On The Bookshelf: Spring Storytime Guide

Plus, local author highlights and Waverly's first birthday April 23, 2025!

Hello and Happy Earth Month!

Welcome back to the “On The Bookshelf” newsletter, meant to share a love of storytelling, upcoming author events with me, Samantha Cora, projects, and favorite reads — especially picture books.

I’m excited to release the Spring Storytime Guide, a comprehensive look at storytimes in and around Dane County, WI from April-June 2025. The guide is organized by day of the week, start time, and location. Learn more below!

Waverly and I enjoyed meeting several school librarians and local authors throughout the state during the Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association (WEMTA) Author Fair and Conference in Brookfield, WI, on March 9.

I am also looking forward to celebrating the first anniversary of the publication date for my children’s picture book, “Waverly Braves the Breeze: The Story of a Galapagos Albatross,” on April 23, 2025. Time flies! The date is extra special because it’s also World Book Day, Earth Week, and Z and I get to spend it with kids (ages 0-5) and caregivers during a collaborative Lil’ Explorer program with my organization Playful Acorns and the Lussier Family Heritage Center in Madison. I have several author events lined up this spring that I look forward to sharing with you in this newsletter!

But, before we jump into all of that, I wanted to give a big shout out to all of the local authors, illustrators, editors, librarians, and educators that I’ve had the opportunity to meet over the last few years! I am in awe of the talent that Wisconsin has with you!

I loved connecting with fellow Wisconsin authors at the Lake Mills Elementary School author night during parent-teacher conferences on March 6. The kids were so engaged with our book activities! From left: Elizabeth Seeliger (“Big Feelings”), Leann Schwandt Lehner (“The Twelve Days of Halloween”), Samantha Cora (“Waverly Braves the Breeze”), and Linda Teed (“The Nest of Chockablock Hair” and others). See more photos here.

Left: Last week, Z and I attended a special "Flour Sack Girl" reading and activity at Bloom Northstreet hosted by Mystery to Me and author Nina Bricko, who was my Madison College children's picture book teacher (whom I had only met virtually). Right: Thanks to wonderful early literacy librarian Angelika Neitzel (back left), I will be joining my friends and fellow authors Tracy Phillippi (back middle) and Alina Loux (back right) for storytimes this spring at Monona Public Library. Last week we even had an opportunity to record our promos for WVMO! We felt like rock stars. :)

Reading books from local creators with my toddler (especially when they are signed with messages to Z) is a special treat, too. I am so grateful for the friendships and connections that have formed through the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators-WI Chapter, Lakeside Children’s Book Writers Group, Madison Reading Project, local libraries, bookstores, and more! Here are a few glimpses from recent excursions at Bloom, WVMO, Lake Mills Elementary School, and Verona Area Community Theatre. A giant hug and thank you to all of my book besties and supporters — you know who you are!

SCBWI-WI local authors displayed our books and talked with attendees during the Green & Healthy Schools Conference in Milwaukee, WI in August 2024. From left: Joyce Uglow (“Stuck: The Story of La Brea Tar Pitts), Cynthia Schumerth (“Every Little Seed” and others), Samantha Cora (“Waverly Braves the Breeze”), and Kathy Groth (“Ocean Party” and others).

And a special thank you to Wisconsin authors Joyce P. Uglow (who recently published her first book, “Stuck! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits”) and Kathy Groth (who has four water-related books) for interviewing me about my debut picture book for their uGROnews blog, which I highly recommend you read and subscribe to!

Thank you for your time and kindness, Kathy and Joyce, and for elevating the stories of other authors on your blog!

Your Support is the Best Gift to Me & Waverly!

Wondering how you can help support my author journey, especially as Waverly’s story is about to turn 1 this month? Here are a few ways, though even just telling me to keep writing and sharing my story is amazing to hear. I treasure photos and encouraging messages like these from you and your kiddos. You make my heart soar! Thank you!

OMG! ;) You are all amazing. Thank you for the support, dear friends!

• If you haven’t already purchased a copy, you can typically find Waverly’s story wherever books are sold in-person and online (for example, Bookshop.org gives money back a bookstore or nonprofit of your choice and Tra Publishing plants a tree for every book sold), or you can email me to buy a signed copy directly.

• Leave a review on Goodreads and/or Amazon and add it on your “want to read” list. Thanks to all who already have! And a special thanks to fellow Wisconsin author Alina Loux for leaving a video review — I had no idea this was possible!

• Visit your local library and bookstore and request that they carry my book and see if they’d like me to do a book reading/activity. And please thank them. :)

• Have kids in school? Let their teachers know that I’m scheduling in-person and virtual author visits for 2025-2026 (especially grades pre-K through 4th grade, although content can be adapted up to 8th grade for writing workshops).

• Share this e-newsletter with a friend (follow the referral steps to get a reward).

  1. Share this publication. When you use the referral link below, or the “Share” button on any post, you'll get credit for any new subscribers. Simply send the link in a text, email, or share it on social media with friends.
  2. Earn benefits. When more friends use your referral link to subscribe, you’ll receive special benefits.

  • Get Nature Scavenger Hunt for 1 referral

  • Get Witty Wildlife Greeting Card for 5 referrals

  • Get Signed Copy of Waverly Book for 10 referrals

Some of My Favorite Books by Local Authors

A sampling of my home collection of books by local authors and illustrators.

At left: New additions to my collection from the WEMTA Author Fair ("Our World of Dumplings" by Francie Dekker and "How Can We Be Kind" by Janet Halfmann). At right: Some of my favorites for springtime that I brought along to a recent Playful Acorns program ("Birds" by Kevin Henkes and "Every Little Seed" by Cynthia Schumerth.

