Children’s Books

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September 26, 2026

The Wild Robot Books in Order (Complete Series Guide)

The Wild Robot has become one of those children's stories that seems to have found an audience far beyond its original books. Peter Brown's story of Roz, a robot stranded in the wilderness, has grown into a three-book series and a major DreamWorks animated movie. That makes The Wild Robot a little different from many children's book series. There are only three main novels, so the reading order is easy. But the movie has introduced an entirely new generation of readers to Roz, and that creates a different set of questions for parents. Should you read the book before watching the movie? Is the movie faithful to the book? What age is The Wild Robot appropriate for? What reading level are the books? And is there actually a fourth book? After reading the stories with our children and watching the movie, I created this guide to help parents and young readers navigate The Wild Robot books in order, understand the relationship between the books and the movie, and decide whether the series is a good fit for their family.

August 9, 2026

The Last Kids on Earth Books in Order (Complete Series Guide)

If you're trying to figure out the correct Last Kids on Earth books in order, you're not alone. The series combines illustrated middle-grade novels with graphic novels, companion books, and other activities, which can make it surprisingly difficult to know where to start or what belongs in the main series. Whether you're buying The Last Kids on Earth for the first time, trying to figure out what comes after Book 5, or wondering whether the graphic novels fit into the reading order, this guide brings everything together in one place. You'll find the complete main-series reading order, information about companion books and graphic novels, age and reading-level guidance, answers to common parent questions, and our family's experience with the series.

July 17, 2026

Wings of Fire Books in Order (Complete Series Guide)

If you're trying to figure out the correct Wings of Fire books in order, you're not alone. When my family first discovered the series, we quickly realized it wasn't just another children's fantasy collection. Between the sixteen main novels, graphic novels, Legends books, Winglets, and companion titles, it can be surprisingly difficult to know where to start or what you're getting into. Whether you're buying Wings of Fire for the first time or trying to figure out what comes after Book 5, this guide brings everything together in one place. You'll find the complete reading order, age recommendations, graphic novel advice, buying tips, and our family's experience reading the series. If you're short on time, don't worry. The Quick Facts and Reading Order tables below will help you get started in just a few minutes, while the rest of the guide dives deeper into the questions readers and families often have.

June 20, 2026

Creator Lessons: What 47 Interviews Taught Me About Creativity, Writing, Publishing, and Building Meaningful Work

Over the years, I've interviewed authors, illustrators, publishers, literary agents, editors, and creators from a wide range of backgrounds. While their careers look different on the surface, many of the same lessons appeared again and again. Some have sold millions of books. Others built successful illustration careers. Some left stable jobs to pursue creative work. Others persevered through years of rejection before finding success. What follows is a collection of the most important lessons that emerged across these conversations. Each lesson is supported by interviews and articles that explore the idea in greater depth.

May 18, 2021

What Literary Agents Look For in Children’s Books: Insights from Adria Goetz

Literary agents occupy a unique position in the publishing industry. They evaluate thousands of submissions, identify promising talent, negotiate publishing deals, and help shape books that ultimately reach readers around the world. In this interview, literary agent Adria Goetz shares insights into querying, children's publishing, author platforms, book pitches, illustrator portfolios, and the qualities that help writers stand out in a highly competitive market. Whether you're pursuing traditional publishing or simply hoping to better understand the industry, her perspective offers a valuable behind-the-scenes look at how literary agents evaluate books and creative careers.

March 2, 2021

Brian P. Cleary on Writing, Publishing, Copywriting, and Selling 3 Million Books

What can writers learn from an author who has sold more than 3 million books, published over 50 titles, and spent four decades writing professionally? In this interview, bestselling children’s author, poet, speaker, and American Greetings Senior Editor Brian P. Cleary shares insights on writing concisely, copywriting, creativity, publishing, school visits, poetry, and the realities of making a living with words.

February 16, 2021

What Tara Lazar Taught Me About Writing Children’s Books, Creativity, and StoryStorm

Many aspiring authors dream of publishing a children's book. Far fewer build a sustainable writing life that lasts for years or even decades. In this interview, bestselling children's author and StoryStorm founder Tara Lazar shares lessons on creativity, idea generation, publishing, perseverance, and why writing is more than a hobby—it's a lifestyle. Whether you're an aspiring author, experienced writer, or creative professional, Tara's insights offer practical encouragement for building a long-term creative practice.

February 2, 2021

How Branding and Storytelling Help Writers Build Audience Trust

Great communication shapes everything—from marketing campaigns and brand messaging to books, websites, and social media posts. Few people have seen both sides of that equation as closely as author, illustrator, and communications professional Shay Fan. Having worked in branding, public relations, content strategy, and publishing, Shay has spent years studying how people connect with ideas, stories, and each other. In this interview, she shares lessons on communication, audience trust, branding, storytelling, publishing, and what creators can learn from both the corporate and creative worlds.