This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Amplify Publishing Group. All opinions are my own.

I am NOT Sophie!
​Written by Robyn Hodess
Illustrated by Terry Kole
Ages: 0-3 | 14 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Kids! (2025) | ISBN: 979-8891383838
Publisher’s Book Summary: Sophie is a little girl with a BIG imagination! Every day, she wakes up and decides to be a different animal. On Sunday, she pounces and roars through the house like a tiger. On Monday, she stomps and trumpets like a mighty elephant. Throughout the week, she is a slithering snake, a bouncy monkey, and even a scary alligator! By the end of the week, Sophie discovers that being herself is the best adventure of all.
Filled with playful illustrations and a heartwarming message about self-acceptance, I am NOT Sophie! encourages young readers to embrace their own unique magic—because sometimes, being YOU is the most wonderful thing of all!

​Like Sophie, I loved make-believe when I was a child. Did you have a wild imagination as a
child?
YES! When I was about Sophie’s age and in kindergarten, there was a set of monkey bars in the
schoolyard. My friend and I would climb to the top and pretend we were monkeys. We were
monkeys for the entire year! So, I can truly relate to my “Sophie.”

What or who inspired you to write I AM NOT Sophie?
By trade, I’m an artist. Writing had never been a big part of my creative process. But it all began
about 25 years ago with a dream. I was a young mom of three at the time. My daughters were 7, 5, and 1, and I was sound asleep. Around midnight, I woke up with the idea for I Am NOT Sophie! I jumped out of bed, wrote it down, and went back to sleep. Watching my girls grow up playing make-believe and pretending to be anything they wanted on any given day I’m sure influenced that dream.

The illustrations are lively and fun. Did you personally choose Terry Kole as your
illustrator? Did you give a lot of input in the artwork, or did you allow her creative
freedom?
Yes, I chose Terry. We both belong to the Women’s Artist Network, a group of women artists
based in Rhode Island. One day, I noticed a children’s illustrator among our members and
reached out to her. As an artist myself, I had envisioned Sophie for many years and knew exactly how I wanted her to look. But since I’m an abstract painter and not a children’s illustrator, I couldn’t bring those visuals to life on my own. Terry was happy to help me realize the vision. We met many times in person and online to discuss ideas. I even shared photos of my daughter Sophie at around four years old for inspiration. We worked closely on everything—from how the character Sophie should appear to how the book should feel. I wanted her to be relatable to both children and parents. I also wanted the make-believe elements to be easy for kids to recreate at home. I made suggestions, and Terry added ideas I hadn’t considered, which ultimately made the book stronger. But the artwork is all hers.

Why did you choose to write stories for young readers?
I’ve always loved children’s books. I read to my girls every night, and often during the day, too.
When this story came to me, I felt it would be a wonderful addition to what’s already out there.
Most picture books are cute, fun, and enjoyable, but I believe stories can do more. It’s important
to teach something through storytelling. Sophie is easy to read, memorize, and act out. But it also
teaches children about imagination, acceptance, animal sounds and movements, colors, and the
days of the week. You might not catch all of that on the first read, but with each rereading, more becomes apparent. Every day of the week is mentioned. Each page is a different color. I also made sure Sophie dresses up using things easily found at home. This makes it easier for children to interact with the book instead of just listening passively.

I appreciate how this story encourages readers to embrace imagination. Are there any
other messages you hope to convey?
Absolutely. Each page in the book is beautifully illustrated in Sophie’s world, using vibrant hues
to help with color recognition. The story follows Sophie from Sunday through Saturday, with
each day bringing a new animal and a new chance for imaginative play. It’s a playful and
effective way to build early literacy and cognitive skills. Beyond imagination and acceptance, I want children to see themselves in this book. They can pretend using whatever they have around—egg cartons, pool noodles, feather boas, brown shoes, a sock for an elephant nose, a T-shirt with tape to become a tiger. Children can take part in the story by using what they already have, which makes the experience much more personal and empowering. And perhaps most importantly, this book sends a message to parents, caregivers, and educators: Unconditional acceptance is the soil where confidence grows. Sophie’s mother never pushed her to “just be Sophie.” Instead, she accepted every imaginative version of her child. And in doing so, helped Sophie come to her own identity. In a world that often pressures kids to conform, I Am NOT Sophie offers a tender resistance. It invites us to slow down, listen, play, and believe in a child’s inner world. It’s a celebration of imagination, a tribute to loving parenting, and a gentle primer in identity, days, and colors.

