August | 2025 | Jena Benton
9 posts published by jenabenton during August 2025| Jena Benton
Have you ever waited for the last leaf to fall before winter? Kallie George is an author, editor, and creative writing teacher living in Vancouver, British Columbia. She has written acclaimed books for children, including The Lost Gift; Secrets I Know; Duck, Duck, Dinosaur, and The Melancholic Mermaid, as well as The Magical Animal Adoption Agency series and The Heartwood … Continue reading Simply 7 with Kallie George: THE WISHING LEAF| Jena Benton
It’s that time of year when we start to think about returning to school. Rajani LaRocca has visited my blog several times before. She is a physician and an author of books for young readers including Summer Is for Cousins, Where Three Oceans Meet and Red, White, and Whole, which won a Newbery Honor. She was born … Continue reading Simply 7 with Rajani LaRocca: FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS| Jena Benton
Plants and animals are disappearing from our world at alarming rates, BUT have you heard the story of cheetahs returning to India? Kate Rietema and her husband have five children and live in West Michigan. Kate is passionate about wildlife and feels a special connection with Project Cheetah through her brother who lives in Namibia, … Continue reading Simply 7 with Kate Rietema: CHEETAHS RETURN TO INDIA| Jena Benton
It’s time to announce another winner! YAY! Last week I hosted an unexpected giveaway. Heather Pierce Stigall, author of Gilbert and the Ghost, offered a 30-minute “ask me anything” Zoom to one lucky person. And the winner is… Lori Knutsen! Congratulations Lori! Check your email for more information. Dear readers, if you didn’t win this … Continue reading Giveaway winner!| Jena Benton
I love watching the little birds that flit into my backyard and visit our crab apple trees. It somehow fills the soul to just take a minute to peek into their world. Today’s picture book captures that feeling with wonder. Today I’m interviewing both the author and the illustrator of this picture book together at … Continue reading Simply 7 with Jennifer Grant & Julianna Swaney: CONSIDER THE BIRDS| Jena Benton
I love a story that really makes you think about things in an unexpected way. That is certainly the case with today’s picture book. TIM WYNNE-JONES is the author of more than 35 books and is a two-time winner of the Governor General’s Award, as well as a two-time winner of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award … Continue reading Simply 7 with Tim Wynne-Jones: KING OF THE DUMP| Jena Benton
It’s time to announce another winner! Last week I hosted a giveaway for the picture book HOW THE FOREST FEELS written by Wendi Silvano and illustrated by Mirka Hokkanen. It’s time to finish the giveaway! And the winner is … Angie Quantrell! Check your email for more info Angie. Dear readers, if you didn’t win … Continue reading Giveaway winner!| Jena Benton
If you love a good ghost story, then today’s picture book won’t disappoint!| Jena Benton
It’s time to announce another giveaway winner! Last week I hosted a giveaway for the picture book SARANG SAVES THE SCHOOL written by Korena Di Roma Howley and illustrated by Joowon Oh. And the winner is… Sandra Ramirez! Congratulations Sandra! Check your email for details. Dear readers, if you didn’t win this time, don’t fret. … Continue reading Giveaway winner!| Jena Benton
Saying “I’m sorry” is one of the hardest things in the world to do, especially when we know we’re wrong. Today’s powerful picture book explores both the giving and the receiving of forgiveness. Rebecca Gardyn Levington has visited my blog several times. She is a children’s book author, poet, and journalist with a particular penchant for … Continue reading Simply 7 with Rebecca Gardyn Levington: FINDING FORGIVENESS| Jena Benton
What happens when fandoms collide? You get a comic picture book set in the Marvel universe!| Jena Benton
Have you ever lost yourself in a book? Literally?| Jena Benton
Most people know today’s author-illustrator from his hit graphic novel series “CatStronauts,” but today I get to share about his latest picture book and *gasp* it’s about do…| Jena Benton
An illustrated reader just for first graders? Yes, please!| 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
Today’s picture book interview includes a story for those who love gardens, the odd or different, a giveaway, and a jaunt with me down memory lane.| Jena Benton
I have a student this year who cannot speak lower than a level 5 (though his favorite volume is 11). Today’s picture book not only made me laugh, but it made me think of him.| 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
It’s time to announce a couple of giveaway winner! YAY!| Jena Benton
Did you know that Barak Obama hosted the first ever Passover celebration in the White House in 2009?| Jena Benton
