Kidlit Spotlight: Tiara's Hat Parade

Spring is here, and our backyard is full of new life - including three tiny black kittens nestled in our wood shed. Whenever my eldest daughter and I are swinging together beside this blooming bush, taking in its newness and beauty, something in my heart longs to see my mom.

This pretty lady right here…

I love hearing about her day, then flipping the camera so she can see the crazy things my girls are up to in the yard. I know that she will delight in their wild creativity just as much as I do. Our deck box, in particular, is has given my youngest a literal platform for her imagination this spring.

My mom knows our wacky, wonderful all-girl world well because she lived it, too. Just like me, she had three daughters in the span of three years. She watched as our imaginations soared, solving problems big and small, and getting fancy when the day required it. Here we are at our most fabulous, in this exact season of life 35 years ago. (That’s me on the left.)

This photo makes me think of a brand new picture book, out this spring, which celebrates family love and childhood ingenuity. A fresh-yet-classic feeling story, TIARA’S HAT PARADE (Albert Whitman, April 2020), arrived in bookstores just in time for Mother’s Day. Isn’t this joyful pastel cover completely gorgeous?

TIARA’S HAT PARADE by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell, is a tender and spirited tale about shared dreams and mother-daughter love that puts a spotlight on the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs. What a message for this current moment in time, as mom-and-pop shops struggle to stay afloat and keep the hope. Here are the three things that I love about TIARA’S HAT PARADE…

A Mother-Daughter Dream

TIARA’S HAT PARADE is about a girl named Tiara and her mother, a beloved local milliner (or hat maker). Tiara is Momma’s go-to hat model. She dons colorful creations and struts around the studio for cheering customers, whose laughter jingles “like silver charms.” Momma and Tiara’s world of creativity and community is textured and technicolored, popping with playful dialogue and imagery-sparking simile.

But when customers slow “to a drip,” Momma must shutter her business and put her dreams on the shelf. Tiara is heartbroken. Hat making and selling is a dream that she and Momma share. In pages violet and gray with disappointment, they pack up Momma’s shop and box up the hats. But Tiara - who believes in her Momma and what they built together - can’t give up on the business.

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Childhood Ingenuity

Momma gets a job as the art teacher at Tiara’s school and quietly moves on. Meanwhile, Tiara secretly carries the torch, saying silent prayers for Momma’s business at dinner. Then, one day at school, Tiara gets bold, suggesting that the art class makes hats on Fun Friday. Momma is on to her, but can’t help but be swept up in the joy of creating again. This gives Tiara a big idea.

We call it agency in storytelling - that thing you want your main character to have. The drive that invites them to rise to the occasion and change the narrative. Tiara is a character whose agency you believe wholeheartedly. Her investment in the family business and in her mother’s happiness are the heartbeat of the story. So when she sets out to bring back customers back to Tracy Rose Millinery, you not only believe her, you join her. And you may cry a little. (It’s OK, I did, too.)

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Community Camaraderie

What does Tiara do? I’ll keep the details a secret, but let’s just say that she sets the stage for a celebration of her mother’s work, which brings people together and reminds everyone how much energy and life Tracy Rose Millinery contributed to the fabric of their neighborhood and city.

TIARA’S HAT PARADE is a story for moms and daughters, but also for families and communities. The feather in the cap of this fabulous story is the informative backmatter - a celebration of three famous black milliners (Mae Reeves, Mildred Blount and Vanilla Beane).

Those looking for a picture book to give this Mother’s Day should definitely consider investing in this story, which combines community, history and family love in one beautiful bouquet. TIARA’S HAT PARADE can be ordered through your local independent bookstore (now is a great time to support them… they need you!) and through the online retailer of your choice.

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Kelly Starling Lyons is the author of many books for children, including the 2020 Caldecott Honor Book GOING DOWN HOME WITH DADDY, illustrated by Daniel Minter (Peachtree Publishing Company), the TY’S TRAVELS series (HarperCollins), the JADA JONES series (Penguin Workshop), DREAM BUILDER: THE STORY OF ARCHITECT PHILIP FREELON, illustrated by Laura Freeman (Lee & Low Books), SING A SONG, illustrated by Keith Mallett (Nancy Paulsen Books), and more.

Nicole Tadgell is the illustrator of A FIST FOR JOE LOUIS AND ME by Trika Hakes Noble (Sleeping Bear Press), FOLLOW ME DOWN TO NICODEMUS TOWN by A. LaFaye (Albert Whitman), ASTRONAUT ANNIE by Suzanne Slade (Tillbury House Publishers), REAL SISTERS PRETEND by Megan Dowd Lambert (Tillbury House Publishers), FRIENDS FOR FREEDOM by Suzanne Slade (Tillbury House Publishers), IN THE GARDEN WITH DR. CARVER by Susan Grigsby (Tillbury House Publishers), and more.

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One lucky reader will win TIARA’S HAT PARADE, signed by Kelly Starling Lyons!

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Kidlit Spotlight: Dream Big, Little Scientists

How’s everyone doing? I hope you’re finding a new normal, in the midst of shelter-in-place and so much change. We are healthy and at home. The good weather days really help our family, and this weekend was a beauty in Chicagoland. So incredibly grateful for that.

With the weekend behind us, it’s back to business! Our dining room table - no longer set for a rushed weekday breakfast - is once again a one-room schoolhouse. We start the day with a morning meeting, to discuss the date, season and weather, then move on to spelling, writing and math.

Smooth and simple, right?

No way, of course not! Just as soon as I get one girl started on a lesson, another has finished her task and is asking for more work. All the while, the oven alarm is going off. My oldest, who has Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, needs frequent mobility changes and regular G-tube bolus feedings. I set a timer as a reminder to make the transitions, or we get way behind schedule. So every 20 minutes - BEEP, BEEP, BEEP - from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (and, in truth, well beyond).

I usually reserve our afternoons for science. Perhaps it’s because I like to get the worksheets done first. But I imagine, more likely, it’s because in the morning we’re still warming up, and science asks us to work our minds a little differently. To question and consider. To wonder and test. These moments of hands-on learning are such a nice departure from the paper shuffle.

