Spotlight on a Bronze Sponsor: Author Charlotte Riggle

January 24, 2017 by Valarie Budayr

Author Charlotte Riggle

Charlotte Riggle is a writer and a reader and a passionate advocate of picture books. Her first book, Catherine’s Pascha, is as beautiful as Pascha itself, with words that sparkle and illustrations that glow with the joy of the feast. Catherine doesn’t like vegetables. She doesn’t like naps. She doesn’t like it when her mom combs her hair. She loves hot dogs, chocolate cake, and her best friend, Elizabeth. Most of all, she loves Pascha! Pascha, the Orthodox Christian Easter, is celebrated in the middle of the night, with processions and candles and bells and singing. And Catherine insists that she’s not a bit sleepy.

[Read more…]

Spotlight on a Sponsor: Live Oak Media

January 23, 2017 by Valarie Budayr

Live Oak Media

Live Oak Media is the award-winning audio publisher of distinctive read-along recordings of classic and popular children’s literature for ages 3-12. Our recordings have received three Odyssey Awards, the American Library Association’s (ALA) award for Excellence in Audiobook Production, including the inaugural award in 2008; the Audie Award for Distinguished Achievement in Production; three Grammy® Awards; and numerous Audie Awards, ALA Notable Children’s Recordings, and outstanding reviews. As a small, family-owned company, we are dedicated to providing our young listeners with meaningful reading and listening experiences.

[Read more…]

Spotlight on a Bronze Sponsor: Pack-n-Go Girls®

January 22, 2017 by Valarie Budayr

Dreaming of true-blue friends, mysterious adventures, and faraway places? Pack-n-Go Girls take you there!

Winner of the 2014 Gold Medal, Best Children’s Chapter Book Series, Moonbeam Children’s Book Award

Headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO, Pack-n-Go Girls specializes in creating innovative stories and toys for girls that deliver positive messages around independence, adventure, and global awareness. Our vision is simple. We want kids to be curious, to value other cultures, and to have a sense of adventure in a boundaryless world. We appreciate the diversity of cultures and the richness each one contributes to the world. We strive to create greater understanding through finding commonalities as well as understanding the differences that make us unique.

2017 Bronze Sponsor!

From Janelle Diller: co-founder of Pack-n-Go Girls and is the author of the Mexico and Austria books. [Read more…]

Spotlight on a Bronze Sponsor: Author Gayle Swift

January 21, 2017 by Valarie Budayr

Author Gayle Swift

Gayle is a co-founder of GIFT Family Services which provides adoptive families with coaching before, during and after adoption. She’s the author of the award-winning book, ABC, Adoption & Me: A Multicultural Picture Book. Gayle has presented break-out sessions at both NACAC’s annual conference as well as the Adoption Summit Experience. She writes the blog, Writing to Connect which reviews children’s books and then adds an adoption-attuned insight. [Read more…]

Spotlight on a Silver Sponsor: Child’s Play USA

January 20, 2017 by Valarie Budayr

Child’s Play USA

Child’s Play is an independent publisher, specializing in whole child development, focused play, life skills and values. Child’s Play products bring out the best in children (and adults) of all levels of ability, enabling them to work and play together. Our program consists of books, games, toys and associated materials. [Read more…]