Holiday Book Drive - Year Eight!

It’s time to get started, delivering book joy to the young scholars of Leading with Literacy in Chicago. Can you believe it? It’s Holiday Book Drive Chi… year EIGHT!

Last year’s Delivery Day was so much fun. Holiday Book Drive Chi partner Pastor Michael Neal of Leading with Literacy is not just a pastor serving his community. He also happens to be the chaplain of the DePaul’s Men’s Basketball Team — and he invited some players to join us in delivering books to Bronzeville schools!

The energy and excitement were electric, and I loved the messages that the players shared with students: That school and reading are gifts that prepare you for life and opportunities well beyond your grade school years.

Thanks to your help, last year we hit an incredible milestone. Since the start of the drive in 2017, together we have collected and delivered more than 5,000 books to young Chicago scholars!

How did we reach 5,000? At the outset of each drive, the prospect of repeating or exceeding the previous year’s total is a little intimidating! And then we remember how we get there…

One book, one box, at a time. From YOU!

To keep bringing incredible books into scholars’ homes and home libraries, we once again need your help — big time!

While it remains to be revealed, exactly what literacy gifts this season will bring, Pastor Neal and I have faith that many beautiful books and moments are in store. And we’d be so very honored if you’d join us in Holiday Book Drive Chi’s 8th year, by donating books or financial gifts toward the purchase of books!

In the weeks leading up to Winter Break and beyond, Leading with Literacy will deliver your donations to students in schools all over Bronzeville and other nearby Chicago neighborhoods. The books shared during Holiday Book Drive Chi don’t just bring holiday joy - Pastor Neal and his partners deliver books all year round.

Want to join the book joy in year eight? Below, you’ll find details about how Holiday Book Drive Chi works, and how you can help. We so hope you can!

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How to Give

To make a donation of books or a financial gift, please EMAIL ME via my website Contact page and let me know what you plan to send. The info goes into a spreadsheet that keeps donations organized.

(I apologize that I cannot share my personal address publicly.)

Books and financial gifts are accepted from October 1 through early December. As books are donated, I’ll share them below, so you can check out what Chicago readers will be reading, and perhaps get some ideas for your home library, too!

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More Book Drive Details!

• We Love Books! We are excited to receive any book written for children. We do ask that the books are new and not used. Picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade and young adult titles are all welcome, and very appreciated!

• The Magic Number = 30: Any single book donation is celebrated. But if you have the ability to join forces with a friend (or friends) and donate 30 copies of the same book, you’ll be able to provide an entire classroom that very book - so all students can share in the same reading experience, which is the ultimate wish of our partner teachers and schools.

• Publisher Partners: Authors, if you think your publisher might be interested in (and able to!) provide a complete classroom donation of 30 books, please let me know! We can provide a letter from Leading with Literacy for tax purposes.

• Set Up a Team Donation: If you’d like to collect books or funds for our drive through a local club or organization - such as a troop, dance studio, basketball team, chess club, etc. - that would be amazing! Let me know, and we can chat logistics.

• Title Ideas: I’m happy to share book recommendations at any time, if you’re not sure which book or books to give.

• Financial Gifts: Financial donations are most welcome, too! I combine financial gifts and place orders for full-class donations through Scholastic. Great deals to be had there!

• Shouting It Out: I celebrate all book donations as I receive them, on social media and on my website, too. Sharing these special deliveries is one of my favorite things to do!

• Follow Along: Want to know what’s going on with the drive? Visit this post often, as well as Instagram and Twitter/X. Search the hashtag #HolidayBookDriveChi for the latest donations.

Now, wiithout further ado, this year’s books!

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Thank you Adam and Leslie Schulte for kicking off the drive with this entire classroom donation of…

LITTLE GOLDEN BOOKS

(By various authors and illustrators)

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Thank you Richard Ho and Roaring Brook Press

for sharing an entire classroom donation of your book…

A TASTE OF HOME (By Richard Ho, Illustrated by Sibu T.P., Roaring Brook Press)

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Thank you Conway Familiy for sharing this entire classroom donation of…

ANIMALIA (By Graeme Base, Scholastic)

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Thank you Ariel Bernstein for sharing 20 copies of your book…

YOU GO FIRST (By Ariel Bernstein, Illustrated by Marc Rosenthal, Paula Wiseman/S&S)

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Thank you Laura Gehl for sharing 10 copies of your books…

THE HIKING VIKING (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Timothy Banks, Capstone)

WHO MADE THIS MESS? (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Aleksandar Stojsic, Capstone)

SNOW IS… (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Sonia Sánchez, Paula Wiseman / Simon & Schuster)

DONUT (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Andrea Zuill, Random House Studio)

APPLE AND MAGNOLIA (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Patricia Metola, Walker Books)

BRILLIANT BABY EXPLORES SCIENCE (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Jean Claude, little bee books)

ODD BIRDS (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Gareth Lucas, Abrams Appleseed)

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Thank you Robin Newman for sharing 5 copies of your books…

WHO’S WRITING THIS STORY? (By Robin Newman, Illustrated by Deborah Zemke, Creston)

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Thank you Jody Jensen Shaffer for sharing 3 copies of your books…

PORCUPINE HAD A FUZZY SWEATER

(By Jody Jensen Shaffer, Illustrated by Angela Edmonds, Magination Press)

SOMETIMES I AM HOT LAVA

(By Jody Jensen Shaffer, Illustrated by Amélie Videlo, Beaming Books)

THE LAST DAY JULIAN WAS MY BEST FRIEND

(By Jody Jensen Shaffer, Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, Two Lions)

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CURRENT TOTAL:

129 BOOKS!

If you’d like to give, contact me here!

We can’t wait to see what this year’s holiday book drive brings! Thank you for being part of it!

C’est ici! The French edition of WILLOW AND BUNNY

Wow, wow, wow - c’est ici!

It is here! The French edition of WILLOW AND BUNNY!

WILLOW AND BUNNY just released all across France, which is pretty wild to think about!

I will not lie, I am dreaming of hopping on a plane and popping into book stores, so I can “casually” find it on the shelves. I think it might be time for someone to learn French…

The cover is a bit different, and wowza is it ever gorgeous. Want to see? I made a little reel for Instagram, which I’d love to share with you. Click HERE to watch the reveal!

PS: I’m currently setting up my 2024-25 school year visit schedule, and it would be an honor to visit the grade school nearest you!

If you would be opening to introducing me to a local teacher, librarian, or principal, please let me know, either via email (for many of you who have it!) or my Contact form! I have packets of info, to get the conversation going, so the school can pick the package that works best for their building.

Thank you for considering, and happiest of fall to all!

A Scrapbook: January to June 2024

The first half of this year has been action packed. Each month has brought something exciting and enriching, and it’s my joy to share a bit of it with you.

It’s been too long!

So at this mid-point of 2024, here is a collection of the top 10 experiences of the year, so far - ones that quickened my heart with growth, excitement and surprise.

(Be sure to click the pics on the right-hand side of each image group, to scroll through the carousels!)

#1: Final Book Tour Stop

In January, The Literary bookstore in Champaign, Ill., hosted a book event for WILLOW AND BUNNY - words by me, illustrations by Christopher Denise. It was one of my favorite story times ever. In part, because this bookstore is so special - an absolute treasure in the community. But also because so many beautiful people I love were there (including my Mom and Dad, to whom I dedicated the book, on their anniversary!). Then those beautiful people invited their beautiful people, resulting in a circle of all the good things. This was the final stop on the book launch tour, and what a finale it was. For all the book tour pics, visit this post!

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#2: Learning and Presenting in Florida

Less than a week after the event in Champaign, I headed to Florida for the annual ATiA (Assistive Technology Industry Association) Conference. I attended and learned alongside Jordyn Zimmerman, my colleague at The Nora Project, a nonprofit that builds inclusive classrooms through school-wide professional learning for educators, and Disability Studies-informed social emotional learning curricula for students in PreK through high school. (Check out the mission video here!) Jordyn and I presented on ways that educators can anticipate and support the needs of learners. (PS: The documentary This Is Not About Me, featuring Jordyn’s story, is not to be missed.)

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#3: Hometown School Visit

All school visits are special, but talking about stories and writing with your very own children and their classmates is pretty dang priceless. The librarian of my daughters’ school set the stage and hosted such a lovely visit, and the conversation and connection with the kids was extra open and unguarded - which leads to the very best collaboration, in my opinion. Write on, young friends!

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#4: Making Memories in the Mountains

Spring Break brought us to Colorado. I visited with readers at an AMAZING school in Commerce City (Go Yetis!), and our fam went skiing in Breckenridge. I cannot more highly recommend the Breckenridge Adaptive Ski and Snowboard School. The staff and the support provided were next-level awesome.

