So happy to share the cover for CANDI THE CANDICORN! She'll be galloping your way July 7, 2026, in plenty o' time to bring ✨cinnasparkle ✨ to your Halloween 🎃. I had a blast imagining and rhyming for this magical fall tale. @pannacotta_cupcake did an amazing job capturing this sweet, autumn-spicy character. I can't wait for everyone to enjoy her luminescent nighttime illustrations. Special thanks to my editor, @eateggsbefree , and the whole @scholastic team. My favorite part of Halloween is the invitation it provides to connect with neighbors and community. My wish 💖 is for this story to provide a fun, cozy place to connect for families and classrooms.
You can pre-order anywhere books are sold. Link in bio.
P.S. There's some fun magic in the pre-order page's mouse movement. 🖱️
#coverreveal #kidlit #unicorn #magic #halloween
This feels unreal: I have a new book coming to you Oct. 8! Link in bio. This story is dear to my heart because it's a celebration of creativity, and it was inspired by my daughter.
When Naomi was a toddler, she noticed a spider's web and said, "He worked hard on that." I thought about how no one seems to mind ruining a spider's hard work and immediately fell in love with the character that would become Kiara in her little buttercup hat, provided by the wonderful illustrator, @annakangdesign . A big thanks to the hard work @helloceliaaa put into editing this book baby and @simonkids !
#bookannouncement #kidlit #spider #fabricart #preorder #webs
This is who never stopped the "bad" habit of daydreaming in class. So glad I get to share those imaginings with others in book form on actual shelves in libraries, bookstores, classrooms, and homes! This little girl would be so excited!
#thisiswho #authorsofinstagram #kidlit #picturebooks
I had an amazing Tuesday with some enthusiastic, creative kids in the @choctaw_county_chargers district! They imagined compelling ballerina, worm, and Bulbasaur stories during our writers workshop, made possible by the @msbookfestival 's Turn the Page initiative.
When I do I Worked Hard on That! signings, I love to ask what each kid likes to make, whether it's art-related or not (like a sport's play, a joke, a solution, etc). These kids are making so many happy things in the world like nature forts, sunset paintings, Minecraft masterpieces, and cozy moments with their families. AND they made a happy day that reminded me why I do this ❤️
A special thanks to @tonjareadstoo for organizing all of this!
#schoolvisit #kidlit #writersworkshop #creativejoy #imagination
I got to spend World Read Aloud Day with some amazing kindergarten classes from Hawaii & North Carolina. Thank you librarians, @curlylibrarian and @katcolereads , for inviting me to read I WORKED HARD ON THAT! with your kiddos! A highlight was when the class asked if they could meet my cat. Needless to say, Brinkley's fluffiness was a huge hit.
#worldreadaloudday #kidlit #authorsofinstagram #kindergarten #librarians ❤️
2016 was the year of the rainbow bagel. I tended a balcony garden that looked out to the NYC skyline and got into embroidery for a bit. I was at parks and libraries A LOT with my two little cuties, and often times, with truly amazing mom friends and their littles. That community made the joys of the little years greater and the hard parts lighter. You know who you are ❤️ I read a lot of pictures books and began to try to write them. Moana was on repeat. Strawberry Shortcake was the birthday party theme. We took a side trip to Scranton, PA, and, as an Office fan, we went to the Steamtown Mall. And we went to Nashville for the first time as a family. Little did we know that we'd eventually call it home.
#2016 #littleyears #nostalgia #authorsofinstagram #kidlit
Treat Alert: CANDI THE CANDICORN is galloping your way July 2026, in plenty o' time for next Halloween 🎃 I hope kids love this character that embodies autumn sweetness and spice as much as I do.
Thanks to my editor, @eateggsbefree , @scholastic , @pannacotta_cupcake for her luminous, amazing illustrations, and my agent, @rachelprospect
#publishersweekly #halloween #kidlit #unicorns #candycorn #kindness #fallspice #picturebooks
I had the privilege of moderating and spending time with this exceptional panel of middle grade authors @sofestofbooks . I highly recommend their new books for your TBR! These stories are well-told and have many layers, but my short descriptions are below:
WHERE ONLY STORMS GROW - Twins separated by different interests and a diagnosis reconnect in the midst of the dangers of the Dust Bowl. @alyssabcolman
THE TEACHER OF NOMAD LAND - War-orphaned siblings are determined to stay together and keep their father's spirit alive while navigating the many uninvited guests that arrive in WWII Iran. @danielnayeri
WEREWOLF HAMLET - A younger brother directs a play and dives into his imagination of classic Hollywood characters while navigating his older brother's addiction problems. @kerrymadden27
P.S. Thank you @oaxacaborn for the audience pic of our panel!
#nashville #sfob #sofestofbooks #kidlit #author #middlegrade #tennessee
Some Fun Fall Happenings:
SOFOB – Oct. 19, 11:00am, Harpeth Room: Library, Nashville, TN
I'm excited to moderate a panel featuring Alyssa Colman, Kerry Madden-Lunsford, and Daniel Nayeri.
Pumpkinfest Book Signing - Oct. 25, 1:00-2:00pm, Landmark Tent, Franklin, TN
Kentucky Festival of Books - Nov. 1, Lexington, KY