We’ve dabbled in chemistry, to understand why the Statue of Liberty is green…

We’ve tried our hand at hydrology, to determine what floats and sinks…

We’ve dug into ecology, exploring our backyard habitat…

I’ve gotta say, these have been some of my favorite learning moments, and I’m eager to continue encouraging my little scientists’ curiosity. But science isn’t my area of expertise, and I don’t always know where to start. New picture book DREAM BIG, LITTLE SCIENTISTS (Charlesbridge, 2020) provides an approachable and memorable introduction to twelve branches of scientific study - a great fit for us during remote learning. Here’s the dreamy and delightful cover...

DREAM BIG, LITTLE SCIENTISTS by Michelle Schaub, illustrated by Alice Potter, is a bedtime book that follows kids who love science as they prepare for a good night’s sleep. Poetic, layered and beautifully inclusive, this wonderful story is especially great for April, which holds Earth Day (April 22) and also is National Poetry Month (through April 30). Here are three things that I love about DREAM BIG, LITTLE SCIENTISTS…

Poetic Introduction to Science

DREAM BIG, LITTLE SCIENTISTS is, first and foremost, a cozy bedtime story. In the opening, twelve children stretch and yawn, preparing for sleep. Schaub’s poetry speaks to readers directly, inviting them to enter a dreamland rich with possibility: “Dream big, little scientists, and close your sleepy eyes…”

Then, grab your telescope, because this book is zooming in - right into the lives and bedrooms of each of the twelve little scientists. First, we meet a child who adores astronomy. Then, we meet a child who thinks geology “rocks.” One by one, readers get a glimpse into each little scientist’s interests and passions. Composites of the kid enthusiasts, and their areas of scientific study, begin to form.

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Layers of Meaning

What kind of science is featured here? Children are encouraged to scour each spread for clues. Schaub and Potter contribute equally to the hunt. The rhyming text gives hints (“Slumber’s been a part of life since prehistoric days”), while the art hides Easter eggs. Look at the picture below - the labels on the files, the objects on the desktop, the posters on the wall.

Once the scientific branch is uncovered, children who are interested in digging deeper may choose to research a person featured in a portrait (such as English paleontologist Mary Anning, below) to learn more about the life and contributions of a real scientist. Though the detail in each page turn is rich, the touch is light, allowing readers to wonder and dream without losing the cadence of the bedtime rhyme.

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Incredible Inclusivity

I always cheer when I come across a picture book that allows many children to see themselves in the pages of a story, and this is one such book. Boys and girls. Children with brown skin and light skin. Differently abled children, too. Lots of kids will see their likeness reflected in these pages.

And not just in the twelve children, but also in the scientists featured on the walls of the bedrooms: anthropologist Mizuko Ito, environmental activist Wangari Maathai, theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, and many more. It’s clear that great care went into the presentation of each scientific field. This representation matters so very much to children exploring what their future might hold, if they are bold enough to dream it.

It’s really quite remarkable how many hats this story wears. A picture book that explores science broadly, while also lulling children to sleep, is a pretty tall order. But this gentle and inspiring bedtime story accomplishes both with style and substance - delivering a story that can be enjoyed many times over, in many different ways.

DREAM BIG, LITTLE SCIENTISTS can be ordered through your local independent bookstore (support them if you can!) and through the online retailer of your choice.

Michelle Schaub is the author of FINDING TREASURE: A COLLECTION OF COLLECTIONS, illustrated by Carmen Saldana (Charlesbridge) and FRESH PICKED POETRY: A DAY AT THE FARMERS’ MARKET, illustrated by Amy Huntington (Charlesbridge). Alice Potter is the illustrator of THE FANTASTIC PINEAPPLE by Brick Puffinton (Cottage Door Press).

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One lucky reader will win DREAM BIG, LITTLE SCIENTISTS, signed by Michelle Schaub!

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Kidlit Spotlight: Frog Boots

There’s been very little sunlight in Chicagoland lately. Lots of cloud cover. Lots of quiet. Since the coronavirus pandemic led to school closure about two weeks ago, it’s been on us, as a family, to find our glow.

We look for it everywhere, without even realizing we’re searching. We seek sparkle in made up and wildly unsafe activities (rollerskating basketball, anyone?) and in dependable places, like our puddle-covered neighborhood path.

And in books, of course.

A few hours before our local library closed, due to coronavirus, we picked up about two dozen titles that I had on hold. What an important stop that was! Stories have been an essential part of our new and strange stay-at-home life.

While home 24/7, I’ve also been on the lookout for a brand new title. A book that might deliver a little extra color, a little bit of shine, a sprinkle of hope. Something all of us need right about now. FROG BOOTS by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Joshua Heinsz, splashed into our home at just the right time…

FROG BOOTS (Sterling Children’s Books, March 2020) is a story about discovering something new and exciting, only to find that others see it, well… differently. In this tale, a boy named Dylan is about to start at a new school. He’s looking for just the right thing to wear on his first day when he sees an awesome pair of rain boots. He wears them with pride, until someone tells him that his boots are for girls. Hurt and embarrassed, Dylan must decide if his boots are meant to hide or shine. Here are three things that I love about FROG BOOTS…

Heart & Happiness

Dylan goes shopping with his mom, looking for something new - something to make his first day at a new school special. After a string of disappointments, he sees the perfect item: Poison dart frog rain boots! Dylan is so pumped that he doesn’t notice his mom’s hesitation. He simply has to have the galoshes.

As diamonds of color dance around his new boots, Dylan dances across the pages of the story. His smile? Irrepressible. Dylan is so excited, in fact, that he wears the boots to bed, which is how he discovers that they are even cooler than he had originally thought, because… they glow in the dark! His joy bubbles over, making it abundantly clear: These boots are tethered to Dylan’s heart.

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School-Day Dynamics

Dylan is sure that his new classmates will think he’s as cool as his boots. So when he arrives at school, he can’t help but flaunt his new fashion. The other kids stare, alright. But not for the right reason. “That boy’s wearing girl boots,” a student says. Dylan is crushed.

Esbaum’s word choice powerfully conveys Dylan’s discomfort and sadness. (“Dylan slowly pulled back his feet, feeling sweaty and prickly and dumb.”) Meanwhile, Heinsz vividly captures how quickly Dylan’s pendulum swings from top-of-the-world to so-very-small. Without vilifying Dylan’s classmates, the school-day dynamics in FROG BOOTS connect, viscerally and relatably.

