Jena Benton
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Jena Benton
@jenanbenton.bsky.social
1.2K followers 590 following 540 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 · 12d
Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! I’m a pre-published illustrator, now published author looking for representation. #childrensbookillustration #illustration #illustrator #picturebookillustration #cbignyc #cbigmember #cbigartshare
Two pumpkins in a patch where one is wearing a disguise (a pair of glasses with nose and mustache attached). The other is horrified and about to be picked. The name Jena Benton and website jenabenton.com are also on the digital postcard.
jenanbenton.bsky.social
This #picturebook perfectly captures those first ice-skating faulty attempts. And there's a #Giveaway! 📚👍🏽 #interview #KidLit #bookblogger jenabenton.com/2025/11/18/s...
Simply 7 with Brittany J. Thurman & Giveaway: COME CATCH A DREAM
Have you ever had a dream that felt impossible to achieve?
jenabenton.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:47 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Let the silly holiday books begin! 📚👍🏽 #interview #picturebooks #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/11/14/s...
Simply 7 with Jonathan Fenske: CANDY CORN CHRISTMAS
If you’re a fan of the minions, you just might be a fan of this silly holiday book too.
jenabenton.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:41 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
All the good little dinos know when it's time for Santa Claws to visit! 📚👍🏽 #interview #KidLit #picturebook #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/11/12/s...
Simply 7 with Bridget Heos: SANTA CLAWS
What better way to celebrate the holidays than with DINOSAURS?!
jenabenton.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Do we always have the time to show kindness? (Don't miss the giveaway for this one!) 📚👍🏽 #interview #picturebook #KidLit #bookblogger jenabenton.com/2025/11/11/s...
Simply 7 with Jungyoon Huh & Giveaway: LATE TODAY
I have a confession: I’m addicted to those reels about rescuing animals. That’s what drew me to today’s picture book too.
jenabenton.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:47 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
This book is perfect for every little collector out there. 📚👍🏽 #interview #picturebook #KidLit #bookblogger jenabenton.com/2025/11/10/s...
Simply 7 with Cindy Williams Schrauben: HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART
I have seen many children who are collectors. This book is perfect for them!
jenabenton.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
It's time to start the holiday season with a #Giveaway of this cute Christmas story. 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger jenabenton.com/2025/11/07/s...
Simply 7 with Robin Currie & Giveaway: JUST ENOUGH ROOM FOR CHRISTMAS
Our first snow storm has arrived and the holidays are nearly upon us. What better way to celebrate than with a holiday book giveaway?
jenabenton.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:46 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 pumpkins in a patch where one is wearing a disguise (a pair of glasses with nose and mustache attached). The other is horrified and about to be picked. The name Jena Benton and website jenabenton.com are also on the digital postcard.
November 6, 2025 at 2:27 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Have you met author-illustrator Steph Lau yet? 📚👍🏽 #interview #bookblogger #KidLit #picturebook
jenabenton.com/2025/11/03/s...
Simply 7 with Steph Lau: THE ABOMINABLE SNOW DANCER
It’s another fantastic author-illustrator debut picture book!
jenabenton.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:43 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
How much do you know about Kwanzaa? 📚👍🏽 #interview #KidLit #picturebook #bookblogger
Simply 7 with Nyasha Williams & Sidney Rose McCall & Giveaway: ONCE UPON A KWANZAA
Can you believe we’re already about to enter the holiday season?
jenabenton.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:56 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Looks like an interesting webinar coming up. #webinars #scbwi #KidLit
scbwi-alaska.bsky.social SCBWI Alaska @scbwi-alaska.bsky.social · 24d
We have a webinar coming up in November that you won’t want to miss. Agents say COMP titles are one of the weakest parts of the queries they receive. Plus this webinar comes with a possible submission opportunity! ((Link in comments.) #webinars #scbwiwebinar #scbwiwebinars #scbwi_alaska
Finding the Perfect COMPs webinar with Agent Jen Newens on November 16 3-4pm Alaska time. “In this webinar, Jen Newens will teach you both strategic research methods and creative thinking required to find the COMPs that effectively position your book in the marketplace.” SCBWI ALASKA EVENTS; Presenter Jen Newens, Vice President and Senior Agent at Martin Literary Management
October 25, 2025 at 7:24 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Come to the forest, walk amongst the glimmers of shadows and light. See how restorative they can be. 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/10/24/s...
Simply 7 with Nell Cross Beckerman: FORESTS
Quite unintentionally, this week has a theme: forests. Sorry-not-sorry.
jenabenton.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:41 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Have you heard the amazing true story of Jadav Payeng, the man who built a forest? 📚👍🏽 #interview #picturebook #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/10/21/s...
Simply 7 with Rina Singh: THE FOREST KEEPER
Ordinarily I don’t celebrate a picture book converting from hard cover to paperback, but this was an incredible book I somehow missed the first time around and had to share about it!
jenabenton.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:15 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Sometimes history can shed light on the darkest of times and remind us that there is hope in the world. 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #kidlit #bookblogger
Simply 7 with Christy Mandin: BITTERSWEET
Sometimes history can shed light on the darkest of times and remind us that there is hope in the world.
jenabenton.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:43 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
What do you do when you outgrow your favorite moccasins? You visit Grandma! 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger

jenabenton.com/2025/10/14/s...
Simply 7 with Jenn Moudahi: CHARLOTTE’S NEW MOCCASINS
Have you ever had a favorite item of clothing when you were young? Do you remember the heartbreak of growing out of it?
jenabenton.com
October 14, 2025 at 2:17 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Can you help find a cutesy wootsy little hamster? (Or maybe other animals along the way.) 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #bookblogger #kidlit jenabenton.com/2025/10/13/s...
Simply 7 with Brooke Hartman: HELP ME FIND MY HAMSTER
If you enjoyed Brooke’s picture book WATCH OUT FOR THE LION, then you’re going to love this one too!
jenabenton.com
October 13, 2025 at 3:32 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
Holidays are approaching! Are you ready for Halloween? 📚👍🏽 #picturebook #interview #KidLit #bookblogger

jenabenton.com/2025/10/10/s...
Simply 7 with Maisha Oso: IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR … HALLOWEEN
Do you remember the excitement you felt as a child when a favorite holiday approached?
jenabenton.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
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
October 8, 2025 at 1:30 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
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?
jenabenton.com
October 7, 2025 at 1:46 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
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!
jenabenton.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:38 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
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?
jenabenton.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Reposted by Jena Benton
debbieohi.com
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.
September 23, 2025 at 7:37 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
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
September 22, 2025 at 1:50 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
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!
jenabenton.com
September 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
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…
jenabenton.com
September 17, 2025 at 1:48 PM
jenanbenton.bsky.social
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
September 15, 2025 at 1:46 PM