It’s Your Time to Shine

Posted on 03/05/2024

Little Simon (S&S) | ISBN: 978-1665932035

I’m excited to share my first board book, IT’S YOUR TIME TO SHINE, with charming illustrations by Nanette Regan.

This is a book that began as one thing and became something more, thanks to the vision of my brilliant editor. Originally inspired by the opening lines of Ecclesiastes 3 – “For everything there is a season…,” the manuscript started as short rhyming couplets that I recorded into my phone on a long drive after visiting with family. When I got home, I moved the lines to my computer, adding other snippets of inspiration as I brainstormed –  the lyrics to the Pete Seeger song, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” and even a screenshot of a NYT (cooking) article by food editor Sam Sifton about how the same ingredients in a recipe sometimes turn out differently from one day to the next. All these seemingly random notes led to more ideas…

When my editor expressed interest and asked if I’d be willing to revise, the original manuscript lost a few stanzas and gained a few new ones to become something more than a day at the beach.  Thanks to a revision of the ending it’s now a book that follows a child across years and milestones.

I hope It’s Your Time to Shine will inspire readers of all ages to head out into the world as the bold and brave people they are.

Now is YOUR time!

 

It’s your time to shine.
Show the world who you are:
confident,
courageous
a bright rising star!

From the publisher:

Growing up means there are times for feeling your best, succeeding, feeling uncertain, and failing—and everything in between. Things may be ever-changing but this moment, right now—whether it’s a regular day or a pivotal occasion like a graduation—is the reader’s time to take charge.

A celebration of life for a baby or a graduate. The phrase, “There’s a time,” opens each page as an infant with freckled brown skin and curly hair faces what’s ahead. The girl grows up having taken on the challenges and joys of being alive.

 

Learn more at: diannewrites.com

Salat in Secret

Posted on 02/26/2024

Random House Studio | 978-1984848093

 

On Muhammad’s seventh birthday, his dad gives him a prayer rug called a salat. It’s beautiful, with “fuzzy patterns and gold stitching.” He’ll use the rug five times a day, following the important traditions of his Islamic faith.

That evening and the next morning, he whispers his prayers to Allah, repeating the words he has learned in Sunday school.

After I pray fair the next morning, I know I’ll do dhuhr too.

Dhuhr comes in the middle of the school days.

Somehow, I’ll find a secret place to do it.

Somehow, asking won’t be scary.

Muhammad wants to be like his daddy, who isn’t afraid to park his ice cream truck  when he’s far from his place of worship, spread his rug on the sidewalk, and pray.

But sometimes, as we all know, it’s hard to draw attention to ourselves, especially when we’re away from home and all that’s familiar. Though Muhummad wants to be like his daddy, when it comes time to ask his teacher, Mrs. Baker, for a private place to pray at school, he can’t push the words out At home, he regrets not speaking up. He wishes he had more courage.

Will Muhammad face his fears and discover the bravery he hopes for?

SALAT in SECRET is a tender story of a young boy who, eventually, finds the courage he needs to be fully and completely himself.

**

Learn about Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow’s inspiration for writing Salat in Secret HERE.

 

 

The Last Stand

Posted on 02/19/2024

Knopf Books for Young Readers | 978-0593480571

Papa has the last stand at the farmer’s market, but the job is hard, and he’s getting older. From week to week, he and his grandson work together to bring in the crops. While Papa gathers peppers, plums, and pumpkins, his grandson collects the eggs. Together they set their goods “in baskets Granny made from sweetgrass.” When the blue pickup truck is full, they’re off to the farmer’s market to sell their harvest.

Two years ago, there were five stands. Last year, only two. Now, only Earl’s remains. “Ms. Rosa sorts out her usual. Bright orange pumpkins and fresh white eggs.” Papa has held back some of the ripe green peppers for Mr. Johnny. By the end of the day, when all the produce has been sold, there is one last special delivery – a basket of plums for Mrs. Brown, saved in one of Granny’s handwoven baskets.

