You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘Amanda Davis’ tag.
by Amanda Davis
“It was only when my time and energy to create
were severely limited that I realised
how central they were to me as a person.”
~ Lucy H. Pearce, author of Creatrix: She Who Makes
Hello Storystormers!
I’m so excited to be back on Tara’s blog and grateful to share my latest ponderings on the creative process. This post isn’t so much to inspire us during the creative process but to get us thinking about how we approach it. What do we do BEFORE we begin? How can we clear the brain clutter? The noise and the distractions that sit heavy in our brains as we sit down to create.
If you’re anything like me, I usually sit down to write or draw with my mind being pulled in various directions. With a limited amount of time to accomplish an unlimited amount of tasks and to do’s. My brain is filled with clutter, and I often have a hard time prioritizing and getting started. I default to my inbox and emails because it’s easy and convenient. Forgetting how central it is for me to authentically harness my creativity and flow. With this limited mindset, how is there space to create? How can there be room for inspiration to enter? To take root?
I found this to be especially true while working on my latest picture book, SOMETIMES STORMY: A STORY ABOUT FINDING CALM AND STAYING SAFE WHEN SOMEONE YOU LOVE DRINKS TOO MUCH, which is my author-illustrator debut, releasing with Free Spirit Publishing/ Teacher Created Materials this fall.
*sneak peek of near-final cover used with permission from Free Spirit Publishers
The story was inspired by my childhood experiences living with a father who struggled with alcohol use disorder and recognizing a lack of contemporary, age-appropriate books to turn to on the topic. SOMETIMES STORMY provides an empathetic exploration of this ‘storm’ and highlights ways for children to cope with the challenges of a situation that is often out of their control.
I’m currently working on the final art for this book and each time I sit down to create, my mind is filled with clutter. Some is book related clutter like, is the story and art good enough? How will readers respond? Will anyone buy the book? Where do I start on my final art? What would my dad think about me writing the story? (he passed away when I was twelve) And some unrelated clutter like, what’s for dinner tonight? Am I doing enough with my toddler? Did anyone walk the dogs? Did I make that doctor’s appointment for my aging mother? The list goes on. Life is busy. I take all this clutter with me each time I sit down to create-leaving little space for creativity itself.
What’s your process when you sit down to write? What’s your mindset? Are you feeling ready to create? Or do you have what feels like a million other To Do’s and tasks running through your brain…pulling you away from your creativity?
As we enter the new year, we often hear talk about clearing away the clutter from the year prior. Organizing. Starting fresh with clear goals and intentions in mind. What if we took this same approach every time we sat down to create? What if we took time to clear the clutter and make space for our stories to seep through?
According to the book, Mindfulness for Creativity by Danny Penman, mindfulness and meditation practices enhance three essential skills for creativity: divergent thinking, which opens our mind to new ideas, improved attention, which makes it easier to process the usefulness of those ideas and lastly, the fostering of growth and resilience in the face of failure and setback, which we creatives know a lot about! Research also shows that just ten to twelve minutes of mindfulness/meditation a day can help boost creativity. There’s hope!
For today’s post, I’d like to put this research to the test by trying a meditation on creativity to help us clear our mind before we start to write or illustrate.
First, get out some paper and pencil and make note of the following:
- What gets in your way of creating? How many of these things are in your control?
- What is your purpose and reason for creating?
- How are you feeling right in this moment?
Now, find a comfortable seat.
Settle in.
Close your eyes.
Take a couple of deep breaths in and out.
Notice how you’re feeling right now, in this moment.
Scan your body starting at the crown of your head.
Imagine your mind space opening up.
Letting go of all the things that get in the way of creating.
Let them drift off.
High above you.
Out of view.
Relax and release as you scan down through the rest of your body.
Observe what is.
Release them all with the breath. Notice, accept, and release.
Keep your eyes closed, take another couple deep breaths in and out.
Repeat these phrases in your head:
- BREATHING IN: When I create, I am connected to myself.
- BREATHING OUT: I will surrender to the scene, to the words that come through me.
Take a deep inhale, filing your body with the peace of this moment and with your exhale, release your creativity into the world. Bring your hands to your heart.
- REPEAT TO YOURSELF: I AM READY TO BEGIN!
Gently open your eyes and notice.
How are you feeling now? Make note of this in your journal. Does your mind feel just a tad more clear? Is your body more calm? Are you ready to begin your creative journey?