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#5: Books and Blooms

Warming temps brought exciting book news: WILLOW AND BUNNY was named to the esteemed Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year 2024 — recognized as a “Recommended Read Aloud.” Such an honor! (If you are looking for a list of incredible children’s books, this is it!) I also snuck away with two of my best friends to our favorite cabin in the woods for a writing retreat, just as I received a sneak peek of the French edition of WILLOW AND BUNNY! (Coming soon! Scroll to see the title page!) Also this spring, a local nature gift store kindly welcomed me in for a signing event. Geneva friends, visit The Winding Deerpath for the very best and most unique gifts created by local artists.

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#6: Watching Them Shine

Things got completely bananas in May - I’m honestly just now recovering! Much of it involved watching the girls shine bright like diamonds. Please forgive me, as I indulge in sharing a few family photos with you - from Maycember’s end-of-year field trips and parties, to outdoor adventures and parades.

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#7: Tech in Education in Denver

Then it was back to Denver — this time, for professional learning and connecting. On behalf of The Nora Project, Jordyn and I ventured west to ISTELIVE 2024, the annual conference of ISTE, the International Society for Technology in Education. Wow, major innovations are revolutionizing today’s classrooms, making curricula and learning more accessible than ever before. Jordyn and I connected with educators to encourage thinking around ways that leaders can use technology to enable learners to thrive. We also got to spend time with Paul Reynolds of Reynolds Center TLC and International Dot Day, to discuss bravery in creation and supporting kids in making their own mark. A wonderful chat!

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#8: Two Picture Book Honors

June brought two (very!) unexpected awards, as WILLOW AND BUNNY was honored with a Christopher Award, as well as a Crystal Kite. Friends, I’m still not sure this has sunken in. The Christopher Awards honor books that “add light to the world.” Six books for young children were selected. I’m floored that our title was honored and so grateful for everyone who touched the manuscript — my critique partners and agent Stephanie Hansen, and most especially Christopher Denise, Kelsey Skea and the entire Two Lions team. Then, as I was about to board the plane home from ISTE, I found that WILLOW AND BUNNY had received a Crystal Kite, selected as the winner of the eight-state Midwest Region! This Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators award is voted on by members, peers in the children’s literature industry. I am so deeply humbled by this and grateful to share the moment with so many friends, including Katey Howes, author of WOVEN OF THE WORLD (Atlantic Region Winner), who passed this spring. Katey was a sheer light of a human, the very best of the best. Please support her phenomenal books, which you’ll find here!

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#9: Summer Book Fun

Geneva and the people in it continue to be the most incredible and giving friends. June brought two book events - a WILLOW AND BUNNY story time at our public library (with a willow leaf painting craft), and a second book signing at The Winding Deerpath. I truly cannot imagine a more supportive community. Thank you for being in my corner, in so many ways!

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#10: Embracing the Dance

Over the past six months, so many dreams have come true — it’s really hard to believe it’s real sometimes. Pursuing the work that fulfills and sustains me is a delicate dance, though. As so many creators will attest, there’s simply no way to do it all. I feel split into three distinct pieces all of the time: Doing 1/3 my best, for the people I love most in the universe, for the mission of building inclusive classrooms, for the writing career I’ve wanted since I was in kindergarten. My family understands that I need to make and take time to nurture my craft and explore every opportunity. And so we press on to the future, prayerfully and with great gratitude for the gifts and blessings at every turn.

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2023 Picture Book Picks

Want to cozy up with some of the very best picture books of 2023? Here’s a last-minute holiday gift for you: The 2023 Picture Book Picks list!

The sixth annual feature once again is curated by today’s picture book creators — authors and illustrators, who read, write and illustrate within the genre. I hope that within this year’s Picture Book Picks list, you’ll find something that catches your interest and imagination and perhaps even brings you inspiration for a creative venture in the New Year.

So let’s get right to it - here’s this year’s list!

2023 Picture Book Picks

Sarah Aronson (www.saraharonson.com), author of BRAND-NEW BUBBE, JUST LIKE RUBE GOLDBERG, and THE WISH LIST series, and an instructor at Highlights Foundation, recommends A WALK IN THE WOODS, written by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney (Neal Porter Books): Sometimes, the book you need finds you. This wonderful book about a young boy who has lost his father spoke to me about legacy. Family. Love. A father has left a treasure for his son. As the son walks through the woods, the reader remembers our own parents, our own walks, our own discoveries. The end will make you cry. This book IS the treasure.

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Tina Athaide (www.tinaathaide.com), author of MEENA’S MINDFUL MOMENT and ORANGE FOR THE SUNSETS, recommends ANZU AND THE ART OF FRIENDSHIP, written by Moni Ritchie Hadley, illustrated by Nathalia Takeyama (Albert Whitman & Company): I love picture books that transport readers to another country or culture. This beautiful story introduces readers to the Japanese Art of origami, which requires patience and perseverance. Both of which are required when making new friends and something Anzu learns when she starts a new school. This book is heartwarming and poetically written, tying in culture and atmosphere through beautiful illustrations. It is a favorite in my classroom!

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Julie Buchholtz (www.juliebuchholtz.com), author of WHO AM I? and upcoming release BIG MAMA’S SONG, recommends HUSH-A-BYE NIGHT: GOODNIGHT LAKE SUPERIOR, written by Thelma Lynne Godin, illustrated by Katie Eberts (Sleeping Bear Press): Hush-a-Bye Night: Goodnight Lake Superior transports me back to my childhood spent on the shores of the one and only Lake Superior. From rosy-red agates to fireflies that flit and sandpipers that pip, readers experience the fauna, flora, and animals who call Superior home. Godin's lyrical words pair perfectly with Ebert's engaging, fun, and whimsical illustrations. A perfect bedtime story.

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James Catchpole (www.thecatchpoles.net), author of WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? and literary agent and co-owner of The Catchpole Agency, recommends THE BOY WHO CRIED POOP!, written by Alessandra Requena, illustrated by Guilherme Karsten (Frances Lincoln Children's Books): Alessandra Requena is a Chilean/Italian Canadian from Toronto, and this is a true story from her own childhood (deliciously illustrated by Brazilian Guilherme Karsten), so it carries the worthiness-value of being Own Voices...but I love it because it's very, very funny - and actually pretty wise, for a book about pooping. 'When you gotta go, you gotta go!' Who would argue with that? And 'everyone poops their pants sometimes...' No truer words were spake.

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Justin Colón (www.justincolonbooks.com), author of forthcoming titles IMPOSSIBLE POSSUMS and THE QUACKEN, and creator of The Kidlit Hive, recommends MR. S by Monica Arnaldo (Katherine Teegen Books): In this story, it's the first day of school and the students of Room 2B arrive to discover the teacher is missing. Where there should have been a teacher there is only a stack of papers, a steaming cup of coffee, and an impressive-looking sandwich with the name Mr. S (written in perfectly neat handwriting) on the chalkboard behind it. Could this sandwich be their teacher? Mr. S is one of the most absurd and entertaining picture books I've had the joy of reading. From the inciting event on the very first spread to its twisty punchline on the last, Mr. S never lets up. With many fun details, the text and art work together to create a hilarious story packed with mystery and mayhem that will leave readers (young and old alike) with lots to discover and discuss upon each subsequent read.

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Ha Dinh (@HelloMrsDinh), author of WHERE WILDFLOWERS GROW and forthcoming title THE JADE BRACELET, recommends THE YELLOW ÁO DAI, written by Hanh Bui, illustrated by Minnie Phan (Feiwel & Friends): This is a heartfelt story of family, identity, and a beloved yellow áo dài. After the main character, Nahlia, realizes that her áo dài no longer fits her, she searches her mother's closet and finds a beautiful yellow áo dài that once belonged to her grandmother. While wearing it to practice her traditional Fan Dance for school, Nahlia accidentally rips it and learns that mistakes can be corrected and memories of loved ones can always be carried on. This story is lovingly written and illustrated and shares the beautiful and iconic symbol of Vietnamese culture of the áo dài to children everywhere.

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Julie Hedlund (www.juliehedlund.com), author of SONG AFTER SONG: THE MUSICAL LIFE OF JULIE ANDREWS and OVER, BEAR! UNDER, WHERE?, and creator of the 12x12 Challenge, recommends WOVEN OF THE WORLD by Katey Howes, illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova (Chronicle Books): Woven of the World is a masterpiece of sumptuous language. By the end of the book, you feel wrapped in the love that was woven into the garments across time and cultures. Indeed, we are all connected, as the book so beautifully shows.

