Jena Benton
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Jena Benton
@jenanbenton.bsky.social
1.2K followers 610 following 580 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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jenanbenton.bsky.social
Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 3d
Happy almost-Valentine's day! I’m a pre-published illustrator, now published author looking for representation. I hope you can see the image through the disturb. #childrensbookillustration #illustration #illustrator #picturebookillustration #cbignyc #cbigmember #KidLitArtPostcard #KidLit
A worried mouse mailman delivers a heart letter to a brownstone apartment. A cat is looking out the window in his direction.
jenanbenton.bsky.social
It's an annual tradition: poetry for Valentine's day! #poetry #ValentinesDay #valentines #lovepoems
jenabenton.com/2026/02/14/2...
2026 Valentine’s Day Poetry
If you are a long time follower of my blog, then you know that today is one of my favorite holidays and you know that I share poetry, as well as art and more (sometimes). Happy Valentine’s day!&nbs…
jenabenton.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:09 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Happy almost-Valentine's day! I’m a pre-published illustrator, now published author looking for representation. I hope you can see the image through the disturb. #childrensbookillustration #illustration #illustrator #picturebookillustration #cbignyc #cbigmember #KidLitArtPostcard #KidLit
A worried mouse mailman delivers a heart letter to a brownstone apartment. A cat is looking out the window in his direction.
February 13, 2026 at 2:56 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
What could possibly go wrong for a robot who stays up all night without recharging? 📚👍🏽 #interview #picturebook #KidLit #bookbloggers
jenabenton.com/2026/02/12/s...
Simply 7 with Jacob Souva: WHIRBY
What could possibly go wrong for a robot who stays up all night without recharging?
jenabenton.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:26 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
When chaos reigns supreme at an aquarium, can anything salvage the day? 📚👍🏽 #interview #picturebook #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2026/02/10/s...
Simply 7 with Larry Daley: FLOAT
When chaos reigns supreme at an aquarium, can anything salvage the day?
jenabenton.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:57 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
An over-eager alligator working on a construction crew? What could go wrong? 📚👍🏽
#picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2026/02/03/s...
Simply 7 with Brooke Hartman & Michael Slack: EXCA-GATOR!
An over-eager alligator working on a construction crew? What could go wrong?
jenabenton.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:57 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
What do you do when you love the drums but a grumpy lion lurks nearby? 📚👍🏽 #interview #KidLit #bookblogger #picturebook
jenabenton.com/2026/01/30/s...
Simply 7 with Alicia D. Williams: NANI AND THE LION
What if a cantankerous lion who demanded silence roamed outside your village, when your heart sang to the beat of a drum? Would you play anyway?
jenabenton.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:58 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
We all doubt ourselves sometimes, even scientists on the verge of major discoveries. 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger jenabenton.com/2026/01/22/s...
Simply 7 with Laura Alary: THE CURIOUS LIFE OF CECILIA PAYNE
You know what I love about books written on the same topic? How very different they can be! EVEN when they’re nonfiction!
jenabenton.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:09 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
When a young fox leaves the den for the first time, he desperately tries to remember Mama's directions to stay safe. 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #KidLit #interview #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2026/01/20/s...
Simply 7 with Julie Benbassat: MUNGO ON HIS OWN
Doing things on your own for the first time can be scary.
jenabenton.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:36 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
What's a penguin to do surrounded by so much noise and frustration? 📚👍🏽 #zenguinblogtour #interview #KidLit #picturebook #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2026/01/13/s...
Simply 7 with Danna Smith: ZENGUIN
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about kiddos by being a Kindergarten teacher, it’s that they need a LOT of help learning how to deal with their emotions.
jenabenton.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:47 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Yay! Cannot wait to see one of my critique buddies’ book come to life. #KidLit 📚👍 #picturebook
heidikyates.bsky.social Heidi Yates @heidikyates.bsky.social · Jan 8
I’m so excited to share the cover of my debut book, available for pre-order now! Yana’s illustrations couldn’t be any cuter! 🥰

www.amazon.com/Monster-Mann...