You might not feel much different after just one time of trying this and that’s okay. It takes practice. But next time you rush to your creative corner, I ask you to pause. Reflect. Are you really ready to begin? Could you take a few minutes, a few breaths to clear the clutter and make harnessing your authentic creativity central to your practice?
- YOUR CHALLENGE: For the next week, each time you sit down to create, try the above meditation. Repeat the mantras. See if you notice any more space in your mind for inspiration, focus, and ideas. Can any of these ideas be a seed for a story?
- BONUS--declutter your physical work space as well and you might notice an extra boost in creativity!
Good luck and Happy Meditating!
Source: Can 10 Minutes of Meditation Make You More Creative
Amanda Davis is a teacher, artist, writer, and innovator who uses her words and pictures to light up the world with kindness. Amanda is the author of the award-winning picture books, 30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag (illustrated by Sally Wern Comport), and Moonlight Memories (illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan). SOMETIMES STORMY is her author-illustrator debut, and she has three more unannounced picture books on the way. Learn more about Amanda on her website and on Instagram, and BlueSky.
Amanda Davis is offering a 30-minute Career Consultation via Zoom.
You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2025 participant and you have commented only once below.
Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.
by PB25 Vibes
In PB25 Vibes, a group of creators with books launching in 2025, we are all about vibes! Finding that feeling you want to leave with the reader is at the heart of writing a picture book. Our stories are ones that are meant to evoke emotions, and as we drafted our stories, we kept a feeling—a vibe—in mind. As you read through our personal processes below, think about a vibe that you want to share in your next manuscript!
Alison McGauley, author of KENZIE’S LITTLE TREE (illustrated by Emilie Leduc, Orca Book Publishers, March 11, 2025)
The inspiration for KENZIE’S LITTLE TREE came from my daughters who have always lived with a chronically ill mom. Wanting to write a story that represents children like my own, and to empower readers to recognize their inner strength, I began with the vibe of resilience. KENZIE’S LITTLE TREE reminds us that though the world is constantly changing and oftentimes difficult, we can be bold and strong, just like the little tree. I hope that children and families feel the vibe of resilience as they read about Kenzie and her little tree.
Ha Dinh, author of THE JADE BRACELET (illustrated by Yong Ling Kang, Random House Studio, April 15, 2025)
While finishing up my debut picture book, I got the inspiration for THE JADE BRACELET as I reminisced about the jade bracelet that my late mother had gifted me as a child. The vibe for this story has always been about love and how love can manifest itself in a family tradition, memory, or even a family heirloom in the shape of a piece of jewelry as in this book, which can hold so much sentimental value and can be passed down down one generation to the next. How does love manifest in your writing?
Chelsea Tornetto, author of CHALK THE WALK (illustrated by Laurel Aylesworth, Familius, April 2025)
I’m a rhyming writer, and the meter of a story can impact the “vibe” in a big way! For CHALK THE WALK, I used a playful, upbeat rhythm, as well as the amazing art from Laurel Aylesworth, to tell the story of two kids who change the whole VIBE of their previously dull, gray city street with just a bucket of sidewalk chalk…and spread joy and color to their neighbors. The result is a story that leaves the reader with a sense of hope and a desire to use their own imaginations to change the world…just like the main characters!
Christine Alemshah, author of BEA’S BALIKBAYAN BOX OF TREASURES (illustrated by Dream Chen, Free Spirit Publishing, June 17, 2025)
Embracing Bea’s story vibe felt like falling in love with a new song and listening to it on repeat. Not every track on my storystorm playlist becomes a full-fledged picture book! I scroll my list often, and bold ideas that tug at my heartstrings. BEA’S BALIKBAYAN BOX OF TREASURES topped the chart because it aligned with my big why — to nurture a lifelong love of reading, cultivate connections, and help children see themselves represented in the stories they read. I challenge you to scroll through your idea list often and listen with your heart to help identify which ideas to pursue!
Costantia Manoli, author of THE FIG TREE (illustrated by Leah Giles, Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan USA, June 2025)
My aim when writing a picture book is to leave the reader with a hug-the-book-at-the-end kind of vibe. I want my readers, big and small, to see themselves reflected back in the pages. I want my readers to close the book at the end and feel connected. I want my readers to feel all the feelings. THE FIG TREE is about connecting with others – no matter what stories you’ve been told about them. How can you layer resonance, connection and emotion in your own writing to create that hug-the-book-at-the-end vibe?
