Donna Marie 2023

Donna Marie hopes you enjoy this special International Dot Day celebrating creativity and the 20th Anniversary since Peter Reynolds wonderful book The Dot was released!

She is the author/illustrator of the series of picture books Pippin Pals are Hero Helpers! written
to help children understand, cope and comply with the "new normal" of the pandemic,
executed in 7 diverse and inclusive versions so YOU can pick the main character and family that
suits you best.

Though they target the pandemic lockdown situation, the books contain invaluable teaching
tools on health and hygiene, and is loaded with ideas for stay-at-home fun:
PippinHeroHelpers.com

Happy Dot Day, everyone!

:Donna Marie

Sharon Creech 2023

 

 Newbery Medalist Sharon Creech was the inspiration for the Celebridot project. Here is her dot for 2022. 

You can learn more about Sharon and her wonderful books on her website.

Sharon Creech

Sharon Creech 2012

Sharon Creech 2013

Sharon Creech 2014

Sharon Creech 2015

Sharon Creech 2016

Sharon Creech 2017

Sharon Creech 2018

Sharon Creech 2019

Sharon Creech 2020

Sarah Aronson

 

Sarah Aronson began writing for kids and teens when someone in an exercise class dared her to try. Since then, she has earned an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and published the following books for kids and teens: Head Case, Beyond Lucky, and Believe, a young MG series, The Wish List as well as Just Like Rube Goldberg, illustrated by Robert Neubecker, Brand New Bubbe, illustrated by Ariel Landy.

Her next picture book is a biography of Bella Abzug, called Abzuglutely: Battling, Bellowing Bella Abzug. (Calkins Creek, Astra Publishing).

When Sarah is not writing or reading (or making great soup or riding her bike), she is talking to readers about creativity, writing, social action, and of course, sparkle power! She loves working with other writers in one of her classes at the amazing Highlights Foundation, SCBWI, or Writers on the Net. Warning: When she gets really excited, she makes funny faces and talks with her hands. Don’t be shocked if she talks about the power of play. She lives in Chicago, Illinois.- www.saraharonson.com

Sarah explains her dot: " I take Lynda Barry's advice on getting started--and entering the creative portal--by making what I'm going to call a "swirladot." Every morning, this is the first thing I do. It helps me say goodbye to whatever is on my mind and into the heart of the story!"

Tricia Springstubb

 

Tricia is one of those peculiar creatures—her stories grow out of both her head and her heart. Her picture books, chapter books and middle grade novels explore the wonders and fears, joys and challenges of growing up and taking a place in the world. Her favorite people are kids—and the adults who nurture them.

A late-blooming and self-taught writer, Tricia has worked as a counselor for adolescents, a Head Start teacher, and an associate children’s librarian, besides doing the all-important job of raising three children. Her work has received many starred reviews, been nominated for state awards, honored as a best book of the year by Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, the Chicago Public Library, the Horn Book and the Washington Post, and recognized by Parents Choice and the Junior Library Guild. Reader's Digest named her most recent picture book one of the hundred best children’s books of all time (they really did!)

And though all of that is very, very nice, her truest reward is connecting with readers. A frequent speaker at schools, libraries and conferences, Tricia loves to share her crooked path to becoming an author and to encourage people of all ages to discover and delight in their own creativity.

Tricia lives and works in trusty, rusty Cleveland. Find out more about her and her work at www.triciaspringstubb.com

Ying Compestine

 

A leading national authority on Asian culture and cuisine, award-winning author, and former food editor for Martha Stewart's Whole Living magazine, Ying Chang Compestine is the multi-talented author of 25 books including fiction, picture books, and five cookbooks. She is the host of the popular TV cooking show New Ideas for Delicious Meals on Phoenix TV. Ying has been the spokesperson for Nestle Maggi and Celestial Seasonings.

Frequently sought after by the media, Ying has been featured on numerous national television programs, and is regularly profiled in prestigious news media outlets (The New York Times, The Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and Huffington Post); and has been named one of the "50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading" by The Author's Show. Ying has contributed to Cooking Light, EatingWell, Self, Men's Health, Christian Science Monitor, and many other prestigious national publications. Her keen interest in cuisine has led her to weave food into all of her writing--including cookbooks, novels, and picture books for young readers. Her highly acclaimed novel about her life growing up in China during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party, has received over 30 national awards, and has been included in school syllabi globally. It was also selected for the One Book/One County reading program in Santa Clara California.

Ying grew up in Wuhan, China during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. She uses these experiences, as well as her passion for food, in all her writing. Ying graduated from Central China Normal University with a degree in English, then earned her Master's in Sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she met her husband shortly before completing the degree. She has taught writing and sociology in both the U.S. and China, receiving education awards in both countries.

Request a Visit with Ying