Lauri Fortino's Blog, page 6

Picture Book Month Book Review: THE WELCOME HOME by Amy June Bates

Title: The Welcome Home

Author: Amy June Bates

Illustrator: Amy June Bates

Publisher/Year: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers/2023

Favorite Line from the Book: There on their doorstep was a very soft, very waggy, very lick-your-face-play-fetch-roll-over-rub-its-belly-and-chase-its-tail sort of a thing.

This silly and heartwarming book, written and illustrated by Amy June Bates, is for animal lovers (like me) and anyone who wishes they could fill their home with lots ...

November Will Always Be Picture Book Month

Picture Book Month is an international literacy initiative founded by Dianne de Las Casas that celebrates the print picture book during the month of November. Many people in the kid lit community were fortunate to have known Dianne and considered her a friend. I didn’t know her personally, but what I knew of her, I admired. She was a multi-published author with a passion for picture books, so much so that she established Picture Book Month in 2011 along with fellow children’s book authors an...

Interview Alert: Ronni Diamondstein

Headshot photo credit: Randi Childs

Please welcome author Ronni Diamondstein to Frog on a Blog! Ronni’s debut picture book is a biography about the life of iconic public figure Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, entitled Jackie and the Books She Loved. Ronni’s book is due out on November 7th by Sky Pony Press, but you can preorder it now. The art, by the talented Bats Langley, is gorgeous and so colorful, but what I think I like best about the book is getting a glimpse into the life of a you...

My View Book Review: ALWAYS SISTERS by Saira Mir

Title: Always Sisters: A Story of Loss and Love

Author: Saira Mir

Illustrator: Shahrzad Maydani

Publisher/Year: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers/2023

Favorite Line from the Book: She’s not here yet, but she’s already my little sunshine.

With so much heartbreaking news in the world right now, I was hesitant about posting this review because this book’s topic is, to put it simply, sad. But October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and, if just on...

Exciting News!

I’m excited to share that I’ve been selected by the fabulous Elayne Crain for a two-month picture book mentorship through Inked Voices! I’m so glad Elayne liked my manuscript, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity!

Astrid Kamalyan Embraces The Sun

I’m honored to be a stop on author Astrid Kamalyan’s book tour for her debut picture book Bábo: A Tale of Armenian Rug-Washing Day. Her lovely book, just published September 19th by Charlesbridge, earned starred reviews from both Kirkus and The Horn Book and is a Junior Library Guild Selection. Bábo: A Tale of Armenian Rug-Washing Day is the first children’s book about Armenia traditionally published in the US in over 30 years and is the only one to feature Artsakh dialogue.

Beautifully ...

Interview Alert: Gayle C. Krause (+ a Giveaway!)

Please welcome multi-published children’s book author Gayle C. Krause to Frog on a Blog. Gayle’s new picture book, Zadie and the Witch’s Tea, was just released this past July from Trowbridge Books. The book stars an adorable little witch, and absolutely no prince, in this clever reimagining of the Cinderella story. Perfect for Halloween or anytime, Zadie and the Witch’s Tea will enchant kids with Gayle’s delightful rhyming text and Kate Talbot’s bold, colorful illustrations.

Gayle is def...

Interview Alert: Alex Willan

Please join me in wishing a very Merry Christmas, er, I mean a very Happy Book Birthday to the hilarious, multi-published author/illustrator Alex Willan for his brand-new picture book Elves Are the Worst! This book is sure to be a holiday (or anytime) favorite with kids. It’s the latest in his The Worst! series and should prove to be just as popular as the other three: Unicorns Are the Worst!, Dragons Are the Worst!, and Yetis Are the Worst! All of these books are filled with humor, color, a...

My View Book Review: I LOVE YOU MUCHO MUCHO by Rachel Más Davidson

Title: I Love You Mucho Mucho

Author: Rachel Más Davidson

Illustrator: Rachel Más Davidson

Publisher/Year: Beaming Books/2023

Favorite Line from the Book: Fortunately, stomachs growl in the same language, and Abuela knew just what to do.

Happy National Grandparents Day to all the grandmothers and grandfathers out there who share their hearts, stories, wisdom, and homes with their families! Did you know, according to AARP in 2017, the United States is in the midst of a “gra...

Interview Alert: Sue Heavenrich

I’m thrilled that Frog on a Blog is a stop on multi-published author Sue Heavenrich’s book blog tour today! Sue is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. And she just happens to be a member of the West/Central Upstate NY Chapter of the SCBWI, just like me, and our paths have crossed a few times at local conferences. She may have even given me a writing tip or two.

Sue is also a former science teacher, a nature lover, an avid gardener, and an insect enthusiast, so it’s no wonder that s...