Namrata Agarwal, author of THE MITHAI BOX IS NOT EMPTY (illustrated by Parvati Pillai, Holiday House, summer 2025)
Often, we face dilemmas in our lives and so does Ria in the story ‘THE MITHAI BOX IS NOT EMPTY.’ A dilemma tends to evoke a vibe of inner conflict. These inner conflicts can be a natural part of a child’s development. Wise advice can be incredibly helpful in resolving inner conflicts. Like in THE MITHAI BOX IS NOT EMPTY, thoughtful advice changed Ria’s vibe. Imagine a feeling of yours becoming a strong “vibe.”
Can you think of a story around that vibe?
Carolyn Bennett Fraiser, author of M IS FOR MASON JARS (illustrated by Sally Garland, Familius Publishing, August 2025)
I wrote M IS FOR MASON JARS on a dare. Could I think of an activity for kids on a modern-day homestead for every letter of the alphabet? Yes! I initially focused on activities that were “fun” for kids. But as I was writing (and rewriting), another vibe bubbled to the surface–“togetherness.” Everyone must work together to make a homestead successful–including the youngest. THAT was the heart of my story.
As you explore your topic, what other vibes do you feel? They might just take you in an interesting direction!
Blair Williamson, author of BIRTHDAY BASH (The Little Press, September 16, 2025)
The idea for BIRTHDAY BASH came from a moment of pure, unfiltered chaos while living on a boat. One day, as I stood in the galley, a bug scurried across the floor. What started as a simple sighting turned into a wild spiral of what-ifs in my mind, and it became a story waiting to be told. Birthday Bash captures that vibe of crazy, unpredictable fun, filled with mishaps, laughter, and, of course, a tiny bug causing a big mess. I hope this inspires anyone who’s ever found themselves swept up in a whirlwind of “what-ifs?” to write their story!
Kimberly Horch, author of SAWYER’S BIG IDEA (illustrated by Sayani Mukherjee, Magination Press, Fall 2025)
Sawyer has a million amazing ideas, but gets hyperfocused, distracted, and discouraged. As I approached his story, I knew it couldn’t end with him finishing everything. Anyone Sawyer-like knows that simply isn’t reality. But I wanted readers to leave feeling celebratory of the superpower of idea-generation. Recognizing this vibe allowed me to focus my thoughts on what moments (other than finishing) could leave him feeling “celebratory.” Thanks to an SCBWI event, I had two opportunities to pitch to Magination. Nailing the end feeling changed their feedback from “It’s a cute idea…” to “Yes!”
Amanda Davis, author-illustrator of SOMETIMES STORMY: A STORY ABOUT FINDING CALM AND STAYING SAFE WHEN SOMEONE YOU LOVE DRINKS TOO MUCH (Free Spirit Publishing/Teacher Created Materials, Fall 2025)
*sneak peek of near-final cover
When writing and illustrating SOMETIMES STORMY, I channeled my childhood and the memories of living with a parent who had alcohol use disorder. This wasn’t an easy ‘vibe’ to sit with but it’s an important and common one. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in 2023, 28.9 million people ages 12 and older had alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the past year. Despite these heavy ‘vibes’, I always kept my positive message to readers in mind: “You’re not alone and it’s not your fault.” Are you digging into difficult vibes with your current work? If so, remember your why. What’s the positive message you want to send readers? I hope this inspires you to keep going!
Leslie Johnson Piotrowski, author of THE NORTHBOUND TRAIN (illustrated by Tonya Engel, Abrams Books for Young Readers, Spring 2026)
Leaving behind your home and community can be daunting. In writing THE NORTHBOUND TRAIN, I thought of what my father went through when he moved with his family from Birmingham, Alabama to Chicago, Illinois in the 1930s, a time when millions of African Americans left the South to escape Jim Crow laws. In writing the story, I also connected with my own inner feelings of anxiety around moving to new places. I wanted children to know that they are not alone in feeling nervous about leaving home and that journeys can bring about unexpected gifts.
Now it’s your turn. Think about a vibe that affected you. Was it a moment you realized that you were stronger than you thought? Was it a time when you felt completely unified and connected with others, or when you suddenly realized the answer to a problem was standing right in front of you? Mine your memories for instances in your life that stood out for you. Notice your emotions, as these play a strong role in children’s literature. Those feelings or vibes could possibly provide the inspiration for your next story.
