July ~ August 2018

July 28, 2018

Happy Book

Birthday

TREVOR

by

Award-winning author
Jim Averbeck

Illustrated by

Amy Hevron

Roaring Brook Press / Porter
Macmillan
(July 2018)

A 2018 JLG Selection

An elegantly told, truly unique tale of a canary who befriends a lemon and finds that you don’t have to be two of a kind to form a meaningful and lasting friendship.

A lonely canary takes a chance on friendship and the payoff is immeasurable.

…Hevron’s depiction of Trevor’s earnest embrace of this friendship and his small world of cage, window, brown tree, pale blue sky, and yellow lemon is filled with sweetness and simplicity of line and color…

Both poignant and triumphant at once.
—KIRKUS starred review

Speaking of Amy Hevron (represented by Kirsten Hall @ CatBird Agency):
Jim and Amy met last year in person at SCBWI National, and it was a “friend-fest!”

Averbeck offers a lovely ode to friendship that gets even better w/ repeat readings…
Highly Recommended.

– SLJ starred review

TREVOR flies in on the heels of Averbeck’s June release:

TWO PROBLEMS FOR SOPHIA

Illustrated by Yasmeen Ismail

Margaret K. McElderry Books

KIRKUS interviewed the SOPHIA author/illustrator team.
Here’s an excerpt:

Averbeck and Ismail are currently at work on a third installment, in which Sophia will undoubtedly continue to grow, change, strive, and thrive.

“What’s so great about Jim’s writing,” Ismail says, “is that it’s not stuck in the past. When I receive a text like this, I need to step up to it. The fact is, when you’re a writer or an illustrator…the publisher is handing you a microphone, a platform [to reach] all these tiny, impressionable children. We should all respond in a responsible way, and I think that’s what these books do.”

Look for

SOPHIA’S THREE POINT PERSPECTIVE

next Spring 2019!

Until then, we’re
“perdurably” yours!

Congrats!

LLAMA LLAMA
LOVES TO READ

by Anna Dewdney &
Reed Duncan

Illus. by J.T.Morrow
Viking

Nine Weeks
as a
NYT Best Seller

(as of 7.22.18)

Featured in Brightly’s

Bookshelf Must-Have:
Llama Llama Loves to Read

The week of 7.22.18
marks East/West’s
195th week on the
NYT Bestseller List

E/W held one or more slots for 88 consecutive weeks!

Kwame Alexander’s

2015 Newbery recipient

THE CROSSOVER
HMH Books for Young Readers

was also back on the

NYT Best Seller list

this month.
(7.15.18)

Look for paperback editions of
THE CROSSOVER and BOOKED, to come, in spring 2019!

Happy Book Birthday

BOATS ON THE BAY

by Award-winning author
Jeanne Walker-Harvey

Illustrated by Grady McFerrin
Cameron Kids
(August 2018)

A large-format picture book about boats found on a busy bay, buoyed by simple, spare, and lyrical text. Inspired by the San Francisco Bay but with universal appeal, BOATS ON THE BAY features a spectacular double-spread gatefold finale showing a boat parade and fireworks glowing against a city backdrop.

A celebration of place
and a catalogue of the kinds of vessels dear to the hearts of boat enthusiasts young and old.
–PW

…Completely approachable, with a pleasing circularity…
A well-designed book
with a simple, approachable text.
—KIRKUS

Jeanne donates her proceeds to CALL OF THE SEA, an educational nonprofit that gives Bay Area youth an opportunity to sail traditional tall ships, investigate the local marine environment, connect to the Bay’s rich maritime history, and inspire them to be stewards of the sea and earth. www.callofthesea.org

A perfect sail for summer!

Happy Book Birthday

PETE THE KITTY AND BABY ANIMALS

by NYT Best Selling Creator
James Dean

A Harper Festival tabbed Board Book
(August 2018)

The fun new series that began with I LOVE PETE THE KITTY, introducing young readers to Pete the Cat before he was Pete the Cat…when he was little Pete the Kitty!

AND…

Now available:

Pete the Cat Family Calendar
2018-2019

Andrews McMeel Publishing

with groovy stickers!

Where’s East/West?

#ALA 2018

Gayle E. Pitman (above) signing

A CHURCH FOR ALL (Albert Whitman)

Pitman with the crew from Magination Press and SEWING THE RAINBOW.

