Big news in the children's publishing industry. This morning, the Newbery and Caldecott medal and honor books were awarded by the American Library Association Youth Media. (Along with more awards, too!) The below image gives you a hint. Check out the winners! What do you think? Who did they miss? If you want to refresh your memory of what won in the past, here are the last two years winners: 2024 Newbery & Caldecott Awards 2023 Newbery & Caldecott Awards Have a great week, and happy reading!...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Are your readers making reading goals and reflecting on who they are as readers? It's empowering to set goals, take steps to achieve those goals, and reflect on your progress. (I think reflection is one of the most powerful tools we can teach children, don't you?) It may be helpful to discuss the Rights of the Readers with your students and children and read about my process for goal setting with kids. New Picture Books (Ages 4 - 8) The new year in picture books features funny, sweet, and...
13 days ago • 1 min read
Hello, creative friends! Author / Illustrator Life Are you in a season of wintering? I (Melissa) had coffee with a group of SCBWI writers and illustrators last week, and they talked about how it’s hard to be creative during heavy times. It’s true. We have to have grace with ourselves in these seasons. In the book Wintering by Katherine May, she writes, “We have seasons when we flourish and seasons when the leaves fall from us, revealing our bare bones. Given time, they grow again.” We hope...
14 days ago • 1 min read
I had an entirely different message to send you, but then the fires happened. I’m a praying person, but sometimes all I can articulate is “Help” For those of you affected or with loved ones affected, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. In other news, because Google crushed my ability to earn a living from Imagination Soup, I'm excited to share about my new business created with my friend & writing partner, Ellen Potter: IMAGINARIUM AUTHOR SOLUTIONS. In this business, we will support...
27 days ago • 1 min read
What a year! As the year ends, I want to thank you for supporting Imagination Soup. Thank you, also, for believing in good books for all readers. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to those of you who celebrate! 18 New Nonfiction Books, December 2024 (Ages 4 - 12) I love finding incredible nonfiction books. Check out what's new and keep your readers immersed in nonfiction! I love how many of these books are interactive, like the Highlights books and the Cluedle books. 9 New Picture Books,...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hooray!! I'm sharing my favorite books of 2024! Plus, find good winter books, Hanukkah books, and a free Advent download. Happy December! Best Picture Books of 2024 These 34 titles are my absolute favorite picture books of the year that stand out as fabulous and kid-friendly! Best Middle Grade Books of 2024 From over the 200 books I finished (and the at least 200 books I abandoned), here are my favorites -- the most exceptional middle grade titles of 2024! Best Nonfiction Books, 2024 What are...
2 months ago • 1 min read
It's that time of year when we need good ideas for gifts. (Or, is that just me?) Well, I have some great ideas for you! Holiday Gift Guide (All Ages) Find toys, games, kits, and book gift ideas to keep children engaged, learning, playing, and developing their imaginations, skills, and interests. (Don't forget to bookmark this page to check later!) STEM Gifts Arts & Crafts Gifts Pretend Play Gifts Game Gifts Literacy Gifts Stocking Stuffers Gift Guides by Age 2 Year Olds >3 Year Olds >4 Year...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Whenever I don't know what to do, I read a book. So I'm excited to share some great books for you to choose from-- for your kids, students, and yourself. I'm (im)patiently waiting for my brain to adjust to a recent vision issue that is impacting my ability to read, but my eye doctor assures me that my brain will learn to see through these squiggly black lines at some point. Soon, I hope! Despite that, I read over 100 picture books and chose the best 11 to share with you, and 15 chapter...
3 months ago • 1 min read
I'm truly thankful for you and how generous and supportive you are. Thanks for being along for this wild ride. Before I share the book lists, I wanted to remind you that it can be very helpful to talk about a reader's rights with your kids. These rights include choice, reading more than one book at a time, and abandoning a book. Talk about how these rights might apply to your reader's reading life. Do the ideas empower them? Would they want to add any rights? I hope this feels helpful and...
3 months ago • 1 min read