I LOVE it when I get pics of children reading "Ava's Secret Tea Party." This one has all the elements of a tea party on a boat - pearls, pink shoes, cool shades with bling (of course!) and ruffles. Precious!

Another adorable coloring page featuring characters in "Where is Salami?" (by Donna J. Shepherd, illustrated by Jack Foster). 

Dotty's Topsy Tale - Now Available for Kindle! Dotty's Topsy Tale features Dotty, a pink hippo that doesn't quite fit in. With help from her best friend, Chizzy, she finds she can be happy with herself no matter what her color. The book introduces a purple baby hippo, Violet, to gently explore the topics of bullying and discrimination.

(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.0"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Reading Miss Emma Ant to 2nd Graders - Be sure to click through to a sampling of the letters and artwork

My newest picture book for children is here! "Miss Emma Ant" tells the story of  talented, hard-working Emma, the architect for her colony's anthills. Ants in the colony, not recognizing their own special skills, grow jealous of Emma, and taunt her until she quits her job. Chaos ensues! Will pleas from apologetic ants convince Emma to return to work? Vibrant, expressive illustrations and fun

The picture book is coming soon! (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Post by Donna J. Shepherd, Writer, Speaker, Singer.

(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Post by Donna J. Shepherd, Writer, Speaker, Singer.

Even the teeth have personality in "No More Gunk!" "Two Books in One. In NO MORE GUNK! short playful rhymes and humorous illustrations help children learn in a fun way the importance of proper dental hygiene. Tooth Tips in the back of the book encourage children to take care of their teeth. Snappy rhymes along with colorful and fun illustrations in OUCH! Sunburn! help children see the

In a book that's both fact-filled and fun, a ladybug compares the words used to describe male and female animals. Donna J. Shepherd's lyrical rhymes and Kit Grady's charming illustrations tell a delightful story of a spirited little bug who provides a unique perspective on why names can be deceiving. *Click on the picture, then print! It will print out full size ready to be colored. If

I was contacted by Mary at Be There Bedtime Stories to be interviewed for their blog. Here's a link: read.betherebedtimestories.com/in-the-muse-with-donna-shepherd/  Thanks, Mary, for the fun chat! 

Click puzzle to enlarge and print. Find more information about the book HERE. Buy the NOOKbook: OUCH! Sunburn

Aren't they precious? Cooling off in the water is a favorite thing to do - just like kids in summer.

Birds have their legends just like people do, and baby birds love to hear the stories. Papa Cardinal, whose job it is to pass down bird ways to his chicks, tells them the story of how birds gave the world the rainbow.  A Rainbow of Birds (Guardian Angel Publishing) by Janet Halfmann is one of the most colorful books I've seen from Jack Foster. He went all out bringing the colors of the

Margot Finke tagged me to join the "My Writing Processes Blog Tour." Each week, authors post answers to four Writing Process questions, then tag friends to play along the following week. Read Margot's post, and learn what she's working on here.  What am I working on?I just received a sneak peek at the cover of a new book from Guardian Angel Publishing coming soon called "Miss Emma Ant."

A special treat! A hidden picture puzzle and coloring page for Easter by Liz Ball. To order books with her hidden picture puzzles or other books (like Topsy Turvy Land written by Mama Donna) from Hidden Pictures Publishing, click HERE. Enjoy! *Click on the picture, then print! It will print out full size ready to be colored. If that doesn't work with your printer, right click on the

Did you know the Easter Bunny is one of the characters in Ava's Secret Tea Party? The book would make a perfect addition to any child's Easter basket - or a cherished gift any time! Did you know Easter Bunny is in Ava's Secret Tea Party? The book would make a perfect addition to a child's Easter basket - or a cherished gift any time! 

*Click on the picture, then print! It will print out full size ready to be colored. If that doesn't work with your printer, right click on the picture, and then 'save picture as...' and then you can print it out using your photo program. *Link to photo: https://plus.google.com/photos/112320810244109979563/albums/5724250040171387857?authkey=CPaDycbT3babqwE

The dome on top of the bird feeder is supposed to be able to keep out critters. Did it?

A special treat! A hidden picture puzzle for St. Patrick's Day by Liz Ball. To order books with her hidden picture puzzles or other books (like Topsy Turvy Land!) from Hidden Pictures Publishing, click HERE. Enjoy! *Click on the picture, then print! It will print out full size ready to be colored. If that doesn't work with your printer, right click on the picture, and then 'save picture as

For the past three years, I've participated in PiBoIdMo or Picture Book Idea Month, the creation of Tara Lazar on her excellent blog, Writing for Kids (While Raising Them). The challenge for participants is to create thirty picture book concepts in thirty days. Writers who register and complete the challenge are eligible for prizes. This year, I received a wonderful prize - a signed

A special treat! A hidden picture puzzle for Valentine's Day by Liz Ball. To order books with her hidden picture puzzles or other books (like Topsy Turvy Land!) from Hidden Pictures Publishing, click HERE. Enjoy! *Click on the picture, then print! It will print out full size ready to be colored. If that doesn't work with your printer, right click on the picture, and then 'save picture as...' and

"God's Valentine" - a Topsy Turvy Time devotional for children.  http://topsyturvytime.blogspot.com/2008/02/gods-valentine.html

Jack Foster coloring page featuring Poodle and Doodle.