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WRITING FUNNY BOOKS AND KEEPING A SCRAPPY MINDSET: FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH ELAYNE CRAIN

Posted on by Chelsea’s World of Books in Feature Interview Series, View all blog posts

Today I’m talking with funny picture-book and middle-grade writer, Elayne Crain. We’ll be talking about ways to keep a scrappy mindset, having mentors without them even knowing it, and writing humor that kids (and parents) love!

Elayne, it’s great to have you here! Could you tell us where you’re joining us from? 

Hello, Chelsea! I’m joining you from my dining room table, my trusty laptop wedged in between a pretty enormous tray of hot sauces my family members use* and a heap of papers and art supplies I use.

It’s a happy, spicy mess, not unlike the girl typing these very words.

*Disclosure: I only use three tray sauces – green Tabasco, Valentina, and S&B Crunchy Garlic with Chili Oil, though I’m spicy in other ways, I assure you.

How did you hear about the Feature Interview series, and what made you want to apply?

I heard about it from being a subscriber; there’s something undeniably alluring about long-form interviews when one’s favorite thing to do is to write! 😊

Tell us a little about your publishing journey. When and how did it start?

The publishing part was (somehow) surprisingly straightforward, when it came—I attended an SCBWI First Pages webinar and connected with editor Kat Brzozowski through it. I didn’t have an agent, and I brought the first page of this particular story (which ended up being the first three spreads, ms-wise) because I loved it, but it didn’t seem to be getting much traction in the agent-querying trenches. Luckily, Kat saw in it what I saw in it—and then some—and I think she actually said, “This one is really weird, but it’s my kind of weird.” Then we chatted in the webinar chat about Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar, which was another huge sign that we were on the same page for humor. (And yes, I’m still pinching myself for being in the right place at the right time, somehow, to have met her and gotten to work with her! She really is amazing.) It took a while to get the rest of the team on board, but we did it—with a lot of revision work on my part, too, I should add. I’m so grateful that she didn’t give up on it, or me, during that time.

Could you share a little bit about the early stages of your writing journey?

I’ve written for fun—just for myself, and occasionally to amuse friends with—my entire life—including write right now, as I write about how I already wrote about my writing Origin Story.

Here’s the most salient bit: it was always FUN for me. When I was terrible, when I wrote too much (and when I wrote too little)—none of that mattered, because I enjoyed it. And I still do.

Holding on to that joy is simple but not easy—you have to remember to let yourself play as hard as you work—and, alas, play is something that absolutely cannot be faked or sped up. Ironically, play requires patience.

What were some of the things you learned that helped you the most?

Let’s list them! (I love a good list!)

  • Reading—broadly and niche-ly, oldies and newbies. (This should be obvious, but one of the unfortunate truisms of spending more time on craft is that you have less time to read, so a reminder doesn’t hurt.)
  • Noting. Alas, alack, reading itself doesn’t much improve craft—rather, it’s the post-read mulling, marinating, and ah-ha’ing that does; useful realizations can take an annoying amount of time and thought. Incidentally, this is why I even reread books I think I *don’t* like—it’s important to figure out why.
  • Knowing oneself. Fully marshaling yourself—your real self—into your work may mean therapy, and maybe lots of it. Incidentally, self-knowledge doesn’t mean you aren’t evolving, and it’s nothing to fear (even if it’s not always comfortable); it means you have perspective, and ideally, empathy. This genuinely human experience is what separates us from AI glop, and it’s never been more important.
  • Loving—life and people (where people include oneself). As Mary Oliver says, “let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.” Hugs help. Having a partner helps (assuming they are the right partner for you). Nature walks help (and Claritin helps nature walks help). Choosing bravery over fear helps. Connection helps.

Were there any groups/organizations/something else that benefited you?

I’m a SCBWI evangelist, for good reason! I joined the Eastern Australia chapter in November of 2019 (we were living in Melbourne at the time), and it’s been my creative career’s helpmate since. Not only has most of my craft learning and networking come through that organization, but it was an SCBWI webinar where I connected with Kat at Macmillan, who published my first book. (I volunteer pretty heavily with our local group, as part of trying to keep that going for others. Maybe gross to note, but I’m proud of that.)

I also really love 12×12 (for picture book nerds like myself) and Inked Voices (for their variety of genres) for their craft talks and opportunities. Really, it’s probably more important to join an active creative community than to overthink which one(s).

Tell us about writing humor. As I’m sure anyone who has read your hilarious debut, There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter, knows, you are a master of the hilarious. But writing humor is no easy feat- it’s an art- and it’s a very subjective art. For any genre, this is a feat, but for picture books, it’s especially tricky because your target audience (children ages 4-8) isn’t always the one selecting the book; often, it’s an adult. Which means, you have to appeal to both the child’s humor- and the adult’s. Can you tell us a little about how you broke into such a competitive space, as well as how you were able to master humor for kids while also appealing to adults?

Man, I wish I actually believed I’ve “mastered” humor! Jello-wrestled it successfully,  maybe—but that was mostly that one time in college*.

*This is true. (Keep in mind, I was much cuter then; if anyone has pics, please send them my way.)

But I think what I did manage to do, at least with this one book, is to tap into the humor that (alas) I know best: awkward/cringe/deadpan, with dollops of (hopefully) worthy wordplay.

Was there anyone/anything that helped you with your humor craft?

Oh, the usual: being an oddball misanthrope who didn’t want to be burned as a witch.

It also probably helps if you’ve (accidentally or otherwise) made a mockery of yourself so many times that it feels somewhat natural to willingly do so?

Truly, humor has been my lifelong crutch—by far my biggest social lubricant and coping mechanism. When you are as weird as I am, it behooves one to make oneself somewhat palatable in whatever form one can. I never saw myself as sporty, or pretty, or particularly skilled with people—so words have long been my most viable option!

Now, of course, I know I’ve battled undiagnosed-until-not-long-ago, pretty major internal hyperactive-impulsive ADHD for over forty (mumble) years. Making quick-witted and creative associations is a rare but appreciated benefit of that kind of brain, and I am so glad I had that to add to my perhaps nonexistent arsenal of other skills.

What tips do you have for authors who may be looking to break into the humor space for kids?

I think, for me, don’t assume kids aren’t as sophisticated as you are—and knowing most adults? FAR more sophisticated. I mean, if you want to hear an on-point Komodo dragon joke, go right to a fifth grader.

I hear a lot of writers repeat the same trite stuff over and over, like, “kids love poop jokes.” Well, some might—but, I think they appreciate craft as much, if not more, than subject. Why aren’t we saying, “kids love well-done jokes” to the point of triteness? THAT is far more universally true, and far more helpful to achieving something memorable and interesting on the page.

Related, truly my best advice: let the punchline be shown when you can. (This may require, GASP!, art notes.)

In your application, you mentioned mentors, which is always a topic, and I feel like this one is not talked about enough. Tell us about your mentor experiences. How were they able to help you on your publishing journey? And did they always know they were “mentoring?” Explain.

In terms of “official” mentorships—SCBWI to the rescue, not once, but twice! I did one mentorship through SCBWI Mid-South (with the wonderful Jessica Young, for picture book writing, which resulted in working further on my There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter manuscript)—and I did another through my current SCBWI group, SCBWI WW (Western Washington) with author-illustrator Vikram Madan (for poetry). 😊 They were—and still are!—amazing inspirations—personally and professionally, and I can’t thank them enough for sharing their smarts with me!

However, I’m ALSO a big believer in the imaginary—and that can take the form of mentors, too, because sometimes you will find yourself longing for advice from mentors who have passed, or are fictional, or who are simply too busy being awesome IRL.

As far as creators who are in that third spot–who are accidentally (through no fault of their own, ha ha) “mentoring” me through their creative works, I doubt it would surprise any of them to know that I think of their work a lot. I have NO poker face and tend to gush when I really admire someone, so I’ve either straight-out told them how much I look to their work/careers for creative nerve and verve, or I’ve talked about their work enough that it’s blatantly obvious/possibly unnerving. What can I say? I’m not particularly cool, so I hope some appreciate my earnestness—it’s at least spread out over quite a few people (us being spoilt for choice, in our field). And I hope anyone in a position of influence in kidlit probably remembers the people they looked up to, and hopefully that helps.

Funny note: it can go both ways. I do have one adult-humor writer pen pal of many years who used to be WELL outside the world of kidlit, who has since ventured in; this cracks me up endlessly.

Not only that, but I have also been lucky enough to have BEEN a mentor for a few writers—and they were hugely inspirational to me! So, it’s not a one-way street, anyhow, this kind of thing (at least when it happens in real life).

How have you been able to keep a scrappy mindset? And why is this important? Explain.

Oh, goodness, yes. When times are crappy, you HAVE to be scrappy! Look, no one cares more about your creative work than you do—NO ONE, especially the totality of your work, which may (if you’re lucky) someday represent you. Even the greats don’t have ENDLESS resources—chief among them, time!

So even *just* viewing your future work through a lens of “what is most important to spend my time on next” requires you to be whip-smart, on some level?

I tend to focus on the classics in the self-help space:

  • practice and experimentation (esp. via rapid prototyping)
  • actively seeking out new perspectives and skills
  • keeping a growth mindset

Easier said than done.

Luckily(?), I’ve always been a workaholic.

“When times are crappy, you HAVE to be scrappy!” -Elayne Crain

I saw that you offer resources for teachers/librarians/parents. I love this! Could you tell our readers about what you offer and where to find it?

Of course! One of the fun things I’ve done is create a 27-page activity pack for the book, which is available for free download for anyone who subscribes to my (free) monthly Substack newsletter.

