Let’s Celebrate Our Members’ Success!
Congratulations to these Children’s Book Insider members who are building exciting careers writing for children & teens.
Many of these successes stemmed from CBI At Presstime listings or one of our monthly Above the Slushpile Submission Opportunities. We’re honored to have helped you on the road to success!
July 2026:
Robin Currie’s picture book, Just Enough Room for Christmas, received a 2026 SELAH award, 2nd place in Children’s Picture Books, at the Blue Ridge Writers Conference!
Susan Simms’ third book with Wonder House is out! Wait for Us, Counting Bus is a counting book that takes place on a bus trip around town and all the things that are seen through a bus window. When you get to 10, you can turn around and go again!
Karen Troncale announces that her first picture book, A Friend is a Hug, is now available from Lawley Publishing! For ages 4–7, A Friend is a Hug helps you find out what makes a good friend, whether you’re waving goodbye to an old friend or saying hello to a new one.
June 2026
Debbie Soltis Eck sent us this lovely email:
I wanted to reach out and thank you from the bottom of my heart. I became an empty nester about eight years ago and although I was still working full-time, I wanted to start writing. Something I’ve been passionate about for, well forever. I purchased your Picture Book Blueprint course and decided to get started with a three book series that began years ago, during storytime with my three boys…. I never imagined those moments would one day turn into real books I could hold in my hands… Or that one day my boys might read to their own children. That day has come. My first picture book has been published and available on Amazon.
I’ve learned so much from the two of you and the community you’ve established and will be forever thankful for planting and nurturing the seed inside me.
Congratulations, Debbie! Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Book 1 of the Imagine What Grandma Can Do! picture book series, Imagine What Grandma Can Do: On the Court, by Debbie J. Soltis, illustrated by Aila Naveed, is now available on Amazon.
May 2026
Christine Van Zandt wants to extend a doggone-big welcome for her new picture book, Hot Dog! The History of America’s Favorite Sausage (Macmillan, 2026), a JLG Gold-Standard Selection. Narrated by Frank de Wienerdog, readers will laugh while they learn about this beloved food. Illustrated by the renowned Steven Salerno. She’s offering a two-for-one deal: When you pre-order Hot Dog! through Children’s Book World in Los Angeles, you will receive her book A Brief History of Underpants for free. While supplies last.
Phyllis Schwartz announces her fourth picture book, coming out May 8, titled Laggie and Grillo: The Sea Glass Mystery. Fifth-grade poet Yoshi and her two curious critters, Laggie and Grillo, are back for another adventure. Something mysterious washes up on their hometown beach in Encinitas, California. There are lots of twists and turns as they try to answer the question: Is it sea glass or a real gem? Yoshi and the Curious Critter Detective Agency dig up clues about explorers, pirates, and jewel thieves to get their answer. Available on Amazon.
April 2026
Lynn Slaughter’s first middle grade novel, a fantasy identity-swapping tale called The Big Switch: Varney and Cedric, released from Nightingale Books on March 26. Varney’s a kid vampire who hates the taste of blood and longs to be a human boy, while Cedric is a bully with a miserable home life who admires vampires. When a friendly witch gives the boys a chance to trade places on a trial basis, they readily agree. The catch? They can’t tell anyone about the switch, or it will immediately end. Read more at www.lynnslaughter.com.
Sonja Anderson is thrilled to announce that her debut picture book, A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse: A St. Lucia Celebration, published by Tyndale Kids, won the Grand Prize in the Seasons of Kidlit contest, Winter Books category. Congratulations Sonja!
March 2026
Katie Lee Reinert (www.KatieLeeReinert.com) has two picture books coming out in March! Emma Wasn’t Ready (Lawley Publishing, ages 4-8, March 10, 2026) tells the story of Emma, who has loved a book since the moment she first saw it and for each of the 21 days it has been hers. But now, the library wants it back. As she puzzles and plots to find a way to keep it, Emma discovers something she likes even more than reading her favorite book. Available on Amazon.
Sloths and Their Moths from Tielmour Press (ages 4-8, March 31, 2026), zooms in to take a closer look at each part of the unique relationship between sloths, the moths that live on them, and so much more! Told in a cumulative format, kids will discover each layer of this unique ecosystem, step by step, in a fun and educational way. Available on Amazon.
Patricia Danna announces the fourth book in her independently published Adventures of a Little Trolley picture book series, Delmar the Dinky Meets President Teddy Roosevelt, for ages 3-8. When President Teddy Roosevelt’s trolley breaks down on the way to the 1904 World’s Fair, only Delmar the Dinky, a little trolley, can save the day! Available on Amazon.
Claire Freeland (clairefreelandwrites.com/) is pleased to announce the publication of My Passover Seder, a board book for 0-3, from Green Bean Books, March 2026. This engaging board book takes young readers on a journey through a typical Seder celebration, from the arrival of the first guests and the breaking of the matzah, through the sharing of the Exodus story and the Passover dinner, to the arrival of Elijah and the singing of final prayers. Find it on Amazon.