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Monica Mancillas (www.monicamancillas.com), author of HOW TO SPEAK IN SPANGLISH, MARIANA AND HER FAMILIA and THE WORRY BALLOON, recommends SANTIAGO’S DINOSAURIOS, written by Mariana Ríos Ramírez, illustrated by Udayana Lugo (Albert Whitman & Company): This delightfully charming book follows Santiago as he ventures to a new school in a brand new country where he doesn't speak the language. Santiago's love of dinosaurs is reflected in the way he views his problems - they start out as big dinosaurs, and slowly become smaller and smaller as he makes friends and learns new words. This book is so cleverly written in a way that is relatable to all young children. The illustrations are beautiful and so much fun. Highly recommend!

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Namita Moolani Mehra (www.namitamehra.com), author of THE LIGHT WITHIN YOU, ANNI DREAMS OF BIRYANI, SUPERFOODS FOR SUPERHEROES and more, recommends DESERT QUEEN by Jyoti Rajan Gopal, illustrated by Svabhu Kohli (Levine Querido): I was absolutely blown away by this story and the unique illustrations! I don’t think I’ve seen a picture book like this before and the lyrical text is just stunning. The story about this dancer is a real page turner and an important story to tell. The note at the end was very emotional… definitely one of the most unique and impactful picture books I’ve read this year.

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Malcolm Newsome (www.malcolmnewsome.com), author of DEAR STAR BABY and upcoming release SYDNEY’S BIG SPEECH, recommends B IS FOR BELLIES by Rennie Dyball, illustrated by Mia Saine (Clarion Books): B is for Bellies is indeed a joyful celebration of all bodies--both inside and out. I love the way book highlights truths from A to Z--that all bodies are good and wonderful--combined with exhortations that promote self-care and healthy self-image. On top of that, the illustrations are perfect. It's a much-needed book that helps combat the current status quo.

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Baptiste Paul (www.baptistepaul.net), author of PATCHWORK PRINCE, CLIMB ON!, PEACE and more, recommends BIG TUNE: THE RISE OF THE DANCEHALL PRINCE, written by Alliah L. Agostini, illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice (Farrar, Straus and Giroux): I love this book for many reasons. One important reason is representation. I saw myself and my Caribbean culture being authentically portrayed. Alliah's lyrical language and Sharmar's illustrations invite and take the reader/s on an exciting journey --a dancehall journey.

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Tammi Sauer (www.tammisauer.com), author of ALL KINDS OF SPECIAL, THE UNDERPANTS, MARY HAD A LITTLE PLAN, and many more, recommends JUST ONE FLAKE by Travis Jonker (Abrams): Just Three (of the many) Reasons I Love Just One Flake:

1. There is real deal, I'm-fully-invested-in-it drama.

2. It offers a sense of child-like wonder.

3. The art is just as irresistible as the text.

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Becky Scharnhorst (www.beckyscharnhorst.com), author of HOW TO GET YOUR OCTOPUS TO SCHOOL, THIS FIELD TRIP STINKS! and MY SCHOOL STINKS!, recommends THE WORLD’S BEST CLASS PLANT, written by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers): My favorite picture books are ones that have a perfect blend of humor and heart. The World’s Best Class Plant has an abundance of both! It features a classroom of kids who are disappointed to learn their class pet is a class plant, though they soon discover “there are no words to express the greatness of Jerry.” The voice is impeccable, giving readers laugh-out-loud moments on nearly every spread, and the illustrations are heartwarming and humorous. I love how all three creators masterfully show the growth that happens in both the students and Jerry throughout the book.

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Benson Shum (www.bensonshum.com), author and illustrator of CINDY AND PANDA, FIRST NIGHT OF HOWLERGARTEN and ANZU THE GREAT LISTENER among many others, recommends EGYPTIAN LULLABY, written by Zeena M. Pliska, illustrated by Hatem Aly (Roaring Brook Press): Egyptian Lullaby by Zeena Pliska and Hatem Aly is a beautiful love letter to Cairo. The rhythm and words by Zeena sing and flow through the city like poetry. Hatem’s illustrations are stunning. He showcases the bright colors and vibrancy on the streets of Cairo. A great lullaby at bedtime.

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Chana Stiefel (www.chanastiefel.com), author of BRAVO AVOCADO!, MENDEL’S HANUKKAH MESS UP, THE TOWER OF LIFE and many more, recommends THE FIRE OF STARS: THE LIFE AND BRILLIANCE OF THE WOMAN WHO DISCOVERED WHAT STARS ARE MADE OF, written by Kirsten W. Larson, illustrated by Katherine Roy (Chronicle Books): In the Fire of Stars, Kirsten W. Larsen shares the story of Cecilia Payne, an astronomer and astrophysicist who, in 1925 at the age of 25 (!), became the first person to discover the ingredients that burn in the heart of stars. But Larsen takes Payne’s stellar story and goes supernova: On the surface, it’s a breathtaking biography about the journey of a determined, yet little-known, female scientist who glows in a galaxy of men. Yet Larsen pairs Payne’s tumultuous path with the astonishing parallel story of the birth of stars, explaining a complex scientific concept to children while bringing it down to earth. Katherine Roy’s celestial illustrations are simply luminous. Add the layers of detailed backmatter and you have liftoff!

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Don Tate (www.dontate.com), author of JERRY CHANGED THE GAME!, and illustrator of ROTO AND ROY adventures, PIGSKINS TO PAINTBRUSHES, and many more, recommends FRIENDS BEYOND MEASURE by Lalena Fisher (HarperCollins): Friends Beyond Measure is the story of two friends separated when their families move away. The story is cleverly told using adorable illustrations, charts, and infographics.

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Anait Semird Zhyan (www.anaitsart.com), illustrator of A SMART, SMART SCHOOL, THE GREAT BANNED-BOOKS BAKE SALE, BÁBO: A TALE OF ARMENIAN RUG-WASHING DAY and many more, recommends THE WAVE by Tyler Charlton (Roaring Brook Press): The Wave made me feel emotional and in awe of the illustrations. It's a powerful book that depicts what sadness is like. The stunning illustrations show a boy's tough times and help us understand his emotions. This book is a great reminder that even when things are truly hard, there's hope, and things will get better, just like waves that eventually settle down. I'm happy to have it on my bookshelf.

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And I’d love to share my favorite book, too!

Anitra Rowe Schulte (@anitraschulte), author of WILLOW AND BUNNY, DANCING WITH DADDY and forthcoming chapter book series STARLIN, recommends IN EVERY LIFE by Marla Frazee (Beach Lane Books): This gorgeous book simply takes my breath away. In Every Life explores the small moments that make a big impact on the human heart. With the text of a Jewish baby-naming blessing as a foundation, Marla Frazee delivers a story both tenderly granular and vibrantly vast. "In every birth, blessed is the wonder," reads the opening spread, as small vignettes bring the words to life. A pregnant belly, newborn snuggles, the intimacy of nursing. Then, with the turn of a page, readers are immersed in an overwhelmingly beautiful sea of clouds. The book continues in this pattern - swooping close, then soaring above, in spreads that are simply divine. In Every Life is an emotional, epic journey of empathy, compassion, exploration and love.

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Tada! Your winter reading list should be all set … at least for a month or two! Please be sure to add the curators’ books to your TBR, too, and review them in ALL the places! Want even more recommendations? You’ll find the past five years’ Picture Book Picks lists immediately below:

• 2018 picture book Picks, here

• 2019 Picture Book Picks, here

• 2020 Picture Book Picks, here

• 2021 Picture Book Picks, here

• 2022 Picture Book Picks, here

Have a lovely winter of reading, writing and creating! And Happy New Year!

Holiday Book Drive - Year Seven!

Holiday Book Drive Chi is back for year SEVEN! This annual book joy event is a partnership with Pastor Michael Neal of Leading with Literacy, who is a champion of kids and reading and the absolute best teammate, partner and friend!

This fall and winter, we’ll again be working with friends of literacy all over the country to deliver books to young readers in Chicago.

Last year, literacy supporters donated more books than ever before - more than 1,000 books! Here are the all-time book drive totals, year-over-year, leading up to our record-breaking drive:

• 2017: 408 books

• 2018: 433 books

• 2019: 623 books

• 2020: 728 books

• 2021: 828 books

• 2022: 1,103 books

That’s 4,123 books in all, since the start of the drive! Surpassing 1,000 titles in 2023 really blew us away. Can we top that total this season, too?

Holiday Book Drive Chi has shown us that anything is possible! And Pastor Neal and I are ready to get to work in year seven, with the dream of delivering as many beautiful books as we can to Bronzeville schools and home libraries!

We are thrilled to announce that Holiday Book Drive Chi year seven is officially open for donations!

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about being a part of this year’s effort. If you don’t see the answer to your question, please email me via my Contact page. We hope you can join us in collecting as many books as possible, so we can spend December making book deliveries to Chicago classrooms, before Chicago Public Schools students head off for Winter Break!

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2023 Book Drive Details

• Books, Please! We are excited to receive any book written for children. We do ask that the books are new and not used. Picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade and young adult titles are all welcome, and very appreciated!

