Join us for our last school visit of the 2022 - 2023 school year! Friday, May 19th from 1- 1:30pm ET Newbery and Pura Belpré award-winning author, Donna Barba Higuera,… Read More »Virtual School Visit with DONNA BARBA HIGUERA!

Join us for a deep-dive session on OWL & PENGUIN, the early reader that has been selected as a Geisel honoree.  Author-illustrator, Vikram Madan, will talk with his editor, Sally… Read More »Making OWL & PENGUIN (for adults)

Join us for a conversation around plotting and story structure with celebrated author, Alyson Gerber, and agent/editor extraordinaire, Allison Remcheck.  They'll discuss different approaches to plotting and what makes a… Read More »CRAFT OF STORY STRUCTURE (for adults)

Join us for a LIVE celebratory storytime and show and tell with author-illustrator, Aram Kim. She'll read from her new book, TOMORROW IS NEW YEAR'S DAY: Seollal, a Korean Celebration… Read More »Let’s Celebrate Seollal with Aram Kim!

We've asked Susan Verde and Juliana Perdomo to lead us in a group meditation and creative exercise that will engage our senses and open our eyes. We know that it is… Read More »Group Meditation and Creative Exercise

Join us as author-illustrator, Doug Salati, talks with his editor, Rotem Moscovich, and art director, Rachael Cole, about the making of his 2022 picture book, HOT DOG. They'll discuss the… Read More »Making HOT DOG: Artist, Editor, and Art Director

Join us for a special school visit with Angela H Dale and Lala Watkins, author-illustrator team behind BUS STOP.  Students will hear a live reading and participate in a draw… Read More »WE SAVED YOU A SEAT – Virtual Read Aloud and Draw Along with Angela H Dale and Lala Watkins

Join us for a conversation between acclaimed author, Jodi Lynn Anderson, and her longtime editor, Liesa Abrams, as they discuss ghosts - how they figure into so much of Jodi's… Read More »Jodi Lynn Anderson’s Ghosts (for ghost enthusiasts 👻 and other adults)

Join acclaimed author, Dinah Johnson, renowned folk artist, April Harrison and their publisher, Christy Ottaviano, in conversation about the five (!) starred reviewed picture book, H IS FOR HARLEM, and… Read More »A Conversation on Place with Dinah Johnson, April Harrison and Christy Ottaviano (adults)

- VIRTUAL EVENT - *Special book giveaway for four randomly selected teachers who register to attend with their school email address! We'll announce the winners at the event and send… Read More »MAKING BOOKS THAT ENGAGE YOUNG READERS IN THE CLASSROOM (for adults)

Join author-illustrator, Dorothia Rohner, editor-in-chief at Doubleday Books for Young Readers, Frances Gilbert, and literary agent, Allison Remcheck, as they share their process of working together to make a picture… Read More »THE STORY OF A BOOK: A Conversation on the Making of a Picture Book (adults)

Join us for a virtual lunch and conversation with Stimola Literary Studio agent extraordinaire, Adriana Stimola.  She'll field questions about non-fiction publishing, discuss recent and forthcoming books that are on… Read More »MEET THE AGENT: Adriana Stimola

Join author-illustrator and art therapist, Juliana Perdomo, and literary agent, Erica Rand Silverman, in a gathering to honor and participate in Mental Health Awareness Month.  Juliana will do a live… Read More »BECOMING YOUR OWN SUPPORT: Recognizing Your Self-Reliance Skills (children + adults)

Join us for a conversation about the brilliance of read alouds from the perspective of author, Rebecca Jordan-Glum, editor, Emily Feinberg, and bookseller-who-loves-storytimes, Sonia Teder-Moore!  What makes a great read… Read More »BRINGING WORDS ALIVE: The Transformative Power of The Read Aloud (adults)

Join authors Irene Latham, Colby Cedar Smith, Ellen Hagan and Charles Waters as they discuss the art of writing novels in verse with editor extraordinaire and moderator, Stacey Barney. When… Read More »WHY AND WHEN TO WRITE NOVELS IN VERSE (for all)