What is your favorite way to celebrate after completing a book?
Since this is my first book, I don’t have a set tradition. But I can say that the journey has been
incredibly rewarding. This book was conceived 25 years ago and finally brought to life. Sharing
it with a new generation has been the best celebration. Now I’m watching my friends’ grandchildren embrace the story. My grandniece, who is three, walks around the house saying, “I’m not Rooney, I’m Sophie!” My best friend’s granddaughter has memorized the book and reads it over and over.
That’s my celebration. That joy, that connection—it’s what made every second of the process
worth it.

Enter for a chance to win a copy of the I am NOT Sophie! board book. Don’t miss out on your chance—enter the giveaway today!
​

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Flying Cardinal Press. All opinions are my own.

My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky
Written and Illustated by Laura Smetana
Ages: 0+ | 34 Pages
Publisher: Flying Cardinal Press (2025) | ISBN: 978-1737140993
Publisher’s Book Summary: With vivid watercolor collages, My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky, is the stunning companion to the award-winning book, My Love for You Is Like a Garden, named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2023.
​​
Say “I love you” at bedtime or anytime with this lyrical story that celebrates love with bold, colorful illustrations of stars, planets, and galaxies. As they look up at the stars, a child’s mother explains that her love is like the night sky. It glows with pride like the full moon, is as radiant as a meteor shower, and as vast as our solar system.
Readers of all ages will be inspired to step outside to marvel at the wonders of the night sky together—and maybe even spot a shooting star. Children will delight in learning the names of the planets in our solar system, the phases of the moon, and more in the glossary. A beautiful book to share with anyone you love!

Where did you get the inspiration for My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky?
After my picture book My Love for You Is Like a Garden came out in 2023, I thought about
doing a companion book but wasn’t sure what the focus would be. I’ve always loved
marveling at the night sky, wishing on stars, and going on walks to find the moon. The night
sky is so beautiful and vast and changes throughout the year! One night while looking up at
the stars, I thought about comparing love to the night sky and the idea for My Love for You Is
Like the Night grew from there.

What was your writing process like for this book?
Once I decided on the topic for the book, I started brainstorming different elements of the
night sky that I could compare love to—like stars, the moon, planets, and meteor showers.
But I got stuck and needed a little more inspiration. So, I took a field trip to the Adler
Planetarium in Chicago where I was surrounded by rich imagery and descriptions of our
vast universe. I took notes and scribbled down ideas as I walked through the museum. It
was just the dose of inspiration I needed to finish writing the story!

What is your favorite part about writing books for kids?
One of my favorite parts of writing books for kids is the opportunity to do school author
visits. I love sharing my books, discussing how to find inspiration, and teaching kids how
they can make their own books. At the end of each of my presentations I lead a directed
draw-along where students get to be illustrators and add their own creativity to their
drawings. And their creativity is incredible! I always tell students that it doesn’t matter
how young you are or how old you are, we all have stories to share. It always makes me so
happy when kids tell me they are planning to write their own books after my visit!

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on a book about the childhood joy of catching fall leaves that I
illustrated with cut-paper watercolor collages. I’m also working on a bedtime adventure
story and have a few stories about my Slovak American heritage that are in the works. I’m
excited to share these with readers in the future!

What is your favorite book?
I have always struggled with choosing a favorite anything—but when it comes to books,
while I can’t pick one, there are some that I have loved returning to again and again. When I
was little the first book I read by myself was Little Bear written by Else Holmelund Minarik
and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. I remember being so surprised and delighted that I
could read the words! That became a well-loved favorite, as well as anything by Leo Lionni.
These days, the book I find myself returning to again and again is Ferris by Kate
DiCamillo—I think I’m on my fifth re-read and every time I find something new! That’s the
wonderful thing about books—they are like old friends and always have something.

Enter for a chance to win a paperback copy of My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky, signed by Laura Smetana. One lucky grand prize winner will receive a special bundle that includes a signed hardcover edition of the book, a mini original framed watercolor collage by the author, a lined journal, a set of colored pencils, a tube of glow-in-the-dark paint, and a wooden star craft kit.
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This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Expound Publicity. All opinions are my own.

