Does every spread in your picture book have a job? New post on the blog, inspired by my class this week, shares a checklist to help you dummy-test your manuscript. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/22/i... #WritingTips #KidLit #PictureBooks #AmWriting

This week’s post dives into the gorgeous book THE TRUTH ABOUT DRAGONS by Julie Leung, a lyrical look at biracial identity. To go with it, I’ve developed a full set of reading activities. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/15/r... #PictureBooks #KidLit #Identity #AAPIHeritage #ActivitiesForKids

Thrilled to share a new author interview with the brilliant Susan Hughes! We discuss her journey writing books, and as a freelance editor, she shares common pitfalls she sees in manuscripts. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/08/a... #AuthorInterview #PictureBooks #WritingCraft #KidLit

New on the blog: Five-word reviews for five new picture books! It's my way of capturing the spark of a story in a nutshell. Check out all the quick takes right here! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/01/p... #PictureBooks #KidLit #BookReviews #NewBooks

Here's a great picture book tip from our ACQUIRED! workshop, courtesy of guest illustrator Fred Koehler. It's called "illustrator bait"—writing lines that give artists room to invent and create magic. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/25/i... #WritingCraft #KidLit #PictureBook #WritingCommunity

This week's post is all about the fantastic SHARK GIRL by Kate Beaton! To celebrate, I've developed a new set of reading activities for the book. Find all the fun here: www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/18/r... #PictureBooks #KidLit #KateBeaton #Reading #ActivitiesForKids

New on the blog! I talked with award-winning nonfiction author Lindsay H. Metcalf about the surprising science of Beatrix Potter, and why the Supreme Court once declared tomatoes a vegetable. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/11/a... #KidLit #WritingCommunity #Nonfiction #AuthorInterview #Books

It's a new week and a new batch of five-word picture book reviews! See which ones click for you! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/04/p... #PictureBooks #BookReview #KidsBooks #ShortReviews #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

New on Only Picture Books: I'm sharing highlights & Q&A from my "Unlocking the WOW Factor: Elevating Nonfiction Picture Books" session at @WritersDigest Conference! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/28/i... #KidlitWriting #NonfictionPB #WritersDigest #PublishingTips #AuthorLife #MondayBlogs

Fresh on Only Picture Books: Activities for Chalk the Walk! Explore the power of imagination and transforming dull spaces with colorful art. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/21/r... #PictureBooks #Creativity #OutdoorPlay #FamilyActivities #Kidlit #MondayBlogs

New on Only Picture Books: I'm pulling back the curtain on ghostwriting & IP work in publishing! Should you say yes? This post breaks down the benefits & drawbacks. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/14/e... #KidlitWriting #PublishingIndustry #WriterLife #InvisibleWork #CareerAdvice #MondayBlogs

Just posted a review of Where Are You, Brontë? by Tomie dePaola & Barbara McClintock. PLUS, catch my photo diary from #ALAAC25 last week. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/07/p... www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/30/i... #PictureBooks #KidlitReview #ALAConference #AuthorLife #Reading

New on Only Picture Books: Decoding Editorial Feedback! As an Editorial Director & writer, I'm pulling back the curtain on common phrases like "not enough here for a picture book" and "too similar to our list," using real PB examples. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/23/i... #publishingtips

Fresh on Only Picture Books: Reading activities for the powerful Are You a Friend of Dorothy? by Kyle Lukoff & Levi Hastings. Ideas for exploring belonging, LGBTQ+ history, and finding your community. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/16/a... #PictureBooks #ReadingIsMagic #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

Got 15 min? I’ve got answers. $50 = one-on-one advice on writing, pitching, freelancing, ghosting, picture books—whatever you need. No fluff. No sales pitch. Just me. Book your AMA call or Zoom: ryangvancleave.com/writing-serv...

Today on Only Picture Books: An interview with award-winning author Donna Janell Bowman! Learn about her meticulous research and turning historical figures into compelling stories. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/09/a... #PictureBooks #NonfictionAuthor #KidlitCommunity #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

Double feature on Only Picture Books! 🔥 Read my latest 5-word reviews AND catch last week's deep dive interview with new agent Katie Bircher. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/02/p... www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/05/26/a... #PictureBooks #KidlitReviews #AgentAdvice #NewBooks #Reading

New on OPB: Light up your reading with activities inspired by Fireworks! Explore onomatopoeia, create rooftop art, and dive into city summer vibes. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/05/19/f... #PictureBooks #KidsBooks #Literacy #SummerFun #ReadingIdeas #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

Fresh interview on OPB! Joyce Uglow chats with author Shannon Stocker about her books Reinventing the Wheel and Get a Hug, inspiration, and the importance of community. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/05/12/a... #PictureBooks #AuthorInterview #NewBooks #KidlitWriting #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

New 5-word picture book reviews are up! This week I'm sharing my short thoughts on books about quiet moments, growing wisdom, healing hearts, alphabet fun, and a tortilla tale! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/05/05/p... #PictureBooks #BookReview #KidsBooks #ShortReviews

New on OPB! Learn about the world of children's book representation from literary agent Janine Le. She shares her insights on finding great stories and working with creators. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/04/28/a... #PictureBooks #KidLitAgent #PublishingAdvice #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