The hard work takes its toll and Papa shows his age. When Saturday arrives again, Papa is too tired to gather the harvest. “Three feet of Papa’s rope, a few of Granny’s sweetgrass baskets” and the grandson has an idea to keep the stand open and available, at least for a while.

With memorable and moving words by Antwan Eady and stunning artwork by brothers Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey,  THE LAST STAND is both a celebration of the many ways in which a community continues to support one another through changing times and circumstances, as well as social commentary on the disappearance of black-owned farms in this country. This is a book you’ll definitely want to add to your home, school, or library shelf.

**

Enjoy this short video that shows how the the Pumphrey brothers create their illustrations:

To learn more about the history of Black farmers, read this excerpt from a blog post by Feeding America, titled, “A Brief History Of America’s Black Farmers From The Past To Present”:

“Today, just 1% of farmers in the United States identify as Black according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). These numbers are down from 1 million Black farmers a century ago. In 1919, Black farmland ownership peaked at 16 to 19 million acres, about 14% of total agricultural land. A century later, 90% of that land has been lost. Even though farmers of color now account for only 2% of the agricultural land, Black farmers are drawing strength from their long history of agricultural production as a strategy to address food insecurity and improve the health of local communities.”

Check out this earlier ReaderKidZ post about Eady’s beautiful debut, NIGEL and the MOON.

Between Two Brothers

Posted on 02/06/2024

Balzar and Bray | 978 -0063047297

Today is Isaiah “Ice” Abernathy’s birthday and he’s a bit salty.

In his own words he says, “In parts of Texas, it’s illegal to sell Limburger cheese on Sunday or shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel,” but “no one saw fit to make it a crime for a kid to do chores on his birthday.”

Salty or not, by the end of the first page, readers are rooting for Isaiah, a likable, hard-working kid who loves animals and hopes to be a vet one day. Isaiah rolls the wheelbarrow across the farm, checking in with his “four feathered divas,” Aretha, Mariah, Rihanna, and Whitney as they cluck to the music on Isaiah’s playlist and strut out of their coop.

Isaiah stops to chat with the horses, Dolly and Buster, and then Seth, his brother, shows up, ready to pounce. It’s Isaiah’s birthday, after all, which can only mean one thing – a good old-fashioned birthday tickle war.

Life is good. Theirs is a happy family. The two boys are not just brothers, they’re best friends. Soon, Seth will be going off to college, which means that the boys have a lot of memories to create before the big day arrives.

And then… their world falls apart. A serious accident lands Seth in the hospital and life becomes a situation no family ever imagined they’d be called upon to live through.

Will this tight knit family be able to handle the pressures of their new normal? How will they pull through? And will the bond between brothers be enough to bring the family a measure of hope?

Inspired by real life events, Crystal Allen has written a deeply moving book of hope in the face of impossible circumstances. From  the moment I started reading BETWEEN TWO BROTHERS, until the time I finished and for days afterwards, I’ve held these brothers and their family in my heart and mind.

In an author’s note, Crystal writes that “It took eight years to finish this story… The plot, characters, dialogue, and most of the names… are fictitious. However, the heartaches, the anger, the hopes, and triumphs… are real.”

Told with Crystal’s signature humor and grace, BETWEEN TWO BROTHERS is a story of a family ultimately able to face the unimaginable by leaning on their faith, the love and care of their friends and community, and their trust and belief in one another.

It’s  a book I will remember for a long time to come.

Highly recommended!

 

A Gift for Nai Nai

Posted on 01/22/2024

Feiwel and Friends | 978-1250871596

Nai Nai is Lyn Lyn’s beloved grandmother. Each year, she crochets a special new hat for Lyn Lyn. Now she wants to return the favor and make a special hat for Nai Nai. But it’s not easy! Every time she tries, her stitches are too tight, too loose, or just plain weird. Lyn Lyn is determined, but still needs help.