We have loved watching our Stimola Live community grow throughout 2021.  Instead of just seeing your comments, we would love to see YOU, too.  We'll be hosting our first ever… Read More »COMMUNITY VISUALIZATION AND JOURNALING ZOOM

Join illustrators Doug Salati, K-Fai Steele and Rowboat Watkins as they talk with fierce children's books advocate, Susannah Richards, about looking to other illustrators for inspiration  - archive-diving and backlist… Read More »THE ART OF THE STEAL: When Illustrators Look to the Work of Other Artists (best for adults)

Best selling author of THE EXPLORER ACADEMY series, Trudi Trueit, will share what she has learned about writing a successful book series and Stimola agents will share the types of… Read More »GIVE YOUR SERIES STAYING POWER with Trudi Trueit (best for adults)

Join literary agent, Erica Rand Silverman, and Contracts Manager at HarperCollins, Sean Fodera, to discuss the ins and outs of publishing contracts.  A great overview for publishing and aspiring book… Read More »DEMYSTIFYING PUBLISHING CONTRACTS (best for adults)

*Copies with signed bookplates can be purchased from our friends at Greenlight Bookstore. All purchasers will be entered into a giveaway for a signed original piece of art from the… Read More »BIRDS, BRAVERY AND BEING YOURSELF: Oddbird and Bird Boy in Conversation (all ages)

Join the renown bookmaking team, Mary GrandPré and Barb Rosenstock, as they speak with Patty Palmer, veteran art educator and CEO of the enormously popular site for art educators, Deep… Read More »MAKING ART ABOUT ART FOR YOUNG ARTISTS (for Adults)

Grab a tea or a glass of wine and join us for a conversation with the highly acclaimed middle grade authors Thanhhá Lai, James Ponti, Donna Barb Higuera and James… Read More »BEYOND THE PAGE With Middle Grade Authors (for adults)

Join acclaimed book makers Christy Hale, Julie Downing and Katherine Tillotson as they tell all about their critique group and share good practical advice for others. Want to join or… Read More »CRITIQUE GROUPS: Everything You Need to Know for Success (for grownups)

Mika Song will be reading a chapter from her early reader graphic novel, Donut Feed the Squirrels (Random House Graphic) and leading a short drawing demonstration perfect for kids 5… Read More »Read and Draw with Donut Feed the Squirrels Author/ Illustrator Mika Song (ages 5+)

Join Stimola Literary Studio Agent, Erica Rand Silverman, and book makers, Aram Kim, Matthew Burgess, Lala Watkins and Juliana Perdomo as they discuss their paths to publishing, time management, agent/client… Read More »CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING INSIDERS CHAT (for authors + illustrators)

Join us for a conversation between authors and educators about biographies for children. Highly acclaimed and award winning biography authors, Tanya Lee Stone, Lesa Cline-Ransome and Barbara Rosenstock will be… Read More »Real People, Real Classrooms: Introducing The Biography Clearinghouse (for grownups)

Join Stimola Literary Studio agents, Allison Hellegers and Allison Remcheck, as they talk about their work as agents and their current wish lists. Registrants are invited to share query pitches… Read More »MEET THE AGENTS: Allison Hellegers and Allison Remcheck (for writers + illustrators)

Join debut author-illustrator, Jashar Awan, in the premier of this sneak peek read aloud and draw along of his first picture book WHAT A LUCKY DAY! This lovely, accomplished, and… Read More »Reading and Draw Along with Jashar Awan (all ages)

To celebrate the launch of her early chapter graphic novel Donut Feed the Squirrels, Mika Song will be reading a chapter a day Kamishibai style using her original watercolor pages… Read More »CHAPTER 2: Donut Feed the Squirrels Live Read Aloud

To celebrate the launch of her early chapter graphic novel Donut Feed the Squirrels, Mika Song will be reading a chapter a day Kamishibai style using her original watercolor pages… Read More »CHAPTER 1: Donut Feed the Squirrels Live Read Aloud

