about [...]

So while I was on the road, my editor delivered the COOOOLEST news! First, SSBD was printed in both Japanese and Korean. AND Second, SSBD went into its second printing after just 4 weeks in the U.S.! I received this photo of spreads as they came off the press in NJ — which is doubly [...]

Brace yourself, my book tour was long and so is this post. (But fun!) In a little over a month, I read at ten bookstores and libraries, gave 17 school presentations and 4 skype sessions, and I think it went great. I planned the events myself, and most of the school visits were arranged by [...]

My new picture book came out in stores yesterday! I am presently soaking in the hot springs on a much needed vacation en route to my first bookstore event. I have events planned in Taos, Santa Fe, Durango, Boulder, Denver, Kansas City, Omaha, St. Louis and NYC, and I would LOVE to see you! Bring [...]

Four months ago, I said I would post on the 13th of every month, in a countdown celebration for the release of my new picture book, Same, Same but Different. Um, while my excitement did not diminish, Summer took over. Hee. Here’s an update: After the smoke and wild winds left, the bears came. Patrick [...]

One of the most interesting things about picture books is the story behind the books — where the seeds of ideas came from and how they grew. As promised, I am posting about how my new book, Same, Same but Different came to be. I hope it gives you some good book-energy and that hearing [...]

The countdown has begun! :) My next book will be in bookstores in just FIVE months — September 13th. And I just got the go-ahead to share the cover art and 3 interior spreads. WoooHOOOOOO! The two boys become friends thru the mail…with their drawings and musings…and discover beautiful surprises in their “same, same but [...]