243 ratings | 9 reviews | avg rating:4.53

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Barbara DiLorenzo

Goodreads Author

Born

The United States

Website

http://www.barbaradilorenzo.com

Twitter

wavepaint

Genre

Children's, History, Art

Member Since

July 2012

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/barbaradilorenzo

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Barbara DiLorenzo’s first picture book was Renato and the Lion, which received a starred review from Booklist and was named a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, a Junior Library Guild selection, and a CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People. She is also the author and illustrator of Quincy: The Chameleon Who Couldn’t Blend In, a finalist for the Crystal Kite Award. Her forthcoming book, One Thursday Afternoon, will be released by Flyaway Books in September 2022 and was inspired by her own experience during an active lockdown at an elementary school. A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, she has taught at the Arts Council of Princeton, the Michener Art Museum, and the New York Institute of Art + Design. She lives with h ...more

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

Barbara DiLorenzo Writer's block happens to painters too. I noticed this when I spent a year studying at the Art Student's League of New York. One day, I showed up to p…moreWriter's block happens to painters too. I noticed this when I spent a year studying at the Art Student's League of New York. One day, I showed up to paint the model, and not a single brush stroke worked out. It was as if I had suffered a concussion, or my skills just oozed out of my brain in the night. I was really amazed at the difference from the day before. I had been painting from 8:45 am - 12:30 pm, M–F for months, and this hadn't happened before. I asked my teacher, Mary Beth McKenzie, sheepishly wondering if I had hit my end as a painter. She laughed, and then told me the same thing happens to her from time to time. That made me feel a little better. I asked how she got through it. She simply said to keep showing up, day after day, and the act of painting would flow again naturally. I realize now that the same thing happens with writing. It's not always a problem of staring at a blank page. Sometimes it's hard to make progress on a current project. Her advice remains strong though. The only way to get through it is to keep doing the work, day after day. (less)

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What’s the best thing about being a writer?

Barbara DiLorenzo As an artist first, I consider myself a visual writer. I draw sketches that tell the story, then work fold the words into the pages to create a fuller…moreAs an artist first, I consider myself a visual writer. I draw sketches that tell the story, then work fold the words into the pages to create a fuller reading experience. Because I am not a writer first, my manuscripts give editors plenty to work with. :-) Between issues with grammar, voice, and age-appropriateness for my young readers, so much of what I type needs help. The best thing about being an illustrator first is that a drawing of a character can convey a visceral response from a reader without a word. I love exploring the fine line of when a word works best, and when to swap out a word for a well-drawn expression pulls at the heartstrings. (less)

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Barbara DiLorenzo’s books

Average rating: 4.21 · 672 ratings · 233 reviews · 3 distinct works • Similar authors

	One Thursday Afternoon 4.27 avg rating — 291 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Renato and the Lion 4.26 avg rating — 279 ratings — published 2017 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Quincy: The Chameleon Who Couldn't Blend In 3.93 avg rating — 102 ratings — published 2018	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Barbara DiLorenzo is currently reading

Mongrel

by Sayra Begum

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Apr 01, 2022 03:34AM

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Barbara DiLorenzo rated a book it was amazing My Someone: A Pet Adoption Story by Yuko Torii (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Yuko Torii's heartwarming picture book is absolutely beautiful. The narrative from the stray dog is so simple, yet powerful. The stakes feel high, yet the conclusion is so warm and satisfying. A definite choice for any library -high likelihood of rer ...more
Mar 15, 2026 12:04PM · 2 likes · like · see review
Barbara DiLorenzo rated a book it was amazing Meet Reba by Stephanie Wheeler (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 05, 2026 05:53PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Meet Reba by Stephanie Wheeler. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Meet Reba by Stephanie Wheeler <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Barbara DiLorenzo rated a book it was amazing Gilbert and the Ghost by Heather Pierce Stigall (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Gilbert and the Ghost is a tender, beautifully illustrated picture book that quietly pulled me in with its muted color palette and soft, expressive artwork. Jess Mason’s illustrations perfectly complement Heather Stigall’s gentle storytelling, creati ...more
Jun 06, 2025 05:35AM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Gilbert and the Ghost by Heather Pierce Stigall. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Gilbert and the Ghost by Heather Pierce Stigall <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Barbara DiLorenzo and 5 other people liked The Bibliophile Doctor's review of One Thursday Afternoon: "Thank you Netgalley and flyaway books for this amazing ARC in exchange of an honest review. This is a sweet story of a girl Ava and her grand-dad. It's totally adorable and the illustrations are so pretty and pleasant to the eyes and the language is s" Read more of this review »
Nov 27, 2024 11:17AM · see review
Barbara DiLorenzo liked Shan's review of One Thursday Afternoon: "This book is gentle, but accurately teaches kids that lockdown drills and school violence can be scary, while still equipping readers with a few ideas of some coping skills. Even though the central topic of this book is tragic, I believe that the aut" Read more of this review »
Nov 27, 2024 11:12AM · see review
Barbara DiLorenzo wants to read Naturlära by Lars Lerin	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 07, 2024 11:51AM · like
Barbara DiLorenzo rated a book it was amazing A Poem Grows Inside You by Katey Howes (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Katey Howes recently passed away unexpectedly. To friends and family, this news is still a heartbreaking shock. To the book world, her absence will be felt profoundly. She had additional books set to come out soon, including The Reindeer Remainders: ...more
May 28, 2024 10:29AM · like · see review
Barbara DiLorenzo wants to read The Reindeer Remainders: A Lesson in Working Together and Including Others by Katey Howes (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 28, 2024 10:29AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Reindeer Remainders by Katey Howes. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Reindeer Remainders by Katey Howes <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Barbara DiLorenzo rated a book it was amazing A Poem Grows Inside You by Katey Howes (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Katey Howes recently passed away unexpectedly. To friends and family, this news is still a heartbreaking shock. To the book world, her absence will be felt profoundly. She had additional books set to come out soon, including The Reindeer Remainders: ...more
May 28, 2024 10:28AM · like · see review
Barbara DiLorenzo rated a book it was amazing Woven of the World by Katey Howes (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Katey Howes recently passed away unexpectedly. To friends and family, this news is still a heartbreaking shock. To the book world, her absence will be felt profoundly. She had additional books set to come out soon, including The Reindeer Remainders: ...more
May 28, 2024 10:28AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Woven of the World by Katey Howes. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Woven of the World by Katey Howes <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">