Illustrator Interview – Frané Lessac
Naturally, my greatest reason for inviting an illustrator to be interviewed on Miss Marple’s Musings is because I admire her/his art, but often it is also because I am a little nosy (what writer...
View ArticleDiversity Mondays – Diversity in YA’s 2015 Anniversary Giveaway
In line with my Diversity Monday posts this year, I wanted to let my readers know of Diversity in YA’s 2015 Anniversary Giveaway. They are giving away 100 books with main characters who are of color,...
View ArticleGirls Like Us – 2015 Diversity Reading Challenge
I read and review a lot of books each year, and this one stands out for me as a story that changed me. I am telling you, it is a must read. If it is on your TBR list, shuffle … Continue reading →
View ArticleLuciana Navarro Powell – Illustrator Interview
While I was visiting my author friend Marcie Colleen in San Diego this April, we popped into Warwick’s Bookstore in La Jolla to support Luciana who was signing books as the illustrator of WHOSE HANDS...
View ArticleFreedom Over Me – Perfect Picture Book Friday
While visiting with author/illustrator Hazel Mitchell last month I had the privilege of accompanying her to visit renowned author, artist, poet, patron Ashley Bryan in his home on Little Cranberry...
View ArticleGirl Man’s Up – Diversekidlit
Title: Girl Mans Up Author: M-E Girard Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, 2016 Ages: 14+ Themes: gender, queer, gender fluidity, LGBTQIA, Portuguese Canadians, friendship, loyalty, respect, family...
View ArticleBritta Teckentrup – Illustrator Interview
I am reviewing Britta’s latest picture book this Friday, OSKAR LOVES… and fell in love with the art so I reached out to her publicist to see if she would be willing to do an interview, et voila! It’s...
View ArticleSNOWBIRDS – Book Recommendation
Title: Snowbirds Written by: Crissa-Jean Chappell Published by: Merit Press, January 2017 Themes: Amish, Old Order Amish, Rumspringa, friendship, LARPing Ages: 12+ Reviewed from an ARC, which I...
View ArticlePreaching to The Chickens – Perfect Picture Book Friday
I was going to save my review of this picture book for Black History month in February, then I thought, no, this book needs a spotlight today, 01/20/2016! Title: Preaching to the Chickens Author:...
View ArticleBlack History Month PPBF – Lift Your Light a Little Higher
Title: Lift Your Light a Little Higher The Story of Stephen Bishop: Slave-Explorer Author: Heather Henson Illustrator: Bryan Collier Publisher: Athenium Books for Young Readers, 2016 Ages: 6-9 Themes:...
View ArticleThe Truth of Right Now – Book Recommendation
Title: The Truth of Right Now Author: Kara Lee Corthron Publisher: Simon Pulse, Jan. 3rd, 2017 Ages: 14+ Themes: abuse, family conflicts, mental illness, violence, racism, white privilege I received an...
View ArticleGay Pride Month PB, MG and YA Book Recommendations
I have been blogging for seven years, and find my summer hiatus essential to my blogging energy. Plus my tendency to use the summer to travel far and wide doesn’t lend itself to regular access to wifi...
View ArticleRamona Blue – Book Recommendation
Title: Ramona Blue Author: Julie Murphy Publisher: Balzer & Bray, 2017 Themes: love, genderqueer, fluid sexuality, bisexualism, lesbianism, family, responsibility, labeling, poverty, swimming Age:...
View ArticleSparkle Boy – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Title: Sparkle Boy Author: Lesléa Newman Illustrator: Maria Mola Publisher: Lee and Low, 2017 Ages: 4-8 Themes: brothers and sisters, self expression, lgbtqia+, bullying, diversity Genre: fiction 4o...
View ArticleHello Goodbye Dog – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Title: Hello Goodbye Dog Author: Maria Gianferrari Illustrator: Patrice Barton Publisher: Roaring Book Press, 2017 Ages: 5-8 Themes: therapy dogs, friendship with pets Opening: “Hello Moose!” said...
View ArticleVanessa Brantley-Newton – Illustrator Interview
I have been drooling over Vanessa’s artwork for years, and I will be reviewing her recently published picture book as author/illustrator, Grandma’s Purse, this Friday for Perfect Picture Book Friday....
View ArticleGrandma’s Purse – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Title: Grandma’s Purse Author & Illustrator: Vanessa Brantley-Newton Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, 2018 Ages: 3-5 Themes: grandparents, purses, inter-generational relationships Opening: Today my...
View ArticleZiyue Chen – Illustrator Interview
My online author-illustrator friend, Dow Phumiruk has just released a new picture book, Mela and the Elephant, which I love and am reviewing on Friday. Ziyue Chen’s art beautifully enhances Dow’s...
View ArticleMela and the Elephant – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Title: Mela and the Elephant Author: Dow Phumiruk Illustrator: Ziyue Chen Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press, April 15th, 2018 Ages: 3-7 Themes: kindness, empathy, Thai customs, Thailand, fables Opening:...
View ArticleHurricane Child – Middle Grade Book Recommendation
Title: Hurricane Child Author: Kheryn Callender Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2018 Ages: 10-13 Themes: black, lgbtqia+, Caribbean, internalized homophobia, depression, micro-agressions, racism,...
View Article