What’s New?

Dolly Parton Imagination Library, 2024

I’m excited to share that my board book UPSY-DAISY, BABY! illustrated by Ashley Barron and published by Owlkids Books, has been selected for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library 2024.

School virtual visit, Feb 2023

I enjoyed chatting about WALKING FOR WATER and sharing my virtual presentation with K to 6 students at Williamson Road PS.

Vice principal Andrea Kwok wrote this lovely testimonial: “Susan Hughes provided a comprehensive virtual presentation that celebrated the writing process, starting at the inspiration and brainstorming phase, drafting and consulting with editors, collaborating with an illustrator, and finally being published.  Our students in kindergarten to Grade 6 loved seeing the evolution of the story "Walking For Water" and were inspired to stand up for gender equality.  Susan's presentation was a popular addition to our annual school reading celebration.  Our students are looking forward to hearing about her next adventures in social justice.”

Hooray for Trucks!

Check out this sneak peek from my latest picture book, Hooray for Trucks (OwlKids, 2022), illustrated by Suharu Ogawa.

Off to Class — updated edition for 2022!

Have you ever wondered what school is like in other countries? How do classrooms work on a boat or in a treehouse? Well, allow the updated edition of OFF TO CLASS: INCREDIBLE AND UNUSUAL SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD (Owl Kids, 2022) by yours truly to feed your curious minds! Publishing September 15, 2022 - preorder it today!

SAME HERE panel discussion

Want to know more about how I came to write SAME HERE: THE DIFFERENCES WE SHARE? Interested in hearing illustrator Sophie Casson and I chat about ensuring authentic representation and DEI in SAME HERE? Here’s our video chat on the May 2022 School Library Journal Day of Dialog: New and Notable Nonfiction panel: New and Notable panel: SAME HERE

SAME HERE: THE DIFFERENCES WE SHARE

My newest picture book, the non-fiction SAME HERE: THE DIFFERENCES WE SHARE, illustrated by Sophie Casson (Owl Kids), for ages 8+, is now available! And, it’s featured here in the CBC 25 Canadian MG To Watch For in Spring 2022.

Teacher Guides now available for download!

Teacher guides are not available for download for 3 of my most recent books, all published by Kids Can Press. - Lights Day and Night: The Science of How Light Works - Sounds All Around: The Science of How Sound Works - 2 guides available for Walking for Water: How One Boy Stood Up for Gender Equality: - Teacher guide #1 - Teacher guide #2

Carmen et la Maison Sauvage - 2022 Prix des Libraires du Quebec, Jeunesse, ages 6 - 11, finalist!

Now available - Lights Day and Night: The Science of How Light Works

My non-fiction picture book LIGHTS DAY AND NIGHT: THE SCIENCE OF HOW LIGHT WORKS (Kids Can Press), illustrated by Ellen Rooney, is now on the shelves. It’s the second book in the Science of How series.

Mentor Text Talk with Carrie Charley Brown - August 2, 2021

Reflections on my writing process over the past few years and how using picture book mentor texts helped me learn more about craft and who I am as a writer. Thanks, Carrie Charley Brown and #ReadingforResearch for the prompting questions!

http://www.reforemo.com/2021/08/mentor-text-talk-with-susan-hughes.html?fbclid=IwAR1D1r8B1uAWBe4aBv4NCjx2I-EQH9UczInotb-Dg7x47Plxf-pBdS_SkT4

Virtual Book Launch - May 10, 2021 @ 2:30pm:

Please join me and fellow creators Deborah Kerbel, Yong Ling Kang, and Marianne Ferrer on Monday, May 10 at 2:30pm (EDT) as we launch and chat about our latest picture books, including CARMEN AND THE HOUSE THAT GAUDI BUILT, answer your questions, and give away fab prizes! This free Zoom event will be hosted by Owlkids Books and Maria Martella of Tinlids Books. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/virtual-double-picture-book-launch-tickets-153037859357

Now published, June 2021: Walking for Water: How One Boy Stood Up for Gender Equality

In this inspiring story of individual activism, a boy recognizes gender inequality when his sister must stop attending school --- and decides to do something about it.

Just launched! Sounds All Around - The Science of How Sound Works

My newest non-fiction picture book SOUNDS ALL AROUND: THE SCIENCE OF HOW SOUND WORKS (Kids Can Press), expertly edited by Jennifer Stokes and with playful, gorgeous illustrations by Ellen Rooney, has hit the bookshelves. Wow, right?

Interview with Mustafa Sherif, urban planner, July 10, 2020

In July, 2020, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Mustafa Sherif, an urban planner in Sweden, about writing WALKING IN THE CITY WITH JANE: A STORY ABOUT JANE JACOBS for his youtube and podcast series #urbanistica. Here’s the youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0d0Tn8pWF0. Hope you find it informative!

I write, edit, and story coach

I write children’s books—and love it! I’m the author of over 30 traditionally published children’s books. I also do commissioned writing.

