From Pee to Powder: The Chaos of Family Ski Trips

One of my greatest joys in life is snowboarding. So, imagine my excitement when my two oldest kids turned eight and nine, I was no longer pregnant, and we had a bit of extra cash for a family ski trip. It felt like the stars had aligned.

In a big family with a wide age range, finding something everyone enjoys is a bit like trying to conduct an orchestra where everyone is playing a different song. My daughter despises sports and the outdoors, yet somehow she loves snowboarding. My husband, who usually avoids outdoor activities like they’re a bad rash, also loves skiing. Probably because there are no mosquitos.

Thus, skiing and snowboarding became our family’s new thing. Except, snowboarding with five kids is a logistical nightmare. There’s the snowsuits, jackets, helmets, goggles, boots, snowboards, and gloves. Just when you’ve got everyone bundled up like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, someone always has to pee. ALWAYS.

And teaching kids to snowboard? A total pain. They fall, whine about being hungry, cry because they’re cold, and let's not even discuss the ordeal of getting on and off the lift. Still, we pressed on, hoping it would get easier as they got older.

By the time our youngest turned four, we decided it was time for him to hit the slopes. Starting him younger than the others seemed easier than figuring out how to occupy him while the rest of us skied. Given his defiant streak, I knew teaching him would be no picnic. Plus, we were still wrangling the other four down the mountain like a herd of mountain goats on roller skates. So, we signed him up for snowboarding lessons.

On a bright winter day, I picked him up after his first class. The instructor said he did great. But as we walked away, his face fell. “I hate ski school. I’m never going back.”

“Why? Your teacher said you did great.”

“Because I peed.”

“You what?” My stomach dropped. He’d been on-again, off-again with potty training, but no accidents in over a month. “You peed your pants?”

He nodded.

“Why didn’t you tell the teacher you had to go?”

He shrugged.

“Wasn’t it cold and gross?”

He grinned. “No. It was warm and cozy.”

I groaned. Of course, he’d think that.

Fast forward to last weekend’s ski trip. My youngest is now twelve. I don’t have to help anyone get ready. No gloves to put on, no boots to tie, no gear to carry. Everyone handles their own bathroom needs.

Four out of five kids have outgrown me in height and they’ve all outgrown me in skill. The only one still complaining? Me. Now I’m the one lagging behind, legs burning, whining, “Can we stop for a snack? I need the bathroom.”

I still love snowboarding, but what brings me even greater joy is watching my kids zoom down the mountain, catch air off jumps, and turn back to yell, “Mom, did you see that?”

That’s where the magic is.

The Joys of Book Clubs: How They Benefit Moms and Kids

In today’s fast-paced world, finding meaningful ways to connect with our kids can feel challenging. One delightful solution is starting or joining a book club. Book clubs offer a unique opportunity for both moms and kids to bond over stories, engage in thoughtful discussions, and grow together in their love of reading. Here’s how book clubs can benefit both moms and kids:

1. Encourages a Love for Reading For children, participating in a book club can ignite a passion for reading. Discussing books in a group setting helps them see stories from different perspectives, making the experience more enriching. Moms, too, get a chance to rediscover the magic of reading and share in their children's literary journey.

2. Strengthens Mother-Child Bonds Reading the same book and then talking about it provides a shared experience that can strengthen the bond between moms and kids. Whether it's a heartwarming story or a thrilling adventure, discussing the plot, characters, and themes offers a platform for deeper conversations and mutual understanding.

3. Builds Communication Skills Book clubs encourage open communication. Kids learn to articulate their thoughts and listen to others’ viewpoints, which are crucial life skills. Moms benefit by engaging in meaningful dialogues, not just with their children but with other mothers too, fostering a supportive community.

4. Fosters Critical Thinking Discussing books helps kids and moms develop critical thinking skills. Analyzing a story’s plot, questioning a character’s motives, or exploring alternative endings stimulates intellectual growth and creativity.

5. Creates a Sense of Community Joining a book club connects families with others who share a love for reading. This sense of community provides support, encouragement, and a network of friendships that extend beyond the pages of a book.

Starting a mother-child book club can be a rewarding experience that nurtures a lifelong love of reading while strengthening familial bonds. So, grab a book, gather your little ones, and dive into the joys of reading together!

Goals, Dreams, & Marital Disputes

Every New Year’s Day I gather my family around (okay, it’s usually when we’re trapped in the car because nothing says family bonding like having nowhere to run) and ask everyone to share their goals for the year. One year, I decided to shake things up. In addition to setting yearly goals, I had everyone create a bucket list for their life.

My kids came up with gems like “Meet Mr. Beast,” “Win a hot dog eating contest,” and “Go to Antarctica to see the penguins.”

My bucket list was a little more aspirational: “Become a best-selling author” and “Win a Newbery.”

When it was my husband’s turn, he didn’t hold back. “Land a triple axle, walk on the moon, free climb el capitan, swim all the way up the Mississippi River without stopping. . .”

“Come on,” I said, cutting him off. “Get serious.”

“Oh,” he replied innocently. “I thought we were listing things we think would be cool but will never actually happen.”

And that’s when we got divorced.

Just kidding. 

Okay, okay–my dreams might be a little out there, but they are definitely possible.

And as soon as I win that Newbery, I’m making my husband swim all the way up the Mississippi River without stopping.

Betting on Baby Jesus

As 2024 comes to a close, I am reminded of the time we found ourselves at my sister’s house one New Year’s Eve. The kids were running wild in the basement while the adults played board games upstairs, trying to stay awake until midnight. 

I kid. There was no way we were staying awake until midnight. We were just trying to make it to our fake ball drop at 10 p.m.

At one point, I went downstairs to check on the kids. A few kids were glued to Elf, laughing hysterically as Buddy poured syrup on his spaghetti. Others were deep in an intense Nerf gun battle, shooting each other like they were in the climatic scene of an action movie. But my then 12-year-old son was nowhere in sight. 

Curious, I peeked around a corner and spotted him and his friend sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by one of my sister’s nativity sets. Joseph, Mary, a shepherd, and all three Wise Men had been carefully lined up in neat stacks in front of the boys. Aww, I thought. How sweet. They’re still feeling the Christmas spirit. 

But then…

“I’ll raise you a Baby Jesus,” my son said, sliding the tiny figurine across the carpet with the confidence of a Vegas shark.

Wait, what? They’re playing poker? With the nativity set?!

His friend squinted at his cards, furrowed his brow, and sighed. “Fine. I’ll match your Baby Jesus and throw in a sheep.”

A sheep! They were betting the livestock now, too.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or get mad. What was the parenting protocol here? Did I take away their cards? Or let the Baby Jesus betting pool play out?

To their credit, the boys seemed genuinely invested in their game, and I could tell no sacrilege was intended. But still, with my religious upbringing, I couldn’t exactly let them gamble with the Savior of the world.

I stepped forward, arms crossed. “Boys, what are you doing?”

My son looked up, shrugged, and said, “Playing poker.”

“With the nativity set?”

“It’s all we could find,” his friend chimed in.

I gestured toward the plethora of toys surrounding them. “You couldn’t use Iron Man? Or Legos?”

My son nodded. “Good point.”

They placed the nativity set figures back on the display table and swapped out Baby Jesus and the Holy Family for nearby toys.

“I’ll raise you a Pokémon,” my son said. 

“I’ll match your Pokémon and will raise you a Matchbox car,” his friend replied.

Now every Christmas as I pull out our nativity sets from the attic and carefully unwrap each figure, I laugh and say to myself, “I’ll raise you a Baby Jesus.”

I’m guessing Baby Jesus is laughing too. 

And with him on our side, I’d say we’ll always win this game called life.

Do Not Give Your Family a Puppy for Christmas

I am a sucker for a good Christmas morning. Seriously, I love the magic, the surprises, the joy on my kids’ faces. And as kids get older, it’s harder to capture that surprise and magic. So, last Christmas, I knew I’d have to do something epic to capture that fleeting feeling.

My husband and kids had been begging for a puppy for two years. We already had the perfect dog, though, and I had stood firm against a second dog, repeatedly saying, “Heck no. Not in a million years. One is enough.”

And then somewhere between the twinkle lights, hot cocoa, and the desire to give my family the best Christmas ever, I lost my mind. Why not get another dog? I felt smug about my puppy-parenting success from our first dog, after all. How bad could it be?

Due to logistics and my last-minute decision, having an actual puppy under the tree was impossible. The next best thing was black lab stuffed animal representing the future puppy.

When said stuffed animal was opened, a look of confusion crossed everyone’s faces. Then it clicked. “We’re getting a puppy?!?!?!”

Everyone was overjoyed, and I got massive points as best mom ever.

Our second puppy, Raven, was born at the end of January. She was the cutest little black lab you’ve ever seen, with big eyes and an irresistible head tilt.

But then she arrived home right after Easter with the personality of a tornado. She jumped. Zoomed. Chewed. Drooled. Peed. Pooped. Barked.

The one thing she didn’t do? Sleep.

She was just like one of my kids when they were babies who never slept, and I was exhausted.

