Instagram Story Save

Apparently there was a moment in 2023 when the "Ding Dong cake" went viral. I missed this moment. But when I heard about this cake--as you can probably surmise, it is an elevated version of a Ding Dong snack cake--I begged my 17-year-old to bake one. My expectations were high. Perhaps too high. Could the cake live up to them? It absolutely did! Since my mom was not a baker, I was a big snack-cake consumer as a child. And this definitely took the beloved Ding Dong to a whole different level.
If you, like me, missed the Ding Dong cake craze of 2023, here's the recipe: https://sugarspunrun.com/ding-dong-cake/

This book about the joys of summer, grandmas, ice cream, and community is out today! It was a delight to create this book with illustrator @sarahlynnbaker, who based her renderings of Becca on her own younger daughter (who I had the pleasure of meeting recently).

Thank you for celebrating with us today!

@rockypondbooks

Some of these books are funny. Some are uplifting. Some are comforting. Some make you fall in love with words. Some are old, and some are new.

All of these books are by female and nonbinary creators. All are books that kids might adore. Why "might?" Because not every kid is drawn to the same kind of books, and that's okay.

@zuillmonkey @nellybuchetbooks @ltolin @yas.imamura @tarajhannonillustration @jyotirgopal @joanmarrbooks @diannewrites @beckyscharn @taralaser @marciecolleen @carriefinison @aj_irving @claudianavarroilustradora @julspatton @suelowellgallion @joycewanbooks @hellomaddiefrost @jenfierjasinski @lisachowart @picturebookrecommendations @abi.cushman @meganlitwinbooks @acaseoflala @briannehfarley @bethkrommes @emmayarlett @svabhukohli

Just a few amazing nonfiction/creative nonfiction/informational fiction books I love!

@ohmylorelei @anita.yasuda @jilanne2694 @schaubwrites @dpilutti @stacymcanulty @karilavellewrites @lesliebarnardbooth.books @eumiel @juliemorstad @stephfizercoleman

I love this My Body Can story walk installed by a wonderful educator in Michigan! This is the perfect book for kids to experience while moving their bodies 😊

@applesandhoneypress @alexandra.colombo

Gosling season!!!

My mom in 1958, at the age one of my kids is now. I wish she had been able to know her grandkids as high school and college students, because they’re pretty fantastic. I miss my mom every day and especially on Mother’s Day…but I’m so grateful to have had her as a mom for all the years that I did.

Thank you to Vanderbilt for giving our kid everything we could have hoped for in a college experience. Today we have a college graduate. So very proud of him!

I know I've been posting a lot about Becca and Bubbe (out in two weeks!), but I have to post this STARRED review from School Library Journal.

In an article a few years ago, the SLJ Reviews Editor asked reviewers what they think about when nominating a book for a starred review. One reviewer said, “It needs to be so well written that it will not only be popular now but will withstand the test of time.” The article then goes on to say that these books are "The books that make 'non-readers' readers. The books that change lives. The ones that burrow themselves into the hearts of the young people you serve. The books that have staying power. These are the titles that get starred every month." So...I am incredibly honored that SLJ awarded Becca and Bubbe a starred review, and I hope many school librarians purchase a copy to share our joyful Jewish story with their students.

@rockypondbooks @sarahlynnbaker

Thank you to the BCCB for this wonderful review of Becca and Bubbe!

It made me so happy that they spotlighted the concept of "a community of gal pals," because I have various communities of gal pals in every part of my life, and I can't imagine making my way through the world without any of them!

@sarahlynnbaker @rockypondbooks

Join me for a storytime to welcome summer, and the chance to make an ice cream sundae out of craft supplies! Register here: https://capitaljewishmuseum.org/events/story-time-cjm-hello-summer/

@sarahlynnbaker @rockypondbooks @capjewishmuseum

Yesterday at the @hudson_cbf (which is such a wonderful festival, with the most amazing organizers!!!), I not only got to see many author friends and meet many young readers, I also got to meet @sarahlynnbaker, the illustrator of Becca & Bubbe's Bucket List! I even had the chance to meet her daughter, the inspiration for Becca's look in the book (and the handwriting inspiration for Becca's handwriting in the book). It was so great to meet both of them. We can't wait for Becca and Bubbe's release on May 19!

@rockypondbooks