SLJ Blogs
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Arms! Tentacles! Real estate in the board book format! I'm talking with two picture book-turned-board book creators about how you create a title for the littlest of readers.
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What are some successful picture books that do not rely on a plot or conflict? Sign up for my new Substack account to get regular updates on my content, and then answer this question for yourself.
Today we have an exclusive first look at The Last Witch: Blood & Betrayal, a YA fantasy tale set in medieval Ireland.
We always need a good poem, I think now we can use one that reminds us that what seems like a social and political setback isn’t new; progress always seems to be one step forward and two steps back.
Certain kinds of important, difficult, and formative queer experiences are not being truthfully explored in books for queer teens—primarily, I believe, because they make adult gatekeepers uncomfortable.
Here are five quick reviews of graphic novels I've read in the past few weeks.
Things are afoot! I get to interview one of my favorite authors about a series so jaw-droppingly good that it's the cult classic your kids WISH they knew about. High fantasy? You don't know the half of it.
In illustrator Zoe Persico's graphic novel debut, protagonist Adara discovers she has the ability to talk to plants...but must learn that talking and truly communicating are two very different things.
The characters in Love at Second Sight are not direct parallels to the Scooby Doo crew despite referencing them at one point, but they were one of many inspirations. And with that, I would like to introduce the Love at Second Sight characters through the lens of Scooby Doo.
Perfect. This book is perfect.
Kirkus declared today's book to be one of the Best Picture Books of the 21st Century (So Far) but neither Kate nor myself had ever read it. We correct that error today!
COLBY: Our latest episode is a little different from what you are used to listening to on The Yarn. Instead of interviewing a children’s book creator about their latest book, I share what it was like spending my spring break in Alaska working in schools. I hope you’ll give it a listen! Subscribe below to […]
Teen librarian Karen Reflects on thoughts about teen pregnancy and women's rights throughout the years as a teen librarian and as the mother to teen girls
Sci-fi superhero Flash Gordon is back - and she's a girl! This new graphic novel is coming from Papercutz in July.
A middle school student chases her dreams of becoming an idol in this adorably real manga.
Saturday, April 26 is my favorite day of the year! That's right, it's time for Teen Lit Con again in Mendota Heights, Minnesota! I'm excited to be presenting for the sixth year.
How about some recent and forthcoming releases from Canadian middle grade authors? Canada seems nice, doesn't it?
Are there books you've always wanted to read but never have? Discover this new story craft podcast that confronts story structure and writing through the lens of its hosts' "Shame Shelf".
Today we have a preview of Dracula's Brunch Club, a sweet, spooky, funny graphic novel about donuts and vampires.
Eventually, I decided that the nefarious plotting of my young tontine contenders was not only acceptable for middle grade but also funny—for the same reason that Home Alone is a comedy and not a horror movie.
TLT Contributor Riley Jensen shares some April and May 2025 new releases that are going on her TBR list.
SLJ BLOG NETWORK
100 Scope Notes
Travis Jonker
A Fuse #8 Production
Elizabeth Bird
Good Comics for Kids
Brigid Alverson, Robin Brenner, Lori Henderson, Esther Keller, Michael May, J. Caleb Mozzocco, Mike Pawuk, Scott Robins, & Eva Volin
Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
Steven Engelfried, Sharon McKellar, & Roxanne Hsu Feldman
Neverending Search
Joyce Valenza
Pearl's & Ruby's
Edith Campbell
Teen Librarian Toolbox
Karen Jensen, Heather Booth, Robin Willis, & Amanda MacGregor
The Classroom Bookshelf
Mary Ann Cappiello, Erika Thulin Dawes, Grace Enriquez, & Katie Cunningham
The Yarn
Travis Jonker & Colby Sharp
NEWS & FEATURES
L’Chaim! Jewish Life, Family, and Celebrations New & Old | Great Books
Amy Lilien-Harper
6 Adorable and Diverse Board Books for Summer Reading Fun | We Are Kid Lit Collective
Sam Bloom, Edith Campbell, Ariana Sani Hussain, Sujei Lugo, Lyn Miller-Lachmann & Sonia Alejandra Rodríguez
Sunday Reflections: My Daughters are Not Your Incubators
Karen Jensen, MLS
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