Why are you passionate about kids’ lit?

I love how picture books allow readers to enter worlds that are poetic and whimsical, worlds that are inviting and new, worlds that give young readers language and context for their own experiences; I value connecting deeply to others’ experiences, stories, and humanity, thereby expanding our empathy as human beings.

Why are you passionate about elementary aged kids?

My own children are in elementary school, so my passion for this age group has grown as a parent. I am amazed by kids’ curiosity and yearning to understand their world. I love hearing their big questions about the natural world, inequity, identity, and divinity (among other things!) 

What food do you snack on when you read?

I love a cup of PG tips with milk and clementines! 

What is your favorite book and why?

My favorite picture book from my childhood is Cherries and Cherry Pits (Vera B. Williams) because it reveals how a young girl’s imagination creates a whole world. Cherries and Cherry Pits felt like an invitation to explore my own creativity through art making, story telling, and truth telling. 

A recent book you’ve read that changed you?

Nicky & Vera (Peter Sis) is a picture book that shares the story of Nicholas Winton and Vera Gissing, one of hundreds of Jewish Czech children who Winton helped transport to England during World War II. 

What social justice cause is near and dear to you? 

It is hard to choose a single social justice issue because our society does not value our collective or individual wellness. As an educator and parent I am particularly angry and grief stricken by gun violence and its impact on young people. These are the organizations I’m familiar with doing activism and advocacy work: