Thank you so much, Julie and Kelli. It is a privilege to be the 12 x 12 Featured Author this month, and to speak to this community that I’ve been a part of since 2012.
When I first began this writing journey a decade ago, I jumped in with both feet and did All. The. Things. At least, as much as I could with two young kids at home. I took an in-person class and an online class. I attended my first New England SCBWI conference. I pored over Verla Kay’s Blueboard, where I saw a post by someone named Julie about writing 12 manuscripts in the 12 months of 2012. What a great idea! I joined Facebook so that I could be in the 12 x 12 group. (It’s all your fault, Julie!)
After years of picture book drafts, wrong turns, steadfast critique partners, tears, three different agents, small successes, lots of rejection, and endless hours poured into the writing well, I am thrilled to be launching my debut, DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS, into the world this month. It’s about a bear, LouAnn, who makes batch after batch of doughnuts but somehow never gets her fair share.
Getting a fair share is a topic that is intensely important to children. My own kids will often get out the kitchen scale to weigh treats and make sure they’re getting equal amounts. It’s important to me, too. At one point during the drafting process, I read that male animal characters outnumber females in children’s books by 2-1. That’s not fair! I immediately changed my male bear main character into a female bear, and made half of her friends female, too.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the idea of a fair share in children’s publishing. Census data shows that in 2018, half of American children were a race other than white. And yet, the books we’re publishing for them, and representation of non-white people in all aspects of our industry, don’t reflect that reality. That’s not fair! But what could I do – especially as a white, female, suburban author who didn’t even have a book contract?
When you’re just starting in this industry, it’s easy to feel like your actions and your voice are too tiny to make a difference. But, like the characters in my book, we can notice when someone isn’t getting a fair share, and we CAN do something about it. We can make room in the kitchen for everyone.
We can do that by actively engaging in both small and large acts of support. For me that has meant:
- Buying (or checking out at the library) books by non-white creators, reading them with my kids, and reviewing them on Goodreads, Amazon, and social media; also giving them as gifts, because ALL kids benefit when they read stories by diverse creators about diverse characters.
- Donating money to support scholarships for writers who don’t look like me to attend classes and conferences.
- Using my voice to express to conference organizers that it’s important to me to see diversity in conference faculty.
- Recognizing that there are some stories that are not mine to tell.
- Supporting organizations like We Need Diverse Books.
- Working through the PTO to help purchase diverse titles for my kids’ school library.
Most of all, we can reframe our thinking from “how can I get my share” to “how can I help everyone get a share?” To me, that’s what the 12 x 12 community has been about – sharing, uplifting, and supporting each other.
When we support and uplift creators who have previously been marginalized, it actually expands the publishing pie so that there’s more for everyone. Why? Because we have more books that appeal to more kinds of readers. And once a reader is hooked, they’re going to want to read more – of ALL of our books.
And, just like at the end of DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS, we’re all happier and better off when everyone has a fair share. But we can only get there by working together.
Carrie Finison writes picture books with humor and heart, including DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS (2020) and the forthcoming books DON’T HUG DOUG (2021) and HURRY, LITTLE TORTOISE (2022). She lives in the Boston area with her family. Find her online at www.carriefinison.com or on Twitter @CarrieFinison.
Carrie is offering a free picture book critique to one 12 x 12 July check in winner.
207 Responses
Carrie,
This post made my heart both heavy and light (mostly light!). It is hard to know what to do or even if what we are doing is indeed helpful. I loved reading your thoughts and knowing more about your journey. I can hardly believe that is your ‘debut’ – your knowledge, support, and expertise flows like seasoned pro. Which gives me hope and the confidence to know that it is not ‘all’ about the publishing – it is about the joy, love, commitment, passion and desire to know more that really matter, that allows us to be part of this world and field of children’s literature and writing. It is about who we are and what we bring to the table – not just the number of books published.
The fact that you gave so much room in this piece to the necessary action of making space for others and to the actions we can take to make this happen, speaks volumes about who you are.
Thanks for the inspiration in all ways! And for LouAnn and her generous friends.
Beth
Oh wow – thank you so much for these thoughtful comments! I feel lucky that we have a welcoming, supportive community, both in 12×12 and in children’s literature in general. It’s a happy place to be! 🙂
Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Carrie. And congratulations on your debut!