Alison McGauley is a special education teacher and the author of KENZIE’S LITTLE TREE (March 2025, Orca Book Publishers), illustrated by Emilie Leduc. As a chronic illness warrior, Alison is passionate about writing books that speak to children and caregivers who are impacted by illness or disability. She also loves creating stories that feature humor, SEL, and the natural world. Alison resides in Ontario, Canada with her family. Connect with Alison on her website alisonmcgauley.com, Instagram @alisonmcgauley, or Bluesky @alisonmcgauley.bsky.social.
Ha Dihn is a mom of two, an elementary teacher, and the founder of the Happy Days in First Grade Teaching Blog. She is the author of WHERE WILDFLOWERS GROW and three books that are being published in 2025, THE JADE BRACELET (April), LY-LAN FINDS A WAY SERIES: LY-LAN AND THE NEW CLASS MIX-UP (June), and THE MOON LANTERN (September). You can follow her @HelloMrsDinh on IG.
Chelsea Tornetto is a former world geography teacher, who has loved writing ever since she was a kid. Her first book, Conquering Content Vocabulary, was published by Scholastic in 2018, but now her passion is picture books. She is the author of Gardens Are For Growing, God Made You Too, Seasons on the Farm, Chalk the Walk, and The World’s Best Christmas Light with more titles on the way. When she isn’t working on her own stories, she helps others follow their dreams of writing for children as a freelance editor and author coach for At Home Author.
Christine Alemshah (she/her) is a mom, children’s author, classically trained vocalist, and host of the Grow Your Writing Challenge. Christine writes stories championing innovation, celebrating multiculturalism, and often having a musical vibe. Her picture book BEA’S BALIKBAYAN BOX OF TREASURES releases June 17, 2025 from Free Spirit Publishing. You can follow Christine on X, Instagram, and Bluesky: @C_Alemshah and on her website. She is represented by Vicky Weber of Creative Media Agency.
Costantia Manoli is the award winning author of TOMATOES IN MY LUNCHBOX (illustrated by Magdalena Mora, Roaring Brook Press, June 2022) and THE FIG TREE (illustrated by Leah Giles, Roaring Brook Press, June 2025). Born in the UK to Cypriot parents, Costantia spent the picture book period of her life in London, her middle grade and young adult years in Cyprus and then the USA and then back round again. Learn more about Costantia on her website, Instagram, Facebook and BlueSky.
Namrata Agarwal is a children’s book writer. She has written picture books – Misha series and The Grasshopper and the Owl. She has also written for children’s magazines like Faces and IntellyJelly. She is a member of SCBWI, RateYourStory and Writing Barn. Currently she lives in New Jersey with her two kids and husband. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and crafting. You can follow Namrata on Twitter @namrataagarwal, Instagram @namrata.writer.
Carolyn Bennett Fraiser manages a small homestead in western North Carolina and is the author of M IS FOR MASON JAR (Familius, 2025), MOON TREE (Reycraft Books, 2022), and several other nonfiction books for the educational market. She hosts the KidLit Events Calendar on her website. Connect with her @carolynbfraiser on Facebook, BlueSky, Instagram, and X.
Blair Northen Williamson is a Book Excellence Awards Winner and Amazon #1 new release author of ISLAND GIRLS: Free the Sea of Plastic (Williamson/Holovchenko, 2022) who loves writing stories that make children laugh, stories that will spark important conversations and stories that will ignite change to protect our oceans. She is a mother and wife, a retired boat captain, and a scuba diving instructor who also loves sunrises and coffee. Williamson has two traditional books releasing this year: BIRTHDAY BASH (Williamson/Woolley, Little Press, 2025) & THE OCEAN PROTECTORS (Williamson/Holovchenko, Genius Cat Books, 2025). She is represented by Karen Kilpatrick of East West Literary Agency. You can connect with Blair on X @theislandwriter or IG @theislandwriter8 as well as follow her website for updates www.theislandwriter.com.
Kimberly Horch is an author, mom of five, and a self-proclaimed agent of joy. Like Sawyer in SAWYER’S BIG IDEA, she always has a dozen projects up in the air and twice as many on the floor. Kimberly writes lyrical picture books and middle grade novels in verse. Her instagram inspires kindness through books and action @thedaybrighteningcommittee; she is also on X.