Ellie’s Dancing Shoes
​Written by Scott Sollers
Illustrated by Bryan Janky
Ages: 4-8 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Books (2025) | ISBN: 979-8891383418
Publisher’s Book Summary: There is nothing Ellie wants more than to become a ballerina.
Every day she practices her stretches, leaps, twirls, and jumps. But Ellie doesn’t believe in herself. Her self-doubt gets in the way, and when she stretches, she slips. When she bends, she falls over. When she leaps, she slides. When she twirls or jumps, she gets all twisted and slumped over.
Until one day, her parents gave Ellie her grandmother’s magical dancing shoes. Soon, there are only graceful jumps, beautiful leaps, and dizzying twirls.
When the day of Ellie’s audition to become a ballerina arrives, her magic dancing shoes are lost. Will Ellie find them in time before her audition, or must she perform without them?
A beautifully illustrated story that shows children that their magic can be found within.

Enter for a chance to win a hardcover copy of Ellie’s Dancing Shoes.
​

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Jeanne Walker Harvey. All opinions are my own.

The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I.M. Pei
Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey
Illustrated by Khoa Le
Ages: 4+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: Atheneum / Simon & Schuster (2025) | ISBN: 978-1665953337
Publisher’s Book Summary: In 1981, I. M. Pei was on a mission. A successful architect known for his modern designs, Pei was asked by the French president to redesign the Louvre Museum in Paris, home to the Mona Lisa and now famous for the glass pyramid at its center. At the time, the Louvre had many problems and no pyramid.
Pei faced many obstacles, including discrimination because he was Chinese American. Determined to succeed and make the Louvre a welcome place for all, Pei worked hard—and sometimes in secret. This is the story of a visionary who worked patiently and persistently to solve problems and achieve his goals: to plant and grow a glass pyramid.

Jeanne Walker Harvey studied literature and psychology at Stanford University and has worn many job hats, ranging from being a roller coaster ride operator to an attorney, a middle school language arts teacher, and a long-time docent for school groups at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. She is the award-winning author of several books for young readers, including the picture book biographies Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Sea, Dressing up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head, Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines, and The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei. Jeanne lives in Northern California.

Khoa Le lives in Vietnam and graduated from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts. She has dedicated most of her professional life to working in publishing, illustrating numerous books that have been published in Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Currently, she works and lives with her cats.

Themes: architecture, real-life story, persistence, overcoming discrimination
How does a Chinese American modern architect create one of the most iconic symbols of French art? The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I.M. Pei, is a biographical picture book that beautifully answers this question. Asked by the President of France to redesign the iconic Louvre, I.M. knew he would have many obstacles to overcome. However, he was used to dealing with discrimination and doubt. Drawing on his Chinese heritage, he persisted in creating a structure that was beautiful and welcoming to all.

This picture book is easy to read and wonderfully weaves I.M.'s life into a story. The reader learns about all phases of his life and career. Additional biographical information is also included at the end of the book. This book makes the perfect read-aloud and is enhanced by Khoa Le's amazing illustrations. The Glass Pyramid is a lovely way to tell an inspiring story of patience and persistence to children everywhere!

Enter for a chance to win: Three winners will receive signed copies of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei, plus a Louvre tote bag. One grand prize winner will receive a tote bag and a class set of 30 books. Enter below!
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This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Jeff Verney. All opinions are my own.

Bunnies to the Rescue!
​Written by Jeff Verney
Illustrated by Melissa Bailey
Ages: 4-6 | 36 Pages
Publisher: PHT Publishing (2025) | ISBN: 979-8-218-52892-8
Publisher’s Book Summary: The Nantucket Bunnies think that a toy bunny has been captured by a boy and his family. It seems that the bunny is in constant danger as the family travels across Nantucket. But a surprise awaits the Nantucket bunnies when one of them finally gets to talk to the bunny!

Where did you get the inspiration for Bunnies to the Rescue?
Over the years my family and I have vacationed on Nantucket, and one summer I realized
that no matter where we stayed on the island, there were always bunnies in the yard. And
as I started to pay attention to the bunnies, the light finally went on that there were
bunnies all over the island. I started thinking about all of the books that I had read about
Nantucket, and none of them really mentioned the bunnies! After noodling on this, a few
years ago I thought “I should write a children’s picture book about the bunnies!”

What was your writing process like for this book?
I spent a couple of years thinking about possible story lines; I knew I wanted the book to
have action and excitement while at the same time having a couple of high-level positive
themes. I finally settled on one of the ideas that involved three bunnies trying to save a
stuffed bunny whose family was taking it to different locations on the island. It was and
absolute joy to then write the story while on vacation in Nantucket, while sitting at a picnic
table in the back yard and watching bunnies hop back and forth across the yard!