Also, I have an author mailbox that could never garner enough mail to fill the dark, attention-seeking hole in my heart! So, if any classes are doing the whole “learn to write a letter to someone” and want someone who will write back…I could be the gal! 🙂 That address can be found here.

Speaking of resources, let’s talk books! I loved your book, but even more importantly, the KIDS I read it to loved it, and really, those are the ones you have to impress. So, since not all of our readers may have yet had the pleasure of reading your hilarious story, please tell us about it!

Aww, thank you! I like to think of There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter as a cozy mystery with a twist. On the one hand, what is different about the babysitter is hilariously obvious (as they look, um, suspiciously like a stack of raccoons wearing a trenchcoat). But what I’m proudest of is that the eventual twist is both ludicrous and also, in its own way, truer than the truth. And isn’t that so often the case?

I’m also especially proud that kids really feel for both Freddie AND the Babysitter in this meet-awkward story. I’ve read this book a LOT of times now to groups, and I can tell you—you can always hear a pin drop when we get to the three spreads where Freddie is working up his courage to find out what the Babysitter’s deal is—any age group, 3 years up through third grade. They feel for both sides, so, so deeply—and that is incredibly gratifying.

What was your debut experience like? 

It was amazing, and it couldn’t have come at a better time, to be honest. My mom, whom I had always had a difficult relationship with, had just passed—and it felt a bit like a life preserver to have this very good thing out there to focus on, and to celebrate something just beginning.

And, of course, it’s still going! I can’t believe it’s not even been a year yet, though time has certainly flown.

Have you been able to do any book events, local or virtual? If so, where (at what venue; school/library/bookstore/etc) and how were those events arranged?

I have! I love book events, it turns out—and school visits, in particular! 😊 I have sort of a Miss-Frizzle-inspired uniform I wear, including some raccoon-themed shoes that the kids love!

I have enjoyed many bookstore visits at this point, in addition to school visits, mostly through Third Place Books here in Seattle. 

I think, honestly, partially because of my sincere passion for events and visits (which definitely comes through)—I’ve been incredibly lucky to have support from local indie books when promoting this book. We were even selected as a Kids’ Indie Next picture book pick last summer! So, I can’t overstate how important independent bookstores are, especially to new authors.

What response have you received from readers with this book?

Honestly, it’s just been…almost overwhelming. It’s not, you know, a New York Times bestseller or anything, but I do know that I have heard from an awful lot of people that their kids want to hear it over and over again; I also know that it recently won one of those March Madness Picture Book brackets at an elementary school in New York.

I truly love this book that John and I made (with Kat and Foyinsi’s stewardship), so to know that anyone else could love it, too, is just so, so lovely.

This book is so funny- I just love it. I have to know, what was your inspiration for writing this?

As always, lived experience, ha ha! I was both a babysitter and a haplessly-babysat kid. So, I was always genuinely interested in (and hopefully suited to) telling some sort of babysitting-related tale.

So much went into plotting, and the writing, over years of revisions–including, but not limited to, the name Freddie (a nod to a Steve Martin character I loved as a child), plus a Shaun the Sheep “pizza ordering” sequence–even the dog’s name, Bonzo, comes from Calvin & Hobbes.

I’ve talked about this before, too—but even though I identified with Freddie and the Babysitter as I was writing this, I didn’t quite realize that I had hyperactive ADHD yet, in ways that apparently present very commonly in women (i.e., manifesting mainly internally). What I did know, though, was that I certainly often FELT like I was full of conflicted raccoons. So even though it’s ridiculous, to me? That character is very heartfelt, as are their constant attempts to mask themselves.

What do you hope this story (and others that you write) will bring your readers?

I actually have a well-thought-out answer to this—here goes!

I have three primary concerns when I create.

One: Do I relish this work so that it will be endowed with joy? (This speaks to my own selfish needs.)

Two: Will this brighten a child’s day? (This speaks to a child’s needs.)

Three: Do I purposefully choose to believe this fiction, and why? (This speaks to the emotional side—the part that makes fiction truer than fact.)

If I’ve considered all three aspects fully, I can be sure I’m bringing the best I’m capable of to readers: something bright, layered, and genuine. I hope that’s what they feel, too.

Any last words of wisdom for our fellow writing community and/or anyone else who may be reading today?

You all are probably tired of hearing from me at this point, so I’ll share my three favorite quotes from others!

  • From Dolly Parton: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”
  • From the mantle at Henry Ford’s house: “Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice.”
  • From my dad (admittedly when he was trying to get me to go into law, ha ha): “There’s always room for someone good, and you can always GET good.”

Thank you, all! 😊

Thank you for joining us, Elayne. You have been a delight. And now… It’s time for a giveaway or two!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Elayne will be giving away TWO PRIZES … to TWO WINNERS.

  • Winner 1 will receive a free personalized signed copy of There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter.
  • Winner 2 will receive a 30-minute author Ask-Me-Anything call.

Let me know in the comments below the article which prize you are entering for!

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

LIKE AND SHARE this article to X and/or Instagram and mention/tag my handle X @chellysbooks / Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks so I can add your entry! Don’t have X or Instagram? Enter the giveaway by LIKING and leaving a COMMENT at the bottom of the interview. DEADLINE TO ENTER: 5/19/2026

ENTRY WINDOW: Once the Feature Interview is posted, you will have one month (roughly 30 days) to enter. The entry window for this feature interview giveaway will close once next month’s feature interview is posted. At that time, the next month’s feature interview giveaway window will open. Meaning, there will always be a giveaway opportunity. Example: January Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window opens/begins. February Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window closes/ends, and February giveaway window opens/begins. NOTE: Feature Interviews come out on the third Wednesday of every month. 

Questions? Visit the FAQ page or drop a comment below.

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Elayne Crain is a proud writer of childish things. She writes funny (meaning both peculiar and humorous) fiction and informational fiction picture books, as well as poetry and middle-grade fiction. Her main concern when submitting a story for publication consideration is always: “Will this brighten a child’s day?”  Elayne’s debut picture book (with illustrator John Ledda), “There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter,” was a Summer 2025 Kids Indie Next List pick. 🥳

Elayne lives in Seattle with her two teens and her partner, which is good news, since she considers tall trees and strong coffee as life necessities. She is on the Advisory Committee of SCBWI Western Washington. Visit Elayne’s website!

BALANCING CULTURE WITH A WIDE READING AUDIENCE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY: FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH SOPE MARTINS, CONDUCTED BY KIDLIT AUTHOR AND LITERARY BLOGGER, CHELSEA DICICCO

Posted on by Chelsea’s World of Books in Feature Interview Series, View all blog posts

Today I’m joined by the ever-so-talented, children’s book author, broadcaster, founder of The Kidlit Foundation, and my dear friend and critique partner, Sope Martins! During our conversation, we’ll discuss the agenting journey, finding your writing community, and balancing culture with a wide reading audience.

Sope, I am so excited to finally be welcoming you to the blog as a Feature Interview guest. Can you tell our readers where you’re joining us from today?


Hi Chelsea, I’ve been counting down to the day, so I’m very glad it’s finally here! I’m coming to you from Lagos, Nigeria.

How did you hear about the Feature Interview series, and what made you want to apply?


From your newsletter and Instagram posts. It’s been fun reading the conversations and discovering amazing authors and their books through the series.

What do you write, and when did your writing journey begin?


I write picture books, middle grade, and young adult novels. My writing journey began about ten years ago with my first picture book, The Greatest Animal in the Jungle, which was published in Nigeria.

As you know, breaking into the publishing industry requires a great deal of patience and persistence. How were you able to stay the course?


This is such a good question because it is one thing to understand that publishing is slow, and another thing to live through it. What helped me through it all, and continues to help me, is doing other things.

When I send a manuscript to my agent, I set a reminder on my calendar to check in later, then I move on to something else. Sometimes that’s another manuscript. Sometimes it’s teaching a workshop or working on programmes through The Kid Lit Foundation. Now, instead of waiting anxiously, I get these lovely bursts of excitement whenever I see an email from my agent.

What are some of the obstacles you’ve faced on this journey, and how have you successfully been able to overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the distance between the African children’s literature ecosystem and the global publishing industry. Many African writers are telling powerful stories, but access to publishing networks, mentorship, and industry knowledge can still be uneven depending on where you live.

That’s one of the reasons I care so much about building community and creating opportunities through The Kid Lit Foundation.

Let’s talk a bit about community. A writing community is an invaluable resource for writers to have. Can you share some of the ways that your writing community has helped you?

Oh, my days, where would we be without our community!  

First mention has to go to our writing group, the Picture Book Society! We share manuscripts, news, opportunities, worries, and concerns, and encourage each other. We also meet regularly, which makes the writing life feel much less solitary. 

I’ve also found wonderful community at conferences and festivals, and through my MFA programme. Writing might happen alone, but writing careers definitely need community.

Are there any writing contests/organizations/groups in particular that helped get you to where you are today? Explain.

Yes, several.

We Need Diverse Books has played a huge role in expanding the possibilities for writers from underrepresented communities. As a 2021 mentee, I got the opportunity to be mentored by the gracious and generous Erin Entrada Kelly. The editor-writer mentorship program from The Word: A Storytelling Sanctuary connected me with Caitlyn Dloughy, editor extraordinaire and the editor of Hairstory.

Mindy Alyse Weiss’s PB Party contest was another important one. It is such a well-run event and creates wonderful opportunities for writers to connect with agents and editors. Being in the showcase got me into conversation with a number of agents. 12×12 gave me the gift of our writing group, and SCBWI has done too much in my writing life for me to even begin. They’ve got grants, conferences, community, and The Book, which has all the resources a budding writer could need.

-Such fantastic groups- thanks for sharing! (I have included quick links if anyone is curious about checking these out!)