Thank you so much!
❤️Congratulations Carrie, on your writing. Your words are so true and heart felt. Thanks for sharing.❤️
Thanks, Dawn!
What an inspiring post. Your book and message are right on time for where we are in the world right now.
Carrie, I appreciate your list of ways to support our diverse community of writers and illustrators. Congrats on your book! Time to eat the doughnuts!
Your book looks great! Congratulations.
Well said, Carrie. Thank you for your thoughts and ideas. And congratulations on your debut! It’s adorable!
Thanks, Heather!
Thank you, Carrie.
Congratulations on your amazing new book!
Congratulations of the book- it looks adorable! Great article. Congratulations!!
“We can make room in the kitchen for everyone.” Carrie, this is so positive and poignant. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and how you carried them through with your story. Congratulations on your new book.
Great, thoughtful post. I look forward to reading your books!
Well said! It’s hard as white to know how it feels to be marginalized, but we should always keep learning and trying to make it fair! So excited to read your book.
I think that’s the best we can do. “When you know better, do better.”
Yes! A a nation we can only hope we keep evolving and fuel our actions from a place of love. 🥰
Thanks for this insightful piece!
Carrie,
Your book sounds amazing and thanks for using this honor to think about other people. I guess that is what your book’s about. You so deserve the accolades. I myself, (also from Massachusetts but now in L.A.), am always laughed at by my husband because I am always trying to make sure that I give everyone their fair share of food, among other things. Congratulations to you. You give me hope!
I lived in LA for a while, too! But now, back in Massachusetts. 🙂 There’s a lot to like about LA, though, even as much as it gets a bad reputation.
Thank you for opening my eyes to many things. I also write about animals so it isn’t about any particular race or type of child. But I was unaware that there are more male characters than female in picture books.
And I found many of your points important to remember when writing. Thank you Carrie.
The funny thing is, when I first changed the main character it felt *really* awkward to use she/her pronouns. And I had to ask myself why that was? It’s kind of sad, really. Because we know AT LEAST half the animals we see out in the world have to be female…but we always refer to them as male.
Now, it feel totally normal, though, so I think it’s a step in the right direction! 🙂
Carrie, I’m so glad you told us about changing your main character to female. I, too, find that awkward and am glad to know you are comfortable now…that’s my plan. Thank you, too, for your steps to make room for all. Can’t wait to read you book.
Carrie- Congratulations! And what a great message LouAnn has for us all. Thank you.
Congrats Carrie. I love your suggestions for how to help establish fairness within our industry. I keep finding myself returning to Ella Baker’s mantra “Lift As You Climb.” Especially this spring. And 12×12 is not a “little” voice – together we can shout and move mountains. Can’t wait to see what you do next.
I love that concept, Maria! And yes, 12×12 is quite a force when we all work together.
Yes!! yay! Fairness is what we should all be striving for. Congrats on your first book!
Carrie, congratulations on your forthcoming books! I truly appreciate your journey, and the space you created here for us to continue our work to make sure everyone has a fair share. You’ve given me many things to think about and multiple concrete steps to take to continue my own journey. Thank you!
I’m so glad, Noelle! Thanks for commenting.
This is so lovely and timely. Thank you for all you do and congratulations on your lovely debut!
I’m looking forward to reading your book Carrie. Congratulations on your book birthday!
So excited about your book! Congratulations! And your words here are powerful!
I really appreciate your tips and advice on small ways to be inclusive and support diverse voices. Dozens of Doughnuts is so timely. Can’t wait to ready it!
Thank you!
Congratulations, Carrie!
Love your message and your book is adorable!!! LuAnn and her friends made my day.
Great post, Carrie! Thank you for the list of ways to help support our diverse community of writers and illustrators. “We can make room in the kitchen for everyone,” says it all.
Congratulations on your debut book, “Dozens of Doughnuts,” I can’t for it to arrive!!
Carrie, it seems like yesterday (in 2015) that I asked you at The Loft about a community called 12×12 and you convinced me to join. Thanks for the advice then and now–especially the important reminder that more than anything, it’s about how we can support each other and make a difference.