What is your favorite part about writing books for kids?
My entire life I have tried to sustain that never-ending sense of wonder that children
hopefully experience as they learn about the world at a young age. Writing stories for
children lets me try my best to tap into that sense of wonder, making magic things happen,
and creating a sense of anything is possible. And there is nothing that is better than
reading these stories to children who are enthralled in the moment, mesmerized and
deeply engaged in the story!

What are you working on now?
And that’s the perfect next question to the above answer as inevitably children ask, “Read
me another story!” So, I am working on a draft of the next Nantucket Bunnies book, which
currently is titled Bunnies to the Rescue … Again! It will also take place on Nantucket and
involves many animals and sea creatures, including a whale! When bunnies meet a whale,
anything can happen!

What is your favorite book?
A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh! My love of books and reading definitely grew out of this book
and The House at Pooh Corner, books which my Dad probably read to me hundreds of times
when I sat on his lap and listened to the adventures in the books between my ages of 3 and
6 or so. I just loved hearing the stories over and over again, totally entranced by the
adventures of Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Owl, Roo, Kanga, and Christopher Robin. And I
was quite enchanted by the illustrations by E. H. Shepard. I really think Winnie-the-Pooh
instilled in me traits such as helpfulness, thoughtfulness, common sense, humbleness,
friendship, kind-heartedness, adventure, wonder, innocence, and determination which I
have carried with me my entire life. Gratitude Abounds!
​

Enter for a chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Bunnies to the Rescue!, a plush blue bunny, and a $25 Amazon gift card.
​

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Riverlet Press. All opinions are my own.

Words
​Written by Katherine Davis-Gibbon
Illustrated by Anne Berry
Ages: 4-6 | 36 Pages
Publisher: Riverlet Press (2025) | ISBN: 978-1-737957690
Publisher’s Book Summary: A multicultural group of children discovers a park where everyone’s words come to life, looking and behaving a lot like kids. Some words are kinder and more inviting, while others are pushy or prickly or odd. Not every word makes the best first impression, but as they play and share adventures, the children connect more deeply with language. They learn that words have superpowers and grow to love them for their quirks. They see that words make excellent friends, who magically appear just as they’re needed and perfectly mirror how kids feel. The more these children bond with language, the more they tap into their inner voice— and as they dare to give it expression, they gain more respect for the power of words.

Where did you get the inspiration for Words?
As much as I love the people around me, I think of words as my very best friends. They are my
closest confidants, whom I can tell anything, and my staunchest allies, no matter what. They are
also, as it happens, incredible teachers. If I’m on the wrong track or feeling conflicted, I can
count on words to orient me towards a clearer understanding.

I wrote Words to share this message with kids. Not every child will become a writer—many will
focus on other interests and pursue other talents—but the simple act of connecting with
language is beneficial to everyone. Words foster friendship and help us solve problems. They
deepen our capacity for empathy and give us the gift of healthy self-talk. And they are not
something we need to manufacture or force or go out and get; words are already here, alive
inside us. All we need to do is pay attention.

What was the writing process like for this book?
The first draft gushed out of me during the early days of the 2020 pandemic. I was spending all
my time with my 8-year-old and 3-year-old, trying to homeschool one and entertain the other,
so there were a few dark months when I had very little adult companionship. Writing, which I
only did in the wee hours of the morning, was primarily where I went for attunement. It was a
lonely, demanding, stressful time, but it profoundly deepened my love of language.

That first draft captured Words’ arc of thought, but there were gaps to bridge and holes to fill. I
set it down for a year or more; then came back to it at a time when I had more perspective and
access to joy. That helped me play up the humor in the book, which is always important when
writing for children. At that point, the writing was basically done, but I had this rather ambitious
idea about creating a cast of word-characters that would straddle the line between text and
illustration. Developing them took an additional eighteen months.

What is your favorite part about writing books for kids?
Broadening my imagination while simplifying my language is a very fun challenge! I also love
the idea that something I create—a line of text or an image that an illustrator and I dream up
together—might make a child laugh or help them someday through a difficult moment. I hope
that the messages of Words and My Old Friend, Then will be memorable, entertaining, and
useful for children.