What are some contests/groups/organizations you might recommend to other writers, and why?

All of the above, definitely. They are so well run and so supportive of writers. And for writers based in Africa, I would also recommend Suyi Davies Okungbowa’s Literary Laddership for Emerging African Authors. It is one of the most thoughtful mentorship initiatives I have seen for African writers. I tell all my African writing friends and acquaintances about this.

Speaking of writing organizations… tell us more about The Kid Lit Foundation. What is it, when did you found it, and who is it for?

The Kid Lit Foundation is a space for young readers and creatives across Africa. I founded it in 2024 after years of visiting schools and meeting children who loved stories but had limited access to books or storytelling opportunities.

Through the foundation, we connect children with authors, illustrators, editors, and other creatives through workshops, mentorship programmes, storytelling events, and literacy initiatives.

One of our biggest events is KidLit Fest, our annual literature and storytelling festival. We also run book drives and our Box Library initiative, which provides mini libraries in spaces where children might not otherwise have access to books.

What kind of response has your organization received from its community?

It’s been really good. We’ve had great feedback from children, teens, and their caregivers. A couple of our mentees have gone on to complete their manuscripts – one even got published! 

We’ve also had a great response from schools. This year, we’re working to expand the scope of our mentorship programme so we can go from tens of participants to hundreds. 

Can you tell us about your mentorship programs that you’ve participated in and some of the other writing-related festivities that you’ve been able to partake in?

I can confidently say that mentorship programs have gotten me to where I am today. 

The WNDB mentorship programme paired me with Erin Entrada Kelly, who introduced me to my agent, Sara Crowe. The Word Editor-Writer mentorship paired me with Caitlyn Dloughy, who acquired Hairstory.

PB Party helped get my work in front of agents, and SCBWI conferences are always fun, informative, and a great way to meet people in the industry.

I also attend Nigeria-based workshops and festivals. They’re wonderful spaces for gathering with the writing community.

Let’s explore query letters. What did the querying process look like for you, and how long were you in this stage before finding your match?

My goodness, querying is an education in persistence.

For me, the process involved researching agents carefully, sending queries in batches, and constantly revising both the query letter and the manuscript based on feedback. I was one of the luckier ones – I spent about nine months querying before getting into the PB Party final showcase and getting my agent. And yes, querying is very much about luck and timing and opportunity as opposed to just talent. Because I have seen gloriously gifted writers spend years in the querying trenches. 

It can feel daunting because you are asking someone to believe in a story that only exists in your imagination. But the right agent is out there looking for the exact story you are writing.

“…querying is an education in persistence…”

Sope Martins

“The right agent is out there looking for the exact story you are writing.”

Sope Martins

Do you have any tips on how a writer and/or illustrator can write a strong query letter?

Research. Know what the agent you’re querying is looking for, see how your work fits that, how it is distinct from other stories like it, and write a letter around that. You don’t need bells and whistles. You just need to keep it clear and focused.

And most importantly, make sure your manuscript is as strong as possible. The query letter will open the door for you. Your manuscript is what gets you in.

-YES, to all of the above!

You’re currently agented, and not long ago, your debut picture book, Hairstory, was released with Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books in January 2026. (YAY!) But before we talk about that, I’d love to dig a little into how you got to this point in your publishing career. How and when did you connect with your agent? 

I signed with my agent, Sara Crowe, shortly after the PB Party Finalist showcase. During my WNDB mentorship, Erin Entrada Kelly had very kindly introduced me to Sara, who is also her agent. At the time, Sara gave me really thoughtful notes on a middle grade manuscript and invited me to revise and resubmit.

What’s funny is that I hadn’t queried her with my picture books at all. She was looking for MG and YA, and I had only sent her that middle grade project.

Then PBParty happened. My picture book manuscript got some lovely responses from agents, and I had this stray thought: why not send it to Sara, too? Even though she wasn’t actively looking for picture books.

Lo and behold, she loved it and offered representation.

Was the manuscript that initially got you your agent the same one that got you your first book deal?

Interestingly enough, no, it wasn’t. The PB manuscript that got me representation was called Masquerade Dance. I didn’t have that much hope for Hairstory because the word on the street was that there were rather a lot of hair books out there, and publishing land didn’t need any more. But I guess you can’t believe everything you hear because Hairstory got snapped up by Caitlyn!

How did you know your agent was the right fit for you? Tell us some of the green flags.

I liked Sara’s energy straight away. That was the biggest green flag. I really liked that, though she didn’t sign me at first, she took time out to give me really detailed and constructive notes on my manuscript. When we had our conversation, I had a list of questions I had prepared, and she answered every one of them thoughtfully. She was prepared and had thought of how she would present me to editors. And she’s always open to communication. I can tell her what I need from her without worries.

What are some things that you’d say make a successful agent/author relationship?

Trust and communication for sure. You need to trust that you and your agent share the same vision for your work. And you need to know what you want and clearly communicate that. 

For those who may be at the pre-agent stage and curious about post-representation, can you tell us about the next steps? What has your submission process been like since acquiring representation?

Once you sign with an agent, the next stage is often revision.

You and your agent may refine the manuscript before sending it out to editors. After that comes the submission process, which can involve multiple rounds of editors reading, discussing, and considering the book.

It requires patience, but it is also an exciting stage because your story is finally entering the publishing world.

What projects are you working on now, and what sparks your creative interest?

I’m working on my Moby Dick right now! It’s a YA novel, and it was the first idea for a book I ever had, but I knew I wasn’t ready to tackle it. Now I’m ready. It’s slow going, but it’s fun. I’m also working on a middle-grade novel in verse.

Many of your stories embrace parts of your heritage and culture. Hairstory is a great example of this. Can you tell us about how you were able to balance culture while writing for a wider reading audience? Explain.

Honestly, I don’t really think about balancing culture for a wider audience when I’m writing. I start with the characters and the world they live in, and I try to be truthful to that.

When I’m writing nonfiction, I usually begin with something that catches my attention. Then I start digging into why it fascinates me.

With Hairstory, for example, I kept thinking about how expressive Yoruba culture is and how much we love telling stories. If you’ve ever been to a Black salon, you know that hair time is sharing time. I found myself wondering where did that come from? So, that was my angle into writing about black hair. 

What I’ve found is that when you write those things honestly, readers connect to the emotions inside the story. Even if the setting or traditions are unfamiliar, the feelings are not. The more specific you are, the richer the story becomes.

For other writers who may be passionate about sharing their personal roots and culture in their writing, do you have any tips on how they can do this while also connecting with a wider audience?

I think you have to write the specifics. Sometimes, you might want to make your writing more general because that feels like it will be more accessible to a wider audience. But, counterintuitively, it’s digging into the specifics. The more grounded your story is in real experiences, traditions, and emotional truth, the more readers will connect with it. 

While we’re on this topic, now is a fantastic time to delve into more about Hairstory. Tell us about your book! What is it about?

Hairstory is really a celebration of Black hair and everything that comes with it. The creativity, the history, the pride, and the cultures behind it.

What was your inspiration for writing this story, and what message do you hope it will impart to readers? 

Hair rituals were always a big part of growing up for me. I spent a lot of time at the hairdresser’s. We had different styles of hair for school and at home. Different cultures spawned different hairstyles, but they had the same motivations. I wanted to highlight that connectivity.

What kind of feedback have you received from readers?

It’s been great. I’ve been in conversation with authors, teachers, and parents. The feedback has been amazing, and one thing I’m so happy about is that Hairstory got to be out in time for Black History Month. 

What have been some of your happiest publishing highlights?

Definitely Hairstory coming out! And it getting starred reviews!

What keeps you motivated to continue writing?

Curiosity. And the look in a child’s eyes when they’ve read my story and loved it.

Have there been any books/writers that/who have influenced or inspired your writing career?

So many. Enid Blyton, because that’s who I grew up reading, Mariama Ba, Chinua Achebe, Nina Bawden, Carole Boston Weatherford…the list goes on. 

What words of wisdom would you like to offer readers today?

If you’re writing for children, you’re doing a wonderful thing. You’re doing a creative thing. You’re doing an inventive thing. You’re doing a hard thing. You’re doing a worthwhile thing. You’re doing a rewarding thing. You’re doing a frustrating thing. You’re doing a lot of things for the thing you love. 

Beautiful way to end. And very true! And now, it’s time for a giveaway.

GIVEAWAY

This month, Sope is offering a picture book critique to one winner! Parameters: No rhyme. Fiction: under 800 words. Nonfiction: under 1,300 words.

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

LIKE AND SHARE this article to X and/or Instagram and mention/tag my handle X @chellysbooks / Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks so I can add your entry! Don’t have X or Instagram? Enter the giveaway by LIKING and leaving a COMMENT at the bottom of the interview.

ENTRY WINDOW: Once the Feature Interview is posted, you will have one month (roughly 30 days) to enter. The entry window for this feature interview giveaway will close once next month’s feature interview is posted. At that time, the next month’s feature interview giveaway window will open. Meaning, there will always be a giveaway opportunity. 

NOTE: Feature Interviews come out on the third Wednesday of every month. 

Example: January Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window opens/begins. February Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window closes/ends, and February giveaway window opens/begins.

Questions? Visit the FAQ page or drop a comment below.

Did you enjoy this interview?

Thank the author & host by purchasing or reviewing a copy of one of their books or by requesting it be purchased by your local school or library! Using the sponsored links below to purchase also helps support this blog.

Purchase ADHD and Me HERE

Purchase Hairstory HERE

Sope Martins is a Lagos-based children’s author, broadcaster, and founder of The Kid Lit Foundation. She writes books, runs a storytelling festival, and connects children with established authors, illustrators, and storytellers through mentorship programmes—despite the Lagos traffic trying to write her out of the plot! 

