It’s been a minute, readers! I’ve had a very intense year of teaching and not a lot of time for writing, but I’m participating in Tara Lazar’s STORYSTORM again this January which has me renewing my efforts at writing. Part of my discipline as a picture book author is a focus on reading and reviewing current books. It was wonderful to spend an afternoon of this winter break with five inspiring books from the last year or so. I pulled them off the shelves fairly randomly, but as it happens, they all have a bit of a thread in common– non human/non sentient characters! From a cactus, to a chair to a broken cup, each book involves a relationship with something that’s very special to the main character, but not your standard picture book hero. Come with me and learn more!