Posted by: Kathy Temean | January 6, 2026

Holiday Book Extravaganza: THERE ARE NO DRAGONS IN THIS BOOK by Donna Lambo-Weidner

Today, we have Donna Lambo-Weidner and her picture THERE ARE NO DRAGONS IN THIS BOOK, illustrated by Clara Kelner and published by North South Books on March 5th. Since then for.it was nominatede for the 2024 German Children’s Literature Award. Donna has agreed to send a copy to one lucky winner.

All you have to do to get in the running is leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link, and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know what other things you do to share the good news so I can put the right number of tickets in my basket. Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or reblogging really helps spread the word about a new book. So, thanks for helping Donna and Clara.

If you have signed up to follow my blog and it is delivered to you every day, please let me know when you leave a comment, and I will give you an extra ticket. Thanks!

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

In this book, you are guaranteed not to find any dragons. . . .

A clever interactive picture book—sure to keep kids laughing as they look for dragons.

There are no dragons in this book! Wait, is that really true? There was one right here, wasn’t there? Was he hiding in the attic? What do you mean, he’s not alone? Come on, let’s give the book a good shake and see what happens!

Set in a community home with an ensemble of characters–both children and adults–Donna Lambo-Weidner’s debut picture book filled with humor (and dragons) encourages close observation and discovery. Carla Haslbauer’s cheeky, scurrying illustrations are chock-full of funny details and metafictional allusions.

BOOK JOURNEY:

Thank you for hosting me, Kathy! I’ve followed your blog for ages, and I have to say that after fifteen years of writing for children, it’s a bit surreal to be on the other side of the screen today.

The idea for my debut picture book There Are No Dragons in This Book was sparked while I was on a retreat in the autumn of 2019. It was held in a renovated farmhouse hundreds of years old that sat upon a knoll nestled deep within a vast pine tree forest in southern Germany. Thick, leafy vines dotted with soft, pink roses climbed up the wall outside my room wrapping themselves around the window as well, obstructing the clear view I would otherwise have had to the rolling foothills butting up against the Bavarian side of the alps. Imaginings of dense, thorny bushes surrounding Sleeping Beauty’s castle, as well as Rapunzel’s plight high atop her stone tower filled my head. This led to thoughts of magic, knights, and of course…dragons. But alas, there are no dragons here, I mumbled, keeping in mind how excited my five-year-old self would have been if she had been able to live with one.

That was my aha moment. Instead of taking a much-needed nap, I grabbed a pen and paper. The first draft pretty much wrote itself by a dragon in my head insisting there were simply no dragons, with an emphasis on the s, in our book even though there were plenty of tell-tale signs of their existence everywhere you looked. When it turns out there’s only one dragon, a critique partner commented on how the story ended like the punchline in a joke. She pushed for something that would make us want to read the story over and over again. I hemmed and hawed (rather loudly) for a few weeks, occasionally staring at the little neon-orange, sand-filled dragon toy I’d bought in a village at the time I wrote that first draft. Then one day it hit me…literally…while dusting a bookshelf (procrastination is every writer’s friend, right?)—Herve Tullet’s interactive book PRESS HERE! Clearly, Dragon needed to enlist the reader’s help to remedy his lonely, seemingly hopeless situation.

Once the revised version passed muster with my critique group, I sent it to my agent, Stephen Fraser of the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. Since signing with him in 2013, the most patient and tenacious agent in the world sent it out in December 2020. In March 2021 NorthSouth Books showed interest. The parent company in Zürich, NordSüd Verlag, wanted to look for an illustrator before making an offer, which did come in September 2021 on the day between my 40th wedding anniversary and my oldest son’s wedding just down the beach from the Dragon Arch in Cabo San Lucas. The book came out in German in August 2023 and my fabulous illustrator, Carla Haslbauer, went on to win the Serafina Award in October at the Frankfurt Book Fair. With only one short illustrator note, Carla raised Dragon’s story to a level I never expected. In his laudatory speech, Dr. Stefan Hauck stated how “ […] in order not to be led astray, the viewer has to constantly compare, suspect, and draw their own conclusions—this creates independent thinking, a fact-check, and therefore a competence that is vehemently demanded in the current debates on promoting reading.”

And to think, all I wanted with THERE ARE NO DRAGONS IN THIS BOOK was to spark a few smiles, a bit of laughter, and some good old-fashion fun.

THERE ARE NO DRAGONS IN THIS BOOK, illustrated by Carla Haslbauer and published by NorthSouth Books, will be available on March 5th 2024 in this most auspicious Year of the Dragon. What are the chances? And Dragon? Imagine my surprise when Carla’s illustration resembled the neon orange dragon, I had purchased upon finishing that first draft. That’s double auspicious, wouldn’t you agree?

DONNA’S BIO:

Donna Lambo-Weidner has sailed the seven seas with swashbuckling pirates, crossed blades with sword-wielding knights, and circumnavigated the moon in a cardboard box all before the age of eight. Now that she’s earned a Bachelor of Arts, lived on two continents, and raised four kids, Donna writes books for children based on her childhood adventures laced with her actual life experiences—dogsledding in the arctic, spending the night in a salt cave 1,000 feet below the Earth’s surface, and reaching into an elephant’s open mouth to count its tremendous teeth, to name a few.

She has been a member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) since 2009. The former regional advisor for Germany and Austria is now a county coordinator for the California San Francisco North & East Bay region. She has served on the Bay Area Book Festival’s children’s programming Advisory Council, as well.

Donna is represented by Stephen Fraser at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. She presently lives above a vineyard-strewn valley with her globe-trotting husband, a rambunctious retriever, and a treasure chest rumored to have belonged to Captain Kidd stuffed with scrolls listing lands and experiences yet to be explored.

Find her online on her website https://www.donnalamboweidner.com, blog https://donnaweidner.com, link tree @donna_lambo_weidner, and most other places @donnalamboweidner or @donna.weidner

CARLA’S BIO:

Carla Haslbauer was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and grew up in the small town of Bad Nauheim. She has worked as a freelance illustrator since graduating from the Lucerne School of Art and Design. As a member of the comic group Corner Collective, she also regularly creates comics. Her debut author/illustrated book, My Mother’s Delightful Deaths was nominated for various awards. Carla’s second book, There Are No Dragons in This Book written by Donna Lambo-Weidner was awarded the Serafina Illustration Award for Young Talent at the 2023 Frankfurt Book Fair. Carla Haslbauer lives and works in Basel, Switzerland.