As well, I offer editing services and story coaching to writers who need a manuscript critique, a developmental edit, help with getting their first draft written, a sounding board for their ideas … I’m excited about finding ways to help you get your words on the page!

Please enjoy exploring my website and feel free to contact me with any writing, editing or coaching inquiries.

Also, I was so thrilled to learn recently that two of my clients have recently signed contracts with traditional publishers (Annick, Orca) for their picture book manuscripts. I did several rounds of critiques on both these stories, as well as coaching one of the writers. Hurray for these first-time children's authors!

A few new testimonials about my critiquing and story coaching

“I first worked with Susan on a picture book for which my publisher had hired her as an editor. I loved the experience so much and found her insights so helpful that I almost immediately reached out to hire her personally for help with a different picture book I had been playing with and tweaking for years. She “got” my vision and her feedback was, as ever, keen and easy to implement. A Canadian publisher just acquired my re-worked manuscript, so suffice it to say hiring Susan was worth every penny!” - Carolyn Mills, author of picture books I Drove My Bed to Grandma's House (Dancing Cat Books, tbp 2025), Grandpa's Stars (Fitzhenry, 2023), The Little Boy Who Lived Down the Drain (Fitzhenry, 2017), and several novels for adults; Canada

“I would highly recommend Susan for critique services for any picture book ... She provided very detailed critiques for two of my picture books. The amazing thing is that she remained positive all throughout the feedback while [noting] glitches in the plot. I never once felt that I shouldn't be writing; instead, she gave me very deep and thoughtful questions to consider while reviewing the story. One, Journey of the Midnight Sun, has been accepted for publication. The second critique was equally meticulous. I have edited that story and will be sending it to her for a second round soon. I look forward to working with her on many other manuscripts."  - Shazia Afzal, author of Journey of the Midnight Sun Mosque, Orca, 2022; Canada

Susan is amazing at providing in-depth manuscript comments of criticism, explanations, and suggestions, as well as a summary of the overall critique. ... Susan knows how to edit and look at the story at hand -not the disability of the character -as the story (unless of course, that is the story). - Luda Gogolushko, publisher of Includas Publishing (www.includas.com), a press that brings diversity to readers

Author Visit with Grade 2 Class in Puerto Rico, October 2020

I had a lovely online visit with Katherine Rodriguez' second grade class in Puerto Rico in early October! They read to me from their own booklets about their school, and we talked about other schools around the world, using examples from OFF TO CLASS (Owlkids). We discussed why some children face challenges accessing education, what schools are and can be, and why education is important for everyone around the world. It was wonderful! Thank you for hosting me, Wesleyan Academy!

Time To board book series

My delightful hold-'em-in-pudgy-hands-and-maybe-even-gnaw-on-'em board books are now available at bookstores. The series is called TIME TO, and the three new books are BATH TIME, NAP TIME, and PLAY TIME. Thank you, Annick Press, for making this happen! 

What Happens Next website

My picture book What Happens Next, ill by Carey Sookocheff (Owl Kids, 2018) has a dedicated website where you can buy the book, watch the trailer, and download some terrific discussion guides (free) to guide your chats with kids about bullying:  http://www.owlkids.com/whathappensnext/.

Canadian Independent Bookstore Day at Queen Books, 1914 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON – Saturday, April 27, 2019

I’ll be a guest bookseller and reading during story time at Queen Books, this Saturday from 10 to 11 am ! Lots of other amazing Toronto-based authors and illustrators will be at the store throughout the day as well, including Barbara Reid, Mireille Messier, Hilary Leung, Michelle Kadarusman, Vikki Vansickle, and Danielle Young-Ullmann. Hope to see there!

Jane’s Walk Community Birthday Party, Ottawa-Gatineau, Cube Gallery, 1285 Wellington St. Ottawa, ON — Saturday, May 4, 2019, 4 - 7.00

Join me at the Jane’s Walk Ottawa-Gatineau family-friendly party marking what would have been the 103rd birthday of urbanist Jane Jacobs. This event is free and open to all! As a special guest, I’ll be reading Walking in the City with Jane: A Story of Jane Jacobs. And yes, there will be birthday cake and colouring too!

Interview with Shelagh Rogers on CBC Radio, the Next Chapter - October, 2018

Shelagh interviewed me for a segment of the CBC radio show The Next Chapter about my new picture book biography Walking in the City with Jane: A Story of Jane Jacobs (Kids Can, 2018). Click on the link and have a listen!

Susan Hughes on Walking in the City with Jane, CBC radio with Shelagh Rogers

Interview on Global TV Morning Show - 2018

Check out my first interview with the hosts of Global TV Morning Show about my picture book biography  Walking in the City with Jane: A Story of Jane Jacobs (Kids Can, 2018), illus by Valerie Boivin. It was the first time I've ever been on live television. Gulp!