Illustrator Spotlight: Lauren Eldridge

But, how though?

How does Lauren Eldridge do it?

How does she create 3D characters and scenes out of everyday things? How does she make static objects crawl and careen and captivate?

With raw materials, art tools, and crazy amounts of talent, Lauren Eldridge - the illustrator of new title HUSTLE BUSTLE BUGS - builds picture books that feature not only humans, creatures and critters, but entire ecosystems that reflect our world at its most alive, exciting and magical.

Jaw-dropping, mind-blowing stuff, Lauren makes.

Wanna see? Check out this video…

Lauren’s dimensional illustrations are stunningly detailed and expressive. They also have palpable presence and power — to stop you in your tracks and capture your imagination, to incite laughter and spark wonder, to hold your attention and stoke your curiosity.

I’ve been awestruck by Lauren’s work since first seeing CLAYMATES (depicted in the video above), a completely original story by Dev Petty, featuring clay characters imagined and enlivened by Lauren. I reviewed the ground-breaking story in a Kidlit Craft feature a few years back, which marked my introduction to Lauren and her unique process, perspective and storytelling.

Lauren’s talent is also front-and-center in the beautiful bedtime picture book SLEEP TRAIN, written by Jonathan London, and brand new book, HUSTLE BUSTLE BUGS, written by Catherine Bailey. Feast your peepers upon Lauren’s crazy cool creations on this soaring, skittering cover…

HUSTLE BUSTLE BUGS (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers), which publishes Feb. 22, 2022, is a playful non-fiction picture book about tuning into the world of bugs around you and recognizing the important role that bugs play in our environment. Set in a charming backyard, with skyscrapers seen in the not-too-distant beyond, readers follow two children - one in overalls, the other in a sunny tunic - as they set out to record and explore.

As author Catherine Bailey’s rhyming text gently bounces in introduction, illustrator Lauren brings us in close. Lean grass blades cluster and bend. Veined waxy leaves filter and reflect the sun. Fluffy soil below crumbles and compresses. The detailed cross-section lets readers know they’ve arrived — as special visitors to “secret cities” that buzz and crawl with activity and purpose, where lady bugs soar, butterflies perch and grasshoppers lurch…

The fun, fact-filled text draws clever parallels between bug work and human work, reminding readers that tiny critters aren’t pests, but busy and purposeful contributors to the planet. Spiders are architects. Termites are soldiers. Each bug has an important job to do that directly impacts the food chain, all the way up the ladder and back down again.

Each spread of HUSTLE BUSTLE BUGS brings a different bug into focus. But nothing about the presentation is predictable. Sometimes, the horizon line arches and slopes, showing that our planet isn’t a series of tidy horizontal layers, but a dynamic and varied place. Other times the setting takes us deep, such as into the golden, glowing center of a honeycomb — a gorgeous sweet-treat for the eyes. Adding an extra layer of storytelling, the out-of-view sun slowly sets over the course of the book, communicating that bugs don’t stop hustling when the stars appear. It’s just another time for the critters to shine.

Do you want to know a little bit more about how Lauren creates this singular style of magic? If you’re like me, and you’d love a ticket for a trip into her studio, here it is! Come along on my first-ever Illustrator Spotlight with one of my all-time-favorite creators (and people!), Lauren Eldridge:

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3 Questions with Lauren Eldridge

The bugs you created in HUSTLE BUSTLE BUGS are incredibly vibrant and life-like! What was it like living with all these creatures for so long?

Thank you! They are pretty life-like but, thankfully, they don't really register as real bugs because they are so big. Most of the insects are between 8-12 inches long and (fun fact!) are bigger than the environments I created for them. It was actually pretty helpful to be creating them when I was because I shared my space with a pod of third graders a few days per week (thanks pandemic) that were learning all about insects at the time. They were able to hold up the bugs and discuss things like what/where a thorax or mandible might be with their teachers and classmates via zoom - which was really cool to see! However, the spider did kind of creep people out because that guy looks like it could possibly be a real bug.

What materials did you have at the ready (or were indispensable) while creating these fascinating bugs?

Welp, I absolutely needed wire, epoxy, foam footballs, Sculpey and paint for the majority of the bugs. The butterflies required cardstock and I used dried flower petals to give other insects (especially the bees!) more interest and texture.

Which was the most challenging bug to create, and how did you solve that dilemma and bring it to life?

I think the firefly was the most difficult because I wanted it to actually glow. Most of my process is trial and error (I learn a LOT through "failure") and this bug definitely made me learn a LOT. After trying many different methods of putting a light inside of the insect, I pivoted and decided to put on many, many coats of glow-in-the-dark neon yellow paint. Which also didn't work on its own. SO... I ended up really focusing on lighting during photography. I used gels to color the lights and had several very small, controlled beams pointing only on the insect's abdomen while the rest of the bug was lit differently. In the end, it worked through photography and I didn't have to mess with it in post production!.  

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Thank you so much for visiting the blog, Lauren! You can order HUSTLE BUSTLE BUG now, HERE!

PS: Are you following Lauren on Instagram? Whatcha waiting for?! At @eldridgestudio, you get to go behind the curtain to see how her creations come together, piece by piece. And that’s something you don’t want to miss!

Lauren Eldridge is a 3-dimensional photographic illustrator. She earned her BA of Environmental Design in Landscape Architecture from University of Minnesota, her MA in Early Childhood Exceptional Education with a focus on Culturally Responsive Literacy Instruction from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and taught in special education settings for five years. Lauren employs materials like wire, clay, foam, cardboard, acrylic paint, paper, glass, plaster cloth, wood, fabric, and anything else a story calls for to achieve her visual creations. She lives with her husband and two mini-me studio assistants who keep her equal parts motivated and distracted in their home in Austin, TX.

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*** Win HUSTLE BUSTLE BUGS **

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Scenes from a Busy Winter

Winter is typically a time of hibernation for me. But this year, my inner bear and frog have gotten a little bit of a shake up. I’ve been one with the foxes and rabbits, skittering this way and that across Zoom and snow for writerly fun!

Since the Dec. 1 book birthday of DANCING WITH DADDY, my debut picture book, illustrated by Ziyue Chen (Two Lions), I’ve had the pleasure, blessing and honor of connecting with old friends and new readers to talk about my book, disability, inclusion, and writing. Things kicked off with the fifth annual Holiday Book Drive Chi Delivery Day where, thanks to an incredible donation from my publisher, I got to give a full-classroom donation of my book and talk to students about being an author.

Next, at a book reading, I visited with two of my elementary school teachers, who played a big role in my childhood. And in-person and virtual school visits have since taken me across the state and country. (Pancake, my kitty, has been quite the helper with book orders, lemme tell ya.) Here are some pics…

This winter brought an unexpected honor, as well, as DANCING WITH DADDY was named the 2022 Dolly Gray Award Winner in the Picture Book category, for depicting a disabled character with authenticity and joy. The award was announced at a ceremony in Florida, which I was able to attend live and accept virtually, with the girls. That was so, so special.

On the home front, Dan recently took Miss E, C and L to our local father-daughter dance. That was kind of a life-imitating-art-imitating-life moment! We snapped this pic before they took off for the evening. Miss E choose royal blue - loved her chic look!

The awaiting spring looks to bring more exciting events, as I travel to Omaha and the Kansas City area for book events, conferences and school visits.

(PS: I’d love to come to your school, too! See my School Visits page for all the details. Let’s chat!)

I can’t tell you how how incredible it is to be in schools with students, hearing their questions, exclamations, contributions and joyful reactions to DANCING WITH DADDY. At my most-recent school visit, a little girl came up to be after my presentation to show me her G-tube. Her teacher told me that she had giggled and beamed at the sight of Elsie getting a G-tube feed in the book! I tell ya, I’m not sure it gets any better than that. But moments like this, and fan art I’ve been receiving of Elsie, are proof to me that children are being seen and seeing each other, and celebrating. That’s everything.