Find her online at https://www.carlahaslbauer.com/ and on Instagram @carlahaslstaub

Donna, thank you for sharing your book and journey with us. This is a very interesting book for young children. I can see kids giggling when they see bits and pieces of dragon parts while the text is telling them There Are No Dragons In this Book. Then they reach a page that needs to be turned to read the text. Finally, they are told to shake the book, and all the hidden dragons fall out. I am sure kids will enjoy being pulled into a storybook that asks them to interact with the book. They’ll be pointing out the dragon evidence to their parents as they turn the pages and when they shake the dragons out on the last page, young children will be patting themselves on their back for being so smart and say, “I told you so” to their parents to make sure they remember they were right. Kids will also, relate to the child-like crayons and colored pencil illustrations that Carla Haslbaurer created for this picture book.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

14 Comments

Posted in authors and illustrators, Kudos, opportunity, Picture Book, Process | Tags: , , , ,

Posted by: Kathy Temean | January 2, 2026

Holiday Book Extravaganza: THE CREATION: A Color-Changing Bible Bath Book! by Amy Houts

Author Amy Houts  has written a new picture book titled THE CREATION: A Color-Changing Bible Bath Book! illustrated by Archita Khosla and published by Sunbeam on September 24th, 2025. Amy has agreed to share a book with one lucky winner in the USA.

To get in the running, simply leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link, and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know the other things you do to share the good news, so I can put the correct number of tickets in my basket for you.

Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, and reblogging really helps spread the word for a new book. Thanks for helping Amy and Archita.

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

An interactive way to teach kids the story of the Creation!

“Bath time becomes Bible learning with these hands-on books.Kids will love seeing ancient stories come to life right before their eyes!”―MandyArioto, President and Chief Executive Officer of The MomCo

“These color-changing bath books are just what parents and grandparents are looking for in a kid-friendly Christian resource: faith-filled, engaging, and absolutely adorable! Something little ones will ask for again and again!” –Valerie Ellis, author of Share the Joy! A Christmas Lift-the-Flap Book (Paraclete)

“Absolutely adorable! That’s the only way to describe these two new books from author Amy Houts. Made for bathtime fun, each book has “missing” parts of the story that are revealed when dipped in water. Simple retellings and brightly colored illustrations make these books perfect for little ones!”―Tama Fortner, ECPA award-winning and bestselling author of more than sixty titles

In this adorable bath book, kids will learn the story of the Creation with amazing, color-changing illustrations!

Dip the pages in water, and illustrations of earth, water, animals, and more magically appear, carefully chronicling the six days of creation from the book of Genesis.

When the book dries, the artwork disappears―ready to be used again! Even better, the squishy, vinyl bath book is waterproof and can be easily cleaned with a soapy cloth.

BOOK JOURNEY:

Thank you for having me here, Kathy. I wrote two bath books on assignment for a small independent publisher Bushel & Peck Books. They had published my faith-based climate action picture book, God’s Earth is Something to Fight For in 2023. Since God’s Earth… was my original idea, I was surprised and pleased they asked me to be a contract writer for two Bible story bath books Noah’s Ark and The Creation. I didn’t know they gave writing assignments. I’ve learned it’s common for board book ideas to be developed by the publisher, what is called “in house.” I love writing on assignment. Most of 100+ books were assignments.

My goals in writing Noah’s Ark and The Creation were to complete the books within the allotted time (I think I had a week or two), to please my editors, to relish the time reading and researching these Bible stories, to be thankful I was asked to write them, and to have fun!

These Bible stories are simple retellings. In Noah’s Ark, the ark, the flood, the dove, the rainbow, and more appear, carefully telling the story of Noah. In The Creation, the earth, water, animals, and more magically appear, carefully chronicling the six days of creation. Both stories are from the book of Genesis.

What makes the bath books so much fun is the amazing, color-changing illustrations! Dip the pages in water, and illustrations magically appear. When the book dries, the artwork disappears―ready to be used again! I love the illustrations by Archita Khosla. They make the books so engaging.

AMY’S BIO:

Amy Houts is the author of over 100 books for children featuring early learning concepts. She writes for both faith-based and mainstream publishers. Amy’s faith-based books include God’s Protection Covers Me (Beaming Books) and The Giant Book of Bible Fingerplays for Preschoolers (Group Publishing). Amy’s educational books include 60 retold tales for the series, Compass Children’s Classics, and 10 nonfiction science early readers for Highlights Press.

ARCHITA’S BIO:

Archita Khosla is an illustrator based in London, United Kingdom. She has a BA in Design Communication from Goldsmiths’ College, University of London. Archita started her journey in the Advertising industry in Singapore and soon after her passion for children’s illustrations took her to London. She illustrated her first picture book in 2023 on Princess Diana for the Little People, BIG DREAMS, the best-selling biography series. She is also writing and illustrating her own series of picture books with a focus on building a moral foundation for children through her curated stories.

Amy, thank you for sharing your book a journey with us. The Creation: A Color‑Changing Bible Bath Book! by Amy Houts is a delightful, sensory‑rich introduction to the biblical creation story, designed perfectly for little hands — and little bathtubs. This waterproof book brings the seven days of creation to life through simple text and playful illustrations that magically change color when wet. It’s a clever way to turn bath time into a moment of wonder, learning, and calm connection.

Houts’ language is gentle and accessible, making it easy for even the youngest listeners to follow along. The color‑changing feature adds an irresistible interactive element, encouraging toddlers to explore, point, and engage with each page. Parents will appreciate how the book blends early faith concepts with hands‑on discovery, reinforcing both curiosity and comfort in a familiar daily routine.

Durable, soft, and safe for water play, this bath book is a lovely choice for babies and toddlers. It also makes a thoughtful gift for baby showers, baptisms, or families looking to weave small faith moments into daily routines will appreciate how seamlessly this book fits into the rhythm of the day. The Creation is a sweet, engaging way to introduce the creation story — and to make bath time feel just a little more magical,

“A joyful, splash‑friendly introduction to God’s creation — and a sweet reminder that learning can happen in even the simplest everyday moments.“

Good luck with the book!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

12 Comments

Posted in authors and illustrators, Board Book, Kudos, Non-fiction, opportunity, Process | Tags: , , , , ,

Posted by: Kathy Temean | January 1, 2026

2026 Happy New Year! Plus Book Winners and Update

Just wanted to let you know that a week before Christmas my car broke down and before I could get it fixed, I couldn’t chew any food without excruciating pain and no medicine helped. My dentist had just retired and it was a weekend, so first thing Monday I got on the phone looking for someone to see me. Who knew that most dentists in my area don’t have hours on Monday?

Finally, mid-afternoon I found a dentist who would see me. I had my car charged so I could get there and the dentist told me to contact a specialist, who who does oral surgery and extract the tooth. Of course, when I called the specialist office, they said he was booked for months. I begged and they gave me an appointed for Monday the following week. Thank God for the antibiotics they prescribed; I took 24 hours for them start killing the infection, which lessened the pain, so I could start working on getting my car problems fixed.