Learn to draw children’s book illustrations. Draw along with Susan and learn how to create an adult fox character based on a reference photo. Do you want to draw a… Read More »How to draw foxes, illustration tutorial with Susan Szecsi illustrator (ages 10+)

Please join author Dinah Johnson as she reads her picture book, BLACK MAGIC, a celebration of the color black. It will be released as a board book in 2021 by… Read More »Dinah Johnson’s BLACK MAGIC (all ages)

Celebrate the release of the newest MonsterSeries book, Camp of No Return (MonsterStreet #4), by learning J.H. Reynolds top 5 writing tips for kids!

Christy Hale reads not only the words but the pictures of her award-winning book, WATER LAND: Land and Water Forms Around the World. She will follow with ideas on how… Read More »Water Land: Telling Stories with Pictures (ages 3 – 8 )

In this interactive session, we will chat about different types of meter used in many lyrical manuscripts (poetry, rhyming picture books, writing in verse), as well as a few of… Read More »Meter Matters: Poetic Pearls of Wisdom with Shannon Stocker (ages 11 and up)

Come see author Jane Peddicord share her interest in writing about space. She begins by describing how a childhood fascination with the night sky lead her to write Night Wonders,… Read More »Writing about Space in Poetry and Prose (all ages)

Join author-illustrator, Brian Anderson, while he live draws and shares some tips and tricks on how to overcome frustrations when trying to draw what you see in your mind. Bring… Read More »Frustration Free Drawing with Brian Anderson (all ages)

Lewis will be discussing research techniques, while also showing how that research can come alive on the page through character. No materials needed, maybe a notebook and pen. Lewis's books… Read More »Historical Fiction: Putting Research into Motion (ages 10+/adults)

Kids and aspiring comics can follow along as Alex runs through the basics of what comprises a graphic novel/comics page including layout, directing the eye, panel placement, and more!

Joyce Hesselberth will read her newly released book PITTER PATTERN. Then she'll explore making patterns inside and out, with pastel rubbings! You can purchase Joyce's book at Ivy Bookshop.

Author, Suzanne Crowley, will walk you through how to develop ideas from life and your imagination in crafting a novel. Suzanne's books can be purchased at Interabang Books

Author Angie Lucas shares a kid-friendly writing lesson about the basics of plot and story structure, suitable for 2nd grade on up. You can purchase Angie's books at Kings English… Read More »Cooking Up a Great Plot (ages 7+)

Julie Sternberg will tell the story of her own complicated relationship with summer camp and her daughter's as well. Then she'll read LIKE BUG JUICE ON A BURGER, a short… Read More »I Hate Camp. I Wish I Didn’t, But I Do with author Julie Sternberg (ages 6-10)

Julie will read her latest book, Cubs in the Tub, the story of the 1st woman zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo and share some of the research that goes into… Read More »CUBS IN THE TUB with Julie Downing (ages 8-10)

Hear from young adult author Maggie Ann Martin as she reads excerpts from her body-positive novel, TO BE HONEST, answers live viewer questions, and shares a sneak peek of her… Read More »Stimola Live! with Author Maggie Ann Martin (ages 13 and up)

Young Adult fantasy author Sam Taylor will read an excerpt from her upcoming novel WE ARE THE FIRE, answer viewer questions, and will give a sneak-peak of her YA Icelandic… Read More »Reading with Author Sam Taylor (ages 13 and up)

Kate Feiffer discusses the dogs in her books and shows early drawings from Henry the Dog with No Tail, and her own dog doodles. Markers or crayons and paper for… Read More »Dogs and Doodles (ages 4-8)

Illustrator K-Fai Steele will walk you through her process for developing the visual narrative for OLD MACDONALD HAD A BABY, show some art, and lead you through a drawing workshop.… Read More »Old MacDonald Had a Baby: Building a Visual Narrative to Update a Classic Song (ages 3-6)