Yay – I’m so glad you joined! 🙂
Carrie, what a wonderful post! Getting a fair share is such an important topic. I love the way you acknowledge what needs to be done in our industry and how we all can help. AND on top of that, your book looks adorable! Looking forward to reading it!
Thank you so much, Ellen!
Thank you for this excellent post. I appreciate your action plan. And I look forward to reading your debut and other upcoming books. Congratulations!
Congrats on your debut book. Good to know 12×12 played a part in your success.
Congrats, Carrie, on this debut title. Love the message it conveys. And all your thoughts and suggestions, as well.
Carrie – thank you for this thoughtful and important post. And congratulations on your debut (and other upcoming books, too!)
Carrie, thank you for your inspiring post! I am just getting back into writing now that my kids are teens and I have a bit more time and more mental energy to devote to my work. Congratulations on your debut! I can’t wait to read it–it looks adorable! Additionally, thank you for sharing your thoughts on how you can help bring about change. I too, have been grappling with this, and you’ve harnessed many ideas in such a succinct way. Thank you for sharing with us!
Yes, having that mental space is important! I’m glad you’re getting into writing – it’s a lot of fun!
Congratulations, Carrie, on your debut title. And thank you for sharing a motivating post and emphasizing the need for “sharing, uplifting, and supporting each other”–amen to that!
Congratulations on your debut and your insight on fairness. At the end of the day everyone deserves and should be treated equally. Your book sounds great and the cover looks wonderful!
Love this post! <3 Congratulations Carrie! So glad we are on this journey together!
Me too! 🙂
Congrats from Colorado, Carrie! Wow, three agents. So glad you persevered!
Carrie your hard work is being rewarded with not one but three books in the publishing pipeline. Congratulations. Your continued educational leadership in the writing community field is also appreciated. Thank you.
Nicely said Carrie!
Such a lovely post!
Well said, Carrie! I’m looking forward to reading your books. Thanks for sharing such lovely and timely thoughts.
Carrie, congratulations on your book which looks lovely. And thank you for this very thought-provoking post and list of things to actually do to make a difference—your suggestions of deliberate actions to make things more “fair” are very helpful.
Thanks, Ellen! I always feel better when I’m *doing* something (even if it is a small something) – and small somethings can lead to even bigger things.
Thanks you Carrie for your thoughtful comments and suggestions. It reminds me of the metaphor of throwing a people in a pond and how they ripples will extend outward.
Congratulations Carrie! I am just thrilled for you. I can’t wait to read this friendship story.
Congratulations on Doughnuts by the Dozen, Carrie! And for your forthcoming books scheduled for release next year and the next.
What a timely and uplifting post. Making more room, and working together – yes please! Congratulations on your forthcoming books and thank you for sharing a little about your journey!
Absolutely! Thank you for this post.
Carrie,
I always appreciate learning from you. You are a wealth of knowledge and experience. I adore this book and I am thrilled for you!
Carrie
❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Thank you!!
Congratulations Carrie! Can’t wait to get my hands on this book. It looks wonderful. Thank you for sharing your heart, too. So important. Your other books look wonderful as well! Great work!
Congratulations on your debut! What a cute character and delicious topic! So true that we need to work together to create a space for all to get their “fair share”. Thank you for your post!
Thank you for the wonderful and inspiringly wise post.
Great post Carrie! Congratulations and can’t wait to read this.
Hi Carrie!
I love your thinking:
“Most of all, we can reframe our thinking from “how can I get my share” to “how can I help everyone get a share?” To me, that’s what the 12 x 12 community has been about – sharing, uplifting, and supporting each
other.”
Can’t wait to read all your picture books.
The bear and donuts. can’t wait open the first page!
Thank you for your great post, Carrie!
Beautifully said! This book looks adorable too!
Thank you for such a thoughtful and timely post!
I love the cover for your book. Congratulations!
I love this! What a beautiful message!
Well said.
Thank you for sharing your journey and the practical steps I can take as a white mom without a book contract. Congrats on your 3 new books
Carrie, Congratulations on your debut book! I am looking forward to reading it. I loved your post. My husband and I have talked a lot about how we can make a difference and your list certainly gave me more ideas. Thank you for your insight!
I’m so glad! Even small changes add up over time.
Congrats on your book debut! And thanks for your comments about simple changes we can make to insure diversity in the children’s book world! We can make a difference!
Congratulations Carrie. Amazing , thoughtful post. I’ve loved LouAnn from the beginning and the message Dozen of Doughnuts conveys. So happy we are in this business together. Hugs.
Me too – thanks for all your support, Diane!
Thank you for your thoughtful and wise post, Carrie. Congratulations on your new book, Dozens of Doughnuts. The charming characters combined with the counting component seem like a recipe for a wonderful story!
What a fun story! Congrats on being published and your persistence to get there.
Congratulations on your book release, Carrie. I know that this will be on that will be read and reread. Also, thank you for your thoughtful words. Yes – everyone needs a fair share.
Carrie,
Your post has beautifully broadcast the appreciation, appeal, and need for diversity in Children’s Publishing. I come from the Dick-and-Jane generation of “See Spot? See Spot run” books where white picket fences wrap around look-alike houses within a cookie-cutter neighborhood. I, too, have been seeking ways to support and applaud authors and illustrators who haven’t had a voice in the Kidlit World. I’ve often asked myself, “Am I diminishing diversity? Is one more white woman’s storytelling voice of any value?”
You captured in clear, poignant words how each of us, no matter what race, age, or ethnicity, is worthy of being a good storyteller. Thank you for offering us the many ways we can make a difference in diversity, not only in our writing, but in our support and encouragement of others. We ARE in this ship together.
I look forward to reading your debut book and will smile as I turn the pages, thinking of this post and your persistent journey to publish. Congratulations!
Thank you for laying out the actions we can each take, Carrie. An important post… and book. I look forward to reading it.
I love this timely post! Congratulations Carrie! I can’t wait to read your debut.
What a beautiful, thoughtful post. Thank you!
It’s not fair! I think I have lost count of the times I’ve heard that while raising two sons. One of my solutions was to have one son cut the pie, cake, or dish out the servings (usually a dessert), and the other son to get first choice. That worked VERY well! 🙂
Thank you for a thoughtful piece that also brought some smiles.
Always want to write something about my own life experience but go off into the animal world which is safer and will appeal to all children. It is hard to write and get published with what I am familiar with.
Thanks for opening the conversation.
I cannot wait to read Dozens of Donuts! I LOVE the animal characters! This is a wonderful post, Carrie. I appreciate how you stuck with your dream and your insights into the issues that are facing us today. Thank you for sharing with us! Best wishes!
Thank you for sharing your story, Carrie, and congrats on your books! So exciting! You have given us a lot to think about. You are an inspiration, along with this fabulous group! Good luck with sales and the future!
Congratulations on your Dozens of Doughnuts. Thank you for the advice on supporting diverse authors and readers. You suggestions of how to proceed are helpful. I love how you change your characters to be more inclusive!
Thank you for validating the difficult journey writing can be. Congratulations on your grit. Thank you for pointing out the need for diverse characters and stories. Let us all hear the need and stand up for what is right…and fair!
Excellent post, Carrie. Thank you for sharing how tiny voices can support the call for change. Congrats on Dozens of Donuts.
Thank you for this inspiring post. And congratulations on your new and upcoming releases.
Carrie, great post! Your book sounds adorable and relatable. (I love that you said your kids get out the scale to measure fair portions–what a great example of how important this is to kids.) I also appreciate the list of ways to work toward fairness in publishing. Your point about recommending books for the PTO reminds me of something that just happened at my church. We were discussing this overall topic, and I mentioned how it pertains to children’s publishing. The next week, a church member asked me to recommend some books with non-white characters. I sent a quick list of several PB biographies and other works by some of my favorite non-white children’s authors, and to my delight, they bought them all for the day care in the church building! Yay! As you said, sometimes, we just have to share our knowledge to lead others into action.
First of all, congratulations on your book! So proud for you. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Thanks so much for your encouraging post – especially the part about your ten-years-of-trying. It’s so easy to give up when you are not getting much positive interest in your work – my work. Then, I think how can I not write!?! I keep plugging away.
I look forward to reading your books! Thanks for the insight and congratulations for “sticking with it “, doing the hard work and accomplishing your goal. I’m inspired!
Thanks for the insights, Carrie. And congratulations on finally getting your fair share of picture book publication!
