As a writer and instructor of children's writing, I am often asked to share some of my favorite online resources. Here they are, in no particular order! Enjoy!

Famous Rejections
Join the ranks of Stephen King, Dr. Seuss, and even Shakespeare. You'll feel better after you read this one. I promise!


Hi-Lo Booklists for Reluctant Readers
A fantastic list of resources and publishers of high interest/low reading level books compiled by Elizabeth Kennedy, editor of About.com's Children's Books web site.


Dummies for Smarties
Created by a group of seasoned children's authors, this tutorial shows writers how to create a picture book dummy, a good exercise for writers to visualize their words on the pages of a picture book. (NOTE: As a writer, you will not submit the dummy to a publisher for consideration.)


CRIZMAC Art and Cultural Educational Materials
For writers and educators interested in multicultural children's picture books, this should be your first resource. It's like Christmas at my house when this catalog arrives in the mail!


Acorn Naturalists
If your writing topic touches nature, this is a good resource for you to perform a competitive analysis and view possible publishers for your work. This is one of my favorite book catalogs, and I receive quite a few.


How Do Children Learn? Let Howard Gardner Show You the Ways
Too often, the educational system gets hung up on measuring academic success through testing and evaluations. As writers, we have the opportunity to reach children through other touch points, such as movement, nature, and tactile explorations. Howard Gardner is a leading voice in intelligence. You may learn something about yourself as you explore this article.


Addressing Difficult Life Issues through Literature
From facing the death of a pet to dealing with divorce, this site explains the role of children's literature in dealing with life issues. Called bibliotherapy, this is a good starting point for writers wanting to create in this area and educators and therapists looking to connect a child with a book that may help.


Anastasia Suen: Author, Consultant, Teacher
The teacher this teacher turns to to sharpen her writing skills. An author of over 100 books, Anastasia openly shares her knowledge of kidlit through a series of online courses.


Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI)
This organization, the only one devoted to creating books for children, helps dreams fly high through an international organization, regional chapters, conferences, workshops, publications, and cheers. Members do not need to be published authors or illustrators to belong.


Write4Kids: A Super Site for Children's Writers
As a busy author and mom with limited time, this is one of my favorite resources for quick and timely information about the children's publishing world. I highly recommend the discussion area for writers looking to connect with other writers. And, the newsletter, Children's Book Insider, is worth every penny.


Page by Page: Creating a Children's Picture Book
Discover the story behind the story as two picture books are created on this site. This is a favorite among writers and teachers.


Picture Books Everyone Should Know
Don't know where to begin your second childhood? This list will get you started. As you dissect these picture books, take note of the copyright dates and how kidlit has changed over time. Happy reading!


How to Write a Picture Book with Fabulous "R & M"
There's nothing worse than forced rhythm and rhyme. As I tell my students - story first, rhyme second. Please! Read this one for the poem if nothing else!


Highlights for Children Wish List
This list usually changes twice a year. It's an excellent starting point for exploring what the Highlights editors are looking for at this time. Be sure to review back issues of the company's magazines for content and style. And, take a peek at the latest magazine, High Five, for the littlest readers too!


Highlights Writing Contest
Not all writing contests are created equally. This is one that I recommend highly, however. Submissions for 2009 are due by January 31, 2009. Time to take pen to paper! Theme? Contemporary World Cultures.


Creative Writing Contests
Need a deadline to keep your butt in the chair? This list of writing contests may inspire you to sit and write! Read the rules carefully. Know what you're agreeing to when you submit your work.


The Shaw Guide to Writing Conferences and Workshops
Itching to escape to allow your creative muse to run freely? A writing conference or workshop may be just the ticket. I think I hear the beach calling me now!


Online Courses for Writers and Other Creative Souls
I am a life-long learner who takes online courses each month. What do you want to learn today?


Children's Writing Resources
A resource of resources compiled by children's author Bethany Roberts. Always fun to explore. Thanks, Bethany!


Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market
If you add one book to your resource collection each year, this should be it. This is book opens doors of opportunities. Read it with a highlighter, pen, and stack of sticky notes nearby. One of my favorites. The site's newsletter will keep you up to date on changes in the marketplace.


First Pages
First pages is an outstanding resource for beginning and seasoned children's writers. It is hosted by former Scholastic editor Eileen Robinson. Click on Great Beginnings to read Eileen's favorite opening lines and learn how to hook that editor with your first sentence. And check out shooting stars too!


Show, Don't (Just) Tell
If you've taken a course with me, you've heard me shout: Show, don't tell! I would tell you about this outstanding resource, but I would rather show you, as would this miner of an writing instructor! Spend time with this exceptional explanation of showing vs. telling a story. Please.


American Children's Publishers Listings
Don't know where to begin? Start with A. With just a click, you will be transferred to individual up-to-date submission guidelines for hundreds of children's publishers. It doesn't get any easier than this!


Robin Friedman: Interviews with Editors
Robin is a writer with heart. Grab yourself a cup of tea and spend some time with Robin, top of the industry editors, and their wish lists. Click on interviews. Be prepared to be inspired.


JacketFlap
You may find me hanging out on this site from time to time. It's a great resource. Take time to explore JacketFlap, where your market research starts with just a click! Free registration is required.


Children's Magazines
You won't believe the number of children's magazines on the market until you explore this site! It's a great resource for writers looking to submit to periodicals for children.


Few Words Needed
This article may inspire you to say less with more. Author Jennifer Armstrong describes how she envisioned and sold her idea for Once Upon a Banana.


Retreat Centers for Writers, Artists, and Other Spiritual Beings
We all need a place to escape to. You'll find me in the hot tub. Please do not disturb. Ahhhh .


Prompt Generator
Feeling stuck? Dance with the pencil as you un-stick your stuckness!


National Novel Writing Month
Are you to the challenge of penning 50,000 words during the month of November?


Grammar and Punctuation
Feeling a little rusty in the area of self editing? This site is a great resource.


Teen Lingo Dictionary
It’s “the shizzy” if you’re writing for today’s young adult crowd.