If you haven’t had a chance yet to read Laurel Snyder‘s early chapter book series, CHARLIE & MOUSE, why not start with, CHARLIE & MOUSE: Lost and Found. It’s the 5th in the collection, the first having had the honor of winning the Geisel award in 2018 for the “most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States.”
This next in the delightful series continues the adventures of the two brothers. A favorite blanket goes missing and a dog, found, must be returned. There is sadness and loss, hellos and goodbyes, and, fortunately, one last happy hello at story’s end to welcome a sweet little puppy that the boys name “Boop!”
With endearing illustrations in graphite and Photoshop created by Emily Hughes, this gentle chapter book will warm the hearts of emerging readers.
FLY, a stunning debut by Brittany Thurman, illustrated by Anna Cunha, is a joyous celebration of a young girl’s determination to show the world what she’s made of. When she learns about a double dutch competition, Africa announces, “I’m going to jump, fly, double dutch to the sky.” The only problem? She doesn’t know how to double Dutch.
But not knowing how isn’t enough to dim Africa’s determination.
“Africa feels certain she can double Dutch until her shoes are
in fast-forward, until her feet forget the ground,
until she flies like the birds in the sky.”
She does her best, tries to learn on her own, but it’s hard!
Undeterred, Africa knows exactly what to do. Her besty best, Bianca, teaches her how to dance. Omar teaches her how to step, and on it goes. By the time Sunday rolls around, she’s ready.
This lyrical story of empowerment, persistence, and optimism is a must read!
Inspired by the author, Naaz Khan‘s “… own fantastically fun… ride from Stone Town to Nungwi Beach, in Zanzibar,” ROOM FOR EVERYONE is a rollicking, rhyming, cumulative counting story.
When Musa first boards the daladala, a shared minibus, he has no idea how many others will soon be joining him and his sister Dada on the bumpy ride to the shore.
Early on, the daladala driver passes an old man with a bike that has no seat. The driver honks, pulls to the side, and asks:
“Dear brother, do you need a ride?
It’s hotter than peppers out there in the sun!
Come in, there’s room for everyone!”
But how, Musa wonders, can there possibly be enough room?
“Don’t worry, Musa, there’s space galore!
If you move just a bit we can make room for more.”
There are wiggles and giggles and lots of fun, and plenty of room for everyone.
This energetic tale, rendered in acrylic, ink, graphite, and digital media, by Mercè López makes a wonderfully rich and satisfying read-aloud with a message we can all embrace, summed up beautifully in the author’s dedication:
“For travelers everywhere… may you always find comfort, joy, and welcoming strangers on your journey.”
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers | 978-1524737283
At an early age, Eunice Kathleen Waymon discovered music.
“She wasn’t the first Waymon child, or the last, but she was the only one who sang before she could talk and found rhythm before she could walk. The only one with music on the inside.”
Eunice had talent and it wasn’t long before her mom’s employer, Mrs. Miller, heard Eunice play and “knew the little girl had a gift.”
Mrs. Miller’s friend – Muriel Mazzanovich – was a piano teacher. Together, Miss Mazzy and Mrs. Miller “carefully planned Eunice’s musical education.”
Soon, Eunice was learning concertos and fugues, and the people around town began to recognize her on the street.
But all was not well. These were Jim Crow times, and that meant that Eunice felt the sting of discrimination. It wasn’t easy tamping down the anger that was growing inside her, but Eunice had dreams. She spent the summer at Juilliard School of Music in New York City and then, Eunice hoped to be accepted at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadephia.
Things didn’t go as planned and Eunice wasn’t accepted to the Institute. The rumor was that she’d been rejected because she was Black.
“The old familiar anger and hurt came rushing back. And for the first time, Eunice wondered whether being Black meant an end to all of her dreams.”
Eunice stopped playing piano and worked in a photography studio for a time. But she couldn’t keep music bottled up inside forever.