It was rough.

By summer, she was five months old and we could board her with our other dog while we went to a family reunion. When we picked the dogs up, they said Raven had blood in her stool and was too anxious around other dogs.

Yikes. What did that even mean?

The next morning, I woke up at 5:30 a.m. and heard whining from downstairs. My husband had already left for work, so it was up to me to investigate. Our dogs never whine in their crates. As I headed downstairs, a smell hit me with such force I almost gagged.

Turns out our anxious pup had been holding everything inside while we were gone and now the sunroom looked like a Jackson Pollock painting—if he’d worked exclusively with diarrhea and vomit.

Both dogs were covered in it. Both crates. The walls. The baseboards. The floor. There was poop and vomit everywhere.

I almost vomited. I tried not to cry while I cursed the stupid puppy and cursed myself for wanting to make my family happy with magical Christmas surprises. Then I got to work.

The first step was getting the dogs outside. By the time they were out, I looked like I’d lost a wrestling match with a sewer monster.

It may have been the most disgusting moment of my life.

Next, I bathed the dogs outside with the hose. They were not fans of this, so I had to hang onto their collars for dear life while I sprayed the poop off them. I ducked my face, trying to avoid the backlash of spraying poop, but there’s only so much one can do in this situation.

Then I hauled the crates outside and scrubbed them while muttering vengeful thoughts.

When I was done outside, I woke up my sons at 6:30 a.m. so they could take the dogs on a walk while I cleaned the sunroom. I think they could sense the anger brewing inside me, because they didn’t complain. That, or the stench of their sewer monster mother made them realize the seriousness of the situation.

Cleaning the sunroom required two solid hours of scrubbing—walls, floors, baseboards—because the poop wasn’t just fresh; some of it had dried. Dried poop requires elbow grease, determination, and the mental fortitude of a marathon runner. And I had just run a marathon six months previous, so I should know. In fact, running a marathon and getting a puppy might be tied on my list of terrible life decisions.

By 11 a.m., the room was sanitized and the dogs had been to the vet and back. I was exhausted and ready to get back to my regular routine.

But later that day, our tornado puppy lounged on her favorite summer spot—the air conditioning vent. I was still mad at her about poop-ageddon and she knew it.

She looked straight at me and peed. Into the vent!

I stood there, staring in disbelief, as pee dripped into the bowels of my home. I can’t even describe how much I hated that adorable Christmas-magic puppy. I spent the next thirty minutes with my arm shoved into an air vent trying to soak up dog pee with paper towels.

So here’s a bit of advice. When the twinkle lights, hot cocoa, and desire to give your family the best Christmas ever overtakes your brain, just pause for a moment and remember this story.

This year there will be no magical Christmas surprises. Just boring gifts like underwear, toothbrushes, and ugly basketball shoes that look like they’re from the 80s.

Unless, of course, I cave and give into the Christmas magic. Then all bets are off.

Knowing me, we might end up with a goat under the tree.

Learning From a Christmas Classic by Maria Antonia

We are so excited to have Maria Antonia join us today to share about Religious Picture Books!

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Maria Antonia learned to write her name at five years old and tried typing with an old manual typewriter at age eight. However, it was when she met the computer that she never turned back. Many years later, she still clickety-taps out her stories onto the screen, stories that have turned into picture books like The Christmas Elephant and Barnaby the Runaway Sheep. In addition to writing, Maria also enjoys sipping a nice cup of hot tea and capturing the world with her camera. She has lived in Sunny Spain, Busy New York City, and currently resides in the Great White North of Canada. Her website is: http://mariaantoniawrites.com

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Every year, when I was a kid, I remember gathering around the television to watch The Charlie Brown Christmas Special. And I know we're not the only family who had this tradition. It's become a classic!

However, there was a time when, before the special first aired on December 9, 1965, everybody thought it would be a flop. The executives didn't think jazz music belonged in a cartoon. And then there was the controversial speech near the end of the program ... But wait! I'm getting ahead of myself. 

That's What Christmas is All About, Charlie Brown

The plot of Christmas Special follows underdog Charlie Brown as he's chosen to direct his first Nativity play. What he wants is to find the true meaning of Christmas, but what he gets is all the commercialism surrounding the holiday. Charlie Brown is about to give up in despair. "Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I don't really know what Christmas is all about. Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"

That's when his friend Linus steps forward. "Lights, please. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night..." Linus goes on to recite the whole passage from the Bible about that first Christmas night, ending with: "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Did you know that Charles Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts Gang, had to fight to keep this monologue in the program? Everybody thought it would be the kiss of death, but Schulz insisted. I'm glad he stood firm, because this scene, as simple as it is, holds its own even today. The words Linus speaks from the Bible not only inspired Charlie Brown but countless television viewers. Despite the dire predictions that this half-hour special would be a flop, it went on to win an Emmy in 1966 and would become a beloved classic watched year after year. 

What made this work? I often think about such things as an author. For me, I think it worked because the religious part wasn't forced. It fits in with the theme of the story.

And this is something that can help us when writing "religious books" for children.

Story First

My first rule is that story must come first. People love hearing a good story. And the message needs to naturally flow out from that story. You don't want something to come across as too preachy. This is what I did for my book, The Christmas Elephant. My story takes place during the performance of a Nativity play. I worked hard to make sure the story about two sisters would stand on its own two feet. The message of Christmas needed to naturally flow from what's happening on  the stage.

Hooray for Backmatter

The Author's Note at the end of the book is a wonderful opportunity for picture book authors to convey a little something more to their readers. Because I (and my publisher) wanted to add a little more to the Christian message of the story with an application from the Bible, including Bible verses, we put it all in the backmatter. (I also added some fun facts; so my backmatter is jam-packed with all sorts of extra material for parents and teachers!)

Keeping it Kid-Friendly

A lot of picture books written years ago tended to be wordy. And for many of us, those are the picture books we grew up with. But people's vocabulary has changed over time, and so has their attention spans. Part of the challenge of religious books is how to deal with the jargon that's often involved. Remember your audience and keep your words kid-friendly to today's children. This is not to say that kids can not handle hard things or even hard words. I think we should address all sorts of topics, but we need to make sure it's done in a way so that it's accessible to today's children.

Overall, religious books are a great way for parents and grandparents to share their faith with their little ones. Like Charles Schulz, authors need to find the right balance in bring such stories to life. 

Note about the photo: I told you our family loves the Charlie Brown Christmas Special.

About the Book: Ellie wants to be an elephant in the Christmas play but her know-it-all sister says she’ll ruin everything. When Baby Jesus goes missing, Ellie must find him, or the play will be ruined (but not because Ellie is an elephant)!

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Thanks so much for joining us, Maria!

You can find Maria on her website is: http://mariaantoniawrites.com, Instagram @ofmariaantonia, Facebook @ofmariaantonia, and Twitter/X: @ofmariaantonia1.

Religious Picture Books With Sidura Ludwig

We are so excited to have Sidura Ludwig join us today to share information about Religious Picture Books!

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Hi! I'm Sidura Ludwig, writer of books for children and adults. 2024 has been a busy year for me, with my debut picture book RISING (illustrated by Sophia Vincent Guy, Candlewick) published in May, and my debut middle grade novel SWAN: The Girl Who Grew (Nimbus Publishing) out in Canada in September. SWAN comes out in the US March 2025! I'm thrilled that RISING recently won the 2024 Canadian Jewish Literary Award for children. I got my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts (where I met the amazing Stefanie!) in July 2021. I live in Thornhill, ON with my husband, three kids and a geriatric, toothless Havanese dog.

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When I wrote RISING, I thought I was writing a picture book about making challah. I didn’t realize I was writing a book about my relationship with God.

Let me back up. During the early days of the pandemic, we all remember how upside down everything felt. Weekly routines blended into weekend routines, which blended into “what routines?” Who knew when we would get back to a world we recognized?

But the one routine that didn’t change for me and my family was getting ready for and celebrating Shabbat. Shabbat is the Jewish 25-hour period of rest from sundown on Friday to one-hour after sundown on Saturday. For religious Jews, there are a number of rituals and restrictions we follow during that period in order to “keep” Shabbat. In those early pandemic days, I still got up early on a Friday to make my challah dough. I still prepared all the foods my family enjoyed eating for Friday night dinner and Saturday lunch. We still lit Shabbat candles when Shabbat came in and took comfort in the prayers and rituals around our Shabbat table. We may not have had guests, but for those 25 hours, life felt more normal than any other time of the week.

At the time, I was getting my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. That semester, I took the Picture Book Intensive. My advisor, Jane Kurtz, challenged us to write a non-fiction picture book. RISING was born out of that challenge. It started with the mixing of ingredients. A mother and child rising early in the morning to spend quiet time together with this weekly ritual. But as the day goes on, as the child’s anticipation and excitement for Shabbat grows, challah becomes something so much more than a loaf of bread. It’s the food that connects her to her family, to her community, to her history and to her faith. Challah becomes an anchor for her, and in the end, the ritual is a comfort she can count on week after week after week.

