Let's Talk Goals (Specifically Author Goals)

 

It was always my dream to traditionally publish ten picture books. Why ten? I don't know. Doesn't matter (but maybe because I am Type A and like round numbers). Well guess what? I DID IT! My first book came out in 2015. My latest book came out in 2025. That's ten books in ten years. 

And guess what else, I wanna do MORE. And guess what else AGAIN? You can achieve your author goals TOO, you just have to set some. So take this as your sign to dream up a concrete writing-related goal, and then get after it. 

A Writer's Prayer

 

Dear God above, I pray today

for guidance on just what to say.

Help me write something true, 

with words that bring hearts to you. 

                                               Amen.

Wander, Ponder, Write

 

This author's blog is chock full of great tips and good book recommendations, complete with notes on craft. Love it. 

Worth the follow! 

Patricia Nozell Blog

I AM SKEPTICAL

 

The article is titled HOW TO WRITE A PICTURE BOOK IN 18 STEPS. I clearly did not write this article as it takes me about 2,184 steps to write a picture book, many of which are backwards. But take a look and tell me what you think. Personally I think it's a good start, but oh my goodness there is so much more to it than this. 

18 Steps

Picture Book Month 2025

 

It's picture book month so I had to share a fabulous new find, THE ULTIMATE BOOK OF THE HUMAN BODY. I mean, who doesn't love a little nonfiction, right? Learn more here:

Picture Book Month Book

Cutest Publisher EVER

Dream #10,824 of mine is to publish a board book (better yet - a serie sof board books), so obviosuly I have to talk about Cottage Door Press. 

Their website says it best "Cottage Door Press was founded with a simple yet profound mission: to create connection and spark imagination through the magic of storytelling. From our earliest days, we became a beloved name in children’s publishing, capturing the hearts of young readers and their families with enchanting characters, vibrant illustrations, and engaging, multi-sensory formats. With best-selling series like Peek-a-Flap, and innovations such as the Luna StoryTime Projector, we have worked to transform story time into an extraordinary journey where learning and wonder come alive. Our dedication to nurturing early childhood development through imaginative storytelling has earned us a trusted spot on family bookshelves around the world... At Cottage Door Press, we believe in the power of stories to unite generations and ignite imaginations. From toddlers delighting in their first words to adults exploring new activities, we remain dedicated to enriching lives, one story—or activity—at a time."

Cottage Door Press 

Faith, Musicality & Picture Books

 

Check out Tonnye Fletcher, the beautiful mind and soul behind PBJamz - a blog about picture books with musical hooks. It is SO good. 

Tonnye Fletcher Blog

KIRKUS Review of Good Morning Main Street

GOOD MORNING MAIN STREET

by Catherine Bailey ; illustrated by Fiona Lee ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 12, 2025

Sweetly affirming and quietly clever.

One mild, sunny day, a town slowly awakens.

“Empty sidewalks doze. / Tree boughs gently sway. / Main Street blinks awake, quiet, still, and gray.” Minimally detailed, purplish drawings of two-story houses with subtle facial features move across the gutter in the foreground, while in the background, yellow sunbeams shine down on trash bins with sleepy smiles. “Soft light slowly spreads, / bin by sleepy bin. / Flag scoots up the pole. / Produce van pulls in.” Bailey’s text continues its easy rhythm and rhyme, combining charming whimsy such as a lamppost standing up straight and eggs that “scramble onto plates” with realistic, everyday events including workers opening shops, cleaning clock faces, and scrubbing sewer covers. Onward to flowers that “primp and preen” (Bailey makes rich use of vocabulary) and street market tents that smile! Lee’s naïve artwork perfectly complements the verse, planting subtle smiles on all manner of things living and nonliving. Keen observers of the art will notice a ubiquitous red cat that’s finally called out in the text toward the end. A diverse human population appears throughout; a bird’s-eye view of the town square is especially noteworthy. This book is best shared in an intimate setting so readers can spend time poring over the illustrations—crucial to the appreciation of the warm, lulling words.

Sweetly affirming and quietly clever. (Picture book. 4-8)

 

Christian Publishing Podcast

I'm still new to the world of podcasts (thoug yes, I've been on a few for book promotion!), but boy I am excited about this one! It is geared towards adult authors, so I may just have to introduce myself :D

Christian Publishing Show 

I Heard It On a Podcast

 

Want to be an author that gets hired to visit schools and libraries and literacy events and stores? Then check out the link below, which is a brilliant podcast about just that sort of thing: 

AUTHOR VISITS

Flyaway Books

 

"Flyaway Books embraces diversity, inclusivity, compassion, care for each other, and care for our world. Many of our books explore social justice and other contemporary issues. Some retell familiar religious stories in new ways, while others carry universal themes appealing to those with any, or no, religious background."

For more information, click below: 

Flyaway Books

AI, Schmay I

 

I know AI is everywhere and can be a useful tool, but let's not forget the basics please. This book is a wonderful resource for the fundamentals of writing. Yes, writing is more than great characters and clever plots. It's good grammar, perfect punctuation, and wise word usage. Link to buy below: 

SAY WHAT? book

The Answer is Yes

 

"Need to get away? Would you like to spend a few days at a prayer-soaked, Spirit-infused Christian conference center? Make a special and powerful connection with God there? Get refreshed, rejuvenated, and recharged? Fill your tank so you can pour out in all the other things you do? Build relationships with people who understand you and want to encourage you, support you, and pray for you? Listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction on your writing and your life? Make some divine connections? Maybe carve out some uninterrupted writing time in a beautiful, inspiring setting?"