Need to escape?! Join us for a fur-raising, off-the-leash reading adventure! Author Gabi Snyder and illustrator Robin Rosenthal will read and talk about their debut picture book, TWO DOGS ON… Read More »It’s a Dog – and Cat – Party! TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE Book Launch! (all ages)

Matthew Burgess will share some pages from his new book, Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring, and then you'll do a fun drawing & book-making exercise inspired by… Read More »DRAWING ON WALLS: A STORY OF KEITH HARING (ages 6 and up)

Can you believe there was a time when women weren't allowed to compete in marathons or wear bathing suits in public? Author Lesa Cline-Ransome shares the inspiring stories of female… Read More »Women’s History Flashback | Not Playing By The Rules with Lesa Cline-Ransome Video Premier (all ages)

Watch comic Mika Song as she draws the final art for a Norma and Belly comic from pencils to inks. You can pre-order the first Norma and Belly book, Donut… Read More »Drawing my Norma and Belly comics Video Premier (ages 8 and up)

The time of this event has been changed from 5pm to 6pm EST. Sorry for any trouble this might cause. You'll be making Tie-Dye Paper Towels with Ana Dziengel from… Read More »Lets Make Tie-Dye Paper Towels with Ana Dziengel (ages 3 – 11)

I'll read the first chapter (or two) from TFOD, and will keep the live chat on in case viewers wish to ask questions! Caleb is proud to support Literati Bookstore.… Read More »Caleb Roehrig reads an excerpt of THE FELL OF DARK (ages 13 and up)

MISSED THE LIVESTREAM? YOU CAN WATCH THE RECORDED VIDEO ON THE STIMOLA LIVE YOUTUBE CHANNEL. CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Flash fiction is invites us to create little stories that pack… Read More »Flash Fiction: Big Ideas, Small Stories (ages 12+)

MISSED THE LIVE EVENT? YOU CAN WATCH THE RECORDED VIDEO ON STIMOLA LIVE YOUTUBE CHANNEL. CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Join children's librarian and author Rita Meade for a reading of… Read More »Messy Storytime With Rita Meade! (ages 3-6)

MISSED THE LIVE EVENT? YOU CAN WATCH THE RECORDED VERSION ON STIMOLA LIVE YOUTUBE CHANNEL. CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! NOTE - Due to power outages this event has been moved… Read More »“Ruby’s Sword” & “Caspian Finds a Friend” Storytime! (ages 3-7)

I will be reading aloud from the first chapter of middle grade novel Leaving Lymon, the story of a young boy whose life has been turned upside down by his… Read More »Read Aloud of Middle Grade novel Leaving Lymon (ages 10+)

Amy will give a sneak peek into her new book THE BOY WHO DREAMED OF INFINITY and lead children through two STEM activities, making infinity bracelets and constructing magic squares.… Read More »Book Sneak-Peek and STEM Activities: Magic Squares and Infinity Bracelets! (ages 5-10)

I'll read my book, Coco Wants a Burger and I'll guide my audience through a drawing exercise. Please bring paper and your choice of drawing utensil to the live event.… Read More »Coco Wants a Burger and Live Drawing with Nic McDougal (ages 5-10)

Rachelle will share her favorite tips for supporting creativity at home, along with some easy activities parents can set up with basic supplies. Want to buy Rachelle's books? There is… Read More »Art Starters from TinkerLab: Open-ended Creative Activities that Spark Imagination (ages: Parents of kids 3-8)

MISSED THE LIVESTREAM? YOU CAN WATCH THE RECORDED VIDEO ON STIMOLA LIVE YOUTUBE CHANNEL. CLICK THE LINK ABOVE. Where do the ideas for characters come from? Author/illustrator Laura Kvasnosky, will… Read More »Creating Characters through Drawing and Play Acting (ages 5-10)

Ready, set, ACTION! What’s in your plot toolbox? Can we make up a teeny tale together? We can try! Packed with fun & useful tips on how conflict makes your… Read More »WRITE A QUARAN-TEENY TALE! (ages 9-15)

