Cynthia Leitich Smith's Blog, page 60

Guest Interview: SCBWI Volunteers at Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2018

By A. Colleen Jones
for SCBWI Bologna 2018 and Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations


Note: This interview is part of a series focusing on the Bologna Children's Book Fair. 

SCBWI Ireland Regional Advisor A. Colleen Jones talks with the volunteer team behind the SCBWI Booth at the Book Fair.

The SCBWI Bologna team that plans, organizes, and executes everything necessary to have a booth at Bologna is comprised of many people, including Christopher Cheng (a Cynsations reporter), Kathleen...

Cynsational News

Author/Illustrator Insights

Interview: Tim Tingle, Author of A Name Earned by Gordon West from Kirkus Reviews. Peek:

"Tragedy happens in everything I write, but the tragedy is never gonna win. I want the kids who live in that environment to know that…just because your home situation doesn’t change, doesn’t mean you can’t.”

Everyone Has a Right to a Story That Feels Li...

Illustrator Interview: Jonathan Thunder on Bowwow Powwow

By Traci Sorell
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

Bowwow Powwow by Brenda Child, translated (Ojibwe) by Gordon Jourdain, illustrated by Jonathan Thunder (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2018) From the promotional copy:

Windy Girl is blessed with a vivid imagination. From Uncle she gathers stories of long-ago traditions, about dances and sharing and gratitude. 

Windy can tell such stories herself—about her dog, Itchy Boy, and the way he dances to request a treat and how he wrigg...

New Voice: Sarah Lynne Reul on The Breaking News

By Traci Sorell
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

I’m always amazed by those creators who can both write and illustrate their stories. Okay, I’ll admit a little jealous too. My talents do not lend themselves to do both.

 So shining the Cynsations’ spotlight today on Sarah Lynne Reul is a treat.

She shares about how she creates her art and why she ultimately decided to become a children’s book author-illustrator instead of focusing solely on illustration. 

The Breaking News, by Sara...

Survivors: Kathi Appelt on Thriving as a Long-Time, Actively Publishing Children's-YA Author

Learn more about Kathi Appelt. Photo by Igor Kraguljak.By Cynthia Leitich Smith
for Cynsations

In children’s-YA writing, maintaining an active publishing career is arguably an even bigger challenge than breaking into the field, yes?

I would agree with that. Over these many years I’ve seen superstars come and go. And I do realize that some of that is just basic human nature—we all want to see who is the new best thing, right?

There are so many ways to interpret the old adage “chasing the drea...

Intern Insight: LGBT Spotlight Interview with Honey St. Claire

Honey St. Claire, photograph by KadaverBy Kate Pentecost
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

I’m sure everyone has seen the buzz that the movie "Love, Simon" has gotten and is still getting from audiences across America.

As part of the LGBT community myself, I can tell you from experience that representation for LGBT kids can be and frequently is absolutely life-changing as they grow into confident, valued adults.

The children’s book community has been doing a great job as of late telling the...

In Memory: Alice Provensen

By Gayleen Rabukukk
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

Alice Provensen, a Star in the Children’s-Book World, Dies at 99 by Neil Genzlinger from The New York Times. Peek:

Working with her husband, Martin, Alice Provensen created dozens of books for young readers. "The books they illustrated and wrote covered a wide range — educational, fictional, biographical, historical. They liked to travel to research them, and did so for the most acclaimed book they both wrote and illustrated, The Gloriou...

Cynsational News

By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Robin Galbraith, Gayleen Rabukukk & Kate Pentecost for Cynsations

Author/Illustrator Insights

Jacqueline Woodson’s Upcoming Book is a Moving Letter to Kids Who Feel Alone by M.J. Franklin from Mashable. Peek:

"My mom used to tell us there’d be moments when we walked into a room and no one there was like us. 

"I’ve walked into those rooms many times during my childhood and beyond so I had the sense that this was true of mos...

New Voices: Inside Scoop on Debut Author Groups with J.H. Diehl, Lauren Abbey Greenberg, Jonathan Roth & Deborah Schaumberg

By Robin Galbraith
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

After years of writing you finally have your very first book deal! Now what? How do you promote your debut novel? I talked to four Maryland debut authors from the Electric Eighteens to get the inside scoop on how debut groups for young adult and middle grade authors work.

Deborah Schaumberg, J.H. Diehl, Lauren Abbey Greenberg, Jonathan RothLet’s start with some basic introductions. Tells us about your book and your publishing journey.

J.H....

New Voice: Cate Berry on Penguin & Tiny Shrimp Don't Do Bedtime!

By Traci Sorell
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

I’m so pleasured to feature my interview with Cate Berry, debut picture book author of Penguin & Tiny Shrimp Don’t Do Bedtime, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Balzer + Bray, 2018).

Publishers Weekly described it as “...a buoyantly subversive antibedtime tale,” and I couldn’t agree more.

The witty repartee between Penguin and Tiny Shrimp, coupled with the digital artwork of Charles Santoso make this 2018 Junior Library Guild sele...