www.barnesandnoble.com/w/monster-ma...
January 8, 2026 at 5:39 AM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
History + poetry + hair love = an amazing #picturebook! 📚👍🏽 #KidLit #interview #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2026/01/06/s...
Simply 7 with Sope Martins: HAIRSTORY
Although there have been several picture books about hair the last few years, none of them are as glorious as this one.
jenabenton.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:46 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Do you know the history behind fortune cookies? 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/12/24/s...
Simply 7 with Mia Wenjen: FORTUNE COOKIES FOR EVERYONE!
I love little known historical tales and this one is so cleverly written!
jenabenton.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:53 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Yay for play outside! Yay for winter fun! 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/12/22/s...
Simply 7 with Katherine Pryor & Rose Soini: HELLO, SNOW!
Do you remember the joys of that first fall of snow?
jenabenton.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:14 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Life is full of can'ts, but what if you didn't listen? 📚👍🏽
#picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/12/18/s...
Simply 7 with Deborah Blumenthal: TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD
Today’s picture book is the epitome of one of my favorite quotes (by George Eliot): “It’s never too late to be what you might’ve been.”
jenabenton.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:06 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
When an endangered tiger cub is rejected by its mother, zookeepers leap to the rescue in this #picturebook based on a true story. 📚👍🏽 #interview #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/12/16/s...
Simply 7 with Debra Kim Wolf: A FAMILY FOR ZOYA
Today’s picture book tells the true story of an endangered Amur tiger and how zookeepers found a way to keep her alive.
jenabenton.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:04 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
How do big rig trucks get goods where they need to go? I TRUCK! 📚👍🏽 #interview #picturebook #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/12/11/s...
Simply 7 with Kelly Rice Schmitt: I TRUCK
Combine an evergreen topic (transportation) with STEAM matter (how goods are delivered around the country), and you’ve got a fascinating picture book on your hands
jenabenton.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:52 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
What does your very best look like in different situations? It doesn't have to be perfect. 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #bookblogger #KidLit
jenabenton.com/2025/12/09/s...
Simply 7 with Stephanie Gutnik: MY VERY BEST
When you try your best (even if it’s not perfect), others can feel your effort.
jenabenton.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:03 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
It's the 100th anniversary of Jewish book week and today's #picturebook celebrates the creator. 📚👍🏽 #interview #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/12/08/s...
Simply 7 with Richard Michelson & Alyssa Russell: FANNY’S BIG IDEA
Today’s picture book celebrates the 100th anniversary of Jewish book week and the brilliant librarian who started it all.
jenabenton.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:53 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Do you get hangry? Curious what that means? 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/12/05/s...
Simply 7 with Katherine Pryor: ATTACK OF THE HANGRIES
Do you get hangry? Do you know any children who get hangry and don’t understand what’s going on? Then this book is perfect for you!
jenabenton.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:49 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! I’m a pre-published illustrator, now published author looking for representation. #childrensbookillustration #illustration #illustrator #picturebookillustration #cbignyc #cbigmember #cbigartshare
Two Bohemian waxwings bring berries to decorate the snow crown of a snow person who is delighted to be crowned a beauty.
December 4, 2025 at 3:01 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
What did WWII look like in Hawaii if you were a Japanese American? I was surprised to find out there were some differences, as well as similarities. 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/12/04/s...
Simply 7 with Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson: SHELL SONG
What did WWII look like in Hawaii if you were Japanese? It was different than anywhere else in the US in some ways that surprised me, yet the same in others.
jenabenton.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:33 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
This holiday #picturebook reminds me of the Grinch (mashed up with the Persian celebration of Yalda Night). 📚👍🏽 #interview #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/12/02/s...
Simply 7 with Sina Merabian: MONSTERS IN THE MOONLIGHT
I thought I knew of almost every major holiday celebration around the world, but I was surprised to learn I was wrong. Have you ever heard of the Persian celebration of the winter solstice (aka Yal…
jenabenton.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:56 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Cooking board books? Why yes! 📚👍🏽 #bookblogger #KidLit

jenabenton.com/2025/11/28/r...
Review: Jamie Oliver’s Little Food Library
We are entering into the FOOD ZONE we all know as the holidays. Why not talk about an amazing new board book series from Jamie Oliver about just that?
jenabenton.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:09 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
We need more #picturebooks that celebrate sheer joy like this magical story of children stumbling upon a bunny ballet in the woods. 📚👍🏽 #KidLit #interview #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/11/25/s...
Simply 7 with Nora Ericson: THE BUNNY BALLET
I adore spotting bunnies in the wilds here. They never cease to amaze me. Yet I have to admit that I never thought of them with the magical potential that this book manages to capture so beautifull…
jenabenton.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:49 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
What do dragons dream of? Peace! 📚👍🏽 #interview #KidLit #picturebooks #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/11/24/s...
Simply 7 with Roni Schotter & Khoa Le: DRAGON DREAMS
I’m sure this time of year, as holidays approach, many a parent and teacher is familiar with the all too familiar bickering. What if instead, there was kindness and peace?
jenabenton.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:40 PM