As an author, the question I hear most often is this: Sands, how can I write my own children's book? I don't blame these aspiring writers for looking for the secret. I remember the days of wanting to see my own words in print and not knowing where to start....
Is anyone else having a hard time adjusting to daylight savings? I sure am! Did you know that the group daylight savings is the hardest on are parents? It's not easy for kids to adjust to a new sleeping schedule, which can mean long, sleepless nights for both kids and...
Figuring out what to be for Halloween is one of life's greatest pleasures, especially as a literary fanatic! Impress all your bookish friends this year with these fun and creative literary-inspired Halloween costume ideas. Nancy Drew Become your favorite heroine with just a few fun pieces—a magnifying glass, a plaid...
One of the best parts of spooky season is curling up on the couch with a big bowl of candy corn for family movie night. What's even better is when the movie you pick can be paired with the original story it was based on! Here are five of the...
When my son was about five years old, he was afraid of almost everything! I had to be very careful about what he was allowed to watch, what he was allowed to read, and what "scary stories" he heard from his friends. This became especially difficult around this time of...
The weather is cooling off, the leaves are turning, and we can officially celebrate that fall is here! My personal favorite fall activity is curling up on the couch with my dogs and a good book for company, whether it's a new release or one of my old favorites. Here...
Crosley Speak This one is especially for Night Buddies fans. The following is a glossary of the special and uncommon vocabulary used by Crosley the red crocodile from the Night Buddies book series. Now that you are in the know, pick up the entire Night Buddies series for one low...
Creating stories for the young book lover is not child's play. All the best children's books have similar traits. Life-affirming messages pitched in a way that engages while bringing out the best in the young reader. When it all comes together, the result is a book that transcends age. Personally,...
Thinking of taking a road trip with your kids this summer? Check out this article I wrote for the Good Men Project for some inspiration! Excerpt: As a children’s author, I’ve been asked many times, by friends, colleagues, and readers, what is the best piece of of advice I have...
When a child finds a book that they love, he can become a reader for life. But what makes a good children’s book? What qualities should it possess to make a child hold onto its memory and message? If you’re an aspiring author or simply someone who loves kid lit,...
Summer vacation is just about here! That means your children now have two whole months of free time ahead of them—and us parents have to find ways to keep them entertained. My favorite way to entertain kids is with books, and these classics are sure to keep them hooked! Number...
Attending Bookmarks Book Festival in North Carolina. Happy Children's Book Week! This week, over 1,000 schools, libraries, bookstores, and of course authors are joining together to celebrate all of the amazing books for children there are out there! This is the 100th anniversary of Children's Book Week, which means I...
I've been writing on this blog for several years now, and I'm so grateful for those of you who read it each week! But for any newcomers, I'd love to introduce myself. I'm the author of the Night Buddies children's books about a young boy named John and his nighttime...
I'm so excited to bring you guys the news... Night Buddies is ON SALE! Because I don't want anyone to finish one of my books and have to go through the reader's agony of waiting for the next, I'm offering this special deal: If you buy any two books in...
From Lord of the Rings to Game of Thrones and Harry Potter, I don't think it's any coincidence that some of the most influential and popular books of our time are part of a series. A book series is something that can draw you in for long periods of time,...
As anxiety levels in younger generations continue to climb, it's important to help your children find a way to better understand, communicate, and cope with stress and worry—before it gets too out-of-hand. That's where books have always come into play. Stories can help children understand and communicate feelings that seem...