• The Magic Number = 30 books: Any single book donation is celebrated. But if you have the ability to join forces with a friend (or friends) and donate 30 copies of the same book, you’ll be able to provide an entire classroom that very book - so all students can share in the same reading experience, which is the ultimate wish of our partner teachers and schools.

• Publisher Partners: Authors, if you think your publisher might be interested in (and able to!) provide a complete classroom donation of 30 books, please let me know! We can provide a letter from Leading with Literacy for tax purposes.

• Shouting It Out! I celebrate all book donations as I receive them - on social media and on my website, too. Sharing these special deliveries is one of my favorite things to do!

• Set Up A “Lemonade Stand” For The Drive: If you’d like to collect books or funds for our drive through a local club or organization - such as a troop, dance studio, basketball team, chess club, etc. - that would be amazing! Let me know, and we can chat logistics.

• Title Ideas: I’m happy to share book recommendations at any time, if you’re not sure which book or books to give.

• Or… If You’d Rather: Financial donations are most welcome, too! I combine financial gifts and place orders for full-class donations through Scholastic. Great deals to be had there!

• Follow Along: Want to know what’s going on with the drive? Visit this post often, as well as Twitter/X and Instagram. Search the hashtag #HolidayBookDriveChi for the latest donations.

How to Give

If you’d like to make a donation, PLEASE CONTACT ME via my website Contact page to arrange delivery. I apologize that I cannot share my personal address publicly - I know that would speed up the giving / receiving process!

Book and financial gifts are accepted through December 2023. Then, in the weeks leading up to Winter Break, Leading with Literacy and I will begin delivering your donations to students in schools all over Bronzeville and other nearby Chicago neighborhoods.

And we have fun news to share… we already have books! A huge thank you to New York Times bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller, who has again kicked off the drive with two amazing donations!

We are on our way to making it a drive to remember! Thank you so much for your friendship and partnership, Pat! Getting to 1,000 isn’t easy - each and every donation makes a tremendous difference. Friends, if you are able to help, please know that your love and support is deeply appreciated.

Without further ado, here are this year’s books!

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Thank you Pat Zietlow Miller for kicking off the drive (again!) with an entire classroom donation of…

A GIRL CAN BUILD ANYTHING

(By e.E. Charlton-Trujillo and Pat Zietlow Miller, Illustrated by Keisha Morris, Viking)

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Thank you Pat Zietlow Miller for also sharing copies of your book

LUPE LOPEZ: ESTRELLA DE LECTURA!

(By e.E. Charlton-Trujillo and Pat Zietlow Miller, Illustrated by Joe Cepeda,

translated by Georgina Lázaro, Candlewick)

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Thank you Beth Anderson for sharing an entire classroom donation of your picture book…

FRANZ’S PHANTASMAGORICAL MACHINE

(By Beth Anderson, Illustrated by Caroline Hamel, Kids Can Press)

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Thank you Yarnell and Rowe families for donating an entire classroom donation of the book…

DIARY OF A PUG: PUG BLASTS OFF

(By Kyla May, Scholastic)

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Thank you Lenert family for donating an entire classroom donation of the book…

PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF

(By Rick Riordan, Disney Hyperion)

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Thank you Lenert family for donating an entire classroom donation of the book…

I PROMISE

(By LeBron James, Illustrated by Nina Mata, HarperCollins)

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Thank you Lenert family for donating an entire classroom donation of the book…

THE LEMONADE WAR

(By Jacqueline Davies, Clarion)

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Thank you Tootie Nienow for sharing an entire classroom donation of your picture book…

THERE GOES PATTI McGEE!

(By Tootie Nienow, Illustrated by Erika Medina, Farrar, Straus Giroux)

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Thank you Conway family for donating an entire classroom donation of the book…

BEYOND THE BRIGHT SEA

(By Lauren Wolk, Dutton Books for Young Readers)

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Thank you Bradley family for donating an entire classroom donation of the book…

THE PARKER INHERITANCE

(By Varian Johnson, Arthur A. Levine Books / Scholastic)

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Thank you Lauren Kerstein and Two Lions for donating entire classroom donations of your books…

ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE SAY GOOD NIGHT

and ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE MAKE WAVES

(By Lauren H. Kerstein, Illustrated by Nate Wragg, Two Lions)

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Thank you Mia Wenjen for sharing an entire classroom donation of your picture book…

FOOD FOR THE FUTURE

(By Mia Wenjen, Illustrated by Robert See-Heng, Barefoot Books)

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Thank you Kate Simpson for sharing an entire classroom donation of your book…

THE PAPER MUSEUM

(By Kate S. Simpson, Union Square Kids)

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Thank you Dinslage, Jarvis and Rowe families for sharing entire classroom donations of…

TY’S TRAVELS: ZIP, ZOOM!

and TY’S TRAVELS: WINTER WONDERLAND

(By Kelly Starling Lyons, Illustrated by Nina Mata, HarperCollins)

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Thank you Becky Scharnhorst and Flamingo Books for sharing

TWO classroom donations of your book…

HOW TO GET YOUR OCTOPUS TO SCHOOL

(By Becky Scharnhorst, Illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett, Flamingo Books)

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Thank you Sarah Kurpiel and Greenwillow Books for sharing

an entire classroom donation of your book…

SNAKE’S BIG MISTAKE

(By Sarah Kurpiel, Greenwillow Books)

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Thank you Bea Birdsong and HarperCollins for sharing an entire classroom donation of your book…

BOOP!

(By Bea Birdsong, Illustrated by Lizzie Hunter, HarperCollins)

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Thank you Clo Ewing and the Burns Family for sharing an entire classroom donation of Clo’s books…

STELLA KEEPS THE SUN UP

STELLA AND THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TOOTH

(By Clothilde Ewing, Illustrated by Lynn Gaines, Simon & Schuster / Denene Millner Books)

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Thank you Jilanne Hoffmanm and Chronicle Books for sharing an entire classroom donation of your book…

A RIVER OF DUST

(By Jilanne Hoffmann, Illustrated by Eugenia Mello, Chronicle)

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Thank you Elite Chess for sharing an entire classroom donation of books from these series…

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, THE BAD GUYS, BIG NATE, and DOG MAN

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Thank you Ariel Bernstein for sharing 25 books with the drive, including your titles…

YOU GO FIRST

(By Ariel Bernstein, Illustrated by Marc Rosenthal, Paula Wiseman Books)

WARREN & DRAGON: 100 FRIENDS

(By Ariel Bernstein, Illustrated by Mike Marlbrough, Puffin Books)

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Thank you Kim Campbell and Elite Chess for sharing 25 copies of these books…

I SURVIVED, THE SECRET RESCUERS, DOG SQUAD, ESCAPE THIS BOOK: TOMBS OF EGYPT, HOPE, POLAR NIGHTS, and TRUE STORIES OF ANIMAL HEROES

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Thank you Jan Milusich for sharing 20 copies of your books…

CLEO’S BIG IDEAS: ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER

CLEO’S BIG IDEAS: ONWARD AND UPWARDS!

(By Janice Milusich, Illustrated by Jennifer Ball, Eifrig Publishing)

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Thank you Raven Howell for sharing 20 copies of your books…

A COLORFUL BEGINNING

(By Raven Howell, Illustrated by Carina Povarchik, Black Rose Writing)

SEASONS

(By Raven Howell, Illustrated by Ann Pilicer, Jan-Carol Publishing)

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Thank you Andria W. Rosenbaum for sharing 15 copies of your book…

OUR CLASS IS A COUNTRY

(By Andria W. Rosenbaum, Illustrated by Dream Chen, Albert Whitman)

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Thank you Elite Chess for sharing 15 copies of the book…

TANI’S NEW HOME

(By Tanitoluwa Adewumi, Illustrated by Courtney Dawson, Tommy Nelson)

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Thank you Liz Bedia for sharing 12 copies of your A Dinosaur’s Day books…

DEINONYCHUS GOES HUNTING

TRICERATOPS FOLLOWS ITS HERD

T. REX MEETS ITS MATCH

DIPLODOCUS FINDS ITS FAMILY

(Illustrated by Marie Bollmann, By Elizabeth Gilbert Bedia, DK Children)

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Thank you Raven Howell for sharing 12 copies of your books…

SANTA’S SLIP UP

(By Raven Howell, Illustrated by Savannah Horton, Pen It Publications)

and PINKIES UP

(By Raven Howell, Illustrated by Lisa Rush, Handerson Publishing)

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Thank you NoNieqa Ramos for sharing 11 copies of your books…

BEAUTY WOKE (By NoNieqa Ramos, Illustrated by Paola Escobar, Versify)

HAIR STORY (By NoNieqa Ramos, Illustrated by Keisha Morris, Carolrhoda Books)

THE TRUTH IS (By NoNieqa Ramos, Carolrhoda Lab)