Maybe this was my love letter to God. A thank you for granting me one of many rituals that sustain me through joyous, and difficult, times. Religious books that pose big questions are important for young readers, who have big questions themselves. But so too are religious books that show the “doing,” the actions that make up faith and allow us to connect with each other and something greater, time and time again.

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Thanks so much for joining us, Sidura!

You can find Sidura on Instagram@siduraludwigauthor, Facebook @siduraludwigauthor, or her website siduraludwig.com.

Ten Favorite Religious Picture Books

From Hanukkah to Diwali, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, or the bodhi tree, religious beliefs and celebrations have infused human experience since ancient times. We’ve collected ten of our favorite picture books that celebrate the traditions and connectedness that spiritual beliefs can bring into our lives. Enjoy!

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The Remember Tree by Stefanie Hohl, illustrated by Wes Wheeler

Years ago on Christmas Eve, Grandma pulled out a wooden box filled with carefully carved ornaments. As she unwraps each ornament, Grandma shares a riddle—and teaches her granddaughter the meaning of the symbol. Warm and inviting, this story helps children understand how modern symbols of Christmas coincide with the holiday’s Biblical roots.

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The Gift of Ramadan by Rabiah York Lumbard, illustrated by Laura K. Horton

It’s Ramadan, which means that Sophia’s family fasts from sunup to sundown. Grandma says that fasting makes you sparkle inside, and Sophia loves sparkles! But when hunger gets the best of her, she eats a cookie—has she ruined her chance to sparkle? This sweet story introduces children to the traditions and meaning of the holy month of Ramadan.

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The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler, illustrated by Jill Weber

Once farmers and shepherds, ancient Jews worshiped in the temple in Jerusalem, where a light, called the ner tamid, was always kept burning. When the Greek army attacks Jerusalem and destroys the temple, the Jews have only enough oil for one night of burning the light in the temple—but the ner tamid burns for eight nights! This simple story gives a wonderful overview of why Hanukkah is celebrated and what its traditions represent.

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Under the Bodhi Tree: A Story of the Buddha by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Kailey Whitman

When Prince Siddhartha was born, his mother dreamed of a white elephant, an omen of a special child. As a young man, Siddhartha realizes life’s hardships and seeks to help those in need. After learning from others, he sits beneath the heart-shaped leaves of the bodhi tree to meditate until he finds answers within himself. After days of meditation, his spirit awakens to the interconnectedness of life, loss, joy, and pain. Now known as the Buddha, Prince Siddhartha spends the remainder of this life spreading his message of peace. With beautiful illustrations and lyrical text, this story teaches children the history and foundational message of Buddhism. 

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Diwali (Celebrate the World) by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan 

Long ago, Hindu people celebrated Diwali in homage to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, who they hoped would bless them with bountiful crops and prosperity. People all over the world still celebrate Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, for five whole days! With delicious food, plenty of lights, and visits to loved ones, each day is dedicated to honoring family, friends, and the goddess Lakshmi—in hopes of good fortune in the coming year! This book uses simple descriptions and fun, colorful illustrations—a perfect way to introduce readers to the meaning of the festival of Diwali.

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When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner, illustrated by David Catrow

When God made you, he made you with special gifts all your own! God knows you inside and out, and his dream is for you to follow your dreams. With colorful, expressive illustrations, this rhyming book describes what many people of faith believe about God, His relationship to everyday life, and ways in which this belief can shape daily actions.

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What Do You Believe: Religion and Faith in the World Today by DK Publishing

From ancient belief systems to modern spiritual ideas, religion and spirituality has infused human life from the beginnings of recorded time. This extensive exploration of religious faiths through time includes timelines, descriptions of main world religions, a map detailing where religions began, and even compare-contrast statements regarding religious topics. Packed with information, this book is guided by the belief that no matter what you choose to believe, more understanding will bring greater peace and tolerance into the world.

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Yo Soy Muslim: A Father’s Letter to His Daughter by Mark Gonzales, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini 

If you ask questions about the meaning of humanity, if you’re faced with questions you cannot answer, and if you struggle to find kindness in others, you can say “Yo soy Muslim” (I am Muslim). In those words, the narrator reminds us, is a reminder that you were created by Allah. Those words will teach you where you came from and how to hear God. Full of colorful, engaging illustrations, this book teaches readers of the power that can come with faith.

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The Night Before Eid: A Muslim Family Story by Aya Khalil, illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh 

When Teita arrives from Egypt, Zain knows it’s time to prepare for Eid! Better yet, Teita is finally going to teach him how to make the sweet treat, ka’ak. Together they bake, decorate, and enjoy the treat together. At the end of the story, readers can learn more about Eid and the history of ka’ak—with a recipe included as well! This story includes colorful illustrations and lots of information about this traditional celebration at the end of the Ramadan fast.

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Rising by Sidura Ludwig, illustrated by Sophia Vincent Guy

As Shabbat approaches, the narrator and his mother prepare the traditional challah bread. While the bread rises and the narrator waits, his pregnant mother reminds him that all good things take time to grow. And when the family shares the bread together, they add salt for tears and honey for good things to come. This beautiful, lyrical story even includes a glossary of Hebrew terms– as well as the author’s personal challah recipe!

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I hope you enjoyed these Ten Favorite Religious Picture Books!

For more great ideas, feel free to check out 10 Favorite Scary Picture Books or 10 Favorite Holiday Books.

And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss more great ideas and future blog posts!

Religious Picture Books Are For All Children with Maria Oka

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We are so excited to have Maria Oka join us today to share information about Religious Picture Books!

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Maria Oka earned her MFA in writing for children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She’s studied picture books through SCBWI, VCFA, a lifetime of reading them, and ten years writing them. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and four daughters.

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Most children have deep questions about life, death, and a higher power. Religious picture books can be a powerful, yet gentle way for children to explore these questions. Parents can share their faith or beliefs with children through spiritual or religious books, and children can peer into belief systems beyond their own, gaining further knowledge and empathy.

*Some religious picture books are wildly imaginative, but still touch on deep and abiding spiritual concepts. Examples:

DOG HEAVEN by Cynthia Rylant, where we see dogs in Dog Heaven running through fields,playing with angel children, and eating biscuits baked by God.

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MR. AND MRS. GOD IN THE CREATION KITCHEN by Nancy Wood and Timothy Basil Ering, which shares a creative but accessible version of the creation of the earth, ending with Mr. and Mrs. God wondering how the creation of man will turn out.

*Other religious books are meant to share specific elements of a belief system in bite-sized ways that kids can really chew on. Examples:

WHERE’S BUDDHA? By Marisa Aragon Ware, a lyrical book that shows us that Buddha can be everywhere, in everything and all of us.

GOD GAVE US LOVE by Lisa Tawn Bergren and Laura J. Bryant, where Little Cub and Grandpa talk about love, where it comes from, the different ways we feel it, and that God’s love is always there.

*Others weave a beautiful story to share cultural elements or specific teachings of a religion. Examples:

DEEP IN THE SAHARA by Kelly Cunnane and Ho. Lalla wants a malafa, and goes on a journey of discovering what a malafa truly represents before she is ready for her own.

WHERE IS POPPY? by Caroline Kusin Pritchard and Dana Wulfekotte, which follows a girl on Passover night as she looks for signs of her beloved and deceased Poppy, ultimately learning that he is still there in all of them.

*Some share traditional folktales from a belief system in creative ways. Examples:

ZEN SHORTS by Jon J. Muth, which shows a kind panda teaching three siblings through Buddhist and Taoist stories, or short meditations.

THE TALE OF THE THREE TREES by Angela Elwell Hunt and Tim Jonke is a traditional folktale which shares the story of Jesus’s birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection through the perspective of three trees who, in the forms of an animal feedbox, a boat, and a cross, witness events of Jesus’ life firsthand.

Many children are deeply spiritual, and religious picture books should respect where they’re at by honoring their depth, and approaching these deep topics in kid-centric, simple ways. Good religious picture books invite a child in. They share beliefs, stories, concepts, or faith traditions in accessible ways. They can provide answers, encourage questions, and often leave the reader with a sense of peace or wonder.

There are many ways to write religious picture books, but a good way to start is to focus on a central question, theme, teaching, tale, or religious event…and build a story around it! Happy writing.

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Thanks so much for joining us, Maria!

The Secret to Writing Scary Stories for Children.......Humor with Ashlee Ridlon

We are so excited to have Ashlee Ridlon join us today to share information about Scary Picture Books!

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I’m Ashlee, aka, Author Ash. I’m a children’s book author of many fun, interactive and engaging picture books! As a former kindergarten teacher, who continues to teach part time in my town’s elementary school, I love to combine my love for literacy and children through writing stories that both touch on important topics in childhood and are FUN!

I live in Southern Maine with my husband, Nate, and two children, Josh and Avery. I also live with my four cats and dog, Ruby! My love for children’s literature started early through my Mother, who is also an educator. I remember the magic of read-alouds and the creativity it sparked. I then shared that passion with my own children and later, students. Through my books, I hope to share the magic, creativity and FUN of children’s literature with others.

