Lauri Fortino's Blog, page 8
May 17, 2023
Interview Alert: Jennifer Raudenbush (+ a Giveaway!)
Please welcome children’s author and poet Jennifer Raudenbush to Frog on a Blog. Jennifer and I first crossed paths during a critique session on the online writing platform Inked Voices. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her beautiful debut picture book In the Palm of My Hand, which just released in March by Running Press Kids. Jennifer and I are both nature lovers, and clearly the natural world was a huge inspiration for her when she wrote the text of this expressive book...
May 10, 2023
Happy Book Birthday to MATTISON MOUSE COUNTS by Raven Howell!
Title: Mattison Mouse Counts
Author: Raven Howell
Illustrator: Keeshan Defay
Publisher: AM Ink Publishing
Release Date: May 10, 2023
Format: Hardcover
Summary: Wearing his favorite hat, Mattison Mouse is happy to venture outside on a beautiful day. But soon the little mouse hears mysterious footsteps. Mattison and his animal friends help young children count from one to ten as, joyfully, the day’s counting adventures lead to a surprise birthday party.
Do you have a c...
May 9, 2023
Interview Alert: Sarah Kurpiel
It is my extreme pleasure to welcome multi-published author/illustrator Sarah Kurpiel to Frog on a Blog. You may be familiar with Sarah’s other books, including her debut Lone Wolf, which received a starred review from School Library Journal and was a Summer 2020 Kids’ Indie Next Pick.
Today, we get to celebrate the birthday of her brand-new book Snake’s Big Mistake! Sarah has a knack for creating adorable animal characters and kid-relatable stories with lots of heart. She’s shared a l...
May 5, 2023
Writing a Single Story Using a Variety of Poetry Styles by Kathleen Long Bostrom
It is my pleasure to welcome multi-published, award-winning children’s book author and poet extraordinaire Kathleen Long Bostrom back to Frog on a Blog. I featured Kathleen in the summer of 2020 when her board book Will You Be Friends with Me? came out. She spoke about the connection between writer and illustrator and trusting the publisher and illustrator to help bring your story to life. To read that post, please click HERE.
Today, Kathleen’s here to share her latest picture book Since...
May 2, 2023
Happy Book Birthday to SINCE THE BABY CAME by Kathleen Long Bostrom!
Title: Since the Baby Came: A Sibling’s Learning-to-Love Story in 16 Poems
Author: Kathleen Long Bostrom
Illustrator: Janet Samuel
Publisher: Waterbrook & Multnomah Kids
Release Date: May 2, 2023
Format: Hardcover
Summary: Since the Baby Came offers a unique take on a timeless topic. The heartfelt and humorous drama unfolds completely in verse, addressing the full range of emotions a young child experiences when a new baby joins the family—from surprise and confusion to fee...
April 25, 2023
The Joy and Healing of Creative Collaboration by Laura Shovan
Please welcome author, educator, and poet Laura Shovan to Frog on a Blog! Laura is perhaps best known for her award-winning middle grade novels, including A Place at the Table, written with Saadia Faruqi. But today we celebrate the publication day of her new children’s book Welcome to Monsterville, which is perfect for Poetry Month and features 16 poems she wrote to accompany artist Michael Rothenberg’s whimsical monster illustrations. Welcome to Monsterville is a “celebration of friendship,...
April 22, 2023
Celebrating Earth Day with “Tina the First Tooth Fairy” by Bruce F. Scharschmidt, MD
Happy Earth Day, everyone! Please welcome physician, scientist, and children’s book author Dr. Bruce F. Scharschmidt to Frog on a Blog. Bruce’s new picture book Tina the First Tooth Fairy officially launches today. This colorful, rhyming story subtly introduces the concept of environmental sustainability, which you’re never too young to begin learning about. Bruce’s daughter’s curiosity was piqued by a science experiment when she was young, which led her to a scientific career. Now, Bruce en...
April 4, 2023
Interview Alert: Nadia Ali (+ a Giveaway!)
It is my pleasure to welcome freelance writer and children’s book author Nadia Ali to Frog on a Blog. Her brand-new picture book Humphrey the Egg-Splorer officially released today! Just look at that fabulous cover by illustrator Valentí Gubianas! Nadia has several published books, including the recently-released four-book series Animal Societies, which feature animal families, homes, communication, and jobs.
I invited Nadia to share a little about the inspiration for Humphrey the Egg-...
April 1, 2023
Tackling Tough Topics with Humor and STEAM by Kari Gonzalez (+ a Giveaway!)
Please welcome children’s book author Kari Gonzalez to Frog on a Blog! Picture books that encourage a love for books and reading are some of my favorites, and Kari’s debut How to Hatch a Reader, which launches this summer from Gnome Road Publishing with adorable illustrations by Rachel Suzanne, does exactly that. Full of clever puns, How to Hatch a Reader follows a little girl as she shows you, the reader, how to teach your chickens to read. Including the “learning to read” aspect is what ta...
March 14, 2023
Happy Book Birthday to JUST A WORM by Marie Boyd!
Title: Just A Worm
Author: Marie Boyd
Illustrator: Marie Boyd
Publisher: Greenwillow (a HarperCollins imprint)
Release Date: March 14, 2023
Format: Hardcover
Summary: After being called “just a worm” by two children, Worm embarks on a journey around the garden to prove them wrong. Debut author-illustrator Marie Boyd seamlessly incorporates concepts of nature, natural selection, habitats, and interdependence in this picture book beautifully illustrated with a cut-paper techn...