2021 Picture Book Picks

If you’re looking for great picture book recommendations as the year draws to a close, I gotta say, we have a fantastic roundup for you right here. What makes this list unique? It’s curated by creators, who consume books within the genre constantly - from well-known titles to gems a bit off the beaten path.

I love inviting kidlit authors and illustrators to contribute to this “best of the year” list each year. Below, you’ll find the 4th annual Picture Book Picks post. I have read many of these standout titles, but as is the case every year, the guest contributors always surprise me with something I haven’t seen and now MUST read immediately! It’s always great to get a book recommendation from someone you respect and trust.

Wanna hear what makes these 20 books sing? Let’s hear from the folks who chose them, out of mountain of incredible 2021 titles.

On to that list!

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2021 Picture Book Picks

Stephen Briseño (@stephen_briseno), author of forthcoming 2022 titles THE NOTEBOOK KEEPER and QUEEN OF LEAVES, recommends TOASTY by Sarah Hwang (Margaret Ferguson Books): While I read many good ones this year, the one that made my family and I giggle uncontrollably was TOASTY by Sarah Hwang. It is silly, over the top, and laugh out loud hilarious. Hearing Sarah Hwang's backstory, though, of her longing to be accepted as a Korean immigrant child, it makes the story all the more charming and heart-felt. Highly recommend!

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Justin Colón (@JustinRColon), creator of #PBChat and the #PBChat mentorship, recommends BEAR IS A BEAR by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Dan Santat (Balzer + Bray): BEAR IS A BEAR is a tender tale chronicling the companionship that develops between a girl and her stuffie (personified as a live bear). With its poetic structure, repetitive text and stunning visuals, this story makes for a great read-aloud that no doubt will appeal to children and adults alike. Jonathan Stutzman, a chameleon of an author within the picture book format, delivers with text that is simple yet skillfully executed. Illustrator extraordinaire, Dan Santat is a master of visual storytelling and elevates that text with humorous, sweet, and even sad visuals that take the reader on an emotional journey. Perhaps my favorite part of the book is how three generations of women are woven into the story, each somehow interacting with the title character, making for an immensely satisfying and nostalgic reading experience. This book would pair wonderfully with two of my other favorites: The Scarecrow (Beth Ferry and the Fan Brothers) and The Adventures of Beekle: the Unimaginary Friend (Dan Santat).

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Antwan Eady (@antwan_eady), author of forthcoming 2022 title NIGEL AND THE MOON, recommends SOUL FOOD SUNDAY by Winsome Bingham, illustrated by C. G. Esperanza (Abrams Books for Young Readers): SOUL FOOD SUNDAY delivers one of the most delicious, family reads of the year. And it couldn’t have come at a better time. With illustrations by C. G. Esperanza and words by Winsome Bingham, SOUL FOOD SUNDAY is a feast for the mind, body, and, you’ve guessed it, soul. This is more than a book. It’s food. It’s family. SOUL FOOD SUNDAY is home - the ones we long for and the ones we hope to create.

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Reem Faruqi (@ReemFaruqi), author of 2021 titles AMIRA'S PICTURE DAY, UNSETTLED, and I CAN HELP, and upcoming 2022 release GOLDEN GIRL, recommends RISSY NO KISSIES by Katey Howes, illustrated by Jess Engle (Carolrhoda): RISSY NO KISSIES by Katey Howes is a heartwarming and empowering book about speaking up about what you feel comfortable or uncomfortable with. My daughters love this book, its message, and heartwarming illustrations by Jess Engle! I'm so grateful this book exists in the world today!

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Kristen Mai Giang (@kmgiang), author of GINGER AND CHRYSANTHEMUM and forthcoming 2022 title THE RISE (AND FALLS) OF JACKIE CHAN, recommends SHY WILLOW by Cat Min (Levine Querido): You will fall in love with this sweet bunny living in an abandoned mailbox, afraid of the world but venturing forth in an act of hope and bravery. So often courage is portrayed in loud ways, but Willow’s bravery is quiet and kind - and will captivate your heart. Cat Min’s gorgeous art perfectly illuminates the emotion in this lovely character and world.

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Jyoti Rajan Gopal (@JyotiGopal), author of two titles coming in 2022, AMERICAN DESI and MY PAATI’S SARIS, recommends HOW TO WEAR A SARI by Darshana Khiani, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (Versify): HOW TO WEAR A SARI is a sparkling, fun read sure to invite all kinds of questions about saris – and what a fun way to learn about them! Told in a sassy, confident voice and paired with gorgeous illustrations that capture sweet humor, this story of a little girl determined to show that she is all grown up by demonstrating her sari-wearing expertise, is a clever and welcome addition to the pantheon of How-To picture books. It is a delightful read, one that I wish I had had for my daughters when they were little. I’m so glad we have it now!

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Dr. Theanne Griffith, PhD (@doctheagrif), neuroscientist and author of THE MAGNIFICENT MAKERS chapter book series and co-author of ADA TWIST SCIENTIST THE WHY FILES: EXPLORING FLIGHT, recommends CHANGE SINGS by Amanda Gorman, illustrated by Loren Long (Viking): The poetry literally floats off the page in this beautifully illustrated picture book, by poet laureate, Amanda Gorman. This book is one of hope and agency, and fills the reader with a desire to inspire change.

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Christy Jordan-Fenton (@CJordanFenton), author of numerous books for children, including FATTY LEGS, recently reprinted as a 10th anniversary edition, recommends SWIFT FOX ALL ALONG by Rebecca Thomas, illustrated by Maya McKibbin (Annick Press): For every child who has struggled to walk with a foot in both worlds and has been confused about their connection to their culture, or who has come from a split home, or who has endured the fear and anxiety of visiting relatives they don’t know, or just felt out of place, SWIFT FOX ALL ALONG unwinds a vibrant journey of discovery and belonging, laid against the backdrop of a Mi’kmaq community. Rebecca Thomas channels her own childhood experiences to show us that often the magic that unites us is the universality of how common it is to feel alien.

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Jackie Azúa Kramer (@jackiekramer422), author of 2021 titles DOROTHY AND HERBERT-AN ORDINARY COUPLE AND THEIR EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION OF ART and I WISH YOU KNEW, recommends YOUR MAMA by NoNieqa Ramos, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara (Versify): I love everything about this story! The representation of a Latinx girl’s mother as young, hip, gorgeous, fun, sassy and strong, is fresh and new in picture books. The language in the story is delicious and lyrical with a cool vibe. “Your mama so sweet she could be a bakery all frosting, powdered sugar and pastries.” Or- “Your mama is so woke, she gonna stand by and watch injustice? Nope.” All children need to see their world reflected back to them in stories. Here’s a contemporary and fleshed out human, woman, and mama as this little, brown girl’s role model. And those black boots with the red roses...ay mami, caliente!

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Jorge Lacera (@jlacera), co-founder of LatinxPitch, illustrator of 2021 title XO, EXOPLANET, illustrator of upcoming 2022 book PRUETT AND SOO, and co-author/illustrator of 2022 title THE WILD ONES, recommends THE ROCK FROM THE SKY by Jon Klassen (Candlewick): Things I love about it: 1. Reading this story aloud turns parents, grandparents, teachers, guardians into rock stars. It's perfectly set-up to be performed, almost like a mini-play--which, in my opinion, the best picture books allow readers to do. 2. The deceptively simple illustrations are evocative and beautiful, and somehow hilarious all at the same time. 3. Kids and adults will see and appreciate different things about the characters and their interactions. 4. The story is told in chapters. Yes, chapters in a picture book. And each of the 5 chapters is totally worth it. 5. It's strange, sweet, surreal and silly in the best ways. You can read it again and again and discover something new and different about it each time.

