Lauri Fortino's Blog

How to Christmas by Robin Currie

Hey, picture book authors, do you hope to one day write a Christmas story? I know I do. That’s why I’m super excited to welcome multi-published children’s book author Robin Currie to Frog on a Blog! Robin’s sweet picture book Just Enough Room for Christmas officially launched yesterday. And Robin stopped by today to share “easy steps to writing a holiday picture book.” Let’s hear from Robin!

How to Christmas

by Robin Currie

Ever since the Grinch stole into our holidays in 1957, aut...

Happy Book Birthday to JUST ENOUGH ROOM FOR CHRISTMAS by Robin Currie!

Title: Just Enough Room for Christmas

Author: Robin Currie

Illustrator: Estelle Corke

Publisher: Good Books

Release Date: September 2, 2025

Format: Hardcover, eBook

Summary: In a tiny barn in Bethlehem, Old Hannah the cow lives alone until the cold wind drives other animals to seek shelter. One by one, they squeeze in, but when a tiny mouse stirs up trouble, the barn erupts into chaotic mooing, meowing, and barking. Will there be enough room for a little family to have a si...

Happy Book Birthday to GILBERT AND THE GHOST by Heather Pierce Stigall!

Title:  Gilbert and the Ghost

Author: Heather Pierce Stigall

Illustrator: Jess Mason

Publisher: Beaming Books

Release Date: August 19, 2025

Format: Hardcover, eBook

Summary: The ghost at 632 Savannah Street is real . . . right?

Gilbert often feels invisible, just like the ghost living at 632 Savannah Street. Despite his family’s disbelief, Gilbert leaves gifts for the ghost: a friendship bracelet, a plate of cookies, even a drawing with a note. When each disappears one by...

Interview Alert: Elayne Crain

I’m excited to welcome picture book author Elayne Crain to Frog on a Blog! Elayne was my picture book writing mentor for a few months through an Inked Voices mentorship program. Elayne is super sweet and so funny and just a genuinely nice person. She’s here today to talk about her rib-tickling debut picture book There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter, which published in June from Feiwel & Friends and is a July/August 2025 Kids’ Indie Next pick over at the American Booksellers Association...

Happy Book Birthday to GRANDMA YOGINI by Raven Howell!

Title: Grandma Yogini

Author: Raven Howell

Illustrator: Alexander Santos

Publisher: Nymeria Publishing

Release Date: August 5th, 2025

Format: Paperback

Summary: Henry and his sister, Meredith, can hardly wait for Grandma to arrive for a visit. But what should they expect? Among the children’s diverse friends and their grandmothers who bake, create art, and speak Spanish, will Grandma be able to share something unique and fun with the kids?

Henry’s fears are alleviated wh...

Interview Alert: Sherry Roberts

Please welcome multi-published children’s book author Sherry Roberts to Frog on a Blog. Today is All American Pet Photo Day, so it seems like a great day to feature Sherry and her brand new picture book Amica Helps Zoe, which is about a loveable rescue dog and the little girl who loves her.

I love dogs, and I love picture books about dogs. My little rescue dog recently passed away, so this story really tugged at my heartstrings. Let’s hear more from Sherry about this special picture book ...

Happy Book Birthday to JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN, ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD by Tara Hackney!

Title: Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World

Author: Tara Hackney

Illustrator: (Photo illustrations)

Publisher: IVP Kids

Release Date: June 24, 2025

Format: Board book, eBook

Summary: The classic song “Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World” has been heard in homes and churches for over a century. This fresh adaptation includes three new stanzas that reflect God’s inclusive love. The vibrant photographs showcase children from around the globe,...

My View Book Review: FREE BIRD by Christine Mott

Title: Free Bird: Flaco the Owl’s Dreams Take Flight

Author: Christine Mott

Illustrator: Ofra Layla Isler

Publisher/Year: Lantern Publishing & Media/2025

Format: Hardcover, eBook

Happy HELP ANIMALS DAY! I have a great book to share for the occasion.

Free Bird: Flaco the Owl’s Dreams Take Flight, written by Christine Mott and illustrated by Ofra Layla Isler, will officially be available May 6th from Lantern Publishing & Media, an American non-profit book publisher with a...

Interview Alert: Lauren Briére

Please welcome talented author and illustrator Lauren Briére, along with her whimsical robot pals, to Frog on a Blog! Lauren’s new picture book, Alphabot Adventures, which is part of her Robots In Rowboats series, is bursting with adorable, friendly, inquisitive, amusing, kind, and even pensive robots that kids will LOVE!

This fun and colorful concept book, published by Blue Star Press, features the alphabet, and it “will have your little one laughing and learning from A to Z!” Each of t...

My View Book Review: COUNTING WINTER by Nancy White Carlstrom

Title: Counting Winter

Author: Nancy White Carlstrom

Illustrator: Claudia McGehee

Publisher/Year: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers/2024

Format: Hardcover

Counting Winter, written by Nancy White Carlstrom and illustrated by Claudia McGehee, was published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers in 2024. In this fun seasonal tale, readers count woodland animals (and some exuberant children) from 1 to 12, beginning with 1 red fox silently walking through the forest.

I don’t usu...