CONGRATULATIONS! After long and careful deliberation, we are happy to announce our finalists and winners! Please read to the end for a link with information on how to claim your Prizes. Participant, Finalist and Winners Badges within the post! GRAND PRIZE WINNER Pigeon and Puddle by Marcia Matalon Nass Prizes: 2022 Rate Your Story Membership $50 Amazon Gift Card PB Critique Sophia Gholz Book - Sunday Rain by Rosie Pova FICTION - FIRST PLACE Pigeon and Puddle by Marcia Matalon

1. What do you LOVE about children’s books? I love the special ability of picture books to engage all ages, serving as a wonderful introduction to the magic of story and the joy that is found in connecting with others through shared reading. All my writing life, I’ve also been fascinated by how text and illustration work together to tell a rich story, all within a 32-page format using a sparsity of words. 2. What brought you to children’s books? I’m often asked if I always w

What brought you to children’s books? I am a reading specialist and did a lot of writing with and for my students. I began writing with the intention of publishing when my full time teaching transitioned to mentoring. I am particularly fond of books that combine two different things, for example STEM and humor, or creative inspiration and kindness. I also have found lyrical writing to be my favorite in picture books. In writing for an older audience, I think the voice is what

What do you LOVE about children’s books? I love how children’s books can take a complex issue and present it in a safe and comforting manner allowing children to feel validated and secure in their world. What brought you to children’s books? I have always been a book lover but my love of children’s books, picture books in particular, took hold when I became a parent. My favorite pastime is sitting with a child in my lap reading a book. I turned that love into a career as a ch

Interviewed by Sheila Herrera What do you like to do when you aren't writing? I love to get outside. I walk with my dog in the fields and woods and cemeteries around where I live. In summer, I go kayaking on local ponds (without dog); in winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing (with). I also like to hang out with grandkids. And read. In the pre-pandemic days, I loved to listen to live music. And, though I'm not very good, from time to time I pick up my old cello and see

A Rate Your Story Member Guest Post by Susan Twiggs Writing a picture book is like a trip to Costco. When I walk in the store, I am lured and distracted by interesting displays. I arrive at check out with a full cart. Half of the items were not on my list. My early drafts are like that full shopping cart—a jumbled collection of interesting characters, facts, and ideas. Have I included the right ingredients? How do I discover my story’s juicy core? I share it with my critique

What brought you to children’s books? How long have you been writing? I’ve loved my books my whole life. When I was young (maybe a tween), I embarrassed my father on more than one sports-outing by keeping my nose in a book during the action of the game. Sorry, Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots! But in my defense, these teams were in the midst of a huge losing slump. So it’s not like I missed amazing plays on the way to a victory. I was drawn into writing after I finishe

This month, we are pleased to feature Helen H. Wu! Helen is returning as our Guest Guru for the Month of September. This means that she will be reviewing, rating and giving feedback on four (4) manuscripts from our Members Only! 1. What do you LOVE about children’s books? Children’s books have the potential to pass on the joy from generation to generation. Children’s books are one of the channels that children can learn about the world when they snuggle on the laps of parents