YOUR MAMA (By NoNieqa Ramos, Illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara, Versify)

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Thank you Robin Newman for sharing 11 copies of your books…

THE CASE OF THE BAD APPLES (By Robin Newman, Illustrated by Deborah Zemke, Creston)

DON’T CALL ME FUZZYBUTT! (By Robin Newman, Illustrated by Susan Batori, Sleeping Bear Press)

THE CASE OF THE POACHED EGG (By Robin Newman, Illustrated by Deborah Zemke, Creston)

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Thank you Jackie Azúa Kramer and Simon & Schuster for sharing 10 copies of your book…

EMPANADAS FOR EVERYONE

(By Jackie Azúa Kramer, Illustrated by Lenny Wen, Simon & Schuster)

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Thank you Tammi Sauer for sharing 10 copies of your book…

ALL KINDS OF SPECIAL

(By Tammi Sauer, Illustrated by Fernando Martin, Simon & Schuster / Paula Wiseman Books)

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Thank you Lauren Kerstein for donating 10 copies of your books, including…

REMEMBERING SUNDAYS WITH GRANDPA

(By Lauren H. Kerstein, Illustrated by Nanette Regan, Beaming Books)

and HOME FOR A WHILE

(By Lauren H. Kerstein, Illustrated by Natalia Moore, Magination Press)

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Thank you Laura Gehl for sharing 7 copies of your books…

PEEP AND EGG (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Joyce Wan, Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

WHO MADE THIS MESS? (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Aleksandar Stojsic, Capstone)

DONUT: (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Andrea Zuill, Random House Studio)

BRILLIANT BABY EXPLORES SCIENCE (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Jean Claude, little bee books)

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Thank you Jenna Elyse Johnson for sharing a 5 copies of the book…

JEANIE & GENIE: THE FIRST WISH

(By Trish Granted, Illustrated by Manuela Lopez, Little Simon)

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Thank you Katrina Tangen for sharing your book…

COPY THAT, COPY CAT!

(By Katrina Tangen, Illustrated by Giulia Orecchia, Barefoot Books)

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FINAL TOTAL:

882 BOOKS!

Thank you for being a part of delivering book joy to young scholars!

We can’t wait to see what this year’s holiday book drive brings!

Willow and Bunny: Book Launch!

Hello, and happy fall, all! Have you moved those sweaters and jackets out of the shadows of your closet? I’m on the verge of doing so… haven’t just yet. But our fall wheels are in motion in other ways! October brings the book birthday of my second picture book, WILLOW AND BUNNY, illustrated by Christopher Denise. Publication day is Oct. 10 - and author copies are here!

Reviews are coming in, and they have been so kind and moving. It’s a wild feeling, when you learn that something that’s lived in your imagination has reached and touched others. Here’s one of my favorite reviews from Booklist (America Library Association):

Starting Oct. 10, WILLOW AND BUNNY will be out of boxes and onto shelves. And I’m super excited to share that this title is going on tour! I absolutely cannot wait to share the book of my heart with you in book events and in-store signings, near and far. If you happen to be somewhere along the book tour path, I hope you can make it!

Below, you’ll find details for each book event. You’ll notice that some events have happened, while others are still coming into focus. As additional info becomes available, I’ll be sure to update the post. But for now, here are post-event pics and all the details I presently have!

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Book Tour

Oct. 2 - AISLE Conference, Champaign IL

On a gorgeous fall Monday, I traveled south to Champaign, IL, for the AISLE Conference at iHotel and Conference Center. I spent the morning and lunch among Illinois school library educators, I got the opportunity to share about DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by Ziyue Chen, as well as WILLOW AND BUNNY. I loved hearing what elements of the stories school educators thought would most resonate with their students, and how they imagine that the text and art might come alongside their students (… and children and grandchildren!) in their futures. It was my first time getting to talk about characters Willow and Bunny in extended conversations, and now I’m even more excited than ever for the events planned for the coming weeks and months! For more information about AISLE, click HERE!

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Saturday, Oct. 14 - Harvey's Tales, Geneva IL

Rainy weather brought us inside for the coziest most heart-topping book launch event ever at Harvey’s Tales bookstore in Geneva, IL. So many Willows in one room! My parents, husband, my sister, my very best friends, plus babysitters who have come alongside us when we’ve needed big-time support. It was an incredible day - and one that this Bunny will never, ever forget. Thank you Harvey’s Tales hosting this special day for your friendship all these years. Just love you!

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Sunday, Oct. 22 - The Bookworm, Omaha NE

Sending a huge thank you to The Bookworm in Omaha for hosting a Sunday afternoon story time of WILLOW AND BUNNY! It was lovely spending time with Nebraska readers - from dear family and friends, to a fellow author and Metamorphosis Literary Agency sister Heather Dawn Torres. I also had the pleasure of meeting a young writer with more than 30 manuscripts under her belt. (I can’t wait to read your books one day, Agnes!) PS: The Bookworm’s children’s room is magic. My girls each picked out a book to bring home - our fall reads are good to go! Hope many are able to support them and shop local this holiday season!

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Saturday, Nov. 4 - Main Street Books, St. Charles MO

On a cobblestone street, within a row of historic buildings, is the most enchanting bookstore: Main Street Books of St. Charles, MO. If you’ve never been to Main Street, you absolutely must. (I can only image how magical it is during the holiday season!) Sharing a book of my heart in such a picturesque, charming and cozy shop was truly author-dream-come true material. Thank you, Main Street Books, for hosting such a beautiful afternoon signing. And many thanks to our friends from Mizzou and Rolla for making time on a busy fall Saturday to come see me and my family and support the book!

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Saturday, Nov. 11 - Greenlight Bookstore, Brooklyn NY

This sunny Saturday morning, I had the honor of reading WILLOW AND BUNNY at a story time in Brooklyn at Greenlight Bookstore. Bringing our book all the way to the East Coast to this exciting and beloved neighborhood was very special. Absolutely a pinch-me moment. Thank you to those who visited, snuggled up to our story, and brought a copy home to love!

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Friday, Dec. 8 - Logan Square Branch of Chicago Public Library, Chicago IL

Wowza, what a room! The energy was through the roof in these two back-to-back morning story time presentations at the Logan Square Branch of the Chicago Public Library. My partner for the morning? The utterly fantastic Astrid Kamalyan, author of the new critically acclaimed and celebrated picture book BABO: A TALE OF ARMENIAN RUG-WASHING DAY. (It is seriously amazing, please check it out.). This event had it all - folk songs, jingle bells, bubbles. PS: It is hard to follow bubbles! I learned a lot, on the fly, about how incorporating gestures for Willow’s actions can spark the imagination and participation of the very youngest of readers!

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Saturday, Jan. 20 - The Literary, Champaign IL

• 3:30 p.m. story time, followed by signing line.

• The Literary, 122 N. Neil St., Champaign IL

• Pre-order (if possible!) by emailing The Literary at hello@literarybookbar.com or calling 217-954-1500.

• If picking up a signed copy at the Jan. 20 event, please note this in your message to the booksellers.

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You may have noticed a recurrent reminder and heartfelt plea: If you are able to order WILLOW AND BUNNY from these stores, or the bookstore nearest you, please do! Local bookstores need our support to survive and thrive, and they will order a copy of any book we want or need, at anytime… if we just ask!

Want to learn a bit more about how this book came to be? Or would you like to read about creative process and book making?

Some fabulous book bloggers and new book friends will kindly be featuring WILLOW AND BUNNY on their blogs in the coming weeks and months! As they publish, I’ll share the links below:

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Blog Tour

Oct. 3 - Writer-Reader-Teacher

Read the interview HERE!

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Oct. 18 - The Backstory

Read the interview HERE!

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Oct. 27 - Picture Book Builders

Read the interview HERE!

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Dec. 1 - First Draft Friday

Read the interview HERE!

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Dec. 4 - Simply 7

Read the interview HERE!

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Upcoming blog post…

• Feb. 24: Writers’ Rumpus

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WILLOW AND BUNNY has been coming for sooooo long! Thank you for asking about it and reading about the different moments in the journey, along the way! I hope it finds its way into your local libraries and hearts - and perhaps into the home libraries of the littles in your life this upcoming holiday season!

Wishing you well and so hoping to see you at one of this fall’s book launch events. If you have any questions about them, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Summer 2023 Book Fun!

This summer has delivered some super fun author experiences, which I’d love to share with you! In June, I had the opportunity to share DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by Ziyue Chen, with the patrons of Batavia Public Library in a cool hybrid event.

After I chatted a bit about story inspiration and read DANCING WITH DADDY, the families present and I talked about recognizing and honoring all forms of communication. Then Fox Valley Therapy Dog Club took the stage, shaking paws and winning hearts, followed by a representative from Project Mobility, who shared about their mission, which is to make sure that everyone who wants to ride a bike has the equipment to do so.

