Call me a romantic, but I tend to read more poetry near Valentine’s Day. Lately, I have read lovely, lyrical, romantic poetry. The kind that touches your soul and makes you want to curl up under a blanket by a fire, and count the snowflakes outside the window. Recently, it has occurred to me that poetry parallels life. What if we lived our lives in the same way we read poetry: slowly, thoughtfully, authentically, purposefully? Poetry is not to communicate information. It is to give us a sense and a perception of life. It is not to tell us about experience… Continue reading

• Publication Season/Year: Spring 2009
• Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing
• Release Date: March 10, 2009
• ISBN (hardcover): 978-1-934359-92-1
• ISBN (paperback): 978-1-607180-37-1

Spend a year in the world of wolves with Scotti Cohn and her picture book, One Wolf Howls! Written for ages 4-8, this adventurous children's book uses the months of the year and the numbers1 through 12 to introduce children to the behavior of wolves in natural settings. The lively, realistic illustrations of Susan Detwiler complement the rhyming text and bring each month to life. One Wolf Howls is aligned to State Science and Math standards, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards, National Science Education… Continue reading

It is said that March enters like a lion and departs like a lamb.  In my Pacific Northwest neck of the woods, March is definitely leonine, intermittently ROARING with snow, hale, the occasional downpour, and bone-chilling damp.  Still, I like March – primarily because I consider it “writing and reading weather.”  During the day, fueled by caffeine, I try to write and edit.  Before dinner, when my son’s day has wound down, we read.  Here are some books I

SCBWI National Conference attendees,e-mail me at: denisedoyenbooks@earthlink.net  for the handout from "The Seven Deadly Sins of Rhyming Picture Books" lecture.  

•  Publication Season/Year: Fall 2009
• Publisher: Random House BFYR
• Release Date: Aug.25, 2009
• ISBN: 978-0-375-85612-9
• GLB: 978-0-375-95612-6

Once Upon a Twice is a nonsense adventure reminiscent of Jabberwocky. The story of a hero mouse, Jam Boy, and his nemesis, a water snake, will keep kids on the edge of their seats--waiting to see how  Jam's moonlit antics play out. Once Upon a Twice is an exciting, dramatic read-aloud for children, 4 - 10. This picture book is illustrated by renowned artist, Barry Moser, in a series of dark emotive images. Mr. Moser has won major awards for his illustration and letterpress… Continue reading