What are you working on right now?
Discussing Words with caregivers, teachers, and therapists has raised all sorts of interesting
questions about the unique challenges Generation Alpha faces in finding their voice and
learning to trust it. I’ve been researching the underlying causes of this and reflecting on what
we, as caregivers, can do to help kids cultivate a more positive, nurturing relationship with
language. How are our politics and the way we discuss them filtering down to the youngest
kids? How are children coping post-pandemic? And in this era of texting and tweeting, how do
we model that words are sacred? This is such a rich topic that I have briefly pressed pause on
my next children’s project (a picture book about resilience) to create a series of articles and
resources specifically for caregivers: parents, grandparents, teachers, and librarians. If you’re
interested in checking it out, go to my website, www.riverletpress.com, and click the resources
tab. Email me through the contact tab if you’d like to connect. I’d love to hear from other
caregivers or collaborate with librarians on children’s programming.

What is your favorite book?
That is a tricky question for a writer to answer! There are so many books I love and admire.
Annie Dillard is probably my favorite writer, primarily for her creative nonfiction. The essays in
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek and Teaching a Stone to Talk are among the finest pieces of writing I’ve
ever read.

When it comes to children’s literature, I would have to go with The Velveteen Rabbit, by
Margery Williams, or Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White. For very young children, I adore Mother Goose; Goodnight, Moon and The Runaway Bunny, by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd; and anything and everything by Richard Scarry.

Enter for a chance to win a copy of Words, signed by Katherine Davis-Gibbon. The grand prize winner will also take home a $10 gift card to Barnes & Noble. Don’t miss out on your chance to win!

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Karen B. Winnick. All opinions are my own.

Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story
​Written and Illustrated by Karen B. Winnick
Ages: 7-9 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group (2025)
ISBN: 979-8886452846
Publisher’s Book Summary: Where did all the wolves go? The birds, the fish, and the beavers? When the top predator was wiped out, the balance of nature in Yellowstone National Park was disrupted. The circle was broken.
Written in a lyrical style, Why Wolves Matter is an ecological tale that helps children to understand the interconnectedness of all things in the natural world. Once all the wolves were gone, the elk population grew so large that the trees and vegetation on which they fed disappeared, throwing the Park and the remaining wildlife into disarray.
A nonfiction picture book, including a timeline and bibliography, Why Wolves Matter is about the importance of the top predator in nature, how balance was restored in Yellowstone National Park, and how the circle was made whole again—with important historical and scientific relevance for children.
A deeply committed animal person, Karen B. Winnick has created many picture books about animals. She’s a member of an oversight commission for the Los Angeles Zoo, and a member and supporter of many groups working to save animals, including wolves.

Readers who join us on this virtual tour can win a hardcover copy of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story. One lucky winner will receive a signed hardcover copy and a $25 gift card to Amazon. Don’t miss out on your chance to win below!
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This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and P.E. Shadrick. All opinions are my own.

Lisbeth and the Littering Ladybugs
Written by P.E. Shadrick
Illustrated by Maya Penzlik
Ages: 3-6 | 32 Pages
Publisher: P.E. Shadrick | ISBN: 979-8-9912340-0-9
Publisher’s Book Summary: Do you know what happens at night when you sleep? The ladybugs come out to play! Lisbeth, a lively six-year-old, wakes up one morning to discover a tangled mess in her hair. Her grandmother tells her the story of how a group of playful ladybugs is the cause of all the knots in her hair. Through Grandma’s fanciful story of the ladybugs’ glorious grand gala, Lisbeth learns the lesson of how shared responsibility can be both necessary and fun.
Inspired by the stories of P.E. Shadrick’s own grandmother, this charming story comes to life through the vibrant watercolor illustrations of Montreal artist, Maya Penzlik.

Enter our giveaway for a chance to win one of seven author-signed hardcover editions of Lisbeth and the Littering Ladybugs! The grand prize winner will also take home a ladybug bracelet and a $50 Amazon gift card!
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This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Expound Publicity. All opinions are my own.

Sophie and the Swans
Written by Holly Peppe
Illustrated by Aeron Cargill
Ages: 3+ | 36 Pages
Publisher: Lincoln Square Books | ISBN: 978-1947187146
Publisher’s Book Summary: Sophie is a little girl who lives beside a lake and makes friends with a pair of swans who visit her every day. One day, when a bully starts to torment the swans, Sophie rushes to defend them not by attacking the bully but by showing him kindness when he gets into trouble on the lake.

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Sophie and the Swans. Don’t miss your chance to enter and win!
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~Kate Polley, Loss Books