What will Kentucky Book Festival visitors find on your table?
My latest picture book TWO HOMES, ONE HEART follows a family’s evolution from one home to two and the challenges and opportunities for growth it brings. The rhyming text and Chelsea O’Byrne’s gorgeous, jewel-toned illustrations offer reassurance to kids navigating separation or divorce—or anyone whose heart has two homes—a reminder that while families change, love is constant.
Other books include:
I’LL MEET YOU IN YOUR DREAMS is a picture book about family love across a lifetime. Stunning illustrations by Rafael López foster imagination and family interaction. Perfect for bedtime, it’s also a great gift book for life events like graduations.
BABY’S HERE! is an interactive board book which prompts very young readers to go through the motions of taking care of a diverse group of babies. Great for 2-5-year-olds who have a new sibling—or who love babies and imaginative play.
The HAGGIS AND TANK UNLEASHED series is an early chapter book series with a graphic novel format about two dogs who go on imaginary adventures. Full of wordplay, it’s part of the Scholastic Branches imprint for newly independent readers.
The FAIRYLIGHT FRIENDS series is an early reader series with a graphic novel format about three fairy friends who go to fairy school and discover their magic. It’s part of the Scholastic ACORN imprint geared towards beginning readers.
Whom do you invite to stop by? Who will benefit from reading your book?
I love meeting young readers and anyone who appreciates children’s books! I was a teacher for over twenty years, and I frequently use my books to teach about the writing process and other cross-curricular (including SEL) topics, so I’m always happy to talk with teachers, librarians, and parents or other caregivers!
Could you please tell us something curious about you and/or your book?
I love how the illustrator Chelsea O’Byrne uses color for characterization in the book: yellow is associated with the mom and her home; blue is associated with the dad and his home, and green is associated with the child. Also, my parents divorced when I was very young, and I didn’t see this reflected in many books. Sometimes, after I read at a school visit, kids come up and tell me they have two homes, and that makes me so happy.
Is this your first time participating in Kentucky Book Festival? If yes – what are you looking forward to the most? If you’ve participated before – what was your favorite experience at the Festival?
It’s difficult to name one favorite experience at the Festival! I always look forward to talking with young readers and their families and anyone who appreciates kids’ books, including other children’s book creators, teachers, and librarians. The atmosphere is informal, welcoming, and fun! Reading at story time is a highlight, and I love catching up with old friends and meeting new ones!
