BOOKS

Hanging Out My Shingle – CRITIQUES!

Posted by & filed under On Creating, Picture Books.

Picture Book Critiques! I’m available for a limited number of picture book critiques. Interested? Read on… Need Feedback? I love helping people discover what their project “wants to become.” I taught writing and children’s literature for nearly two decades and use that experience to craft feedback that honors your vision and helps you move your… Read more »

Conversation with Military Families for Free Expression (MFFE)

Posted by & filed under Book Bans & Censorship, LGBTQIAP2+, LOVE VIOLET, SCOTUS.

Inside MFFE’s Inaugural Virtual Gathering On Sept. 9, 2025, I had the honor of joining other book professionals and Military Families for Free Expression (MFFE) for their first online event: “Inside MFFE’s Inaugural Virtual Gathering.” FULL EVENT HERE (55:19) The full conversation was so informative and moving – you won’t want to miss Philomena Polefrone… Read more »

Unexpected Ripples of Mahmoud v. Taylor (Vaccines?!)

Posted by & filed under Book Bans & Censorship, Disability, LGBTQIAP2+, LOVE VIOLET, Picture Books, SCOTUS.

I’ve been reeling. We are starting to discover the real-life implications of Mahmoud v. Taylor – the Supreme Court case on school opt-outs that named Love, Violet and eight other LGBTQ+ picture books.  Some I expected and even warned about during the case. Others…I did not see coming. (What follows is from my social media post on… Read more »

Lexington Lawsuit Pushes Mahmoud to the Extreme. There’s Still HOPE.

Posted by & filed under Book Bans & Censorship, LGBTQIAP2+, LOVE VIOLET, Picture Books, SCOTUS.

Mahmoud v. Taylor in Action It’s happening again. A father in Lexington, Massachusetts is suing a school district for reading two picture books about families to his kindergarten-aged child. He cites Mahmoud v. Taylor the case on opt-outs that named Love, Violet and other LGBTQ+ picture books. He first asked that his child be opted… Read more »

Turns Out, Reading Freedom is Popular: After Mahmoud v. Taylor, 99.97% of Montgomery County students opt IN to LGBTQIA+ books

Posted by & filed under Book Bans & Censorship, LGBTQIAP2+, LOVE VIOLET, Picture Books, SCOTUS.

October 17, 2025 There is so much devastating news out there. Today, I’m happy to share signs of hope! How Much Are Parents Using Mahmoud v. Taylor to Censor Education? When my book was caught up in the Supreme Court case Mahmoud v. Taylor about parental opt-outs from LGBTQ+ picture books, I wondered: How would parents… Read more »