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As a person who is fascinated by the supernatural and all things that go bump in the night, I knew that I wanted to write a “scary” story for those who love a spooky tale! Think back to the Halloween picture books your teachers or parents read to you as a child. The dark illustrations, the anticipation of trick or treating, the thrill of a good scare. I wanted to capture that all, but with a twist.

As a teacher, I have first hand experience with different genres of children’s books and how my students react to them. And although they have sat mesmerized by beautiful books, books that taught them life lessons and a chapter from our class book, what really got their attention was humor! Add interaction and you have them hooked!

That was my challenge: write a scary story for children aged 2-8 that encompasses humor and make it interactive. The silliness of the “scary” story brings down the fear level and makes it more approachable to young children. The interactive features keep them engaged. Easy enough, right? Wouldn’t it be great if it always was?

For all my books, I always start with research. Which books in this genre speak to me? What do I like about these types of books? The illustrations, storylines, prose or rhyming? Learning what you like and will be interested in should be the first step in your writing process. Look online, but better yet, get your hands on these stories. For me, it was easy! I work in an elementary school, but a library works too!

Then I outline. Who will be the characters (my daughter helped me decide on a “chicken” as my main character.....get it?), what will be the main events in the story, how will it end? I find having an outline a vital part in the writing process. It’s where I organize my thoughts and it helps me not get lost down rabbit holes while I write the actual story.

I chose to make one of the problems in the story unique, as I set it up to be a challenge to the readers. Can they be brave enough to read this book and hear this spooky story? Or will they be too scared and prove Chicken right? Setting up a type of dare to the readers, especially with anything deemed “scary” is a great way to increase engagement. They want to prove they are brave! Thus, my title, This Book is TOO Scary For You!

I then decided to follow the lead of other great interactive and silly books, such as When I Say Ooh, You Say Ahh by John Kane and ask the readers to do and say something when they see different characters. I did this in my story, when different scary characters appeared. Bam! I found my interactive feature!

I added humor to the story through the main character, Chicken. During the story as he is telling the children his “scary” tale and ghosts, bats, jack-o-lanterns and more are popping up, he is not seeing them. Instead, he believes that the readers are making it up to make him STOP scaring them. The redemption for the readers comes at the end when Chicken finally sees the scary creatures and deems that “This story may not be TOO scary for them, but it is for him!”. The readers feel brave and it adds the last touch of silliness to the story.

Adding humor and interactive features to your scary stories for young children can make being “scared” fun! For older children, you can crank the scariness level up but keeping humor will help readers stay engaged so the “fear factor” isn’t overdone.

Happy writing!

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Thanks so much for joining us, Author Ash! 

You can find Ash on her website at authorash.com, Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorash1012, and Amazon  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ashlee-Ridlon/author/B0C1P5Y393.

Ten Favorite Scary Picture Books

Thanks to cooler temps, shorter days, and the Halloween spirit, spooky stories are a fun & simple way to celebrate the month of October! Check out some of our favorite stories for bringing on the shivers… without letting them last too long!

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Love Monster and the Scary Something by Rachel Bright

As Love Monster snuggles into bed, he listens to the outside noises. One night, he hears a noise he doesn’t recognize. Love Monster is convinced the scary noise is a terrifying monster—but will he find the courage to face his fears? This sweetly scary book is a great reminder that when we face our fears, we often find that they weren’t so scary after all!

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Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown

Jasper loves eating every kind of carrot in Carrothopper field, until… creepy carrots start following him! Even though Dad and Mom never seem to see them, Jasper hatches a BIG plan to keep creepy carrots from ever following him again. This fun story has a surprising ending that will leave you and your little one giggling! 

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The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler

As Mouse makes his way through the forest, he’s met by all kinds of predators hoping for a tasty treat. But when crafty Mouse tells them he’s meeting a terrible, horrible gruffalo, they’re more than happy to leave him alone. Mouse chuckles at his trick—there’s no such thing as a gruffalo! Until he actually meets one—and finds out that mouse is his favorite food! How will Mouse get out of this predicament? Readers can’t help but smile at this clever rhyming story!

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The Dark by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen

The Dark lives in Laszlo’s house. It hides in corners and behind shower curtains, and its favorite place is the basement. Laszlo never goes in the basement—until the Dark invites him down the stairs to open a basement cupboard that nobody ever opens. What will Laszlo find? Wonderful illustrations add to the spooky tone of this (very relatable!) story!  

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The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen

A skull lives in an old house, deep in the woods. When Otilla finally runs away from her own house, the skull invites Otilla to stay the night. But a headless skeleton chases him every single night! Will Otilla be able to save the skull from the skeleton, like he helped her escape the woods? With multiple Parts to the story, this book is perfect for older children who are looking for a little extra spookiness! 

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The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree by Stan & Jan Berenstain

Three little bears enter a spooky old tree, but once they’re inside, do they dare… climb a rickety stair? Enter a creepy hall? Climb over Great Sleeping Bear? Or will they all fall victim to the shivers? This classic Berenstain Bears story is full of all the rhymes, repetition, and fun Bear Country illustrations that kids love! 

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The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean

When Lucy hears rustling in the walls of her big, old house, she’s certain it’s the wolves! And “when the wolves come out of the walls, it’s all over!” But is it? Lucy and her family are about to find out! Paired with perfectly eerie illustrations, this clever story’s twists, turns, and quirky details will keep readers guessing (and chuckling!) until the very last page!

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Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley

In this entertaining story, the big, green monster appears one colorful feature at a time, with yellow eyes, a big red mouth, squiggly purple hair, and more. And when the reader orders each feature to go away, the big, green monster slowly disappears, one colorful item at a time. Perfect for the youngest readers, this book is a fun way to practice color recognition and build confidence with a spooky twist! 

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No Such Thing by Ella Bailey

Things keep moving around Georgia’s house, and some might call that spooky! But Georgia can always figure out who (or what) created each mysterious mess and disappearance. That’s because Georgia knows there’s no such thing as ghosts. This book is a great way to help kids work through common fears—and as a fun added twist, there’s a ghost on every page for readers to discover! 

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Bone Soup by Cambria Evans

When Finnigin the Eater comes to town, all the town’s creatures lock their cupboards—because there’s not enough to share! But when clever Finnigin boils a magic bone in a huge cauldron for bone soup, the villagers are curious—and somehow find all the ingredients Finnigin needs to make a delicious Halloween feast for the whole town! Kids will love watching Finnigin work his “magic”!

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I hope you enjoyed these Ten Favorite Scary Picture Books!

For more great ideas, feel free to check out 10 Favorite Identity Picture Books or 10 Favorite Picture Books for Older Kids!

And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss more great ideas and future blog posts!

Why You Should Try Writing Scary Picture Books with Bree Despain

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We are so excited to have Bree Despain join us today to share information about Scary Picture Books!

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Bree Despain is the award-winning author of the Dark Divine trilogy and the Into The Dark trilogy. Bree rediscovered her childhood love for creating stories when she took a semester off college to write and direct plays for at-risk teens. She writes YA, MG, and dabbles in Picture Books. Her novels have been published in over twenty countries. Bree received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband, two sons, her three beloved cats, and the world's most adorable dog. She enjoys stand-up paddle boarding and baking French macarons.

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With Spooky Season upon us, Stef asked me to write about the importance of scary picture books—a topic near and dear to my heart. By day, I’m an author of young adult fiction and I specialize in writing about things that go bump in the night. But I also like to dabble in picture books—where I think the theme of scariness is just as important to explore for the 4-to-8- year-old reader.

(First, before you think I’m advocating for writing Steven King-esque stories for five-year-olds, it’s important to note that a “scary story” is not limited to a book that would have a horror sticker slapped on its spine in the library. Some scary stories involve monsters, witches, and creepy creatures, while others may be grounded completely in reality. Most importantly, scariness encompasses stories about difficult or uncomfortable topics such as loneliness, grief, bullying, death, loss, divorce, anxiety, and other such issues. These are stories that deliver an emotional punch.)

So why do I think you should give writing a scary picture book a try?

Fear is an essential part of a child's developmental experience, resulting from their immaturity and vulnerability. Children also experience more fear than their parents think they do. This may be because young children often have difficulty expressing their fears to adults, or because some adults simply discount the fact that very young children are capable experiencing real world fears and worries. While on the flip side, some parents and other gatekeepers believe they should shelter children from ever experiencing anything scary.

However, it is counterproductive to try to deny or eliminate all fear from children’s lives because this sheltering can cause children to see the world as a more fearful place. It is also true that when we deny that fear exists in a child’s life, we make them feel alone in that fear. Instead of denying children’s fears or trying to shelter them from every scary thing, we can use picture books to help children learn to cope with and process their fears.

When children are allowed to read about child characters who gain mastery over the scary things in their lives, it teaches them how to do the same for themselves. Books, in particular, are a unique medium in which children can safely process fear and anxiety. A research group called Teachers as Readers (T.A.R.), who studied the effects of scary books on children found that: “The child is able to stop and go as he pleases and has the ability to achieve mastery over potentially frightening material. This sense of control enables children to master their fears. Each success in mastering a fearful situation strengthens the child's ability to cope with future fearful obstacles.”