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Bold & Beautiful

Once back in the safety of his home, Dylan works through some complicated feelings. He tries to push his anger and sadness away, but his dreams remind him that the boots are more than fashion - they are a reflection of something he loves (science!) that just happens to be purple. In time, Dylan finds his footing, as well as a brave path forward. These scenes of realization are rich and saturated, awash with the kind of color that you can feel when you’re walking tall, true to yourself and no one else.

Spirited, emotive and victorious, FROG BOOTS shows how when one boy steps into what he loves, he also steps into who he wants to be. Exactly himself. FROG BOOTS publishes Tuesday, March 31, 2020. It’s available online and also can be ordered through your local independent bookstore - just give them a call!

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Jill Esbaum is the author of many books for children, including WE LOVE BABIES (National Geographic Kids), HOW TO GROW A DINOSAUR, illustrated by Mike Boldt (Dial), FRANKENBUNNY, illustrated by Alice Brereton (Sterling), IF A T. REX CRASHES YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY, illustrated by Dasha Tolstikova (Sterling), TEENY TINY TOADY (Sterling). ELWOOD BIGFOOT: WANTED: BIRDIE FRIENDS, illustrated by Nate Wragg (Sterling), I AM COW, HEAR ME MOO! illustrated by Gus Gordon (Dial), and many more.

Joshua Heinsz is the illustrator of numerous books for children, including EXCEPT WHEN THEY DON’T by Laura Gehl (Little Bee), A PAINTBRUSH FOR PACO by Tracey Kyle (Little Bee), RAINBOW RANGERS: THE QUEST FOR THE CONFETTI CRYSTAL by Summer Greene (Imprint), CHIP AND CURLY by Cathy Breisacher (Sleeping Bear Press), and many more.

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One lucky reader will win FROG BOOTS, signed by Jill Esbaum! Here's how to enter:

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Kidlit Spotlight: Fred's Big Feelings

We didn’t have cable when I was growing up, so PBS programming was a constant childhood companion. Sesame Street, Mathnet, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross, and, of course…

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

Rogers’ humble home, methodical routines, fascinating friends and thoughtful words were a quiet, yet enormously positive force. The show was so different from every other on television. I never questioned or considered what made it unique, back in the 1980s. Instead, Rogers earned a special role in my active imagination, reminding me that…

Living is great.

Every day has positive potential.

I would have lots of feelings.

And we would talk about them.

As an adult, the profundity of this mantra is so apparent. And yet Rogers managed to deliver it seemingly effortlessly, in simple songs and friendly interactions. For this, Rogers’ life has inspired many pieces of art of late. The documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” A new movie starring Tom Hanks, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” And several picture books, including one that really grabbed my attention: Fred’s Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Fred Rogers by Laura Renauld and Brigette Barrager (Atheneum).

Ah, this cover! So much to love! The cardigan. The warm, rosy smile. The emphasis on feelings. Not to mention perfect art elements… The retro font. The movement of the hearts. That LEMON yellow backdrop. (I love yellow, as you know.)

This summer, I picked up a DVD of Mister Rogers episodes from the library. My girls were familiar with Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (and its incredibly infectious songs), but Mister Rogers was new to them. I wondered if it would resonate. It didn’t. I was super disappointed.

But then PBS started airing old episodes of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on its app. Game changer. There he was, right in the queue with their other shows. Slow. Intentional. Deep. Direct. Personal. Revealing the world moment-by-moment. Feeling-by-feeling.

This is precisely how Mister Rogers is captured in the new picture book Fred’s Big Feelings (which publishes Jan. 14). As we read the story together, my girls and I were fascinated to learn how a shy boy grew up to create his very own TV show. So, how exactly did he achieve this? You’ll need to read the book to find out! But here’s a peek inside…

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A Boy and His Feelings

Fred’s Big Feelings begins much like an episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The narrator speaks to the reader as a friend, giving a warm welcome and setting the stage for the story to come. After a proper hello, readers go back in time and into the boyhood life of Fred Rogers, a period full of surprising revelations and undeniably formative moments.

As readers, the Schulte family knew nothing of Fred’s youth and were saddened to learn that he spent much of it as a social outsider. Music provided a safe space for Fred, an environment where he could explore his emotions. In this gorgeous spread, author Laura Renauld and illustrator Brigette Barrager introduce the concept that, even at a very young age, feelings were everything to Fred. Powerful, sweeping sensations of the heart felt intimately by him, and also shared by all people, everywhere.

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The Power of Television

Fred recognized in young adulthood the impact that one person can have on the life of another. This realization became a call to action in the 1950s. Fred didn’t at all care for the television for children that typified this time period - the endless gags and pranks. But he saw TV’s tremendous potential for good.

The beautiful vignettes (below) show how, on his program, Rogers took every opportunity to explore feelings and introduce children to something or someone new: Look! Mister Rogers feels playful. He is taking a juggling lesson. (and) Mister Rogers feels sad. One of his goldfish has died. Just as in the iconic episodes featured in this spread, the words and art in Fred’s Big Feelings invite young readers to slow down, feel and learn.

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Exploring in Make Believe

Rogers showed the real world with patience and clarity, but that was only half of the brilliance of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The true magic began when you heard the urgent call of the trolly coming around the bend and were transported into a realm of imagination and play.

Children of ALL ages explore ideas and feelings from the safe distance afforded by make believe. “The World of Make Believe” was one such place. Barrager’s bright, whimsical illustration (below) recalls the wonder of this world, as Renauld’s prose reminds that even in this very separate place, Rogers never stopped showcasing feelings.

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Fred’s Big Feelings left a very particular imprint on my readerly heart. I learned many things I didn’t know about Rogers, while also getting to revisit a joyful part of my own childhood. And my daughters, who LOVE picture book biographies, added a new favorite to their list. This is a truly beautiful story about how one person, driven to make the world a better place, did exactly that.