I’m so excited to read your book, Carrie! It has doughnuts and forest creatures and an important message — what could be better?! Thank you for sharing your ideas about creating a writing and publishing world where everyone gets a fair share. I appreciated your concrete suggestions for making the picture book world a better place.
Congratulations, Carrie! Thank you also for sharing your ideas to help bring equality to children’s literature.
Thank you for your insightful post. And congratulations on your debut book! It looks adorable.
Thank you for this awesome post! I look fwd to your book!
Thank you for this inspirational post. I love the 12X12 community and I love how you are working on making our world fair for everyone! Your book looks like a ton of fun. It’s on my TBR list for sure!
Great thoughts! Thanks so much for this post.
reframe our thinking from “how can I get my share” to “how can I help everyone get a share?”
Absolutely! We need to stop thinking about our world as a limited pie and grow it bigger with inclusion.
Carrie,
What a meaningful and timely post! I can’t believe you are a first time published author and relatively new writer. You are wise and well spoken beyond your experience. I appreciate the insight of your post and look forward to reading about LouAnn! Congratulations on having three accepted manuscripts so quickly. You are a natural.
Beautiful a helpful post, Carrie!
Congratulations, Carrie, on your debut of Dozens of Donuts! Your post is such a timely topic and resonates on many levels: the inequity we’re seeing in the world, how to make a difference as picture book creators and how kids feel acutely when things appear unfair. It helped me breathe out today something I’ve been finding hard to do lately. I so appreciate your wisdom on the forum as well. Thank you for enriching this community.
Carrie, Thanks for the inspiring post and helpful ideas. Fairness was always a big deal to me as a kid (I’m a Libra) because I had 3 brothers and two sisters and things (like treats and sugared cereal) ran out so quickly, that you had to get your share pronto or you wouldn’t get any at all. I love this idea for a picture book. I can’t wait to read about Lou Ann the bear in Dozens of Doughnuts!!
Carrie— thank you for this lovely post. It is nice to frame thinking in this way. We are loving Dozens of Doughnuts and got some celebratory doughnuts today when we read it! 🍩
Thank you for your thoughtful post and I can’t wait to own this book!
Looks like a great book! And another one for my “TBR” list. Congratulations!
Great post and thank you for being a champion for the marginalized communities.
This is a wonderful post. I love that your own values shine through in your picture book!
Great post, and terrific message. As a parent of boys, I also remind myself to include more female characters. Congratulations on your debut! I look forward to reading this.
What an extremely thoughtful post. This kidlit community is so generous. Your story is inspiring – congratulations on your debut book.
This is inspirational! Thanks, Carrie!
I’ve enjoyed following your story’s story. Congratulations! As a mom of boys, I find I gravitate to those characters. Gotta watch myself.
Thanks Carrie. Heartfelt and inspiring. Congrats on your debut book. I look forward to reading it.
So wonderful to read about your successes! I know we’ll be hearing about many more Carrie Finison books coming into the world.
Thank you for your thoughtful words about fairness. And congratulations on your book! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
What a wonderful and insightful post! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Carrie! I’m excited to read Dozens of Doughnuts!!
Carrie, congrats on the debut book and the upcoming ones. Your story inspires me to keep going…even though it feels like I’ve been at this forever!
Congratulations on your book, Carrie! It looks amazing and I can’t wait to read it to my grandkids. You are an inspiration to us all.
Thanks for the very practical ideas!
So glad I got to meet you, and your kindness shines through your post. Good advice for us all. And now I am going to go get me a donut—not dozens…just one!
Congrats on Dozens of Doughnuts, Carrie! And a big thank you for sharing this important message.
Carrie,
You had me at the title with “Dozens of Doughnuts”!
An important lesson goes down better with a spoonful of sugar, or maybe a doughnut (or dozens). Thank you for sharing your take on fairness and diversity.
Your words ring so true right now! And how wonderful that you have a picture book to go along with it. Love it! Congratulations. 🙂
I’ve been looking forward to this book because I love doughnuts and I love picture books about bears!!! I’ve requested it at my library in Waco, and I just saw it’s available!!
I’ve read a couple of your interviews this month, and I’m looking forward to reading your book.
