Childress Ink

Celebrate the World Cup with Books!⚽

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:39:56 -0700

At Childress Ink, we love connecting great books with the moments families are already celebrating. This summer, as the world cheers on the beautiful game, we're inviting young readers to discover stories of teamwork, perseverance, and character through books.

Celebrate the World Cup with Books!⚽

Enter Our World Cup Reading Celebration Giveaway

The world's biggest soccer tournament is finally here, and at Childress Ink and Ink-a-Dink Children's Bookstore, we're celebrating in one of our favorite ways—with great books!

Whether your family is gathering to cheer on a favorite team, discovering new international stars, or introducing young readers to "the beautiful game," books are a wonderful way to keep the excitement going long after the final whistle.

We're excited to announce our World Cup Reading Celebration Giveaway!

🎉 Nine Books. Nine Winners.

Thanks to the generosity of our publishing partners, nine lucky winners will each receive one of these outstanding soccer-themed books.

⚽ Lionel Messi's World Cup Triumph: History's Greatest Games #1

by Chris Barish, illustrated by Nate Sweitzer

One of soccer's greatest stories comes to life in this exciting account of Lionel Messi's unforgettable World Cup victory. Perfect for sports fans, young readers, and anyone who loves stories of perseverance, teamwork, and achieving lifelong dreams.

⭐ I Am Kylian: The True Story of an International Soccer Champion

by Kylian Mbappé, illustrated by Faro

Discover the inspiring journey of one of today's brightest soccer stars. This beautifully illustrated biography follows Kylian Mbappé from his childhood dreams to becoming an international champion, reminding young readers that dedication and hard work can take you...Read More

Spotlight Review: Be Yourself & Other Bad Advice, by Meredith Walker

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:33:47 -0700

Being told to "just be yourself" isn't always that simple. Through Girls' Life, I've watched generations of girls wrestle with many of the same questions about identity, belonging, and figuring out who they are.

One of our core missions at Girls' Life is to help provide guidance for young girls and women, and I see Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice as an important and much needed book. Getting a bit personal here, one reason I chose to write for children was the idea that if I could help just one child know that there is life beyond high school, then everything I went through would have been worth it.

I now have four, adult, living, children, ages 30, 27, 26, and 22. As of last year, all four of my children have been close friends with someone who committed suicide. This statistic should be staggering, in just my inner circle. Myself and my daughters suffer with depression and anxiety, and we have all been in life-saving therapy as a result. My youngest actually voluntarily committed herself to impatient--at age 14. My oldest son recently went through an inpatient stay. We are now in family therapy, and we are still in a process of healing.

Because of our therapy, I recognize the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) effectively used throughout this book. DBT helps with emotional regulation, and at its core, helps name the emotions being experienced, giving children the words to help express strong feelings they may not be able to recognize.

DBT balances two opposite ideas: acceptance (accepting yourself as you are) and change (working to improve your life).

This book in no way hammers in these concepts, but rather, prompts are shared to help name feelings, and the practical advice includes honesty, humor, ways to practice self care, and so much more. Suggestions throughout offer thoughts for pondering, "ways to figure out...Read More

Beyond the Shoreline

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:22:18 -0700

Beyond the Shoreline: A Conversation with Great Lakes Expert Dave Dempsey

By Kim Childress

🌊Dave's Story

Kim: What first sparked your passion for the Great Lakes?

Dave: My grandparents lived in the Upper Peninsula, so every summer my family piled into a station wagon and headed north. On the way saw these enormous bodies of water that were a deep blue, and you couldn't see across them. I felt in my heart that they were important to protect.

Kim: Was there a specific moment when you realized protecting the Great Lakes would become your life's work?

Dave: Yes. I was 24 years old on a backpacking trip along with friends at Pictured Rocks. I woke up one morning before anyone else in our camp and laid in my sleeping bag hearing Lake Superior waves slamming against the base of the bluffs. I got up and looked out across this largest lake in the world as the early day sun illuminated it. I thought, this is something I want to protect so that someone can stand here in 500 or 1000 years and see this exquisite beauty. And that set me on the course for a career in advocacy for our water.

