Summer 2026 Highlights (in pictures)

The world right now is a lot. A LOT. So many people in power are making terrible, selfish decisions. But there are still awesome people all around me, doing awesome things. And so this post is an exercise in focusing on the good. And so far, this summer has had a bunch of good things:

1) ALA – The American Library Association Conference

I got to meet my editor of A DIFFERENT KIND OF ENEMY, Devon Freeny, in person at ALA – and there it was on the big poster in the IPG booth!
I got to sign ARCs of my latest YA action adventure Gay romance for librarians
    Librarians are awesome!
    I even got to hang out with my friend Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson (far right) and meet Maia Kobabe (center)!

    2) I took a trip (sort of a working and writing retreat) to Western Massachusetts, and got to visit with a bunch of wonderful KidLit friends! While I didn’t get photos with everyone, shout outs and HUGS to Lesléa Newman, Heidi Stemple, Mike Curato, Melissa Stewart, Anne Appert, and Adria Karlsson!

    Me and the incomparable Lesléa Newman!

    3) I went to see an incredible show about creating art from recycled books at the Springfield Art Museum, and I met the artist Donna Castellanos!

    That’s me glowing (left) having just had a few minutes to tour the galleries and chat with Donna Castellanos.
    Donna creates all these objects and vignettes, and everything is recycled from books… check out the rug (curled book pages with gilded edges are highlights) and the chair (upholstered with leather from old encyclopedias!)
    Yes, the squirrel is cool, but check out the stump – it’s all recycled books!

    4) I also visited the Eric Carle museum with Lesléa, Anne and Adria!

    Had to get this photo taken!
    They had an exhibit about The Story of Ferdinand and it included pages from Munro Leaf’s hand-written draft!
    The Jerry Pinkney exhibit was awesome.
    “I’d like my art to feel the way music sounds.” —Jerry Pinkney – loved this quote on the gallery wall!
    Eric Carle’s process was fascinating!
    And we saw original Eric Carle art!

    I even got to sign some copies of my picture book RED AND GREEN AND BLUE AND WHITE in the museum shop!

    5) The R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton was a treasure trove of original picture book art (and some prints) that was also incredibly fun to visit. I visited twice, discovering some new-to-me illustrators, and finding some new favorites.

    Check out this awesome mural on the back of the building (the front is an old bank!)
    More Jerry Pinkney!
    More Eric Carle!
    Misha Archer’s work was astonishingly beautiful!

    6) A wonderful event at High Five Books where I got to read both LIKE THAT ELEANOR and LOVE OF THE HALF-EATEN PEACH to the Saturday morning baby group (and their very attentive adults!) Lexi was so great, and the kids (and their grown-ups) were delightful.

    The baby group right before I was called up. Lexi is leading the warm up songs!
    I’m looking so serious, but reading upside-down is serious business!

    7) And continuing sharing the good, I have two new picture book recommendations:
    My friend Eric Rosswood co-authored A Place to Dance. It’s gorgeous, and important, and inspiring — if they won’t let us join their party (or competition) we can create one of our own!

    A Place to Dance: How Richard Lamberty Brought Change to the Ballroom, by Eric Rosswood and Richard Lamberty, Illustrated by Vincent Chen

    And my friend Emily Rosenthal’s new picture book, Leroy Has Something to Say. In it, Tara loves flowers, has two moms, and uses a tablet to communicate… and she solves the puzzle of the flower-loving ghost (Leroy) who has something to say.

    Leroy Has Something To Say by Emily Rosenthal, illustrated by Thai My Phuong

    Leroy Has Something to Say is cozy and brilliant and not at all spooky and here we saw it at High Five Books! (clockwise from me at right; Anne, Adria, and Heidi.)

    That’s the the summer update for now…

    Stay safe and strong, friends.
    Lee

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    My New Books!

    cover of "Love of the Half-Eaten Peach"
    Cover of Lee Wind's "No Way, They Were Gay?" featuring Mahatma Gandhi, We Wha, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln with a swirling diversity pride rainbow
    Cover of Lee Wind's "No Way, They Were Gay?" featuring Mahatma Gandhi, We Wha, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln with a swirling diversity pride rainbow

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