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.
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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

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and T.J. Scripps. All opinions are my own.

Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light
Written by T.J. Scripps
Cover Illustrated by Forrest Curtis
Chapters Illustrated by Dane Doubell
Ages: 8+ | 202 Pages
Publisher: Skybok Press | ISBN: 979-8991217477
Publisher’s Book Summary: Ruby, a regular 10-year-old girl with fiery red hair and wild green eyes, has her life turned upside down when her grandmother gives her a magical dreamcatcher. One night, it transports her to the dazzling planet of Starland, where she discovers The Aura Embassy, a magnificent glass castle floating in space. There, she meets alien kids and Royal Light Beings, who welcome her as one of their own. Excited to unravel Starland’s mysteries and connect them to her own world, Ruby faces danger as sinister Dark Beings threaten to extinguish all light, both on Starland and Earth. With thrilling challenges ahead, Ruby must maintain her disguise, uncover secrets, and stop the dark forces before it’s lights out forever. Join Ruby on her daring quest to save the world’s light!

T.J. Scripps is an author and storyteller passionate about inspiring the next generation through magic, adventure, and meaningful life lessons. With a background in Journalism and Film Production from the University of Cape Town and further training at the New York Film Academy, T.J. has spent the past decade developing content through her production company, Skybok, bringing stories of people, events, and businesses to life.
As a proud UCT graduate and South African at heart, T.J. promotes the spirit of promise and strength to those younger people who are facing worry and struggles. She undertakes to give light so they can believe in their own ability. Every young reader will enjoy interpreting natural symbols as they go about their life. The overall message of this book is to be excited about life and its beauty. For more information visit glow-in-the-dark.com.

​Where did you get the inspiration?
The inspiration for Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light came during the quiet days of
COVID, when I found myself walking along the Ann and Roy Hike and Bike Trail in
Austin. Nature seemed to speak a little louder then—birds perched just so, flowers
blooming in unexpected places, ripples on the lake catching the light just right. These
small, beautiful signs stood out to me, almost like nature itself was trying to
communicate. It was in those moments, surrounded by the magic of simple things, that
the idea for Ruby’s story and the signs from the universe began to grow.

What was your writing process like for this book?
My writing process is rooted in the places I have journeyed through, which have always
been wild and magnificent—the oceanside of South Africa, the mountains of Lesotho,
and the great Lake Malawi that borders Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique. The great
outdoors has always been so impactful to me. This past Christmas along the River
Danube, I seemed to reach a crescendo with the concept of Glow in the Dark. The
winding paths of Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, and Nuremberg, with their castles
capped in snow and steeped in old superstitions and folklore, inspired me in a profound
way. These places seemed to whisper stories of signs and symbols, which became the
essence of The Aura Embassy. I wanted to show that simple signs in nature—a bird's
flight, a curious cloud—could be a way for us to feel connected, a reminder that
something—or someone—was out there helping us mere humans do better.

What's your favorite part about writing for kids?
My favorite part about writing stories for kids is the look in their eyes when they believe
in something. Children have such a natural wonder about the universe, and they believe
in possibilities that adults sometimes forget. When I write for kids, I get to tap into that
wonder—I get to create worlds where anything can happen, where a small sign in
nature can mean something incredible is about to unfold. I also realize the far-reaching
impact a concept or story can have on the next generation, and that's very important to
me. I want to seed them with ideas that will help them handle trauma as they grow up,
developing mental health strategies at a young age so they don't turn to darker coping
mechanisms as they get older. It's about creating a sense of adventure and hope and
knowing that this series will light up their way of looking at life and help them handle
challenges in a positive way moving forward is very rewarding.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the next book in this series. It's called Glow in the Dark: Aura
Girl - The Shadow War and the Fractured Signs. It's an exciting continuation of Ruby's
journey, filled with new challenges, mysterious signs, and the ongoing battle against the
darkness that threatens to dim the light. I can't wait to share more about it soon!

What is your favorite book?
My favorite book became that recently—The Girl Who Drank the Moon, by Kelly
Barnhill. It's such a beautifully written story, full of magic, wonder, and deep emotion. I
love how it weaves together themes of love, sacrifice, and the power of hope in a way
that feels both timeless and incredibly moving. The characters are richly developed, and
the world Barnhill creates is one you can get lost in.

