
Today Lisa Katzenberger joins me to share her second picture book IT WILL BE OKAY, A STORY OF EMPATHY, KINDNESS, AND FRIENDSHIP, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett. If you ask me, we could all use a bit more of that. I haven’t read this book yet, but I can’t wait to see it. Lisa is generously offering a signed copy (US only) of her book to one lucky winner. Commenting on the post will enter you in the raffle.
What were you like at the age of your target audience?
I was reading, reading, reading. I went to the library at least once a week with my mom, more in the summer. I was kind of nerdy, loved school, and was a bit of a tomboy. I’d rather play baseball with my brother and his friends than play Barbies.

What inspires you?
Right now, it’s my kids. The funny way they see the world, how they work hard at school, the questions they ask. I also want to demonstrate to them that if you work hard and keep at it, you really can make your dreams come true.

What’s the one thing you hope readers will take away from your book?
I want kids to know that to be a good friend, you don’t have to fix the person’s problems. Just listening and staying with them can be enough.
What is next for you?
I have a few picture books out on submission, as well as a chapter book. I hope those get picked up soon! But in the meantime I just keep writing. As far as life events, I am hopeful for a return to full-time school in the Fall and more writing time!

Lisa can be reached at:
Twitter @FictionCity Facebook and Instagram lisakatz17 Pinterest LisaKatzenbergerKidLit
website www.lisakatzenberger.com
I love reading to my grand daughters. Thanks for all you do to contribute to kids reading development
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for checking out the blogpost! I love reading with children too! Good luck in the giveaway and take a look at some previous giveaways that are still open.
LikeLike
Love the focus on empathy! These books look wonderful ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading, Heather! Such an important topic for all ages!
LikeLike
“It will be OK” looks amazing! Congratulations, Lisa–I can’t wait to read it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading, Jolene! I’m looking forward to reading it too!
LikeLike
What a great topic for kids.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As a teacher we have so many subjects to share with children and it’s exciting to see resources like this to help them navigate. Thanks for reading the blog and commenting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats, Lisa! I love this book! Laura, you don’t need to enter me in the giveaway drawing, as I have my own copy winging its way to me. Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading the blog, Jilanne! I think this is such a fabulous subject for a book and a difficult one to teach. Glad you have a copy on the way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looking forward to reading this one! It looks utterly adorable and so very very necessary for our kids to see empathy at work!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes! A fabulous addition to helping children with social emotional learning. Good luck in the raffle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We need more empathy these days! Thanks for writing this book, Lisa, and thanks for highlighting it, Laura.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading! Yes, it feels like empathy has been in short supply.
LikeLike
I loved learning about this book and I can’t wait to read it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading! It’s such a fantastic book. Thanks for reading and good luck in the giveaway!
LikeLike
I loved learning about this book and can’t wait to read it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad I came here from Twitter. A while back, I came across this book and fell in love with the cover. It says it all! Wrote it down so that I could get the book for a little neighbor boy that my hubby and I have fallen for ..such a sweetie. Then lost my note. Now I have taken a picture of it! This cover is so good !!! Jaclyn did you good! Can’t wait to read the story. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! I’m so happy you found this on Twitter! It’s really a gorgeous book and I agree, the illustrations have such personality! And I LOVE that you have a little neighbor you want to give it to. Good luck in the giveaway!
LikeLike
I love the title of your latest book, Lisa. We say this to children so often and as adults we have the benefit of experiencing difficulties and seeing that, in the long run, things are okay but kids don’t know this yet. Your book is so timely and reassuring.
Thanks for this post, Laura.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts! It’s hard to remember sometimes that children don’t have the experience to know things will be okay. I love the theme of empathy in this wonderful book! Good luck in the giveaway.
LikeLike