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Susan Robinson

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The Amazing Benefits of Reading Aloud

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

My granddaughter Payton deposits a pile of books in my lap and shuffles through them, deciding which she wants me to read first. Sometimes we read six or seven stories in one sitting. Several times a day. It’s our favorite thing to do together. If I didn’t insist on a break to do other things, I think Payton would be...

The Birth of a Picture Book: Pregnancy, Labor and Post-partum Exhilaration

Monday, September 9, 2019

Note: This article originally appeared 7/18/19 as a guest post on Lois Hoffman's The Happy Self-Publisher blog. I have added links and corrected an error.

I’m an author! Cue balloons and confetti! I’ve been a writer since first grade, when I printed on lined yellow paper about Uncle Bob the policeman. Later...

DO Judge a Picture Book By Its Cover

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Should you judge a book by its cover? When it comes to picture books, I do. From the shelf, Skippyjon Jones [2003], by Judy Schachner, screamed, “Buy me! I’m adorable!” The little Siamese cat who thinks he’s a Chihuahua became a favorite of my grandkids and me. Conversely, an icky cover picture seems to spoil the story...

Books Every Baby Should Own

Friday, March 8, 2019

As a parent, grandparent, and elementary school librarian, I’ve read thousands of children’s picture books. Frankly, I don’t understand how some were ever published—inane stories, babyish language, bland illustrations, characters modeling behaviors I don’t want kids to emulate. Thankfully, many others are treasures that...

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