About OPB

While there are other kidlit websites and resources out in the great digital wild, this site is purely for PBs (picture books)—my deep literary love.

Beginning with the first post in April 2018, my goal was to create and compile PB-​related information that will be of value to writers, illustrators, teachers, librarians, agents, editors, publishers, and publicists who enjoy PBs are much as I do. In many ways, OPB is both a celebration of the picture book community and a thoughtfully curated resource, as well. (I hope it earns bonus points for being mildly entertaining, as well!)

To that end, here’s what to expect from OPB each month with our weekly Monday posts:

  • Week 1–Picture Book Reviews
    • A new/​forthcoming PB is reviewed by a writer (Ryan!) AND an illustrator (we’ll regularly rotate the illustrator reviewers).
  • Week 2–Author & Illustrator Interviews
    • Ryan’s interview of a PB author, illustrator, or author/​illustrator.
  • Week 3–Reading Activities (formerly called Educational Activities)
    • New and/​or curated activities based on a new/​forthcoming PB, with links to external reviews for that PB.
  • Week 4–Industry Insider Interviews
    • Ryan’s interview of a PB industry insider, such as an editor, agent, publisher, publicist, or children’s librarian.
  • Occasional Bonus Goodies!
    • If there’s a fifth Monday in a month, then WHAM, that’s always going to be an occasional Bonus Goody of some type. We promise 52 Monday OPB posts per year and by Gumby, we’re going to have 52 Monday OPB posts per year. Unless we somehow don’t. 🙂
    • If I’ve got something else I’m just aching to share, I might add in a Bonus Goody as a mid-​week or mid-​month special posting. And yes, it might even go live on a not-​Monday! [gasp!] Because at OPB, we under-​promise and over-​deliver, and that’s what occasional Bonus Goodies are all about.

A special “Thank You!” to the SCBWI-​FL region and my writing group (the PB Peeps!) who give me oodles of information, oceans of support, and OPB ideas aplenty. Thanks so much!

***One last note. In 2022, I began working as Editor for the kidlit publisher Bushel & Peck Books. Please don’t send me anything here (submissions, queries, followups, etc.) regarding that press. Thanks.***