Amanda Davis is a teacher, artist, writer, and innovator who uses her words and pictures to light up the world with kindness. Amanda is the author of the award-winning picture books, 30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag (illustrated by Sally Wern Comport), and Moonlight Memories (illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan). SOMETIMES STORMY is her author-illustrator debut, and she has three more unannounced picture books on the way. Learn more about Amanda on her website and on Instagram, Twitter (X) and BlueSky.
Leslie Johnson Piotrowski is a biracial (Black/White) author with a passion for representation and sharing her own heritage through children’s literature. A native of Chicago, she worked for many years in the public relations/communications field before she pursued fiction writing. Her debut picture book, THE NORTHBOUND TRAIN, releases Spring 2026 (Abram’s Books for Young Readers). You can follow Leslie on her website and on X @lpiotrowski80.
The following prizes are being given away by the PB25 Vibes Group:
- Alison is offering a PB critique.
- Ha is offering a PB critique.
- Chelsea is offering a PB critique (under 1000 words).
- Christine is offering a PB or chapter book critique (first 1000 words.)
- Costantia is offering a PB critique.
- Blair is offering a 30-minute virtual Ask Me Anything.
- Namrata is offering a 30-minute virtual Ask Me Anything.
- Carolyn is offering a 30-minute virtual Ask Me Anything.
- Kimberly is offering a PB critique or MG first 1,000 words.
- Amanda is offering a 30-minute virtual Ask Me Anything.
- Leslie is offering a PB book critique (first 1000 words)
You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2025 participant and you have commented only once below.
Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.
by Amanda Davis
Hello fellow Storystormers! It’s Day 29, and we’re nearing the end of the challenge-a sad but wondrous thing. Give yourself a pat on the back for making it this far. Hurrah! I hope your well is brimming with at least 28 new ideas from the fabulous posts we’ve read and that you’re raring to go with your writing. So much inspiration! I’m excited to be here as a guest blogger and to help us close out the final days of the challenge. Storystorm holds a special place in my heart as it helped me focus in on developing the manuscript that later became my debut picture book, 30,000 STITCHES. Thanks, Tara!
Now, onto my post!
I’m a very action-oriented person and love when I find new writing or drawing challenges that I can apply to my practice to help me churn out new ideas or work. This is one of the many reasons I love participating in Storystorm each year! For this post, I wanted to share one of my own challenges that I created called, Haiku From Two. I crafted this challenge last year to help me get through the pandemic and needed something to keep me feeling inspired to create, read, and connect. I hope that you find it useful in your own creative practice as well!
WHAT IS HAIKU FROM TWO?
Haiku from Two started out as a 30-Day Challenge on social media.
The premise is:
- Randomly select two words from the current book you’re reading.
- Write a haiku* using those two words.
- Post your haiku on social media with the #HaikuFromTwo.
* a haiku is a three-line poem- five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third (5-7-5).
HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY HAIKU FROM TWO EXPERIENCE:
READING: I don’t know about you, but I tend to have a large stack of ‘to be read’ books hanging around the house. I stare at them, feeling guilty that I haven’t made the time to dive in. When the pandemic hit, I figured that was a great time to whittle down the pile. I hoped the challenge of completing a haiku from each book would push me to keep reading, and it did just that!
WRITING: If you’re looking for a simple activity that can keep you writing, I found this was the trick for me! Some days were challenging, but it forced me to keep those creative juices flowing, which in turn helped me when I shifted gears to my picture book manuscripts, too!
CONNECTION: From authors, to editors, to cover artists, down to the book designers, whenever I would finish my Haiku From Two, I would photograph it and post on Instagram and Twitter, tagging all those involved in making the book. It was a great way to connect with others in the industry. Through the challenge, I’ve made some new online friends, and even e-chatted with authors such as, Ruth Behar. As I would search for the right people to tag in each post, it reminded me that it takes a village to bring our book babies into the world!
INSPIRATION: The reason we are all here, inspiration! These small haikus have the potential to turn into BIG ideas! I now have the option to develop these haikus further and use them as inspiration for new characters, settings, and themes. More on that below.
ALTERNATIVES: Let’s face it, writing/art challenges can be hard to commit to, so here are some ways you can alter the Haiku From Two activity to best suit your mood and needs.
In-between books? Don’t fret! Instead, use an old book from the shelf or maybe an article you read online. You can even use two words from your favorite song. A magazine or even a dictionary will do. Basically, anything that has words can work!