Patricia Newman, DW and NEEMA–all smiles!

Shannon Hitchcock’s ONE TRUE WAY at the Scholastic booth.

Neal Porter (VP and Publisher of Neal Porter Books / Holiday House) sharing Antoinette Portis‘ upcomIng HEY, WATER.

Gianna Marino’s illustrations on display in Larissa Theule’s forthcoming HOW DO YOU DO? (Bloomsbury).

Marino’s IF I HAD A HORSE (Roaring Brook) at the Macmillan booth.

Happy Book Birthday

SPIRIT

RIDING FREE

PRU’S DIARY

by NYT Best Selling Author
Stacia Deutsch

Little Brown Books for Young Readers
(July 2018)

–based on the Dreamworks Animation Series

Deutsch
has written more than 250 books including the June release:

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3
Summer Vacation

Stacia’s 16^th

movie-tie!

Sony Pictures Animation’s
Hotel Transylvania 3
—starring Adam Sandler
and Selena Gomez
–which hit theaters this month

as well as…

GIRLS WHO CODE:The Friendship Code #1
with foreword by Reshma Saujani,

Penguin
published in partnership with the organization

Download Penguin’s STEM guide for Readers Pre-K – 12

which includes…
Stacia’s two titles:

Happy Book Birthday

MOON FOR MOE AND MO

by J.B.Zalben
Charlesbridge

Illustrated by

Award-winning
Mehrdokht Amini

An interfaith friendship develops when Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, overlaps with the Muslim holiday of Ramadan–an occurrence that happens only once every thirty years or so.

Moses Feldman, a Jewish boy who lives at one end of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, and Mohammed Hassan, a Muslim boy who lives at the other, meet at Sahadi’s market while out shopping with their mothers and are mistaken for brothers. A friendship is born, and the boys bring their families together to share rugelach and date cookies
in the park as they make
a wish for peace.

…Author Zalben and illustrator Amini are immensely successful in creating parallels between the two boys’ lives, with each aspect mirrored both in the narrative and graphically. Amini’s vibrant collages capture both the busyness of the neighborhood and the growing friendship between the families. Completing the educational effort are two succinct informational sheets on both Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan along with two recipes for each tradition.

A gem.
—KIRKUS

For other books celebrating Ramadan and Islam, including Mehrdokht’s GOLDEN DOMES AND SILVER LANTERNS and CRESCENT MOONS AND POINTED MINARETS, see ColoursOfUs.com:

As seen at the Chronicle booth: CRESCENT MOONS AND POINTED MINARETS,

a Muslim book of shapes–#ALA18

Where’s East/West?

Deborah Warren will be on faculty at the Aug. 3-6

SCBWI LA conference.

Hope to see you there!

Acquisitions and Licensing

CONGRATS

Summer Stars

The “remarkable versatile” Antoinette Portis’ BEST FRINTS AT SKROOL is a
WA POST “best book” to inspire young readers:

“… spiced with tongue-in-cheek observations and otherworldly fun …
young Earthlings and their grown-up readers will certainly relate – and get a kick out of this
extra-terrestrial glimpse into human behavior.”

A STAR in Shelf Awareness for
“another candy-colored extraterrestrial adventure”

Yelfred and Omek of Borborp make a new frint at skrool
in this sharp and silly sequel to Best Frints in the Whole Universe.
—Shelf Awareness starred review

Let’s PARTY, indeed!

Antoinette, pictured above with children’s book legend Maurice Sendak,
was interviewed on GirlsGone50 —

“The real reason to make children’s books is because you loved them as a child, and love them now and want to interact with children and encourage their creativity.” A. Portis

FRABULOUS!

And check out this interview with Dow Phumiruk about COUNTING ON KATHERINE on
The Picture Book Buzz.

Additional accolades for
COUNTING ON KATHERINE: HOW KATHERINE JOHNSON SAVED APOLLO 13:

Thanks to the 2016 movie Hidden Figures, Katherine Johnson became a household name. This engaging picture book biography will undoubtedly spread her fame to a younger audience. Neither Becker nor Phumiruk shy away from the realities of racism, depicting examples such as the jarring “Colored Computers” sign designating a room with only brown-skinned women…
Clean and attractive [art], with plenty of mathematical formulae, intertwining Katherine’s major interest with Becker’s fascinating text. – Shelf Awareness

Phumiruk works in a crisp, uncluttered art style, infusing emotionality into more private moments of reflection. Johnson is pictured gazing at the moon, encircled with strings of mathematical equations: “She was no longer the kid who dreamed of what lay beyond the stars. She was now a star herself.” — PW

A New Mighty Girl pick!