Kim: You've worked in environmental policy for decades. What changes have you seen that give you hope?

Dave: Hope comes when I see communities — people — organizing to speak out in defense of their local environment. That is where leadership comes from, not Lansing or Washington,...Read More

Ink-a-Dink Bookstore Hosts Great Lakes Author Dave Dempsey

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 07:15:58 -0700

Ink-a-Dink Bookstore Hosts Great Lakes Author Dave Dempsey

Ink-a-Dink Children's Bookstore welcomes Michigan author, environmental policy expert, and Great Lakes advocate Dave Dempsey for a special author appearance and book signing on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Farmers Market of Caledonia.

Caledonia, MI, June 02, 2026 --(PR.com)-- "Few people know the Great Lakes as well as Dave Dempsey," said Kim Childress, owner of Ink-a-Dink Children's Bookstore. "His work helps readers understand not only the history and wonder of the Great Lakes, but also why protecting them matters for future generations."

Dempsey has served as environmental advisor to the Governor of Michigan, policy advisor to the International Joint Commission, and senior policy advisor for FLOW (For Love of Water). He is the author of numerous award-winning books on environmental stewardship, Great Lakes history, and Michigan conservation.Known throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes region for his engaging books and decades of environmental leadership, Dempsey has spent more than forty years helping protect and preserve one of the world's greatest freshwater treasures. His latest book, The Great Lakes: Fact or Fake?, explores fascinating myths, surprising facts, and little-known stories about the Great Lakes in a fun and accessible format for readers of all ages.Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Dempsey, ask questions about Great Lakes issues, learn about current environmental challenges facing Michigan's freshwater resources, and purchase signed copies of his books.The event is free and open to the public.

Event Details:
Dave Dempsey Author Signing
Saturday, June 6, 2026
9:30 a.m. – Noon
Farmers Market...Read More

Spotlight Review: A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys |

Tue, 26 May 2026 17:11:20 -0700

Spotlight Review: A Fortune of Sand, by Ruta Sepetys

Why A Fortune of Sand is a Must-Read Historical Mystery

By Kim Childress

A Fortune of Sand by bestselling and award-winning author, Ruta Sepetys, is a book that pulls you so fully into its world that you emerge feeling as though you’ve traveled through time.

As both a writer and editor, I deeply appreciate the power of a compelling opening—those critical first words that establish tone, tension, and promise. Sepetys delivers immediately, pulling readers into a world where elegance and decay coexist, where fortunes are made and lost, and where appearances rarely tell the full story.

From the very first line, I was hooked.

Set against the dazzling yet dangerous backdrop of 1920s Detroit, A Fortune of Sand is a richly layered historical novel filled with ambition, mystery, family loyalty, societal expectations, and the seismic transformation of a city on the brink of reinvention. Though Ruta Sepetys is beloved for her acclaimed young adult novels—works that have long resonated with adult readers as well—A Fortune of Sand marks her first novel written specifically for adults, and it is yet another excellent literary addition to her collected works.

Detroit: The Paris of the Midwest Meets Motor City

The setting is a character itself.

A Detroit, Michigan native, Sepetys vividly captures Detroit during a period of extraordinary transformation, when the city was evolving from the glamorous “Paris of the Midwest” into the booming...Read More

Cool People Met in Bookstores | Ruta Sepetys

Fri, 01 May 2026 16:47:07 -0700

Ruta Sepetys on A Fortune of Sand and Her Journey to Adult Fiction

By Kim Childress

Few writers of historical fiction have reached young readers with the power and emotional resonance of Ruta Sepetys, the #1 New York Times bestselling author known for illuminating overlooked moments in history through unforgetable stories.

