The P.B. Peeps Story
P.B. Peeps is the collective pseudonym of three award-winning children’s book writers who work together as a kidlit writing team.
All of us are longtime Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) members, and in 2019, we formed a critique group to support our individual kidlit careers. Our critiquing, brainstorming, and collaborating proved so successful (and enjoyable!) that the idea of reaching young audiences in new ways through one collective storytelling voice–P.B. Peeps, which stands for “Picture Book Peeps”–was born.
Dianne Ochiltree is a children’s picture book author who has been traditionally published by major NYC publishers and small presses. Three of her titles have received Florida Book Awards. Many of her books have also appeared on recommended reading databases (such as the ALA Amelia Bloomer and the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library).
Ryan G. Van Cleave started his kidlit love at a young age –ruining his eyes reading by flashlight under the covers. These days, he’s the author of 20+ books including the YA novel Unlocked, and the writer how-tos Memoir Writing for Dummies, and The Weekend Book Proposal. He’s also the owner/operator of www.onlypicturebooks.com, and he runs the Creative Writing Program at Ringling College of Art and Design.
Sylvia Whitman is a writer and SCBWI member with a particular interest in American and Arab history and culture. Her writing credits for kids encompass a handful of American history books, and articles and stories in Cobblestone, Faces, Calliope, and elsewhere. Her titles include the Albert Whitman picture book Under the Ramadan Moon and a YA novel, The Milk of Birds. Both What’s Cooking? A History of American Food (Lerner) and The Milk of Birds (Atheneum) appeared on Bank Street College’s annual list of Best Children’s Books.
She current teaches writing at Ringling College of Art and Design.
www.sylviawhitmanbooks.com