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Laura Renauld is the author of PORCUPINE’S PIE (Beaming Books), and the upcoming 2021 title BEAR’S BICYCLE (Beaming Books). Brigette Barrager is the illustrator of many books for children, including VLAD THE RAD (Random House), POCKET FULL OF COLORS (Atheneum). UNI THE UNICORN and UNI THE UNICORN AND THE DREAM COME TRUE (Random House), FLORABELLE (HarperCollins), and others, including the upcoming HOW TO BE A PIRATE (Bloomsbury).

One lucky reader will win FRED’S BIG FEELINGS, signed by Laura Renauld! Here's how to enter:

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2019 Picture Book Picks

What was your favorite picture book of 2019? Choosing one title is a nearly impossible task. Yet, this month I posed the mind-bending question to 20 picture book authors, illustrators and champions. (Just as I did in 2018, creating the list you’ll find here.) Oh my, these new picks do NOT disappoint. You are in for such a treat! So grab some paper, or open a new tab for online shopping, because you’re gonna want to fill your library tote and cart with the beautiful, touching, inspiring and wildly creative stories found below. Enjoy!

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2019 Picture Book Picks

Justin Colon (@JustinRColon), author and creator of the #PBChat mentorship program and weekly Twitter chat, recommends DUCKWORTH, THE DIFFICULT CHILD by Michael Sussman, illustrated by Júlia Sardà (Atheneum Books for Young Readers): “I love this dark and humorous tale, born of a brilliant collaboration. Júlia Sardà’s delicious illustrations and overall aesthetic compliment Michael Sussman’s text to perfection.”

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Margarita Engle (@margaritapoet), author of many books for children (including 2019 titles DREAMS FROM MANY RIVERS and DANCING HANDS), recommends BETWEEN US AND ABUELA by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Sara Palacios (Farrar, Straus and Giroux): “I'm an own voice advocate, but this is a beautiful example of an author whose multilingual international experience and sensitivity helped her cross cultural lines.”

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Eric Fan (@opifan64), creator of many books for children (and co-illustrator of the 2019 title THE SCARECROW), recommends POKKO AND THE DRUM by Matt Forsythe (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books): “Pokko checked a lot of boxes for me. It was beautifully illustrated, funny, sweet, with some unexpected twists.”

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Vicky Fang (@fangmous), author of three children’s titles coming out in 2020, recommends EVELYN THE ADVENTUROUS ENTOMOLOGIST by Christine Evans, illustrated by Yasmin Imamura (Innovation Press): “This book is so fascinating, beautiful, and inspiring! It tells the true story of entomologist Evelyn Cheesman with an empowering theme for girls to pursue their dreams. Wonderfully written and illustrated, it's my favorite picture book of the year.”

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Amy Guglielmo (@amyguglielmo), author of books for children, including the 2019 release GOODNIGHT, STARRY NIGHT, recommends PARKER LOOKS UP by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry, illustrated by Brittany Jackson (Aladdin): “This story is based on a real photo that went viral of a little girl taking in Michelle Obama's portrait at the National Portrait Gallery museum. This book has all my favorite things inside: a true story, a strong woman, and a visit to an art museum! I love how museums and art can inspire us to dream big! And I LOVE that this little girl saw herself in the painting!”

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Bruce Handy (@henryfingjames), author of WILD THINGS: THE JOY OF READING CHILDREN’S LITERATURE AS AN ADULT, and Vanity Fair contributing editor, recommends A STONE SAT STILL by Brendan Wenzel (Chronicle Books): “I was privileged to be one of the judges for The 2019 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's books so won't include any of those wonderful titles here. A personal favorite not on the list: Brendan Wenzel's gorgeous A Stone Stood Still, a worthy followup to his 2017 Caldecott Honor winning They All Saw a Cat. The new book is both a clever meditation on perspective and a subtle and moving ecological parable. More here.

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Julie Hedlund (@JulieFHedlund), children’s book author and founder of year-long writing challenge #12x12PB, chose BIKES FOR SALE by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Zachariah OHora (Chronicle Books): “A sweet tale with a timeless feel, culminating in a satisfying ‘unexpected, but perfect’ ending.”

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Ioana Hobai (@ioanahobai), author, illustrator and creator of 2019 release LENA’S SLIPPERS, recommends A LIFE MADE BY HAND: THE STORY OF RUTH ASAWA by Andrea D’Aquino (Princeton Architectural Press): “I love the striking and refined artwork in this biography of the Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa by Andrea D’Aquino. The engaging text and images will inspire young readers to pay closer attention to the world around them and find beauty in ordinary things.”

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LaRonda Gardner Middlemiss (@IamLGMiss), author of 2020 picture book release I LOVE ME!, recommends I WILL BE FIERCE by Bea Birdsong, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani (Roaring Brook Press): “She's confident. She's brave. She's kind. The text and vibrant illustrations deliver an empowering story and message that can be embraced by all.”

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Daniel Miyares (@danielmiyares), author and illustrator of many children’s books, including the 2019 title COME NEXT SEASON with Kim Norman, recommends KING MOUSE by Cary Fagan, illustrated by Dena Seiferling (Tundra Books): “King Mouse is simply and elegantly told. We are in a “What about me?” culture, and this is a “What about others?” story that echoes in my heart. The illustrations whisper to you and in doing so allow you to hear what needs to be heard. I’m a big fan.”

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Katrina Moore (@kmoorebooks), author of 2019 picture book debut ONE HUG, recommends A GREEN PLACE TO BE by author and illustrator Ashley Benham Yazdani (Candlewick): “This book pops with compelling narrative. Richly researched, fascinating tidbits shine a beautiful light on the curation of Central park and its creators. Lush, vibrant illustrations are full of hidden gems. This breathtaking book is truly a masterpiece!”

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Miranda Paul (@Miranda_Paul) recommends AT THE MOUNTAIN’S BASE by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Weshoyot Alvitre (Kokila): “Set against artistic yet contemporary illustrations, Sorell is able to convey the rollercoaster of emotions that a family goes through when one of their own is far away, and in harm's way. It is one of those books that is both incredibly specific and universally relevant to readers. So much for a family or classroom to discuss after reading it, especially in consideration of the author's note at the end.”

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Lori Richmond (@loririchmond), author and illustrator of numerous books for children, recommends FROM A SMALL SEED: THE STORY OF ELIZA HAMILTON by Camille Andros, illustrated by Tessa Blackham (Henry Holt and Co.): “Camille's writing is always lyrical and beautiful, and Tessa's artwork feels so warm and homey. This dynamic duo of amazing women wonderfully and thoughtfully tell the story of another amazing woman!”