Eventually, she found work playing in bars and changed her name to Nina Simone. As her star began to rise, so did the voices of her people, protesting racial inequality and discrimination. Would Nina continue to tamp down the quiet anger that had simmered for years? Would she join the voices of others to fight against injustice?
This important biography, brilliantly and lyrically told by Traci N. Todd and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree, Christian Robinson with acrylic paint and collage, is a masterpiece appropriate for all ages.
It’s here! My newest book, WINTER LULLABY, gorgeously illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki in warm golds, silver blues and teal greens arrives on bookstore and library shelves Tuesday, December 7th!
Geese are calling, a chilly wind is blowing, and the sky is turning gray. Winter is on its way. For Mama Bear and Small Bear, that means it’s time to tuck into their den for a long sleep. But Mouse is scurrying by, and Chipmunk is still gathering nuts beside the lake. And look at Hare and Skunk, still romping through the leaves! Why can’t Small Bear stay up, too? To each question, Mama Bear responds with the coziest of answers, finally painting a dreamy picture of the brightening colors and new adventures that will greet Small Bear in the spring. But first comes sleep, in this irresistible invitation to drowsy little cubs everywhere.
Rendered with reassuring words and pastoral scenes, this soothing lullaby of a story is sure to settle even the most restless of cubs.
It’s hard not to hear Yuyi Morales’ voice as I read the opening words of her gorgeous new book, BRIGHT STAR, the powerful and evocative follow-up to her New York Times best-selling DREAMERS.
As the young fawn awakens to take her first tentative steps through her Sonoran home, readers become immersed in her journey through the rich desert landscape.
……Mira!
Some things you can see. ……………Others you must find.
It is beautiful. But there is danger, too.
Lie low. ………We want you safe.
No matter where you are,
you are a bright star
inside our hearts.
Rich with symbolism, BRIGHT STAR explores the borderlands between the US and Mexico, the flora, fauna and people who live there, and the way in which you and I and people and places we don’t even know are connected.
It is a book to study, ponder, read and reread. In the words of the author, it is a book she hopes will be “like a song that accompanied children when they most needed it — a book that felt like a lullaby, a lullaby that told children that they are not alone.”
One of my favorite parts are the notes found at the end detailing eleven reasons *why* the author decided to make this book.
“I made this book because you and I are connected…
“I made this book because I have many questions…
“I made this book to show you an amazing place on our planet called the borderlands…
“I made this book using the most beautiful things I could find — words written in English and Spanish, drawings I made in my sketchbook… paper painted with bright colors, wool yarn threaded by hand and dyed with plants…”
Learn more about Yuyi’s process and thoughts on creating the words and images at the links below:
Everybody in the Red Brick Building
by Anne Wynter, illustrated by Oge Mora
Balzar & Bray | 978-0062865762
Have you read EVERYBODY IN THE RED BRICK BUILDING yet? It’s the first of many beautiful books on the way from Anne Wynter. With starred reviews from Kirkus, Book Page, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist and gorgeously illustrated by Oge Mora, with acrylic paint, gouache, china markers, pastels, patterned paper, and old book clippings, the collage art in jeweled tones provides the perfect canvas for Wynter’s rich and onomatopoetic text.
The story begins with a quiet double spread, full moon in the sky, lights out in all the windows: “Everybody in the red brick building was asleep.”
Until… with a turn of the page:
Baby Izzie sat up in her crib and howled.
WaaaAAH!
I’m so happy Anne agreed to visit ReaderKidZ to chat about her debut, offer a few writing tips, give readers a peek into upcoming books, and so much more!
DIANNE:Welcome Anne!
I read in a recent interview that EVERYBODY IN THE RED BRICK BUILDING was one of two picture book manuscripts you had written at the time you sent out queries to agents. But I also know that you’re a playwright and you’ve had lots of other experiences as a freelance writer, copyeditor, and content strategist.
In what ways have you found these various experiences helpful in writing picture books and understanding how the industry works?