While some picture book writers may still feel a bit squeamish about tackling the theme of scariness, the most important thing to know about writing scary picture books is that a successful resolution is what matters most to children. T.A.R. found that children focus more on the successful resolution of the scariness in the story, and not the scariness itself. As long as the frightful aspect of the story is resolved in a satisfying way, children did not consider the story itself to be frightening. “Rather than frightening children, scary books capture their attention and seem to provide vicarious opportunities for exploring and mastering their fears. Thus, scary stories that provide solutions to the threat instill confidence rather than fear.” These resolutions can come in the form of vanquishing the scariness, beating the nightmares, possibly making friends with it, or even just learning why a misunderstood scary thing or emotion has a purpose.

As writers, we have the unique opportunity to help children process and master their fears. So, what do you think—will you give writing a scary picture book a try?

Scary Picture Book Recommendations:

The Creepy Tales series by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown. (Including CREEPY CARROTS, CREEPY PAIR OF UNDERWEAR, and CREEPY CRAYON)

THE DARK by Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen

LENNY & LUCY by Phillip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead

A VERY HAIRY SCARY STORY by Rick Walton and David H. Clark

THERE’S A NIGHTMARE IN MY CLOSET by Mercer Mayer

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Thanks so much for joining us, Bree! 

You can find Bree on Instagram and Twitter @breedespain and her website at breedespain.net.

Picture Books for Older Readers with Jeff Gottesfeld

We are so excited to have Jeff Gottesfeld join us today to share information about Picture Books for Older Readers!

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Jeff writes for page, stage, screen, and television. He has won awards in America and internationally, including from American Library Association, Association of Jewish Libraries, The Christophers, National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Alliance for Theater and Education. His current focus is picture book texts for children. His prize-winning picture books are The Tree in the Courtyard (Knopf, 2016, illustrated by Peter McCarty), No Steps Behind: Beate Sirota Gordon’s Battle for Women’s Rights in Japan (Creston, 2020, illustrated by Shiella Witanto), Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Candlewick, 2021, illustrated by Matt Tavares), The Christmas Mitzvah (Creston, 2021, illustrated by Michelle Agatha), and Food for Hope: How John van Hengel Invented Food Banks for the Hungry (Creston, 2023). Upcoming are We All Serve (Candlewick, 2026, illustrated by TeMika Grooms), about the extraordinary lives of American’s military brat children, Honor Flight (Candlewick, 2026, illustrated by Matt Tavares), about the Honor Flight program that flies aging veterans and their volunteer “guardians” to Washington DC to visit their monuments, and Strike! For the Right to Read! (Creston, 2025), with Michelle Y. Green, illustrated by Kim Holt), about the 1939 Alexandria VA sit-down strike to integrate its then-segregated library. A native of Teaneck, New Jersey, he now lives in Los Angeles. Visit him at www.jeffgottesfeldwriter.com

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I always admit that I am the most imperfect messenger for a picture book about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, DC, and the Tomb Guards who protect the sacred rest of our three Unknown Soldiers every moment of every day. I didn’t serve in the military. In fact, none of us four Gottesfeld brothers, nor my parents, nor grandparents, served. But as I grew up, I have become passionate in my belief that the United States military is the greatest fighting force for good the world has ever known. And so, passion for a subject is the starting place for every nonfiction picture book. I had it, in spades.

Of course, passion is less than useless when there’s no focus. For me, the starting place is the idea. Ideas come from everywhere. Some writers mine their own lives. That’s not me. I travel widely, read voraciously, and am always on the lookout. Museums? Check. Foreign newspapers in English or French? Check. Obituaries? A gold mine. The idea for Twenty-One Steps came on a visit to the Los Angeles National Cemetery on Memorial Day in 2016, when I saw a tombstone that said, UNKNOWN. That flashed me back to a boyhood trip to Arlington, and to the realization I knew practically zero about our nation’s secular shrine. I was determined to write the book by the time we left the cemetery that day. 

Next, a point of view. There’s a lot of ways to tell a story. Some may be okay, some may be good, and usually one is just awesomely great. I struggled with this text until I got the idea that maybe I could tell the story from the point of view of the first Unknown, interred in 1921. That turned out to be the perspective, because that Unknown could be anyone, and thus belong to all of us. Try a few points of view. All it takes is time. 

The next step for me is to figure out the story beats. Every story has beats, like music. The beats are the big notes of what happens. In Twenty-One Steps, a few of the main beats are meeting the first Unknown, his homecoming, his burial before 150,000 people, and the posting of the first Tomb Guard at midnight on July 2, 1937. There are others. If the writer knows the beats, the story is easier to tell. Of course, good research will help figure out the beats. 

Then, I write. And write some more. Until I’ve got a draft. 

Finally, I fix it. This can happen in a month, two months, or sometimes it takes five years and forty or fifty named drafts. Maybe if I’m stuck I’ll put it away for a few months. But there also comes a time when I’m fixing and fixing, and it isn’t getting any better or worse. 

That’s when I know it’s time to stop. I’ve got a manuscript. And so will you. 

I do want to add a few words about figuring out the right audience. I’m pretty ruthless about the subjects I choose. It’s not just that I’m interested in them, but it’s that I think there’s a universe of readers and book buyers out there that care, too. I try to match subject, grade level, and language, but always with no upper limit on whom the reader might be. That is, K to age 120 for The Christmas Mitzvah, first grade to age 120 for Food for Hope, and grade three to age 120 for Twenty-One Steps, a book about which I have presented to as many adult audiences as kid ones. 

I was a young athlete before I ever became a writer, and would counsel young writers to approach writing like an elementary school or middle school athlete approaches a sport. Basically, no school-aged tennis player will beat Carlos or Serena, and no school-aged soccer player is going to start for the USMNT or USWNT. Being young is the time to learn from the best, and practice. So, young would-be writers need to read, read, and read some more. Smash the screens, and read. Reading good writing gets it inside you. And then, when they write, keep the expectations reasonable. Strive every day to get just a little better, or make it just a little better. There’s a long way to go, and you will get there one good sentence at a time. 

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Thanks so much for joining us, Jeff! 

You can find Jeff on his website at www.jeffgottesfeldwriter.com. You can also check out his books Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, The Christmas Mitzvah, and Food For Hope: How John van Hengel Invented Food Banks for the Hungry.

Ten Favorite Picture Books for Older Kids

Picture books aren’t just valuable for young children and early readers—they can be amazing learning tools for older kids as well! Many picture books tackle difficult and complex subjects, such as self-love, historical complexities, and emotional turmoil. In picture book form, such complicated topics can inspire important discussions and greater depth of understanding through easy-to-grasp metaphors, illustrations, and language choices. Check out some of our favorites below! 

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Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, illustrated by Yas Imamura

Tama knows words for all kinds of things. As the librarian at the Minidoka internment camp, those words include constant, as in constant fear and constant injustice, but also miraculous, as in miraculous stories that keep her company. It’s not until she gets to know George that she learns a word that can encompass her varied and often-conflicted feelings as an innocent prisoner in her own country. That word opens her eyes to the power of the human spirit, and opens her heart to love. This beautiful story helps older children better understand the complex realities humans often face. 

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Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin

When her parents stop to pick watercress from a ditch beside the road, their daughter is not happy. She knows watercress reminds her parents of growing up in China, but she is ashamed to step in watery muck to pull out stringy plants with snails clinging to them. Yet everything changes when the spicy, prepared dish cracks open her mother’s memories of China and all that she lost in the Great Famine. Suddenly, watercress becomes more than a weed—it becomes something new, something old, something beautiful and bittersweet. This story is ideal for older children struggling to understand their parents. 

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Locomotive by Brian Floca

Thanks to the conductor, the brakemen, the firemen, and the construction workers, a locomotive crosses from one side of the United States to the other. Where pioneers once traveled in covered wagons, the train blows its whistle and moves like lightning across the land. Passing through plains, beside rivers, and up and down mountains, it chugs from station stop to station stop. This beautifully illustrated story brings the days of the early locomotive to lyrical life—a perfect choice for educators and parents!

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The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, illustrated by Oge Mora

At 114 years old, Mary Walker had never learned to read. Even after emancipation, Mary’s life of sharecropping and hard work made learning to read merely a long-distance dream. But after losing each of her sons and her husband, Mary decided enough was enough. At 114 years old, she used her tireless work ethic to study letters and sounds until the freedom of literacy was finally hers. With its gorgeous illustrations, this story is a wonderful reminder to that we’re never too old to learn!

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Big by Vashti Harrison

When the narrator was young, getting big was a good thing! But as she gets older, kids call her names. Even adults tell her she’s too big to do things—like cry. Yet when she lets herself feel her emotions, she can finally see more clearly and better understand her own goodness. This book is a wonderful reminder for older kids that may feel out of place, both emotionally or physically. 