So two days before Christmas and an additional thirty-nine hundred dollars added to my credit card, I was only 50% ready for Christmas and realized I would never get everything done. I was going to exchange gifts with family on Christmas Eve Day, so I gave up and just started wrapping gifts and didn’t finish until 5:30 am, slept a few hours and put all the gifts in the car, but while I was driving to my cousin’s house, I started to get a sore throat and I have been sick in bed with so much congestion rattling in my head and chest that this is the first day I wasn’t wheezing and choking and could do anything. 

I tell you all of this, since I haven’t read any emails and I missed a few book features and will finish the last one tomorrow. I had started working on the book extravaganza weeks before Thanksgiving and was trying to do three book features every day, since each new book feature, took at least 4 hours do and I wanted to finish so I would be done by Christmas and have time to enjoy the holidays. 

So if I messed up something or you had sent me a request to feature a book, please resend and I will include you. If I didn’t answer an email, please resend. I haven’t worked on finding an agent of the month, so if you know an agent who might be interested, please let me know. If you won a book, I apologize for not sending your addresses into the publishers on the authors. I also, know I fell short on do that for many of the books this year, I will start working to get them all done. I will try to do a better job with this. I asked before for someone who might be able to help me, but never heard from anyone. I still haven’t received the first pages from Tia. I will contact her again and try to get them from her. Who knows maybe she got sick, too. New Jersey is a hot spot for people getting sick.

Sorry for the long message. Below are the book  winners:

BOOK WINNERS:

Rosi Hollinbeck won THE LONELY GOOSE by lela Nargi

Susan Hutchenswon GET REAL, LUCILLE! by Laura Petrisin

Carol Baldwin won SCHOOLAPALOOZA by Ryan G. Van Cleave

Claire A. B. Freeland won THE BIG DUCK by LINDA TROTT DICKMAN

Carol Baldwin won ONE DAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA by Daniel Bernstrom

won LAILA TOV, GROVER! by Joni Sussman

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR – STAY HEALTHY – HAVE A GREAT 2026!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20 Comments

Posted in Holiday, need to know | Tags: ,

Posted by: Kathy Temean | December 31, 2025

Happy New Year’s Eve

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY

GET READY FOR A NIGHT OF FIREWORKS

by STEPHANIE GRAEGIN

TAKE A BREAK LIKE SANTAN BEFORE CELEBRATING

MARCIN POLUDNIAK: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

Take Time for a Cup of Cheer

JENNIFER POTTER: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

GRAB A REINDEER AND PRANCE INTO 2024

MARCIN POLUDNIAK: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

https://youtu.be/1bfLou9Y2BU?si=I1Ek0tbRsiLz0gWd

IT’S TIME TO GET THIS PARTY STARTED

https://youtu.be/OPf0YbXqDm0?si=ZoeqTe2ksv2haxUc

TURN ON SOME MUSIC

STRIKE UP THE BAND

BETHANY CRANDALL: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

ENJOY SOME BIG BAND SOUNDS

LAUREN FREEMAN: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

RELAX AND POP SOME CHAMPAGNE

Many people ring in New Year’s by popping open a bottle of champagne. Americans drink close to 360 million glasses of sparkling wine during this time. The bubbly stuff dates back to the 17th century, when the cork was invented.

JULIANA OAKLEY: Featured on Illustrator Saturday


LET A TALENTED SINGER SERENADE YOU

ANA LATESE: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

GET DECKED OUT AND GO OUT

JESSICA COURTNEY TICKLE: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

JOIN YOUR FRIENDS AT A LOCAL CLUB – GO OUT – MEET NEW PEOPLE

KEN DALEY: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

MAKE YOUR OWN MUSIC

RACHEL SANSON: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

KICK UP YOUR HEELS AND RUMBA

VANESSA FLORES: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK TONIGHT

VALERIA ABATZOGLU: Featured on Illustrator Saturday. 

CELEBRATE!

ANDRE CEOLIN: Featured on Illustrator Saturday. 

LOOK OUT FOR DANCING FAIRIES

CYNTHIA CLIFF: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

ROCK IT OUT!

FANNY LIEM: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

LET YOUR PETS HAVE SOME FUN, TOO

ISOBEL LUNDIE: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

KEEP THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT GOING

JOY LAFORME: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

ADD SOME SPARKLE TO THE NIGHT

KIMBERLY BARNS: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

SAWYER CLOUD: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

JESSICA COURTNEY TICKLE: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

STAY HOME AND HUG SOMEONE.

DANIELA VOLPARI: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY.

KISSING IS INVOLVED A MIDNIGHT!

LISA FIELDS: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

GET THE COFFEE READY – IT MAY BE NEEDED TONIGHT

MATT SCHU: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

GO FOR YOUR DREAMS IN 2024

SHAMAR KNIGHT JUSTICE: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

ENJOY A SPECIAL DINNER

BECCA STADTLANDER: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

The first New Year’s celebration dates back 4,000 years. Julius Caesar, the emperor of Rome, was the first to declare Jan. 1 a national holiday. He named the month after Janus, the Roman god of doors and gates. Janus had two faces, one looking forward and one looking back. Caesar felt that a month named after this god would be fitting.

LIGHT SOME SPARKLERS AND ENJOY BRING IN THE NEW YEAR

LENA RALSTON: Featured on Illustrator Saturday. 

About 1 million people gather in New York City’s Times Square to watch the ball drop. The Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop came about because of a ban on fireworks. The first ball in 1907 was 700 pounds and was lit with 100 25-watt lights. The current ball puts the old one to shame (thanks to technology). Today, it is covered in 2,688 crystals, is lit by 32,000 LED lights, weighs 11,875 pounds, and is 12 feet in diameter.

GO OUTSIDE AND WATCH THE FIREWORKS

ELLEN ROONEY: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

TAKE THE KIDS TO SEE THE FIREWORKS

SUSAN SWAN: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

MAKE YOUR OWN FIREWORKS

KIMBERLEY BARNES: Featured on Illustrator Saturday


GRAB YOUR SWEETHEART AND SWAY TO THE MUSIC

LAURA FREEMAN: Featured in Illustrator Saturday

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY

ANDY IPAKTCHI: www.illustratrice.com

REMINISCE – THEN TAKE MORE PHOTOS & MAKE MORE MEMORIES

YVETTE CHUA: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

Forty-five percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. Do You? Want to Share?

SARA UGOLOTTI: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

stilts

RAFAEL LOPEZ: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

MICHELLE KOGAN:  www.michellekogan.com

Remember the last scene in When Harry Met Sally when Harry references a song after he and Sally kiss? It was Auld Lang Syne, a song traditionally sung at the end of New Year’s parties. Poet Robert Burns wrote it in 1788. Though most people do not know the words to Auld Lang Syne, the overall message is that people have to remember their loved ones, dead or alive, and keep them close in their hearts.