Sepetys first captured readers’ attention with Between Shades of Gray, her debut novel about the Soviet deportation of Lithuanians during World War II. Since then, she has continued to explore hidden histories in bestselling novels including Salt to the Sea, Out of the Easy, and I Must Betray You, books that have been translated into dozens of languages and widely embraced by educators and readers around the world.

For many readers, Ruta’s stories don’t just entertain—they stay with you. For me, Ruta’s work holds a special place. I’ve been a fan since her very first book. When Between Shades of Gray debuted, I reviewed it in Girls’ Life magazine, and way back then I recognized her storytelling voice was something special. I've continued to read her books ever since.

Her newest novel, A Fortune of Sand (on sale May 26), brings readers to 1927 Detroit, a city brimming with ambition, innovation, glamour, and grit. It's surprising that Motor City used to be known as the "Paris of the Midwest," and in her first book for adults, A Fortune of Sand shares the story of Detroit's transformation, taking place around yet more unforgetable characters. In this conversation, Sepetys discusses why she wrote this book for...Read More

On Writing a Modern Classic | The Book Thief

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:41:35 -0700

On Writing a Modern Classic | The Book Thief

Spotlight Feature ~ Reminiscing on The Book Thief after 20 years

By Kim Childress

I first read The Book Thief in 2012, before the book was officially released, and I still have my advance reviewer’s copy (ARC). Once I started reading, I could not stop, and I finished in one sitting—at 4:30 in the morning—crying. Hard. My heart hurt for Rudy, for Leisel, Hans, Max, and even Death, as Death is the one who shares Leisel's story. Hers is one of a "mere handful he has saved within his vast array of pockets, because for Death, Leisel's story is a reminder that the human existence is worthy."

For a brief summary, this story first brings to life the many characters readers come to love, while WWII grows in the background, until the bombs eventually reach Leisel and her town. When bombings occur, Leisel reads her stories to those sheltered in basements, and to her surprise, her readings and stories help keep everyone calm. What occurs between the beginning and end is a powerful and poetic work of genius that lingers long after the final page. Readers see WWII through another lens—Germans who refused to fly the Nazi flag, kids who boycotted Hitler Youth, and boys who were whipped for giving bread to Jewish people as they were marched through the streets. Sad, yes, but ultimately, The Book Thief is a satisfyingly beautiful and unforgettable work of historical fiction.

As a writer, when I finished reading I had so many thoughts and questions. My first thought was that I may as well give up writing because I could never come close to creating such a book. Questions immediately filled my head that I wanted to ask...Read More

A Poetic Ode to Judy Blume

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:21:58 -0700

Spotlight Review
Otherwise Known as Judy the Great
A Poetic Ode to Judy Blume

By Kim Childress

📖 New Release Picture Book Spotlight

Otherwise Known as Judy the Great, Written and illustrated by Selina Alko

As a library kid, Judy Blume stood right alongside Beverly Cleary for me. This clever, witty ode celebrates the life and legacy of Judy Blume through playful poetry and vibrant collage-style illustrations.

As a library kid, Judy Blume became a must-read author for me, right alongside Beverly Cleary. Once I read my first, I would be on the lookout for the next Judy Blume book.

This clever, witty ode celebrates the life and legacy of Judy Blume through playful poetry and vibrant collage-style illustrations. Bright paint strokes layered over collaged newsprint perfectly capture Judy’s spirit and literary influence, and leave just enough print showing through to invite interaction.

Highly recommended as a picture book for older readers, teachers, writers, book nerds, and lifelong Judy fans alike.

Publisher Description

Beloved and trailblazing author Judy Blume comes to life in this poetic picture book about her childhood.