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Liz Garton Scanlon (@LGartonScanlon), author of many books for children, including 2019 titles FIVE MINUTES and ONE DARK BIRD, recommends TRUMAN by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins (Atheneum Books for Young Readers): “Truman is universal and relatable, but also intimate and specific (the city bus! the green beans!). It's a first-day-of-school story, a loyalty-and-friendship story, a bravery story, but it's also just a beautifully told and deeply felt Truman-and-Sarah story.”

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Aimee Sicuro (@aimeesicuro), illustrator of 2019 picture book DANCING THROUGH FIELDS OF COLOR: THE STORY OF HELEN FRANKENTHALER, recommends KINDNESS GROWS by Britta Teckentrup (Caterpillar Books): “I pick Kindness Grows for its ingenious approach in illustrating how kindness can bring us together and how the lack of it can break us apart.”

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Meera Sriram (@Meeratsriram), author of 2019 picture book title THE YELLOW SUITCASE, recommends GOING DOWN HOME WITH DADDY by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Daniel Minter (Peachtree Publishing Company): “I loved the heartfelt lyrical writing with rich imagery. While the story celebrates the joys of family and home, it also salutes the land and the family's roots - the struggles and triumphs of ancestors - and it was beautiful and powerful.”

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Melissa Stewart (@mstewartscience), author of 185 science books for children, including 2019 titles A PLACE FOR TURTLES (second edition) and SEASHELLS: MORE THAN A HOME, recommends BIRDS OF A FEATHER: BOWERBIRDS AND ME by Susan L. Roth (Neal Porter Books): “One of 2019’s standouts is Birds of a Feather: Bowerbirds and Me—a fascinating expository meditation in which author-illustrator Susan L. Roth compares her creative process to the way a male bowerbird constructs a beautiful, extravagant structure to attract a mate. It broadens our idea of what nonfiction can be.”

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Jess Townes (@JessicaTownes), children’s writer and director of outreach and communications for @_allthewonders, recommends BABYMOON by Hayley Barrett, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal (Candlewick): “As a former doula and lactation counselor, I've had the privilege of bearing witness to the tenderness of the first moments and days when a family grows, and both the text and the illustrations in this book perfectly capture the everyday magic of a new baby.”

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Matthew C. Winner (@MatthewWinner), host of the Children’s Book Podcast (@ChildrensBkPod) and co-host of #KidlitTheseDays on @BookRiot, recommends VAMOS! TO THE MARKET by Raúl the Third (Versify): “There is so much for the eye to take in on every page of Raul the Third's debut picture book, but what's most memorable is how fully-realized the setting and its cast present. Readers walk away with a sense of having walked into a market with the leads, taking in the sites, witnessing the drama, and delighting in all that's going on!”

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Mike Wu (@tinyteru), Pixar animator and creator of ELLIE and other books for children, recommends PAPER SON: THE INSPIRING STORY OF TYRUS WONG, IMMIGRANT AND ARTIST by Julie Leung, illustrated by Chris Sasaki (Schwartz & Wade): “Paper Son the inspiring story of Tyrus Wong, immigrant and artist. It’s a bit of an illustrated biography (no cute irreverent characters), but I felt it was an important story to tell written by Julie Leung and beautifully illustrated by Chris Sasaki.”

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Thank you SO very much to the amazing kidlit folks who shared a favorite title. It was not an easy task, but wow - the results were truly phenomenal. Compiling this list, connecting with each of you, and collecting the gorgeous art was a joy. Now I look forward to digging into these delights in what remains of 2019 and in the New Year, as well.

Wishing everyone a VERY happy holidays!

Anitra

(PS: Be sure to check out the books of the creatives who curated this list!)

Kidlit Spotlight: Roll with It

We go to the library once or twice a week. On the kidlit shelves, we always see lots of animals and kids looking back at us. Very rarely, though, have we picked up a book with a girl on the cover who reminds us of my oldest daughter. I can count the instances on one hand… and still have two fingers to spare.

Then a new middle grade novel arrived on our stoop. On its cover? A spunky girl in a cute yellow hoodie, sitting in a chair that looks just like my daughter’s chair. Even the aqua blue of Miss E’s backpack matches the book’s bright blue background.

ROLL WITH IT by Jamie Sumner (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) has been sitting on our living room end table ever sense. Partly because I love this story. But also because I just love seeing it there - smiling at me, looking so adventurous and confident. Representation is such a powerful thing.

And I’m just a parent. Not just, but… what I mean is… this book wasn’t written for me. Yet it gives me such pride to see it on my table and know the story that lives inside. So, how must people who do use a wheelchair feel to see themselves on this cover and in this book?

ROLL WITH IT was released exactly one week ago, and it’s already on its third printing. Holy smokes, that’s quite a reception - and for good reason. Not only does this story meet a tremendous need, but it does so with incredible style, humor and heart. Here’s that cover I’ve been going on about…

ROLL WITH IT is the story of Ellie, a witty, bright, headstrong girl with cerebral palsy. She also is quite an accomplished baker - icing on the cake of this already awesome character. Ellie has a lot on her parchment paper, so to speak. Her father is more-or-less out of the picture. Her loving mom is often stressed and strained. Her grandfather’s health is deteriorating. And, early in the story, we learn that Ellie is about to start all over - in a new school, in a new town.

There are tiramisu-level layers to this story. Where to begin? Grab a fork, and we’ll dig into the elements that struck me most and connected so strongly to my family’s life.

Seeking Independence

Ellie is an independent girl, who wants real autonomy and freedom. But in so many moments throughout her day, she just can’t get it. She wants to transition between classes alone, but her mom thinks she needs supervision. She wants privacy in the bathroom, but her safety requires assistance. Ellie puts it this way…

When you’re like me, you get used to seeing your body as a separate thing. Leg one. Leg two. Muscles and hair and a heart that beats. It makes it all a little less embarrassing when people are always putting their hands on you.