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Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by Jeff Gottesfeld, illustrated by Matt Tavares

After every war, there are those who never return, known only to those that loved them. Told in the voice of the Unknown Soldier, this story uses simple descriptions and rich illustrations to share the history of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, reminding readers of the importance of giving reverence to those who never came home. A great choice for older readers, this story helps instill respect for the ultimate price so many have paid for our country’s freedoms.  

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What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Mae Besom

When an idea shows up, the narrator doesn’t know what to do. Should he share it? Hide it? What will people think? He soon learns that the more attention he gives his idea, the more the idea grows and grows, until eventually… it changes the world! This metaphorical story is perfect for sparking discussion about the power of ideas. Even the illustrations mirror its inspiring message—the idea starts as the only point of color, but it grows until color fills the entire page!

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The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein

When Phillipe Petit saw the Twin Towers in their final stage of construction, he knew what he needed to do—walk between the towers on a highwire! He and friends snuck to the roof in the middle of the night to set up the highwire. Then, to the surprise of early morning New Yorkers, he walked the tightrope for over an hour! Although he was arrested for his stunt, you’ll never guess what the court’s punishment entailed! Read to find out!

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Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall

A lighthouse keeper tends his lighthouse, and the light beams across the water, as if saying, “Hello, hello, hello!” When the lighthouse keeper’s wife arrives, she helps with the lighthouse duties, even taking over when her husband falls sick. But advances in technology mean their work won’t last forever. With beautiful illustrations and lyrical prose, this book offers a glimpse into the historical lives and work of lighthouse keepers and their families, based on the detailed logbooks they kept. There’s even a two-page spread of in-depth information about lighthouses at the end of the book, making it a perfect choice for parents and educators alike!

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Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai, illustrated by Kerascoёt 

When Malala Yousafzai was a little girl, she dreamed of owning a magic pencil that would draw dreams into reality—a lock to keep her brothers out, a beautiful dress for her mother, or a real soccer ball. But when a new group of leaders tries to keep girls from attending school, her dreams expand. She writes her story and shares it around the world. And in time, she realizes that real magic isn’t in a magic pencil, but in her “words and in [her] work.” With sketch-like illustrations and simple words, Malala reminds us that one person, one voice, can change the world.  

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I hope you enjoyed these Ten Favorite Milestone Picture Books!

For more great ideas, feel free to check out 10 Favorite Identity Picture Book or 10 Favorite Milestones Picture Books!

And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss more great ideas and future blog posts!

Connecting to Older Readers Through Nonfiction Picture Books with Amanda Elend

We are so excited to have Amanda Elend join us today to share information about Connecting to Older Readers Through Nonfiction Picture Books!

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Amanda Elend (they/she) received their MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. By day, they are the Content Writer for the Florida Center for Nursing and a freelance writer. By night, they are a kid lit writer and writing teacher for The Writing Barn, OLLI, and more. 

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Picture books, they’re not just for the littles! 

While that’s true for fiction picture books, it’s even MORE true for nonfiction picture books. These are an accessible (non-textbook) way for kids of all ages to learn about themselves and the world around them.

General wisdom is that a nonfiction picture book for older kids tends to be from 1,000-3,000 words. As with all craft rules, that one is made to be broken. If your material needs a word count below or above that, make sure it actually needs it, then go for it. 

(But it’s helpful to know the rules before you break them.)

Most other standards for picture books apply for nonfiction:

• Simple and clear language

• Strong page and line breaks

• If it makes sense for your subject… PLAY! It’s not as expected in nonfiction, which makes it all the more fun.

There are many different types of nonfiction picture books, and people have categorized them in various ways. We’ll use Melissa Stewart’s Five Kinds of Nonfiction for this post: active, browseable, traditional, expository literature, and narrative. 

The first three are similar to encyclopedias (or how-to guides, in the case of active nonfiction). Active, browseable, and traditional are a common type of nonfiction picture books for older kids who are looking for a broad overview of a topic, similar to what they see in school. Those are pretty straightforward. So, in this post, we’ll focus on the two that live a bit closer to fiction: expository literature and narrative. 

Expository Literature

Expository literature (also called expository nonfiction) consists of facts and information about a specific, narrow topic presented in a creative way. This type of nonfiction picture book makes use of craft tools like personification, lyrical language, and voice. A great example of this is Older Than the Stars by Karen C. Fox, illustrated by Nancy Davis. 

This is a cumulative picture book, so each page builds on the next. It begins much like a fairy tale:

“You are older than the dinosaurs.

Older than the earth.

Older than the sun and all the planets.

You are older than the stars.

You are as old as the universe itself.”

Talk about a hook! And note the direct address, connecting to the reader right away by addressing them (“you”). You also see here the way the story gets straight to the point. Much like an essay, nonfiction begins by telling people what they’re going to see, then shows them, then tells them what they saw. But here, in these fiction-y nonfiction picture books (that’s a technical term), the way it is told, shown, and told again, is often lyrical and unique.

While Older Than the Stars works for younger kids, the second spread reinforces for older readers that this isn’t just kids’ stuff. Most spreads consist of sidebars full of information that will keep older kids interested, such as:

“Billions of years ago, the universe popped into existence. It was smaller than a speck of dust, but so heavy no one could have picked it up. 

Suddenly, BANG!—the tiny universe swelled up like the fastest growing bubble ever.”

The use of this engaging voice (more on that later), in addition to the cumulative format, direct address, and lyrical language, PLUS excellent information—it all works together to keep older readers connected. 

Narrative Nonfiction

Narrative nonfiction is a focused story (or narrative) with real people/things/animals in real places doing what they actually did. With this type of nonfiction, the people/things/animals become characters, the places become settings, and the things they did? That’s plot. 

Yep -- narrative nonfiction has all the trimmings of fiction: scenes, rising tension, climax, and (most often) some form of three-act structure. At minimum, most include:

• Introduction

• Build/escalation

• Conclusion

Narrative nonfiction allows authors to take nonfiction even further into the realm of fiction than expository literature does, telling a full story that can engage a reader exactly the way fiction does. Picture book biographies fall naturally into this category, including the example I’ll use here: Mac Barnett and Sarah Jacoby’s The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown.

There are so many picture book biographies out there these days, but I chose this one because of its additional craft elements. Barnett makes heavy use of metafiction and direct address in this book, speaking to the reader with a respect that assumes they are in on the joke with him. (A great way to reach older readers that we saw in Older Than the Stars, as well.)

Barnett is extremely playful and meta in this story, referencing Margaret Wise Brown’s own meta-y The Important Book, as well as Barnett’s book itself and publishing in general:

“Now here is something I believe.

(I know there are only 23 pages left in this book, but it’s important.)”

And here is where I elaborate on voice, aka the sharpest tool in the toolbox for authors of expository or narrative nonfiction picture books for older readers.

Voice is such an intriguing hook for all readers, but for older readers who might think picture books aren’t for them, your voice can prove them wrong. You can make them feel like a friend is telling them this, a funny teacher, a nerdy professional, the possibilities are endless. If you feel overwhelmed, direct address is a great place to start. 

(If you want additional voice-y examples, Dave Eggers’ Her Right Foot and This Bridge Will Not Be Gray are exactly what I’m talking about.)

Active, browseable, and traditional nonfiction picture books are great for kids who are interested in a broad subject (space) and want to know as much as possible about that subject. But if you want to take a deep dive into something weird or interesting or strange-but-true, older readers of all different stripes are ready and waiting for your creative takes on nonfiction.

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 Thanks so much for joining us, Amanda! 

You can find Amanda on Instagram @aelend and their website www.amandaelend.com.

Writing on Important Moments and Milestones for Children with Mariam Gates

We are so excited to have Mariam Gates join us today to share information about Milestones Picture Books!

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Mariam Gates, M.Ed is the bestselling author of the Good Night Yoga series and many more books for young people. She has a master’s degree in education from Harvard University and years of experience in the classroom as a Mindfulness Educator and Special Education Teacher. Mariam and her work have been featured in numerous publications to include Parents, Time for KiDS, and New York Magazine as well as teacher, parent and kid lit blogs. As a Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness expert, she teaches children and adults at workshops and conferences around the country. She also teaches weekly at public schools in Northern California. Her forthcoming (9th) book OLIVE ALL AT ONCE (Sounds True, September 2024) follows the titular character as she navigates the many (and sometimes contradictory) ways she feels about significant events in her life (the first day of school, a friend’s birthday party, being with her baby sister, and more.) As Olive sorts through her sometimes mixed-up feelings she teaches young readers that it’s okay, and part of being human, to feel many different ways---all at once.

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As a children’s book writer, I am always looking for and receiving inspiration. To me, almost anything has the potential to be a story. (If I see Girl Scouts selling cookies, I start imagining a cookie that gets sent around the world delivered by a little chipmunk postman or a cookie competition between a group of friends that goes somehow awry). For those of you who are writers, you may relate to that moment of hearing a turn of phrase, or seeing an image and getting that feeling that this could be something. Of course, some of those pan out and others don’t (like the aforementioned cookie ideas) but the ones I find most compelling are those that feel like a window into the rich inner lives of children.