ANNE:As a freelance writer and creative writer, one of the biggest challenges is getting started on a new project. You imagine a story in your head, but getting the first words out on paper is tough. But with freelancing, I had deadlines and I needed to move on to other assignments – plus I had to earn money! – so I learned to jump in and get started, even when I was hesitant. It’s definitely a skill I use when tackling new picture book ideas (even though I’m still scared and hesitant sometimes!)
My playwriting experience was especially helpful because it’s similar to writing picture books. For both formats, you’re writing words that are meant to be read aloud. And your words are just one step in the creative process. For theatre, the script is a jumping off point for the director, actors and designers. For picture books, your text is a jumping off point for the illustrator. You have to be okay with handing off the project to other creatives.
DIANNE: Taking it one step further, how have you found your experience as a Marketing and PR Specialist helpful as you prepared for the launch of EVERYBODY IN THE RED BRICK BUILDING?
ANNE: It definitely helped, but not as much as I thought it would. It’s still much easier to promote other people’s work than it is to promote your own. Also, things change so quickly. When I was doing publicity and marketing work, Instagram wasn’t a big thing yet and TikTok wasn’t around at all. We weren’t talking much about influencers. Some of the things I used to do probably aren’t as relevant anymore.
But having marketing and PR experience was very helpful when I was querying. Pitching something to a media outlet is a lot like querying agents. Following their directions, being professional and courteous, doing your research – it’s all such a big part of it, and I’m glad I had that experience when I started querying.
DIANNE: What was your biggest, most delightful surprise as a debut author?
ANNE: I’d heard authors and illustrators say school visits were their favorite part of being an author, but I was still surprised when it turned out to be so much fun! I’ve actually only done one visit so far – and it was virtual – but I had a blast! Seeing how students react to the story, hearing their questions, being a part of their school day . . . It’s so energizing and inspiring. I can’t wait to do more.
DIANNE: You’ve talked elsewhere about drafting on poster board. I love this idea of what you call “taking up space” to write story ideas in a nonlinear format. It’s not something I’ve tried, but it’s easy to see how it keeps the brainstorming process fluid and forces us to imagine our writing in a slightly different way.
Do you have any other helpful tips for writers? Things you fall back on when you’re further along in the process, but still feel stuck?
ANNE: Turning to mentor texts is definitely helpful. And now that my kids are older, I sometimes read my work to them. I love to see how they react and find out what they think will happen next.
One of the best – but hardest – ways to get fresh ideas is to silence outside voices. So, if I’m thinking of taking a walk with a podcast, or cooking while listening to an audiobook – sometimes I force myself to do those things in silence. It gives my mind a chance to wander, and interesting ideas can come out of that. However, I almost never do this because it’s tough – there are so many great books and podcasts to listen to! But I’m working on doing it more often.
DIANNE: You’re branching out into new formats. In addition to writing plays and picture books, you have two board books (HANDS ON! and ONE BIG DAY, both illustrated by Alea Marley, January 2022) and a few more unannounced projects on the way. Do you have a favorite format? What can your readers look forward to next?
ANNE: It’s so hard to pick a favorite! But if I have to, I think I’ll go with board books. I love the feel of them and I have such lovely memories of reading board books to my kids when they were tiny. I enjoy writing under tight parameters, and I don’t know that you can get any tighter than a board book. Super low word counts, the simplest concepts . . . but you still have to think about the adult reader and keep them entertained! It’s a difficult but fun challenge.
I’m currently working on chapter books, and I’m finding that to be really exciting. But I’m still in the writing/drafting/exploring phase with those. Hopefully they’ll make it onto shelves one day because I’d love to share this story and these characters with readers!
In the meantime, readers can expect more picture books. I’ve got a few more coming out, starting with Nell Plants a Tree, which is illustrated by the absolutely wonderful Daniel Miyares and which will be released in winter 2023.
DIANNE: Thanks for joining me on ReaderKidZ, Anne!
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Learn more about ANNE and her books (including some great writing tips) in these interviews:
