Boys are Best, written and illustrated by Manuela Olten, explores boys and girls roles in a super fun way with delightful contemporary illustrations. In this video, I talk about both the story and the illustrations as we look at one of the differences between European and American publishing. I also talk about gender identification in children's picture books and invite you on an informal research project asking the question - are there more male or female characters in children's picture books? Curious? Please watch and enjoy.

This choice book by my friend Ashley Wolff introduces really young children to the world of color through beautiful spare language and exquisite illustrations. It features a "set up and payoff" that is deeply satisfying and shows Ashley's expertise as both a writer and an illustrator. You can find Ashley in both The Craft and Business of Writing Children's Picture Books and in The Hero's Art Journey as well as on her own website at www.ashleywolff.com

I am so excited to share today's video review of Melissa Sweet's wonderful book Carmine: A Little More Red, which is full of puns and cleverness and all sorts of delightful inspiring art. I read somewhere that she had a contract to do a book and was stumped, so she wrote a list of her favorite words and then narrowed them down into this uniquely inventive alphabet book. I think you'll enjoy it as much as I do and if you are a writer or illustrator, there's lots to learn here!!

After you're done, have a look at Melissa's website www.melissasweet.net which is also wonderful (of course) and then come on over to our Facebook page and tell us what you think https://www.facebook.com/MiraReisbergPictureBooksAndArt

I'm moving tomorrow and not sure when I'll have internet at the new place so am posting this fun plot-driven picture book review here, which I'm hoping you haven't seen from my old blog ages ago. It's got something for writers and something for illustrators and something for those who just like a good chuckle. I hope you enjoy it.

Last night I had the pleasure of hearing Gennifer Choldenko speak at one of our North/Central California SCBWI events (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators). She said a lot of inspiring and informative things as well as hilarious stuff about dealing with rejection and about her early arrogance as an author. It was quite wonderful. If you are at all serious about writing or illustrating kid's books I strongly recommend that you join. It's an awesome organization www.scbwi.org And here's a link to Gennifer's website http://www.choldenko.com/

Starting in January (if all goes well), there's going to be a new blog here at the Academy co-hosted with a fantastic group of authors and illustrators where we will also feature author interviews including one with Gennifer Choldenko. Wahoo!! More news will be coming... 

I also wanted to share with you that folks are loving the new affordably priced self-paced e-course that Marsha Diane Arnold and I put together to help writers understand and write wonderful character-driven picture books. Do check it out here before the price goes up.

Oh and more fun news - author, English teacher, and Rate Your Story founder Miranda Paul and I have been working hard on a grammar course for all those writers who struggle with where to put apostrophes, quotes, keep consistent tenses and so much more coming super soon : )

Hello everyone! Mira has been experiencing some internet service issues (this is her assistant Marge), so unfortunately, there will not be a Mondays with Mira Picture Book Review.

The good news is, that after a bunch of hard work, the Writing Wonderful Character-Driven Picture Books with Marsha Diane Arnold is up, running, and ready for sign-ups!

For more information, visit the course info page, or click here to sign up for this magical course now!

That's all for me! I hope you guys have a wonderful Monday!