The detail in Ellie’s most frustrating moments rang so true to me, particularly her restroom issues. My daughter and I spend hours in the bathroom each day, and even more time when we’re on the road, traveling or vacationing. When we’re making due in tiny gas station bathrooms, I can’t help but think about how easy the same act is for others. ROLL WITH IT captures this anger and resignation vividly.

Connecting through Cooking

Ellie loves baking and frequently writes letters to food writers at publications, such as Food & Wine and the New York Times, to get to the bottom of a preparation conundrum. The letters she pens reveal her baking acumen and attention to detail. But they also demonstrate her desire to solve family problems and bring people together through the magic of flour, butter and sugar. In one letter to an editor, she writes…

I wouldn’t bother you with this under normal circumstances, but I am hoping to be a professional baker one day, sir, and so I’d really like to get this right. Also, my family could really use a pick-me-up and I’m trying to find the perfect thing.

When an opportunity arises for Ellie to enter a pie baking contest in her new town, she is all in. Baking is, after all, a huge part of her identity. It gives her a chance to “make something from nothing.” As a mom of a child with complex needs, I want to make sure I’m giving Miss E opportunities to explore her passions. On a recent school questionnaire, my daughter told me she wants to be a musician when she grows up. ROLL WITH IT has encouraged me to investigate more avenues for my girl to explore her love of music.

Navigating Hurt

Though Ellie is distanced from her father, and keeps a low profile at school, she has a great inner circle. The most constant bond is the one she shares with her mom, which plays out in snappy, playful, sometimes cheeky banter. Ellie also has amazing grandparents. (It’s easy to see where Ellie gets her trademark sass and charm.) But those relationships can’t protect her from the hurtful words and perceptions of others at school. One day, a girl makes fun of Ellie’s fruit pouch at lunch. It’s simply heartbreaking…

I shove my entire lunch back into the bag. I wish I could crawl in too. How do I explain that those squeeze pouches were the only fruits and vegetables that I could eat for a long time? “Easy calories,” Mom says. I can’t help it that I still like them. I must look like such a baby.

If only Ellie could explain to this student… surely she would understand. But so often we just don’t get the chance to say our piece. My daughter often has her favorite toy, a musical light-up jungle, on her lap. When we're out and about, sometimes little kids ask why such a big girl has a “baby toy.” I wish I could say it doesn’t bother me, but labeling things as babyish is so demeaning. I hope ROLL WITH IT encourages readers to slow down and think about the impact of their words.

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I tend to wade longest in a story’s deep moments, to fully feel and empathize. So I probably disproportionately emphasized the heavier moments of this story. So I have to also loudly shout that THIS BOOK IS SUPER FUNNY!

Sumner can do it all. She balances emotional heft with light, clever humor. She sets scenes with sensory detail and immersive, creative metaphors. In quick-paced, conversational prose, she keeps the plot moving ever-forward, but with such control. And the voice… Ellie’s thoughts and words play, then rebound and then resound, full of ALL the things. Sarcasm and anger and worry and joy and love and HOPE.

Like the very best desserts, ROLL WITH IT isn’t overly sweet. It’s undisputedly a little bit salty. And it leaves you satisfied, delighted and asking for seconds. Lucky for us, Sumner has more literary goodies coming. Congratulations to Jamie on this incredible debut. (See below for your chance at a signed copy!)

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Jamie Sumner, author of ROLL WITH IT, is also the author of two more middle-grade novels, which will release with Atheneum Books for Young Readers in 2020 and 2021. Sumner is the author of the non-fiction book on motherhood UNBOUND and the forthcoming book, KEEP ON, SUPERHERO, for parents of children with special needs. She is the mother of a son with cerebral palsy and writes and speaks about disability in literature.

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One lucky reader will win ROLL WITH IT, signed by Jamie Sumner! Here's how to enter:

*** Win ROLL WITH IT ***

Simply...

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

2. Follow me (@anitraschulte) on Twitter

3. Retweet my pinned contest tweet by EOD 10/11/19 

(Sign up to receive Jamie’s newsletter HERE and get a BONUS ENTRY!)

GOOD LUCK!

Kidlit Spotlight: The Scarecrow

It’s hard to believe that just one week ago, we were swimming in the neighborhood pool. Summer slipped out the back door, and now we’re back to school and back in the swing of things. Our goggles and beach towels are packed away and in their place are bike helmets and bedazzled backpacks. We’re off! And this year, in lace-up shoes. A giant step forward for kid-kind…

Though autumn isn’t quite here, she sure is thinking about it. Her voice whispers in the cool morning breeze. Her sunny face winks from the pyramid of mums by the grocery store door. She’s in the just-beyond, singing that old familiar song. You know the one. Beautiful, bittersweet, and over before you’re ready for it to be.

A reader who picks up a picture book that wears its autumn on its sleeve is quietly hoping for this - something cozy, something wistful, something dreamy. THE SCARECROW (HARPER, released September 3, 2019) perfectly hits and holds that yearned for note, turning an expected goodbye into a surprising hello. Here’s the pitch-perfect cover…

As a fan of Beth Ferry’s creative titles and the art of sibling illustrating duo The Fan Brothers (Terry Fan and Eric Fan), I have long anticipated what this picture book collaboration might bring. It delivers just what I was seeking: Poetry that’s smooth and melodic. Artwork that’s gentle and sincere. And a heartfelt story about taking a chance on friendship, despite the cost. Here are three things that I love about THE SCARECROW…

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A Sense of Place

Just as a scarecrow is anchored to a very particular place, so is this book. The vast emptiness of rural farmland acts a quiet-yet-loud character and costar. Ferry wraps Scarecrow in setting and rich rhyme: Autumn sunshine. Haystacks rolled. Scarecrow guards the fields of gold. The Fan Brothers take Ferry’s active imagery and run with it, far into the distant plains. The art glows. When the sun is shining, its light is felt on every surface, from the waving grain to the shifting clouds above. When it hides, snow and moonlight act as luminary. The result is both gorgeous and sentimental, underscoring the immovable fact that Scarecrow, for better or worse, is fixed to this spot… forever.

