Resources

Favorite Resources for Parents and Teachers

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Where to find great books:

• The American Library Association’s website—includes reading lists and award-winners, too

•  The What Do We Do All Day blog—also a great resource for screen-free activities

• Sarah Mackenzie’s website, Read Aloud Revival

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Books about reading with kids:

• Give Your Child the World by Jamie C. Martin—book recommendations, organized geographically

• Sarah Mackenzie’s The Read Aloud Family—all things reading with kids

• Molly Bang’s book Picture This for book makers (young and old) and readers, too

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For a deep (and fascinating) dive into picture books:

• Mac Barnett’s newsletter, Looking at Picture Books, co-created with illustrator Jon Klassen. It reads like a conversation at a coffee shop with an old friend.

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Favorite Resources for Children’s Book Writers

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My favorite writing groups to join (you’ll find me there!):

• The Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

• The Writing Barn 

• The Authors Guild

• Twelve by Twelve (12x12) for picture book writers and illustrators

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Websites to follow:

• Jane Friedman’s Reporting on the Publishing Industry

• Kidlit 411 includes the latest tips, courses, interviews, giveaways, and new releases—updated weekly

• Mac Barnett’s newsletter, Looking at Picture Books, co-created with illustrator Jon Klassen

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Books about writing:

• Anne Lamott’s Bird By Bird—Just read it. It’s a must!

• Georgia Heard’s Finding the Heart of Nonfiction

• Molly Bang’s Picture This—Even if you don’t illustrate, it will change the way you see words. 

• Wendelin Van Draanen’s Hope in the Mail, for writers, especially when things get tough (as they will)

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Favorite Resources for Young Writers

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Websites about writing:

• All about Mo Willems’s writing journey and work (and, you can draw alongside Mo!)

• Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)

• Bookmaking with Tinkerlab

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Fun books about writing:

• Sachiko Umoto’s Let’s Draw a Story

• Nancy Loewen’s Writer’s Toolbox books

• Katie Clemons’s Time Capsule

• Any Mad Libs book (so many to choose from!)

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