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Protected: Creator Interview: Jenna Elysa Johnson on highlighting disability joy and breaking through acquisitions red tape.
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
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SCBWI SoCal Authors & Illustrators at the LA Festival of Books 2026
The LA Times Festival of Books 2026 is almost here, and SCBWI Southern California is bringing together an incredible lineup of children’s book authors and illustrators for a full weekend of storytelling, book signings, and community. I’m so excited to be attending for the first time with my picture book, Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures. If you’re attending the Los Angeles Festival of Books at USC (April 18–19, 2026), be sure to stop by Booth 826 in the Green Zone, where a rotating group of SCBWI SoCal creators will be signing books and meeting readers throughout the weekend. This is a wonderful opportunity to: Meet Me at Booth 826 — Saturday, April 18 (10 AM–12 PM) I’ll be…
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Bea Book Launch Updates + Swag Pack info!
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The History of the Balikbayan Box: How Filipino Families Send Love Across the Ocean
If you’ve ever seen a large cardboard box packed with snacks, gifts, clothing, and small treasures headed to the Philippines, you’ve likely seen a balikbayan box. But what exactly does balikbayan mean—and how did this beloved tradition begin? What Does “Balikbayan” Mean? The word balikbayan comes from two Filipino words: Together, the word refers to someone returning home to the Philippines. Over time, the term also came to represent the care packages sent by Filipino families living abroad. These large boxes are filled with gifts, everyday necessities, and favorite treats, sent across the ocean to loved ones in the Philippines. But the balikbayan box is more than just a package. It’s a powerful symbol of family, connection,…
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Big News for Bea: Best Book Award 2025 and Features
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Creator Interview: Kimberly Horch on Finding Joy in Children’s Book Writing
Welcome to the #GrowYourWriting 2026 Creator Interviews blog series. I’m thrilled to feature talented kidlit creators this year and spotlight their beautiful work and inspiring journeys. I’m so excited to introduce our March featured creator, Kimberly Horch. Kimberly is is truly an inspiration. I’ve had the honor of sharing a debut group with her and she is not only a talented creator but an amazing cheerleader as well! I’m so thrilled to share her story with you today! Kimberly Horch is an author and a self-proclaimed agent of joy. She runs the kindness-focused instagram @thedaybrighteningcommittee. She started writing for her 5 kids, and finds inspiration in their antics daily. Every…
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Bea Book Launch Updates + Swag Pack info!
It’s an exciting season here, and I’m thrilled to share everything that’s blossoming in the world of Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures!I have a very important update to share regarding the launch date. Due to unforeseen circumstances the official release date has been pushed back from July 15th, 2025 to August 19th, 2025. If you have preordered, you may have received an email notification from your vendor notifying you of this change. Just as Bea had to wait for her balikbayan box to arrive to her family abroad, Bea’s story will take a little longer to make her way out to all of you! As a thank you for all your…
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#GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Alison McGauley
Welcome to the #GrowYourWriting 2025 Creator Interviews blog series. I’m thrilled to feature talented kidlit creators this year and spotlight their beautiful work and inspiring journeys. I’m so excited to introduce our May featured creator, Alison McGauley. Alison is is truly an inspiration. I’m so grateful ro have her as a friend and critique partner as we navigate this giant KidLit jigsaw puzzle together. Alison is a special education teacher and the author of Kenzie’s Little Tree (Orca Book Publishers), illustrated by Emilie Leduc. As a chronic illness warrior, Alison is passionate about writing stories that speak to children and caregivers who are impacted by illness or disability. She also…
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#GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Suzanne Elson
Welcome to the #GrowYourWriting 2025 Creator Interviews blog series. I’m thrilled to feature talented kidlit creators this year and spotlight their beautiful work and inspiring journeys. Our April featured creator is Suzanne Elson. Suzanne’s debut Middle Grade Haunted Pond (Oh MG! Press) debuted in March 2025. Suzanne’s debut picture book, Calm Down Counting (DCCED) also launched in March 2025, in both English and French. Suzanne’s twenty-plus year career as an ESL teacher has allowed for an easy transition to classroom visits. Happily married for over thirty years, with three adult sons and two beautiful grandbabies, (and one more on the way!), Suzanne’s passion for camping remains undiminished. Born in Scotland,…
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#GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Leslie Eva Tayloe
Welcome to the #GrowYourWriting 2025 Creator Interviews blog series. I’m thrilled to feature talented kidlit creators this year and spotlight their beautiful work and inspiring journeys. Our March featured creator is, Leslie Eva Tayloe. She is the author of Save the Trees (Brandylane Publishers, 2024, Illustrator Lintang Pandu Pratiwi) which is a Moonbeam Bronze Medal Winner. She has also authored two other books, The Attic Door (Doodle and Peck Publishing, 2024, Illustrator David Barrow), and I’m Fishing with Pop-Pop Today (Austin Macauley Publishers, 2022). You are in for a treat as Leslie has offered not one but two giveaways for our readers! Stay tuned all the way to the end…
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#GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Cynthia Mackey
Welcome to the #GrowYourWriting 2025 Creator Interviews blog series. I’m thrilled to feature talented kidlit creators this year and spotlight their beautiful work and inspiring journeys. Our February featured creator is, Cynthia Mackey, a Children’s Author and Early Years Educator. Cynthia Mackey is the author of Katie Shaeffer Pancake Maker and The Lullaby Monsters and her poetry appears in The Toy, The Dirigible Balloon and Little Thoughts Press, Hit the Road magazine. Her debut picture book, If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe is set for publication with Yeehoo Press in April 2025. She was mentored by highly acclaimed Canadian author, Jean E. Pendziwol. With a Bachelor of Education degree,…
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#GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Paola Santos
Welcome to the #GrowYourWriting 2025 Creator Interviews blog series. I’m thrilled to feature talented kidlit creators this year and spotlight their beautiful work and inspiring journeys. Kicking off the new year, I welcome Author, Paola Santos and her gorgeous book How to Eat a Mango / Cómo se come un mango illustrated by Juliana Predomo and published by Neal Porter Books / Holiday House. You can connect with Paola on X/Twitter, Instagram, and her website. Stay tuned to the end of the interview for your chance to win a 30 Minute Zoom “Ask Me Anything” with Paola. 1 – What inspired you to pursue a career in children’s literature, and when did you…
