Cynthia Leitich Smith's Blog, page 51
February 5, 2021
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper (Carolrhoda Books, 2021).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Norton Young ReadersPeter Sís: Uncovering a Story of Hidden Heroism by Julie Danielson from BookPage. Peek: “I think we all know what heroism is—we just have to think about it. It is solidarity, empathy, kindness—quiet ac...
February 4, 2021
Guest Interview: Nikki Grimes on Writing Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice
Author Nikki Grimes, photo by Aaron LemenBy Kekla Magoon
As many people did, I followed the recent presidential election cycle fairly closely. During the early months of the primary season, I was hard at work on my picture book biography of Thurgood Marshall, The Highest Tribute: Thurgood Marshall’s Life, Leadership and Legacy, illustrated by Laura Freeman (Quill Tree Books, 2021).
Given my creative focus on this legendary, trailblazing Black American jurist, it was particularly exciting to see...
February 3, 2021
Guest Interview: Kekla Magoon & Carole Boston Weatherford Discuss the Need to Write “Untold” Stories
By Kekla Magoon
As I was working on the initial draft of my new picture book biography, The Highest Tribute: Thurgood Marshall’s Life, Leadership and Legacy illustrated by Laura Freeman (Quill Tree Books, 2021), I naturally gravitated toward reading biographies written by other children’s writers, for inspiration and to gather a sense of the many and varied styles that were possible.
I found myself returning over and over to books by Carole Boston Weatherford, the award-winning and bestselling ...
February 2, 2021
Guest Post: Kekla Magoon on Writing The Highest Tribute: Thurgood Marshall’s Life, Leadership, and Legacy
By Kekla Magoon
“In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute,” wrote Thurgood Marshall, in one of the landmark cases he presided over as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. Indeed, Justice Marshall spent most of his life working to ensure recognition of the humanity of all people within his nation’s laws.
I chose this quote as the inspiration for the title of my picture book biography, The Highest Tribute, illustrated by Laura Freeman (Quill Tree Books, 20...
February 1, 2021
Cynsational Return: Happy New Year 2021!
Happy New Year and welcome back to Cynsations!
We love bringing you upbeat and useful information and inspiration about the children’s-YA literature community, writing, illustration, and publishing. And we are particularly excited about what we have lined up for you in the coming months.
As always, we will highlight new voices in picture books, chapter books, middle grade and YA, interviews and guest posts from some of the industry’s guiding lights, and we’ll continu...
December 5, 2020
Cynsations Winter Hiatus
Happy Holidays, Cynsational readers!
Effective immediately, this blog is on hiatus. We’ll return after the ALA Midwinter Conference with more inspiration, insights, and information on children’s-YA writing, illustration, literature and publishing. In the meantime, you’re welcome keep up on all those topics with me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.
That said, over the next several weeks, you may also want to, say, move away from the screen, take a leisurely ...
December 4, 2020
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper, illustrated by Kenard Pak (Kokila, 2020).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Interview With Debut Author Saira Mir by Lindsay Ward from Critter Lit: Peek: “I tap into the things that bring me joy: science, South Asian culture, family, social issues, food, and art. I also think about how I want my children to grow. There’s such a huge nee...
February 6, 2019
Cynsations Has Moved
If you are not automatically redirected, please go to https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/cynsations/ for news and insights on the world of children's and young adult literature.
December 10, 2018
Cynsational Winter Hiatus
for Cynsations
Happy Holidays, Cynsational Readers!Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm. I wish you the very best throughout this celebratory season and look forward to reconnecting in 2019.
Thanks to the many voices who contributed their insights to the blog over the past year. We were honored to feature you and your work.
And finally, thanks to my brilliant Cynterns, Robin Galbraith, Gayleen Rabukukk, and Stephani Eaton, as well as...
December 7, 2018
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith,Robin Galbraith, Gayleen Rabukukk, and Stephani Eaton
for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
Honoring Her Passion by Julie Kendrick from Minnesota Good Age. Peek:
“'Honor your own passion and honor what feels important to you,' [Marion Dane] Bauer said. 'Don’t ask what practical use it is and don’t ask what anyone else thinks about it. Just reach for what feeds your own soul. ..Step back and write something that feeds you.'”Success Story...
