• Lists

    61 Debut Middle Grade Authors in 2021

    writing

    It’s already extremely difficult to promote a newly published title. There are thousands of books published every year, and authors, illustrators, and publishers get their books into the hands of readers? And what happens when it’s your first book you’ve ever published? Book tours, school visits, and social media posts…

  • Lifestyle

    Bit About Books Winter 2021 Reading Challenge

    reading

    I’ve mentioned this winter reading challenge a couple of times over the past few days and I finally have time to talk more in-depth about it. I’m excited about a reading challenge that is both flexible and exciting! I’m also biased because I’m good friends with one of the creators,…

  • Reviews

    Eyes that Kiss in the Corners

    butterfly

    Synopsis: “A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers’. They have big, round eyes and long lashes. She realizes that her eyes are like her mother’s, her grandmother’s, and her little sister’s. They have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea,…

  • Lifestyle

    It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 1/4/2021

    bookmark

    What I Read I’m on a reading roll! And with my goal to spend more time on myself this year, I’m happy to report that my reading life is going really well! This week I read A Thousand Questions by Saadia Faruqi, Tune It Out by Jamie Sumner, Stand Up,…

  • Lifestyle

    Eat More Veggies

    kitchen

    Continuing from my post yesterday about my 30-day yoga challenge for January. I also thought I’d share my first week of meal planning. I’ve mentioned in the past that my partner and I are trying to include more vegetarian meals into our diet, relying less on meat to provide protein…

  • Lifestyle

    30 Day Yoga Journey

    yoga

    I’ve officially started on my quest to fulfill my 2021 goals and first up was a glass of water this morning and a yoga class. Last year, I signed up for a 30 Day Yoga Journey for the month of January. The classes are all free on YouTube and offered…

  • Reviews

    Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas

    Hoppin' John

    Synopsis: “Shanté Keys loves New Year’s Day! But while Grandma fixed chitlins, baked ham, greens, and cornbread, she forgot the black-eyed peas! Oh no—it’ll be bad luck without them! So Shanté sets out to borrow some from the neighbors. Does Miss Lee have peas? What about Mr. MacGhee, or Shanté’s…

  • Lifestyle

    2021 Goals

    2021

    2020 kicked my butt… hard. I’m ready to hit the refresh button and reset with a new year. I was inspired to create this graphic by my friend Kathie after I saw her goals on Instagram. I’m not sure about making new goals every season, that’s a lot of work!…

  • Lifestyle

    Director’s Thoughts – 12/30/2020

    schedule

    The last time I posted a Director’s Thoughts, it was the day after we opened to the public in September. Where do I even begin? Before the virus hit, we were working on hiring a couple of part-time staff members and had a staff of almost 50 individuals working anywhere…