DON’T MISS LISTENING TO AULD LANG SYNE EXPLAINED

Celebrate!

Sophie slings confetti, Bobby bangs a bell.

Sister Sue is slipping through and laughing, feeling swell!

Grandpa’s starting jigging, Bernie beats a drum,

Sing and shout and dance about, the magic hour has come.

Voila!  A fancy feast appears, and Grandma’s standing near.

Hugs and Happy Holidays — a brand new year is here.

by Carol Murray

JUST DON’T FALL ASLEEP BEFORE YOU MAKE IT OUT THE DOOR.

WHAT EVER YOU DO, HAVE FUN! AND BE SAFE!

LAURIE SMOLETTE KUTSCERA: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

Robert Burns – Auld Lang Syne – As sung by Dougie MacLean on the album Tribute

 

WHATEVER YOU DO TONIGHT- HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE!

TALK TOMORROW IN 2026,

Kathy

8 Comments

Posted in Art Exhibit, authors and illustrators, Holiday | Tags:

Posted by: Kathy Temean | December 29, 2025

Holiday Book Extravaganza:

Audible Logo Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Joni Kibort Sussman

1 Comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Kathy Temean | December 28, 2025

Holiday Book Giveaway Extravaganza: HOME COURT by Christ Bhrens

Chris Behrens has published a new picture book, HOME COURT, illustrated by Bryan Wert on October 24th, 2025. They have agreed to share a copy with one lucky winner living in the United States.

To get in the running, simply leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or share it on Facebook with a link, and you will receive additional chances to win. Please let me know any further steps you took to share the good news, so I can accurately update the number of tickets in my basket for you.

Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or reblogging really helps spread the word for a new book. So, thanks for helping Chris and Bryan.

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Experience the magic and excitement of basketball through the playful and poetic words of C. Behrens. His award-winning poem (won an award in the 2023 Writer’s Digest 92nd Annual Writing Competition) has been beautifully brought to life in a stunning picture book, perfect for children and adults alike. Join the game and learn fun facts about basketball, while admiring the vibrant and captivating illustrations by Bryan Werts.

This book transforms poetry into motion by pairing the beats of basketball with the rhythm of rhyme. It helps young readers discover that reading can feel as fun and alive as the game itself. The poetic cadence encourages fluency, listening skills, and a sense of musicality in language.

BOOK JOURNEY:

The journey for HOME COURT, A Basketballer’s Ditty was such a fun one! I come from a huge sports/basketball family. My five siblings and I played all kinds of sports our entire lives, with hoops being the favorite for most of us. As I completed my bachelor’s degree at Dominican College (now a University) in 2010, I was working on all types of writing projects. Some of them were random poems. One of them was about basketball and was inspired by my love of college basketball’s annual March Madness tournament that culminates with its One Shining Moment video!

When I began the poem, I just started playing around with words that relate to hoops and also rhyme. I had so much fun with it and would pull this poem out every March and tweak it. My life was very busy with other projects, working full-time, coaching part-time, and also going to Rutgers at night in the middle of it all. But every March, for many years, I would enjoy tweaking my poem while watching the games. It was so much FUN!

Then, in 2023, I decided it was time to finish it and send it out! It went from all fun to mostly work. The editing mindset kicked in. It had to be right. I worked on it every night after my day job. After several weeks, it was finally DONE! Because I follow a few blogs, I noticed that Writer’s Digest was having its annual contest, and, fortunately, they had extended their deadline. I just made it. All the way up until I submitted it, I changed words, moved lines, moved them backEmoji, made sure it sounded good, and told a story. With all of my projects, I harken back to what I learned at DC: tell a story and remember the arc!

The deadline was in early June, with notifications expected in October. Staying busy after I submitted was not difficult. I didn’t give it much thought until I received an unexpected email in early August. The email stated that the award announcements were sent a week ago, and to check your spam folder. Imagine my surprise and excitement when I checked the spam box and saw my award notice had been sitting there unopened for a week. I was overjoyed! All the love and hard work had paid off. My poem received Honorable Mention in the Writer’s Digest 92nd Annual Writing Competition for the Rhyming Poetry Category.

Of course, I basked in that joy for a little while, but my nature is to keep working. While I worked on other projects, I got this strong feeling that I should do something with the award-winning poem. Many ideas kicked around in my head. The idea I liked the most was to create a picture book with the poem. So I checked the local libraries and bookstores for poems that had been turned into picture books. There were many. I got some ideas, but I also wanted mine to be different and unique. That’s where the fun facts came to mind. I researched fun facts for hoops that matched some of the lines in the poem, and also used teaching points to educate with other lines. One example of teaching is with the dribbling-sliding page.

I used the fun fact box to explain the rules of dribbling and sliding. Another unique idea was to incorporate a picture of a real blackboard from my coaching days. This was special to me, to be able to add something from the blackboard with the actual words I used to inspire my high school team. That blackboard illustration is on the sneakers’ page. Creating this book was an absolute JOY. I am the author, the art director, editor, publisher, and more. I can’t thank my illustrator, Bryan Werts, enough for putting up with my endless revisions. I can be nuts. I am always revising and tweaking. And I love every second. I thank Bryan 1000% for his patience and willingness to tweak with me! Bryan and I collaborated on our award-winning picture book about Alexander Hamilton in 2024, so he knew what he was getting into!Emoji

The first review for this basketball book was a 5-star review from Readers’ Favorite. The reviewer mentioned that this book could be used in physical education classes before the basketball programs. I loved reading that, because it is not something I was trying to accomplish. It just seems to be something that comes out naturally when I am creating my children’s books. More wonderful reviews are coming in, including one by Reedsy Discovery. Honestly, the wonderful feedback is more than I expected! Within about a month of finishing the book, I got a new feeling that I should do more with it. I am working on something and hope to have some news in the near future!I would love to see this book picked up by a traditional publisher, along with one or both of my other children’s books.

Although I enjoy being an indie author, I would love to see my books go further with an agent and/or a publisher. Both of my picture books are traditional 24-page picture books. My next 24-page picture book is in the works and is a unique take on Joan of Arc!

CHRIS’ BIO:

Chris Behrens is an award-winning children’s author. While raising 2 beautiful daughters by himself, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Dominican University in New York. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and was the recipient of the Mother Lawrence Marie Award for Academic Excellence! His first book, Savanna’s Treasure, earned the Silver Medal in the 2015 Moonbeam Awards for the Early Reader/1st Chapter Book category.