“This inspiring biography of the mathematician catapulted to fame by Hidden Figures celebrates a love of math and encourages kids to follow their passions.”

Already in a second printing!

Shannon Hitchcock’s RUBY LEE AND ME (Scholastic) is part of Alaska’s Battle of the books, and “A Mighty Girl” book for Tweens’ Summer 2018 Reading List

Who says school isn’t for anybody who wants to learn — or teach?

In addition to providing plenty of fodder for conversation about civil rights history and the power of a dedicated teacher, this book also sends a message about how change that initially seems scary or unsettling can actually provide unexpected opportunities.

Hitchcock’s ONE TRUE WAY is a new “A Mighty Girl” book about Standing Up for Others:

This emotionally honest middle grade novel also
provides an opportunity to discuss the history of gay rights in America.

Hitchcock will be at nErDcampNC.

JACOB’S NEW DRESS (Sarah & Ian Hoffman/ Albert Whitman) and

THIS DAY IN JUNE (Gayle E. Pitman / Magination) were among

“Queer Books for #Pride

LGBT Picture Books”

Pitman was featured in the June Author Spotlight of the CBCBooks newsletter:

A CHURCH FOR ALL (Gayle E. Pitman / Albert Whitman) is in good company on Qspirit’s “2018 Brings Many New LGBTQ Christian Books”– including the memoir of former Glide chuch pastor, Bishop Oliveto.

KIRKUS Review for GRANDMA’S FAVORITE and GRANDPA’S FAVORITE

by Erin Dealey & Luciana Navarro Powell / Kane Miller:

Both books were on display at #ala18 at the Kane Miller booth.
Check out Erin Dealey and Luciana Illustration on Instagram.

Also spotted at #ala18:

Michael Paul’s ROAR: A DINOSAUR TOUR at Crown Books.
Michael Paul’s new Instagram account includes photos of all of his author events.

Stay tuned for his rip-ROARingly great dinosaur tour at
The San Diego Natural History Museum on July 28^th!

Another reprint for Sam Barry’s HOW TO PLAY THE HARMONICA: and Other Life Lessons

—available on Amazon!

Speaking of reprints: Alethea Kontis’ ALPHA OOPS! Is in its 10^th printing.
AWESOME!

Alethea is now a book reviewer for NPR.
Check out her most recent review here.

And for your consideration:

Audio now available.

Chris Gorman’s ONE OF A KIND got a great recommendation from Rachael Ray in the June issue of her magazine, Every Day:

“Chris Gorman is a visionary and, as the drummer for the alt-rock band, Belly, literally a rock star. I love his new children’s book, One Of A Kind. It’s so smart and empathetic. Whether you have kids or not, it’s a great read with amazing artwork.” –Rachael Ray

Tour dates for Gorman:

08/08 LA CA Teragram Ballroom

08/09 LA CA Teragram Ballroom

08/10 SF CA Great American Music Hall

08/11 Portland OR Revolution Hall

08/12 Seattle WA Neptune

08/22 Portland ME Port City

08/23 Boston MA TBA UN-ANNOUNCED SHOWS until after Boston Calling

08/24 Boston MA TBA UN-ANNOUNCED SHOWS until after Boston Calling

08/25 Brooklyn NY Music Hall Williamsburg

08/26 Brooklyn NY Music Hall Williamsburg

Kirkus review for Sibert award-winning Patricia Newman’s upcoming
EAVESDROPPING ON ELEPHANTS: How Listening Helps Conservation:

The text abounds with accessible…explanations of sound, spectrograms, technological advances, and more. Charts, graphs, and colorful photographs supplement the text. Grim facts are balanced by hope and faith in the next generation. Fascinating for earnest conservationists.

We’re already celebrating World Elephant Day on August 12^th!

Don’t be scared: bookmark Gaby Triana’s new blog, THE WITCH HAUNT, now!