Exciting to have a piece up and running on NYTimes online, ROOM FOR DEBATE. Do check it out. Here’s the link.

Hooray! The first reviews are coming in for WHO’S IN MY FAMILY? All About Our Families.

School Library Journal wrote, “This book sets out to reassure children: “Wherever you live, wherever you go, there are all kinds of families.” As readers journey to the zoo with Nellie, Gus, and their family, they learn about where people live, what they eat, their habits and hobbies, and how their families are composed, including references to single parents and same-sex couples. The prose is unadorned and economical, but gentle, and perfect for very young children. Digitally created images are bright and welcoming and feature a host of multicultural characters and diverse families. The conversations between Nellie and Gus featured in speech bubbles alongside the illustrations sweetly reinforce the messages in the broader text: “Right, Gus. Don’t worry. I can be your big sister and your friend. And I am!” This book should find a place in classroom libraries, guidance offices, and public libraries.”
–Alison Donnelly, Mississippi Valley Library District, Collinsville, IL

Kirkus wrote, “Narrative text and speech balloons introduce diverse family constellations in a celebratory spirit of inclusivity and community… the tone remains positive and affirming even as it acknowledges that “sometimes, families have mad times. And sometimes, families have sad times.”” Here’s the link to the full review.

On August 9th, I flew to Spokane, WA to receive Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s highest education award—The MARY LEE TATUM Award. This annual award “is given to the person who most exemplifies the qualities of an Ideal Sexuality Educator.” Of course, I was honored to receive this award for the four books I wrote on healthy sexuality. But one of the first things I told the audience of educators was that this prestigious award was not for me alone. But that I shared this award with two world-class illustrators—Michael Emberley and Nadine Bernard Westcott—and with every person at Candlewick Press who edited, designed, and believe in and continue to support the books I have written on healthy sexuality. And they have done that for over twenty years!

Keeping fingers crossed! SHADOW has made it into the shortlist of the Inspiration Book Awards run by Coventry City Council in the UK in the Never Too Young Category (0-4). Voting has started and the results will be announced in the New Year.

Wonderful News! MAYBE A BEAR ATE IT! was officially voted and selected as the 2012 One Book 4 Colorado book and a celebration that took place statewide from April 19-29, 2012. This program supported an effort to give every four year old in Colorado a copy of MAYBE A BEAR ATE IT! and support parents as their child’s first teacher. Lucky me! I had the honor of spending three days in Colorado reading to young children at a local library, at a Reach Out and Read Center and many other venues, including the Drop Everything and Read event for young children and families at the Denver Museum of Science, and Denver’s Children’s Museum, where everyone, the children, and Colorado’s Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia and I wore pajamas. Let me add that the Lieutenant Governor wore a bath robe and a tie over his pajamas.
Click here to read the event press release.
For more information about One Book 4 Colorado, please visit: www.onebook4colorado.org
For more information about Reach Out and Read Colorado, please visit: www.reachoutandread.org
For more information about the National Reach Out and Read Center, please visit: www.reachoutandreadco.org
For more information about Pre-School One Book One Denver, please visit: www.dpp.org