Lynn Slaughter (www.lynnslaughter.com) is thrilled that her young adult novel, Missing Mom, has been nominated for an Agatha in the juvenile/young adult category, named a finalist for Chanticleer’s Dante Rossetti Award for Young Adult Fiction, and won the Independent Press Award for young adult fiction! Congratulations Lynn!
January/February 2026
Susan Rose Simms invites us all to come along for the ride with her second book published by Wonder House. In My Car is a rhyming car adventure for children ages 2-5. A little girl and her grandfather go “up, down and all around the town” on a sightseeing road trip in their neighborhood. Along the way, they see workers, delivery people, stores and businesses. Available on Amazon.
Sharon Dalgleish is excited to share that her debut picture book releases February 3! Saving Shark Pup, for ages 4-8, is published by Allen & Unwin Australia. It’s the true story of a great white shark pup who washed up on the beach and was rescued by the local community. Find out more or order the book at sharondalgleishbooks.com/fiction.
Rebecca S. Mower announces the publication of her picture book, Three Plastic Steps, from Christian Faith Publishing! Have you ever really observed a toddler’s play? Was there structure to that child’s thoughts? Here is fantastic proof that “kids have it together” in a delightful and true event within a daycare setting. See it on Amazon.
December 2025
Robin Currie’s new book, Just Enough Room for Christmas, won first place in both the International Firebird and American BookFest contests! Congratulations Robin!
November 2025
Longtime subscriber Ritu Anand, who is an award-winning author and an agent with D4EO Literary Agency, announces the sale of a middle grade novel by her client Darlene Pagan called Lucia and the Sombra Trees, about a girl who discovers a magical oasis when she bravely ventures into a dangerous forest to find a rare, life-saving fruit for her beloved grandmother, to Margaret Raymo at Little, Brown Children’s, for publication in summer 2027!
Author David Harrison, a longtime subscriber to CBI, is featured in the comprehensive fall Book Buzz YouTube picture book roundup from the librarians at the Peters Township Public Library. Check it out!
September 2025
Robin Currie’s new picture book, Just Enough Room for Christmas, was published September 2 by Good Books/Sky Horse Publishing! In a tiny barn in Bethlehem, Old Hannah the cow lives alone until the cold winds drive other animals to seek shelter. One by one, they squeeze in, but when a tiny mouse stirs up trouble, the barn erupts into chaotic mooing, meowing, and barking. Will there be enough room for a little family to have a silent night? Available on Amazon.
Sonja Anderson’s debut picture book, A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse: A St. Lucia Celebration, was given a starred review by School Library Journal! The reviewer called the storytelling “reminiscent of the Velveteen Rabbit.” Sonja says, “What a thrill for this school librarian!” The book comes out September 9.
Natasha Wing won the Colorado Book Award for Children’s Literature for her picture book The Wire Zoo: How Elizabeth Berrien Learned to Turn Wire into Amazing Art, illustrated by Joanne Stone, published by Simon and Schuster! Available wherever books are sold.
August 2025:
Mary Bleckwehl’s 18th children’s book is her debut graphic novel So Stinkin’ Hot, released in January 2025.
The tale is written for ages 6–11 but anyone who loves to laugh and make friends with some wild and crazy animals will enjoy it. Fed up with sweating and sweltering in the African sun, a hare-brained hyperactive zebra named Zippy and his five safari friends escape to a MUCH cooler place only to find there’s “no place like home.”
Available from your local bookstore or online. Mary is available for school and library presentations (marybleckwehl.com).
Claire A.B. Freeland (clairefreelandwrites.com) and Jacqueline B. Toner announce the August publication of their picture book, Making Sense of Your Senses: How Your Brain Perceives the World, illustrated by Katarina Gasko, from Magination Press.
Here’s the description: Explore the science behind how we make sense of the world around us. Kids will discover how our bodies pick up clues from the environment and how our nervous systems turn all those observations into messages for our brains to interpret and fill in the blanks—all at lightning speed—to form our perceptions. Through engaging activities and interactive experiments, children will learn the importance of observation and critical thinking in understanding their surroundings. Our programs emphasize curiosity and creativity, reinforcing about our mission and values to foster a love for science and learning in every child. By the end, participants will not only be equipped with knowledge about the sensory processes but also inspired to explore and ask questions about the world they inhabit.
Leslie Eva Tayloe (leslieevatayloe.com) writes that her picture book, The Attic Door, has received its second award: the Literary Titan Book Award.
Congratulations Leslie!