Kidlit writers! Want to know what it really takes to get published? Join the 3-day virtual workshop Acquired!—expert feedback, live consults, and a publishing deal for one lucky participant. May 15–17. 👉 bushelandpeckbooks.com/pages/acquired #kidlit #amwriting #pbchat #writingcommunity

New on OPB: Reading activities inspired by Kenneth Kraegel's Something Good! From Blah-Day Bingo to magic sock crafts, these ideas explore emotions and finding joy in unexpected places. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/04/21/r... #PictureBooks #KidsBooks #Literacy #ClassroomIdeas #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

Joyce Uglow interviews author Becky Scharnhorst about her upcoming book BEST BUDS, the power of friendship in stories, and her writing process. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/04/14/i... #PictureBooks #ChildrensLiterature #AuthorInterview #Friendship #NewRelease #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

My 5-word picture book reviews are BACK! This month: mermaids, bears, party animals, twisted rhymes & more! Short, sweet, & to the point. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/04/07/p... #PictureBooks #BookReviews #KidsLit #5WordReview #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

Get ready for Spring Astronomy Day! I've curated a list of 15 amazing picture books that explore the wonders of space. From Mars rovers to moon adventures, explore the universe today! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/03/31/p... #PictureBooks #Astronomy #Space #STEM #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

Just posted a new interview with Maria Correa, editor at Random House Children's Books. We talked about her work with Dr. Seuss, her passion for global storytelling, and what she looks for in a manuscript. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/03/24/e... #PictureBooks #ChildrensLit #Editing #Publishing

We’re celebrating NEARLY EXACTLY ALMOST LIKE ME by Jennifer Bradbury & Pearl AuYeung with fun reading activities, discussion prompts, & book recommendations for young readers! 📖✨ 🔗 www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/03/17/r... #PictureBooks #KidLit #FamilyStories #Adoption #DiverseBooks #Mondayblogs

Thanks to Rebecca Gardyn Levington for guest-interviewing Katrina Moore at OPB. Enjoy the conversation between these two terrific picture book makers right here. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/03/10/a... #picturebooks #askauthor #MondayBlogs

Thanks to Austin McKinley for reviewing this picture book with me. What did we think about it? Find out right here! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/03/03/p... #picturebooks #Mondayblogs #BookReviews #IMWAYR

Thanks to Jessica Saint Jean for sharing her path to becoming a literary agent. Lots of great insight and tips here too! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/02/24/a... #Picturebooks #Mondayblogs #Askagent #IMWAYR

I'm a music fan, so picture books like this always appeal. Here are some Reading Activities to go with this one! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/02/17/r... #picturebooks #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR

Thanks to Lisa Rogers for being such a great interview subject. See for yourself! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/02/10/a... #picturebooks #Mondayblogs #IMWAYR

Thanks to Bonnie Kelso for helping review this new "dog" picture book. See what we thought about it! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/02/03/p... #picturebooks #IMAWYR #MondayBlogs

Thanks to literary agent Sam Farkas for knocking it out of the park with this interview. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/01/27/a... #picturebooks #askagent #Mondayblogs

Books + @debbieohi.com? What a winning combination. Enjoy some free reading activities for this fun book. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/01/20/r... #MondayBlogs #picturebooks #IMWAYR

Thanks to Sarah Hovorka for sharing her picture book journey at OPB. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/01/13/a... #imwayr #picturebooks #MondayBlogs

We're starting the year with mini reviews for five picture books. Happy 2025! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/01/06/p... #picturebooks #mondayblogs #Imwayr

At long last, here's the "24 Best Picture Books of 2024" list from OPB. See if your favorites are here! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2024/12/30/o... #picturebooks #IMWAYR #MondayBlogs

Another different-than-normal industry post. See what you think! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2024/12/23/p... #mondayblogs #picturebooks #IMWAYR

Thanks to Lexi Hall for another fine guest post. This week, she created some Reading Activities for the picture book FROSTFIRE. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2024/12/16/r... #picturebooks #Mondayblogs #IMWAYR

Thanks to Angela for being such a great guest at OPB. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2024/12/09/a... #picturebooks #authorinterview #Mondayblogs #illustratorinterview

Thanks to Lexi Hall for handling the five-word picture book reviews this week. See what this children's bookseller and artist thought about these five titles. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2024/12/02/p... #picturebooks #Mondayblogs #bookreviews

OPB went another way this week with the industry-focused post. See what you think! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2024/11/25/p... #picturebooks #Mondayblogs #IMWAYR

The title had me smiling, so I had to cover this book. Enjoy the reading activities. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2024/11/18/r... #picturebooks #Mondayblogs #IMWAYR

Ame Dyckman is simply terrific. See for yourself! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2024/11/11/a... #picturebooks #mondayblogs #AskAuthor

And......here's another set of five-word picture book reviews. See what OPB thought about these! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2024/11/04/f... #picturebooks #Mondayblogs #bookreviews #IMWAYR

Here's your chance to learn more about Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. Thanks to Editorial Director Kathleen Merz for this interview! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2024/10/28/e... #picturebooks #mondayblogs #askeditor

Enjoy some free Reading Activities for Roxanne Troup's new picture book. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2024/10/21/r... #picturebooks #IMWAYR #MondayBlogs

Thanks to Marcie Colleen for turning this month's interview into a real winner. See for yourself! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2024/10/14/a... #picturebooks #Mondayblogs #IMWAYR #authorinterview