Picture Book News

Picture Book News

by | Jun 10, 2026 | Book News

Picture Book News

It has been a busy winter and spring for me, with the publication of two new picture books. I’m thrilled they’ve been so well received, and it’s fun to finally share them with young readers.

The Cloud That Stuck

I’m excited that The Cloud That Stuck is included with many wonderful books on the 2026 Telling Tales Reading List! Hooray!

“For anyone who’s ever tried to outrun their emotions, The Cloud That Stuck models how to embrace all that you are and all that you’re feeling—playfully and beautifully.”
Liz Garton Scanlon, Author of Caldecott-honored All the World

One Cosmic Rock

Thanks to 49thShelf for including One Cosmic Rock in their list of Most Anticipated Spring 2026 Books for Young Readers!

Educator Spencer Miller also selected it as a Winter 2026 Top Grade selection on 49thKids for Teachers. He said, “I love how this book about extinction and evolution puts your students right into the story, connecting them to science and history.”

My Street Remembers

This spring, IBBY Canada announced the finalists for the 2025 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award, and My Street Remembers, illustrated by Cathie Jamieson and written by me, was on the list! Such an honour! I’m so pleased that Cathie’s illustrations were recognized in this way, and congrats to winner Howie Shia for Ra! Ta! Ma! Cue!

Are You Revising a Picture Book?

If so, please check out my guest post on Jesse Weiner’s Inksations blog:  “Deconstruction and Reconstruction: A Primer on Picture Book Revision.” It includes tips to help deconstruct what you’ve written so you can reconstruct it with intention. While you’re there, please consider subscribing to Jesse’s newsletter, which is jam-packed with writing calls, gigs, articles, interviews, and more.

Want to work with me on your picture book manuscripts? I’m on faculty at Whale Rock Workshops and Humber School for Writers, where I mentor writers in all genres of writing for children. Please get in touch for more information.

Cover Reveal: The Cloud That Stuck

Cover Reveal: The Cloud That Stuck

by | Oct 17, 2025 | Book News, On Writing

I’m excited to share Dorothy Leung’s cover art for our picture book The Cloud That Stuck, coming from Charlesbridge Publishing in April 2026!

Some clouds just won’t go away. When one hovers above Tansy’s head, she learns to live with it through love, support, and creative thinking. A timely picture book about mental health, resilience, and change.

Whoosh! On a blustery day, the wind blows a cloud over Tansy’s head, blocking the sun. She yells at the cloud and tries to outrace it on her bike. Her best friend, dad, and teacher try to help get rid of it, but the cloud won’t budge. Then it rains on Tansy, and she forgets what sunshine feels like.

Having a cloud overhead feels like the worst possible thing in the world. Until Tansy gets rain boots and an umbrella. She plays in the puddles with her friends and even plants a garden and waters it with her handy, always present cloud. As Tansy finds ways to live with her cloud, she witnesses that flowers need rain, and so do rainbows.

Inspired by the author’s experiences with mental health, this book is for anyone who has faced challenges beyond their control.

Available for Pre-order Now

Bookshop.org
In Canada
In the US

Mentoring News

by | May 28, 2025 | Mentoring

I love teaching at at Whale Rock Workshops. In fact, I recently finished facilitating a small-group workshop on revising picture books that was so wonderful I didn’t want it to stop. You will still find me teaching workshops and delivering lectures through Whale Rock.

Now, I’m excited to announce that I’m adding to my teaching by joining the faculty for the Creative Writing Graduate Certificate Program at the Humber School for Writers in September 2025! This is a long-term, graduate-level program where I’ll be focused on mentoring children’s writers as they create their best work. It’s now accepting applications for Fall 2025.

New Book Deal: The Cloud That Stuck

by | Jan 10, 2025 | Book News

In my home, stoicism is a common topic of conversation. My partner has been reading aloud to me from The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday since 2020, and we’re also fans of readalouds of poetry by yung pueblo – books such as Inward and The Way Forward. My upcoming picture book, The Cloud That Stuck with the talented illustrator Dorothy Leung, is my love song to stoicism as a way to cope with challenges beyond my control.

Weather happens. Our young character can’t change it. But perhaps, she can find another way through the storm.

I’m thrilled to be working with Julie Bliven, Ellie Erhart, and everyone at Charlesbridge Publishing once again. Many thanks to my agent Ginger Knowlton of Curtis Brown for all her support.

 

 

You can read more about my upcoming picture books here.