– Jim Trelease
Time to start the year with new resolutions to read aloud together! Whether you’re new to reading aloud as a family or classroom, or looking to add new chapter books to your read aloud list, here are my thoughts on the books my own family has read together recently, to spark ideas of your own!

That’s why it’s such a welcome kindness when an opportunity like #PBParty comes along.

One of the most important skills a children’s writer can hone is their ability to catch ideas. Without an idea to write about, we don’t have much of a job. So where do we find them?
The answer for most of us is … everywhere!

Happy Birthday to Me!
What’s better than World Read Aloud Day? A World Read Aloud Day that falls on my birthday! Join me on Facebook in the week leading up to it for some of my favorite read alouds or

Another year participating in the incomparable Tara Lazar’s Storystorm writing challenge – 30 ideas in 31 days, surrounded by inspiring authors and community support. Feel free (literally, it’s free!) to join me, at Tara’s site

Year number who knows participating in Tara Lazar’s story idea generating writing challenge! New name, same great inspiration.

If you’re an author, you’ve heard of the Imposter Syndrome. It’s where in any room filled with other authors, you feel like you’re the one who snuck in under the radar – the one who’s not quite qualified, whose work doesn’t quite’count’ for one reason or another, who isn’t a ‘real’ author in one way or another.

For the past two years, I have participated in an online writing community called 12 x 12.

Entry for Susanna Leonard Hill’s “Halloweensie” story contest. Requirements: 100 words or less, and must include any form of the words dark, haunt, and costume.

As a former (and always!) teacher, Read Across America Day already sings to my heart – millions of teachers, parents, and kids focused on reading great books and talking about them. What could be better??
I didn’t realize until I really started writing as a career, though, how much Dr Seuss’ work means to me as well. When