In Class Storytime

Enjoying some holiday reading with these awesome kids!

Writing with the Stars (and also me!)

Who likes contests? And kidlit? And opportunities to be mentored by published picture book authors who are excited to get to know you and help you write and revise? 

You do. 

Yeah - you do. 

So please check out Becky Tara Book's "Writing with the Stars" contest which pairs aspiring writers with authors. Details and deadlines are available through the following link. I'm one of the lucky mentors and I have my fingers crossed I'll be working with you. 

Yeah. 

You in the Christmas jammies eating snickerdoodles at 8:30 am on a Wednesday. 

http://beckytarabooks.com/wwts-contest/

Thankful

I am so grateful for every chance I get to speak at schools (including this one from last week!). Thank you media specialists, educators, teachers, students, PTA fundraisers, librarians, kids, volunteer moms, administrators, principals... weel, you get the idea :)!

MOON BABIES

My friend Karen Jameson just revealed the cover for her wonderful new picture book, Moon Babies. 

You can learn more here: http://mrschureads.blogspot.com/2018/10/moon-babies-by-karen-jameson-and-amy.html?m=1

FUTURE ASTRONAUT

Hi, hello! My friend Lori Veraldi Alexander has written the most precious board book series. The FUTURE BABY series starts with FUTURE ASTRONAUT and just had her cover reveal! 

Check out the interviews and enter to win a copy here: 

https://taralazar.com/2018/10/10/future-astronaut-cover-reveal/

WINNER, WINNER, LOBSTER DINNER!

I am over-the-moon excited to announce that LUCY LOVES SHERMAN won three medals (count’em people – THREE!) in the 2018 Florida Authors & Publishers Association (FAPA) Book Awards, including a GOLD medal in the Children’s Picture Book Award category. So proud of my little Lucy and her lobstery friend, Sherman. 

Blub, blub!

#lucylovessherman
#lucyalsolovesawards

sohappysohappysohappy

What is blue and white and beautiful all over? The gorgeous artwork that Disney Hyperion did for my latest book!!! I got these proofs 

in the mail today and I am so happy I cannot even stand it. I can’t wait to share this bedtime boat book with everyone in Spring 2

019. 

#harborbound #picturebook #disneybooks#pinchme #bestmailever

Lucy Loves ... the IPPY Awards!

Congratulations Lucy and Sherman for taking home a silver medal in the IPPY awards!!! 

#LucyLovesSherman #bookaward #IPPY #ipba #itssoshiny

Frances K Sweet Elementary

Today I had the honor of helping celebrate the Young Author Winners at Frances K Sweet Elementary. These kids and their amazing teachers (and principal!) blew my socks off! It was a privilege to be a part of it 🤗 Thank you!

Let's Call It Research

That just sounds better than "not writing because I'm watching a hilarious You Tube show of two guys reading picture books."

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV4Bzgj91AYvbb7BTMz_Alg/videos

Open Call for NF

As explained in this link: "I am currently looking for manuscripts for children in grades K-3 that tap into that sense of wonder. Manuscripts should focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) topics and should present those topics in playful or unconventional ways. And finally, these books should be able to be illustrated with photographs, though the author will not expected to do photo research. That said, authors who are also photographers and can provide images are welcome to submit."

https://lernerbooks.blog/2018/03/k-3-nonfiction-submission.html

Sisters Unite!

To to kick of women's history month, I present to you dear reader some women making history. Specifically a super sister duo and their six - count 'em, SIX! - picture book projects.

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/76188-sibling-picture-book-collaborators-debut-with-two-titles.html

#girlpower

Meme Mystery

Today I googled "happiness is shopping at homegoods alone" and 

no memes came up. How? How did the internet miss this? 

#andnowbacktowriting

Hello Sunshine

I recently started following Reese Witherspoon and her genius book club, Hello Sunshine, online and I think she should add a kidlit category. Just sayin'...

https://www.facebook.com/ReesesBookClubxHelloSunshine/

#draperjames

#reese4eva 

@RWitherspoon

Felix Elementary

Another Literacy Week, another Author Visit - and it was wonderful! Thank you to everyone who joined me for readings, signing, crafts, coloring, and general tom foolery. 

Uber Agent Makes Wonderful Website

My agent, Kathleen Rushall, has a new website and (no shocker here) it is fabulous! Chock full of useful resources and up-to-the-minute industry news, this super awesome sauce site is a gold mine for aspiring and established authors. Plus you can learn more about Kathleen's wish list and current clients. So click now and soak up all the kidlit goodness!

www.kathleenrushall.com

What are you still doing here? Go. Scram. Get off my site and check out Kathleen's page!