Great words of wisdom. The journey is real and hard, but if we keep work hard, educated ourselves and keep pushing, we too can see success!
This book looks adorable. I guess one can’t go wrong with bears and doughnuts. Thanks for the post.
Thank you and congrats!
I love this reminder that making sure everyone gets a fair share is a BIG lesson, not a trivial one. It’s easy to counter it with “life’s not fair”, but it’s harder to put in the work to make life more fair.
Thanks, Carrie! I appreciate your thoughts!
What a wonderful post! The children’s book community is a great place to start recognizing people of color. After all, children are the future leaders of tomorrow. It’s great how you intentionally represent people from marginalized groups in your books. We all should do the same.
What a fun a relevant book. Love bears, too. I remember being a kid and measuring all the pieces of food and trying to outlast my brother with ice cream so I could torture him when I still had ice cream left and he did not (of course, by then it was melting all over my face haha.) Thank you for the inspiration to work hard and keep going, and to include everyone at the kitchen. Maybe someday we can all sit and have a dinner with the world holding hands.
Carrie,
Who doesn’t love doughnuts? Seriously, I agree that if I support diverse authors and the books they create, there will be more to read for everyone! Congratulations on your debut!
Beautifully said. As a white person it’s hard to imagine someone else that has not been welcomed at the table. I’m trying to share my knowledge and links to others that have just arrived.
Carrie,
Thanks for your thoughtful insights on how we can proactive while talking about your creativity journey. I’ve seen the cover at for Dozens and LOVE the designs as well.
Well said! I love your insight about expanding the publishing pie. Thanks for the practical tips on how to fight for fairness, too!
Hi Carrie, thank you for sharing your writing journey and your reason behind writing your debut book :-).
Carrie, hearing about your winding journey to publication is an encouragement to us all who are still waiting for that one “yes”–contgrats for keeping at it, I can’t wait to read your book!
Carrie, your story is an amazing example of perseverance. Congratulations on your adorable debut and resolve to fight for fairness.
Congratulations, Carrie on your debut. Your book may be a debut but your generous words of sharing, uplifting and supporting each other and wanting to create a “fairer” world are of a seasoned author who has persevered and deserves nothing but the best. Thank you.
We can move from a attitude of scarcity to one of abundance! Thanks for the reminder!
Thank you for your rallying call to help create a more fair world through our actions. Your book opens the door to conversations with children and for all of us to consider the phrase “that’s not fair” and challenges us to reflect on why we feel that way. I love your book!
Yes, to Girl Power! I love your message and helping to elevate others. And if that isn’t the cutest group of woodland creatures, I don’t know what is. Congratulations on your book. And it looks like it rhymes. Kudos to that.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. What a journey it’s been.
I was truly impressed by your inclusiveness, Carrie. Not just for extra females in your book, but for inclusiveness in all aspects.
Thanks for this thoughtful post, Carrie, and congrats on your debut!
This is going to be a fun book to read! Congratulations on staying with learning and expanding your picture book writing!
An inspirational read! Thank you.
Thank you, Carrie, for sharing your journey and encouragement. Our children are grown now. We have been actively populating the bookshelves of our grandchildren with diverse voices. They embrace them without question.nI love it!
Such a great reminder, that our (what feels like) tiny, unpublished voices can actually make a big difference. Great post! Congratulations on Dozens of Doughnuts and your subsequent books.
Thank you, Carrie, for the wonderful post, and for all you’re doing in the kidlit community to support diversity and inclusion. Also – humor and heart can be so difficult to capture and you do it so well in your book!
Congratulations, Carrie, on your tenacity and success. Yay for getting Dozens of Doughnuts published! You inspired me to make my own list of large and small acts of support.
Carrie –
Congratulations on your book and for reminding us to work together – especially now! Thank you for your post.
Carrie, thank you for the great post! And congratulations on Dozens of Doughnuts. My daughter and I really enjoyed it!
Congratulations on all your hard work and perseverance on this wild ride of writing and publishing, which don’t always (mostly?) go together. And thank-you for your challenge to help everyone get their fair share in this endeavour.
Thank you for this post! Also, congratulations on your freshly baked batch of…awesomeness! Does it come with doughnuts?:)
It was good to revisit this post at the end of the month. Thanks for your thoughtfulness and insights – and congratulations on the book!
