If your kids or students need a little bibliotherapy for back-to-school, today I'm sharing new and classic picture book recommendations about big feelings, making friends, the first day, and being themselves. Also, I want to thank you for choosing to read my reviews and not the AI snippets stolen from my blog and others. Unlike AI, I am real and taught elementary grades, trained teachers in literacy best practices, have a Master's in Education, and am the parent of two children. (One of my...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
One of my daughter's nannying charges has been "fake reading" and lying about what she's read. So what can you do with a reader like this? (After you've determined there is not a reading disability interfering-- which often is why a child is more reading avoidant.) Reading helps readers improve. Therefore, our goal for kids is reading. Here are some ideas for positive motivation to encourage any or more reading: MONEY FOR NEW BOOKSMoney to spend at yard sales or bookstores. STICKER BOOKS (OR...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Last week, I zipped through a middle grade graphic novel. It took me about 40 minutes. It made me think about the difference in time spent reading and the number of words I was reading compared to a prose novel. Compared to most prose novels, graphic novels have fewer words and they're quicker in terms of sustained reading time. Both matter for growing readers. Ultimately, the more words a child reads, the better their vocabulary and reading comprehension will be. Don't misunderstand. I will...
2 months ago • 1 min read
One of the most important thing you can do over the summer is ensure your readers are reading DAILY. Why? Because regression is real. To that end, here are several ideas to keep up the reading motivation this summer. Start a book club! Read a book with a movie or show. Grab my fun-filled Reading Journal. (Shown above. Interior pages here.) Make a cozy reading nook. Get a headlamp or book light and read under the covers. Read to a new (stuffed) reading buddy. Let your kids spend $20 at the...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Happy June! Have you tried to gamify your reading before? Yesterday, my twenty-year-old daughter explained to me that she and her best friend love playing a bookstore game. They look for the weirdest manga book titles. Here are some examples:Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For! Fun, right? You can do this, too! Think about what fun bookish games you could play with your readers. Maybe at the library they...
3 months ago • 1 min read
I'm thrilled to share a sneak peek at my first picture book, TOVA’S SWEET SOLUTION, which will be published on April 21, 2026 by Red Comet Press! How cute is this artwork from illustrator Aurélie Lise-Anne? TOVA’S SWEET SOLUTION is a heartfelt and deliciously sweet story about food allergies, creativity, resilience, and the magic of family.Bursting with playful language, cozy charm, and a dash of culinary creativity, this story celebrates perseverance, problem-solving, and the loving support...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Happy May! In business news, I relaunched my kidlit consulting business as Imagination Soup Consulting to provide personalized school visit coaching, book publicity, and website, newsletter, and social media consults. My newsletter for the consulting business gives pro tips on all of those things for free, and you can subscribe to that here. In case you missed it in the last newsletter, let's start with the summer reading lists again. Summer Reading Lists (All Ages) Remember that kids don't...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Recently, I've been getting emails from readers asking about the summer reading lists. All the lists are updated except the teen list. (It will be updated next week.) And yes, you have my permission to distribute the printed lists to your classes and libraries. However, please do not post the list on your websites. Instead, post a link to the post on my website. 2025 Summer Reading Book Lists (All Ages) Your goal is to get kids reading good books. How do you do this? By providing choices and...
5 months ago • 1 min read
I am devouring the book Your Brain on Art. One thing I’ve learned is the scientific mental health benefits of poetry! Did you know that poetry can help us “relax and gain perspective on ourselves” because our brains process poetry differently than prose? It also activates neuroplasticity processes in the brain by creating new narratives and can stop anxious thoughts. So, for Poetry Month, remember to share and experience poetry with kids! Here are my favorite children's poetry books. Here is...
5 months ago • 1 min read