PIcture Books

Climb the Steeple of Old North Church

Posted by Sarah L. Thomson on Jun 6, 2024 in American History, Nonfiction, PIcture Books | 0 comments

While I’m waiting to hear back from my editor on a collection of poems about Paul Revere’s ride, I thought I’d share this delightful resource I came across on during my research–a virtual tour of the steeple and bell tower of Old North Church. Follow the stairs and ladders up to the top and imagine yourself as Revere’s two friends (or maybe just one, the historical record is a bit on the skimpy side) toiling up the tallest point in Boston to light a pair of lanterns and let watchers in Charlestown know that the redcoats were leaving Boston over the Charles River…

How To Kill a Tardigarde

Posted by Sarah L. Thomson on Jul 27, 2023 in Animals, Nonfiction, PIcture Books | 0 comments

I don’t know why you’d want to (they’re kind of cute, if also terrifying), but I’ve been researching tardigrades for a new book. And they are HARD to kill.

Heat? They can survive temps up to 300 F.

Cold? They’re fine at -200 F.

Pressure? They’d be perky at the bottom of the Marianna’s Trench.

Vacuum? They have been blasted into space and survived. Some laid eggs in space. Eggs that hatched.

They are tiny (1.5 millimeters long at most), harmless, and indomitable.

WOMBAT UNDERGROUND in Indiana!

Posted by Sarah L. Thomson on Mar 16, 2023 in BOOK: Wombat Underground, PIcture Books | 0 comments

Very excited and honored that Wombat Underground has been chosen for the Indiana Library Federation’s Read Aloud Indiana list! It’s included in their “Ageless” category which I love, since I hope this is a book that will appeal to many different readers.

A picture book is always meant to be read aloud–slowly, savoring each line and embracing each pause–and also shared between readers, experienced together. So lovely to have this book recognized as a read-aloud!

Picture Book Contest

Posted by Sarah L. Thomson on Jan 5, 2023 in PIcture Books | 0 comments

Astra is once again running its picture book contest–open to manuscripts (no illustrations) for ages 3-8 written in English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, or Chinese. The deadline is April 30, 2023, so plenty of time to polish up your latest manuscript!