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a signed paperback of Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light! Imagine the thrill of being the one lucky winner who will receive a signed hard copy, a Montessori Toy Interactive Constellation card pack, a Scratch & Play Scripps National Spelling Bee activity book, and the official dictionary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee 2025 “Words of the Champions”!
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This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Stephen Bowling. All opinions are my own.

Winslow Scarecrow: Scarecrows are Supposed to be Scary
Written by Stephen G. Bowling
Illustrated by Vitali Dudarenka
Ages: 4+ | 34 Pages
Publisher: Valley of Mexico | ISBN: 978-1-950957-32-3
Publisher’s Book Summary: He’s friendly as can be! But when his kindness causes a stir, can this cornfield guardian use his noggin to make everyone happy?
Winslow, the scarecrow, wouldn’t hurt a fly. Full of song and wearing a silly hat, the bespectacled fellow stretches out his arms and welcomes the crows to rest their weary wings. But he’s shocked when the other straw-filled-scarers get upset because they think he’s falling down on the job. Listening to his brightly dressed pals argue over what is proper; he thinks hard to come up with a better way. And hoping to find an agreeable solution, he spies the fallen corn on the ground going to waste, and the kernel of an idea begins to sprout. Can Winslow protect the farmer’s crops and still welcome the rascally rooks?
Winslow Scarecrow is a charming children’s picture book. If you or your child like resolving conflict, seeing problems from all sides, and bringing people together, then you’ll adore Stephen G Bowling’s beautifully illustrated tale. Buy Winslow Scarecrow to be a ray of sunshine today!

Enter for a chance to win one of six prizes! Four people will win a paperback of Winslow Scarecrow: Scarecrows are Supposed to be Scary and two lucky winners will win the grand prize of Winslow Scarecrow, Grandma’s House is Haunted, and Calvin the Christmas Tree!
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This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Ryan Cowan. All opinions are my own.

Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal
Written by Ryan Cowan
Illustrated by Halo Rife
Ages: 9-12 | 252 Pages
Publisher: For the Northern Star Publishing (2022) | ISBN-13: 9788351181905
Publisher’s Book Summary: Elliott attends his third-grade class like any other boy, except that Elliott isn’t like any other boy. Endowed with magical powers, Elliott belongs to a secret world called Moonstone—and trouble is brewing. When the evil witch Noir steals The Halloween Crystal, it’s up to Elliott and his third-grade teacher, Mr. Moonbeam, to stop Noir from invading the non-magical world on Halloween night. But can Elliott learn to master his powers in time?

Ryan Cowan works as an educator in Los Angeles. He received his Master of Education in Urban Teaching degree (EdM) from UCLA’s Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. For more information see https://www.instagram.com/sloanmoonbeam/

Where did you get the inspiration for Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal?
Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal was inspired by several things: my love of
Halloween, my career as a teacher, and the popular 80s cartoon, He-Man and the
Masters of the Universe. I wanted to write a story with magic and mystery that also
taught valuable lessons to kids because that’s what the He-Man cartoons did for me
when I was a kid.

What was your writing process like for this book?
It is very hard for me to remember the writing process for Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal because it happened in spurts. I started writing the book during the summer of 2011, and I remember that there was no plan for the book. In other words, the story just came out of nowhere – including the characters. I would sit each weekend and write a chapter and out of nowhere I’d
think of a character. I remember creating the ghost Ginny and being very pleased –
crediting it to good luck. Then, around 2013-14, I got writer’s block. Frustrated, I
stopped writing and resume the story until summer of 2017. I used graphic organizers
to construct the last 25% of the book and began writing again. Within a year, the book
was finished, and I was pleased with the ending. I felt a sense of accomplishment that I
had never felt before. Writing a book is a hard journey but worth the effort!

What is your favorite part about writing books for kids?
When someone tells me they loved my story, I’m on cloud nine. I also love seeing it hit #1 on Amazon!

What are you working on now?
I have finished the sequel, Mr. Moonbeam and the Legends of Moonstone. Currently, I’m editing the sequel and soon I’ll send it off to a professional editor. Then, it will go through illustration, design, and finally publishing!

What is your favorite book?
I think Gone with the Wind is a descriptive masterpiece and The Alchemist is full of wisdom. Those books have inspired me greatly. Charlotte’s Web is my favorite children’s book. I try to read as much as I can!

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal and an exclusive, limited-edition themed T-shirt!
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