Need some fresh classroom activities? I just posted a batch of discussion questions and writing prompts for Ryan T. Higgins's MOTHER BRUCE. (Plus a few read-alikes for when they inevitably ask for more!)
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/04/20/r...
#KidLit #PictureBooks
Today, I'm kicking off a brand new series: Creator Spotlight!
First up is Pat Zietlow Miller. We're studying three of her picture books to see how she nails "kid logic," grounds big themes, and keeps concept books playful.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/04/13/b...
#KidLit #PictureBooks
April is here, and so is a new batch of five-word picture book reviews.
Check out the roundup on the blog, and let me know your own five-word takes in the comments.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/04/06/p...
#KidLit #PictureBooks #BookReviews
For today's Bonus post, I’m highlighting a fantastic kidlit site that's all about how picture books and music work together. Really thoughtful stuff for teachers and writers alike.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/30/i...
#PictureBooks #KidLit
From Scottish folklore to high school English to agenting at Howland Literary... Ashlee MacCallum has an incredible background.
And yes, she wants your "creepy" picture books. 👻
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/23/a...
#KidLit #MSWL #WritingCommunity #AmQuerying
Ever wonder what a dancing octopus or a sleeping salamander dreams about? 🐙🦎
This week’s reading activities feature EVERY DREAMING CREATURE by Brendan Wenzel.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/16/r...
#KidLit #PictureBooks #BrendanWenzel
Just finished a picture book draft? Before you start revising, step back and look at the foundation.
Today on the blog, I'm sharing 5 key questions to ask your early draft.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/09/b...
#WritingTips #KidLit #PictureBooks
What do lace-up shoes have to do with growing up? Quite a bit, actually.
Fred Koehler joined me to take a closer look at Caldecott Honor winner Jashar Awan’s new picture book, Loops. Here’s our full review:
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/02/p...
#mondayblogs #picturebooks #bookreview
In picture books, every spread needs to do heavy lifting. Today on the blog, I explain why you should cut the setup and start one beat later.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/23/i...
#PictureBooks #KidLit #AmWriting #PublishingAdvice
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Hudson Talbott. To honor him, this week’s reading activities focus on his autobiographical picture book book, A Walk in the Words.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/16/r...
#PictureBooks #KidLit #HudsonTalbott #ReadingActivities
Is your picture book idea "too small"? Does your draft feel rushed at the end? 🤔
Today on the blog, I’m addressing 3 of the most common early-draft worries.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/09/b...
#WritingTips #KidLit #PictureBooks #AmWriting
February’s Five-Word Reviews are here! We’re keeping it brief this week with 5 new picture books you should have on your radar.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/02/p...
#KidLit #PictureBooks #BookReview #Mondayblogs
Confession: If your cover letter is longer than your picture book manuscript, I probably won’t read it. 🫣
Today’s Industry Insights post offers a solution: The Two-Sentence Cover Note.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/26/i...
#WritingCommunity #KidLit #Querying #MondayBlogs
This week on the blog, we’re stepping into the 1920s with Flora and the Jazzers by Astrid Sheckels. I’ve created a new set of reading activities to go with it.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/19/r...
#PictureBooks #KidLit #Music #ReadingActivities
As an editor, I see the same specific mistakes in the slush pile over and over. Today, I’m sharing 10 resolutions that actually made a difference.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/12/b...
#PictureBooks #WritingTips #KidLit #MondayBlogs
The first batch of reviews for 2026 is live! We’ve got Jory John’s latest Food Group book, winter vibes from the Pumphrey brothers, and hiccups. Lots of hiccups.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/05/f...
#KidLit #PictureBooks #BookReview #MondayBlogs
The OPB Best of 2025 list is live! 📚✨
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/29/2...
#KidLit #BestOf2025 #PictureBooks #MondayBlogs
Today on the blog, I'm sharing the simple file naming convention that editors actually love (and that keeps your work from getting lost).
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/22/i...
#WritingCommunity #KidLit #PublishingAdvice #Querying #picturebooks
Whoops! Monday got away from me, but this post is worth the wait. 🕰️
I've created a set of reading activities for GIRLS ON THE RISE by Amanda Gorman & Loveis Wise. Find the post right here.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/17/r...
#KidLit #AmandaGorman #PictureBooks
New on the blog: An interview with award-winning poet and author @Irene_Latham! We discuss poetry, collaboration, and THE MUSEUM ON THE MOON, which I had the pleasure of editing. 🌙
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/08/a...
#KidLit #AuthorInterview #Poetry #TheMuseumOnTheMoon
What happens when leftover Halloween candy crashes the holidays? 🍬🎄
I'm joined by illustrator Edna Cabcabin Moran (@kidlitedna) to review CANDY CORN CHRISTMAS by Jonathan Fenske. Read our thoughts about it right here:
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/01/p...
#PictureBooks #KidLit #BookReview
Your picture book needs to answer one question fast: So what?
If you can't answer it, neither can an editor (or a sales rep, or a buyer). Today's post explains exactly how to fix that.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/24/i...
#PictureBooks #WritingTips #KidLit
This week's post is all about the slimy, sweet, and very funny monster bedtime book, Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron! To celebrate, I've created a new set of reading activities.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/17/r...
#PictureBooks #KidLit #BedtimeStories #Monsters #ActivitiesForKids
Super Bowl champion Keyshawn Johnson & singer/voice actress Bettina Bush discuss their new picture book, Once Upon a You. Learn about their creative process, friendship, and passion for empowering kids.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/10/a...
#KidLit #OnceUponAYou #KeyshawnJohnson
It's the first Monday of the month, and a new list of five-word reviews is live! It's a great batch of funny, strange, and beautiful books here.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/03/5...
#PictureBooks #BookReviews #KidLit
New Industry Insights post, fresh from the hiring trenches! I just hired an editorial assistant & am sharing the 11 green lights (and 5 red flags) I saw in the submissions pile.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/27/i...
#Publishing #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #KidLit
This week’s post is about The Glass Pyramid, the inspiring story of architect I.M. Pei and his vision for the Louvre. To go with it, I've developed a new set of reading activities. Enjoy!
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/20/t...
#KidLit #PictureBooks #Architecture #STEM #ReadingActivities
This week's interview is with Joan Schoettler, whose new book BOOKS TRAVEL THE WORLD I had the honor of editing. We discuss her journey from professor to author & her passion for cross-cultural stories.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/13/a...
#AuthorInterview #WritingCraft #KidLit #PictureBooks
A new batch of five-word reviews is up! This week's list features a must-see from Stephen King & Maurice Sendak (!), plus heroism with "snotty flair," a daring duck, and more.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/06/p...
#KidLit #StephenKing #PictureBooks #BookReview
It's that time of year when the light shifts and the air thins. To capture that unique mood, I've curated a new list of 12 picture books that feel just like September.
www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/29/p...
#PictureBooks #BookList #KidLit #AutumnReads #September