His second book, Alexander Hamilton’s Wish for Battlefield Glory, earned the 2025 Indie BRAG Medallion and has received multiple 5-star reviews from Readers’ Favorite. In his spare time (smile), he attended Rutgers at night for almost 2 years for a mgmt. program. Never giving up is in his blood! In 2023, he won an award from Writer’s Digest for a poem about HOOPS! Two of his short stories were praised by Lorian Hemingway, the granddaughter of Ernest! Chris loves to create and never stops working hard at all he pursues!

BRYAN’S BIO:

Bryan Werts is a freelance Illustrator/Cartoonist from Louisville, KY. He is am the owner of BW Creations LLC and have been creating cartoons, illustrations, logos and children’s books for the past four years.

Bryan has worked and been published with nearly 50 children’s books titles as well as many commissioned illustrations and graphic design projects.

Chris, thank you for sharing y0ur book and journey with us. I love how Chris used his Writer’s Digest award‑winning poem and mixed in the energy of sports to make it a charming picture book that invites young readers onto the court using a voice that’s both playful and motivational.

Each page pairs Behrens’s upbeat, poetic lines with Bryan Werts’s vibrant cartoon illustrations, creating a sense of movement that mirrors the energy of the game. Kids who love sports will immediately connect with the fast pace and expressive artwork, while readers new to basketball will enjoy the accessible fun facts and bits of history woven throughout the book.

What stands out most is the book’s message: big dreams require heart, discipline, and the courage to “make it happen,” echoing the Michael Jordan quote highlighted in other reviews. It’s an empowering theme for classrooms, sports teams, and families who want to encourage perseverance in a joyful, kid‑friendly way.

Besides Home Court is perfect for young athletes and sports‑loving readers, teachers will find that Chris’ book will let them spark many conversations about effort and growth. Parents are sure to love this fun fast pace story that can pique there child’s interest about a fun game they may want to play. Also, children will feel more comfortable when the gym teacher decides to get everyone out on the court dribbling and tossing the ball around, since they will have seen how it is done from reading Home Court.

Good luck with the book.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

3 Comments

Posted in Asking opinion, authors and illustrators, Kudos, opportunity, Picture Book, Process, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , ,

Posted by: Kathy Temean | December 27, 2025

Holiday Book Extravaganza: THE LONELY GOOSE by lela Nargi

Lela Nargi has another picture book, THE LONELY GOOSE,  illustrated by Anne Hunter and published by Random House Studio on March 11, 2025.

Random House Studio has agreed to share a copy with one lucky winner in the USA! To get in the running, leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link, and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know where you shared the good news so I can put the correct number of tickets in for you. Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, and reblogging helps spread the word about a new book. Thanks for helping, Lela and Anne. 

If you have signed up to follow my blog and receive it daily, please let me know when you leave a comment, and I will give you an additional ticket. Thanks! 

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

In this lyrical and poignant nonfiction book about loss, follow the lives of a pair of Canada geese as they perform their courtship rituals, raise nests full of chicks, and migrate with the seasons… until one goose has to brave the world alone.

Here is how he won her over:
He was the best dancer with the most powerful moves.
He hissed loudly and bravely.
He had a long, sleek neck and a fine bill.

This is a stunningly illustrated, moving picture book about two geese bonded for life. They have six eggs, and then six chicks, and they teach them how to fly. But when one of the geese in the partnership becomes ill and dies, what happens to its partner goose? She is forced, suddenly, to brave the world on her own—until a new partner goose comes along, calling to her with his own powerful moves. With scientific facts, a beautiful text, and gorgeous artwork, young readers will find themselves inspired to take a closer look at the natural world around them.

BOOK JOURNEY: 

I often spend time in New York because it is surrounded by water: it’s bordered by the Hudson and East Rivers as well as the Atlantic Ocean, and on numerous occasions, I’d find myself sitting near the water and I’d see a single goose or duck flying overhead. It always struck me as somehow melancholy. After all, we’re used to seeing these birds in groups both big and small, almost never by themselves. And I wanted to know what would occur to make a goose be flying through the city all by itself.

I am always a bit sad to see a Canada goose by itself.

When I started writing this book, it just poured out of me. Honestly, this was an extremely rare occasion when the story came out all in one sitting. I’d been thinking about writing it for a long time, and when I finally sat down to put it together, the words really flowed. I was also going through a challenging personal crisis at the time, and no doubt the loss the goose protagonist (if we can call her that) experiences in the story was very close to home.

When I submitted the manuscript to my editor, she only wanted to changed one word. For any readers who aspire to be writers, please know this is NOT the way these things usually go.

As soon as I saw Ann’s illustrations, I felt so fortunate from the beginning that Anne agreed to illustrate this story; I was familiar with (and a big fan of) her work, especially her animal portraits, which convey so much empathy for the creatures we share this planet with. But I was really worried about how differentiated the pages would be; as I said to our editor, “It’s a lot of goose!” When I saw the sketches and then the final illustrations, though, I was really blown away. Each page has a small detail — a fox, a turtle, another birdie — tucked away for readers to discover, and the goose moments are each so unique and uniquely tender.


LELA’S BIO:

Lela Nargi is an author and veteran journalist living in Brooklyn, NY. Her first picture book, The Honeybee Man (Schwartz and Wade, 2011, illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker), was a Junior Library Guild Selection, A Kirkus starred review, a NSTA “Outstanding Book”, a Bank Street “Best Book of the Year”, a 2012 Cook Prize Honoree, a Cornell University/Spoons Across America Agricultural Literacy 2013 & 2015 read-aloud pick, and a First Book.

She published Karl’s New Beak in 2019 (Capstone, illustrated by Harriet Popham), which was a California Reading Association Eureka honoree and an NSTA/CBC best STEM book of 2020; additionally, it made Betsy Bird’s 2019 School Library Journal list of best science and nature books, and The Nonfiction Detective’s 2019 roundup.

Lela is also the author of Absolute Expert: Dinosaurs and Absolute Expert: Volcanoes (National Geographic, 2018; Volcanoes got a Kirkus starred review); Elephants on the Move (Capstone, 2022); The Book of Bees (Black Dog & Leventhal, 2022); Day and Night and Nature’s Journeys (Bonnier Books UK/Templar, 2023 and 2025); and several science book series for  Capstone, Jump! Library, and Amicus. Her most recent titles are Miss Betti, What Is This? (Sleeping Bear Press, 2025) with illustrations by Kristen Uroda. And The Lonely Goose, illustrated by Anne Hunter (Random House Studio, 2025), which is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection garnering rave reviews.

As a journalist, Lela writes extensively for adults about food and agriculture systems and social justice issues. She’s also written about science for kids in Ask, Highlights, MSN Kids, Muse, Odyssey, PittMed, Scholastic’s Storyworks, Science News for Students, and Washington Post KidsPost. Find her at: lelanargi.com.