It was awesome and serendipitous to see and hear from Project Mobility because our family had JUST participated in their annual fundraiser Everybody Rides in St. Charles, Ill. We are big fans of the org, as they built a trike for our oldest daughter, which she uses all the time. (Here we are, after our rainy ride!)

After the hybrid community event, I lingered to have some fun with the fabulous librarians of Batavia Public Library. They have a must-follow TikTok account and let me sneak into a few videos! In one TikTok, I went into the stacks to find DANCING WITH DADDY and sign the library’s copy. And in another, the librarians interviewed me about DANCING WITH DADDY, as well as my next picture book WILLOW AND BUNNY, illustrated by Christopher Denise. It pubs Oct. 10 of this year and is available for pre-order… yay!

Speaking of WILLOW AND BUNNY!

June also brought a trip into Chicago for a signing of WILLOW AND BUNNY at the 2023 ALA (American Library Association) Conference. Imagine thousands of books, hundreds of librarians, and dozens of authors and illustrators. As an author who has watched ALA through social media posts over the years, it was an absolute dream come true to be invited to be in the room and host a signing.

Thank you, Two Lions!

ALA was at McCormick Place this year - just a train ride away - and filled with lots of firsts, including a delicious family dinner with editors and authors of Two Lions (the publisher of DANCING WITH DADDY and WILLOW AND BUNNY). At dinner, I got to chat with one of my absolute favorite illustrators, Raissa Figueroa - an incredible storyteller, who burst onto the publishing scene a few years ago and is 100 percent as delightful as her luminous, vibrant work!

Then the very next day, I had my first ALA book signing! I got a lil bit fancy (Thank you, Hyatt Regency, for the curling iron!!), then headed down to the floor - such an exciting feeling!

Our midday signing was attended by libraries from around the country - Texas, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, to name a few. Alhough I urged Christopher to please sign first and take up as much room as possible (his art in WILLOW AND BUNNY is deserving of every inch of signing space!), he encouraged a 50/50 split, and I’m still not sure that feels quite right!

I am so deeply honored to have shared this gorgeous book, signing table and ALA moment with such a singular artist and human. Huge congratulations to Christopher, who just a few hours after our signing accepted his Caldecott Honor for KNIGHT OWL in the kidlit version of the Oscars!

Here are a few more signing pics, to convince myself I didn’t dream this moment - there are photos to prove it was real. Yellow nail polish was required :o)

At ALA, I also got to hang with my longtime critique partner Clothilde Ewing, who was there for her signing of STELLA AND THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TOOTH at the Simon & Schuster booth, and give a hug to my dear friend Chaz Baechler, who was there to attend breakout sessions on behalf of Geneva Public Library.

And, while on the floor - and right before my signing - I had to sneak away to enter the orbit of picture book legend Marla Frazee, if but for just a few moments! Absolutely every book she makes is magic and her latest, IN EVERY LIFE, is no exception.

Thanks for reading!! It was a surreal weekend, and this scrapbook of moments truly helps me process it - I'm so grateful for every second spent in the company of these friends - brand new and beloved, both. I think 2023 is going to be a very special year and can’t wait to share more soon!

Cover Reveal: WILLOW AND BUNNY

One day, while driving around in our van, the news of the world was so heavy on my heart. Two horrible events had recently happened - a force of nature, and an act of terrible violence - and the details were unbearable.

How, if my children should ask, could I possibly explain it? How could I even explain it to myself? That in a world so beautiful, so full of gifts, there can be such unfathomable darkness? And once you’ve experienced the full gravity of that hurt and loss, what is on the other side?

I pulled over. In a parking lot, on the backside of a long receipt, I tried to put words to those questions. Not answers, so much as a pathway through. Seeking, searching, scribbling, I tried to find a way — to acknowledge in truth the unexpected and scary things that swirl in shadow, to honor the empathy and intimacy that bind us to one another, and to reach a hope that exists, far, far in the distance.

With quiet and care, I nurtured the idea until it fully arrived: WILLOW AND BUNNY, a woodland story of friendship, trust, bravery and love. When I read it back, I could sense that there was something there. It brought me to tears but also lifted my soul. So I decided to share it.

In events that can only be described as picture book magic, Kelsey Skea of Two Lions (the amazing editor of DANCING WITH DADDY, my debut picture book, illustrated by Ziyue Chen) believed in the manuscript. Then she confirmed that Christopher Denise (one of my very favorite illustrators and creator of Caldecott Honor winning and New York Times bestselling picture book KNIGHT OWL) would bring the story to life.

Magic over magic. Months of collaboration followed, resulting in a book that today, with deep gratitude, I get to share with you!

But before that… and just a bit before… I wanted to share the tree that was with me as I wrote and dreamed of this story — the willow on the edge of our neighborhood. Arching over blankets of snow in the winter…

Waiting with patience through the wet, chilly spring…

Cascading with warmth and fullness in the summer and fall.

Willow. Our Willow.

Then, I met a new Willow: Bunny’s Willow, as imagined by Christopher Denise. And my heart tumbled out of my chest. For she was broader, safer, stronger than even my imagination could conceive. Now it’s my pleasure to introduce you to this beautiful anchor tree, and sweet Bunny, too.

Meet WILLOW AND BUNNY…

Achingly perfect. A vision and a dream. Tender, gentle and powerful. The cover of WILLOW AND BUNNY gorgeously captures the book’s main characters and their relationship - a protectiveness reciprocated with loyalty, grace and love.

Within the pages of WILLOW AND BUNNY, I have no less than a hundred favorite moments. Bunny’s darling demeanor… The masterful balance of shadow and light…

The glow of the wood… The safety of Willow’s canopy…

The gripping depiction of fear and worry… Palpable longing for safety and light…

It is such an emotional picture book experience. Here’s a summary of our tale:

Bunny needs a new home. After a long journey, he meets Willow and knows he will be safe beneath her branches. Every day is theirs to share. Just Bunny and Willow, Willow and Bunny. Then one evening, an angry spiral whips through the wood. Every creature in the forest runs to Willow for shelter. As the storm rages, Willow shields and protects them with all her might. But when the calm returns, Willow’s beautiful branches are tattered, twisted, and forever changed. Bunny and the other creatures know it is their turn to help. This beautifully told tale by a Christopher Award–winning author and a Caldecott Honor artist offers messages of friendship, community, and hope after a difficult experience.

It won’t be long until we can share our book with you: WILLOW AND BUNNY publishes Oct. 10 — soon! We would be so delighted if you added this tale to your home or classroom library. And you can take a hop-and-a-swish in that direction this spring. Today, in fact… because WILLOW AND BUNNY is officially available for pre-order!

Here are a few ways to find and order a copy:

• Harvey’s Tales in Geneva IL for signed books: (630) 232-2991 or harveystales@gmail.com

• Barnes & Noble

• Bookshop

• Amazon

I'm so honored to have collaborated with Christopher and the Two Lions team to bring WILLOW AND BUNNY into the world. It’s a story I will share with my daughters on my lap and by my side, and with young readers in schools and libraries, as far and wide as I can. I hope and pray that it will be a comfort and a safe place for readers of all ages to reflect and feel.

If you can think of a friend who might like to learn about WILLOW AND BUNNY, or add it to their bookshelf, you can share this blog post, Christopher’s Instagram cover reveal, or my posts on Instagram and Twitter. (Shares help so, so much.) Thank you for your support!

New chapter book series: STARLIN!

A few years ago, as my daughters began voraciously reading chapter books, I fell in love with the genre… all over again. It had been a while (30 years) since I’d consistently read chapter books. But when I was my girls’ age, I devoured Nancy Drew and The Baby-Sitters Club. Without a doubt, chapter books were the titles that built my identity as a reader.

As a student and forever-fan of picture books, I have found exploring today’s chapter books to be such an exciting and fun journey of discovery! The adventures, the friendships, the family dynamics. The humor, tone, personality. From Dory Fantasmagory and Jada Jones, to Yasmin and Ivy and Bean, each series and title has its own vibe, vibrancy and vocabulary.

Then one summer day, while traveling in the family van, a brand new character arrived in my mind and world: An imaginative, theatrical, disabled girl, and her family and school day stories. Letter by letter, word by word, she emerged in a Word doc on my laptop. Gosh, I loved hanging out with this cool girl.

It’s with great joy that this week, we can at last announce that the first of these tales will be releasing next year — with two books in Fall 2024, and a third to follow in Spring 2025. So, soon you too can meet… STARLIN!

As reported in this week’s Publishers Weekly Rights Report, the books were sold by my agent Stephanie Hansen of Metamorphosis Literary Agency to Andrea Hall of Beaming Books, an editor I had the pleasure of meeting in person at Geneva Commons in 2021, when she visited to support author and friend Norene Paulson, who was in town for Kids Day Story Time during Swedish Days.