Her happy place is helping African children find themselves on the page, right in the middle of epic adventures.

Sope’s the author of several picture books, including The Greatest Animal in the Jungle and The Adventures of Nosa the Superhero (Farafina Books), and has worked on international literacy campaigns from Lagos to Johannesburg. Her upcoming picture book, Hairstory (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 2026), is an ode to Black hair in all its beauty, strength, and sculptural glory—because hair, like story, is never just one thing.

https://www.sopemartins.com

How to Stay Tenacious in a Slow-Moving Industry Fraught with Rejection

Posted on by Chelsea’s World of Books in Resources for Writers & Illustrators, View all blog posts

Enjoy a video presentation on ways to stay positive and keep moving forward in kidlit, despite the slow-moving nature of the industry and the many rejections that litter its path. Find out what necessities to put in your publishing emergency preparedness kit, and how it will help you stay on track.

Toward the end of 2025, I was invited to be a guest presenter for the first-ever virtual and in-person Midsouth Mindset Reset event for my local SCBWI chapter, Midsouth KY/TN. The event would be hosted in February 2026.

This free region-wide hybrid meetup was themed around wellness and designed to help writers and illustrators recharge, refuel, and refill their creative wells.

My presentation would focus on ways to stay positive in a slow-moving industry rife with rejection. Today, I’m sharing those tips with readers. Please enjoy this video, and I hope you will find some helpful takeaways!

P.S. If you are a children’s book writer or illustrator and are not currently a member of SCBWI, I highly recommend checking it out!

Neurodivergent Books for Elementary SchoolERS Ages 5-10, ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Anxiety, SPD

Posted on by Chelsea’s World of Books in Book Recommendations, Parents and Educators, View all blog posts

Back in my librarian days, I put together an all-in-one blog post with books that highlighted neurodiversity and included learning differences and abilities across the spectrum. Today, it’s my pleasure to share a list of kidlit books, focused on elementary ages, that feature neurodivergent voices, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Note for educators and librarians: This list would be a great resource to use annually for Autism Awareness Month in April and ADHD Awareness Month in October.

PICTURE BOOKS

Book title: ADHD and Me (get your copy here)

Written by (me!) Chelsea DiCicco

Artwork commissioned by Leonie Cheetham

Recommended ages 5-8

Themes: social emotional learning, family, education, home-life, school-life

Featured DIS: ADHD, ASD

Blurb: A neurodivergent story about embracing your differences. For eight-year-old Malory, who has ADHD, school isn’t always an easy place to be. But Malory isn’t the only one who has difficult days. Sometimes it’s her classmates, teachers, or parents. Malory tries her best to focus, but oftentimes, her mind wanders, leading to trips to the principal’s office and phone calls home. Malory’s art teacher, Ms. Julie, understands how it feels to think a little differently from others. Born with Autism, Ms. Julie found comfort and calm through art. Now she uses it to help others to find their safe, creative haven, too. In this inspiring neurodiverse story, Malory will discover that with a little bit of love and support from friends, you can do anything and, along the way, learn the power of believing in yourself and embracing your differences.

Extra resources: extra activities such as learning worksheets including word searches, connect the dot pages, and lesson plans, as well as recreational coloring pages can be found for free download on the author’s website.

Book title: Benji’s Busy Brain (get your copy here)

Written and illustrated by Erin Schoenfelder Gonzalez

Recommended ages 4-8

Themes: social emotional learning

Featured DIS: ADHD

Blurb: Benji’s busy brain brings him adventure and excitement, but it can also make some things harder for him. Join Benji as he learns about being diagnosed with ADHD and adds skills to his toolkit to harness the magic powers of his busy brain. Benji’s Busy Brain is the first in the My ADHD Toolkit Books series written by child psychologist and ADHD specialist Dr. Erin Schoenfelder Gonzalez.

Book title: My Brain is a Race Car: A children’s guide to a neurodivergent brain (get your copy here)

Written and illustrated by Nell Harris

Recommended ages 4-8

Themes: social emotional learning

Featured DIS: ASD

Blurb: “Brains are just like cars, they all drive round and round a track, picking up information and then bringing it back. Some brains are Race Cars that like to drive extra fast. Sometimes, though, they forget to stop and fully complete a task.’ But driving cars fast all the time and not servicing or maintaining them leads to overheating and burnout. We can apply that same logic to our brains.

Book title: Different Thinkers: ADHD (get your copy here)

Written by Katia Fredriksen and Yael Rothman

Illustrated by Jennifer Ball-Cordero

Recommended ages: 7-9

Themes: Stigma, Education

Featured DIS: ADHD

Blurb: Different Thinkers: ADHD uses simple language and complementary illustrations to explain how the human brain develops, what it means to have ADHD, how the condition affects emotions and behaviors, and what kids can do to handle its challenges while building on their individual strengths.

Book title: My Wandering Dreaming Mind (get your copy here)

Written by Merriam Sarcia Saunders

Illustrated by Tammie Lyon

Recommended ages: 5-9

Themes: social emotional learning

Featured DIS: ADHD

Blurb: Sadie’s thoughts feel like they’re floating high in the clouds and pulling them back down can be hard. At school and at home, paying attention doesn’t always come easily, and keeping up with assignments, chores, and friendships can feel overwhelming. When distractions take over, Sadie notices her mistakes more than her many strengths.

With the support of her parents, Sadie learns a simple and encouraging way to recognize what makes her special. This relatable picture book helps children understand that challenges with focus don’t define who they are. Praised by the Oregon Coast Youth Book Preview Center, the story offers reassurance to children who are easily distracted while highlighting the importance of self-esteem, encouragement, and focusing on positive qualities.

Book title: Juan Has the Jitters (get your copy here)

Written by Aneta Cruz

Illustrated by Miki Yamamoto

Recommended ages 4-8

Themes: social emotional learning

Featured DIS: ASD

Tagline: An interactive children’s book about inclusion, diversity, and the power of math to help one boy with autism thrive amongst his peers.

Blurb: Juan claps his hands to get his Jitters out. They make his tummy swoosh and swirl. They happen when there are too many people, too much noise, or too many changes to his day. Juan doesn’t like surprises!

Tomorrow there is an athletic event planned at school, which makes Juan very nervous. But his teacher has the perfect solution! Math–Juan’s favorite subject! Counting, sorting, and matching help Juan to calm his Jitters. They focus his mind and keep him engaged. By making math part of the day’s athletic games, and by appointing Juan the official judge, he can have fun and feel included. The class is calling it the Mathletic Games!

Juan Has the Jitters is an interactive children’s story about how one boy manages his autism. It is a lesson in the power of inclusion, as the class takes steps to normalize Juan’s special qualities. Colorfully illustrated, this book invites young readers to help Juan as he counts, matches, and sorts both people and objects from the games. Parents of children 4 to 8 years-old can use this book to help teach kids about diversity and the beauty in what makes every one of us unique. Teachers will find the book meets Common Core standard and nurtures multiple domains of scholastic development.

Book title: Masterpiece (get your copy here)

Written by Alexandra Hoffman

Illustrated by Beatriz Mello

Recommended ages 6-9

Themes: social emotional learning

Featured DIS: ASD

Blurb: Masterpiece is an inclusive story featuring Samuel, a boy on the autism spectrum who sees the world differently than his peers. When Samuel’s teacher asks his class to create a piece of art, it quickly becomes apparent that his beautiful way of looking at the world makes him a true masterpiece!

Throughout the story, the other students in his class learn lessons of empathy, understanding, and acceptance. The colourful illustrations will delight children, and Masterpiece may just become a family favourite.

Book title: Some Brains: A Book Celebrating Neurodiversity (get your copy here)

Written by Nelly Thomas

Illustrated by Cat MacInnes

Recommended ages 5-9

Themes: neurodiversity

Featured DIS: ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia

Blurb: Some Brains is the latest heartwarming and funny picture book by Melbourne comedian and author, Nelly Thomas. It starts from the premise that neurodiversity (conditions like Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and the like) is a normal, essential part of human biodiversity – without it, we don’t get Picasso, Einstein, or Greta Thunberg! Yes, neurodiverse kids sometimes require a bit of extra help and patience, but they should never be viewed as disordered. Some Brains encourages us all look for our strengths and to understand that brains are like fingerprints – uniquely, wonderfully ours. All brains are special, All brains are smart, All kids have big thoughts, And all kids have big hearts. ALL KIDS ARE SPECIAL – JUST FOLLOW THEIR HEARTS

Book title: My Brain is Magic: A Sensory-Seeking Celebration (get your copy here)

Written by Prasha Sooful

Illustrated by Geeta Ladi

Recommended ages 5-9

Themes: sensory processing

Featured DIS: SPD/neurodivergence

Is your brain magic? Whether your brain buzzes around the room like a bee or tells you to be loud and roar like a lion, celebrate the many things that it can be!

This sensory-seeking celebration shines a light on neurodiversity and sensory processing in a fun and action-packed way for all children to enjoy.

Book title: The Brain Forest (get your copy here)

Written by Sandhya Menon

Illustrated by Kushla Ross

Recommended ages 5-8

Themes: neurodiversity

Featured DIS: ADHD, Dyslexia, anxiety

The Brain Forest is a fun and engaging children’s book written by neurodivergent child psychologist Sandhya Menon that teaches children about neurodiversity, including neurotypical brains, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, and more-in language that builds understanding without pathologizing difference. Unlike books that focus only on “acceptance,” The Brain Forest acknowledges real challenges while centering strengths, helping children develop positive neurodivergent identity from an early age.