ANNE’S BIO:

Anne Hunter is the illustrator and sometime author of 16 picture books. She grew up in South Florida in a family of birdwatchers and naturalists and now lives in the hills of Vermont with her farmer-husband and son, where she does a variety of illustrating, painting, and other design.

She is best known for her books and characters based in the natural world. You can see more and up to date artwork on Instagram.

Where’s Baby was a 2021 ALA Geisel Honor Book, Junior Library Guild Selection and a Dolly Parton Imagination Library Selection. The Nest that Wren Built was a Society of Illustrators Origin is a Geisel Honor-awarded illustrator and picture-book writer best known for her books about animals and nature. Anne grew up in Lake Worth, Florida, and now makes her home with the foxes and the owls and the skunks and her farmer husband and family in the woods of Southern Vermont.

Lela, thank you for sharing your book with us. The Lonely Goose by Lela Nargi is rich with emotion, nature, and quiet resilience. It is a tender, lyrical picture book that follows a bonded pair of Canada geese through courtship, nesting, migration, and—ultimately—loss. Nargi’s storytelling is gentle yet deeply honest, offering young readers a window into the natural rhythms of life and the emotional reality of grief. When one goose becomes ill and dies, the surviving mate must navigate the seasons alone, slowly rediscovering connection and hope as time passes.

Anne Hunter’s illustrations ground the story in realism, with soft, natural textures that mirror the quiet dignity of the geese and the landscapes they inhabit. The art never overwhelms; instead, it creates space for children to sit with big feelings while still feeling safe.

What makes this book especially powerful is its balance: it acknowledges sadness without dwelling in despair. The goose’s journey back toward companionship is portrayed with respect for the emotional process, showing that healing is possible and that new bonds don’t erase old ones—they simply add to the story of a life.

Perfect for: Families navigating loss. Classrooms discussing animal behavior or life cycles and Readers who appreciate nature-based storytelling with emotional depth.

Bottom line: The Lonely Goose is a moving, beautifully illustrated meditation on love, loss, and renewal. It treats young readers ages 4 to 8 years old with remarkable respect, offering comfort and truth in equal measure.

Good luck with the book!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

13 Comments

Posted in authors and illustrators, Kudos, Non-fiction, opportunity, Picture Book | Tags: , , , , ,

Posted by: Kathy Temean | December 26, 2025

Holiday Book Extravaganza: GET REAL, LUCILLE! by Laura Petrisin

Laura Petrisin has written d Illustrated a new picture book, Get Real, Lucille!, published by  Monarch Educational Services on‎ August 5th, 2025. They have agreed to share a copy with one lucky winner living in the United States.

To get in the running, simply leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or share it on Facebook with a link, and you will receive additional chances to win. Please let me know any further steps you took to share the good news, so I can accurately update the number of tickets in my basket for you.

Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or reblogging really helps spread the word for a new book. So, thanks for helping Laura.

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Lucille is just a rubber chicken in a circus act… or is she?Tired of being the punchline, Lucille sets off on a journey to discover what it really means to be real. But when feathers fly and chickens start hatching trouble, she’ll learn that being real isn’t about scratching, clucking, or fluffing-it’s about shining from the inside out. A joyful, laugh-out-loud story about friendship, finding your voice, and learning to love who you truly are-because the world needs the Real Deal Lucille!

Target Audience: Ages 5-8 Grades K-3

BOOK JOURNEY:

The idea for Get Real, Lucille came to me one day several years ago while I was walking. I wondered if anyone had ever written about a rubber chicken. I decided I would try. The story would be written with a similar approach to that of Pinocchio, a puppet wanting to be a real boy, but Lucille’s story ending would be quite different.

When I joined Write2ignite in 2022, I took a master class they were sponsoring on Writing Chapter Books with Marianne Herring. A few publishers were interviewed during that workshop and Jennifer Lowry from Monarch Educational Services was one of those publishers. I immediately felt drawn to Jen. Her enthusiasm was contagious and I appreciated her company’s standards of clean reads and books that matter. Even though Monarch was closed to submissions at the time, Jen told us we could email our manuscripts and to mention meeting her at the Write2ignite Master Class in the subject line. Members of the Write2ignite team encouraged us to send in our stories.

I had been working on Get Real Lucille for about a year and decided to submit it to Monarch Books. Jen showed some interest, made some suggestions and asked me to revise the manuscript. I did that and sent it back. She made further suggestions and asked for more revision. I gave her what I thought she was asking for and sent it back a second time. And then… silence.

After several weeks, I decided to go over Jen’s suggestions with a fine tooth comb and address each one. I wrote side notes to her as to how I incorporated her suggestions. I also wanted to improve my use of language in the story. I dug up a course I had taken with Carter Higgins on Word Smithing. I rewrote Get Real, Lucille with a lot more alliteration which gave the story added punch.

I re-submitted a third time. Jen responded the same day. She set up a conference call and offered me a contract. I wish I could say – third time’s a charm, but it wasn’t. Getting my manuscript accepted  took objectivity, a lot of thought, revision, and work.

Lucille, a rubber chicken, is tired of being the butt of jokes in a circus act with Peaches, the clown. She yearns for something more. She wants to be a real chicken. So, Lucille runs away to a farm and introduces herself to the chickens there. Her dream is shattered when the chickens mock her because she can’t scratch or cluck or lay eggs. They call her a fraud. Lucille feels like she doesn’t belong anywhere. Things climax when the chickens become angry and hurl their eggs at her. Lucille instinctively catches and juggles the eggs, impressing the flock and making them laugh. She then realizes that she loves making people laugh. She just wants them to laugh with her instead of at her. Lucille returns to the circus and reinvents the act with Peaches. In doing so, she transforms, not into someone ‘new,’ but into someone ‘true.’

Lucille’s internal conflict is relatable to many children who grapple with feelings of being ‘different.’ Rather than accepting dejection for not fitting in, Lucille offers a role model for problem solving, finding one’s voice, and being authentic.

I wanted to keep Get Real, Lucille funny and joyful. I want Lucille to make children laugh while delivering the message that – You are amazing just the way you are!

Laura Petrisin is a talented author and illustrator who has made a significant impact in the children’s book industry. Her debut picture book, Get Real, Lucille, is set to be released on July 1, 2025, and is about a rubber chicken who dreams of becoming a real chicken. The book is a humorous and endearing story about self-identity and self-discovery.

Laura’s previous work includes illustrations for various children’s books, such as Poster Girl by Anne Emerick and Pearl Girl by Stephen Rabley. She has also been recognized with the Write2Ignite Honorable Mention in the 2023 PBParty Illustrator Showcase. Laura’s work is a testament to her creativity and passion for

Laura, thank you for sharing your book and journey with us. Get Real, Lucille! is a joyful, laugh-out-loud picture book that blends humor, heart, and self-discovery into a story kids will want to revisit again and again. Lucille may start out as a rubber chicken in a circus act, but her journey quickly becomes something much deeper — a tender exploration of what it truly means to be “real.”