I’d also seen Andrea in a panel on disability in kidlit in 2022. She has a great passion for disability representation in children’s literature, and her conceptualization of the Starlin series has given me the space to make each chapter more robust and detailed. I’m absolutely thrilled to be partnering with her and the Beaming team to bring Starlin to life!

Another tremendous joy of this project has been teaming with the brilliant illustrator Katie Crumpton. I love Katie’s fresh palettes and sparkly characters and their charming lifestyle accouterments, and her compositions are so colorful and energetic —the absolute perfect match for Starlin! I am very honored to partner with fellow Aquarius, thunderstorm fan and hula hooper Katie, whose work you can check out on her illustrator website www.katiecrumptonart.com and on Instagram at @katie_crumpton.

Art by Katie Crumpton

We are currently working intensively on book one, which I can’t wait to tell you more about! The first manuscript will soon be reviewed by sensitivity readers for each disability experience in the book. For anyone unfamiliar with this process: Starlin is a wheelchair user. So the story will be reviewed by an editor who also is a wheelchair user. Starlin also is a multimodal communicator, who uses a communication device and also speaks aloud. So an editor who is a multimodal communicator will read and edit the story, as well. Sensitivity editors will also review the manuscript for the experiences of scoliosis and hearing loss. I’m so grateful for their efforts and partnership!

The coming months will bring more news about STARLIN book #1, as well as details about my next picture book, WILLOW AND BUNNY, illustrated by Christopher Denise, which is due later this year or early next.

PS: If you don’t yet have Christopher’s new picture book KNIGHT OWL… grab it! Critics and readers alike have hailed and embraced this adorable tale — a Barnes & Noble Best Book of 2022, which was recently back on the New York Times Best Seller list and is now getting much-deserved Caldecott buzz. Huge congratulations, Christopher!

Soooo much fun stuff in store in 2023 - I’ll share more soon. Until then, happy winter reading to you and yours!

2022 Picture Book Picks

It’s my great pleasure to share the 2022 Picture Book Picks list!

Friends, it is soooooo good.

The annual Picture Book Picks end-of-year roundup is curated by picture book creators — authors and illustrators, who read broadly within the genre. I’m lucky to call all of the 2022 curators friends! Each person who has selected a favorite book here is a children’s book creator I partnered with this past year for special projects: Members of PB Troupe 2021 and PB Tales 2022, my critique partners, and the founder of PB Chat and my 2022 PB Chat mentee. Thank you all so much for adding your favorites to the list!

We hope that within the 5th annual Picture Book Picks roundup, you’ll find something new to add to your collection or borrow from your local library.

Want to know what books topped the curators’ lists?

Let’s find out…

2022 Picture Book Picks

Anne Appert (@Anne_Appert), author and illustrator of 2021 release BLOB and upcoming 2023 release WHAT IF YOU WISH? recommends PAYDEN’S PRONOUN PARTY written by Blue Jaryn, illustrated by Xochitl Cornejo (Page Street Kids): Payden’s Pronoun Party is a colorfully illustrated and directly written approach to pronoun and gender exploration for readers of all ages. With author Blue Jaryn’s clear storytelling and illustrator Xochitl Cornejo’s energetic illustrations, this party invites everyone to discover the pronouns and expression that truly feel much more them.

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Kira Bigwood (@kbigwood), author of 2021 release SECRET, SECRET AGENT GUY, recommends I WAS BORN A BABY written by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Brandon James Scott (HarperCollins): I WAS BORN A BABY isn’t your grandma’s baby animal book. Aww-inducing illustrations pair with the catchiest refrain ever, for a bouncy, perfect read-aloud that delivers a fresh take on this classic picture book category. Fleming’s text plays with the reader’s expectations in a way that will charm, teach, and have kiddos begging to read it again and again. A guaranteed good-time book!

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Justin Colón (@JustinRColon), author of forthcoming 2024 titles IMPOSSIBLE POSSUMS (Disney-Hyperion) and THE QUACKEN (Simon & Schuster), recommends: A HISTORY OF UNDERWEAR (WITH PROFESSOR CHICKEN), written by Hannah Holt, illustrated by Korwin Biggs (Roaring Brook Press): A HISTORY OF UNDERWEAR (WITH PROFESSOR CHICKEN) both entertains and educates during what is sure to be a laughter-induced learning experience. Hannah Holt has taken some of the most interesting and important facts about the history of our undergarments and weaved them together in a most intriguing, humorous tale. Korwin Biggs’ hilarious illustrations are clucking with kid appeal — chickens modeling undergarments while appearing as hunters and gatherers, ancient Egyptians, English kings and queens —you can't beat that! If you could read this book a dozen times, I'm sure you could find something new in the illustrations with each read. Oh, and for the pun lovers out there, the puns in this book are top-notch.This book may have flown under the radar, but it's sure to be a hit in your house, classroom, or wherever you may read it!

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Viviane Elbee (@VivianeElbee), author of TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI and 2022 title I WANT MY BOOK BACK, recommends NOT SO GHOUL written by Karen Yin, illustrated by Bonnie Lui (Page Street Kids): I read so many wonderful new releases this year, but one that I really loved was NOT SO GHOUL by Karen Yin. It's got ghosts, a haunting school, friendship, cultural traditions, and lots of fun wordplay! This adorable Chinese-American ghost who is torn between fitting in with her American classmates and honoring her Chinese ancestors' traditions is one of my favorite new characters of the year!

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Clothilde Ewing (@clo_ewing), author of STELLA KEEPS THE SUN UP and the forthcoming 2023 title STELLA AND THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TOOTH recommends FLY written by Brittany Thurman, illustrated by Anna Cunha (Athenum Books for Young Readers / Simon & Schuster): I will start by saying I am a sucker for picture books and feel like there is a picture book that can help you tackle just about any topic. In FLY, I found a lyrical story in Africa and her quest to become a champion in something she had never tried before. (“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.”) The unknown can be intimidating and though she wasn’t masterful her first go at it, she was open to the windy journey to get there. In the end, she won, thanks to her own attitude and her friends who helped her along the way.

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Margaret Chiu Greanias (@MargaretGreania), author of 2022 title AMAH FARAWAY and upcoming 2023 releases HOOKED ON BOOKS and HOW THIS BOOK GOT RED, recommends SOMETIMES I GRUMBLESQUINCH written by Rachel Vail, illustrated by Hyewon Yum (Orchard Books): I loved Sometimes I Grumblesquinch, a companion book to Sometimes I'm a Bombaloo (which I haven't read yet), by Rachel Vail and illustrated by Hyewon Yum. It's about a girl named Katie Honors, a really nice, well-behaved kid, who feels the pressure to be perfect all the time. There is so much to love about this book. Rachel Vail does such a good job building Katie Honor's character and showing how she strives to be the perfect kid even as she unravels bit by bit as her little brother Chuck gets on her nerves. There's humor, a spot-on kid voice, so much heart, and the most adorable illustrations you can imagine. Highly recommend.

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Neesha Hudson (@NeeshaHudson), author/illustrator of 2021 title TURTLE IN A TREE and upcoming 2023 release THE BEST FLOWER EVER! recommends THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen (Orchard Books): I always love when these two pair up to make books. In this retelling of the classic tale, the troll is once again thwarted by the craftiness of the goats, and eventually bites off a bit more then it can chew. Klassen’s limited palette, striking images, and hilarious characters once again pair perfectly with Barnett’s whimsical and humorous storytelling. It’s silly and fun and everything a picture book should be. 

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Philip Hoelzel (@CotopaxiPhil), author of upcoming release PLANTING HOPE: A Portrait of Photograher Sebastião Salgado, recommends ALL STAR: How Larry Doby Smashed the Color Barrier in Baseball, written by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Cannaday Chapman (Clarion Books): This uplifting story covers baseball, dreams come true and the realities and pace of societal change. It is a great choice for baseball fans wanting to learn more about the history of the game.

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Leah Hong (@leahhongdraws), author and illustrator of HAPPY DREAMS, LITTLE BUNNY, and illustrator of the upcoming 2024 releases WHEN YOU HAVE TO WAIT and A MOUSE FAMILY CHRISTMAS, recommends NIGEL AND THE MOON written by Antwan Eady, illustrated by Gracey Zhang (Katherine Tegen Books): Nigel entrusts the moon to keep his big dreams safe in this wonderfully uplifting story of hope, courage and acceptance within. I knew I had to get my hands on a copy when I first saw the breathtaking cover with Gracey Zhang’s, loose, sweeping brushwork. When I opened the book, Antwan Eady’s words did not disappoint. From the opening line to the last sentence I was lockstep with Nigel as he rides the pendulum between dreaming and doubting, until at last he finds the courage to share his deeply personal aspirations with the world. I love everything about this book.