Book title: Wonderfully Wired Brains: An Introduction to the World of Neurodiversity (get your copy here)

Written by Louise Gooding

Illustrated by Ruth Burrows

Recommended ages 7-9

Themes: neurodiversity, education

Featured DIS: ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia

Blurb: Wonderfully Wired Brains teaches children aged 7-9 all about the awesome abilities that neurodiverse individuals have, introduces them to advocates who are challenging neurodiversity stereotypes, and most importantly gives them a safe space to feel accepted.

This inspirational book written by neurodiverse author Louise Gooding challenges misconceptions and shows how neurodivergent brains work a little differently. Our brains are unique in the way they function, work, and think. Neurodiversity is still a relatively ’new’ concept that can be tricky to understand, but this book is here to help!

Have a book recommendation? Leave it in the comments!

The Making of Malory

Posted on by Chelsea’s World of Books in My Writing Journey, View all blog posts

Take a behind-the-curtain peek at the inspiration and making of ADHD and Me and how I found my artist, Leonie Cheetham, who brought my character, Malory, to life.

The story behind the story

I’ve had many people ask me, “What inspired you to write this book?” And the answer is that Malory was inspired by my personal experiences as a child with ADHD. Growing up, I experienced many of the same thoughts and feelings portrayed by the character Malory in the story.

As a young adult, I began reading countless books about ADHD, hoping to find a connection and understanding for kids. But I came across two things that frustrated me. Firstly, most of the books I read, even those written about children with ADHD, were designed to be read by adults. And almost all of them focused on young boys with ADHD.

I thought back to my childhood and how many times I felt alone emotionally. I had people who loved me, but lacked a feeling of true understanding and connection with others, especially my peers. Often, I felt there was no one else who related to me, and that can feel isolating. How I wish I could have seen a story about someone who felt and thought like I did, told from their own voice.

That’s when I realized that I wanted to write this book. And I knew exactly what my goals in writing it would be. I wanted my story to speak directly to kids and portray the feelings and emotions that children with ADHD experience. And I wanted it to be told from the perspective of a young girl.

My hope in writing this story was for it to be a comfort and inspiration to children who feel and think the way Malory does. I wanted to reassure those kids that they were loved and one-of-a-kind, and I wanted to ensure that they knew that they were not alone.

FINDING MY ARTIST

After the writing and editing process was complete, I had to decide what path of publication to pursue. In the end, I decided I wanted to pursue independent publishing. This route, though requiring a great amount of work and presenting many challenges, particularly for picture books, was the one I chose because, unlike traditional publishing, which is a team effort, involving not only the author’s ideas, but also outside opinions of the editorial publishing team and art director, as well as the illustrator, I would have full creative control of story concept as well as illustration.

I had a very distinct idea of what I wanted my illustrations to look like and how I wanted the character design and art style to appear. I knew that going traditional would mean giving up these freedoms of control, and as this story was so close to my heart, I knew it was worth it to me to find the exact right fit.

I started my search for illustrators who did freelance and work-for-hire illustrations online. I looked at many beautiful artist portfolios throughout this process, but only one spoke to me as the perfect fit for Malory. The artist, Leonie Cheetham, was a former librarian located in Sydney, Australia. Her watercolors had a gentle playfulness to them that immediately drew my attention. I knew this was Malory’s creator!

I reached out to Leonie and shared my vision and story for Malory, and she readily accepted to take on the assignment. We agreed upon terms and formed a work-for-hire contract for all the illustrations needed to fit the story. The rest is history.

From the beginning, I sensed that Leonie connected with my passion for this project, and I believe that’s what drove her to want to bring Malory to life. She wanted Malory to be shared with the world as much as I did. Having an artist who connects with the story makes all the difference.

AFTER PUBLICATION

It has been my greatest joy hearing warm, positive feedback from readers who express sentiments like, “I teared up, because this exactly describes what my son/daughter goes through.” Or hearing kids say, “I love this book!” or “This is how I feel.” Knowing that my story is capable of making someone else feel seen and understood is a priceless feeling of happiness that no words can fully express.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the artist in her interview with Kids’ Book Review.

CLICK HERE to visit Leonie Cheetham’s Facebook Art Studio.

Connect with Leonie on Instagram @pinkieinky.

Contact the artist: email: leonie@leoniecheetham.com.

If you enjoy Malory’s story, please consider leaving a brief review of ADHD and Me. Reviews help connect other readers like you with great new books!

FINDING JOY AND HOPE IN WRITING: FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH JESSICA MILO, CONDUCTED BY KIDLIT AUTHOR AND LITERARY BLOGGER, CHELSEA DICICCO

Posted on by Chelsea’s World of Books in Feature Interview Series, View all blog posts

In today’s Feature Interview, I’m talking with children’s book author and former educator Jessica Milo. We’ll be discussing writing inspirations and joy in kidlit. We’ll also explore how writing can be a source of healing in difficult times and how hope in books can transfer to hope in life.

Jessica, it’s so wonderful to finally welcome you to the blog! I loved reading through your Feature Interview Application. It was beautiful. It was heartbreaking. It was heartfelt. It was inspirational. I can’t thank you enough for joining us today, and I am so looking forward to our conversation. To get the ball rolling, could you tell us where you’re joining us from?

Wow, thank you so much for your kind words, Chelsea! I am so excited to be here and be featured on your blog! I am in Sacramento, CA. I recently moved back here from Portland, OR, where I lived for seven years!

How did you hear about the Feature Interview series, and what made you want to apply?

I’m a big fan of your interview series and am a subscriber. While working on my debut picture book marketing plan, I made a list of blogs to contact—yours was at the top! Then I saw your Instagram post about applications for your 2026 interview series and jumped at the chance to apply.

Prior to becoming a published author, you were an educator. Could you tell us more about that? (How long did you teach? What topics did you specialize in (if applicable)? What age groups/grades did you teach? Etc.)

Yes! I earned my BA in French at CSU Sacramento, inspired by my high school French teacher and a love of the language and Francophone culture. In college, I assisted—and later taught—at a local French after-school program. After graduating, I joined TAPIF (Teaching Assistant Program in France) and spent eight months teaching English in two elementary schools while living in Clermont-Ferrand, France—best experience ever!

When I returned to the US, I taught for several years at a French immersion preschool in Portland, where I discovered my love for teaching young children. Storytime was always my favorite part of the day, so I might’ve subconsciously known then that kidlit was in my future.

When and how did your author/writing journey begin?

During the pandemic, I lost my cat, Cowboy, who had been with me since I was seven. He was my rock, and losing him was devastating. He was my baby. Six months later, my aunt—my best friend and another steady presence during my childhood—passed away unexpectedly. My world fell apart.

But one thing gave me hope. When I talked to my family about Cowboy, my mom suggested I write a children’s book about him. I had no idea how, but that question led me to reading lots of picture books. I fell in love—they became a source of light in a dark time. I knew writing a picture book about him was something I wanted to do. I began taking classes, studying the craft, and eventually wrote my first story inspired by Cowboy.

Five years later, I’m now an author with four picture books under contract, and I still read at least one picture book every day! Writing about Cowboy was incredibly healing when I felt like nothing else was giving me any hope. Finding kidlit almost feels like his final gift to me—like he somehow knew that discovering writing would help me feel okay when nothing else was. Now, all I want to do is write stories that help children find wonder, joy, and hope, even in their darkest moments.

Wow, Jessica. I’m so sorry for your losses. It sounds like it was a dark time indeed. But I love how you found healing and light in the darkness with picture books. I feel the same way about them!

“I fell in love [with picture books]—they became a source of light in a dark time.” – Jessica Milo

Finding kidlit almost feels like his final gift to me—like he somehow knew that discovering writing would help me feel okay when nothing else was. Now, all I want to do is write stories that help children find wonder, joy, and hope, even in their darkest moments.

What were some of the hardships leading up to you making the decision to pursue writing? And how were you able to find joy and hope in writing?

Leaving teaching was hard—it was all I’d ever known as an adult. But writing kidlit felt necessary and right, especially after losing my cat and my aunt back-to-back. I needed a fresh start and chose to follow what brought me joy. I’m so glad I made the leap!

Another challenge was knowing where to begin. Organizations like the Children’s Book Academy, 12×12, The Writing Barn, Boyds Mills, and SCBWI helped guide me. Putting myself out there was also tough—joining critique groups, claiming the title of “writer,” and reaching out to people to find community—but I pushed past my comfort zone and grew because of it.

Writing for me is so cathartic. I write the stories I would have loved as a child and would love now, drawing from curiosity and childhood experiences. And with my debut picture book releasing this year, I’m thrilled to finally share that joy and hope with young readers!

What kind of books do you write? (Age group and genre). 

I write board books through YA, but picture books are my jam. I write fiction and nonfiction, rhyme and prose, and stories with a focus on heart, imagination, and hope. I especially love lyrical stories—whether fantastical or factual—rooted in wonder and curiosity.

What does your writing do for you? And what do you hope it will impart to readers?

Writing brings me so much joy and lets me be fully myself—it reminds me that anything is possible. I hope kids feel that in my stories: that they belong, can be themselves, and are encouraged to stay curious and let their imaginations run wild.

I LOVE this!

“Writing brings me so much joy and lets me be fully myself—it reminds me that anything is possible. I hope kids feel that in my stories: that they belong, can be themselves, and are encouraged to stay curious and let their imaginations run wild.” – Jessica Milo

Did you have any professional writing background or experience before starting your publishing journey? 

I don’t! I didn’t start with any formal background in writing books—I learned everything through the incredible kidlit organizations and programs available. In middle and high school, I wrote a lot of poetry and loved sharing it with friends, but beyond that, I had no professional experience.