Children (Ages 5–8 will love this book. Laura Petrisin delivers a narrative that is both silly and sincere, giving young readers permission to embrace their quirks, find their voice, and shine from the inside out. The premise is delightfully absurd in the best way, yet the emotional core is grounded and relatable for children navigating honesty, identity, and self-acceptance.

The writing is lighthearted and clever, and the humor lands without ever overshadowing the message. Early readers will giggle at the feathers-flying chaos, while adults will appreciate the gentle emotional themes woven throughout. The tone remains uplifting and heartwarming from start to finish.

Lucille herself is an unforgettable character — earnest, funny, and wonderfully expressive. Her journey encourages kids to celebrate what makes them unique, reminding them that being “real” isn’t about how you look or what others expect from you, but about being true to who you are.

This makes it Perfect for Classroom SEL discussions and Storytime read-a louds. Plus, families looking for books about confidence and authenticity and kids who love humor with heart will be drawn to this book.

Bottomline is that : A charming, meaningful picture book with a big personality and an even bigger heart. Lucille is the kind of character who sticks with you — and the world truly does need the Real Deal Lucille.

“Lucille may be a rubber chicken, but her message is the real deal — and one kids will carry long after the giggles fade — feathers, flaws, and all.”

Good Luck with the book!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

6 Comments

Posted in authors and illustrators, Kudos, opportunity, Picture Book, Process | Tags: , , , ,

Posted by: Kathy Temean | December 25, 2025

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

MAY THE MAGIC OF CHISTMAS FILL EVERY CORNER OF YOUR HEART AND YOUR HOME. 

Christmas wasn’t always on December 25th./strong>

While Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, there is no mention of December 25 in the Bible. Most historians actually posit that Jesus was born in the spring. And his birthday itself didn’t become the official holiday until the third century. Some historian believe the date was actually chosen because it coincided with the pagan festival of Saturnalia, which honored the agricultural god Saturn with celebrating and gift-giving.

ANNE LAMBERT: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

MELISSA IWAI: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

The first recorded Christmas cards were sent by Michael Maier to James I of England and his son Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales in 1611. It was discovered in 1979 by Adam McLean in the Scottish Record Office.

There are more than 3,000 greeting card publishers in America. 15% of Christmas cards are purchased by men. Over 2 billion Christmas cards are sent in the US each year. Around 500 million e-cards are sent each year.

CHERYL PILGRIM: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

Evergreens are an ancient tradition

The tradition of Christmas trees goes all the way back to ancient Egyptians and Romans, who marked the winter solstice with evergreens as a reminder that spring would return. So if you decorate with a green tree, wreaths or evergreen garland, you’re throwing it back – way back.

MARCIN POLUDNIAK: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
I saw three ships come sailing in
⁠On Christmas day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three,
⁠On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
And what was in those ships all three,
⁠On Christmas day in the morning? …

JOHN SHELLEY: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

RENIA METALLINOU: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

JOY LAFORME: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

LISA FIELDS: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY.

The term “Xmas” dates back to the 1500s
Think “Xmas” is a newly nefarious attempt to take Christ out of Christmas? Think again. According to From Adam’s Apple to Xmas: An Essential Vocabulary Guide for the Politically Correct, “Christianity” was spelled “Xianity” as far back as 1100. X, or Chi, in Greek is the first letter of “Christ” and served as a symbolic stand-in. In 1551, the holiday was called “Xtemmas” but eventually shortened to “Xmas.” In reality, Xmas is just as Christian as the longer version.

MIRA MIROSLAVOVA: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

TAIA MORLEY: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

NADJA SARELL: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

TANISAH CHERISLIN: Featured on Illustrator Saturday. 

BECCA STEDTLANDER: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

KAREN BUNTING: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

KIMBERLEY BARNES: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

JOHN SHELLEY: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATUTURDAY

AMALIA HOFFMAN: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

SUSAN MITCHELL: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY.

If you prefer an artificial tree, you’re not alone. It’s a cheaper and lower maintenance option, giving parents and pet owners one less thing to worry about during the holidays. Artificial trees date back to the 1880s, when Germans looking to offset deforestation made the first ones from dyed goose feathers held together with wire. Since then, people around the world have made fake trees out of aluminum, cardboard, and glass, although most artificial Christmas trees sold today are made out of PVC plastic.

GABHOR UTOMO: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY. 

Celebrating Christmas used to be illegal

By the time the Puritans settled in Boston, celebrating Christmas had been outlawed. From 1659–1681, anyone caught making merry would face a fine for celebrating. After the Revolutionary War, the day was so unimportant that Congress even held their first session on December 25, 1789. Christmas wasn’t proclaimed a federal holiday for almost another century, proving that the Grinch’s notorious hatred of the holiday was alive and well long before he was.

CHRISTINE KORNACKI: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

You can thank Prince Albert for your Christmas tree

In 1848 Prince Albert of Germany introduced a tree to his new wife, Queen Victoria of England and the Illustrated London News ran a drawing of the couple in front of a Christmas tree and it became all the rage. You can say the idea went viral.

DORIS ETTILINGER: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

Just about half of Americans attend Christmas services

If church seems a little sparse on Christmas Eve, there may be a reason for that. The Pew Research Center found that fewer people think of Christmas as a religious holiday these days. Only 51% of people who celebrate attend church on Christmas.

KATE COSGROVE: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

The Rockefeller Christmas tree started small

The first tree at Rockefeller Center probably looked more like Charlie Brown’s than the resplendent one today. Construction workers at the site first placed a small, undecorated tree while working there in 1931. Two years later, another tree appeared in its place, this time with lights. It grew and grew from there. Nowadays, the giant Rockefeller Center tree bears more than 25,000 twinkling lights and is visited by millions of selfie-takers each season.

SARAH DILLARD – FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

Your Christmas tree likely traveled a bit

Unless you cut it yourself, your “fresh” Christmas tree probably spent weeks out of the ground before it made it to your local retailer. And there’s likely no hiking into the woods to get it, either: 98% of American trees today grow on farms, mostly in California, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, the country’s top Christmas tree-producing states.

GABHOR UTOMO: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY. 

Tinsel has a storied history

Tinsel was invented in 1610 in Germany and was originally spun from real silver, making it far from the chintzy decoration it is now. It also has an edgy history. The U.S. government once banned tinsel because it contained poisonous lead. But never fear; now it’s made of plastic. However, you should still use caution if you have pets or small children, since it’s still harmful if swallowed.

ruthsandersonC003_Christmas-Doorway

RUTH SANDERSON: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

Christmas wreaths are symbols of Christ 

The Christmas wreath originated as a symbol of Christ. The holly represents the crown of thorns Jesus wore at his crucifixion, and the red berries symbolize the blood he shed. So when you see a wreath this season, you’ll remember the reason for the season.

