Hello friends!

Left to right: Netflix is a Joke Festival at the Greek; William Shatner and Neil deGrasse Tyson in conversation, Millennials Are Killing Musicals: The Musical

Happy May!

I've been out and about a lot this month, from a comedy festival to seeing William Shatner and Neil deGrasse Tyson, and taking in a brand-new musical, Millennials Are Killing Musicals (which I highly recommend if you ever have a chance to see it). I think I'm ready for a break!

On the picture book front…

I have seen Lauren Tamaki's full sketch dummy for our book, The Shape of Our Stories, and it is amazing! This began as a 32-page picture book, a love letter to books in all their many forms. Originally, each 2-page spread had two layers of text: an eight-line poetic stanza and a sidebar with more details. However, our editor decided to turn it into a 64-page book! Each stanza and sidebar got their own two-page spread, and the book now has more text features, labeled illustrations, etc. It's been a joy to watch the evolution. Hopefully I'll have more on a publication date soon.

My point in Shape of Our Stories is that books come in many forms, and all reading counts, whether it's audiobooks, comic books, or clay tablets. And that brings me too...

Are kids' books crud? (my take)

There's been a big upheaval in the children's book world. Mac Barnett, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, has released a new book about writing for children in which he said hyperbolically, “Maybe more like 94.7 percent of kids’ books are crud.” ( see a well-reasoned discussion from school librarians Arlene Laverde and Jennifer Sturge here ). While the book is actually an argument for high-quality children's literature that respects its audience, with that quote Barnett's book does exactly what he argues against: telling kids (and their grown ups) what types of books kids should read--essentially his brand of humorous subversive books. Otherwise, the implication is it's "crud."

But here's the thing, many books kids love don't fit Barnett's ideas of "good" books. Data shows that the younger the kid, the higher their preference for nonfiction. Many of the nonfiction books don't follow the conventional story model Barnett favors. In my opinion, no adult, Barnett or anyone else, should determine what type of reading is "good" for kids. A licensed Star Wars early reader may not be great literature, but if a kid loves it, it's not crud. The same goes for work-for-hire nonfiction. My Freaky Nature series about animal vampires, zombies, etc. is not my most exquisite line-level writing, but those were some of my most popular books!

Readers need all types of books to choose from. And they shouldn't be shamed for loving the books they love.

Ok, I am off my soapbox. With that said, I know many of you are creators who want to make the best books you can for kids. If you want to improve your craft, I suggest picking up a copy of my latest book on writing nonfiction for all ages, Telling It True. Or join my Insiders community where we are working to level up our craft.

Things I'm loving right now

Running Point Season 2 (Netflix): Kate Hudson is hilarious as the reformed party girl and now-owner of her family's pro basketball team, especially when her oldest brother is trying to wrestle control away from her.
Katabasis by R. F. Kuang: I DNF'd Yellowface because I'm too close to publishing to appreciate the satire. However Katabasis is the story of two rival magician graduate students who must brave the circles of hell to retrieve their advisor. It's dark academia, fantasy, and lots of world religion/mythology all in one.
Smocked dress (in red): I just bought this dress (pictured above at Shatner and Tyson) from Gap Factory, and it is so comfortable. It's stretchy! AND it has pockets.

Read on for podcast updates and more.

Kirsten

Join me for the Engaging Stories Conference (October 8-10)

Have you always dreamed of telling true stories for kids, but aren't sure where to start? Join me at SCBWI Wisconsin's Engaging Stories conference Oct. 8-10 in Green Lake, WI.

Whether you're drawn to biographies, STEM books, or even magazine articles, this 3-hour, intensive masterclass will give you the essential tools to craft compelling nonfiction that kids can't put down. Based on my comprehensive guide, Telling It True, you’ll learn how to transform facts into page-turning stories, conduct efficient research, and structure your work so young readers stay hooked from beginning to end.

Materials Needed: Bring a current work-in-progress or story idea you're excited to develop, plus your laptop or notebook for hands-on exercises.

Hope to see you there in person!

Podcast: Graphic Nonfiction with Teresa Robeson

What if your next nonfiction project isn’t a picture book—or even prose—but a graphic novel?

In this episode of Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations, I talk with award-winning author Teresa Robeson about how to write nonfiction graphic novels for kids. Teresa shares practical tips, industry insights, and creative strategies for turning real stories into visual, page-turning nonfiction.

Whether you write picture books, middle grade, or YA nonfiction, this conversation will help you explore a fast-growing format in children’s publishing and give you clear steps to get started.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why nonfiction writers should consider graphic novels right now
Key differences between graphic novels, picture books, and prose nonfiction
How to structure scenes, panels, and page turns
What skills transfer from traditional nonfiction writing
How to write a graphic novel script (no drawing required!)
What to include in a nonfiction graphic novel proposal
Tips for research, visual storytelling, and working with illustrators
Beginner-friendly resources to learn the craft
Teresa also shares her favorite graphic nonfiction mentor texts, advice for getting started, and encouragement for writers ready to try something new.