I’ve grown to appreciate summer as a way to continue growing a writing community with my students. Over the school year, my students and I have built something good, and I don’t want us to lose it. Hopefully, the ideas I'm sharing will inspire you and your students to do the same.
The Grocery List for Next Year’s Writing Workshop
By May, many teachers are surviving on countdowns, iced coffee, and the promise of summer break. But what if this is also when some of the most meaningful planning for next year begins? In this post, I reflect on the small frustrations, routines, and workshop moments that can become useful clues for building a stronger writing classroom in August.
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It’s Slice of Life Tuesday!
It's Tuesday! Write. Share. Give.
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The Power of Collaborative Planning
What happens when teachers have the time and space to “talk it out” together? This post explores how one simple planning conversation sparked clarity, confidence, and a powerful reminder of what makes teaching feel real.
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What Stays With You
Creating a strong image, whether written or drawn, comes down to choosing the right moment and knowing what to leave out. In this year's final Author Spotlight Post, R. Gregory Christie talks about how observation and instinct shape those decisions. Readers will understand how those sensibilities carried into his work on Black Hands: Builders of Our Nation.
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The Art of Writing a Graphic Novel
Gabbie Benda, author/illustrator of the graphic novel Serendipity shares some of the quirks and differences of drafting a graphic novel manuscript. Combining art and text can be a bit trickier than most novice writers assume, so be sure to avoid some of these pitfalls when drafting your graphic novel!
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What Makes a Personal Memory Worth Writing About?
Julie Leung’s new picture book, Navigating Night, takes a different path from her earlier biographies of well-known Chinese Americans. Drawing on her own childhood, she highlights the Chinese American experience, showing both its challenges and successes. She hopes to honor these important stories and help young readers understand their value.
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The Risks We Take
Àlàbá Ònájìn isn't afraid to break the mould – he teaches people to ditch the script and trust their gut.
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Creating “Emily Saw a Door”
Author Mel Rosenberg and illustrator Orit Magia share a behind-the-scenes conversation about their creative journey making Emily Saw a Door. Discover how their collaboration brought Emily’s story to life through heartfelt text and striking, minimalist illustrations.
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Slice of Life Tuesday
It's Tuesday! Write. Share. Give.
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From Picture Books to Chapter Books: Bridging the Gap
Author and illustrator Lauren Castillo reflects on her journey from struggling reader to celebrated creator, sharing how her love of pictures in books inspired her to create the illustrated chapter books she wished she’d had as a child. In her guest post, Lauren discusses the importance of bridging the gap between picture books and chapter books, and how her “Our Friend Hedgehog” series helps young readers make that transition with confidence.
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The 11th Annual Author Spotlight Series Preview
Welcome to the 11th Annual Author Spotlight Series! This week, we’re featuring daily posts from an inspiring lineup of children’s authors and illustrators: Gabbie Benda, Lauren Castillo, R. Gregory Christie, Julie Leung, Àlàbá Ònájìn, Mel Rosenberg, and Orit Magia. Each creator will share their creative journeys, writing tips, and reflections on topics like bridging reading… Continue reading The 11th Annual Author Spotlight Series Preview