YOU CAN WATCH A RECORDED VERSION OF THIS EVENT ON STIMOLA LIVE YOUTUBE CHANNEL. CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! A few years ago, I had an idea for a children's book.… Read More »How My Book Came to Be (all ages)

Join Trudi Trueit, author of National Geographic's top selling EXPLORER ACADEMY series, as she shares the inspiration behind the books, answers your questions, and reads from the new release, Book… Read More »EXPLORER ACADEMY: JOIN THE ADVENTURE (ages 8-12)

I’m going to read from my just released City Spies and talk about writing spy stories and mysteries like the Framed! series. If you would like to take spy notes,… Read More »City Spies Read Along and discussion: Sleuths, Spies and Random Skulduggery (ages 8-13)

Have you ever taken a walk through an old-growth forest, where the trees seem to stretch endlessly toward the sky and time fades away? Join Britt Crow-Miller as she reads… Read More »Reading of “MY NAME IS MOUNTAIN” and Nature-Inspired Yoga Poses (ages 3-8)

Sneak peek reading of LUPE WONG WON’T DANCE. Then let’s dive in and plot your own story! Using The Hero’s Journey for young authors to plot out your own book!… Read More »How do I Plot My Story?” for Young Authors (ages 8-13)

Amanda will be reading Wally Does Not Want a Haircut and Klondike Do Not Eat Those Cupcakes!, then showing the kids how to draw Wally and Klondike. Bring with you… Read More »Wally and Klondike Read-aloud and Character Drawing for Kids (ages 3-8)

Join author, Barb Rosenstock, for an interactive read aloud of THE NOISY PAINTBOX. Once the live stream is complete, follow THIS LINK to join Mary Grandpre in a drawing demonstration… Read More »Interactive Read aloud of The Noisy Paint Box and Drawing Demonstration (ages 4-10)

Jenn will read her picture book, A Friend for Henry, and then we will make our own fish friend! Bring construction paper, scissors, markers, and something that can help us… Read More »A Friend for Henry Storytime and Craft (ages 3-7)

Let’s brainstorm an animal character together! Will yours wear a bow tie… or nothing but its fur or feathers? What will it sound like? Where will it live? Join Elaine… Read More »Animal Character Writing Workshop! (ages 8-12)

BE SURE TO WATCH PART 1 AND PART 2. Use basic in-home art supplies to make amazing tiny works of comic literature! Come with copy paper, scissors, and pen/pencil.

I will read a sneak preview of CALL ME ATHENA, a YA novel-in-verse, and discuss my inspiration for the story. We'll compare and contrast the "lyric sequence" and the "verse… Read More »Inside the Kaleidoscope: Turning Poems into a Novel (ages 14+)

I will be reading I AM HUMAN and look forward to 25 minutes of mindful breathing and gentle movements with you all! Want to buy Susan's books? You can! Buy… Read More »Reading, Breathing and maybe even a tree pose! (ages 4-10)

Author, Angie Lucas and her 9-year-old daughter, Keira, will be reading Angie's picture book, My Big, Dumb, Invisible Dragon, and leading children through a draw-your-own-dragon activity. Have paper and crayons/markers… Read More »My Big, Dumb, Invisible Dragon storytime + activity (ages 6+)

A reading from my book NOAH GREEN SAVES THE WORLD!

Spend the morning with award-winning author Tanya Lee Stone as she reads aloud from two of her favorite picture books: SANDY'S CIRCUS and WHO SAYS WOMEN CAN'T BE DOCTORS!? Each… Read More »Read-Aloud SANDY’S CIRCUS and WHO SAYS WOMEN CAN’T BE DOCTORS!? (ages 4-8)

You won’t need to leave your home to engage and reconnect with nature in this workshop with Naila Moreira. Learn to make illustrated nature notebook pages from your own encounters… Read More »Workshop – Nature Journaling for Kids (ages 8-12)