Great topic-I’m going to using your title as a comp for one of my mss 🙂
Looks super fun and yes, a fair share is soooo important to kids.
Thank you for this thoughtful post, Carrie. I look for to reading your book “Dozens of Doughnuts” and I will break away from clean eating for a while to eat a doughnut to celebrate your success. Congrats!
I look forward to reading your debut book!
Thank you for this post and for calling out the unfairness in the industry. Great action steps I hope people take to heart and move further on.
Loved this! Thanks for the post and inspiration.
Thank you for your thoughtful post and congrats!
Congratulations on your book! It looks wonderful. 🙂
Thank you Carrie. Let’s all commit to that fair share for all.
Thanks very much for this post! And congratulations on your book!
Thanks so much! Very helpful.
Thank you, Carrie! Congratulations!
Such good work!
What a lovely post and perspective. Congratulations! Looking forward to reading this.
Thank you for this thoughtful, timely post. I’ve been switching my focus to buying picture books with BiPOC characters or by BIPOC authors and illustrators for my nephews, nieces, and other young friends. I hope it makes a small difference for everyone involved. Plus, they are receiving and I am reading fabulous books.
Well said! And congrats on your book release.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights. Congratulations on your book!
Carrie, Thanks for your insightful post and congratulations on your new book.
Thank you so much, Carrie, for sharing your story and encouragement! I cant wait to read and share Dozens of Donuts–and I look forward to your next ones!
Wow. That was inspiring and important and…well, thank you. For being a voice of love and light. For this book I can’t wait to read. For your perseverance that can teach all of us. For being part of what makes this community such a supportive, encouraging one.
Thank you for this thoughtful post, Carrie!
Thank you! I cannot wait to read dozens of doughnuts!
Thanks for all your great suggestions! I really enjoyed reading your book!
Thanks for an inspirational post
Hery Carrie! I loved your gender switch! Great idea!
Thank you for this thoughtful post!
So true Carrie. Every one of us has a responsibility. Thank you for your post.
thank you! 🙂
What a great post! …and I so can’t wait to read “Dozens of Doughnuts”–I love the premise of everyone getting their fair share (so relatable to kids), and I love how, in the same sense, you made a point about diversity being a matter of being fair!
Carrie – What an important message. Thank you for using your pulpit for others – we all need to create change and often don’t know how.
Thank you, Carrie, for your post, and for not only highlighting the fairness factor with diverse books, but by giving us examples of what you do, that we all can do, to close this gap little by little. Can’t wait to read your donuts book and congrats on the upcoming 2!!
Thank you for sharing your story and list of ways to help! I look forward to reading your book! Congrats!!
Thanks for this! You told your story and addressed uplifting our field as a whole. Really appreciated.
Hello Carrie, thank you so much for sharing your story and the challenges you faced to get published. I appreciate also the idea of fairness, even when as a female, immigrant of Mexican origin, the thought of having fairness seemed so far away. I want different for my biracial, bicultural children and all children of diverse backgrounds. There is no reason why the color of skin or heritage should be even considered. My stories and my images, as a writer/illustrator, intend to help multicultural children understand, embrace, and be proud of who they are, as well as to underscore for other children the positive contribution that diversity brings to society. I look forward to the opportunity to get one of my manuscripts reviewed. Thank you so much for being so generous and offer this option.
Thank you for the inspiring post. I look forward to reading your book. Congratulations!
Thank you so much for this inspiring and encouraging post. I loved it! If everyone would move from thinking about their fair share to making sure everyone gets a share, the world would be a better place. Thank you for writing a book with this important message. I can’t wait to read it! 🙂
Hi Carrie,
I can’t remember if I’ve already commented, but I really liked your message, and I’m so happy for the publication of your book.
Thank you
Great post Carrie, and congratulations on Dozens of Doughnuts! I look forward to checking it out!
I’m waaaay behind the conversation here, but I finally got a chance to read this today. Thank you for your perspective, Carrie! The expanding pie analogy is such a good one. And I love a good clean list of action items.
I can’t wait to read Dozens of Doughnuts! I just put in a purchase request with my library!
Truly inspirational!!!! Many likenesses in my own journey:)