October | 2025 | Jena Benton
10 posts published by jenabenton during October 2025| Jena Benton
Quite unintentionally, this week has a theme: forests. Sorry-not-sorry. Nell Cross Beckerman has visited my blog once before (5 years ago!). She writes books for children to inspire wonder and celebrate adventure. A former reality/documentary TV producer, she is the author of the acclaimed book Caves, which received three starred reviews. She is also the author of Down … Continue reading Simply 7 with Nell Cross Beckerman: FORESTS| Jena Benton
Ordinarily I don’t celebrate a picture book converting from hard cover to paperback, but this was an incredible book I somehow missed the first time around and had to share about it! Rina Singh is an award-winning children’s book author whose storytelling reflects her deep curiosity about the world. Her books often draw on real-life … Continue reading Simply 7 with Rina Singh: THE FOREST KEEPER| Jena Benton
Sometimes history can shed light on the darkest of times and remind us that there is hope in the world. Christy Mandin has visited my blog once before. She is a children’s book author, illustrator, and surface designer. She grew up in rural Georgia and credits her country life of solitude as an only child … Continue reading Simply 7 with Christy Mandin: BITTERSWEET| Jena Benton
Have you ever had a favorite item of clothing when you were young? Do you remember the heartbreak of growing out of it? Jenn Moudahi is a Métis author, clinical counselor, and mom. Stories are a common thread in her life—she writes them as an author, listens to them as a counselor, escapes into them … Continue reading Simply 7 with Jenn Moudahi: CHARLOTTE’S NEW MOCCASINS| Jena Benton
If you enjoyed Brooke’s picture book WATCH OUT FOR THE LION, then you’re going to love this one too! Brooke Hartman has visited my blog several times before. She is an award-winning author of multiple picture books, including Lotte’s Magical Paper Puppets and Pega Sisters Go to Camp (both Page Street Kids). When her daughter battled issues with … Continue reading Simply 7 with Brooke Hartman: HELP ME FIND MY HAMSTER| Jena Benton
It’s time to announce another winner! Last week I hosted a giveaway for the nonfiction picture book JUST IN CASE written by Megan Clendenan and illustrated by Brittany Cicchese. And the winner is … Korena Howley! Congratulations Korena! Check your email for more details. Dear readers, if you didn’t win this giveaway, don’t fret. There’s … Continue reading Giveaway winner!| Jena Benton
Do you remember the excitement you felt as a child when a favorite holiday approached?| Jena Benton
Today’s picture book comes from a Swedish author-illustrator who really seems to have a grasp on the mind of a cat.| Jena Benton
On your marks, get set… Bex Tobin Fine is a writer of two picture books: Floor It! and You Are Home. She has also written for the PBS show Lyla in the Loop. Her past careers include solo violinist, playing with orchestras including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and voice actor in numerous animated shows such as Rolie Polie Olie and Miss Spider’s Sunny … Continue reading Simply 7 with Bex Tobin Fine & Federico Fabiani: FLOOR IT!| Jena Benton
What inspires a poet to write a poem? Caroline Adderson is an author of books for young readers and adults. Her picture books include Norman, Speak! (illustrated by Qin Leng) and the Pierre & Paul series (illustrated by Alice Carter). Early chapter books include the Jasper John Dooley and Izzy series, as well as Babble! And How Punctuation Saved … Continue reading Simply 7 with Caroline Adderson: A POND, A POET, AND THREE PESTS| Jena Benton
Have you ever heard of a seed vault? I had no idea such things existed until I read this book! Megan Clendenan studied sociology, English, and environmental planning and has worked for nonprofit organizations focused on environmental law, women’s empowerment, mental health, and urban food security. As a children’s book author, she loves writing nonfiction that … Continue reading Simply 7 with Megan Clendenan & Brittany Cicchese & Giveaway: JUST IN CASE| Jena Benton
I know some of you might not believe this, but I had such a hard time making friends when I was younger. Today’s picture book is perfect for kiddos just like little me.| Jena Benton
Barefoot Books makes top notch picture books and today’s book is no exception!| Jena Benton
Growing up on a small, rainy island in the Southeast of Alaska, I learned to say goodbye to a lot of friends who moved to town and moved away. It never got easier. Today’s picture book shares…| Jena Benton
If you aren’t familiar with Ruth Burrows brightly-colored show-stopping illustrations, you are in for a treat!| Jena Benton
I am so blown away when a story can be told both backwards AND in a lyrical style!| Jena Benton
I grew up in a place that often saw Humpback whales migrating, but I often forget that there are other migration routes for these beautiful creatures all around the world!| Jena Benton
