Shay Fan

Ezra is a seven-year-old boy who likes cheese-flavored ice cream, flying off the couch with his superhero cape, and peeling dried glue off his fingers. And he LOVES making art. Every day at Braddock Elementary, he doodles, draws, paints, and crafts with abandon. When he makes something, the entire world melts away, his heart feels warm, and his entire body wants to wiggle. But there is one problem. Even though he loves making it, no one understands it.

Even though spring is finally here and many people are finished with spring break, about to go on spring break, or dreaming of a spring break…it’s also a great time to pick up a delightful picture book VAMPIRE VACATION written by Laura Lavoie with illustrations by Micah Player. Laura writes humorous, pun-filled picture books. She can also tap dance, tell terribly cheesy jokes, and bake a mean chocolate chip cookie–though not all at the same time.

If there’s one thing I love just as much as a good book on a rainy day, it’s a portmanteau. And today’s book has the best kind of portmanteau because it puts together two fabulous creatures to introduce a new whimsical friend: JOY THE PANDACORN! I’m so pleased that my very talented critique partner Maggie Lauren Brown is here to share her revision journey for her debut picture book with delightful illustrations by Fia Kilbourn.