Happy Book Birthday 

by award-winning creator
and NYT-bestselling 
illustrator
 

Gianna Marino

(Viking Books for Young Readers/PRH)

A stunningly illustrated SEL book about friendship and facing fears, helping little ones to find the courage to push past what’s comfortable and explore the world around them…

“Speech balloon text kicks up the pacing throughout, while cross-sections of the burrow system reveal both the animals’ underground lives and how Earl perceives the outdoors from below—as small, constricted areas of light in the midst of velvety blackness. [A] sweet-tempered outing that illuminates a supportive system leading to individual change.”  

“Marino’s gouache and ink compositions capture the beauty of a sunrise and the drama of the storm . … Varied perspectives and the dynamic use of black to depict underground scenes add dimension and interest … Children will be charmed by the furry friendships and fascinated by the visual details.“

Using endearing animals to give young readers a voice, like in Gianna’s other books, she helps children unravel and talk about their feelings and their fears.

THE OUTSIDE is a perfect social-emotional learning tool for educators and parents who have children in their lives with certain anxieties.  Highlighting the importance of friendship and community with adorable prairie dogs and gentle reassurance, THE OUTSIDE is about finding courage at your own pace – and shows how new experiences can be wonderful.

When not wandering the great OUTSIDE, Gianna writes and illustrates full-time from her home in Colorado, where prairie dogs peek from their burrows. Gianna has written and illustrated more than a dozen acclaimed picture books, including NIGHT ANIMALS, TOO TALL HOUSES, and FOLLOWING PAPA’S SONG. She is a NYT-bestselling illustrator of DON’T LET THEM DISAPPEAR, written by Chelsea Clinton.

 

Gianna’s 11^th book for PRH:

Happy Book Birthday

by NYT-bestselling author

Bob McKinnon

Illustrated by 
Thai My Phuong

(Penguin Workshop)

A story about seeking inspiration from our past to become our best selves in the future…

While we never see America, Bob McKinnon’s lyrical writing and Thai My Phuong’s unique, sweeping art helps readers see the world through America’s eyes and encourages us all to be as kind as we are brave, because everyone always deserves to feel welcome.

Illustrations © Thai My Phuong, throughout

With themes of empowerment and community…
America dreams of adventures, making new friends, and being strong. But America’s first day at a new school turns out to be a nightmare.

Fortunately, America’s new teacher introduces the Welcome Wagon—a cart filled with books about real-life historical figures who also had trouble feeling accepted.

When America falls asleep that night, Amelia Earhart, Sojourner Truth, Martin Luther King Jr., and Emma Lazarus jump off the pages to share their stories—inspiring America to return to school the next day and make their dreams come true.

The On-Sale Calendar: June 2024

“Casting America as both the new kid at school and this story’s narrator, McKinnon and Phuong roll out a historical welcome wagon. In Phuong’s cool-hued, portrait-forward images, characters emerge from books to encourage the protagonist.”

“Mr. Downs was based on my 5th grade teacher, Mr. Jack Downs, who helped me feel welcomed after a rough move of my own. … When I finally tried to reach out to him, I discovered that he had passed away just two weeks earlier. It’s a reminder that we should thank those who make us feel seen before it’s too late. In honor of him and others who do heroic work making kids feel at home at school, we hope to donate at least one hundred Welcome Wagons filled with books that help kids of all ages feel like they belong to schools around the country.”
—Bob McKinnon
(mrschureads.blogspot.com)

A perfect back-to-school story that will encourage educators and others to create their own welcome wagons with AMERICA’S DREAMING at the center.

“America’s first day of school goes terribly wrong, and they don’t feel like they fit in. With encouragement from the teacher’s history book collection … their stories offer the inspiration America needs to … make their dreams come true.”
The Best New Children’s & YA
Books of June

“The ending is encouraging and gorgeous. A note shares the author’s experience and his hope that no matter where a child comes from or “their gender, race, or class … they should always feel welcome.” Cameo portraits accompany mini biographical summaries of the five historical figures. A delightful story for encouraging empathy and acceptance, this stunningly illustrated book is thought provoking both personally and as a society as a whole.”
—Maria C. Marshall
(mariacmarshall.com)

Quoting Bob (excerpted)
from the press release:
 
“AMERICA’S DREAMING is not only a mirror and a window for children, but a love letter to teachers, and a reminder of our nation’s history – one that is rooted in the idea that we are stronger when we welcome others with open arms and hearts.”

Bob McKinnon is a writer, designer, podcast host, and teacher. What unites all of his work is the desire to help others move up in life – just as others have helped him. Bob directs the Moving Up Media Lab, a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire Americans to reflect on who and what has contributed to where they end up in life. Their latest project is the PBS distributed podcast, Attribution with Bob McKinnon. He is an adjunct professor at both the Parsons School of Design and the Colin Powell School of Civic and Global Leadership where he teaches courses on social mobility and the American Dream. Bob lives in a small village north of New York City, near a train station with his wife, dog, and three engines…err daughters.
 

AMERICA GIVES THANKS
(with the same team)