Today’s picture book is a delightful author-illustrator story about trying to understand the ones we love.| Jena Benton
Every time I think I have a new favorite book by Mirka Hokkanen, she creates a new favorite and I’m every bit as blown away as I was the first time.| Jena Benton
This may surprise you, but I do read things other than picture books. I’m just an abysmally slow reader. That’s why I don’t really focus on the other genres for interviews. But th…| Jena Benton
Have you ever felt like the world was falling down around your ears and you had failed? What did you do?| Jena Benton
While I am a lover of all animals, cats will always have a large part of my heart.| Jena Benton
Today’s picture book is another one of my new Fall favorites. AND there’s a giveaway!| Jena Benton
If you love a good ghost story, then today’s picture book won’t disappoint!| Jena Benton
What happens when fandoms collide? You get a comic picture book set in the Marvel universe!| Jena Benton
I grew up surrounded by tall lush pine trees and playing in and around them was standard childhood fare. Today’s picture book brings back many fond memories of those days while also combining…| Jena Benton
When I was in the first grade, I fell deeply, madly in love with violins and that love has never faded. Isn’t it amazing how lifelong passions can form so quickly and so strongly when we are …| Jena Benton
Come and visit Seashell Key where mango trees sway in the salty breeze and the sand sparkles. You know you want to!| Jena Benton
I'm an elementary school teacher, writer, illustrator and storyteller.| Jena Benton
Take one talented writer, one talented illustrator, and an incredibly talented musician to capture in biography and what do you get? Today’s picture book!| Jena Benton
I love star gazing. I could look up at that beautiful cosmos forever, finding new things to see at every blink. Yet I never thought to equate that to a love poem!| Jena Benton
I fully admit that I was a comic book geek (what I could find in my small town) growing up. I also admit that I love all things Marvel. As such, I was thrilled to be able to discuss this newest ins…| Jena Benton
What’s this? What’s this? A poetry picture book collection of puns? How terrific! How delightful! How Torrible!| Jena Benton
Do you remember the dread you felt as a child when you heard a babysitter was coming? You never knew what was going to happen. That’s the exact same premise in today’s hilarious picture…| Jena Benton
I adore a good fractured fairy tale and today’s book is a great one!| Jena Benton
What if you were excited for summer camp and instead went to the wrong camp? And it was full of cats?| Jena Benton
If you know and/or love Kitty Corn, then you’ll want to see the board books!| Jena Benton
Today I share a personal blog all about my trip in March to Hawaii, my first out-of-state school visits, my book, and roosters! Lots and lots of roosters!| Jena Benton
Looking for a hilarious chapter book series full of illustrations? Look no further! Ava Lin is here!| Jena Benton
When I was a child, there was at least one memorable day where our dog decided to take himself for a walk. I admit it never occurred to me to write that as a picture book, but today’s author …| Jena Benton
It’s that time that everyone loves: time to announce a giveaway winner!| Jena Benton
And now for something a little different: an award winning chapter book series has a new release!| Jena Benton
Who doesn’t love a good train book?| Jena Benton
I will never cease to be amazed at the true stories of daring feats to be found in the pages of history.| Jena Benton
I adore a book that feels classic yet revisionist, but I really a love a book that is full of laughs.| Jena Benton
It’s almost one of my favorite times of year: National Poetry month! This is when two of my absolute loves collide: poetry and picture books! All of April I will be sharing poetry pictu…| Jena Benton
You know when you see a book that’s a game changer for an author you’ve been following? Well, I’m convinced that THIS is that book for Brooke.| Jena Benton
I’m a great organizer and when things don’t go according to plan, it can sometimes throw me under the bus. However, I’ve never seen chaos like that in today’s picture book!| Jena Benton
If you are a fan of funny and irreverent stories that are also somehow deeply insightful, then today’s picture book is for you.| Jena Benton
Today’s picture book was originally published in Switzerland!| Jena Benton
If you loved AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, wait until you read today’s picture book based on the real first cross country road trip.| Jena Benton
We all know someone with a newborn baby that doesn’t sleep. That’s what makes today’s picture book SO funny (and seriously, how has no one thought of this before??).| Jena Benton
Did you know that Barak Obama hosted the first ever Passover celebration in the White House in 2009?| Jena Benton
