Buy This Book Here: https://amzn.to/4yEI9Dh Exciting News! Up to four (4) 2026 Rate Your Story Members will have the opportunity to submit and get feedback and a rating from Teresa this month. Members can request this perk from Judy, Admin Assistant and In-box Coordinator Extraordinaire (RateYourStory@gmail.com). If there are spots available and your manuscript seems like a good fit, you will receive the benefit. Q: What did you love about being a child? A: Looking back on m

This post has been a long time coming (my sincere apologies), but unfortunately it took me longer than expected to sort out the winners due to many reasons, including a tragic death in the family, a severe illness and moving, to name a few things that really threw me for a loop this year. But I'm glad to be getting back on track. Here is the winner badge, which you can display on your website or social media. Please link back to RateYourStory.org if possible. And now here's o

As you can see, I couldn't resist taking a third swipe at this topic and we didn't take a break from it after all! Please read Part 1 of this series HERE, and Part 2 of the series HERE, where we establish some of the things editors and agents look for in a picture book submission (most submissions, not just those about criminals). Once you do, you will see that a picture book about a criminal is certainly an exception to the rule. So why do these books get published? Some wor

Buy Happy Birthday America HERE This month, we're shooting off the fireworks of excitement to have multi-published, award-winning picture book author, Rate Your Story Judge Roxanne Troup as our Guest Guru over at Rate Your Story's Kidlit Creators Forum. Up to four 2026 Members will have the opportunity to get a feedback and rating from her. Members can request Roxanne as a Guru from Judy, Admin Assistant and In-box Coordinator (RateYourStory@gmail.com), and if there are avail

by Lynne Marie Please read Part 1 of this series HERE, where we establish some of the things editors and agents look for in a picture book submission. Once you do, you will see that a picture book about a criminal is certainly an exception to the rule. So why do these books get published? Some work -- and we'll take another look at why. Let's look at a few more examples: THIS IS NOT MY HAT by Jon Klassen (Candlewick Press, 2012) A Junior Library Guide Selection. Jacket Copy:

by Lynne Marie I am not sure whether you will find this at all surprising, but at www.RateYourStory.org, we do get some submissions where the main character is, yes -- you guessed it -- a criminal! GASP! Now criminals aren't the usual picture book fare and there are good reasons why. Generally, here are some things one expects from a picture book: A main character that's likable and kids can connect with, and who usually exhibits good behavior, or at least, good intentions. A

NOW AVAILABLE! Get your copy HERE: https://amzn.to/4e6drK2 This month, we're excited to have multi-published, award-winning picture book author, Rate Your Story Director and The Little Press Publishing Editor Lynne Marie return as our Guest Guru. Up to four 2026 Members will have the opportunity to get a feedback and rating from her. Members can request Lynne Marie as a Guru from Judy, Admin Assistant and In-box Coordinator (RateYourStory@gmail.com), and if there are availabl

By Lynne Marie I never actually fully realized the importance of the name of this challenge (MARCH ON with Mentor Texts) until I sat down to write this post. During our challenge month, I planned a farewell trip for my Nephew-in-law (and Niece and Great Niece and Great Nephew) to Disney World; Spent over two weeks on a Transatlantic Cruise to Spain (I’m also a Travel Agent); caught the Norovirus; helped care for my elderly father; said goodbye and celebrated my Nephew’s life;

Buy Book Here: https://amzn.to/41FQkAd This month, we're excited to have multi-published, award-winning playwright and author Erin Dealey as our Guest Guru. Up to four 2026 Members will have the opportunity to get a feedback and rating from her. Members can request Erin as a Guru from Judy, Admin Assistant and In-box Coordinator ( RateYourStory@gmail.com ), and if there are available spots and your manuscript seems like a good fit, you will receive the benefit. What did you w

In the past twenty-five plus years that I've been immersed in writing and publishing children's literature, I have heard many pieces of advice over and over and over. One that stands out is: get to know your local children’s librarian. Why? Because children's librarians know children's books -- they know what children like and are reading, what they want to read, AND, they know what is missing on the library shelves. Conversations with a librarian (whether a public library or