Here’s a list of my favorite local books (in alphabetical order by author’s last name) from Wisconsin creators. I’m sure they would also love for you to follow them on social media and subscribe to their newsletters. Thank you for supporting local! :)

• “Bower Bird’s Blue Book” by Angela Bier and illustrator Patrick Bier

• “Flour Sack Girl” by Nina Bricko

• “The Thing King” by Kat Chew

• “Mighty Wings” and others by Debbie Clement

• “If The Rivers Run Free” and others by Andrea Debbink

• "Our World of Dumplings" by Francie Dekker

• “The Shell Box” and others by Kathy Groth

• "How Can We Be Kind: Wisdom From the Animal Kingdom" and others by Janet Halfmann

• "Birds" and others by Kevin Henkes

• “Pretty Black Girl” and others by Uchenna Jones

• “May You Always Find Wonder” and others by Alina Loux

• “In It Together: A 2020 Story” by Julie Murphy Agnew

• “The Rare, Tiny Flower” and others by Kitty O’Meara

• “You Are With Me Always” and others by Sheri Roloff

• "Every Little Seed" and others by Cynthia Schumerth

• “The Twelve Days of Halloween” by Leann Schwandt Lehner

• “Big Feelings” by Elizabeth & Sylviah Seeliger

• “The Nest of Chockablock Hair” and others by Linda Teed

• “Stuck: The Story of La Brea Tar Pits” and others by Joyce P. Uglow

• “Believe the Wee Frog” by Sarah Wolfe

• “Little Digger’s Big Garden” by Jill Woodward

• “Unstoppable John: How John Lewis Got His Library Card—and Helped Changed History” and others by Pat Zietlow Miller

Which book will be next on my shelf? It’s anyone’s guess — maybe it’ll be YOURS!

Purchasing children’s picture books (even before Z was born) is my Achilles’ heel — especially when I’m at local author fairs. I usually try to sell as many books as I purchase, but that’s not always the case. ;) You are all so talented!

I’m counting down the days for…Saturday, May 3rd from 3-4 p.m., when fellow Madison-area author Tracy Phillippi is holding her debut book launch for “The Wild Island: An Adventure at Isle Royale National Park” (now available for pre-order). It’s also her 40th birthday, so please come out to celebrate her and this amazing accomplishment at Grace Coffee in Cottage Grove, WI. Bring your family for a book reading, nature exploration, and the chance to become a National Park Reading Ranger! I know for sure this one will soon join the collection. :)

Spring Storytime Guide in Dane County

Many organizations are resuming their storytime programming after Spring Break, so I’ve compiled a Spring Storytime Guide for events held from April-June 2025 at various libraries, bookstores, and coffee shops in and around Dane County, WI. The guide is organized by day of the week, start time, and location. Plus, look for the star graphic next to events that feature local authors and illustrators!

To simplify the guide compared to our winter one, the locations are color-coded with Madison at its center (green for northwest, yellow for northeast, orange for southeast, and blue for southwest). If you’re unsure of a location, check our Family Activity Map (which already has over 7,000 views since launching in January). The map and guide are a work in progress and are updated frequently. And if you hear of others (or find a mistake), please let me know! Thanks!

Hope you can join me for these upcoming events and storytimes! I'll be sharing Waverly's story during Friendly Foxes Storytime on April 10th at Monona Public Library. I will be setting up a StoryWalk during the Birding with Babies event on April 30th at McCarthy Youth Conservation Park in Cottage Grove.

Upcoming Events with Samantha Cora

I’m excited to be part of these upcoming events for Spring 2025! I’ll either be reading or speaking about ”Waverly Braves the Breeze: The Story of a Galapagos Albatross” or doing a storytime or StoryWalk for kids with some favorite books from my home collection through my organization Playful Acorns. Events with * are free and open to the public. Events with ~ have an optional nature walk if weather permits. Check the storytime guide and websites for updates.

• *April 10 (Thursday from 9:30-10 a.m.): Friendly Foxes storytime with Samantha Cora (geared toward ages 2-5 with caregiver, all ages welcome), Monona Public Library, Monona.

• *April 25 (Friday from 1-2 p.m.): Homeschool Hour storytime with Samantha Cora and Elizabeth Seeliger (all ages and caregivers welcome), Mount Horeb Public Library, Mount Horeb.

• *~April 30 (Wednesday from 9-10 a.m.): Birding with Babies storytime with Samantha Cora and guided hike with Playful Acorns, LC Babywearing, and Village of Cottage Grove Library Board (geared toward ages 0-2 with caregiver, all ages welcome), McCarthy Youth & Conservation County Park, Cottage Grove.

  • A portion of proceeds from my book sales that morning will go to the Friends of the Cottage Grove Library.

• *May 3 (Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.): Spring Marketplace with food, crafts, jewelry, local books by Samantha Cora, Elizabeth Seeliger, Alina Loux, Tracy Phillippi, and more, New Century School, Verona.

  • Remember to head to Cottage Grove at 3 p.m. for Tracy’s book launch!

• *~May 10 (Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon): World Migratory Bird Day "Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities" local author storytime and nature event with Samantha Cora, Alina Loux, Tracy Phillippi, Monona Public Library, Friends of San Damiano, and Sprig Native Plant Nursery, San Damiano Park, Monona.

  • A portion of proceeds from my book sales that morning will go to the Friends of San Damiano.

Join us at our next Lakeside Children's Book Writers meetup on April 25th. Everyone is welcome (illustrators, too!) -- you don't have to be published!

Do you know of a daycare, school, library, or bookstore that may want to host me for an in-person or virtual event? Or do you want to purchase a signed copy of my book? Please reply to this email or use the contact form at samanthacora.com. Thank you for your support!