CURRENT ISSUE
Two Dogs by Ian Falconer
CURRENT ISSUE PREVIEW
JULY 2022
Our July lineup includes interviews with Miguel Lopez de Leon, Carrie Firestone, R.L. Stine, Ian Falconer, Cindy Callaghan, Sheri Sturniolo, Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta, Jay Fleck, and Tanya Guerrero!
Taylor Moxey talks about dreams, Judy Newman highlights a classic story, Linda Harkey has a tale-wagging writing assignment for little readers, Once Upon a Dance discusses nonprofits, Olivia Amiri reflects on the past year, and Nick Spake reviews Lightyear.
Check out our newest book reviews and summer reading list! It's all inside!
⇓ Scroll down to preview this issue.
Sponsored by Linda Harkey and Once Upon a Dance.
FEATURES
MIGUEL LOPEZ DE LEON
Creates Enchanting Adventures for Young Readers
by Melissa Fales
Each of the 10 books award-winning author Miguel Lopez de Leon has written is very different, but the common themes that echo throughout his work include equality, inclusivity, and self-confidence. “At first, the main characters in my books weren’t sure of themselves and their abilities,” says de Leon. “But after overcoming obstacles, each finds out what they were truly capable of. If that helps my readers—especially children—believe in themselves more, that would be a mission accomplished for me.”
CARRIE FIRESTONE
Shares her Passion for Community Activism Through Storytelling
by Michele Appelgate
Carrie Firestone’s passion about the environment and community activism naturally flows throughout her writing. Firestone, a former high school teacher in New York City, launched her fourth book this summer, The First Rule of Climate Club.
R.L. STINE
Celebrates 30 Years of Giving Kids Goosebumps
by Melissa Fales
No one is more surprised that the aptly named children’s horror book series, Goosebumps, continues to thrill young readers 30 years after its debut than the author of the books himself, R.L. Stine. In those 30 years, Stine has written over 150 Goosebumps books which have sold more than 400 million copies, making it one of the most successful children’s series of all time. “Thirty years of this stuff?” Stine jokes. “How did that happen? When we started out, I thought maybe I’d write two or three books. And I didn’t even want to do it in the first place. My Fear Street series was doing well, and I was afraid Goosebumps would mess that up. That’s the kind of businessman I am.” To mark the occasion, Scholastic is releasing two books: Goosebumps SlappyWorld #17: Haunting with the Stars and Slappy, Beware!
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IAN FALCONER’S
New Picture Book Has Gone to the Dogs
by Melissa Fales
Loosely based on Ian Falconer’s twin nephews, Dachshund brothers Perry and Augie are home alone and desperately want to get outside and have a good time. Augie is the cautious one, the worrier; Perry is pure joy and excitement. When they finally manage to open the back door, mischievous adventures begin! Soon they’re diving into the swimming pool, digging an enormous hole, and more! Will all return to normal before their owners come home? Falconer’s first all-new characters since Olivia are sure to equally capture the hearts of readers everywhere. We couldn’t wait to talk to Ian to find out more!
DON’T MISS AN ISSUE
One to Read:
CINDY CALLAGHAN
by Melissa Fales
Award-winning author and producer Cindy Callaghan has written 11 middle grade novels, including her debut work, Just Add Magic and its sequel, Just Add Magic 2: Potion Problems, which were developed into a popular television series. Her latest offering, My Big, Heart-Shaped Fail, is due out in September. Callaghan enjoyed creative writing in high school and snuck pockets of time to write here and there over the years since, but her busy family and demanding job were always her priority. “When my third child was born 19 years ago, I needed a creative outlet and I took a writing class,” says Callaghan. “And it was like a whole piece of me that had taken a long nap while I took care of the rest of my life woke up and wanted to come out and play.”
SHERI STURNIOLO
Makes a Trip to the Doctor’s Office Fun for Little Ones
by Melissa Fales
Sheri Sturniolo has been a pediatric registered nurse for over 20 years. She started her career as a traveling nurse and her many adventures were the inspiration for the Tales of a Traveling Nurse series. Sheri began her author journey with her first series, You Were Meant for Me, written for her own children. She enjoys writing children’s books that help little ones better understand the world around them while opening up important conversations between the reader and child. We wanted to learn more!
DANNY ROBERTSHAW
AND
RON DANTA
Give Homeless Dogs a New Leash on Life
by Melissa Fales
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. Areas were left flooded, food and drinking water were scarce, residents had to be evacuated from rooftops, and nearly 2,000 people died. In the aftermath of the historic storm, Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta recognized a canine crisis. “We saw thousands of dogs, all of them suffering,” says Robertshaw. “Many were dogs not allowed to be rescued along with their owners or were dogs that were simply left behind. All those dogs had a life and felt loved at one point, and then we saw them suffering.”
Desperate to help, the couple started rescuing these abandoned dogs, bringing them into their South Carolina home until they could find permanent placements. They saved 600 dogs in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Seventeen years and 13,000 dogs later, Robertshaw and Danta are still saving dogs and now they’re writing a children’s book series about some of the most memorable ones they’ve rescued. Their latest book is Life in the Doghouse: Millie, Daisy, and the Scary Storm.
COLUMNS
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Life of a Reader
July
by Judy Newman -
Q&A
Jay Fleck
by Julianne Black DiBlasi -
The Book Bug
Tanya Guerrero
by Raven Howell -
Monsters at the Movies
Lightyear
by Nick Spake -
Taylor Talk
You Gotta Know to Grow…
by Taylor Moxey -
Doc's Dog Days
Porcupine and Rush
by Linda Harkey -
Liv On Life
Bring Attention to a Local Issue!
by Olivia Amiri -
Dancing on the Page
Know Any Great Nonprofits?
by Once Upon a Dance
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