During the pandemic, and for quite a bit afterward, I was struck by the ways in which many children had a mixed experience of the world being shut down around them. Of course, for so many it was incredibly challenging, but for others, having that much time at home with their families was not all negative. It made me start to think about the ways in which, even in less extreme times, in many of the important moments and milestones in our lives, we do not feel just one way.

As adults, we know that taking a child to kindergarten (or off to college) is a combination of joy and sadness. We know we can feel both fulfillment and loss a the same time. We even have relationships that we appreciate and also struggle with, and the list goes on. I started being more aware of how true this is for children. But what also felt clear is that we don’t often reflect to them that having ‘mixed feelings’ and holding the contradictions of life is a part of being human. Instead we want them to feel ‘happy’ on the first day of school, when they get a new sibling, or attend a birthday party. I wanted to create a book where the protagonist was able to explain feeling ‘more than one way’ at a time. I wanted to celebrate the importance and humanity of that.

The question was, how to do it? I knew Olive, in Olive All At Once, was going to go through the first day of school, a new sibling, a birthday party, and grandparents visiting and do it all with the accompanying complex feelings each of those events brings. But that still felt hard to show. What really helped me was when I found a way to have her have agency in all of it. In Olive All At Once, the narrator is in a dialogue with Olive. Olive is the one explaining that she does not feel just one way while the unseen narrator is trying to tell a more traditional (and predictable) story. Giving Olive the ability to ‘correct’ the narrator throughout made the story, and her character, really come alive for me. She was the one who knew how full her range of feelings could be. She was the one teaching that to the narrator, and then to the reader. 

I am thrilled with how Olive All At Once turned out and as with all of my books, I hope it helps kids feel more welcome and more a part of this big world. 

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 Thanks so much for joining us, Mariam! 

You can find Mariam on her website at mariamgates.com or Instagram @mariam.gates.

Ten Favorite Milestones Picture Books

From losing teeth to losing confidence, there are countless milestone experiences that children face. Reading books can help build emotional resilience as kids better understand such experiences and learn how to handle the potentially difficult milestones they will face. Check out some of our favorite books that tackle childhood milestones!

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Here Comes the Tooth Fairy Cat by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Claudia Rueda

When Cat loses a tooth, the tooth fairy brings him a coin. But he wants to meet the tooth fairy! When he tries to trick her into coming again, she leaves him a note—and a tooth-collecting challenge! Will Cat and his new partner Mouse collect all the teeth—without getting eaten? This fun story is a great way to celebrate losing teeth!

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Maple by Lori Nichols 

Just before Maple was born, her parents planted a maple tree. As she grows, the tree grows—but the older she gets, the more she needs a real friend. When her parents plant another tree, Maple learns that she’ll be a big sister—and that sisterhood, combined with special trees, is just what she needs. This story is perfect for big siblings!

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On the First Day of Kindergarten by Tish Rabe, illustrated by Laura Hughes

 From riding the bus to sliding down the slide, painting a picture, and going on a field trip, there are so many things to love about kindergarten! This cumulative story is perfect for kids who can’t wait—as well as those who are nervous!—to start going to school. 

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Waiting for Baby by Rachel Fuller

Waiting for a baby is exciting—and full of questions! In this book, a little boy asks all kinds of questions as his mother sorts through baby clothes, visits the doctor, and prepares for the new arrival! A perfect read-aloud for expectant parents, this book allows readers to answer new baby questions in a fun and engaging way.

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Charlotte and the Rock by Stephen W. Martin, illustrated by Samantha Cotterill

All Charlotte wants is a pet, but her parents’ gift of a pet rock is not what she had in mind. But despite the challenges of caring for a pet rock, Charlotte and her rock eventually become friends. Then, to Charlotte’s surprise, the rock cracks—revealing a surprising new pet! Complete with Charlotte’s rules for caring for a pet rock (which can be applied to any pet!), this story is a fun read-aloud—great for any child with a new pet!

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Hello, New House by Jane Smith

In this simple picture book, a young girl leaves her old house in the city for a new house in the country! While many things are new—including some scary new sounds!—there are still so many things that are the same. This sweet book reminds readers that no matter where we live, the most important things will always remain the same. 

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The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López

This lyrical picture book addresses every child who feels left out at some point or other. Perhaps it’s because they didn’t go on trips like everyone else, maybe their lunch is different, or it could be that the games kids play at recess aren’t games the child plays well. In warm, poetic ways, this story addresses the beauty and insecurity that coexists in those moments, while offering hope for connection. This book is perfect for any child (and adult) who feels alone sometimes—which means all of us! 

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Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada by Jimmy Fallon, illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez

Calling all dads! This book is a hilarious way to train your child to say Dada! As animal parents each take turns saying Dada, their babies don’t seem to listen… until everyone says Dada together at the end! The fun illustrations and simple repetition is sure to have your child saying Dada way more than Mom would like!

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Bike On, Bear! by Cynthea Liu, illustrated by Kristyna Litten

Bear can do just about anything—except ride a bike! No matter how hard he tries, it never seems to work. But when a new community park opens that doesn’t allow training wheels, Bear is willing to do anything to hang with his friends. He heads to the library to learn all he can about bike riding. But will it be enough? This fun story is great for kids who are struggling to try new things—because sometimes all we need is a little extra push (pun intended)!

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When You Can Swim by Jack Wong

Imagine all the adventures that swimming can bring! When you can swim, you can jump off bridges into the canal, see another world in the ocean, enjoy twilight swims in a pond and feel waterfalls down your back! With lyrical language and gorgeous illustrations, any child who is nervous about swimming will be ready to jump right in!

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I hope you enjoyed these Ten Favorite Milestone Picture Books!

For more great ideas, feel free to check out 10 Favorite Identity Picture Books or 10 Favorite Mindfulness Picture Books!

And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss more great ideas and future blog posts!

Milestone Picture Books with Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan

We are so excited to have Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan join us today to share information about Milestones Picture Books!

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Hello! I’m Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan.

I’m the author of books and stories for young and young-at-heart readers. My stories inspire readers to have hope, take action, and laugh. My books include Animal Allies: 15 Amazing Women in Wildlife Research and The Science and Technology of Leonardo da Vinci.

I love creating crafts, stories, and recipes for numerous magazines, including Highlights for Children. I’ve also written textbooks, atlases, and online educational content. I’m proud to be represented by Miranda Paul from Erin Murphy Literary Agency.

I love writing about history and science, especially nature and the environment. And sports. And baking. (The list goes on!) I live in Pittsburgh, PA, with my family and our schnoodle. I’m a birder, a community scientist, a runner, a board game fan, and I love baking desserts.

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Picture book writers have a challenging task. We write books for children to love. They are our audience. But we’re also trying to create books that adults want to buy. They are our market. If you want to write a beloved book, you’ve got be especially creative and consider how to tell a story that your audience and market will both adore. 

If you want to write a book honoring a milestone in a child’s life, it’s time to get really thoughtful and consider how a milestone matters to both the child and the adult in their life. 

So many people love books about milestones. They relish the moments that mean a young person has developed a new ability or experienced a new part of life. Baby’s first tooth, toddler’s first steps, first day of school are common ones. Some are more subtle, like the first time a child recognizes themselves in a mirror. Some are just fun, like their first taste of ice cream. Milestones mark a moment of change. And it’s not just the child who is changing. The adult changes, too. Some milestones were wonderful for me as a parent. Others were quite hard. 

These three special books help me process my feelings about milestones. 

Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor is a unique and delightfully perspective-challenging book about a young kingfisher spreading her wings for the first time. Mel, our brave main character, dives headfirst into life despite warnings from her friends and neighbors. And her parent is nowhere to be found! Reading this story gave me anxiety. Where was her parent? Why wasn’t anyone keeping her safe? I felt my panic rise until the ending when I felt a rush of pride for a little fledgling who showed everyone what she was ready to do. I needed to accept that Mel was ready for more than I realized - and I needed to realize I will not always be present when my children hit certain milestones in their lives. I won’t be there to catch them if they fall. They have to learn to save themselves, and I have to learn to be OK with this. 

This book taught me to change how I see my children, and to change my expectations for my role in their lives. They won’t always need me, and I won’t always be there physically with them. 

One Big Pair of Underwear by Laurel Gehl and illustrated by Tom Lichtenfeld is one of those books that uncovers a hidden milestone you may not even know your young person has hit yet: empathy. I love reading this book to groups of young people. This book begins with a series of scenes that all include one animal being left out and excluded. The turning point in the book is when a clever group of pigs figure out how to include everyone. This moment often elicits an exasperated shout of “FINALLY!” from my young audience because they know how it feels to be excluded or left out. And they know how to fix this problem. Kids hit the empathy milestone quite early. Parents and teachers love to celebrate when young children share. 

This book made me wonder, what if we celebrated the first milestone of being selfish? Once a person knows there is choice between sharing and not sharing - and the first time they choose not to share - is a painful, upsetting moment to notice. Many people would rather forget this moment in their lives. It’s not marked in a baby book, or recorded in the family photo album. No one’s framing a photo of the first time you overlooked an injustice. But it’s a part of growing up and realizing we all have choices in life. Maybe if we faced these moments more openly, people would choose kindness more often. 

