Jena Benton
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jenanbenton.bsky.social
Jena Benton
@jenanbenton.bsky.social
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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Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! I’m a pre-published illustrator, now published author looking for representation. #childrensbookillustration #illustration #illustrator #picturebookillustration #cbignyc #cbigmember #cbigartshare
Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! I’m a pre-published illustrator, now published author looking for representation. #childrensbookillustration #illustration #illustrator #picturebookillustration #cbignyc #cbigmember #cbigartshare
December 4, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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
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
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
It's another holiday book #Giveaway (this time it's a lovely European folktale!). 📚👍🏽 #interview #picturebook #KidLit #bookblogger
jenabenton.com/2025/11/21/s...
Simply 7 with Olivia Armstrong & Mira Miroslavova & Giveaway: THE BIRDS OF CHRISTMAS
A Christmas story based on a European folktale? Yes please!
jenabenton.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:49 PM
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
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
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
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
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
Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! I’m a pre-published illustrator, now published author looking for representation. #childrensbookillustration #illustration #illustrator #picturebookillustration #cbignyc #cbigmember #cbigartshare
November 6, 2025 at 2:27 PM
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
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
Looks like an interesting webinar coming up. #webinars #scbwi #KidLit
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
October 25, 2025 at 7:24 PM
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
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
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
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
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
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
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