How do you engage readers? There are so many ways! High-interest content, gorgeous thought-provoking illustrations, impeccable rhymes and lyrical language, or my personal favorite, gift readers a giggle! I have always been drawn to books that make me laugh and I see my kids and readers everywhere light up with laughter and re-read humor to illicit that feel-good emotion. So, when I sat down to write my funny math picture book GOAT MAA-TH: AN ADDITION STORY (illustrated by su

Picture Books About Cultural Name Awareness by Maria Wen Adcock What’s in a name? In a very practical sense, our names are our identities. When someone says our names, we know they’re talking to us. Culturally, a name can represent someone’s heritage or show respect for elders they may have been named after. Everyone wants to be called by their correct names because that’s what we identify with. When someone calls you by an incorrect name, it can feel jarring. The picture

How a Picture Book Can Grow Into Global Licensing by Helen H. Wu When we talk about mentor texts, we often focus on voice, structure, or page turns. But sometimes, a mentor text teaches us something larger, like: How to build a world strong enough to live beyond the page. For this post, I’m using my picture book A Cup of Happy: Capybara Bubble Tea as a mentor text, not as a business case study, but as an example of how certain storytelling choices make global licensing possi

It happened the other day – a stroller child at the next table was chewing a copy of a board book I authored! When I told his mom, she said, “Oh, he loves to chew that one!” Take that, awards judges! (Obviously, this kid had good taste in literature.) Really, if a book is less than 300 words (the sweet spot is 150 words) and is primarily going to be chewed, why does one need mentor texts? Because not all board books are the same. 1 Concept The focus is on one specific concept

It’s All in the Details by Lisa Rogers Precision in writing can be hard-won. As writers, we can get carried away by our words, without making sure that each one communicates what we intend. Sometimes, as we slice a story to lower word count, we clip the very words that add specificity and meaning. How can you add details without overburdening your story? By imbuing each sentence with specificity. Using figurative language, sensory detail, and the sounds of words can set up t

Buy Here: https://amzn.to/4lbiBHK Finding the Right Voice & Tone in Nonfiction Picture Books By Lydia Lukidis Writing compelling nonfiction for children isn’t just about sharing facts, it’s about sparking curiosity and making learning fun. In picture books, where every word counts and illustrations carry part of the story, the way your text sounds can make the difference between a forgettable read and a book kids (and adults) love to revisit. Voice vs Tone Let’s start

https://amzn.to/47A3tOj Squirrels, Porcupines, and Bears--oh my! Mentor texts with animal characters and how the rules, as well as my upcoming book Squirrel Draws Big Feelings evolved… No animals allowed! Twenty years ago, when I wrote Goldie Locks Has Chicken Pox (Atheneum/S&S –illus. Hanako Wakiyama), people said anthropomorphic animal characters were a no-no. As you may have guessed, I got around that issue initially by writing parodies of nursery rhymes. More recently

Simply stated, the value of strong verbs is movement. They define action that serves to move the story forward and give it spark. Strong verbs paint pictures that give the illustrator more to work with. Most importantly, it keeps readers engaged and eager to turn pages. [Insert JPG For March On] Following is a list of strong verbs from my forthcoming book Turkey on the Run! (9/29/26 Flamingo Books and illustrated by the fabulous Neha Rawat) . Trotted, zoomed, jogged, s

MOWMT: The Secret to Writing Page-Turning Nonfiction By Mary Boone Facts matter. Accuracy matters. Research matters. But here’s the truth: Kids don’t fall in love with books because of footnotes, bolded vocabulary words or timelines. They turn pages because they care. I was reminded of this when I recently shared one of my picture books at an elementary school. During the question-and-answer session, a second grader asked: “Wait. You mean that really happened?” At first I was

The Magic in Books That Make Us Feel By Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD Have you ever opened a book and found yourself taken on an emotional journey that you never expected? The transformation can be instantaneous! One moment you’re focused on your own life, and the next you find yourself captivated and transported right into the pages. This feeling is magical. And the world responds delightfully. These books tend to be popular with readers, win awards, and even become bestselle