Finally, Real to Me by Minh Le and illustrated by Raissa Figueroa is a book I cannot read without crying. I’ve tried about ten times, and I have not yet succeeded. Even writing about this book right now is making my throat tight and my eyes sting a little with tears. It’s about a milestone moment when many people abandon their imaginary friends, for whatever reason. We often want to forget the painful milestone of being abandoned by a friend, or being forgotten. It’s a heartbreaking moment. And this book dives deep into the painful feelings of being left behind. It also gives readers the chance to explore how to forgive, and keep going. That’s another overlooked milestone, in my mind, that moment when we learn to let go of hard feelings and continue to find the beauty in the world. Three milestones in one - this book is something special.   

We often think milestones are about growing up and leaving childhood behind. I like to think of milestones in a different way. Milestones are about acknowledging a change in how we interact with the world and each other, in either a positive of negative way. I hope there are more milestones ahead in my journey. As you write your book, think about the many ways different people experience a milestone, and add those layers to your story. Make it rich and complicated, joyful and painful, and real. 

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Thanks so much for joining us, Elizabeth!

You can find Elizabeth on her website at https://elizabethpagelhogan.com/.

Identity Picture Books with Laura Obuobi

We are so excited to have Laura Obuobi join us today to share information about Identity Picture Books!

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Laura Obuobi was born and raised in Accra, Ghana but has been living in the United States since 2003. Laura received an MA in Early Childhood Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and taught for 8 years as a preschool teacher. Her time in the classroom with preschoolers set the stage for her transition into writing for children. Laura is a graduate of the Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Besides creative writing, Laura also finds joy in drawing, collaging, and painting.

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When I wrote Black Gold, I didn’t set out with the theme of identity at the forefront of my mind. I was simply thinking about myself as a child, and the physical, psychological, cultural, and even spiritual attributes I have that make me who I am. And isn’t that what identity is about? 

When I think about what identity means, I consider the following: 

What is your name? Where are you from geographically? What is your ethnicity? Which neighborhood did you grow up in? What kind of family do you come from? Who are/were your caregivers? What values and moral codes were instilled in you? How were you raised? What values, moral codes, or belief systems have you adopted? What is your personality? How do you like to dress? What colors are you drawn to? What is unique about you that no one else in the world has? Which socio-cultural groups do you affiliate yourself with, feel most connected to, and/or at home with? Where were you raised? Are you religious? Which religious societies are you a part of? Where do you worship? How often do you visit this place of worship? What festivals and holidays do you celebrate? How do you celebrate these festivals and holidays, and with who? What habits, behaviors, and activities do you like to participate in? All these questions and more, point to the kind experiences that shape our perspective of self, impact how we show up in the world, and reveal who we are.  

The beauty about writing picture books about identity is that you can take any one of the questions above and use that to craft a story or poem that answers the question: who are you? 

The following picture books all answer the question “who are you?” and highlight various aspects of identity. (These are just a few books that stand out to me, and is not at all prescriptive, but I hope it gives you a sense of how the topic of identity can be written as a picture book.)

Your Name is a Song - Jamila Thompkins-Bigelow and Luisa Uribe

Eyes that Kiss in the Corners - Joanna Ho and Dung Ho

Say my Name - Joanna Ho and Khoa Le 

I’m From - Gary R. Gray and Oge Mora 

I am Golden - Eva Chen and Sophie Diao 

I am Brown - Ashok Banker and Sandhya Prabhat 

Alma and How She Got Her Name - Juana Martinez-Neal 

Where Are You From? - Yamile Saied Méndez and Jaime Kim 

Hair Twins - Raakhee Mirchandani and Holly Hatam 

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story - Kevin Noble Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal  

The Day You begin - Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael Lopez

Islandborn - Junot Diaz and Leo Espinosa 

Mommy’s Khimar - Jamila Thompkins-Bigelow and Ebony Glenn

Sankofa: A culinary story of resilience and belonging - Eric Adjepong and Lala Watkins 

Even books where the character shows or describes their understanding of a universal concept such as love, can fall under the theme of identity because in these books, the character is exploring and explaining what love means to them, and how they express this universal concept called love. 

I am Love by Peter H. Reynolds, is one; my picture book - What Love Looks Like illustrated by Anna Cunha - is another.  

Reynold’s book shows the character describing the various ways they express and embody love, while my book shows the main character exploring and experiencing what love looks like with her father. 

Picture books about identity aren’t only restricted to fiction. They can be non-fiction too. A perfect example is Before She was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James Ransome. In this biography picture book about Harriet Tubman, we get to see and learn the various roles and jobs Harriet Tubman took on, in her life’s journey and work as an activist and abolitionist. These various roles and jobs all reveal and answer the question: who was Harriet Tubman?

And so, I think that identity covers a wide range of subjects that inevitably answer the question, who are you, and what makes you special, different, unique, powerful, interesting? 

If you were to write a picture book about identity, what would you write about? 

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Thanks so much for joining us, Laura!

You can find Laura on Instagram: @lauraobuobi or her website at
lauraobuobi.com.

You can also preorder her new book, What is Love here! It comes out on 06/18/24! 

Ten Favorite Identity Picture Books

There are so many kinds of people in this world, so where do I belong? This month’s favorite book list focuses on the beauty and power of our varied individual identities. While each book empowers its reader to embrace their unique self, they also remind us to celebrate each other in meaningful, loving ways. Take a look!

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Black Gold by Laura Obuobi, illustrated by London Ladd

This powerful story spins the legend of you, scooped by the universe from rich, dark soil, kissed by the sun and cradled by the moon, before being surrounded by love. With rich mixed media illustrations and empowering imagery, this story reminds readers that their creation is beautiful and intentional—that they are truly Black Gold.

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Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed, illustrated by Anoosha Syed

When Bilal’s dad tells him it’s time to make dinner at the beginning of the day, Bilal knows why—he’s making daal! And daal takes time. With his dad’s help, Bilal and his friends prepare the ingredients, then go outside to play. But will the bilal ever be ready to eat? And will Bilal’s friends like it? This sweet story celebrates Bilal’s cultural identity—and even includes a recipe for daal at the back of the book!

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Molly’s Tuxedo by Vicki Johnson, illustrated by Gillian Reid

Molly’s mom wants her to wear an itchy, floofy dress for picture day—with no pockets! Molly begs to wear her brother’s old tuxedo, but Mom insists that the dress looks beautiful and just right for picture day. Still, Mom tells Molly she can make her own choice. What will Molly choose? This book reminds readers that there are lots of different ways to express yourself!

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Eyes That Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho

When the narrator is disappointed by a friend’s drawing of his eyes, Baba reminds him that his eyes rise to the skies and speak to the stars. His eyes are like Agong’s eyes, and like his little brother Didi’s eyes. He lets him know that he is powerful and loved. In this beautiful companion book to Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, lyrical imagery and beautiful illustrations help readers understand the power of heritage and love as they intertwine to create our personal identity. 

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Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal

Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela is way too long of a name!, thinks Alma. Then her father explains the stories of the people behind each name. As he introduces Alma to each of her ancestors, she realizes that they are all a part of who she is. With black & white illustrations sprinkled with color, this story inspires readers to connect with their ancestors and explore how they have shaped your personal identity. 

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Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Zuzu has hair that goes every which way, even though her daddy tells her it’s always beautiful. But one morning, Zuzu needs something special, and no puffs or braids or normal styles will do. Daddy is ready to help, but will he be up to the challenge? This story is a celebration of hair, identity, and love. 

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Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Julián dreams of being a mermaid like the people he saw dressed up on the train. So when he and Abuela get home, he dresses like a mermaid. And when Abuela sees him all dressed up, she takes him to a mermaid parade! 

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I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by David Catrow

In this sweet rhyming story, the narrator describes all the ways she likes herself! Fast or slow, wild or tame, from her nose to her ears, she likes who she is, no matter what anyone else thinks. This is a great reminder that each reader deserves lots of love, even from themselves!

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The Box Turtle by Vanessa Roeder

When Terrance the turtle was born without a shell, his parents didn’t worry. They gave him a box for a shell, and Terrance liked it— until other turtles said it was weird! Despite a search for all kinds of other shells, Terrance finally realizes that his old box is just what he needs—and with a little work and help, he makes it his very own. This story reminds us that each person is more than what we can see on the outside!

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Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race by Megan Madison & Jessica Ralli, illustrated by Isabel Roxas

Skin comes in all different shades! With simple text and illustrations, this book teaches why skin has different colors, while inviting readers to engage in conversation about their skin and their family’s skin. It also introduces what racism is and why it’s important to stand up to racism. As the title suggests, this book is a wonderful resource to help young readers better understand race and celebrate their individual identity.

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I hope you enjoyed these Ten Favorite Identity Picture Books!

For more great ideas, feel free to check out 10 Favorite Community Picture Books or 10 Favorite Mindfulness Picture Books!

And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss more great ideas and future blog posts!