Cynthia Leitich Smith's Blog, page 78

Author Interview: Gwendolyn Hooks on Inspiration, the Writing Journey & Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas

By Gayleen Rabakukk
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

Gwendolyn recently won the
NAACP Image Award for Tiny StitchesWhen I saw Jimmy Kimmel’s recent monologue about his son’s surgery, I remembered Gwendolyn Hooks’ picture book biography, Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas, illustrated by Colin Bootman (Lee & Low, 2016).

I tweeted about the book, in hopes Kimmel might invite Gwendolyn to be a guest on his show.

Since I have a little more pull with the Cynsations...

Author Interview: Jennifer Ziegler on Inspiration, Confidence & Revenge of the Happy Campers

By Gayleen Rabakukk
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

Today we welcome author Jennifer Ziegler to discuss the third book in her MG series featuring the Brewster triplets, Revenge of the Happy Campers (Scholastic, 2017). From the promotional copy:

The Brewster triplets, Dawn, Darby, and Delaney, are spending spring break with Aunt Jane at the campground where she and their mom used to go as kids. But on the first morning there, they run into a trio of boys, and one starts bragging about his...

Book Trailer: Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia

Illustrated by Frank MorrisonBy Cynthia Leitich Smith
for Cynsations

Check out the book trailer for Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia (HarperChildren's, 2017).

The first chapter comes to life as Clayton Byrd plays harmonica alongside his grandfather, Cool Papa Byrd, and the Bluesmen.

From the promotional copy:

From beloved Newbery Honor winner and three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner Rita Williams-Garcia comes a powerful and heartfelt novel about loss, family,...

Author Interview: Kate Hosford on Theme, Re-imagined Colonialism & How the Queen Found the Perfect Cup of Tea

By Gayleen Rabakukk
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

Today we welcome author Kate Hosford to chat about How the Queen Found the Perfect Cup of Tea,
illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska (Carolrhoda Books, 2017). From the promotional copy:

Each day when the Queen wakes up, three maids dress her, two more style her hair, and her butler James makes her tea. But when she grows dissatisfied with her brew, the Queen and James set out in search of the perfect cup. 

With each stop on their hot-...

Cynsational News

By Cynthia Leitich Smith & Gayleen Rabakukk
for Cynsations

Where Do We Go From Here? by Pat Cummings from the Brown Bookshelf. Peek: "...until books featuring diverse characters are actively marketed to mainstream audiences, diverse books will stay a niche section of the bookstore and a niche in publishers’ marketing plans."

A Cheat’s Guide to Writing a Synopsis by Sarah Juckes from Writers Helping Writers Peek: “The point of your synopsis is to explain the main plot to the reader. It i...

Author Interview: Leda Schubert on Lyrics, a Music Legend & Listen: How Pete Seeger Got America Singing

By Gayleen Rabakukk
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

Today we welcome Leda Schubert, author of Listen: How Pete Seeger Got America Singing, illustrated by Raúl Colón (Roaring Brook Press, June 13, 2017). From the promotional copy:

Listen.
There was nobody like Pete Seeger.
Wherever he went, he got people singing. 
With his head thrown back
and his Adam’s apple bouncing,
picking his long-necked banjo
or strumming his twelve-string guitar,
Pete sang old songs,
new songs,
new words to o...

Book Trailer: Cinnamon by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Divya Srinivasan

By Cynthia Leitich Smith
for Cynsations

Check out the book trailer for Cinnamon by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Divya Srinivasan (HarperChildren's, 2017). From the promotional copy:

A talking tiger is the only one who may be able to get a princess to speak in this beautiful picture book set in a mythic India by the Newbery Medal-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Norse Mythology, Neil Gaiman, and illustrated in bold colors by Divya Srinivasan.

Previously available only as...

Author Interview: Uma Krishnaswami on the Creative Life, Teaching Writing & Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh

By Gayleen Rabakukk
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

Today we welcome author Uma Krishnaswami to discuss her new MG historical novel, Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh (Lee & Low, May 2017). From the promotional copy:

Nine-year-old Maria Singh longs to play softball in the first-ever girls’ team forming in Yuba City, California. It’s the spring of 1945, and World War II is dragging on. Miss Newman, Maria’s teacher, is inspired by Babe Ruth and the All-American Girls’ League to start a...

Podcast: Pat Mora, Cynthia Leitich Smith & Don Tate

By Cynthia Leitich Smith
for Cynsations

What an honor to be interviewed for a podcast also featuring author Pat Mora and author-illustrator Don Tate by Professional Book Nerds.

Peek from my segment:

"It [writing for kids] was a heart decision, not a head decision and part of that heart decision wasn't just about my work.

"It was about the power and importance and necessity of bringing goodness into the world, specifically goodness for kids, and so I was going to do what I could to uplift all story...

Cynsational News

By Cynthia Leitich Smith & Gayleen Rabakukk
for Cynsations

Illustrator Elisa Chavarri on the Art of Rainbow Weaver/Tejedora Del Arcoiris by Keilin Huang from the Lee & Low blog. Peek: "I worked digitally, but I’ve included an example of some of the sketches, and the early character design concept art, (before I figured out the appropriate dress), and some unused artwork/ideas."

Imagine Yourself a Young Reader in the Margins #OwnVoices: Three Takes by Ebony Elizabeth Thomas from Scho...