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Hope Lim (@hope_lim), author of 2021 titles I AM A BIRD and MY TREE, recommends GRANDPA ACROSS THE OCEAN by Hyewon Yum (Abrams): GRANDPA ACROSS THE OCEAN is my favorite picture book of the year. This sweet, moving book about family and connections across generations is beautifully written and illustrated by Hyewon Yum. A child visits his grandfather for the first time. Initially, the child thinks everything about his Grandpa is strange, but after one small incident, he discovers the warm and gentle side of Grandpa, and they begin to bond like best friends. Everything strange about his Grandpa and his faraway home becomes familiar and wonderful to the child. As the story moves along, my heart warms from the growing affection between these two. The love and longing between these two characters in the last spread are so palpable, reminding me of my own parting moments with my parents when I visited them. This tender and beautiful story shows how the love between a child and a grandparent transcends generation, place, and language.

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Tim Miller (@TM_Illustration), author and illustrator of many books for children, including the upcoming 2022 release IZZY PAINTS, recommends NICKY & VERA by Peter Sis (Norton Young Readers): A book that I fell in love with this year is NICKY & VERA by Peter Sís. It’s a powerful and moving story about the Holocaust that reminds you what a picture book can be. There are so many layers to it; it’s quiet and introspective; you sink into the poetry of the images as the story grows; you feel every part of it in your heart. It’s the kind of book you step out of transformed.

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Robin Newman (@robinnewmanbook), author of 2021 titles DON’T CALL ME FUZZYBUTT! and SESAME STREET: BREATHE, THINK, DO WITH ELMO, recommends CHEZ BOB by Bob Shea (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers): How does an extremely lazy, yet hungry alligator find birds to eat? Naturally, he opens up a bird seed restaurant on his nose. CHEZ BOB is a heart-warming hoot of a story that this author wishes she wrote. Warning: Be prepared to giggle!

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Charlotte Offsay (@coffsay), author of 2021 titles THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP and HOW TO RETURN A MONSTER and upcoming 2022 release A GRANDMA’S MAGIC, recommends BARTALI’S BICYCLE: The True Story of Gino Bartali, Italy’s Secret Hero by Megan Hoyt, illustrated by Iacopo Bruno (Quill Tree Books): This book is inspiring, moving, and important. It is the true story of Gino Bartali, a beloved cyclist and Italy's secret hero. Bartali worked as a secret champion in the fight for Jewish lives during World War II. His courage and heart brought me to tears.

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Dow Phumiruk (@DowPhumiruk), illustrator of 2021 titles AN EQUAL SHOT and HELLO, TREE, and forthcoming 2022 title HER NAME WAS MARY KATHARINE, recommends WATERCRESS by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin (Neal Porter Books): There are not enough words to describe the heartfelt beauty of WATERCRESS, written by Andrea Wang and illustrated by Jason Chin. A young girl is embarrassed to forage for watercress alongside a cornfield in her Ohio hometown. When her Chinese immigrant parents insists she eat the soup they've made with it, she stubbornly refuses. The story follows the girl's change of heart when her mother shares a photo and a memory that helps connect the past to her family's present life. Based on the author's own childhood memories, this tender story, already recognized with multiple awards from the publishing industry, will stay with you long after you've put it down. 

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Laura Renald (@laura_renauld), author of 2021 title SQUIRREL’S SWEATER and creator of the Debut Review Challenge, recommends FREAKY, FUNKY FISH by Debra Kempf Shumaker, illustrated by Claire Powell (Running Press Kids): This is the most fun I’ve had reading nonfiction all year! Upbeat rhyme introduces readers to a wide variety of amazing adaptations fish use to survive and thrive. The illustrations are bright and fun and include funky or freaky fish ratings in the style of a naturalist’s journal. This book might just spawn a new generation of marine biologists!

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Alyssa Reynoso-Morris (@areynosomorris), author of three picture books set for 2023 - PLÁTANOS ARE LOVE, GLORIANA PRESENTE A First Day of School Book, and THE BRONX IS MY HOME - recommends ARELI IS A DREAMER: A True Story by Areli Morales, a DACA recipent, illustrated by Luisa Uribe (Random House Studio): This beautiful story about the immigrant and DACA experience is one of a kind but has a universal message of hope that anyone can relate to. As the daughter of an immigrant this story spoke to me. And as a mother I'm glad this books exists to teach my little one about the challenges immigrants face. The illustrations are beautiful and powerful; Luisa Uribe did an incredible job.

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Nicholas Solis (@teachsolis), author of 2021 release THE COLOR COLLECTOR and forthcoming title MY TOWN, MI PUEBLO, recommends EYES THAT KISS IN THE CORNERS by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho (HarperCollins): I love this book because of its beautiful lyrical language and its positive message of self love. From the very beginning of the book, the main character loves her eyes and their connection to her family. That bond to family and culture only grows stronger as the story unfolds. This book is beautiful not only in its illustrations but message as well. We should all love ourselves and respect the differences that make us unique.

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Elizabeth Zunon (@ElizabethZunon), illustrator of 2021 titles OFF TO SEE THE SEA and STITCH BY STITCH, and forthcoming 2022 title BOTTLE TOPS, recommends NIKI NAKAYAMA: A Chef’s Tale in 13 Bites by Jamie Michalak and Debbi Michiko Florence, illustrated by Yuko Jones (Farrar, Straus and Giroux): An inspiring tale of a journey through food. Every page is more delectable than the last, the illustrations so lovely and heart-warming - a feast for the eyes and the soul.

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And… this year, I decided to join the fun and recommend my favorite book, too!

Anitra Rowe Schulte (@anitraschulte), author of 2021 release DANCING WITH DADDY and forthcoming 2022 title WILLOW AND BUNNY recommends MAGIC CANDIES by Heena Baek, translated by Sophie Bowman (Crossing Kids): Hilarious, wildly original and heart-wrenching, all at once, MAGIC CANDIES is a singular delight that charms as it disarms. Unwilling to ruin the book’s super power - the element of surprise - I’ll simply state that this voice-filled story enlivens the most powerful relationships in a child’s world in a way that you could never imagine and will never forget. An absolute must-read and must-share.

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I hope you enjoyed the 2021 roundup and discovered some new titles to explore! If you’d like to take a look at the past three years’ Picture Book Picks lists - and lots of goodies have been shared, let me tell you! - you’ll find those below:

• 2018 picture book Picks, here

• 2019 Picture Book Picks, here

• 2020 Picture Book Picks, here

Also! Please join the #PBChat Winter Holiday Party from 8 to 10 p.m. EASTERN (7 to 9 p.m. CENTRAL) on Wednesday, Dec. 22, (TONIGHT!) as members of PB Debut Troupe 21 join #PBChat host Justin Colón for a Twitter bash, which will include craft conversation, games, a giveaway, and more!

Hope to see you there!

Wishing you long, lazy hours of reading over winter break, and a Happy New Year, too!

All my best,

Anitra

A Very Happy Book Birthday!

The December book birthday and launch of my debut picture book DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by the phenomenal Ziyue Chen, has been a whirlwind, a joy, and a dream come true!

To everyone who has supported me and my debut - with pre-orders and birthday-week orders and hugs and flowers and cards and texts and videos of your darling children reading the story - from the center of my heart…

THANK YOU!

I’d love to share some fun photos from the launch festivities! I kicked off the day with a blog post and giveaway on PB Debut Troupe 21’s Troupe Tales blog….

And of course with a stop at Geneva Public Library! Thanks for the coffee, Jaimie!