Hoenstly they had me at "need to get away?". Link here for more information: 

Christian Writers Retreats

The ABCs of PB, CB, MG, and YA

 

I can't say it any better than Emma Hamilton. So I'l let her do it. "One of the most important things a children’s book writer can do—besides writing a strong story—is to understand who you’re writing for. The world of children’s literature is wonderfully wide-ranging, but that means it comes with its fair share of industry shorthand and nuance. Terms like PB, CB, MG, and YA are used constantly in publishing conversations, and if you’re unsure what they mean, it can feel like you’re on the outside looking in." For more, click below: 

Understanding the Children’s Book Market: Age Categories and Genres

Union Square Kids

 I am biased (waves eagerly at her editor), but I think Union Square Kids makes some of the BEST picture books. Here is the description from their website: "Union Square Kids publishes fiction and nonfiction titles that surprise young readers with unexpected stories, inventive formats, and unique perspectives. Quality and quirk are at the heart of our books—from literary award winners to broad-reaching commercial hits. Our books aim to entertain and excite kids and teens through humor, discovery, and thought-provoking reading experiences."

Want to know more? Check out this link: 

Union Square Kids

2025 Summer Picture Book List

 

The 2025 100 Picture Book List

It's Gonna Be May

 

If you get the reference, we may be the same age. If not, that's ok. Either way, look at this fabulous May book list for some wonderful writer inspo from Writers' Rumpus!

BOOK LIST

FREE (my favorite word) WRITING TOOLS

 

A common theme is my critiques is for author sto show, not tell the reader what is happening. This concept can be hard to explain, so I'm sharing a marvelous resource from the good folks at Writers Helping Writers. Click below if you've heard that suggestion before (I know I have!):

Show Don't Tell

Ready for Reviewers?

 

Click on over to this list of bloggers and podcasters that review childrens books. 

Kidlit Bloggers and Podcasts Who Do Reviews

Amazing Publisher for Us "Got the Faith" Folks

As described on their website, "Zonderkidz™, the children’s division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imaginative, innovative, and educational resources that reflect a Christian worldview and build up children and teens."

Zonderkidz 

Who Needs a Book Idea?

I feel like there's a picture book in here somehwere...

Allowance, Chores, and the Gospel: Teaching Work and Generosity 

I Will Fight You.

 

Ok. No I won't. but the characters in your picture book should fight ... something. Maybe it is overcoming a struggle (shyness). Or facing down a fear (swimming), there needs to be tension - even if it is VERY subtle. This even applie sto nonfiction PBs, as explained in this awesome article: 

CREATING DRAMATIC TENSION IN NONFICTION PICTURE BOOKS

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN LOBSTERS

I just LOVE it when I get to share good news, especially good book news! My latest picture book, I LOVE YOU MORE THAN LOBSTERS, splashes out from Charlesbridge Publishing in 2026. Thank you so much to my wunder agent Kathleen at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc. , Eileen Robinson at Charlesbridge, and the incredibly talented Moving Doodles for making this happen.

And yes, my headshot is literally 10 years old. So just imagine it with a smattering of wrinkles.

 

FLORIDA BOOK AWARDS

Jazz hands! Happy dancing! Ear-to-ear grinning! I am thrilled to share the news that my picture book GOODNIGHT SCHOOL won a Florida Book Award. Thank you so much to the selection committee Florida Book Awards, and to the talented team behind this project, including the illustrator Cori Doerrfeld, my agency Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc., and my publisher Union Square & Co., now Hachette Book Group

GOODNIGHT SCHOOL is a love-letter to educators so I'm also sending big hugs and high fives to all the teachers, custodians, coaches, librarians, and administrators who keep our schools running both before AND after the bell rings.

 

Teachers Know Their Stuff

 

We Are Teachers said it best when they wrote: "One of the greatest gifts books give us is the opportunity to connect with characters that resonate with us. We form a deep attachment to characters that make us laugh and make us think, and most importantly, teach us valuable life lessons. When it comes to children’s literature, there are just so many amazing children’s book characters to choose from! Narrowing down the list is almost impossible, but we managed to pull together this list of 30 of the most-loved children’s book characters, old and new." 

Take a look at their list (linked below) and ask yourself -  What traits do these characters have in common? And what is *missing* from all of them? Also check out who the main character is in these books - primarily it's a child, but there's a handful of adults, animals and, well, creatures. 

Click the link below for more

30 Inspiring Book Characters Every Child Should Know

GOOD MORNING MAIN STREET

Union Sqaure Kids team for  

We have a cover - and isn't she lovely? Thank you to the talented Fiona Lee and the Union Square Kids team for making this book so beautiful. 

Rise and shine! From the author of Goodnight School, here is a lyrical, lively, and irresistible story about Main Street getting ready for the day!

As the sun rises, a shopkeeper arrives to open his store, and this sleepy little street begins to open its eyes. From lampposts standing up straight, fountains gurgling on, and flowers reaching for the sun, everyone is up and at 'em, looking their best. Well, everyone except the yawning bookstore cat. Can he keep up throughout the day to join the fun?

Bailey's clever wordplay and energetic story pairs perfectly with Lee's vibrant and expressive art, giving a bright and lively start to every morning.

GOOD MORNING MAIN STREET is available now on amazon for pre-order (just sayin'....) 

CLICK TO PURCHASE

Wisdom Tales Press

 

According to their website this publisher produces books for: "Sharing the wisdom and beauty of cultures from around the world."

Wisdom Tales Press