Sam Taylor will walk through her process for crafting entirely new fantasy worlds, as well as fantasy worlds that are grounded in real-world history and folklore. Will include readings from… Read More »Fantasy World Building (ages 14+)

I'll give you all the tools you need to begin writing your own novel. And I'll happily send along a PDF of the novel kit so you can work on… Read More »How to Write Your Own Novel Kit with author Lewis Buzbee (ages 9-13)

I will read a little bit from my picture book LASTING LOVE (Rodale Kids), as well as discuss a project that’s in development to introduce preschool kids to baking! I’ll… Read More »Baking and Reading with chef/author Caroline Wright! (ages 6 and up)

Learn to draw Fire Truck from the brand new picture book, FIRE TRUCK VS. DRAGON (written by Chris Barton and illustrated by Shanda McCloskey)! Bring paper and something to draw… Read More »Draw Fire Truck with illustrator Shanda McCloskey! (ages 5-10+)

I will read 2 of my Dear Little Baby Astrology books and then we will jump into ironing the images onto some white felt. We will cut out the designs… Read More »Let’s make an Iron-on transfer felt “Astrology Star Garland” (ages 3+/parents)

Join author J.H. Reynolds for a Q&A session about the MONSTERSTREET series! Come prepared with questions about the series or the writing process! Want to the buy the Monsterstreet books?… Read More »Q&A session with J.H. Reynolds, author of MONSTERSTREET (ages 8-12)

Author Maggie Ann Martin explores what body positivity means and how to create thoughtful, smart, fat characters in the young adult literature space. Let's examine the power young readers gain… Read More »Body Positivity in Young Adult Lit + Reading from TO BE HONEST (ages 12+)

Dorothia will read her debut book, I am Goose! Afterwards, she will teach children to draw animals that appear in the book using simple shapes. She will demonstrate how to… Read More »Story Time + Learn to Draw Animals with Simple Shapes and Shading (5-10 ages)

Join Rebecca Jordan-Glum for a sneak peek of her upcoming debut, The Trouble with Penguins! Bring a pencil and piece of printer paper to join me for a simple and… Read More »The Trouble with Penguins SNEAK PEEK and character design workshop (ages 5-10)

Join Shannon for a read-aloud of her picture book, CAN U SAVE THE DAY, followed by an interactive sing-along. If older kids attend, we’ll also chat a little about plot… Read More »Storytime Sing-Along with Shannon Stocker (ages 3-8)

What happens when a dog has no tail and a world famous artist can’t draw a dog? The story of Henry The Dog with No Tail was inspired by a… Read More »Tales of a Tails (ages 5-8)

We’re going to take you through the patented Dan & Jason comic process! Staring from a thumbnail sketch, we’ll clean up and color a comic book page! You'll get 30… Read More »Draw with Dan & Jason! (ages 7-13)

Joyce Hesselberth will read her newly released picture book PITTER PATTERN and the show you how to make a Sharpie Tie Dye project with items you may already have around… Read More »Pitter Pattern Reading and Sharpie Tie Dye Project (ages 4-8+)

Please help me celebrate the official, 100% true, very-first-birthday of my brand new picture book, MABEL: A Mermaid Fable, which is about a shy little mermaid, who wishes she had… Read More »Mermaids, Mer-Me’s + mer-more (ages 5+)

Join K-Fai as she shares her book A Normal Pig! We'll talk about emotions and I'll walk you through how to draw a character (Pip!) experiencing the emotions you choose!… Read More »A Normal Pig Storytime + Drawing Workshop (ages 3-8)

I will share my upcoming book Let's Go to Taekwondo! for the first time with all you readers! I will introduce the characters, share the stories of how I named… Read More »Be the very first reader for Let’s Go to Taekwondo! (ages 4-7)

A step-by step drawing lesson with author-illustrator Matt Tavares. Bring with you paper and something to draw with (pencil, crayon, colored pencil, etc.). Want to buy Matt's book A Ben… Read More »Drawing with Matt Tavares! (ages 5+)