Then I made a few special deliveries, including to my local Little Free Library…

I also received some incredible gifts, including these flowers from my editor Kelsey Skea and the Two Lions publishing team, and a darling book cake from Dan and the girls…

Then, three days later, I had the honor and delight of officially launching DANCING WITH DADDY at my local indie Harvey’s Tales - a gem of a bookstore and my favorite place in downtown Geneva, IL….

So many dear friends stopped by for the outdoor story time…

… and to say hello and buy books! So wild and so wonderful.

Thank you Harvey’s Tales for making this lifelong writer’s dream come true! If you would like to order a signed copy, you can still request one by emailing Harvey’s Tales HERE!

There are still some DANCING WITH DADDY events coming up - I’ll be sure to share pics from these adventures, too! Now that the book is out, here are some awesome ways to extend its reach, if you are so inclined!

• Ask your little’s teacher or librarian if they’d like a virtual author visit - details HERE!

• Share DANCING WITH DADDY with your little’s classroom or school library - order HERE!

• Ask your local library to order DANCING WITH DADDY - they usually honor patron requests!

• If you enjoy the story, share about it on social media!

And one more thing to share: I wrote a column for the TODAY Show’s parenting blog, entitled “But can she talk?” about a question that I persistently field when Elsa and I hit the playground.

It’s a slice-of-life piece that gets to the heart of something that is always on my mind - the communication gap between my daughter and her typical peers - and what I think is needed to close that space and bring kids closer to each other. If you like the piece, you can “VOTE” for it, or share it on Facebook, which would be super sweet, if you feel comfortable doing so!

That’s all for now! I appreciate you all more than I can say and wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy Holidays!

Dancing with Daddy Book Launch Events!

Hello friends! I cannot believe it, but in less than one month, my debut picture book DANCING WITH DADDY will be available everywhere…

December 1st!

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported my story. Pre-ordering a book is one of the most amazing things that you can do for an author. (It demonstrates interest in your title and impacts marketing efforts.) And I’m beyond grateful for your generosity and extraordinary kindness!

A few weeks ago, I received my author copies of DANCING WITH DADDY, which I got to open with my girls. That was so surreal! Somehow, illustrator Ziyue Chen’s art is even more beautiful and vibrant in the final format - simply stunning. I’m so grateful that she said YES to illustrating Elsie and her story!

The past few weeks have brought some super fun developments! I got the chance to share DANCING WITH DADDY at an event with the Rising Lights Project at Geneva Commons…

At the AISLE conference in Champaign, IL, I presented DANCING WITH DADDY to Illinois librarians and educators and got to spend time with fellow Illinois author friends! And - to my shock and complete delight - DANCING WITH DADDY was included in a TODAY Show gift round up of 40 presents that every 6-year-old wants to unwrap this year! (What?!)

WILD, right? I can hardly believe any of it is real and am so excited for the fun that’s in store!

Now, there are three in-person events on the books for this winter - and one of them might be happening at a bookstore or shop near you!

Side note: If DANCING WITH DADDY would have come out in 2020 (as originally planned), none of these events would have been possible. God’s timing is the BEST timing, always. Here are the book events that are, well, on the books!

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December 4 — Geneva IL

December 23 — Sullivan IL

March 27 — Omaha NE

The details on this one are TBD, but save the date for a book reading and signing event at The Bookworm bookstore in Omaha, NE, on March 27. Omaha friends, if you have already purchased DANCING WITH DADDY, thank you SO much! If you haven’t, but plan to, it would be awesome if you waited (weird, I know!) and purchased at this March 27 event. I would love for The Bookworm to feel the love!

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In the midst of planning book launch fun, we are also full steam ahead on Holiday Book Drive Chi, Year 5! On Dec. 14, Pastor Michael Neal of Leading with Literacy and I will be visiting schools on Chicago’s South Side to deliver book joy!

We have collected 500 books so far and would love to reach last year’s 700 book total. If you are able to give new books, or make a financial donation toward the purchase of new books, please reach out and let me know! To see all of the books donated so far - which would make for great gifts this holiday season! - visit the official 2021 Holiday Book Drive Chi page HERE!

Book friends on Twitter: You can follow along with the Drive via my account (@anitraschulte) and by following the Twitter hashtag #HolidayBookDriveChi!

Donations will be accepted through Dec. 1, 2021. On Delivery Day, we will bring books to schools all over Bronzeville and in other nearby Chicago neighborhoods to share the gift of literacy.

Thank you for your friendship and partnership. Let’s make this a holiday full of JOY again in 2021!

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Author Spotlight: Daniel Miyares

In the world of picture books, we talk a lot about voice. Over time, I’ve come to learn that this means the sound of an author’s words. No matter who is reading the text, books with voice have a distinct rhythm, tone, style and cadence. An undeniable sound.

Voice is almost always attributed to authors. But if letters typed onto a page can have an audible signature, why can’t inked pictures? Illustration is a written form, too, with all the phrasing, punctuation and momentum of conjoined letters - and then some. Nothing speaks more clearly.

My very favorite picture books illustrators are masters of art, certainly. But their illustrations also have a discernible voice. Their lines and shapes have actual volume. Their textures hold music, measures upon measures of it. Their compositions can be light whispers, or deep bellows, vibrating with bass. They are conversations, incantations. Full of sound.

Beatrice Alemagna, Cozbi A. Cabrera, Cindy Derby, The Fan Brothers, Molly Idle, Gordon C. James, Marla Frazee, the great Jerry Pinkney - to me, these are picture book illustrators of our time whose artwork speaks. To this list, I heartily add Daniel Miyares, an author and illustrator whose stories have a language all their own. And very soon, readers can come aboard Miyares’ latest tale to hear the unmistakable call of the sea in…

HOPE AT SEA: An Adventure Story (Anne Schwartz Books), which publishes Nov. 9, 2021, is a fiction picture book about a girl, who wants desperately to join her father on a sailing expedition, and the lengths that she goes to in order to make that dream come true.

As Hope looks out upon the endless crashing blue of the sea, her world on the shore feels small. After years of watching from the safety of solid ground, Hope decides that she doesn’t want to merely hear the sea, she wants to be part of it. “I will stow away!” she says, setting her adventure in motion.

In secrecy, Hope boards a clipper ship about to leave the harbor on an important voyage. But it’s not just any ship. On board the boat is her father, the ship’s carpenter tasked with keeping the rig “seaworthy.” As the crew shouts its final call - ALL ABOARD! WEIGH ANCHOR! MAKE SAIL! - in Hope sneaks, disguised as a sailor. But, as all children know, you can hide from a parent’s gaze, but ultimately you will be found. In a favorite spread, Miyares wordlessly shows how the gravity of a parent’s disapproval is, in an instant, leveled by the worry and deep love felt for a child.

HOPE AT SEA is in many ways a tribute to the story’s vessel. Every page commands respect of the clipper ship’s grandeur, beauty and great, if not grave, mission of keeping everyone aboard safe. The wind and waves show no mercy in this tale, and readers just might see themselves in the ship itself - as a storm bears down and the whole crew is needed to keep the clipper floating.

Sometimes, circumstances are beyond our control. Sometimes, we have to let go. But almost always, there is a light shining on the horizon, and we are closer to home than we think. HOPE AT SEA is a reminder that our own stories, though they go off course, may simply be veering in a new direction. Our hands and contributions are needed still in the next great adventure.

HOPE AT SEA is also about a daughter and father, who share the same wish, joy, and spirit. In this story, and in many of his stories, Daniel Miyares’ characters make a choice to step away from normalcy and head into uncharted waters, where unforgettable moments lead to discovery, growth and change. What sparked this riveting, nautical tale? And how did this beautiful book come to be? I sat down for a chat with Daniel to find out! I hope you enjoy my Author Spotlight with Daniel Miyares:

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3 Questions with Daniel Miyares

HOPE AT SEA is set in time and place far away from the realities of today. How did this story come to you, and what was it like to spend so many hours and days in this distant world?