Tell us about some of the writing organizations/groups you’ve been a part of! And how have they benefited/supported you as a writer? What have you gained from them?

My writing journey started at The Children’s Book Academy. Mira’s six-month online picture book class gave me the perfect foundation to begin writing picture books. I joined my first critique group there and met critique partners and friends I am still with to this day!

From there, I continued learning through courses and workshops with Boyds Mills (formerly The Highlights Foundation), Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, and SCBWI. Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab (self-study) and Inked Voices are also invaluable programs that taught me a lot.

Just as important, these programs helped me find community. My writing friends and critique partners inspire and motivate me, and connecting with fellow kidlit creators has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.

“My writing friends and critique partners inspire and motivate me, and connecting with fellow kidlit creators has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.” – Jessica Milo

Let’s talk about the writing process and leveling up your craft. What are some ways you were able to sharpen your writing craft? And do you have any resources and/or suggestions for other writers who may be looking to do the same?

Early in my journey, courses, webinars, and workshops helped me understand the writing process and strengthen my craft. One of the most important ways I continue to sharpen it—and something every kidlit creator should do—is by reading recently published books in their genre. I read tons of picture books every year, often at least one a day!

“One of the most important ways I continue to sharpen [my craft] —and something every kidlit creator should do—is by reading recently published books in their genre.” – Jessica Milo

My biggest tip for leveling up is to type out your favorite picture books word for word. Study the page turns, pacing, poetic devices, tension, themes, and how the art works with the text. Notice how this book hooks readers and what makes the story sing.

Another great way to grow is by entering writing contests and challenges. Vivian Kirkfield’s #50PreciousWords is a favorite. There are also Susannah Leonard Hill’s seasonal contests and the #SunWriteFun competition. They push you to experiment, challenge yourself, and discover story ideas you might not have explored otherwise! Also, they’re super fun.

In your application, you mentioned “mining your life and experiences for story ideas” and “pouring emotion into your writing.” I absolutely love this! Could you speak more to what this means and how to do it?

I draw story ideas from both my childhood and my life now. Revisiting moments that stayed with me—like riding horses with my sister—often sparks inspiration! Those horseback riding memories led me to write my debut rhyming picture book, MY PONY WONDER. But I don’t rely on childhood alone. I also write from what I’m curious about now as an adult—often these are things kids wonder about, too.

For example, my MADE WITH LOVE picture book series (book one releases Spring 2028) grew from my curiosity about how everyday objects are made: how many people are involved, the steps along the way, and how so many things begin as natural materials from the earth. From there, the ideas snowballed!

When it comes to emotion, I let myself feel whatever comes up as I write. I jot down these feelings, play with verbs that carry emotion, and think about how things felt when I was a kid. I also imagine situations I haven’t experienced myself, like what I’d say if my nieces asked about the afterlife, which inspired a current story I’m working on about a child exploring what the afterlife could look like.

What matters most is what makes sense to kids and to your characters. Even when a story feels specific, it will resonate—because there are always kids who have wondered, felt, or experienced something similar!

Let’s talk queries. The process. The letters. The waiting. The responses. The lack of responses. Tell us about it!

Ah, querying! It’s maddening but also exciting! Personally, I loved writing the letters but of course, dreaded the waiting—to me, lack of response is even harder than a rejection! Querying can be anxiety-inducing, especially if you’re trying to find a new agent, so leaning on your community for support is key: commiserate over losses and celebrate wins together.

I found writing queries to be a creative exercise that also deepened my understanding of my stories. A tip: write pitches both before and after drafting a story—before helps guide you in drafting, after helps clarify your focus when revising. For comp titles, I recommend using recently published books, but pairing one with a classic can work well, too.

For writers who may be looking to be traditionally published and currently seeking literary representation, do you have any tips on how to craft a winning query letter?

Make sure your pitch captures the voice and tone of your story and leaves agents wanting more. I liked opening my queries with a brief, personal note about why I chose that agent, followed by the pitch. After that, I’d add a sentence or two about what the story means to me and my connection to it. Then I’d write a short bio and a closing line thanking the agent for their time and noting additional manuscripts available upon request (only if they’re polished and ready!), and, if it feels natural, you could include a one-sentence logline for another story you think might interest them.

Speaking of which… we’d love to hear about your agenting journey! How did you and your current agent find each other? (Cold query? Referral? Contest/conference/event?)

After my first agent left the industry, I submitted a story to an editor through an SCBWI workshop. She replied that she was taking my picture book to acquisitions! I then queried my top agents with that news; Wendi responded with genuine excitement and shared how she has a personal childhood connection to the story. She asked to see all my work. I nervously sent what I felt was my strongest material, including a MG verse novel in progress. After she read everything, she asked to set up “the call.” We met on Zoom, and I loved her energy, and we got along so great—it felt like kismet!

What made you feel like Wendi was a good fit to represent you and your writing? Explain.

I feel like Wendi truly gets my writing! Not only does she represent all the kidlit genres, but her interests match what I’m strongest at (lyrical stories, curious MCs, stories full of wonder and joy). And she loved my rhyming PBs! It just feels like the perfect match. Her calm energy, her editorial style and craft know-how, everything just feels aligned with what I valued and wanted in an agent.

I know you mentioned that you had previously been represented by another agent before Wendi. Could you tell us a little bit about that experience and how it came to an end? 

Yes, I’m happy to elaborate on my experience with my first agent. We parted very amicably. After a year together, they decided to leave the industry for personal and health reasons and told me during a warm, honest Zoom call. While it was a shock, I completely understood and respected their decision. I took time to process, then made a plan: I listed new agents to query, polished my strongest PBs, and recommitted to my work. That period taught me a lot about myself as an author and how much I wanted to pursue representation and keep going! 

In hindsight, I truly believe I needed that first agent to eventually find Wendi. The experience with the first agent gave me confidence which helped prepare me to query again. I admit that a key factor in landing Wendi was having a PB going to acquisitions, but she also requested all my work to see if my stories—and I as an author—were a good fit.

If you ever find yourself looking for a new agent, know that splitting with one is so common in this industry. Honestly, do what’s best for you and your career. Always split amicably and with empathy. After, take time to reflect, lean on your kidlit community, and trust that going your separate ways saves both you and the agent time and energy. When you’re ready, return to writing and revising the stories of your heart. That agent was one step on your path—now plan for the next step and work towards it. If you’re navigating this situation now or may be in the future and want to talk, you’re always welcome to DM me on IG!

In your opinion, what are some green flags to look for in a literary agent? And what are some red flags?

Great question! I’d say this:

Green flags: They’re with a reputable agency (that agency should have a website, and that agent should be listed on it!). They ask to see more work beyond the queried manuscript. They’ve made recent deals with reputable publishers in your genre (check Publisher’s Marketplace!). They’re open to you speaking with their current clients to learn about their experience with said agent. They want to have “the call” first before signing a contract to be sure you’re a good fit and are happy to answer any questions.

Red flags: They aren’t with a reputable agency. They don’t have recent sales. They charge reading fees or upfront fees (agents should only earn commission, typically 15%. You should NEVER pay an agent directly). They don’t share their submission lists with you. They avoid questions and communicate poorly. They require you exclusively query them. They’re reluctant to you talking to their clients and won’t refer any to you.

This is a fantastic list of green and red flags!

What are some challenges that you had to overcome on your publishing journey, and how were you able to come out on the other side?

One of the biggest challenges for me was knowing where to start in the children’s author journey. It’s always best to do your research! I researched reputable organizations and programs, and that was the best first step—joining 12×12 and SCBWI, and taking workshops through places like Boyds Mills, The Writing Barn, and The Children’s Book Academy. Starting from zero knowledge of kidlit took real work!

Losing my first agent and returning to the query trenches was also hard. What helped was finding the silver lining and knowing that in the end, it was all better for my career. It made me step up in my writing craft and really put in the work to improve my stories. I challenged myself to write across categories and genres, and to play with structure, language, pacing, page turns, and the story concepts themselves.

What advice would you offer to others who may be going through similar challenges?

When in doubt, do your research! Ask questions. Talk to kidlit folks who’ve been in the industry and listen to their advice. Take the writing workshop/class/webinar. Invest in your craft. Read a ton. Write a ton. And remember: rejections are normal—you’ll get a lot of them. That’s not a bad thing. It usually means the agent or editor isn’t the right fit, or your work isn’t ready yet. Either way, putting in the work to learn the craft and revising your manuscripts levels up your craft overall and leads to better stories down the road.

The road to publication can be long and bumpy. What are some words of wisdom you’d like to offer on how to succeed in publishing and stay positive when the going gets tough?

When the journey gets tough—and it will—remember it’s temporary. Keep moving forward and focus on growth. Lean on your kidlit friends; they understand because they’ve been there too. Make an actionable plan, break it into small steps, and do what you can when you’re ready—draft a pitch, jot a story idea, watch a webinar, read a picture book. It all adds up!

Fantastic advice!

“When the journey gets tough—and it will—remember it’s temporary. Keep moving forward and focus on growth. Lean on your kidlit friends; they understand because they’ve been there too. Make an actionable plan, break it into small steps, and do what you can when you’re ready—draft a pitch, jot a story idea, watch a webinar, read a picture book. It all adds up!” – Jessica Milo

What have been some of your greatest publishing moments/highlights?

Gosh, there are so many highlights I cherish—signing with Wendi, landing my first book deal for MY PONY WONDER, seeing the final cover and interior art. Getting my two-book deal for MADE WITH LOVE. Selling the story I queried Wendi with to a dream publisher for my fourth PB contract! 

But one of the biggest joys and highlights is celebrating publishing wins with kidlit friends and meeting fellow authors and illustrators in person at conferences. Growing your kidlit community is truly the best part! 