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Katey Howes (@Kateywrites), author of picture books including RISSY NO KISSIES, new release A POEM GROWS INSIDE YOU, and upcoming 2023 release WOVEN OF THE WORLD, recommends THE GARDENER OF ALCATRAZ, written by Emma Bland Smith, illustrated by Jen Ely (Charlesbridge): Unexpectedly touching, surprising, and poignant, THE GARDENER OF ALCATRAZ is a tour de force of a picture book biography. Stunningly atmospheric illustrations draw the reader in deep as they learn about Elliott Michener, a criminal locked away in one of the most secure prisons in the United States for counterfeiting. Michener starts off planning his escape, but instead becomes more and more involved in restoring nature and beauty to the island - and a sense of dignity and worth to himself.

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Jenna Elyse Johnson (@kidlit_jennaj), PB Chat mentee and 2023 intern at The Writing Barn, recommends MENDING THE MOON written by Emma Pearl, illustrated by Sara Ugolotti (Page Street Kids): I’ve always loved the moon and distinctly remember being jealous of my brother in the 3rd grade when he got to do a report on the moon and I got stuck with Uranus. (You can imagine the parents giggling through my presentation as I tried to pronounce Uranus.) So, when I saw MENDING THE MOON, I knew I had to own it. The title alone, along with the stunning cover, grabbed my heart and never let go. It’s a book I wish I had written and that I can’t wait to share with my students. The illustrations are breathtakingly beautiful. I think this is the most gorgeous book that I own and I could just stare at it for hours. (Maybe Sara can illustrate one of my books some day…) I also love the folktale feel of the story. While still contemporary, it gives the vibes of a fable or myth. The word choices are pristine. This book is perfect for a class that I teach (all about fables and folklore), and I can’t wait to challenge my students to come up with their own stories about smudges or “faces” on the moon. I love that the story follows a girl (Luna) and her Poppa, (got to love intergenerational relationships!) and that the animals in the forest all have roles to play too. Everything just comes together so nicely. MENDING THE MOON feels like an instant classic.

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Sarah Kurpiel (@SarahKurpiel), author/illustrator of 2022 title ELEPHANT'S BIG SOLO and forthcoming 2023 title SNAKE'S BIG MISTAKE, recommends RICK THE ROCK OF ROOM 214 written by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Ruth Chan (Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers): Rick is a rock. An utterly endearing rock. A rock itching for adventure. He can’t wait to do all the exciting rock things he’s seen in books (like explode from a volcano and other cool stuff like that). But will life outside the classroom meet his expectations? You’ll have to check out this delightful book to find out! RICK THE ROCK OF ROOM 214 is one of the funniest and sweetest picture books I read this year. Ruth Chan’s illustrations are hilarious, adorable, and full of personality. (Just wait until you see the outdoor rocks!) Perfect for read-alouds, RICK THE ROCK OF ROOM 214 is a book sure to make kids smile.

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Anna Lazowski (@anna_lazowski), author of the 2021 title T. REXES CAN'T TIE THEIR SHOES, and the upcoming 2023 release DARK CLOUD, recommends BEATRICE LIKES THE DARK written by April Genevieve Tucholke, illustrated by Khoa Le (Algonquin Young Readers): BEATRICE LIKES THE DARK shares the story of two sisters who find creative ways to overcome their very different differences. With lovely lyrical language and gorgeous illustrations, it's an excellent read for kids who want to sink into a beautifully imagined world and celebrate what makes them unique. 

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Alison Marcotte (@akmarcotte), author of the 2022 title SEEKING BEST FRIEND, recommends DIGESTION! THE MUSICAL written by Adam Rex and illustrated by Laura Park (Chronicle Books): This book is so funny and educational from start to finish. (It begins with a great dedication; Adam's dedication is "For my gastroenterologist, Dr. Bortuzzo." And the story ends with an Appendix. So many puns!) Not only does it teach readers about digestion in a hilarious, memorable way, but it also includes a clever storyline about the main star, a piece of candy. The pink gumball-shaped candy is excited to go on her digestion journey, but is vilified by the teeth, gallbladder, kidneys, and appendix for being junk food (thankfully she becomes friends with Gum in this stomach). But wait till Act 3 -- you'll have a change of heart about Candy when she goes on her final transformation in the stomach. Laura's illustrations are so fun, colorful, and informative, and the cast members' (who are food, organs, household items like the toilet paper rolls, etc.) expressions are priceless. If you tend to avoid books with potty humor, you won't have to worry about this one. A book on digestion indeed needs some info about going to the bathroom, but it doesn't play a huge role in the musical, and also is very funny. This book definitely involved a lot of research, and is an impressive picture book. Highly recommend it!

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James McGowan (@jmcgowanbks), author of 2021 release GOOD NIGHT, OPPY!, recommends DOES BULLDOZER HAVE A BUTT? written by Derick Wilder, illustrated by K-Fai Steele (Chronicle Books): I’ve read lots of picture books this year but one of the few that stuck with me most is DOES A BULLDOZER HAVE A BUTT? By Derick Wilder and K-Fai Steele. It was silly in all the best ways, capturing a hilarious line of questioning that feels all too real for kids to ask, and Steele’s illustrations are the perfect complement. They’re whimsical, and hide butts in all the funniest places.

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Rosie J. Pova (@RosiePOV), author of SUNDAY RAIN and 2022 release THE SCHOOL OF FAILURE, recommends POLAR BEAR ISLAND written by Lindsay Bonilla, illustrated by Cinta Villalobos (Union Square Kids): I loved the humor in this story - it made me smile throughout - and I appreciated the subtle message of inclusivity and the fun art! It's kid-relatable plus a great read-aloud that can sustain many rereads, and it's also an easy entry point to start a conversation with young kids about immigration, diversity, and inclusivity. A well-rounded book that stands out!

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Sana Rafi (@srafibooks), author of LITTLE SEEDS OF PROMISE and 2022 release A MERMAID GIRL, recommends HOW WE SAY I LOVE YOU written by Nicole Chen, illustrated by Lenny Wen (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers): In this picture book, many immigrant children will be able to relate to growing up in a household where words of affirmation like "I love you" are not directly spoken. Instead, they're shown in so many different ways--food, effort to do better, patience, respect. This book is adorable, necessary and so sweet. A must-have and a must-read!

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Debra Kempf Shumaker (@ShumakerDebra), author of FREAKY, FUNKY FISH, TELL SOMEONE, and 2022 release PECULIAR PRIMATES, recommends MUSHROOM RAIN written by Laura K. Zimmerman, illustrated by Jamie Green (Sleeping Bear Press): My favorite picture book of 2022 is Mushroom Rain. I absolutely LOVE this book! Zimmermann's opening lines pull you right in and her lyrical and lively text keeps you there as she shares the unique, bizarre, and strange features of mushrooms. Green's exquisite art slows you down to savor each page. I learned so much about mushrooms. A masterpiece!

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Brittany J. Thurman (@janeebrittany), author of new release FLY and upcoming 2024 title FOREVER AND ALWAYS, recommends MY PAATI’S SARI written by Jyoti Rajan Gopal, illustrated by Art Twink (Kokila): I fell I love with the verse in My Paati’s Sari. The poetic language pairs perfect with the vivid imagery. This book is an invitation for one young child to realize who he is and who he will become. My Paati’s Sari reminds me so much of the relationship I have with my own grandmother, and how as a child, I looked up to my Gran-Gran, the clothing she put on, and the actions she took. I hope My Paati’s Sari becomes part of home and library collections. It is a reminder that there is much joy and possibility in what we often think of as ordinary.

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And I’d love to share my favorite book, too!

Anitra Rowe Schulte (@anitraschulte), author of DANCING WITH DADDY and upcoming 2023 title WILLOW AND BUNNY recommends SEE YOU SOMEDAY SOON, written by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Suzy Lee (Roaring Brook Press): This surprising picture book beautifully chronicles the everyday-ness of missing someone you dearly love. Tender, sparse text hones in on the most central emotions and wishes one feels and makes during days apart. And the artwork is sooooo delightful. Perfectly placed cut-outs move unpredictably across the pages to spotlight important details, while loose, emotive sketches allow readers to poignantly see their own feelings of loss. And that yellow cover, dotted with bright conversation bubbles - divine! "See You Someday Soon" is a piece of art that's both cathartic and exploratory, a picture book that never looses the light of hope for a reunion… someday soon.

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Thanks so much for reading! I hope your TBR is all set for the coming weeks and months. And don’t forget to add the curators’ books to your list, while you’re at it! If you’d like to take a look at the past four years’ Picture Book Picks lists, for even more great recos, you’ll find those below:

• 2018 picture book Picks, here

• 2019 Picture Book Picks, here

• 2020 Picture Book Picks, here

• 2021 Picture Book Picks, here

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

Anitra