That’s when she comes up with a plan. She’ll tell Nai Nai she is making a hat for her very best friend. Can Nai Nai help?

© text and art by Kim-Hoa Ung

Together the two crochet, and as they do, Lyn Lyn makes progress. Whenever she runs into trouble, Nai Nai is there to set things straight.

“Each time they met, Nai Nai would ask about the special friend. “Is she a good friend?”
“The best! She’s someone very patient and wise.”

 

© text and art by Kim-Hoa Ing

 

Kim-Hoa Ung’s debut, A GIFT FOR NAI NAI is a warm intergenerational story full of heart, and the reminder that “small things become great when done with love.”

🧶🧶🧶

Do you or a special someone want to learn how to crochet? Enjoy these video tutorials created by the author and learn to crochet the hat that Lyn Lyn made for Nai Nai!

 

SUPERBABY

Posted on 01/14/2024

Neal Porter Books | 978-0823445585

If you’re not already familiar with Stephanie Parsley Ledyard‘s picture books, I’m excited to introduce you to her work, and her newest, SUPERBABY, an adorable and energetic ode to all things baby.

The story begins with this sweet introduction:

Indeed, she is not!

Superbaby is UP! UP!
and awake…
BOOOOOOOOMING in for kisses.
Watch out for drool!

Superbaby is a bundle of energy, perpetually on the GO — flying through the air, building cities, and then? Knocking them down. KA-POW!

Her “supersonic sound waves” are “OUT of this world. WAAAA-AAAAAA-AAAAAAAH!” No matter what she is up to, it’s hard to ignore this sweet, irresistible baby.

After a long day of play, food, and fun, Superbaby is ready for “a bubble and a scrub,” three books, and kisses. Best be quick, her “powers are fading fast…”

SHHHHHHHHH.
This is no ordinary baby.
Superbaby needs her rest
to get ready for another
BIG
day.

 

With adorable illustrations by Lincoln Agnew and charming text by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard, Superbaby is a delight to read aloud and makes the perfect gift for babies (and caregivers) everywhere!

 

Same Here! The Differences We Share

Posted on 01/07/2024

Owlkids Books | 978-1771473071

In a world where it it can seem like the loudest voices are those that seek to separate and divide us from one another, the truth is that no matter who we are or where we live, we all have the same basic needs and share much in common  – to feel loved and protected, to have food and shelter, and to be surrounded by family, friends, and community.

SAME HERE! The Differences We Share by Susan Hughes and Sophie Casson is about exactly this and more. Organized by topics such as “We All Need to Communicate” and “We All Need to Dream” each section introduces readers to children in different parts of the world. In  “We All Need to Play: What Do You Do for Fun?“, the section begins:

My name is Adowa, and I love cooking with my mom and playing with my friends.

Most mornings, before school, I help get the food ready for our supper. It’s too hot to cook later in the day….

After school, my friends and I go straight home to do chores. But we always try to finish quickly so we can have time to play outside before supper. I love playing with my friends. 

Gorgeous illustrations by Sophie Casson show Adowa working outdoors over a cookfire at home in Ghana. Turn the page and readers learn more about the things a child from Brazil, Russia, and Spain like to do in their free time (skateboard, listen to music, play chess with grandma, take coding classes).

© text by Susan Hughes and ills. by Sophie Casson

Based on extensive research (with backmatter that includes a list of selected sources as well as books for further reading,) SAME HERE! The Differences We Share is ideal for middle grade readers (and younger readers, too!) interested in accessible informational text that provides snapshots about customs and cultures around the world.

***

Enjoy this interview with the author and illustrator on “Creator Corner.”

Read this interview on Tara Lazar’s blog.

Learn more about Susan Hughes and another recent (nonfiction) picture books about Gaudi and Casa Batlló:

Carmen and the House that Gaudi Built