HOPE AT SEA began with a realization I had while talking to my daughter when she was about eleven years old. We were talking about all the things that had gone on in the school day and how she was feeling about them. Later that night I had this overwhelming feeling that there was no way I could ever protect her from all the tough stuff of this world. The best I could do would be to try and encourage a resilient spirit in my children. That was the kernel that I began this story with.

Initially I imagined the life and times of a 19th century tall ship and how that could parallel our own human experiences. Being built and formed with so much anticipation and promise. Then heading out into the world in search of adventure. Through discussions with my editor and publisher Anne Schwartz it made more sense to add in a more relatable human element to the story. So I decided why not still use the ship this way but have it actually parallel the life and times of a family. As the story took shape it seemed to all be centered around the question, what do you do when the storms of life come?

Having the story take place in a time and place long ago appealed to me because it raises the stakes for everyone in the book. Sailing on merchant ships back then was a dangerous but necessary business. Also, the wooden tall ship could serve as a wonderful metaphor for the changes the family and especially Hope are confronted with. I feel particularly fortunate that I was working on the art for this book during 2020. It gave me a place to wrestle with the same questions my family like so many others were wrestling with at the time. It sure felt like we were in the middle of a big storm.

You create such a vivid setting, first encountered in the detailed endpapers and carried through the realities of sailing life. What resources were essential to you, as you researched and developed this story?

As I developed my idea for this story it became clear that the setting was going to be so critical to the telling. How could you care for these characters if what they were endeavoring to do wasn’t believable? I didn’t want the historical details to be a stumbling block for the reader. I dug around a lot on the internet - reading old first hand accounts of what life at sea was like back then. I bought books on clipper ship building and the necessary equipment for a seafaring life. There was a lot to learn just to be able to understand how to represent some of the elements in this story. I had to study how this particular type of clipper ship would have been built, even as far as how they harvested the wood for certain pieces. I learned how to tie a lot of knots and what they were used for. It’s really hard to illustrate a particular knot if you haven’t tried tying it. My studio has several lengths of old rope now that I used to learn on.

Me and my family also took a short trip up to Racine, WI on Lake Michigan. It was something we could do safely with covid restrictions at the time. I got to climb around in an old lighthouse from the time period and learn about how they interacted with tall ships as well as how the technology has advanced. 

The varied compositions within HOPE AT SEA make an enormous emotional impact, from the unfinished nature of the spread heading out to sea, to the tip of the ship as the storm bears down. Can you tell us about one of your favorite spreads?

I did try and make sure that the compositions really supported the emotional beats of the story. There are small quiet moments and grand dramatic ones. I think if I had to pick one piece it would be the first finished piece of art I did for the project. Hope has found out that her father is soon going to be heading out to sea again. She doesn’t want to just hear about his adventures. She wants to be a part of them. In the illustration it’s morning time and Hope is still in her night gown looking out the window. She’s holding the ship in a bottle that her and her father made together up to the horizon line imagining herself sailing off. This is just a spot illustration in the book, but I think it sums up what compels Hope to go on her own journey.  

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Thank you so much for visiting the blog, Daniel!

You can pre-order HOPE AT SEA: An Adventure Story now! Here’s the link.

If you are not following Daniel on Instagram at @danielmiyaresdoodles, hop over there, STAT! You’ll find lots of process videos and sneak peeks at projects in progress.

Daniel also has an online shop - Daniel Miyares Art - where you can purchase select prints of his work for your home or as gifts. You’ll want to check that out, as well!

Daniel Miyares is a critically acclaimed picture book author and illustrator. Some of his books include: Float, Night Out, That is My Dream, and Bring Me A Rock! Daniel has been called “…a master of visual storytelling.”- Jody Hewston, Kinderlit, and “…enchanting, versatile” – The New York Times. He believes that our stories have the power to connect us all. Daniel’s story currently takes place in Lenexa, KS with his wife, their two wonderful children, and a dog named Violet that gives them all a run for their money. Some of his partners have included: Schwartz & Wade Books, Chronicle Books, Candlewick Press, Simon & Schuster BFYR, Nancy Paulsen Books, FSG (BYR), North/South Books, Charlesbridge Publishing, The NY Times.

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*** Win HOPE AT SEA: An Adventure Story **

Simply...

1. "Like" this post (click the heart below)

2. Follow me (@anitraschulte) on Twitter

3. Retweet my pinned contest tweet by 10/29/21 

(Submit a blog comment below and get a BONUS ENTRY!)

GOOD LUCK!

Holiday Book Drive - Year Five!

Holiday Book Drive Chi is back for year FIVE, woohoo! And I have the best news: We get to deliver book joy to young readers in person again! In 2020, in partnership with Pastor Michael Neal of Leading with Literacy in Chicago and literacy supporters across the country, we collected and donated more books than ever before - 728 titles!

But we really missed being able to talk to students and bring stories directly into classrooms. This December, we will be able to make deliveries face-to-face, in accordance with all district social distancing and masking rules, of course!

When Pastor Neal and I met this week to talk through the details for Delivery Day 2021, I also got to pass along our first book joy bundle of the season! An incredible gift of an entire classroom donation of BE STRONG from New York Times bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller. Thank you, Pat!!

BE STRONG by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Jen Hill (Roaring Brook Press) is a follow-up picture book to the international sensation BE KIND. The book released this August and is just as fabulous as the story that came before it. I’m so excited that the readers served by Leading with Literacy will be getting BE STRONG for their home libraries!

What will Holiday Book Drive 2021 bring? It’s hard to say, but I’ve learned over the past four years that our hopes and dreams for what we might be able to accomplish together are never as big and beautiful as what springs forth from the simple goal of placing new books into children’s hands. I asked Pastor Neal a bit about the impact of Holiday Book Drive 2020, in the height of covid. Here’s what he had to share!

Like the rest of the world, 2020 brought about so many challenges and at times feelings of being overwhelmed. While we all grappled with the pandemic and its effects, I felt especially concerned for our young scholars. Not only were they forced to navigate virtual learning, they missed out on being in class with other students .

As usual and especially last year, the literary heroes from our Holiday Book Drive came through, and each donation lifted our spirits and allowed love to overshadow covid -19. At times, the delivery had to be creative… meeting teachers in parking lots, driving by in front of homes for contactless delivery, and leaving boxes with security in student-less schools. We are grateful and looking forward to serving students in person by delivering awesome love from our heroes directly to them.

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Starting on October 1, we are officially open for donations for Holiday Book Drive 2021! Here’s how you can be part of this year’s effort - we so hope you join us!

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

• The Magic Number: 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 give an entire classroom the SAME book, which is a truly amazing gift.

• Pssst! Authors… If you think your publisher might be able to provide a complete classroom donation of 30 books, please let me know!

• Book-Skype Combo: Also, authors! If you’d like to donate a copy/copies of your book to a class, and offer a free virtual visit alongside it, that would be terrific! I’d be happy to help make those arrangements.

• 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!

• Special Collections: If you are planning a local giving initiative this holiday season, consider asking friends and family to donate a book for a Bronzeville scholar. If you’re interested in organizing something like this, 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. (Diverse books are always greatly appreciated by Leading with Literacy.)

• Or… If You’d Rather: Financial donations are most welcome, too. Whatever works best for you!

• Follow Along: Want to know what’s going on with the drive? Visit Twitter and search the hashtag #HolidayBookDriveChi for the latest!

Donations will be accepted through Dec. 1, 2021. On Delivery Day, we will bring your donations to schools all over Bronzeville and in other nearby Chicago neighborhoods to share the gift of literacy. Thank you for your friendship and partnership. Let’s make this a holiday full of JOY again in 2021!