If you’re not into poetry, no worries! Scratch the syllables and make up a random sentence instead. Perhaps that sentence then becomes the first line of your new picture book manuscript or gives you an idea for some new characters in your story. For example, I’ve been playing around with developing the idea of “Flashlight Ghosts”.
These two words came from the haiku I developed from ONE CRAZY SUMMER by Rita Williams-Garcia. I’m not sure what or where yet but Flashlight Ghosts sure sound like interesting characters 🙂 Not to mention I had Rita herself playing along for this one, too!
If you consider yourself an artist as well, after you develop your haiku, you can illustrate it, too! I enjoyed this approach with the haiku I created for COME ON, RAIN, a picture book by Karen Hesse and John J. Muth. My two words were Hot and Air, which made me think of flying high in a hot air balloon.
Now, a new story about a hot air balloon adventure is waiting to be explored!
SIDE NOTE: Don’t put pressure on yourself to create every day! I initially began this challenge in March of 2020 with Lynda Mullaley Hunt’s FISH IN A TREE and intended to do a Haiku From Two each day for 30 consecutive days, but then…life happened…amidst a pandemic nonetheless.
Six months later, I finally reached my Day 30 in September with ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE.
It took longer than I’d expected, but in the end, I read twelve new amazing books and now have a jar full of potential new story ideas and inspiration!
Even though I reached my 30 days, I’m continuing to partake in the Haiku From Two challenge. I hope you will join me! If you decide to take on the challenge in 2021, see below for the official rules. And remember, no pressure to complete the 30 days. Instead, think of this as another tool in your creative arsenal ready and waiting for the next time you’re in need of a muse.
So, as I close us out of Day 29, I challenge you to a Haiku From Two! Grab a book, randomly choose two words, and form a haiku! Voilá! Your next story idea awaits! Be sure to tag me on Instagram @amandadavis_art or Twitter @amandadavisart, and use #haikufromtwo to play along!
In case you’re interested, here is my Haiku From Two reading list:
FISH IN A TREE by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
ONE CRAZY SUMMER by Rita Williams-Garcia
THE BFG by Roald Dahl (I was in a throwback mood)
THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY by Gabrielle Zevin
A DOG’S WAY HOME by W. Bruce Cameron
LUCKY BROKEN GIRL by Ruth Behar
THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR by Nicola Yoon
AMAL UNBOUND by Aisha Saeed
THE POET X by Elizabeth Acevedo
THERE, THERE by Tommy Orange
ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE by George M. Johnson
BROWN GIRL DREAMING by Jacqueline Woodson
One last note: today is also Multicultural Children’s Book Day! Follow along at #ReadYourWorld to help celebrate and raise awareness around kid’s books that celebrate diversity and help these books get into more classroom and libraries!
Happy haikuing y’all!
Amanda Davis is a teacher, artist, writer, and innovator who uses her words and pictures to light up the world with kindness. After losing her father at the age of twelve, Amanda turned to art and writing as an outlet. It became her voice. A way to cope. A way to escape. And a way to tell her story. She was thus inspired to teach art and pursue her passion for writing and illustrating children’s books. Through her work, Amanda empowers younger generations to tell their own stories and offers children and adults an entryway into a world of discovery. A world that can help them make sense of themselves, others, and the community around them. A world where they can navigate, imagine, and feel inspired—over and over again. When she’s not busy creating, you can find her sipping tea, petting dogs, and exploring the natural wonders of The Bay State with her partner and rescue pup, Cora.
Her debut creative nonfiction picture book, 30,000 STITCHES, hits stores May 4, 2021 with WorthyKids/Hachette Book Group, and her poetry and illustrations can be found in the Writers’ Loft new anthology, FRIENDS & ANEMONES: OCEAN POEMS FOR CHILDREN (November, 2020). Amanda is represented by Jennifer Unter of The Unter Agency.
To connect with Amanda and learn more about her work, visit her online at amandadavisart.com, Twitter @amandadavisart Instagram @amandadavis_art and Facebook.
Amanda is offering a 30-minute Zoom meeting to chat about a specific story or anything else kid-lit related OR for our educator and librarian friends, Amanda would like to offer a FREE 20-minute virtual classroom visit.
Leave one comment below to enter.
You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm participant and you have commented once below.
Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) 