July 2025:
Christine Van Zandt is excited to announce the upcoming publication of her nonfiction STEM picture book, The Legendary Life Story of the Lever: How a Deceptively Simple Machine Moves the World Forward (Mighty Models series) from Union Square & Co. Lesley Breen’s engaging art illuminates 10 historical moments—Ice Age through Space Age—showing the lever in action. Content ties with Simple Machines curriculum; all six simple machines are included in the back matter as is a build-it-yourself catapult model. Publication date: December 9, 2025.
Arlene R. Schenker is thrilled to announce that her debut picture book, Call Me Gebyanesh, was published in April, 2025 by Apples & Honey Press.
Dealing with a young girl’s struggle in immigrating to Israel from Ethiopia, this book for ages 4-8 is recommended by the School Library Journal as “a good fit for collections that support social-emotional learning in early elementary students.”
June 2025:
Sherry Dunn (sherrydunn.com) is excited to announce the publication of her new picture book, Baxter and The Power of Mud (Book 1 of Jasmine’s Paws & Tales Series), from Hasmark Publishing International. For ages 6-10, this is heartwarming story about friendship, self-acceptance, and finding the people who love you just the way you are.
Baxter and the Power of Mud is the first adventure in the Jasmine’s Paws &
Tales series, celebrating the magic of shelter pets and the joy of second chances. Available on Amazon.
May 2025:
Longtime CBI subscriber Sonja Anderson announces that her debut picture book, A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse: A St. Lucia Celebration (illustrated by Agnieszka Potocka) will be released by Tyndale Kids on September 9, 2025!
Children will love to hunt for hidden Swedish Tomte (gnomes) while hearing about a shy little Dala Horse, a newly carved Christmas gift, who finds the courage to help a young “gingerbread” girl overcome her fears of going onstage for her dance around the Christmas tree. It is available now for pre-order on Bookshop.org and other sites.
Leslie Eva Tayloe received an Honorable Mention for her submission, Down Hill in #50 PreciousWords writing contest. Her Moonbeam Award winning picture book, Save the Trees, made the Long List for the 2025 Green Earth Book Award. And, her picture book, The Attic Door was awarded the 2024 Story Monster Approved Award.
April 2025:
Robin Currie announces that her new picture book, Just Enough Room for Christmas, will be published on September 2 by Good Books/Skyhorse Publishing.
In a tiny barn in Bethlehem, Old Hannah the cow lives alone until the cold wind drives other animals to seek shelter. One by one, they squeeze in, but when a tiny mouse stirs up trouble, the barn erupts into chaotic mooing, meowing, and barking. Will there be enough room for a little family to have a silent night? Pre-orders are available on Amazon.
Evelyn Bookless (evelynbookless.com) writes, “I want to share the good news about my picture book JINX! which comes out May 6th with Reycraft Books (illustrated by Anna Süssbauer) that was a direct result of your Above The Slushpile submission opportunity with Wiley Belvins, which I submitted in December 2021. Wiley responded quickly with an offer and the book is coming out in a few months.
JINX! is an interactive story tempting you to squirm, screech and giggle… But don’t let it, because if you do, you lose! Or maybe you can stay as silent as a mouse and win the game. It won’t be easy. You’re up against one clever character with sneaky skills to make you scream!
Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better, written by Glenda Armand and Kim Freeman and illustrated by Keith Mallett, has won the Texas Bluebonnet Award!
The Texas Bluebonnet Award is one of the oldest and most prestigious children’s choice literary awards in the country. A total of 36,000 students, all in third through sixth grade, voted. Each student had to read at least five books from the 2024-2025 Texas Bluebonnet Award list in order to vote.
Congratulations Glenda and Kim!
March 2025:
Phyllis Schwartz (www.phyllisfeelsgreat.com) announces the publication of her third picture book on March 7: Laggie and Grillo: An Unlikely Friendship, illustrated by Siski Kalla and published by Catch a Leaf Publishing. Yoshi wants a pet so badly she befriends some backyard critters who aren’t likely to get along and brings them into her circle of family and friends for fun and frolic.
Katie Lee Reinert’s debut picture book, Ready to Smile Again, releases from Gnome Road Publishing on March 18. When Dexter the chipmunk’s home is destroyed, he tucks all of his things away in his cheeks for safekeeping. But now, he can’t smile or talk, so he must figure out how to let go of his fear in order to truly live (and smile) again. For more information about Katie’s upcoming books, please visit her website at www.KatieLeeReinert.com
Jan Fenimore announces the publication on February 10th, 2025 of an early chapter book, titled Tales of the Tarahumara Indians. It is written for children 9 to 12 and available at Amazon. The book is published in English and Spanish and includes three fiction stories of Tarahumara children and their overcoming of struggles in a hardscrabble society.
February 2025:
Tomeko Brown announces the second edition publication of her book An Instrument for Florenda available for pre-order now on Amazon. Publication is scheduled for March 4, 2025. An Instrument for Florenda is well-suited for beginning readers who need the predictability as they transition to more complex material.
