Hello friends!

Disneyland on the 4th of July, Long Beach with my MIL, Mario ride at Universal Studios

Happy July!

I hope your 4th was filled with fireworks and lots of fun. We spent the day at Disneyland. Then my 89-year-old mother-in-law came for a visit. I also made my first visit to Universal Studios Hollywood in 30 years.

On the picture book front…

I had a meeting with my editor for Shape of Our Stories to finalize back matter. The current target pub date is March 7, 2028. Here's hoping!

Bye-bye podcast (for now)

The "Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations" podcast is currently on hiatus. As much as I loved these conversations, they were a fair bit of work to produce, and few episodes topped 300 listens combined (YouTube and podcast platforms). I may periodically release a new episode when there's something I really want to talk about. For the time being, I will continue to keep the old episodes available on my podcast platform for your listening pleasure. And you will always be able to find the episodes on my YouTube. My eternal thanks to all of you who listened and appeared as guests on the show to share your wisdom.

NF/STEM Book Reviews: Reviving a YouTube series

I am reviving my NF/STEM book reviews, which are still some of the most-watched videos on my YouTube Channel (which you can find here). These short (2-3-min) videos highlight new nonfiction books as well as craft elements that make them work, and how the books might be used in the classroom or with kids at home. I encourage you to subscribe if you aren't already.

Things I'm loving right now

Remarkably Bright Creatures on Netflix: I adored this inventive and heartfelt book by Shelby Van Pelt, narrated by Marcellus the Pacific Octopus. I cried my way through the Netflix adaptation starring Sally Field as Tova Sullivan, the aquarium cleaner who is still haunted by the loss of her son Erik 30 years ago.
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone is a mind-bending sci-fi romp through time (think Loki) in which two enemy agents are pitted against each other while falling in love through a series of letters. This novella has some of the most spectacular line-level writing I've read in ages.
Bagsmart 38L Travel Backpack: For a quick weekend trip, or escorting my MIL back home while managing her roll aboard and carryon, nothing beats this travel backpack. It opens like a suitcase, has a dry compartment and shoe compartment, as well as padded area for my laptop and water bottle pocket. The arrangement of the pockets is so thoughtful. It's my new go-to for short trips.

Read on for podcast updates (my last one) 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: When Nonfiction Refuses to Stay in Its Lane: A Conversation with Annette Bay Pimentel

What happens when a nonfiction picture book refuses to stay in its lane? In this episode of Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations, I talk with Annette Bay Pimentel about her inventive new picture book, How a Bear Became a Book, illustrated by Faith Pray.

Together, we explore:

✔️ Rule-breaking nonfiction

✔️ The collaboration behind Winnie-the-Pooh

✔️ How words and pictures work together in picture books

✔️Metafiction and informational fiction in children’s literature

✔️ Researching book history and literary archives

✔️ Why critique groups matter for nonfiction writers

✔️ The creative partnership between authors and illustrators

Annette shares how this book evolved from a traditional nonfiction biography into an innovative, layered exploration of storytelling itself, complete with a talking Winnie-the-Pooh narrator. We also discuss the creative risks involved in blending nonfiction, metafiction, and picture book craft while staying true to young readers.

Tune into the Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations podcast (on Youtube as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.).

Are you enjoying the podcast?