WENDY EDELSON: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

Mistletoe is an aphrodisiac

The holiday flora is an ancient symbol of fertility and virility — and the Druids considered it an aphrodisiac. So keep that in mind next time someone jokes about meeting you under the mistletoe. You might want to know what you’re getting yourself into.

WILL TERRY: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

Candy canes originated in Germany

The National Confectioners Association says a choirmaster originally gave the candies to young children to keep them quiet during long church services. Grandmas who still dole out sweets during droning sermons, you’ve got history on your side. But it wasn’t until a German-Swedish immigrant decorated his tree with candy canes in 1847 that they became popular as a Christmas candy.

PATRICIA ACHILLES: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY.

Settlers created the first American eggnog

The Jamestown settlers created the first American batch of eggnog, although it may not have tasted quite the way we know and love today. The word nog comes from the word grog; or any drink made with rum. So technically, an early nog didn’t require the rich, milky base we now ladle out of grandma’s cut-crystal punch bowl.

YVONNE GILBERT: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY.

Ham ranks as the festive favorite

Some families cook up a turkey for Christmas dinner, others go for ham, and still more go rogue and stick a leg of lamb or another protein in the oven. Google searches for “ham” and “turkey” both spike during the month of December, according to Google Trends data. Despite the popularity of both festive entrees, spiral-cut ham remains the more popular choice for a Christmas table. The jury’s still out on whether people prefer ham or turkey sandwiches the day after, though.

JESSICA COURTNEY TICKLE: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

Did you know that TCHAIKOVSKY’S NUTCRACKER SUITE was not composed for children?

The Nutcracker Suite was commissioned by Imperial Russian Ballet choreographer Marius Petipa in 1891. Petipa wanted a ballet score based on Alexandre Dumas’ (1802-1870) adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffman’s (1776-1882) fantasy story, ​The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Interestingly, Petipa grew ill mid-way through his choreography, leaving strict instructions for his successor – Lev Ivanov – which is why the choreography is so consistent throughout.

The original story was not a children’s tale at all, but rather a glimpse into the darker side of humanity – how a nightmare can bring to light your greatest fears. So, while you may enjoy playing tunes from The Nutcracker to delight the children in your life, the roots of the magical ballet are much darker than most people realize.

JESSICA COURTNEY TICKLE: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

Popcorn garland is a truly American tradition.

All it takes is some popcorn, cranberries, a needle, and dental floss to make your very own homemade Christmas tree garland. Though Germans traditionally decorated their trees with cookies, nuts, and fruit, Americans in the 1800s adapted that custom to long strings of popcorn and cranberries. While it’s unknown exactly why popcorn was chosen—likely because it was inexpensive—cranberries are perfect, since their waxy coating keeps them from spoiling quickly. If you want to try it yourself, just make sure you use day-old popcorn, which breaks apart less easily than fresh kernels.

JESSICA COURTNEY TICKLE: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

Germans believe it’s bad luck to put up your tree before Christmas Eve.

In order to avoid bad luck at Christmas, some Germans believe you should erect your Christmas tree no sooner than Christmas Eve (or sometimes the 23rd) and take it down no later than Twelfth Night (Jan. 5). In some predominately Catholic countries—Ireland, Italy, Argentina, etc.—the tree goes up on Immaculate Conception Day (Dec. 8) and comes down on Epiphany (Jan. 6), though some Catholics extend that to Candlemas (Feb. 2), according to Italy Magazine. However, everyone can agree that you should definitely not put your tree up before Halloween (or in America, before Thanksgiving).

MACKENZIE HALEY: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY 

The Christmas tree was one tradition that the Catholic church snubbed for hundreds of years. It wasn’t until 1982 that Pope John Paul II, already known as a bit of a reformer, brought a Christmas tree into the Vatican to sit beside the traditional Italian Nativity crib. Today, Catholic liturgy includes a prayer for officially blessing your tree.

ANA OCHOA: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY 

In Mexico, Christmas is celebrated from December 12th to January 6th.

From December 16th to Christmas Eve, children often perform the ‘Posada’ processions or Posadas. Posada is Spanish for Inn or Lodging. There are nine Posadas. These celebrate the part of the Christmas story where Joseph and Mary looked for somewhere to stay. For the Posadas, the outside of houses are decorated with evergreens, moss and paper lanterns.

ROBERTA ANGARAMO: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

HAVE YOURSELF A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

9 Comments

Posted in authors and illustrators, Holiday, inspiration, picture books, Poems | Tags:

Posted by: Kathy Temean | December 24, 2025

Merry Christmas Eve

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeers pulling on the reins
Bells are ringing, children singing, all is merry and bright
So hang your stockings and say your prayers, ’cause Santa Claus comes tonight

KAREN BUNTING: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

RYAN MIDDAUGH: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

KAYLA QUARLES: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

RYAN MIDDAUGH: Featured on Illustatraor Saturday

KELLY ANNE DALTON: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

SERINEH ELIASIAN: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

TATINANA KAMSHILINA: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

TOMMY DOYLE: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

CYNTHIA CLIFF: Featured om Illustrator Saturday

JERNNIFER JACKMAN WHITE: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

 

DAVID HOHN: Featured o Illustrator Saturday – March 13th 2021.

RENIA METALLINOU: Featured on Illustrator Saturday – March 27th 2021.

PETRONELA DOSTALOVA: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

FANNY LIEM: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

GEORGE SWEETLAND: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY – October 2nd 2021

TAIA MORLEY: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

ANDREA STEGMAIER: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

LEE GATLIN: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

KIMBERLEY BARNES: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY

MARK MEYERS: Featured on Illustrator Saturday

Christmas decorating sends nearly 15,000 people to the ER

METTE ENGELL: FEATURED ON ILLUSTRATOT SATURDAY

St. Nick was the first Santa

You probably already knew that the idea of Santa Claus came from St. Nicholas. According to legend, the fourth-century Christian bishop gave away his abundant inheritance to help the needy and rescued women from servitude. His name was Sinter Klaas in Dutch.

LRYNA BODNARUK: Featured on Illustrator Saturday.

J.P. Morgan’s uncle wrote “Jingle Bells.”

*******

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane
He’s got a bag that’s filled with toys for boys and girls again
Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle, oh what a beautiful sight
So jump in bed and cover your head, ’cause Santa Claus comes tonight

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

6 Comments

Posted in Art Exhibit, authors and illustrators, Holiday, picture books | Tags:

Older Posts »

Categories