Judy Blume is known for fearlessly discussing topics that were once considered taboo. As a young girl, Judy was not encouraged to share her feelings, so instead she invented stories as a way to understand the world around her. Growing up Jewish, during and in the...Read More

Celebrating the 2026 Youth Media Awards

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 08:14:22 -0800

🌟 Spotlighting Our Featured 2026 Youth Media Award-Winners

Each winter, the American Library Association announces the Youth Media Awards at its annual conference—honoring the very best in children’s and young adult literature. It’s one of my favorite times of the year. As a long time book reviewer for Girls’ Life magazine, and my own book review blogs, every year after the awards are announced, I can't wait to I scan the winners to see if I had featured any of the books. This year was no different.

Drumroll ...

🏅 2026 John Newbery Medal

This year’s John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature was awarded to:

All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson, published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

I was thrilled to see All the Blues in the Sky recognized, because I believe this book to be truly excellent, and I truly excited to say this book was the Ink-a-Dink March 2025 Spotlight title. It was also the Ink-a-Dink March 2025 giveaway (thanks #Bloomsbury!) and also thanks to author Renée Watson for sharing her piece for the Childress Ink Blog, “Read More

Why Children's Books Matter

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 08:26:30 -0800

Why Children's Books Matter

By Kim Childress

Children’s books are important because they do way more than teach kids how to read—and honestly, are the reason Ink-a-Dink exists at all.

They build the brain (and the heart).
Stories grow vocabulary, imagination, attention span, and critical thinking—but they also build empathy. When kids meet characters who are different from them, who struggle, who try and fail and try again, they’re practicing how to understand other people and their own feelings.

They shape identity and confidence.
Seeing yourself in a book says, “You belong in the world.”
Seeing lives different from yours says, “So do other people.”
That’s huge for kids—especially in those early years when they’re figuring out who they are and where they fit.

They create a lifelong relationship with reading.

The books we love as kids often become the reason we keep reading as teens and adults. A joyful, cozy, exciting reading experience early on wires the brain to think: Books = comfort, adventure, answers, fun.

They help kids make sense of big things safely.
Grief, fear, friendship, change, courage, kindness—children’s books let kids explore big emotions and hard topics in a way that feels manageable and reassuring. Stories give language to feelings kids don’t always know how to name.

They connect people.
Reading aloud together builds bonds—parent and child, teacher and class, librarian and community. It’s shared time, shared laughter, shared “what do you think happens next?” moments. Those memories stick.

They plant values without preaching.
Great children’s books don’t lecture. They show. They model kindness, resilience, curiosity, fairness, creativity—through characters kids care about.

In short:
Children’s books don’t just make readers. They help make...Read More

Childress Ink

Celebrate the World Cup with Books!⚽

Celebrate the World Cup with Books!⚽

Enter Our World Cup Reading Celebration Giveaway

🎉 Nine Books. Nine Winners.

⚽ Lionel Messi's World Cup Triumph: History's Greatest Games #1

⭐ I Am Kylian: The True Story of an International Soccer Champion

Spotlight Review: Be Yourself & Other Bad Advice, by Meredith Walker

Beyond the Shoreline

Beyond the Shoreline: A Conversation with Great Lakes Expert Dave Dempsey

🌊Dave's Story

Ink-a-Dink Bookstore Hosts Great Lakes Author Dave Dempsey

Ink-a-Dink Bookstore Hosts Great Lakes Author Dave Dempsey

Spotlight Review: A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys |

Cool People Met in Bookstores | Ruta Sepetys

Ruta Sepetys on A Fortune of Sand and Her Journey to Adult Fiction

On Writing a Modern Classic | The Book Thief

On Writing a Modern Classic | The Book Thief

A Poetic Ode to Judy Blume

Spotlight ReviewOtherwise Known as Judy the GreatA Poetic Ode to Judy Blume

📖 New Release Picture Book Spotlight

Otherwise Known as Judy the Great, Written and illustrated by Selina Alko

Celebrating the 2026 Youth Media Awards

🌟 Spotlighting Our Featured 2026 Youth Media Award-Winners

🏅 2026 John Newbery Medal

Why Children's Books Matter

Spotlight Review
Otherwise Known as Judy the Great
A Poetic Ode to Judy Blume