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A Chance Taken

The text of THE SCARECROW sings a sweet yet melancholy song of Scarecrow’s lonely role in the landscape, and this emotion extends into every illustration. Sometimes we are far from Scarecrow, acutely feeling the distance between him and the creatures of the field. Other times we are up close, reading the emotion on his warm, woven face. Just when readers have accepted the reality of Scarecrow’s limiting position, the immovable… moves. An unlikely friend falls from a tree, prompting Scarecrow to lean into his first-ever chance at friendship. He embraces the moment, and the moment is a sheer delight…

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A Character to Root For

Readers will love Scarecrow, who - as you’ve likely gleaned - is not at all scary. His flannel is tidy and carefully stuffed. His round face, bound in golden burlap, bears a tender smile. His eyes are blue and bright. Who could be afraid of such a sweet fellow? Yet his position in the field sends a clear message to the surrounding animals. (No one enters. No one dares.) When one bird breaks the rules, Scarecrow at last becomes known. The hazy filter upon the art gives way to vibrant precision and his face fills the frame, bringing us deeply into his sadness when he realizes that his one-and-only friend must go. From a place so low, the reader must know: Will Scarecrow’s heart soar again?

The story comes to an ending so satisfying that you’ll want to take the journey again, making THE SCARECROW a timeless tale that will surely endure on bookshelves - to be revisited on autumn days when you’re searching to share a snuggled-up feeling with someone you love. Here’s a look inside, set to music… Enjoy! (And see below for a chance to win a signed copy.)

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THE SCARECROW is by Beth Ferry, author of STICK AND STONE (HMH), LAND SHARK (Chronicle), PIRATE’S PERFECT PET (Candlewick), A SMALL BLUE WHALE (Knopf), SEALED WITH A KISS (HarperCollins), TEN RULES OF THE BIRTHDAY WISH (G.P. Putnam's Sons), and SQUIRREL’S FAMILY TREE (Scholastic). THE SCARECROW is illustrated by The Fan Brothers, creators of THE NIGHT GARDENER (S&S), THE DARKEST HOUR (Tundra), THE ANTLERED SHIP (S&S), and OCEAN MEETS SKY (S&S).

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One lucky reader will win THE SCARECROW, signed by Beth Ferry! Here's how to enter:

*** Win THE SCARECROW ***

Simply...

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

2. Follow me (@anitraschulte) on Twitter

3. Retweet my pinned contest tweet by EOD 9/13/19 

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

GOOD LUCK!

Kidlit's Favorite Podcasts: 24 Podcasts that Inspire, Entertain & Inform

I am a BIG podcast consumer. What can I say? Driving, folding laundry and weeding are exceedingly more interesting when I’m learning something new, or being entertained… or better yet, both.

When it comes to picking my listening treat, I definitely have go-to podcasts. Some are like master classes in publishing. Others are like snagging coffee with an writing peer or mentor. In either case, I always walk away with a new nugget of information that helps me in my path as a creative. As an author dedicated to her craft, and an all-around curious kid, I want as much of this kind of info as possible. So recently, I asked writing friends on Twitter (via #pbchat):

What publishing podcasts do you turn to regularly for insights and inspiration?

The responses was fabulous! Some recommendations reiterated standbys in my podcast queue. But others were brand new to me. So, what were those picks? Check out the 24 (TWENTY FOUR!) awesome podcasts below. Don’t see your ‘go-to’? List it in the comments section, so all can benefit from your curatorial expertise! Simply click on the tiles below to learn more about each unique channel.

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Kidlit’s Favorite Podcasts

Just imagine the time and heart that goes into producing this fabulous content… it’s actually kind of crazy. If you enjoy these podcasts, be sure to support the shows and their creators! Share episodes on social media. Review them wherever you get your podcasts. Donate via their Patreon pages, if they have them. Give back to the things that give your ears intangible goodness.

Listen on, friends! And keep taking those steps forward in your creative path!

Kidlit Spotlight: Imagine That

Since childhood, summer has always taken me to the lake. It’s my family’s happy place. So every year around this time, my heart yearns to be next to and on the water.

There’s something magical about a lazy summer boat ride, in particular. The hum of the motor silences chatter and invites the mind to wander. As eyes journey from cloud, to horizon, to crashing wave, life is held at bay… for a little while. I’ve written many poems and songs while sitting in the back of our family boat. It’s so freeing to speak and sing ideas into the loud, rushing wind.

Being surrounded by water in this way gives me a lost-yet-found feeling. A portal into uncharted places. An invitation to explore. The cover of IMAGINE THAT, a gorgeous new picture book by author and illustrator Jonathan D. Voss (Henry Holt and Co.), brilliantly captures this dreamy waterside wonder. Look deeply into that reflection...

IMAGINE THAT, which publishes July 16, is the second “Hoot & Olive Story.” I met Hoot and Olive last summer, when I read Voss’s first title in this series, BRAVE ENOUGH FOR TWO (2018).

I’m awfully glad that these two characters live inside of picture book adventures. Voss handles coming-of-age themes and formative childhood moments with beauty, patience and care. (It’s no wonder that Voss was chosen to illustrate WINNIE, the picture book about the bear that inspired Winnie-The-Pooh.)

BRAVE ENOUGH FOR TWO was a splendid introduction to the forever-friendship of Hoot and Olive, but it’s the follow up that stole my heart. Here are three reasons why IMAGINE THAT struck such a chord with me, and why I think you’ll love it, too.

Classic Characters

IMAGINE THAT is about best friends: Olive, a wildly creative girl, who welcomes adventure with open arms. And Hoot, a timid yet big-hearted owl, who is contemplative and a bit nervous. Everything about their opposites-attract friendship feels comfortable and timeless, especially when set in such a pleasing palette of steely blues, velvety greens and rusty reds.

The story takes place on a rainy day. Olive views the weather as an opportunity to imagine. But Hoot doesn’t share her excitement. He’s just discovered that his imagination is broken. Through creative use of scale, Voss emphasizes the dilemma, giving toys in Hoot’s midst gargantuan proportion. Even sweet summer daisies can’t bear the weight of his worry.

Immersive Scenes

Olive doesn’t know how to fix Hoot’s broken “imaginator.” But she knows that pretending means seeing things that aren’t really there. So she tries igniting creativity with fresh ideas: “What if… the water gets higher than just a little and the puddles grow really big?”