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Below, you’ll find all of the books donated for Holiday Book Drive 2021, so far!

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

BE STRONG

(By Pat Zietlow Miller, Illustrated by Jen Hill, Roaring Brook Press)

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Thank you Beth Anderson for donating an entire classroom set of…

TAD LINCOLN’S RESTLESS WRIGGLE

(By Beth Anderson, Illustrated by S. D. Schindler, Calkins Creek)

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Thank you Jarrett Lerner for donating an entire classroom set of…

GEEGER THE ROBOT TO THE RESCUE

(By Jarrett Lerner, Illustrated by Serge Seidlitz, Aladdin Quix)

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Thank you Lisa Katzenberger for donating an entire classroom set of…

IT WILL BE OK

(By Lisa Katzenberger, Illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett, Sourcebooks)

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Thank you Bradley family for donating an entire classroom set of…

BEYOND THE BRIGHT SEA

(by Lauren Wolk, Dutton Books for Young Readers)

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Thank you Jody Jensen Shaffer for donating an entire classroom set of…

A SCARF FOR SQUIRREL

(By Jody Jensen Shaffer, Illustrated by Clair Rossiter, Highlights Puzzle Readers)

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Thank you Two Lions for donating an entire classroom set of my debut picture book…

DANCING WITH DADDY

(By Anitra Rowe Schulte, Illustrated by Ziyue Chen, Two Lions)

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Thank you Two Lions for donating 30 copies of your books…

ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE SAY GOOD NIGHT

(by Lauren H. Kerstein, illustrated by Nate Wragg)

HUDSON AND TALLULAH TAKE SIDES

(by Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher Weyant)

BETWEEN THE LINES

(by Lindsay Ward)

JULIUS AND MACY

(by Annelouise Mahoney)

COMET THE UNSTOPPABLE REINDEER

(by Jim Benton)

… and A SARI FOR AMMI

(by Mamta Nainy, Illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat)

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Thank you Norene Paulson and Albert Whitman for donating an entire classroom set of…

WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR?

(By Norene Paulson, Illustrated by Camila Carrossine, Albert Whitman)

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Thank you Laura Renauld and Beaming Books for donating an entire classroom set of…

SQUIRREL’S SWEATER

(By Laura Renauld, Illustrated by Jennie Poh, Beaming Books)

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Thank you Raven Howell for donating an entire classroom set of…

EEK! MY INK!

(By Raven Howell, Illustrated by Anke Rappen, AcuteByDesign)

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Thank you Amber Hendricks and Beaming Books for donating an entire classroom set of…

SUPERHEROES DON’T BABYSIT

(By Amber Hendricks, Illustrated by Kyle Reed, Beaming Books)

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Thank you Michal Babay for donating an entire classroom set of…

I’M A GLUTEN-SNIFFING SERVICE DOG

(By Michal Babay, Illustrated by Ela ´Smietanka, Albert Whitman)

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Thank you Anica Mrose Rissi for donating an entire classroom set of…

HIDE AND DON’T SEEK: AND OTHER VERY SCARY STORIES

(By Anica Mrose Rissi, Quill Tree Books)

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Thank you Anica Mrose Rissi for donating an entire classroom set of…

ANNA, BANANA, AND THE FRIENDSHIP SPLIT

(By Anica Mrose Rissi, Illustrated by Meg Park, Simon & Schuster)

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Thank you Dows, Rowes, and Schapers for donating an entire classroom set of…

TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A WHOLE IN THE SKY

(By Kwame Mbalia, Rick Riordan Presents)

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Thank you Moran Family for donating an entire classroom set of…

CHANGE SINGS: A CHILDREN’S ANTHEM

(By Amanda Gorman, Illustrated by Loren Long, Viking)

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Thank you Dinslage Family for donating an entire classroom set of…

JADA JONES: CLASS ACT

(By Kelly Starling Lyons, Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton, Penguin Workshop)

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Thank you Annelouise Mahoney for donating 25 copies to create an entire classroom set of…

JULIUS AND MACY: A VERY BRAVE NIGHT

(By Annelouise Mahoney, Two Lions)

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Thank you Lindsay Ward for donating 25 copies to create an entire classroom set of…

BETWEEN THE LINES

(By Lindsay Ward, Two Lions)

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Thank you Norene Paulson and Imprint | Macmillan for donating 24 copies of…

BENNY’S TRUE COLORS

(By Norene Paulson, Illustrated by Anne Passchier, Imprint | Macmillian)

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Thank you Elizabeth Gilbert Bedia, Page Street Kids and Harper Kids

for donating a total of 20 copies of the books…

BESS THE BARN STANDS STRONG

(By Elizabeth Gilbert Media, Illustrated by Katie Hickey, Page Street Kids) and

BALOONS FOR PAPA

(By Elizabeth Gilbert Media, Illustrated by Erika Meza, Harper Kids)

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Thank you Sue Lowell Gallion for donating a total of 20 copies of your books…

PIG & PUG AND FRIENDS

(By Sue Lowell Gallion, Illustrated by Joyce Wan, Beach Lane Books) and

OUR WORLD: A FIRST BOOK OF GEOGRAPHY

(By Sue Lowell Gallion, Illustrated by Lisk Feng, Phaidon)

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Thank you Jodi McKay for donating a total of 20 copies of your book…

PENCIL’S PERFECT PICTURE

(By Jodi McKay, Illustrated by Juliana Motzko, Albert Whitman)

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Thank you Lauren H. Kerstein for donating a total of 20 copies of your books…

ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE MAKE WAVES

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

HOME FOR A WHILE

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

ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE SAY GOOD NIGHT

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

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Thank you Anica Mrose Rissi for donating 15 copies of your book…

ALWAYS FOREVER MAYBE

(By Anica Mrose Rissi, Quill Tree Books)

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Thank you Laura Gehl for donating 14 copies of your books…

BRILLIANT BABY: Does Math, Explores Science, Plays Music and Fights Germs

(By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Jean Claude, little bee books)

BASEBALL BABY and SOCCER BABY (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Reggie Brown, Little Simon)

PEEP AND EGG: I’m Not Hatching (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Joyce Wan, FSG)

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Thank you Michelle Schaub and Cardinal Rule Press for donating 12 copies of your book…

KINDNESS IS A KITE STRING

(By Michelle Schaub, Illustrated by Claire LaForte, Cardinal Rule Press)

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Thank you Richard Ho for donating 10 copies of your book…

THE LOST PACKAGE

(By Richard Ho, Illustrated by Jessica Lanan, Roaring Brook Press)

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Thank you Kira Bigwood for donating 10 copies of your book…

SECRET, SECRET AGENT GUY

(By Kira Bigwood, Illustrated by Celia Krampien, Atheneum)

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Thank you Mikuta Family for donating 10 copies of…

STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIME

(By Jason Reynolds, Illustrated by Raúl the Third, A Caitlyn Dloughy Book / Atheneum)

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Thank you Bea Birdsong for donating 9 copies of your books…

SAM’S FIRST WORD (By Bea Birdsong, Illustrated by Holly Hatam, Little, Brown)

HOW TO SPOT A BEST FRIEND (By Bea Birdsong, Illustrated by Lucy Fleming, Rodale Kids) and

I WILL BE FIERCE! (By Bea Birdsong, Illustrated by Nidhi Chanani, Roaring Brook Press)

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Thank you NoNieqa Ramos for donating 8 copies of your books…

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

THE TRUTH IS (By NoNieqa Ramos, Carolrhoda)

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Thank you Nalini Raghunandan for donating 8 copies of your books…

FANNY THE CHAMP and FANNY SAVED THE DAY

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Thank you Mike Wu for donating 6 copies of your books…

ELLIE MAKES A FRIEND (By Mike Wu, Disney-Hyperion)

HENRI’S HATS (By Mike Wu, Disney Press) and

ELLIE (By Mike Wu, Disney-Hyperion)

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Thank you to an anonymous donor for giving 6 copies of…

WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE

(By Pat Zietlow Miller, Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler, Little, Brown)

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Thank you Robin Newman for donating 5 copies of your book…

DON’T CALL ME FUZZYBUTT!

