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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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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Turn It Up: Using Rap in the Classroom
The co-authors of Rap It Up! Discuss how rap can span the curricula to support standard skills in English/language arts, social studies, music, and SEL (social-emotional learning). Rap’s rhythm, rhyme, and wordplay develop literacy, expand vocabulary, strengthen reading fluency, and build confidence in oral expression. At the same time, rap’s cultural relevance fosters student engagement and inclusivity.
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Co-Authoring: A Success Story – The Making of Not Your Granny’s Grammar
Learn the six essential elements that transformed an offhand comment into "Not Your Granny's Grammar" — and how they can work for your co-authoring journey.
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Finding Safe Harbors
"Hope is a cork that never stops bobbing on the ocean," says Geetha, the protagonist in Padma Venkatraman's latest novel Safe Harbor. Read about the story-behind-the-story of two children with immigrant backgrounds who build hope with their hands. They take small steps while dreaming big dreams, empowering their community to help keep the earth green and oceans blue. The post includes links to #WritingPrompts #TeacherResources and #ActivityStarters.
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The Boy Who Found His Voice
Get ready to be inspired. Tyler Gordon shared how he found his voice and his process of sharing it with the world.
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If You Write, You ARE a “Real” Writer!
Author and poet Rebecca Gardyn Levington struggled for years with severe Imposter Syndrome, until one day her 7-year-old son made a comment that completely changed her perspective, boosted her self-esteem, and ignited her writing career.
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The Taste of Crab Apples
To begin this year’s Author Spotlight Series, Maham Khwaja shares memories of an immigrant child in America.