Turning the page, you enter Olive’s powerful imagination. “Do you feel that?” Olive asks. The question is posed to Hoot, but the reader will feel compelled to answer. (Yes!) Raindrops strike the page. Undulating waves disrupt your equilibrium. The powerful scene is shadowed yet, in pockets, filled with sun. It’s hazy in the distance, but crystal clear and crisp up close. The dualities of the storm seem to point back to Hoot and Olive and their differences throughout the text.

Intimate Moments

Sadly, Hoot doesn’t see what Olive sees. “It’s only a puddle,” he says, then retreats into white-wrapped conversational vignettes. The loss of color and grandeur on the page is palpable. You can feel the magic slip away. But the upswing is that when imagination disappears, something else gets the spotlight: The intimacy shared between Olive and Hoot.

Olive does everything she can to jumpstart Hoot’s imagination. And Hoot really tries to mend it. But nothing works. At last they give up. With honesty, they share their disappointments: “Maybe I can’t be fixed,” Hoot says. “Or maybe you’re not really trying,” Olive returns. The next three spreads just tore me up. Not only has Hoot let himself down, but he’s let his best friend down, too. Every reader, young and old, will be able to relate to the heartbreaking layers of friendship disappointment.

Hoot and Olive’s chat, though difficult, leads to an important discovery that allows Hoot to find his way back. IMAGINE THAT hit my heart like THE POLAR EXPRESS. (I don’t care how many times I experience the Christmastime classic, I always get emotional about the boy’s search for that sound - the ringing of the bell and all that it represents.) When magic is lost, you fear you’ll never find it again.

In IMAGINE THAT, Voss leads readers tenderly through Hoot’s fear and sadness, all the way through to something that’s nothing but magical. You’ll wonder at times if your heart can handle it. It can. And it will grow and glow a bit brighter, as a result.

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IMAGINE THAT is by Jonathan D. Voss, the illustrator of WINNIE: THE TRUE STORY OF THE BEAR WHO INSPIRED WINNIE-THE-POOH by Sally Walker, and author-illustrator of BRAVE ENOUGH FOR TWO (both by Henry Holt and Co.).

One lucky reader will win IMAGINE THAT, signed by Jonathan!

Here's how to enter:

*** Win IMAGINE THAT ***

Simply...

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

2. Follow me (@anitraschulte) on Twitter

3. Retweet my pinned contest tweet by EOD 7/19/19 

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

GOOD LUCK!

Kidlit Spotlight: Dandy

Is there anything a daddy wouldn’t do for his daughter?

Not much, as far as I can tell. A simple request is often all it takes for my husband, Dan, to shuffle his day around and be there for his girls.

“Daddy, will you take me to school?”

“Will you watch me at swim class, Daddy?”

“When will you be my mystery reader?”

Dan has donned tiaras and wrapped high ponytails. He’s worn burgundy nail polish on his toes for more than a month after an experimental “pedicure.” He even sported this unicorn costume last Halloween, to make our 4 year old’s dreams come true. (He succeeded.)

Dads also have passions and hobbies, preferences and pet peeves. And pretty high up on the priority list, you’ll generally find…

The lawn.

Our yard isn’t pristine or precious, by any means. But Dan keeps it looking its best. Come rain or shine… or snow in May (not cool, Chicago), he’s out back or out front. Walking the grounds. Pulling volunteers. Hacking back bushes. And mowing that grass.

To my daughter’s chagrin, we don’t see many dandelions in our square-o-green. To their delight, some home owners are less scrupulous…

My favorite color is yellow, so I get lots of *dandy* bouquets.

To children EVERYWHERE, dandelions are flowers - beautiful, bright, delightful. They sprinkle the ground like parade candy waiting to be plucked and savored.

To dads EVERYWHERE, dandelions are weeds - invasive, pervasive, menacing. They infect grass like a disease for which there is but one cure. (Scalpel!)

This is the premise of a new and, I would argue, perfect picture book called DANDY by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Little, Brown Young Readers, April 2019). The cover captures the eternal dilemma brilliantly, doncha think?

From the safety of his picture window, Daddy peers out and sees something downright scary. In the midst of his smooth, even, lime green grass is an unwanted guest. A dandelion. To Daddy, it’s a horror! To his daughter, Sweetie, it’s…

CHARLOTTE. Oh yes, this weed has a name. A classy, strong, upstanding name. Deserved? Not in Daddy’s book. Much as he adores his daughter Sweetie, he knows that weed has gotta go. With pressure from his neighbors, Daddy sets out to “take care of” Charlotte. But Sweetie is always there, protecting Charlotte with love.

When Sweetie leaves the house for swim class, Daddy finally gets his chance to put an end to Charlotte, before she releases her seeds into his perfect lawn. He has a last-minute change of heart, but it’s too late. Charlotte is hurt by mistake. Now it’s Daddy that’s destroyed. This spread made me laugh and cry and the same time. (Like I said, perfect picture book.)

You’ve gotta read how it ends. The final moment is so beautiful. Of course, I cried. Again. After all, what wouldn’t a Daddy do for his Sweetie? DANDY has it all. Charming setting. Sunny, funny characters. A tiny problem with massive consequences. And a love that knows no bounds. (Pssst! It could be a perfect gift for a daughter to share with her dad, this Father’s Day weekend!)

DANDY has certainly made an impact at our house. Our girls planted and wrapped up maple seed VICTORIA (Oh yes, this tree has a name) in love and an Arsenal soccer scarf. Just like their new friend, Sweetie.

Happy Father’s Day to dads everywhere, especially to my dad, Bill. Cruising with you on the red riding mower is one of my favorite childhood memories… and one I’m so glad my girls now get to share with you!

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DANDY is by Ame Dyckman, the author of many books for children, including BOY + BOT, WOLFIE THE BUNNY, HORRIBLE BEAR!, YOU DON’T WANT A UNICORN, MISUNDERSTOOD SHARK and the WEE BEASTIES series, among others. Find them all HERE! DANDY’s pictures are by Charles Santoso, illustrator of THE SNURTCH, I DON’T LIKE KOALA, IDA, ALWAYS and PEANUT BUTTER & BRAINS. Check them out HERE!

One lucky reader will win DANDY, signed by Ame Dyckman! Visit Ame on Twitter at @AmeDyckman for all of the details!