Author Archives: stephanielowden

If you follow the Goodreads review site, you will see that they have a new list out as of March: 100 books banned by school districts in Florida. These books were initially pulled “for review” in Duvall County, a county … Continue reading →

Zee Grows a Tree by Elizabeth Rusch, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand.  Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts, 2021. “One morning, little Zee Cooper arrived in the world. The very same day, a Douglas-fir seedling emerged from the soil at Cooper’s Christmas Tree … Continue reading →

Zonia’s Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal. Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts, 2021 “Zonia lives with those she loves in the rain forest, where it is always green and full of life.” So begins the story of a small girl whose family … Continue reading →

  Butterflies Belong Here by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Meilo So. Chronicle Books, San Francisco, 2020 “Last Spring, we took a class picture. That’s me in the back. I was a little like a caterpillar then: quiet and almost invisible. … Continue reading →

Who Is Singing? By Janet Halfmann, Illustrated by Chrissy Chabot. Pen It! Publications, LLC, U.S.A 2021 “Cheer-o-lee, cheer up! Who is singing? Take a Bow, Robin, hopping on the ground hunting earthworms. Cheer-o-lee, cheer-up!” The first page of Who is … Continue reading →

Is It Over? by Sandy Brehl, illustrated by Rebecca S. Hirsch. Pen It! Publications, LLC, USA, 2021. Is It Over by Sandy Brehl is a quiet little gem of a book. “Clouds tower! Waves crash!” A storm is coming up … Continue reading →

I recently interviewed Sheri Sinykin by email. We talked about her latest middle grade novel, Calling Cobber. S.L.: Hi Sheri, it’s so nice to talk to you again. When we last spoke in this space, in 2013, you had just … Continue reading →

Fry Bread A Native American Family Story  by Kevin Noble Maillard, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. Roaring Brook Press, New York, NY, 2019. Kevin Noble Maillard’s debut children’s book is a joyful romp that uses the making of fry bread to … Continue reading →

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade. Roaring Brook Press, New York, NY, 2020. First, let me say the illustrations in We Are Water Protectors are breathtaking and well worth the purchase price of the book, … Continue reading →

Follow Me Into the Woods by Amy Laundrie, illustrated by Abira Das. Published by Pen It! Publications, LLC in the U.S.A, 2020. Paris is hesitant when Oliver suggests they hike into the woods. She’s afraid of snakes and wonders if … Continue reading →