MOWMT 31: Look to the Librarians with Lynne Marie
- rateyourstoryweb
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
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 elementary school librarian) can bring deep understanding about children and their likes and needs.
While not all the authors I have listed below were children's librarians (specifically Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm and Lewis Carol, who were University Librarians), it is interesting to note that these librarians achieved quite a bit of success -- likely fueled by their knowledge and understand of those who read books.
Not all examples are picture books, of course, but it is still interesting to note the success of these books.
Since there's clearly a lot to be learned from librarians who are published authors, let's look at the books of a few more contemporary librian/authors, here.
Note: More from Cathy on the horizon!
ABOUT CATHY: https://amzn.to/4b57MDF Buy Cathy's Books HERE
Note: These are just a sample of Jolene's catalog of books.
ABOUT JOLENE: https://amzn.to/4sbeuOs Buy Jolene's Books HERE
ABOUT SARAH: https://sarahkurpiel.com/about Buy Sarah's Books HERE
*Note -- These are just a sample of Tammi Sauer's catalog of books!
ABOUT TAMMI: https://www.tammisauer.com/about-me Buy Tammi's books HERE
For this post, I am going to switch things up a bit and give you an assignment. Rather than me telling you what I learned from reading these books, it would be more beneficial for you to read these books. Read once for enjoyment, and then read again, taking notes and trying to identify why the books sold. Ask yourself, what are the hooks? What did the author do that's new and different? How did they start the story? How did they end the story? Was the resolution satisfying? Why? -- these are just a few things you can concentrate on to further your knowledge and understanding of children's literature.
And, I have a request: If you know of any more librarians turned kidlit author, please feel free to leave their names in the comment section of this post for a bonus chance to win my prizes! And if you left a comment on the Registration post, do check the comments to see if you were an early bird winner (Hint, Hint @BerrieTorgenRandall and @BarbaraSenenman!)
PRIZE: I am giving away a few Mentor sessions, a few speedpasses, and a few submission opportunities to me at The Little Press. Be sure to circulate this post widely, as the more comments we received, the more prizes I will award. Of course you'll get extra chances as a above, and below!
Thanks for spending this month with me and Rate Your Story. We are so happy to help you pave your path to success.
Lynne Marie is the multi-published, award-winning author of picture books, including three with Scholastic, The Star of the Christmas Play (Beaming Books 2018), Moldilocks and the 3 Scares (Sterling / Scholastic 2019), Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World (Beaming Books 2019), The Three Little Pigs and the Rocket Project (Mac and Cheese Press 2022), The Palace Rat (Yeehoo Press 2023), and Henny Penny’s Weather Worries (Mac and Cheese Press, 2025), Zeus and the Titanic Pet Problem (Mac and Cheese Press, 2025) and more, forthcoming.
Lynne Marie's recent book, BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle (The Little Press 2024), is an honor book for the 2025 Anna Dewdney Read Together Award, has been awarded a 2025 CBC Favorite in K - 2 from Teachers, Kids and Librarians, as well as a winner in the Holiday Category of the 2024 Northern Lights Book Awards.
She’s an Editor at The Little Press, Director of RateYourStory.org, Mentor at ThePictureBookMechanic.com, Creator of March On With Mentor Texts (www.rateyourstory.org/march-on) and Mentor Text Talk, Co-Host of #SeasonsOfKidLit (www.seasonsofkidlit.com) and a Columnist at Children’s Book Insider (https://writeforkids.online/). Visit her at www.LiterallyLynneMarie.com.
BONUS ENTRIES: NOTE: As you comment on each post, please note whether you have shared this post, bought the author's book for yourself or as a gift, whether you have followed our guest blogger or Rate Your Story on social media (and where), as well as whether you have left a review of the guest blogger's book (and where) for extra entries (for each show of support) and to be eligible for surprise prizes.
Feel free to click the links to buy the books mentioned and help support our Weekly Mentor Text Talks (OPEN TO ALL - Replays available to Rate Your Story Members only)! Thanks for sharing the #BookLove #MarchOn #MentorTexts #RateYourStory
Librarians are wonderful and know so much! Thank you for the all the great posts this month and all the wonderful mentor texts. I've shared on X/Twitter.
Thank you, Lynne. What an amazing month – so much inspiration and information. I appreciate your time and effort to make this happen.
Thank you for an inspiring post. I loved working as a substitute librarian in our school district. Librarians do have the inside track on all things kid-lit!
Thank you, also, for another great year of MOWMT. So many informative posts!
I follow you on X, Bluesky and FB. I shared this post on (X).
Thanks Lynne! Cheers to another successful year of MOWMT. So much takeaway from all the posts! Librarians have a front row seat at what kids like and don't like. I've read some of Cathy, Jolene, and Tammi's books (one of my all-time favorites is Nugget and Fang). I'll put some of the ones I haven't read on my reading list. I follow you and/or RYS everywhere on social media (X, FB, IG, Bluesky). I've reviewed a number of your books and own them. I shared your post on X.
Great questions to ask of any books, and thank you for shouting out children's librarians! Thanks as well for all of your work on MOWMT.