All About Æbleskiver

It was a distinct pleasure to work with Pim on her gorgeous Æbleskiver cookbook, which highlights her creativity and love of this classic treat. From the very beginning, I was inspired by the wide array of traditional and unusual flavors and after seeing her colorful photographs (which drove me out to buy an æbleskiver pan of my own) I wanted to try every. single. one. With the holidays coming, I can’t think of a better cookbook to go to for a festive breakfast or brunch!  Æbleskiver are fascinating in their simplicity and potential. A plate of æbleskiver can be as...

Behind the Book: The Sea Hides A Seahorse

I have always loved the ocean! I love the way the light sparkles on the water, the rhythm of the waves, and the sound of the surf. But what I love most of all is the mystery of what lies beneath its surface and how this hidden world is home to more than a million marine species, most of them still unknown to us. Still, my love of the ocean is not why I wrote my debut picture book, The Sea Hides A Seahorse. The idea for this book emerged from a misconception I formed as a small child. You...

Celebrate Rosh Hashanah with Faith Kramer

Did you know the Hebrew calendar celebrates four distinct New Years? * The most important and best-known of them is Rosh Hashanah (literally “head of the year”), observed this year from the evening of October 2 through nightfall of October 4. On Rosh Hashanah, often called the Jewish New Year, individuals attend special services to offer prayers for a year of health and prosperity and affirm their dedication to repenting their misdeeds. They also celebrate in their homes with festive meals featuring foods that are symbolically connected to these same prayers.  While customs and traditions vary across the global Jewish...

The story behind The Knitting Witch

At The Collective Book Studio, we have the unique privilege of bringing remarkable stories to life. In some special cases, the origin story is just as compelling as the book itself. The Knitting Witch is a tale that has woven its way from a cherished family memory into a beautifully illustrated book soon to be placed into the hands of eager readers everywhere. A Rediscovered Gem The story of The Knitting Witch begins in the 1950s with author Norma Kassirer, known for her classic Magic Elizabeth. Before she penned that beloved book, Norma wrote The Knitting Witch and would read...

Foreword Reviews Q&A with Lauren Sánchez and Behind the Book: The Fly Who Flew to Space

Introduction by Rebekah Lovato Piatte, Developmental Editor When the Collective Book Studio first approached me with this proposal, the first thing that drew me in were Raleigh Stewart’s drawings. I loved all the detail he was able to bring in—things for kids to notice at every turn. And I loved the play on words, with the fly who flew.  Working with Lauren was great—she was friendly, open to suggestions, and we were in sync about the direction of the book. Flynn is a character for both boys and girls—showing anyone can participate—and excel—in STEM subjects. Flynn’s curiosity and aspirations are...

Making Space for Mindfulness

I discovered mindfulness over a decade ago when I joined a weekly meditation group. I’d wanted to learn more about meditation for a while, but had no idea how to get started—it felt intimidating. So, when I stumbled across a postcard advertising a meditation class only ten minutes from my home, I thought: this is my sign to finally do it!  Once I began attending the group, it didn’t take long for me to notice the benefits: I was sleeping better and definitely felt less stressed. At the time, I was working with children who were dealing with high levels...