Any final words you’d like to leave your readers with today?

Don’t rush the process! Publishing is exciting, but growth takes time. Learn from others who are farther along in the journey than you, read widely, and spend those early years writing and revising to find your voice and discover who you are as a creator.

“Don’t rush the process! Publishing is exciting, but growth takes time. Learn from others who are farther along in the journey than you, read widely, and spend those early years writing and revising to find your voice and discover who you are as a creator.” – Jessica Milo

Thank you so much for joining us today, Jessica! It has been a pleasure to talk with you. May you continue to find joy and hope in your writing– and in bringing inspiration to others!

Thank you for having me, Chelsea! I am so grateful to be featured in your interview series, and thank you for all you do for the kidlit community!

Now it’s time for a giveaway!

GIVEAWAY

This month, Jessica is offering two prizes! (1 prize per 1 winner, 2 prize winners total.)

Prize 1: a PB critique (fiction under 800 words).

Prize 2: a 30-min Zoom AMA.

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

LIKE AND SHARE this article to X and/or Instagram and mention/tag my handle X @chellysbooks / Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks so I can add your entry! Don’t have X or Instagram? Enter the giveaway by LIKING and leaving a COMMENT at the bottom of the interview.

ENTRY WINDOW: Once the Feature Interview is posted, you will have one month (roughly 30 days) to enter. The entry window for this feature interview giveaway will close once next month’s feature interview is posted. At that time, the next month’s feature interview giveaway window will open. Meaning, there will always be a giveaway opportunity!

NOTE: Feature Interviews come out on the third Wednesday of every month. 

Example: January Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window opens/begins. February Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window closes/ends, and February giveaway window opens/begins.

Questions? Visit the FAQ page or drop a comment below.

RESOURCES FOR AUTHORS, EDUCATORS, AND LIBRARIANS 

Jessica offers virtual author visits for teachers/schools, libraries, homeschool groups, and kids’ clubs/organizations, where she presents on how a book goes from idea to publication and how to write a picture book. She also offers professional critique services for writers. Interested? Visit her website to learn more!

Did you enjoy this interview?

Thank the author & host by purchasing or reviewing a copy of one of their books or by requesting it be purchased by your local school or library! Using the sponsored links below to purchase also helps support this blog.

BOOK COVERS + PURCHASE LINKS

Purchase ADHD And Me HERE

Purchase My Pony Wonder HERE

A former preschool teacher and now a middle school yard duty, Jessica’ Milo’s pours her passion for children’s books into her own stories, from the fantastical to the factual and beyond. Jessica’s debut rhyming picture book, MY PONY WONDER, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki, releases July 7, 2026, from Random House Studio. She also has a lyrical NF picture book series entitled MADE WITH LOVE, illustrated by Patricia Pessoa, forthcoming from Dial BFYR. The first book, DUMP TRUCK: MADE WITH LOVE, releases in Spring 2028, and the second book, BLANKIE: MADE WITH LOVE, is slated for Spring 2029. Jessica lives in Northern California with her husband and crazy cat, Gus. In her free time, she loves to knit, read, go on walks, play board and video games, and eat a lot of pasta. Jessica is represented by Wendi Gu of HG Literary. Connect with Jessica on IG: @jessicamiloauthor and through her website: www.jessicamilo.com. 
Her debut picture book, MY PONY WONDER, is now available for preorder wherever books are sold.

Writing Critiques and Editorial Services

Posted on by Chelsea’s World of Books in Resources for Writers & Illustrators, View all blog posts

Hey writers! Looking for writing resources and editorial services? Find the tools and get the help you need by checking out the list of services below!

Are you in the query trenches and desperate for help? Check out Stephanie Cardel’s Make it Shine Editing Services! There you can find a variety of packages, including:

  • a critique of the first three chapters and full synopsis, AND your query letter
  • a full manuscript critique
  • a full developmental edit
  • a picture book critique
  • proofreading

Praise for Stephanie’s services:

Are you working on a picture book? Get it picture-perfect with Roseanne Frank’s editing and writing consulting services! Roseanne is also listed as an Editing & Writing Consultant on the Kidlit411 website. Roseanne’s mission is to happily help you along your writing journey and polish your manuscript to be submission/publication-ready!

Praise for Roseanne’s services:

Learn more about Roseanne in her Feature Interview.

Are you an author, looking to develop and refine your manuscript? Get your story ready for submission to traditional publishers and agents, or prep it for independent publishing, with Maya Myers.

What she offers: Maya offers a full range of editorial services for authors and publishers of fiction and nonfiction. Whether you are just getting started or are already in production, she can help you polish your book, from individual words to the finished page. Her editorial services include: developmental editing, content/line editing, copyediting, proofreading, and format review. To receive an estimate on your project, fill out the form here.

Praise for Maya’s services:

Maya also offers freelance, copyediting, and proofreading to a number of publishers across the country, from large national houses to regional indie presses. To learn more or request a quote for these services, visit here.

Learn more about Maya Myers in her Feature Interview.

Are you a creative entrepreneur with a million ideas and a nagging dread that you’re missing opportunities? Check out Sherry McMillan’s Coaching and Consulting services. Sherry works with artists, authors, and other creative entrepreneurs and professionals to help them gain the confidence and clarity they need to rise to the top. Sherry uses a unique combination of creative business experience to provide you with practical ideas, customized to you, to help you move past obstacles and into success.

Not sure if this is for you? Try out the no risk intruduction. This is a no-obligation mini-coaching session where you’ll share your goals and expectations and come away with practical information you can apply immediately. If you think you’re a good fit, you can build off that foundation to create a coaching experience that works for you!

Learn more about Sherry in her Feature Interview.

Are you an author and/or illustrator looking to publish picture books? Check out Faith Pray’s Consultations! Faith is happy to meet with you about your children’s book writing, illustrating, or just about your creative journey. After you connect about your needs, she will offer advice, critique, helpful tools, or ideas to help you work on your creative goals. Faith offers customized services to fit your goals and timeline! Her services include:

  • creativity coaching
  • picture book writing critique (1 picture book text, up to 600 words)
  • illustration/portfolio critique
  • picture book writing + illustrating critique (for 1 picture book with text + illustrations)

Faith is available to meet with you at any stage of a project, especially related to picture books – early-stage ideas, drafting, revisions, and preparing for submission. Before you start, she will ask for information on what you are hoping to receive, and depending on what you need, she’ll ask you to assemble text, or art, a list of goals, etc., and you’ll go from there.

Learn more about Faith in her Feature Interview.

Looking for writing and editing services? Visit Megan Clendenan’s Writing and Editing Services! Megan takes on writing and editing freelance contracts for non-profit, educational, and business clients. As a freelancer, her strengths are listening to client needs, working efficiently, meeting deadlines, and following client specifications and style sheets. Her clients include educational publishers, non-profits, technology start-ups, engineering firms, and generally amazing individuals.

Services Megan provides:

Content Creation and Editing

  • Course content for middle and high school, i.e. reading comprehension passages.
  • Educational and curricular materials, including hands-on activities. 
  • Website copy
  • Newsletters, direct mail, and annual reports
  • Query letter and first pages/chapter critiques for middle-grade authors
  • Business profiles or bios
  • Ghostwriting
  • Award nominations
  • Cases for support
  • Blog posts
  • Magazine articles

Learn more about Megan in her Feature Interview.

Do YOU offer writing critiques or editorial services? Leave a comment below with a brief description of the services you offer and a link!

Building An Emotional Connection With Readers

Posted on by Chelsea’s World of Books in Resources for Writers & Illustrators, View all blog posts

In this craft presentation writing tutorial, I explain how to build an emotional connection with readers. We’ll dissect picture book mentor texts and analyze ways that language and illustration are used together to add emotional depth and layers to a story, and how you can use these tools to strengthen your own writing and manuscripts.

VIEW THE VIDEO HERE

This video was originally developed and presented for my Writing Barn Write Submit Support class, and I had several people express how helpful and encouraging it was, so I wanted to upload it here as a free resource to the public for other writers and illustrators who may be looking for answers on how to add emotional layers to their stories! Additionally, if you have other writing questions, I host a monthly Feature Interview Series on my literary blog, Chelsea’s World of Books, where we discuss all things publishing and share tips and resources.

You can also find other helpful blog articles on topics such as: Blogs Versus Newsletters, Finding Your Writing Community, Revamping Creativity and Unlocking Inspiration, Top Go-To List of Writing Resources, Understanding and Identifying Story Structures in Picture Books, and more!

Have suggested publishing topics or other literary questions? Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you.

Revamping Creativity And Unlocking Inspiration

Posted on by Chelsea’s World of Books in Resources for Writers & Illustrators, View all blog posts

Stuck in a writing rut? You’re not alone. It can be an exhausting struggle to put pen- or key– to page when you’re feeling creatively stuck. But, as writers, even when we feel stuck, we’re still driven by a desire to write. George Orwell said it best when he said…

“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.” — George Orwell

So, how can we improve the situation? The key is in revamping creativity and unlocking inspiration.

Here are five ways to do just that:

Way #1: Set aside time for free-writing. This is a designated window of time that you give yourself, unencumbered by outside distraction, to simply let your thoughts flow. [In the past, I’ve set a timer for increments of 5 or 15 minutes. You’d be amazed at what the mind can come up with in just a few minutes when let loose to explore!] Examples of ways to use this time: It could be coming up with new characters, jotting down fun book titles, playing with plot ideas, etc. Remember: During this time, there are no rules to adhere to. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, formatting, etc. All those things can be edited later. There’s much truth in what Jodi Picoult said…

“You may not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” — Jodi Picoult 

Way #2: Give yourself mental breaks between writing. If writing feels like an agonizing chore with no end in sight, that will come through in the voice of your story. So, when you’re feeling unmotivated, unglue yourself from the chair and do something to put your mind at ease. It could be taking a walk in the fresh air, grabbing a hot shower (or bubble bath), doing some yoga, etc. Whatever it is, allow yourself that time to recharge.