(By Robin Newman, Illustrated by Susan Batori, Sleeping Bear Press)

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Thank you Andrea Hall for donating 5 copies of your book…

SHE’S ON THE MONEY

(By Andrea Hall, Illustrated by Li Zhang, Albert Whitman)

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Thank you Alastair Heim for donating 5 copies of your book…

QUIET DOWN, LOUD TOWN!

(By Alastair Heim, Illustrated by Matt Hunt, Clarion Books)

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Thank you Christine Van Zandt for donating three copies of…

A BRIEF HISTORY OF UNDERPANTS

(By Christine Van Zandt, Illustrated by Harry Briggs, becker & meyer kids!)

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Thank you Gabi Snyder for donating two copies of…

LISTEN

(By Gabi Snyder, Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin, Paula Wiseman)

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Thank you Debra Kempf Shumaker for donating two of your books…

TELL SOMEONE

(By Debra Kempf Shumaker, Illustrated by Tristan Yuvienco, Albert Whitman)

FREAKY, FUNKY FISH

(By Debra Kempf Shumaker, Illustrated by Claire Powell, Running Press Kids)

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Thank you Kristy Everington for donating a copy of…

ISOBEL ADDS IT UP

(By Kristy Everington, Illustrated by AG Ford, Random House Studio)

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Thank you Leah Rose Kessler for donating a copy of…

RAT FAIR

(By Leah Rose Kessler, Illustrated by Cleonique Hilsaca, POW! Kids Books)

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Thank you Melissa Stoller for donating a copy of…

PLANTING FRIENDSHIP: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM

(By Callie Metler, Shirin Rahman and Melissa Stoller, Illustrated by Kate Talbot, Clear Fork)

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Thank you Anna Lazowski for donating a copy of…

T. REXES CAN’T TIE THEIR SHOES

(By Anna Lazowski, Illustrated by Steph Laberis, Doubleday Books for Young Readers)

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CURRENT TOTAL:

828 BOOKS

Thank you for coming along on this journey and being a part of delivering book joy to young scholars!

I can’t wait to see what we do together this holiday season!

Miss E's 2021 Halloween Costume Pick

I can’t believe I’m even typing this, but… we’re kind of on the ball this year with Halloween! Now that the girls are back in school full-time, I’m channeling my inner Marvel Black Widow, attacking my to do list with swift roundhouses and lethal jabs… and that includes costumes. Getting stuff done never felt so good!

Yep, our girls’ trick-or-treating ensembles are coming together, with new components arriving on the stoop almost every day. Miss L wanted to be “a grandma,” complete with little gold glasses and a white wig, to match her friend across the street, who will be “a grandpa.” Miss L has been bringing her cane prop to the dinner table and on car rides and even tucked it under the covers with her last night. She looks more like Little Bo Peep than a Golden Girl, but she’s in deep method mode, and I’m not going to be the one to break her concentration.

Miss C will be Violet Baudelaire from Lemony Snicket’s "A Series of Unfortunate Events,” in all her big sis Victorian Goth glory, garb and charm. I actually would like an adult-sized version of her entire costume, from the Peter Pan collared floral A-line dress to her cozy fuzzy cardigan. Even the black wig with bangs is pretty stinking cute.

And what about Miss E? What does she want to be? We sat down to peruse our options…

I’ve enjoyed sharing her single-elimination costume tournament in the past and thought you might like to join us again this year! It also gives me a chance to share how Miss E uses alternative communication and images to make choices, which is fun!

First, I modeled the activity in her PODD book:

• I have something to say

• Let’s do something

• It’s happening now

• Clothes

• Your, Clothes

• Categories, Special Events

• Special Events, Turn the Page

• Halloween

Then it was time to survey the options!

We’ve had great success with Target’s costumes in the past. Their pictures are so vivid and clear on the screen, which makes it easy for me to create boom-card style screen grabs. So this year, we went straight for the red bullseye. (PS, I’m super excited to share that Target is carrying my debut book DANCING WITH DADDY, for pre-order! That’s worthy of a Halloween shriek - Eeeek!)

Well, I can tell you this. After checking out the options, Miss E was not interested in any of the princesses. The past two years were much the same, as she chose more whimsical and book-based characters, such as Pinkalicious and Cindy Lou Who. She weighs in on her 2021 choices in this vid…

So what made the line up this year? Unfortunately that cute Monster costume she liked wasn’t in her size. So Miss E picked an alternate, resulting in these six spunky favorites:

Group A: The Grim Reaper, Dalmation Girl, and Gogo Dancer…

Group B: Bat Girl, Mermaid, and Werewolf

Then, from those six, she narrowed her choices to two:

Dalmation Girl and Mermaid

What did Miss E choose?

You might notice that both of her finalists are found in beloved stories, again! (101 Dalmations and The Little Mermaid, respectively.)

She ultimately dove into this shiny, swishy ensemble…

Luckily the weather stayed nice for a while - we didn’t have to bundle until the sun went down. She gripped a Twix bar most of the night - which was really exciting, because sustained grasp is something that we’ve been working on for a long time! That’ll be the first thing we taste, after trick-or-treating.

Hope you had a Happy Halloween and enjoyed seeing all costumes! So much work, right? But so stinking cute.

Author Spotlight: Rajani LaRocca

As many of you know, my eldest daughter was born with a chromosomal deletion (4p-), also know as Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. Before the day of her birth and the date of her diagnosis - about 10 years ago - I hadn’t given DNA too much thought. Suddenly, my husband and I were being asked so many questions… and asking so many, too —

Are you a carrier of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome?

How big is her deletion?

Chromosomes have arms?

(The last question was mine!)

So much to learn. And yet, so much that simply was and is - the unique beauty and design of each person and each living thing.

Due to its complex nature, DNA is something that I haven’t discussed with our three girls, but I want to! I want them to better understand themselves and others and the natural world. Now, thanks to a new picture book on this very topic, I have an excellent way to start the conversation.

Meet THE SECRET CODE INSIDE YOU: ALL ABOUT YOUR DNA by Rajani LaRocca, MD, illustrated by Steven Salerno (little bee books), which publishes this week on Sept. 14, 2021.

I first encountered the work of author Rajani LaRocca last year, when I was compiling my annual Picture Book Picks blog feature. Author Hayley Barrett recommended LaRocca’s SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS as her favorite picture book of 2020, describing it as “visually gorgeous and delightfully intelligent, not to mention heartwarming.” I had to pick it up and check it out!

Like Hayley, I found LaRocca’s story to be completely exquisite. Rich, compelling and smart, while also warm and familiar. So when I learned that LaRocca had written a new picture book about DNA, I needed to know more. I noticed the MD behind her name and looked closer still to find that LaRocca attended Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, trained in Internal Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, and has been working as a primary care physician since 2001.

MD, indeed!

LaRocca also is an incredibly prolific author of books for children. She has six (…SIX!) books coming out this year alone. I can’t wait to read these titles:

• RED WHITE AND WHOLE (February 2021) - a novel

• BRACELETS FOR BINA’S BROTHERS (April 2021) - a picture book

• MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL (June 2021) - a novel

• WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET (August 2021) - a picture book

• MY LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK ABOUT KAMALA HARRIS (August 2021) - a picture book

And now, LaRocca is celebrating the book birthday of THE SECRET CODE INSIDE YOU, a September release. An an author to watch, no doubt!

