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Jena Benton

@jenanbenton.bsky.social

1.2K followers 590 following 510 posts

AK writer, illustrator, poet, teacher, SCBWI & 12x12 member, & PB enthusiast. AK SCBWI IC. (Opinions my own); PB debut, KAUAI'S CALL (Island Heritage, May 2024)

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Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · Aug 7

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! I’m a pre-published illustrator, now pub'd author looking for rep. This is just part of a fuller piece you can see at an upcoming art show at Wild Scoops in September & October! #childrensbookillustration #illustration #illustrator #picturebookillustration #cbigmember

Wood frog waving at something in the distance we can't see. Mountains, trees, and lily pads are in the distance as well.

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Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 22h

Have you ever thought about what a baby's perspective of the world might be? 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger

Simply 7 with Bex Tobin Fine & Federico Fabiani: FLOOR IT!

On your marks, get set…

jenabenton.com

Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 1d

What might've inspired the poet Basho to write one of his most famous poems? 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/10/07/s...

Simply 7 with Caroline Adderson: A POND, A POET, AND THREE PESTS

What inspires a poet to write a poem?

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Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 5d

Thank you @meganclendenan.bsky.social for the interview!

Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 5d

Seed vaults might sound post-apocalyptic, but they are REAL. 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #KidLit #interview #bookblogger

Simply 7 with Megan Clendenan & Brittany Cicchese & Giveaway: JUST IN CASE

Have you ever heard of a seed vault? I had no idea such things existed until I read this book!

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Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 7d

Have you ever wanted to be kind to someone, but your best intentions weren't good enough? 📚👍🏽 #KidLit #picturebook #interview #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/10/01/s...

Simply 7 with Sarah Scheerger: DUDE. BE NICE

In this world, if you can be anything, be kind. How many times have we seen that t-shirt? BUT what if you think you’re being kind, yet maybe you’re not?

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Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 14d

And funnily enough, I just got prints made of this one. I’m going to bring them to Wild Scoops tonight. :)

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Reposted by Jena Benton

Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 15d

Picture book creators! Confused about the difference between self-ended & separated-ended picture bks in traditional trade publishing? Why paginating your mss can help you figure out pacing & more? Also feel free to download my free templates:

debbieohi.com/2025/09/pict...

#KidLit #PictureBooks101

Collage of different templates for picture book creators, with small panels for thumbnail sketches. Promo graphic reads "Creating Picture Books: How-To Guides, free templates, and resources" by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

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Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 15d

Aww! Yay! 😁

Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 16d

Thank you @berrietr.bsky.social for the interview!

Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 16d

Sometimes it can be hard to make friends. 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/09/22/s...

Simply 7 with Berrie Torgan-Randall: JUST DUCKY

I know some of you might not believe this, but I had such a hard time making friends when I was younger. Today’s picture book is perfect for kiddos just like little me.

jenabenton.com

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Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 19d

Thank you @kidlitjennaj.bsky.social for the interview!

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Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 19d

Get up! Let's dance! Every body can move! 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/09/19/s...

Simply 7 with Jenna Elyse Johnson: EVERY BODY MOVE

Barefoot Books makes top notch picture books and today’s book is no exception!

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Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 21d

Thank you @melissastoller.bsky.social for the interview!

Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 21d

Saying goodbye to friends is never easy, but what if they came back? Would things be the same? #picturebook #KidLit #interview #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/09/17/s...

Simply 7 with Melissa Stoller & Giveaway: HAZEL AND MABEL: TWO HEARTS APART

Growing up on a small, rainy island in the Southeast of Alaska, I learned to say goodbye to a lot of friends who moved to town and moved away. It never got easier. Today’s picture book shares…

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Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 23d

Do you know the illustrator Ruth Burrows' work? 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #KidLit #interview #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/09/15/s...

Simply 7 with Ruth Burrows: SPOTLIGHT ON ARIANA GRANDE & SPOTLIGHT ON CYNTHIA ERIVO

If you aren’t familiar with Ruth Burrows brightly-colored show-stopping illustrations, you are in for a treat!

jenabenton.com

Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 26d

You’re so welcome!

Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 26d

Thank you @lynnbaldwinwrites.bsky.social for the interview!

Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 26d

I haven't seen many #picturebooks that embrace telling a story backwards, but this one is another incredible example of that format. 📚👍🏽 #KidLit #interview #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/09/12/s...

Simply 7 with Lynn Baldwin: MY BACKYARD USED TO BE

I am so blown away when a story can be told both backwards AND in a lyrical style!

jenabenton.com

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Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 28d

Humpback whales are such amazing creatures! 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #KidLit #interview #bookblogger jenabenton.com/2025/09/10/s...

Simply 7 with Juliana Munoz Toro: JOURNEY OF THE HUMPBACKS

I grew up in a place that often saw Humpback whales migrating, but I often forget that there are other migration routes for these beautiful creatures all around the world!

jenabenton.com

Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · Sep 8

Today's #picturebook is a unique concept book with flaps as a little girl tries to understand her dog. 📚👍🏽 #KidLit #interview #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/09/08/s...

Simply 7 with Sujean Rim: MY DOG SMUDGE

Today’s picture book is a delightful author-illustrator story about trying to understand the ones we love.

jenabenton.com

Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · Sep 6

I agree! I really enjoyed reading it. I had no idea where it was headed and I loved that.

Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · Sep 5

I read that one over the summer too! Loved it! Just posted a Simply 7 with Beth Ferry about it. :)

Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · Sep 5

I tried something different and read a middle grade novel. I was just too curious about this one! 📚👍🏽 #interview #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/09/05/s...

Simply 7 with Beth Ferry: GROWING HOME

This may surprise you, but I do read things other than picture books. I’m just an abysmally slow reader. That’s why I don’t really focus on the other genres for interviews. But th…

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Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · Sep 3

Today's #PictureBook is an intriguing mix of story and emotional clarity. What do you do when you've messed up something SO catastrophically that there seems no way forward? 📚👍🏽 #KidLit #interview #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/09/03/s...

Simply 7 with Hannah Bruckner & sketches: MAYHEM AT THE MUSEUM

Have you ever felt like the world was falling down around your ears and you had failed? What did you do?

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Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · Sep 2

Cats have been our friends and companions for centuries. Today's #picturebook examines our relationship with them with lyrical aplomb. 📚👍🏽 #KidLit #bookblogger #Interview
jenabenton.com/2025/09/02/s...

Simply 7 with Marta Pantaleo: CATS AND US: A TEN-THOUSAND-YEAR FASCINATION

While I am a lover of all animals, cats will always have a large part of my heart.

jenabenton.com