Picture Books by North Georgia Authors

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Paths to Publishing KidLit panel by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Southern Breeze Chapter at Sharon Forks Library. It was a real treat to hear what inspired each of the seven authors at the event to write and publish their books. Here are two picture books written by authors who spoke at the program. 

Before I Lived Here by Stacy S. Jensen; Illustrated by Victo Ngai

This beautifully illustrated picture book takes readers on a trip back in time. It shows the planning and developing of a modern neighborhood, early settlers working on homesteads, Native Americans living off of the land, dinosaurs roaming, and all the way back to one billion years ago when volcanic eruptions burst through the earth, creating the mountains we see today. 

Before I Lived Here was inspired by Stacy S. Jensen's former neighborhood in Colorado. The story will fascinate children who enjoy history and nature science. 

Picture Books about Anxiety

Anxiety doesn't only impact adults. According to Psychology Today as many as one child out of eight experiences significant anxiety. These picture books from our catalog can help young people and their caregivers learn how to recognize and manage anxiety. 

If You Run Out of Words by Felicita Sala

What happens if you run out of words? 

Will you have any left for me? 

As she's getting ready for bed, a young girl starts to worry that her father may run out of words. To assure his daughter that he could NEVER run out of words for her, the imaginative dad describes the elaborate lengths he would take to retrieve more words for her, including visiting the Elves Word Factory and becoming the strongest man in the world. 

Fans of If You Give A Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff will enjoy this fun story filled with interesting artwork, written and illustrated by Felicita Sala. 

Picture Books for Native American Heritage Month

Each November we celebrate the traditions, languages, and stories of Native American and Alaska Native communities during National Native American Heritage Month. 

These picture books from our collection highlight stories of modern Native Americans. 

Finding My Dance by Ria Thundercloud; Illustrated by Kalila J. Fuller

Finding my Dance is an inspiring picture book that describes how professional dancer Ria Thundercloud began dancing at age four. She first danced to the beat of drums alongside her family dressed in a handmade jingle dress at a powwow. Each summer her family traveled from state to state performing at Native American events. As a teenager, Ria exceled at dancing; learning about different forms and styles. Dancing helped her manage her shyness and feelings of being an outsider as the only Indigenous girl in her class. Dancing also gave her a new way to express herself and helped her cope when things were difficult.