THE SECRET CODE INSIDE YOU is a non-fiction picture book about the design that makes each living creature unique. The story begins with an array of animals. In rhyme, LaRocca asks readers why aren’t you “fuzzy” like a dog or “buzzy” like a bee? Why you aren’t you “leapy” like a frog or “creepy” like a spider? As children ponder the differences between humans and animals, it’s clear that something inside of us is making us different.

But what is it?

Enter DNA - the secret code inside us. LaRocca’s clear descriptions and catchy lyricism make a topic foreign to many children (and adults, like me!) easy to grasp and retain. And Salerno’s colorful, detailed, active art is both scientifically informative and energetically animated. A favorite line, about DNA: It looks like twisted ladders, or tiny twirling noodles. It makes us into people, instead of into poodles.

THE SECRET CODE INSIDE YOU concisely shares essential facts, then immediately connects the concepts to children’s curiosities and life experiences. This fantastic balance allows the story to inform and entertain, in equal parts, much like half of each biological parents’ chromosomes make a beautiful one-of-a-kind whole.

THE SECRET CODE INSIDE YOU contains a message, as well. That while your DNA tells your body how it will appear and assigns certain attributes and abilities, that isn’t the end of the story. You decide where to look and how to play. You choose what you’ll be. The reader leaves this story empowered to make choices that fulfill their own wishes and dreams - stepping outside the bounds of design to design their own destinies.

I was eager to learn the story behind this story, and how LaRocca made this special book sing with science and inspiration. Lucky for me, she was able to make a stop by the blog on her busy launch week! I hope you enjoy my Author Spotlight with Rajani LaRocca:

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3 Questions with Rajani LaRocca

Why did you want to tell this story?

 I’ve always been fascinated by the notion that the “blueprint” for every living thing lies in our cells, and how DNA is a code that must be translated in order for life to exist. In my medical career, one notion that often comes up is “nature vs. nurture”: what traits are predetermined, and how do our actions influence our health? In a book that explains genetics for kids, I wanted to explain the basics of genes, but also make sure to touch the importance of our choices in determining who we are.

How did you arrive at rhyme when drafting this manuscript? 

This manuscript started off rhyming, and no matter how many times I tried to de-rhyme it, it kept coming back in rhyme. Part of the reason is that the idea for this book came to me as a refrain: “There’s a secret code inside you / a code called DNA / A code that tells your body’s cells / what they should do each day.” 

It was only years later that I realized there’s another reason I had to write the book in rhyme. DNA nucleotides always pair up in the same way—adenine with thymine, and cytosine with guanine—and this is similar to how lines “pair” in rhyming manuscripts! My subconscious had decided long ago that this was how this book needed to be written. And it makes perfect sense, because to me, science is poetry.

What do you hope that children take away from the experience of reading this book?

I hope that kids come away fascinated and full of wonder about the science of DNA and genetics. And I hope they understand that their choices also very much determine who they are and who they become.

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Thank you for visiting the blog, Rajani!

Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young readers. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. Learn more about Rajani and her books at www.RajaniLaRocca.com and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. She also co-hosts the STEM Women in KidLit Podcast.

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Kidlit Spotlight: LISTEN

The sounds of a new school year are here, all around us. A cascade of morning alarms. Cereal tumbling and tinging in the bowl. Papers shuffling. Zippers zooping. Storm doors slamming. Then out, into spaces and places both familiar and new…

… where more sounds await. On and on, everywhere. Until light switch click.

The auditory imprints of our day create song and soundtrack - intro, verse, chorus, and refrain - as we move from activity to activity. Is the information inundating our ears merely noise? Or is it, when parsed, meaningful and connective? When it’s all jumbled together, layered and mixed, it can be hard to tell.

New picture book LISTEN is a story about slowing down and tuning in to the multitude of sounds that hearing people receive each day. Here’s the calm, gentle cover of this thoughtful, tempered tale by Gabi Snyder, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin (Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster), which arrived on shelves this summer, just in time for a boisterous, bustling school year.

LISTEN is a picture book about recognizing and separating the sounds of the world - each woof! beep! and vroom! - to better learn about your environment and your place within it. Palette, purpose and repetition work in tandem to deliver a story that encourages reflection and mindfulness. Here are three things that I love about the new picture book LISTEN…

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Impactful Palette

What is the color of calm and observation? Of care and concentration? Illustrator Stephanie Graegin washes the cover and pages of LISTEN in a soft, steely, teal that’s rich in detail but serene and familiar. It instantly lowers the volume on the story and encourages the slow, deliberate experience that’s also requested by the title: Listen.

Art by Stephanie Graegin

With this mood established, readers meet a young girl as she begins her journey through the day. She stands on the doorstep of her home, looking out upon the street. Her posture and pose are open and receptive, but also a bit anxious and on alert. The girl is in full vibrant color, whereas the setting behind her by contrast is blue-gray, conveying things that are well known and understood. This style centers the girl and also sets the stage for new and distracting sounds to come. And they do…

Art by Stephanie Graegin

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Purposeful Appeal

With father and sibling by her side, the girl heads toward school. Brightly rendered objects continue to emphasize new things and people crossing the main character’s consciousness: Unfamiliar faces, fresh popping blossoms, colorful cars rolling by.

Author Gabi Snyder’s rich writing takes off, detailing the sounds that are registering in the girl’s mind. Appealing directly to the reader, the narrator asks, “Do you hear a dog yip-yip-yapping from window to yard to passing car.” These questions in the text ask readers to take stock and take note - of what they hear, where sound is coming from, and where it’s going next.

Art by Stephanie Graegin

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Repeated Reminder

Playground hollers. Gravel crunch. Sidewalk chalk scrape. The narrator asks the reader, can you hear each of these things? The continual queries encourage readers to place themselves in the situation as both observers and present, active participants. Then, after setting each sensorial scene, the text reminds again: Listen. The refrain, set off in orange type, is less a command, and more a centering call to action. As sounds swirl around the girl, this simple repeated word brings focus.

Art by Stephanie Graegin

The reminder to listen in this story isn’t merely environmental. It extends to interpersonal relationships, too. To joyful stories and hurtful words. To sobs, sighs, and even silence. In the end, the invitation to listen is about being aware of the needs and feelings of others, as well, so that you can play a role in righting wrongs and bringing comfort to others. Then, as the girl’s day concludes, the narrator asks a question of quiet reflection. In the stillness of your room, “Can you hear the voice inside you?”

Today, many children return to school amidst prolonged and ever-changing extenuating circumstances. From masks to no masks, to community tensions and continued school precautions. Sounds and words of worry and anger mix with excitement and joy and new things to learn. It’s all so, so much. As students struggle to process the endless parade of stimuli, LISTEN facilitates meditation and conversation - an incredible resource and tool for parents and educators alike in this current moment.

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The Creators

Gabi Snyder’s debut picture book, TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE, illustrated by Robin Rosenthal, released in 2020 from Abrams Appleseed. Her second picture book, LISTEN, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin, came out in July 2021 from Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books. Gabi studied psychology at the University of Washington and creative writing at The University of Texas. When she’s not writing, she loves taking nature walks, visiting Little Free Libraries, and baking sweet treats. She lives in Oregon with her family. Learn more at gabisnyder.com.

​Born during a blizzard on Groundhog’s Day in Chicago, Illinois, Stephanie Graegin spent her childhood drawing and collecting fauna in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Houston, Texas. She received her BFA in Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland. She later attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, obtaining a Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking. Stephanie now lives in Brooklyn, New York, where she writes and illustrates children’s books. Learn more at graegin.com.

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One lucky reader will win LISTEN,

signed by Gabi Snyder!

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