Way #3: Remember why you write. What does writing mean to you on a personal level? This could be any list of reasons. Perhaps it’s therapeutic. Or maybe it’s a form of connection. Or maybe it’s for a greater purpose beyond yourself… to help share or teach a moral conviction you’re passionate about and want to help spread awareness of. Whatever it is, remind yourself of why. Once you remember the purpose of writing and what it means to you, it will help you regain a clear objective and joyful mindset.

Way # 4: Revisit projects that bring you joy. There’s no one better to help remind you of your creativity than yourself. Pull out old story ideas or manuscripts that have brought you true joy. Whether they are stories that are complete or ones that were never finished. If they are stories that you completed, maybe they can spark new inspiration for something yet to come. If they are stories you placed in a drawer for a rainy day, why not take them out for a creative run and see where you can get them?

Way #5: Celebrate creative wins. Whether it’s within the last few days or years, why not take a trip down successful avenue and celebrate some of your creative wins? What projects have you worked on that received some word of commendation, positive feedback in the form of a critique or review, or maybe even won a contest or award?

GROWTH MINDSET AND THE VALUE OF READING ALOUD; ONE AUTHOR’S JOURNEY: FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH CINDY WILLIAMS SCHRAUBEN, CONDUCTED BY KIDLIT AUTHOR AND LITERARY BLOGGER, CHELSEA DICICCO

Posted on by Chelsea’s World of Books in Feature Interview Series, View all blog posts

In today’s Feature Interview, I’m chatting with Cindy Williams Schrauben about growth mindset and the value of reading aloud. We’ll also discuss ways to put yourself out there as an author and share personal experiences of the author journey.


Cindy, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the Feature Interview guest series. Could you tell us where you’re joining us from today?

Hi Chelsea. Thanks for having me. West Michigan.

How did you hear about the Feature Interview series, and what made you want to apply?

I follow you online and admire your content. 

Could you tell us what kind of books you write? (Age group and genre).

I have written books for children, including picture books and a middle-grade novel, which is in the works. I will also be venturing into the adult novelty book market soon. 

When did you first begin your writing journey, and what did those beginning stages look like for you?

I jumped into the journey with both feet when my daughters left for college. It was time to challenge myself. It took nearly 8 years of studying, attending conferences and classes, and penning several manuscripts before I was able to realize my life-long dream of publishing a picture book.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced on your author journey, and how were you able to stay the course?

The challenges were many, but I think the hardest part was believing in myself enough to ‘stay the course’ as you say. The key for me was getting involved in the kidlit community – joining critique groups, reading about other authors’ journeys, entering contests and challenges, etc. These connections gave me courage and helped me to manage my expectations. 

What have been some of your greatest joys and highlights in publishing?

There are so many – receiving a book deal, seeing the illustrations for the first time, getting a starred review from Kirkus, etc. I am also looking forward to an upcoming visit to a children’s hospital to read to some brave kids. I also love encouraging aspiring authors, but the best part continues to be sharing my love for books with kids. 

When would you say it’s “too late” to pursue publishing?

Never! My first book was published just after my 63rd birthday, and I don’t plan to stop anytime soon. 

Why would you say it’s beneficial as an author to put yourself out there? And what are some different ways/examples of doing this?

It can be exhausting, but publishing a book isn’t enough if no one sees it. Interviews such as this, blog tours, giveaways, social media posts, in-person events, etc all help with visibility. It is hard, though, because there needs to be a balance between self-promotion and providing valuable content. I try to follow the 80/20 Rule – 80% content for authors or parents/teachers (such as the social media post below) and 20% book promotion. For content, I have chosen to concentrate on the topics of Growth Mindset and Social-Emotional Learning. 

What kind of author events have you been a part of locally or otherwise, and how did you go about setting up these events? Did your publisher/marketing team reach out? Did you reach out? Was contact made via phone/email,/in-person?

I attend and/or organize events on a regular basis, ranging from book festivals, bookstore signings, school visits, launch parties, local media appearances, podcasts, etc. I was responsible for setting up most of these on my own (usually via email). I have three tips. First – go where the kids are instead of hoping they will come to you. I held the launch event for my first book, THIS COULD BE YOU, at a children’s museum on a busy Saturday. Over a hundred kids were already visiting the museum that day, so my audience was ready-made. That leads to tip number two – just ask! The museum was a dream location, and I never expected it to come to fruition, but the staff was excited to bring a unique opportunity to their visitors. The third tip is this– don’t be discouraged when you plan an event, and no one shows. It has happened to all of us. Evaluate the situation and improve your processes for next time. I also encourage other authors to think beyond your book in order to offer great programs for your community. I recently partnered with a local elementary school to break a Kid’s World Record entitled “The Most Children Sharing Handmade Hearts.” Though this event matched the theme of my second book, HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART, the day was about celebrating kindness rather than the book specifically. It was great fun and happened just because I asked (Tip #2, again.)

We’d love to hear about some of your author events and experiences and see some photos if you would like to share a few! 

When reading over your bio, I loved how you described your books as being books to “inspire kids to live their best lives.” Could you elaborate on what this means to you?

Sure! Encouraging kids to love books and reading is, of course, a big part of my journey, but it goes further. Both of my books have a social-emotional learning foundation. I am a firm believer that books can provide learning opportunities without being preachy. HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART applauds kindness and sharing, while THIS COULD BE YOU empowers children with a growth mindset by persuading them to believe in themselves. 

Let’s talk a little bit about growth mindset for home and in the classroom. In your application, you expressed your passion for empowering parents and children with a growth mindset and inspiring them to learn from each other as they go. Can you talk a little bit more about how you do this?

Growth Mindset is a term coined by Dr. Carol Dweck from Stanford University. Her research shows us that we can develop our abilities through dedication and hard work and that failure helps us to learn and improve. I love to talk with kids about famous people who have achieved great things after facing years of defeat. By understanding the power of a growth mindset, adults can make a huge difference in the lives of children. It is often as simple as changing our vocabulary. For example, “I can’t do it” vs. “It didn’t work, yet, but I’m still trying.”

LINK TO GM EXAMPLES: https://cindyschrauben.com/growth-mindset/

I know you also have a collection of growth mindset activities and educator guides. I’d love to add a link to those for readers to have access to on Teacher Corner as well!

LINK TO READER GUIDES.

HANK: https://cindyschrauben.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Hank-Reader-Guide.pdf

THIS COULD BE YOU:

Click to access TCBY-Readers-Guide.pdf

While we’re on the classroom side of things, could you talk a little bit about reading aloud and its value?

There is a great deal of research out there to support the value of reading to kids. The advantages range from improving a child’s own reading abilities and listening skills, expanding their vocabularies and language skills, to fostering bonds. A statistic that always amazes me is this one from the Child Mind Institute: “… young children whose parents read to them daily have been exposed to at least 290,000 more words by the time they enter kindergarten than kids who aren’t read to regularly. And depending on how much daily reading time kids get, that number can go up to over a million words.”

Now, for our writers out there, could you tell us a little bit about mentor texts? What are they? How do you use them? How can they be helpful?

Mentor texts are valuable for writers in a number of ways, ranging from learning about the industry and what is being published to honing our own craft and revising. There is nothing more helpful, in my mind, than reading the work of other children’s book authors and asking, what works? What doesn’t? Why? And how can I apply that to my own work?

Is there any particular book/author that inspires/inspired you to write?

I have always been enamored by rhymers like Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein. I love to write in rhyme – it’s like a puzzle. 

What advice would you like to offer writers who are just beginning their publishing journey?

Don’t give up. The journey can be long and hard, but it is worth every moment. I have a YouTube Podcast to encourage authors. You can take a look here: https://www.youtube.com/@Cindy-Williams-Schrauben 

Thank you so much for joining us today, Cindy! And now it’s time for our FIRST giveaway pool of the year.

GIVEAWAY
This month, Cindy is offering an AMA Zoom. (two winners)

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
LIKE AND SHARE this article to X and/or Instagram and mention my handle X @chellysbooks / Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks. If you don’t have X or Instagram, you can enter the giveaway by LIKING and COMMENTING at the bottom of the interview.
ENTRY WINDOW: Once the Feature Interview is posted, you will have one month (roughly 30 days) to enter. The entry window for this feature interview giveaway will close once next month’s feature interview is posted. At that time, the next month’s feature interview giveaway window will open. Meaning, there will always be a giveaway opportunity.

Example: January Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window opens/begins. February Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window closes/ends, and February giveaway window opens/begins.

NOTE: Feature Interviews come out on the third Wednesday of every month.

Questions? Visit the FAQ page or drop a comment below.

Did you enjoy this interview?
Thank the author & host by purchasing or reviewing a copy of one of their books or by requesting it be purchased by your local school or library! Using the sponsored links below to purchase also helps support this blog.

ADHD and Me Purchase Link

This Could Be You Purchase Link

Hank’s Change of Heart Purchase Link

AUTHOR BIO + HEADSHOT + WEBSITE

Cindy Williams Schrauben lives in West Michigan, where she writes books for children that range from the truly serious to the seriously silly. When not writing or sharing her books, this award-winning author might be found dissecting her grandsons’ shenanigans for story ideas, reading on the beach, or eating ice cream… ideally all at once. Her books, THIS COULD BE YOU (starred review from Kirkus) and HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART, inspire kids to live their best lives. You can connect with Cindy at http://www.cindyschrauben.com.